IT’S THE LOCAL LITERARY-THEMED SHOW…

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

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

Mike Stephen gets poetic on his wedding weekend, chats with an organizer of a local literary party, checks in with a Time Out Chicago writer to see what she’s writing about these days, and learns about a website that is a local literary hub.

The OTL Poetry Corner -

Mike gets sentimental on his wedding weekend and reads a poem he wrote when he was 12.  It was published in Creation Spirituality magazine in 1993.

Fred Sasaki - Associate editor of POETRY

Friday, July 31 the Fifth Annual Printers’ Ball takes place in Chicago and it’s quite the literary throw down!  Fred gives us the details about the party and talks about the local literary scene.

Jessica Herman - Writer for Time Out Chicago’s “The Get”

We catch up with Jessica to see what she’s writing about these days, including taking a peek into some Chicagoans homes.

Gretchen Kalwinski - Co-founder of Literago.org

If you want to be in the know when it comes to the literary scene in Chicago you need to check out Literago!  We learn more about the site on this week’s show.

OTL #149 local music provided by The Blissters…

 

 Outside the Loop RADIO: Chicago's Almost Above-Ground Audio Magazine [30:58m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (239)

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

(broadcasting on the “it’s OK to like Dave Matthews” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen discusses the city’s interference of small business startups and entrepreneurs, chats with a local writer about whether or not it’s ok to enjoy Dave Matthews, and learns what an Illinois atheist activist is blogging about these days.

Beth Milnikel - Director of the Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago Law School

Beth recently wrote an op-ed for the Chicago Tribune arguing that the city stands in the way of small business startups more often than not.  We discuss her views on this issue.

Steve Heisler - Assistant City Editor for Decider Chicago and Contributor to The AV Club

Recently Steve wrote this blog post that raises the question, “Should we still hate Dave Matthews?”

Rob Sherman - Blogger at Godless In Chicago at ChicagoNow.com

For an atheist’s POV of local politics and other issues, Rob Sherman’s blog is a popular read.  He chats with us this week about atheism and the local separation of church and state.

OTL #148 local music provided by The Smoking Popes…

 

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

(broadcasting on the “at your service” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen jumps behind the OTL News Desk, chats with local musician, Trakan, reflects on last week’s parking-themed show, and talks to the author of the At Your Service blog.

The OTL News Desk -

The Sears Tower changed it’s name yesterday.  Mike shares a spin on the new name.

Trakan - Local musician and community activist

Trakan is a local rocker who is involved in the community.  In addition to his music you can also check out the cool map making he does for neighborhoods here.

OTL Parking Reflections -

Mike gives some of his thoughts on the parking-themed edition of the show that aired last week.

“Patti Hunter” – Blogger at the At Your Service blog on BeachwoodReporter.com

Patti writes about her experiences as a server at a local pizza joint  She shares some of her stories this week.

OTL #147 local music provided by Trakan…

 

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IT’S THE SPECIAL LOCAL PARKING SHOW…

(podcasting from the inside of Mike Stephen’s car in front of the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago)

(broadcasting on the “I’ll be right back after I move my car” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen talks to a Chicagoan about her unjust towing experience, chats at last with Ald. Vi Daley (43rd) about parking meters and towing problems, and checks in with the Parking Ticket Geek about city vehicle sticker issues.

Mike Broadcasts From His Car -

Through the magic of radio Mike anchors this week’s show from his car.  Unfortunately for our host, in no way does the below picture look anything like his ride.

Ali Montag - Chicagoan who had her car towed

Ali had her car towed in the Lincoln Park area (43rd Ward).  She tells us her story…a story that resembles what happened to Mike in that same area a year ago!

Vi Daley – Alderman of the 43rd Ward

After repeated attempts, Ald. Daley finally agreed to come on the show!  You might remember what happened last year when Mike got his car towed in Lincoln Park.  They discuss that incident and others like it as well as the parking meter rate increase.

The Parking Ticket Geek – Blogger at theexpiredmeter.com and Official Parking Correspondent of OTL

The PTG gives us his views on towing and the parking meter situation while providing some helpful city vehicle sticker tips.

OTL #146 local music provided by The 1900s…

 

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HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!

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

(broadcasting on the “proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen extols the magic of the slow cooker, talks to a reporter who wrote about the rampant sub-par nursing home care in Illinois, chats about urban gardening with local blogger Mr. Brown Thumb, and listens to reflections on this year’s Taste of Chicago.

Mike loves the slow cooker -

He doesn’t have a grill to BBQ on this weekend…but he DOES have a slow cooker.  Even though it’s summer he plans on using it tomorrow!

Jeff Kelly Lowenstein - Staff Reporter at The Chicago Reporter

Illinois is the worst state when it comes to African-American senior citizens looking for quality nursing home care.  Jeff tells us why this is.

Mr. Brown Thumb – Blogger on Chicago Garden at ChicagoNow.com

Mike meets up with Mr. Brown Thumb at Garfield Park to discuss urban gardening in our city.

Photo: Courtesy of Mr. Brown Thumb

John Kristoff – Editorial Intern at WindyCitizen.com

John recently wrote a blog entry reflecting on how we might be able to look to the Taste of Chicago to see how the city would handle the 2016 Olympics.  You can find John’s post here.

Photo: Courtesy of the Windy Citizen

OTL #145 local music provided by The Del Moroccos…

 

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