Chicago Sports Odyssey

Our verion of A Christmas Carol Radio Play as aired in December, 2021 on Lakeshore Public Radio. As an added bonus, we include a Sherlock Holmes Radio Mystery! Enjoy!

As the war between Russia and Ukraine widens, we ask what more can the U.S. do to air Ukraine? And what's next for Russia? Off Mic host Michael Puente speaks to Milan Andrejevich Professor of History and Political Science Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana.

Getting through college can be tough and maybe even tougher if you're the first in your family to attend college. AnnaMaria Hernandez is a first-generation college student and talks about her experience. She also talks about her plans for the future.

Today on Off Mic: The low number of black firefighters in many major cities is an issue. We'll discuss why that is and is being done about it in cities like Chicago; And, Russian President Valdimir Putin has ordered the attack on Urkraine. We talk to one local expert on why now and if sancations imposed by Preident Joe Biden can be enogh to stop it. All this on 'Off Mic'

"Off Mic" host Michael Puente interviews Nilda Rivera to talk Puerto Rican holiday food traditions including the ever popular drink coquito.

Even though freestyle/heartthrob music is a very unique Latino art form, it doesn't get a lot of attention as salsa or bachata or other popular Latin music genres. But freestyle remains very popular in Latino circles especially with an older generation. Off Mic host Michael Puente speaks with longtime Chicago DJ Tim Spinnin' Schommer about freestyle's staying power and talk about its history with heartthrob legend George Lamond.

The "What The Heck" Comedy Troup presents A Christmas Carol and the Red-Headed League

It's a big weekend for the movies. A new adapation of West Side Story hits the silver screen. Will it, can it, live up to the original 1961 film? Will today's audiences accept the concept? Michael Puente speaks with theater veteran Larry Brechner, Dee Dotson and Ivette Flores.

Welcome to Chicago Sports Odyssey. We bring you closer to your favorite Chi Town sports teams and players. In this episode, we talk about the hot Cubs and the ice-cold White Sox. We visit with the Sox All-Star catcher James McCann and check in with the Bulls new free agent signings. And to round out this episode: Has it really been 40 years since Disco Demolition Night at Comiskey Park?

Welcome to Chicago Sports Odyssey. We bring you the oohs and ahhhs from beyond the stadiums of your favorite Chi Town teams. In this episode: You get to meet the newest members of the rebuilding bulls; We looking forward to round two of the crosstown classic; a conservation with the White Sox Lucas Giolito; and we asked the question who is on your Mount Rushmore of Chicago Sports Coaches? We also interview California artist Thom Ross on his exhibit on the 1919 Chicago Black Sox.

Welcome to Chicago Sports Odyssey. We bring you the stories behind your favorite Chicago sports teams. In this episode, we talk about the surging, then not surging, then hopefully surging again White Sox. The Cubs trying to stay atop of the division while acquiring some new names. We talk a little MLB draft Go one on one with the Sox Charlie Tilson, and local product Zach Plesac. And visit with Cubs skipper Joe Madden and get his take on making baseball more exciting. And getting a little more insight to the Bears visit to the South side. I’m your host Michael Puente with our clean up hitter Cheryl Raye-Stout.

In Episode 4, we talk about the surging Chicago Cubs; the banged up but still improving White Sox; the Bulls draft woes; where in the world is Edwin Jackson and what's next for Chicago native Curtis Granderson?

On Wednesday evening around 7, when temperatures were falling far below freezing, Michael Brothers headed toward a McDonald's restaurant in East Chicago, Indiana to stay warm. But the restaurant, like most businesses in the area, had closed. "I was going to be one of those people frozen, seen outside -- they made a story about him on social media," Brothers said who dreaded staying in the cold much longer. As Brothers would soon find out, a group of concerned citizens had opened a makeshift, 24-hour shelter inside a cafeteria of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church in East Chicago. (Photo: Michael Brothers, 38, plays cards while staying at a temporary homeless shelter in East Chicago, Indiana during this week's historic cold snap. Come Saturday, Brothers isn't sure what his next move will be once the shelter closes. (Photo by Michael Puente/WBEZ)