OTL: Episode #522- Vacant buildings in Chicago, It’s Filmed There, The Secret History of Savage Beliefs

Mike Stephen talks with:   Jefferson Park Chamber of Commerce president Brian Nadig about the Vacancy Fraud Investigative Unit Act and how some Chicago landlords are exploiting a tax reduction for vacant buildings;   It’s Filmed There website creator Chas Demster about researching and meticulously documenting television and movie filming locations around Chicago; and   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about early local hardcore band Savage Beliefs for this week’s “The Fall of Punk” edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music.   Meanwhile, we share the feel-good story of Toons Bar & Grill recovering its beloved smoker Black Pearl!   This week’s local music is provided by i.e. kokoro.   OTL host Mike Stephen MCs New Year’s Eve from behind the bar at Toons Bar & Grill after chowing on some meat from the legendary Black Pearl smoker. [photo circa 2010-2011]   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #518- Suburban Unity Alliance, DIY Musician Conference, The Secret History of George and Gerry Armstrong

Mike Stephen talks with:   Oak Park and River Forest High School special education teacher Anthony Clark about bringing people together around racial equity via the Suburban Unity Alliance;   CD Baby vice president of marketing Kevin Breuner about the DIY Musician Conference coming to Chicago the weekend of September 30; and   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about Chicago’s first family of folk George & Gerry Armstrong for this week’s edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music.   Meanwhile, we reset Outside the Loop RADIO‘s mission of being “Chicago’s Almost Above-Ground Audio Magazine” and announce our 10th anniversary remote next week at the United Center!   This week’s local music is provided by 13-Monsters.   Suburban Unity Alliance founder and director Anthony Clark gives the thumbs up to OTL host Mike Stephen.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #516- Is Riot Fest a good thing?, More government transparency hurdles, The Secret History of Hamid Drake

Mike Stephen talks with:   Concerned Citizens of Riot Fest in Douglas Park co-founder Sharaya Tindal about her organization’s concerns about the annual music festival in their neighborhood;   Chicago Justice Project executive director Tracy Siska about filing suit against the Chicago Emergency Management and Communications office for more government transparency; and   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about world-renowned drummer Hamid Drake for this week’s edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music.   Meanwhile, we discuss real estate prices around CTA stops.   This week’s local music is provided by Law of Keanu.   OTL host Mike Stephen wraps up his pre-show vocal exercises in a seventh floor radio studio in the Tribune Tower.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #512- Turning the Page Chicago, Saving the monarch butterfly, The Secret History of The Sunshine Sequence

Mike Stephen talks with:   Turning the Page Chicago managing director Kylia Kummer about engaging families with public schools to ensure a high-quality public education;   Keller Science Action Center at the The Field Museum social science coordinator Alexis Winter about “A Monarch’s View of the City” and the conservation efforts to save this important pollinator; and   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about 1960s all-girl garage band The Sunshine Sequence for this week’s edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music.   Meanwhile, we discuss the fact that O’Hare International Airport is really stepping up its food game.   This week’s local music is provided music provided by Jaime Rojo.   WGN Radio host John Williams bumps into OTL host Mike Stephen at O’Hare International Airport… but they did not dine at The Publican. [photo circa August 3, 2011]   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.