OTL: Episode #131

(podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the goodbye-Andy-Hermann radio station WLUW 88.7-FM Chicago) Mike Stephen says goodbye to Andy Hermann, they talk about some proposed cuts at the University of Chicago Medical Center, they catch up on a couple past show topics, and then they follow up on a controversy in Grant Park. OTL show update; executive producer Andy Hermann makes his last regular appearance on the program Armand Ryden – medical resident in the medicine training program, University of Chicago Medical Center; on a signed letter about “Chicago Hospital Doctors Protest Planned Bed Cuts“ OTL updates : Sheena Spikes (check out OTL #127) is unjustly now out of the running for the Sexiest Vegetarian Next Door 2009 … …and OTL supporter Shawno (of Hyper Nonsense) weighs in on Andy leaving the show Peggy Figiel – co-founder, Save Grant Park; on the ongoing saga of the Children’s Museum possibly relocating to Grant Park (also hear Peggy in OTL #80) . OTL #130 segue music provided by Braintree …

OTL: Episode #130

(podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the hey-take-a-look-at-what-my-beard-can-pick-up radio station WLUW 88.7-FM Chicago) Mike Stephen and Andy Hermann make an announcement about the show’s future, they learn about a local food co-op, they check in with Lawyer Danny about being a scenester, and then they talk to a Chicagoan with massive facial hair powers. OTL news alert; make your voice heard at tomorrow’s Polish Triangle Open House OTL programming announcement; this week’s show is executive producer Andy Hermann’s penultimate program Billy Burdett – president, Dill Pickle Food Co-op; on an upcoming alternative to big grocery stores Lawyer Danny – OTL legal counsel and scenester; on this week’s featured music, and Quennect 4 Eamon Daley – facial hair master on “Things My Beard Can Lift” for charity . OTL #130 segue music provided by The Minneapolis Henrys …

OTL: Episode #129

HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S WEEKEND !! (podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the radio station with so much journalistic integrity, WLUW 88.7-FM Chicago) Mike Stephen and Andy Hermann respond to an email about last week’s food show, and then they look at local journalism — including the sale of a couple community newspapers, and the challenges blogs bring to traditional print outlets. OTL #128 Food Show followup; looking for The Slinger on This is why you’re fat. Ron Roenigk – publisher, Inside Publications; on buying the Booster and News-Star, and community journalism at YourNews Media daily newspaper news; the Chicago Sun-Times made TIME‘s list of “The 10 Most Endangered Newspapers in America” Craig Gernhardt – publisher, The ‘Broken Heart’ of Rogers Park blog on community journalism and its impact on free weekly newspapers . OTL #129 segue music provided by The Tossers …

OTL: Episode #127

(podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the I’ll-blow-you-away-with-my-mad-phat-harmonica-skills radio station WLUW 88.7-FM Chicago) Mike Stephen and Andy Hermann discuss transit issues in Chicago and beyond, they talk with a very special vegan, and then they visit the country’s only harmonica factory. Rick Harnish – executive director, Transit Riders’ Alliance; on advocating for fast, frequent and dependable trains linking the entire Midwest Sheena Spikes – finalist, Sexiest Vegetarian Next Door 2009; on why she’s a vegan, and how she got involved in the PETA-sponsored contest Brad Harrison – founder, Harrison Custom Harmonicas LLC; on being the only harmonica factory in the United States (segue music this week from Tim Kough) COMING NEXT WEEK : THE FIRST OTL LOCAL FOOD SHOW !!