Outside the Loop RADIO:
Chicago’s Almost Above-Ground Audio Magazine

(broadcasting on the “all politics is local” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen talks to local blogger Mike Doyle about leaving the Trib’s ChicagoNow blog, learns how comic books reflect American history, and chats about the latest local political issues with Mick Dumke.

Mike Doye – Scribe at ChicagoCarless.com

This week Mike resigned his post as the scribe of ChicagoNow’s Chicagosphere blog.  He tells us the story of why he left and the problems he sees with the ChicagoNow approach to blogging.

Cord Scott– Ph.D. Student in American History at Loyola University Chicago

Comic books can tell a great deal about our history.  Cord will be exploring the link between comics, academics, and history at an event on Monday, March 22 at Challenger’s Comics at 1845 N. Western Ave. from 6-9 p.m.  He joins us on the show this week.

Mick Dumke – Writer and Editor at the Chicago Reader

From the politics of Chicago garbage to the city’s economic woes, Mick Dumke is covering the story.  He brings us up to speed on the latest Chicago political issues.

Mike Stephen and Mick Dumke Talk Chicago Politics at Toon’s in Lakeview in November of ‘09

OTL #180 local music provided by The Streets on Fire…

ALSO, CHECK OUT THE LOGAN SQUARE AND BUCKTOWN SHOWS!

(podcasting from the streets of Pilsen in Chicago)

(broadcasting on the “come on over to Pilsen” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen goes on-location in the Pilsen neighborhood in Chicago for a profile of this unique community.

Stephanie Manriquez – Executive Assistant at Casa Aztlan

This incredible organization has been assisting the Pilsen community for 40 years with cultural activities, community organizing, and adult education.  We get a look inside the great work that goes on there.

Casa Aztlan in Pilsen

Fr. Chuck Dahm, O.P.– Associate Pastor at St. Pius V Catholic Church

Father Chuck is well-known in the Pilsen community for his work helping victims of domestic violence.  I drop into St. Pius to discuss his experiences in Pilsen.

St. Pius V Catholic Church

Willie Wagner – Owner and Chef at Honky Tonk BBQ

There’s a great BBQ joint in the heart of Pilsen…OF COURSE I’m going to check it out!  Willie sits down to chat about his award-winning BBQ and owning a business in the community.

Honky Tonk BBQ

Vanessa Sanchez – Youth Programs Project Manager for Yollocalli Arts Reach

Art is an important part of the Pilsen community.  Yollocalli encourages area youth and young adults to participate in arts.  Vanessa describes how the programs impact Pilsen residents and her outlook on the future of the neighborhood.

A Mural on the Side of the Building that Houses Yollocalli

OTL #179 local music provided by The Embraceables…

(broadcasting on the “loud outside the loop press” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen talks to the guys who figured out the impact (or lack thereof) of the CTA service cuts, discusses the Chicago music scene with a local blogger, and gets the latest on the red light camera saga from the Parking Ticket Geek.

Luke Joyner and Max Shron – University of Chicago grads and the guys behind picturingtransit.com

Have the cuts in service by the CTA really affected our commutes?  Luke and Max created a website about this issue and they tell us their findings.

Richard Giraldi– Founder and Editor of Loud Loop Press

Loud Loop Press aims to cover Chicago’s vast music scene all in one blog.  Richard discusses this massive task.

The Parking Ticket Geek – OTL Parking Correspondent and Blogger at TheExpiredMeter.com

The Parking Ticket Geek returns to the show to give us the lowdown on the push to get red light cameras out of IL and his take on the  five minute grace period for parking payboxes.

OTL #178 local music provided by The Locals…

(broadcasting on the “it’s ok to think about gardening with a foot of snow on the ground” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen plugs the new location of the Chicago Underground Library, discusses a new study that shows more Cook County residents are in need of food assistance, learns about voting for the 2010 Chicago Seed, and tours The Near North Farmessori in the East Village.

The Chicago Underground Library Has Moved Yet Again –

This unique repository for Chicago history now resides in Lakeview.  Click here for the profile of the CUL from 2008.

Bob Dolgan– Director of Communications for the Greater Chicago Food Depository

A new study shows that hunger is on the rise in Cook County.  We explore why this is and what’s being done to help these people.

Ben Helphand – Executive Director of Neighbor Space

Ben joins us to talk about a program of Neighbor Space called One Seed Chicago as well as community gardening in our city.  You can log on to OSC’s site to vote for the 2010 Chicago Seed!

Anna Viertel – Urban Farm Coordinator for the Near North Montessori School

On a rare undeveloped piece of land in the East Village area (1102 N. Wood St.) Anna leads kids from the nearby Montessori School in creating a local farm.  I visited the farm this week amidst an insane snowfall to get a tour of the farm called The Near North Farmessori.  If you’re interested in the project you can contact Anna at aviertel@nnms.org.

OTL #177 local music provided by A Hero Named Hope…

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

Mike Stephen loves pens, gets the latest about the Wal-Mart saga in Chicago, discusses the news regarding the CTA Mobile Garden Project, and learns about an arts event that will benefit the victims of the earthquake in Haiti.

Angela Caputo – Reporter and Blogger for ProgressIllinois.com

There is a new development in the plans to bring another Wal-Mart to Chicago.  Angela gives us the story.  Check out the article she wrote on this topic here.

Joe Baldwin– Local Artist and Creator of The Mobile Garden

We check in with Joe since he has some good news about the status of The Mobile Garden.  I originally interviewed him about this project in October of last year.  You can check out that interview here.

Peter Exley – Architect, Co-host of the Pecha Kucha Night Chicago

I know, I know.  Pecha what?  Peter explains what this unique show is all about and how it will benefit the victims of the earthquake in Haiti.

OTL #176 local music provided by Kristin Ronne…

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

Mike Stephen learns about an upcoming local arts project involving the City Council, chats with a former OTL employee about some show press, and brings us the story of the East Village neighborhood’s arrival on the National Register of Historic Places.

Jeremy Scheuch – Co-organizer of the Chicago Aldermen Project

In an effort to teach Chicago about its elected officials, local artists will create portraits of their aldermen.  We get the info on this interesting project.

Andrew J. Hermann– Former Executive Producer of Outside the Loop Radio

Recently this little radio show got some press in the January edition of the Illinois Entertainer.  They didn’t get the picture and the caption correct, though.  Is this an evil plot by Andy to take over?  We find out!

Hey, that’s not Andy Hermann!

Scott Rappe – Architect, member of the East Village Association

The East Village neighborhood in Chicago was recently named to the National Register of Historic Places.  We get some history of this small area of the city and find out why it made the list.

OTL #175 local music provided by The Cathy Santonies…

(broadcasting on the “business up front and a party in the back” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen has some advice for the upcoming singles profile in Chicago Magazine, learns about a community discussion series that takes place in a local barber shop, talks about the CTA warning against excessive photography, and chats with the editor of The Lake Street Lookout.

Alice Kim – Director of The Public Square

“Shop Talk” is an event put on by The Public Square that intends to foster discussion about a wide range of issues.  It takes place at Ron’s Barber Shop at 6058 W. North Ave every last Friday of the month.  We discuss the importance of these kinds of programs.

Carlos Miller– Photojournalist, writer, activist

Carlos recently came across the picture below and was outraged to see that the CTA is apparently equating photographing on public transit to terrorist activity.  He joins us this week to discuss the issue.

Kathy Kozan – Editor of The Lake Street Lookout

The West Loop area has seen an influx of people and businesses, which is a good thing.  Sometimes, however, there are unintended consequences of more people in the area- especially in the wee hours of the morning.  We get the details.

OTL #174 local music provided by The Great Crusades…

(broadcasting on the “I love me some Maurice Lenell cookies” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen talks to the Sun-Times business reporter who has the story on Maurice Lenell cookies making a comback, jumps behind the OTL News Desk, and chats with one of the transit geeks who rode the entire L system in one day.

Outside the Loop is all about Twitter – 

Mike embraces modern technology.

Sandra Guy – Business reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times

There’s some local sweet treat news: Maurice Lenell cookies are being distributed in Chicagoland again.  Ferrara Pan will be producing high-end chocolate.  Sandra gives us all of the sugar-y details.

OTL News Desk – 

From Chicago not getting the chance to host the next World Cup to the cast of the Jersey Shore coming to town, your intrepid anchor, Mike Stephen, has the stories.

C.J. Bright – Local transit geek

C.J. and his friends rode the ENTIRE CTA “L” system in one day!  He joins us this week to talk to us about their experience and why they decided to to this.  Check out this Google Map for the details on their adventure.

OTL #173 local music provided by Save the Clocktower…

(broadcasting on the “I’m craving a skillet” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen confirms that Standee’s in Edgewater is closed, talks to journalist Steve Rhodes about his resignation from NBCChicago.com, and learns about local artist Chris Drew’s upcoming legal battle.

Standee’s Is Gone – 

It’s official.  Standee’s Diner in Edgewater is closed.  Check out this great article by Lorraine Swanson of Lake Effect News about “Standee’s Last Stand.”

Steve Rhodes – Journalist and Founder of BeachwoodReporter.com

Recently Steve resigned his position as a contributor to NBCChicago.com.  Mike caught up with Steve at the Beachwood Inn this week to get the dirty details of what the heck happened.

Chris Drew – Local Artist and Executive Director of the Uptown Multicultural Arts Center

While Chris was protesting the Peddler’s License Law he was arrested and charged with eavesdropping on police.  He now faces a court battle and he gives us the story this week.

OTL #172 local music provided by Jane Thatcher…