Hey — there’s a space to type in a nomination for the best Chicago podcast. That got us thinking. The OTL Radio broadcasts you’ve come to love started out as a podcast, and we continue to podcast our show every week. We’re not saying… we’re just saying… ya know!

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If you’re so inclined, head on over to the Reader’s site and vote by May 19th! In fact, we’re going to head over there right now and put in a good word for ourselves. And we’ll probably do the same tomorrow and the day after. Vote early and often, and don’t forget to finalize your vote — click on the “final step” link when you’re finished!!

Love,
Andy & Mike
Outside the Loop RADIO
(the hardest working podcast in Chicago)

(broadcasting on the 100-watt aldermanic prerogative radio station WLUW 88.7-FM Chicago)

Mike Stephen and Andy Hermann run through some news updates, they learn about an independent caucus in Chicago’s City Council, they attempt to stuff a “Best of Chicago” ballot box, and then they learn about the 60th anniversary of Israel.

OTL Newsroom Updates;
bidding farewell to Melissa from WLUW’s own Full on Friday,
Mike’s towed-car saga continues and his letter is posted at TheExpiredMeter,
another end of an era — the Spindle in Berwyn came down

Adam Doster - In These Times senior editor, Progress Illinois reporter/blogger;
on “Chicago’s Independent Caucus: A Year Later“

OTL: The Best of Chicago;
vote early and vote often (by May 19!)…
Outside the Loop RADIO for Chicago’s best podcast

Debby Oshri-Pintel - executive director, Hadassah Chicago Chapter;
on celebrating the 60th anniversary of Israel

(segue music this week from Balkans)

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

Mike Stephen updates Andy Hermann about his letter to Ald. Vi Daley, they discuss the latest in local politics, they learn about a chess team in Chicago, and then they get the scoop on a comedy troupe’s anniversary and television pilot.

Mike still seeks justice;
The Parking Ticket Geek (TheExpiredMeter) offers advice for Mike’s towed-car woes,
still no word back yet from 43rd Ward Ald. Vi Daley’s office

Mick Dumke - political writer, Chicago Reader;
on his recent “Clout City” blog posts about city settlements and blue cart recycling

Sevan Muradian - co-manager, Chicago Blaze;
on joining the US Chess League, and the Illinois Chess Association

Justin Kaufmann - member, Schadenfreude;
on the comedy ensemble’s 10th anniversary and their IL-Informed pilot on WTTW

(segue music this week from Even in Blackouts)

(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)

(broadcasting on the 100-watt lean, mean, and green radio station WLUW 88.7-FM Chicago)

Mike Stephen and Andy Hermann discuss reactions to last week’s show, they learn about clean vehicle technologies, they discover that a past OTL guest has hit the big-time, and then they visit with the premier mask maker in Chicago.

Reactions to OTL #81;
listeners hate the abandoned Pizza Hut, and the Chicago condo boom

John Walton - vice chair, Chicago Area Clean Cities;
on clean fuels and clean vehicle technologies,
and the 2008 Alternative Fuel Vehicle Exposition on this Earth Day

OTL #58 Flashback;
Unmarketable… by Anne Elizabeth Moore… as read by Pam Anderson

Jeff Semmerling - Mad Master Mask Maker, Inside Out Art Studio;
on the preservation of art and culture

(segue music this week from The Golden Horse Ranch Square Dance Band)

(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)

(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)

(broadcasting on the 100-watt caught-you-in-the-act radio station WLUW 88.7-FM Chicago)

Mike Stephen and Andy Hermann learn about more red light cameras coming to Chicago, they discuss beards and scruff, they present another edition of Zell’s Bells, and then they get the scoop on Indiana messing up Chicago’s environment.

Dr. John Large - Assistant Professor, College of Public Health at the University of South Florida;
on the “Red Light Running Cameras: Would Crashes, Injuries and Automobile Insurance Rates Increase If They Are Used in Florida?” study (PDF file)

OTL Housekeeping;
Mike misses Andy’s beard,
and counters with his old-man cardigan and scruff

ZELL’S BELLS (part 3)
selections from “There Once Was a Man Named Zell“;
by The Beachwood Reporter’s Limericks Affairs Desk

Alan Mammoser - Executive Director, Southeast Environmental Task Force;
on mercury emissions in Indiana, and its effects on Chicago

(segue music this week from Devil in a Woodpile)

(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)