Outside the Loop RADIO

(podcasting “from” right outside of the Chicago Impound Lot #6)

(broadcasting on the 100-watt got-your-car radio station WLUW 88.7-FM Chicago)

It’s another transportation themed show as Mike Stephen tells Andy Hermann about his huge head, they discuss the latest CTA issues, Mike seeks justice after having his car towed, and then they chat with their new parking correspondent.

the OTL Videos are a hit;
even though Mike’s HUGE head takes up the whole frame!

Kevin O’Neil - founder and publisher, CTA Tattler;
on the latest happenings at the Chicago Transit Authority

Mike seeks justice;
Mike got his car towed, and he reads his letter to 43rd Ward Alderman Vi Daley

The Parking Ticket Geek - proprietor, TheExpiredMeter;
OTL’s new parking correspondent talks about beating parking tickets… and more

(segue music this week from The Last Vegas)

 Outside the Loop RADIO: Chicago's Almost Above-Ground Audio Magazine [:30:13m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (53)

(podcasting “from” in the parking lot of the abandoned Pizza Hut next to La Pasadita Mexican Restaurant on Division and Ashland)

(broadcasting on the 100-watt civil union WLUW 88.7-FM Chicago)

Mike Stephen and Andy Hermann talk infrastructure in Chicago, they learn about civil unions in Illinois, they discuss an upcoming record fair and award a cheesy FM DJ award, and then they visit an online newspaper covering the city.

Chicago needs some help;
Popular Mechanics names “The 10 Pieces of U.S. Infrastructure We Must Fix Now”

Chris Jessup - organizer, Civil Unions Illinois;
on House Bill 1826, legislation to extend basic legal protections to committed couples in Illinois

OTL News and DJ Awards;
this weekend is the CHIRP Record Fair and Other Delights,
Mike awards (the legendary) Dick Biondi an “OTL Cheesy FM DJ Award”

Geoff Dougherty - editor, Chi-Town Daily News;
on citizen journalism in Chicago

(segue music this week from the Blue Ribbon Glee Club)

 Outside the Loop RADIO: Chicago's Almost Above-Ground Audio Magazine [:30:18m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (32)

(podcasting “from” in the really pretty garden, right next door to the Art Institute)

(broadcasting on the 100-watt fightin’-the-man radio station WLUW 88.7-FM Chicago)

Mike Stephen and Andy Hermann get updated on the Children’s Museum and Grant Park, they learn about a proposed 49-story building for downtown Evanston, and then they hear all the latest info on the Chicago Independent Radio Project.

OTL is Still Workin’ Hard;
Andy’s flu returns,
Mike’s still worn out from Opening Day

Peggy Figiel - member, Save Grant Park;
on the Children’s Museum trying to move into public land

Bill Smith - publisher/editor, Evanston Now;
on the proposed Fountain Square Tower in downtown Evanston

Jenny Lizak - Vice President, Chicago Independent Radio Project (CHIRP);
on the status of building a low-power FM radio station in Chicago

(segue music this week from Elephant Gun)

 Outside the Loop RADIO: Chicago's Almost Above-Ground Audio Magazine [:29:53m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (42)

(podcasting “from” in the parking lot of the Jewel on Broadway and Berwyn)

(broadcasting on the 100-watt well-taxed radio station WLUW 88.7-FM Chicago)

Mike Stephen compliments Andy Hermann’s beard, they discuss how higher sales taxes might affect local retailers, they learn about the controversy behind a public/private partnership, and then they hear about hearing stories on the CTA.

New OTL Features;
the big OTL video push,
Mike enjoys Andy’s beard

David Vite - President and CEO, Illinois Retail Merchants Association;
on Cook County’s hiked sales tax, and how local businesses will suffer

John Riley - Community Issues Reporter, Medill News Service;
on Lincoln Park and the Latin School’s soccer field agreement

Marcy Rae Henry - Professor of Humanites, Harold Washington College;
on her book The CTA Chronicles, about public transportation stories

(segue music this week from WeCan&WeMust)

 Outside the Loop RADIO: Chicago's Almost Above-Ground Audio Magazine [:31:13m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (38)

(podcasting “from” in the middle of Dearborn Park in the South Loop)

(broadcasting on the 100-watt lucky charm WLUW 88.7-FM Chicago)

Mike Stephen and Andy Hermann revisit a show from last year, they learn about the South Loop neighborhood in Chicago, they discuss bars and technology, and then it’s the second edition of their Zell’s Bells series.

Looking Way Back to OTL #25;
we celebrate a year on the WLUW airwaves,
and play a clip from Mike Butler of the Green Chicago River crew

Dennis McClendon - long-term South Loop resident;
about the changing face of this now-booming neighborhood
(as featured in the March 13 Chicago Reader “South Loop Issue“)

Mike Gets Emails from Bars;
local drinking establishments take up activism

ZELL’S BELLS (part 2)
David Winner - President, The Lake View Citizens’ Council;
on Sam Zell’s vague plans with Wrigley Field and the Cubs,
and potential changes to the Lake View neighborhood

(segue music this week from The Cocktail Preachers)

 Outside the Loop RADIO: Chicago's Almost Above-Ground Audio Magazine [:30:44m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (40)

HAPPY LEAP DAY !!

(podcasting “from” on the corner of Madison and Wabash in Jewelers Row)

(broadcasting on the 100-watt architecturally sound yet well-krausened radio station WLUW 88.7-FM Chicago)

Mike Stephen and a cranky Andy Hermann read through some news updates, they talk about architecture and preservation in Chicago, they get the scoop on the Chiditarod, and then they learn about craft brewing delicious delicious beer.

Updates from the OTL Newsroom;
Andy is cranky and sick (of Mike),
Mayor Daley on the Great Lakes,
Illinois smoking ban violations

Gregory Dreicer - Vice President of Exhibitions and Programs, Chicago Architecture Foundation;
on architecture and preservation in Chicago

Jake Reimer - organizer (one of many), Chiditarod;
on racing shopping carts for charity

Jeff Sparrow - board member, Chicago Beer Society;
on craft brewing and Night of the Living Ales IV

(segue music this week from Van Ghost)

 Outside the Loop RADIO: Chicago's Almost Above-Ground Audio Magazine [:30:45m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (50)

(podcasting “from” right outside of Toons Bar & Grill on Southport)

(broadcasting on the 100-watt dome-encased radio station WLUW 88.7-FM Chicago)

Mike Stephen and Andy Hermann discuss new OTL web stuff, they get the scoop on developers and Chicago aldermen, they talk about a plastic shopping bag recycling proposal, and then they learn about building a dome over the city.

new OTL web stuff;
if this picture of Mike with Tom Jackson isn’t enough for you, then check out the OTL MySpace page for more Mardi Gras photos!

Jay Stewart - executive director, Better Government Association;
on the Chicago Tribune’s “Neighborhoods for Sale” investigation

Mike Nowak - vice president, Chicago Recycling Coalition;
on the plastic shopping bag recycling proposal

Andrew Mason - founder, The Point;
on his Chicago Winter Dome campaign

(segue music this week from Pete Berwick)

 Outside the Loop RADIO: Chicago's Almost Above-Ground Audio Magazine [:30:22m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (72)