OTL: Episode #160- Chicago Youth Violence, YarnCon 2009, Science Cafes

(podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “science cafe” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen announces the OTL Third Anniversary Bash, discusses local youth violence, gets yarny while he learns about YarnCon, and talks to his sis about science cafes. IT’S A PARTY! — OTL Turns 3! We’re headed back to Toons Bar and Grill in Lakeview on Friday, November 20th to record an hour-long edition of the show!  Come on out to be a part of the live audience!  Stay tuned for more updates on the guest lineup and giveaways! Mike and Some OTL Fans at Toons Tracy Siska — Executive Director of the Chicago Justice Project Youth violence is a problem in our city.  Tracy joins us to discuss his views on how sometimes the city makes this problem worse. Sara Ware – Co-organizer of YarnCon Coming up this weekend you can get your yarny arts fix at this yarn-centric exhibition at the Pulaski Park Fieldhouse. Mia Stephen — Second Year Grad Student in Biological Sciences at Notre Dame and Co-organizer of the South Bend, IN Science Cafe Mia, Mike’s sister, knows a thing or two about science.  She’s helped to organize a Science Cafe- an informal get-together that teaches us how science applies to our daily lives.  She gives us the lowdown and where we can go in Chicago for our own Science Cafe. Mikey and Mia a Few Years Back OTL #160 local music provided by Speck Mountain…

OTL: Episode #159- Anne Elizabeth Moore Goes to Cambodia, Mobile Garden on the El, M3 Marathon Mentoring

(podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “self-published” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen talks to local activist and writer Anne Elizabeth Moore about her efforts to help Cambodian girls self-publish, learns about the Mobile Garden project on the El, and Jessica Herman talks to a Chicagoan involved in mentoring youth to run the Chicago Marathon. Anne Elizabeth Moore – Writer and Activist Anne traveled to Cambodia to help young women in that country create self-published works.  She tells us this amazing story and lets us know if she plans to go back in the future.  Anne blogs about her work in Cambodia at Camb(l)o(g)dia. Joe Baldwin – Local Artist and Creator of the Mobile Garden Would you ever think of seeing a garden on the El?  You might see just that very thing come this April!  Joe gives us the latest in his effort to bring more greenery to our public transporation. Vesna Stelcer — Executive Director of the MGR Foundation OTL Correspondent Jessica Herman talks to Vesna about the M3 program that connects mentors with Chicago area youth in order to help train them for the Chicago Marathon. OTL #159 local music provided by Go Time…

OTL: Episode #155- Privatizing Chicago, Bacon Fest Update, Share Your Soles Charity

(podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “O-gasm” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen introduces the new OTL correspondent, talks about privatization in Chicago and beyond, gets an important Baconfest Chicago update, and learns about the Share Your Soles local charity. Jessica Herman – “The Get” Writer at Time Out Chicago and new OTL Correspondent Everyone meet Jessica.  Jessica meet Everyone.  Our new correspondent drops by the OTL Bunker to say hi.  Look for her stories on the show in the coming weeks! In case you were wondering Jessica isn’t related to Andrew “The Count” Hermann, former OTL Executive Producer.  However, their glasses might be related. Mick Dumke – Writer and Editor at the Chicago Reader Privatization of local public assets is all the rage these days.  Mick joins us to explain why this is.  He also discusses how other cities are looking into privatization and how they’re doing it a bit differently than Chicago.  You can read his blog post on this topic here. Seth Zurer — Co-organizer and co-founder of Baconfest Chicago There is an important update about the launch of Baconfest.  Seth gives us the fatty details. Mona Purdy – Founder of Share Your Soles This locally-based charity provides shoes around the globe for those who don’t have any.  We get the story of the organization from its founder. OTL #155 local music provided by Soft Targets…

OTL: Episode #153- IL Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission, NW Side Neighborhoods, the Funding of Local Online Journalism

(podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “neighborhood friendly” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen plays anchor behind the OTL News Desk, discusses the pros and cons of the new Illinois Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission, learns about some NW Side neighborhoods, and looks at the funding of local online journalism. The OTL News Desk– From setting the record for most people wearing Groucho glasses in one place to the new local tax on booze, intrepid anchor Mike Stephen has the latest. Tracy Siska – Executive Director of the Chicago Justice Project Recently Gov. Quinn signed legislation that established the Illinois Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission; a response to torture authorized under Chicago Police Commander Jon Burge.  What are the pros and cons of this commission?  Tracy joins us to give us his views. Dan Kelly – Local writer and author of Chicago Revenant: Dunning/Schorsch Village Dan writes for this occasional feature on GapersBlock.com.  This is the first in a series of Chicago Revenants and for his maiden voyage Dan went to the Northwest Side of the city to profile some neighborhoods.  He reports back to us what he discovered. Mike Doyle – Scribe of ChicagoCarless.com Mike explains what he sees as the flaws of current funding system used to back various local blogs and profiles the upcoming Community Blogging and Online Media event.  He also wrote about the funding issue here. OTL #153 local music provided by The Artist Formerly Known […]