(podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago)

(broadcasting on the “always-brewing” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Tracy Siska– Executive Director of the Chicago Justice Project

The CJP recently published the crime data from the three police districts slated to close in 2012.  Tracy discusses the data.

The 13th District station that’s closing next year, one of three stations.  Photo courtesy of the Chicago Justice Project.

Shawn King- Owner of Evil Squirrel Comics

This Rogers Park comic shop planned on shutting its doors soon, but the community said “no!”  We learn about the series of “Save the Squirrel” fundraisers happening next week.

Whit Nelson– Co-owner of Brew Camp

Brew Camp is a home brewer’s dream.  We pay a visit to this local brewer’s apothecary near Damen and Lincoln.

Brew Camp.  Photo courtesy of thrillist.com.

OTL #272 local music provided by Save the Clocktower…

(podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago)

(broadcasting on the “salon” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen previews the return of the Sunday Salon Chicago, gets an old friend’s Pitchfork review, and discusses the future of high-speed rail in the Midwest.

Natalia Nebel and Robert Rodi– Co-Director of the Sunday Salon Chicago and a Local Author, respectively

We get the latest on the return of the Sunday Salon to Chicago.  It’s a prose reading series taking place at Uncommon Ground (1401 W. Devon) every last Sunday of the month.

Andy Hermann- Former Executive Producer of Outside the Loop Radio

Andy attended last week’s Pitchfork music festival in Union Park- his first outdoor music fest in a LONG time.  We get his impressions of the weekend.

Andy Hermann wearing a sweet-looking hat.

Rick Harnish– Executive Director of the Midwest High-Speed Rail Association

What is the future of high-speed rail in the Midwest and why is it important?  We explore these questions and others having to do with high-speed rail.

OTL #252 local music provided by The Pear Traps…

(podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago)

(broadcasting on the “sustainable” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen gets a Twitter message from George Takei, talks to Ald. James Cappleman (46th) about issues in Uptown, checks in with the Chicago Underground Library on their 5th anniversary, and discusses local sustainable transportation with the co-founder of GridChicago.com.

Mike gets a message from George Takei–

When OTL host Mike Stephen followed George Takei on Twitter, he got a very naughty response.  Was it a personal or automated message?  Check out the back story on Mike and George on OTL #39.

James Cappleman– Alderman of the 46th Ward

Ald. Cappleman discusses his views on TIF districts, crime in Uptown, and his getting settled in his new job.

Nell Taylor- Co-Founder of the Chicago Underground Library

We get an update on the CUL as it turns 5 and find out how the blizzard of 2011 nearly shut it down.

John Greenfield– Co-Founder of GridChicago.com

There’s a new blog covering local sustainable transportation issues.  John talks to us about why he helped start the blog and why it’s important to Chicago.

OTL #249 local music provided by Dirty Pigeons…

(podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago)

(broadcasting on the “I’ll see you in court” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen talks to journalist Mick Dumke about his lawsuit against the City of Chicago, chats with DJ James VanOsdol about leaving radio and also about his new book, and hears why local developer Dan O’Neil went to the White House last week.

Mick Dumke– Senior Writer at the Chicago Reader

Recently Mick filed a lawsuit against the City of Chicago, saying that their reasons for denying his Freedom of Information Act requests were bogus.  He gives us the details and previews his cover story running this week.

James VanOsdol- Longtime local radio DJ, blogger and author of Off the Record Collection: Riffs, Rants and Writings about Rock

James recently hung up the radio headphones.  We find out why and get the lowdown on his book as well as his undying love of Rush.

James VanOsdol

Dan O’Neil– Chicago Developer and creator of citypayments.org

Last week Dan attended a special event at the White House because of his creative efforts on the Web.  He tells us about that experience and his latest project, citypayments.org.

OTL #247 local music provided by Darts & Arrows…

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST…

(podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago)

(broadcasting on the “vegan for a week” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen learns where Chicago’s TIF money has been going, recaps his week as a vegan, and learns about the Story Week Festival of Writers.

Ellyn Fortino– Columbia College Senior and Reporter for ChicagoTalks.org

Ellyn was part of an investigative team that tracked where exactly Chicago’s TIF money ended up.  We hear what her team discovered.

The Vegan Stephen Recap–

Mike and his wife decided to go vegan for one week.  We hear an audio recap of the Vegan Stephen Experiment.

A Lovely Vegan Meal

Randy Albers– Chair of Columbia College’s Fiction Writing Department and Founding Producer of the Story Week Festival of Writers

This local week-long series of events celebrates the written word.  We get the lowdown from its founder.

OTL #233 local music provided by yourfeetstoobig…

(podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago)

(broadcasting on the “free speech” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen chats with a local artist who is fighting local laws he feels are unconstitutional, previews the 2010 Printers’ Ball, and goes inside Felony Franks, a hot dog stand in West Town with some controversy.

Chris Drew– Local artist and Executive Director of the Uptown Multicultural Art Center

Chris continues to challenge Chicago’s peddlers license and Illinois’ eavesdropping law.  We get the latest on his legal fight.

Fred Sasaki– Associate Editor for POETRY Magazine

We get a preview of this year’s Printers’ Ball and discuss the relationship between print and digital media.

Jim Andrews– Owner of Felony Franks

This hot dog stand on the corner of Western and Jackson has caused some controversy in the community.  We go inside to find out what all the fuss is about.

OTL #201 local music provided by Icy Demons…

(podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago)

(broadcasting on the “greened weekly” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen discusses Andersonville’s green initiatives, anchors the OTL News Desk, and talks to the creator of the Book Bike about giving out free books in Chicago’s parks.

Sara Dinges– Managing Director of the Andersonville Development Corp.

ADC runs the eco-Andersonville environmental initiative that promotes local business sustainability.  We learn more and find out some of the cool events happening during “Green Week.”

The OTL News Desk–

Mike Stephen puts on his best 70s anchorman mustache and updates us on some Chicago stories of interest.

The OTL News Desk

Gabriel Levinson – Creator of the Book Bike

Since 2008 the Book Bike has been providing Chicagoans with free books.  Recently, Gabriel ran into some problems with the city.  He tells us the story and lets us know if there’s a happy ending.

The Book Bike

OTL #199 local music provided by The Damn Choir…

(podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago)

(broadcasting on the “wind-powered” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen learns about a new report detailing the negative impacts of federal funds diverted to build new nuclear reactors, finds out about UIC’s Neighborhood Initiative, and discusses NewCity’s Lit 50 list.

Max Muller – Program Director, Environment Illinois

This organization recently released a report called The Nuclear Bailout: President Obama’s High Risk Gamble on Nuclear Reactors Undermines the Fight Against Global Warming. Max discusses the report on this week’s show.

Thea Crum– Program Coordinator, UIC’s Neighborhoods Initiative

We learn about how UIC is working with its neighboring communities to strengthen Chicago.

Brian Heiggelke – Editor and Publisher of NewCity

NewCity is out with its list of the top 50 movers and shakers in the Chi-literary scene.  Brian discusses this list on the Big Show this week.

OTL #195 local music provided by ChiTownKids…

(broadcasting on the “top chef” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen talks to the 32nd Ward Alderman Scott Waguespack about new oversight measures for future lease deals, learns about a local literary event at the Heartland Cafe, and gets the skinny on Chef Rick Tramanto from Time Out Chicago’s food editor David Tamarkin.

Scott Waguespack – Alderman of the 32nd Ward

Ald Waguespack is the chief sponsor of a new ordinance that would increase the public transparent and government oversight of future local lease deals (such as the parking meter deal that went down earlier in the year).  He talks to us about this ordinance and the dire financial situation of the city.

Cristina Henriquez – Local Author

Tonight at the Heartland Cafe Cristina and three other authors take part in the An October Sort of City: Chicago Authors Talk Chicago.  She previews the event and discusses Chicago’s influence on her work.

David Tamarkin – Food Editor for Time Out Chicago

The latest edition of TOC features David’s profile of local chef Rick Tramonto.  David joins us this week to give us some highlights of getting to know the Chef.

Chef Rick Tramonto

OTL #161 local music provided by Tijuana Hercules…

(broadcasting on the “gee, the 90s were a rocking time in Chicago ” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen talks to a former radio personality about the importance of the 90s local music scene, checks up on prominent Chicagoans’ ridiculous Tweets, and learns about Another Chicago Magazine.

James Van Osdol- Former radio personality, local writer, author of Chicago Rocked

The 1990s were an incredible time for the Chicago music scene.  James is working on telling the story of the local contribution to Rock & Roll over these 10 years in a book called Chicago Rocked.   He’s releasing the book himself and is looking for the people’s support!

Photo Courtesy of Jeff Kroll (jeffkrollphotos.com)

Steve Rhodes - Founder of BeachwoodReporter.com

Some Chicagoans shouldn’t be allowed to Tweet.  Steve and I discuss why.  You can also check out the “20 Tweets” series on the Beachwood Reporter.

Jacob Knabb – Editor of Another Chicago Magazine

ACM is one of the many very cool facets of the Chicago literary scene.  Jacob explains what the magazine is all about and its role in the local writers’ community.

OTL #154 local music provided by Moonshine Willy…