OTL: Episode #141- Pushcart Vendors in the City, Real Housewives of Chicago Chat, and Bookish.us

(podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “street corner taco stand” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen talks about a lovely local latrine, discusses the plight of the pushcart vendor in the city, chats about the possibility of The Real Housewives of Chicago, and learns about a local literary aggregator. OTL’s Bathroom Break – Check out bestrestroom.com to vote for Chicago’s very own Drake Hotel Palm Court Ladies Room as the best restroom in America. Claire Bushey – Freelance journalist and author of last week’s Chicago Reader cover story called “Legalize It” Claire discusses the hardships faced by pushcart vendors in the Little Village neighborhood. Jenny, The Future Mrs. Stephen – Mike Stephen’s fiancee and expert on The Real Housewives TV show Jenny got Mike hooked on TRH and lucky for him now there’s talk of The Real Housewives of Chicago coming soon.  Jenny and Mike analyze how this might happen in the Windy City. Connor Coyne – Contributor to bookish.us If you’re into the local literary scene, this is the blog to check out.  Everything from ‘zines to books to what is the appropriate number of spaces between sentences is fair game on the site.  Connor joins us to give us the lowdown. OTL #141 local music provided by Coltrane Motion…

OTL: Episode #95

(podcasting “from” on Pratt Beach in Rogers Park) (broadcasting on the 100-watt windy citizen radio station WLUW 88.7-FM Chicago) Mike Stephen and Andy Hermann talk dodgeball and foursquare, and then they conduct a roundtable discussion about the current state of Chicago. OTL Sports; the Aberdeen Street Dodgeball Ninjas‘ 2008 Summer Tournament, but Mike prefers hopscotch and four square “Is Chicago experiencing a golden age?” w/ Brad Flora – publisher / founder, The Windy Citizen & John Maki – multimedia producer / contributor, The Windy Citizen (segue music this week from Scale Model)

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 #39

(podcasting “from” the corner of Belmont and Halsted) (broadcasting on the 100-watt shower contest WLUW 88.7-FM Chicago) Mike Stephen and Andy Hermann honor Weinerfest ’07, they learn about ticket “convenience” fees, they lament the loss of an indie magazine and reflect upon their time with a star, and then they discuss the best Pride Parade marchers ever. Weinerfest ’07; Mike was there… but it’s not what you’re thinking Jim DeRogatis – Sun-Times pop music critic, Sound Opinions co-host; on “convenience” fees on tickets, and how it’s gotten out of control RIP Punk Planet; an indie culture institution folds George Takei’s transporter; Mike and Andy’s time spent with Captain Sulu Rhett Lindsay – director, Righteously Outrageous Twirling Corps (ROTC); on bringing down the house during the Pride Parade (segue music this week from Cornmeal)