OTL: Episode #80

(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)

OTL: Episode #79

(podcasting “from” on the corner of Fullerton, Damen, and Elston) (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)

OTL: Episode #77

(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)

OTL: Episode #75

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)