OTL: Episode #504- A journalist’s Chicago taco journey, Anne Elizabeth Moore wins a house in Detroit, The Secret History of John Gilmore

Mike Stephen talks with:   Chicago Tribune writer Nick Kindelsperger at La Lagartija Taqueria about his monthlong taco-eating journey and why and how Chicago is a taco town;   author and cultural critic Anne Elizabeth Moore about her new book Threadbare: Clothes, Sex & Trafficking and how she won a house Detroit via the Write A House program; and   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about Sun Ra saxophonist John Gilmore for this week’s edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music.   Meanwhile, we update the House Bill 5902 (aka Speech Rights of Student Journalists Act) story from OTL #499, and we actually side with Mayor Rahm Emanuel… when WTTW’s Paris Schutz broke the “off-the-record” journalism rule!   This week’s local music is provided music provided by Early Autumn Station.   Chicago Tribune writer Nick Kindelsperger and OTL host Mike Stephen talk tacos at La Lagartija Taqueria. #mikelovestacos   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #495- Chicagoland’s growing footprint, Taco Takedown Chicago, Equal Pay Day Chicago

Mike Stephen talks with:   Openlands president and CEO Jerry Adelmann about Chicagoland’s open spaces in decline and what our area could look like in the future;   The Takedown impresario Matt Timms about the upcoming 2nd Annual Chicago Taco Takedown at Lincoln Hall; and   Equal Pay Day Chicago chair Barbara Yong about efforts to finally eliminate the gender pay gap between men and women.   Meanwhile, we discuss the fact that the city of Chicago is failing to warn its citizens about lead risks in tap water.   This week’s local music is provided music provided by The Peace Exchange co-founder and The Chicago International Youth Peace Movement founder Jessica Disu (aka FM Supreme).   OTL host Mike Stephen dumps a bucket of Chicago city tap water over his head before learning about its potential lead risks.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #448- Hit Like a Girl drum contest, Chicago is taco heaven, The Secret History of Chicago Music: The Hounds

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (broadcasting on the “taco heaven” radio station WGN-AM 720) Mike Stephen gets the story of one awesome local female drummer, discusses how Chicago is the best taco city in America, and learns about a 70s band from the south side: The Hounds.   Kaylee Preston– Local drummer and finalist in the Hit Like a Girl Contest We visit Kaylee in her practice space to get the story of how she was a finalist in a unique international drum contest.   Kaylee Preston on the drums.  Photo by Alen Kahn.   Jason Mathews– Writer, Playboy.com Recently Jason penned the article, The Windy City’s Top Taco Joints.  We catch up with Jason at a local taqueria to get his take on tacos in Chicago.    Jason Mathews after a taco dinner.   The Secret History of Chicago Music– Local music historian and artist Plastic Crimewave (aka: Steve Krakow) profiles Chicago rockers, The Hounds, in this week’s Chicago Reader.  He gives us the lowdown on their musical contribution to the region.       OTL #448 local music provided by Rabble Rabble…