OTL: Episode #246- Albany-Whipple Park Opening, a Nelson Algren Documentary, Chicago Food Policy

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “parks and recreation” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen visits the grand opening of the Albany-Whipple Park, talks to the director of a new documentary about Nelson Algren, and discusses Chicago’s food policy. Ben Helphand— Board President of The Friends of the Bloomingdale Trail We go on-location to the grand opening of the Albany-Whipple Park, a future access point for The Bloomingdale Trail.  Ben gives us an update on the BT project. The New Albany-Whipple Park Michael Caplan– Director and Writer of Algren The life & work of the great 20th Century writer Nelson Algren is the focus of this documentary due out in spring of 2012.  We hear about the process of making this film. Nelson Algren   Erika Allen— Board Member of the Chicago Food Policy Advisory Council We hear about efforts of this organization to improve access to nutritionally sound and affordable food and discuss Chicago’s food policy.   OTL #246 local music provided by Rebecca Rego…

OTL: Episode #240- Upcoming Ward Re-Mapping, Household Garbage Measuring, Handshake Magazine

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “re-mapped” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen discusses the upcoming ward re-mapping, talks to a Chicagoan who measured his family’s yearly garbage output, and learns about a new local literary magazine.   Matthew Blake– Contributing Writer for the Chicago Journal The ward map in Chicago is slated to change this year.  Matthew talks about his article covering the upcoming ward re-map and how that process works in the City Council. OTL Rewind– In honor of the recent Earth Day we hear this interview with Scott Rappe, architect and member of the East Village Association, that originally aired on OTL #185 last year.  Scott measured his family’s garbage output for 2009.  He discusses the results and how easy it is to compost in your urban backyard. Photo by Phil Velasquez Daniel Duffy— Editor and Publisher of The Handshake Magazine There is a new magazine in the Chicago literary scene that focuses on long-form journalism.  We get the scoop about this project that launched from its Kickstarter site. OTL #240 local music provided by Barehand Jugband…

OTL: Episode #235- Organic School Project, Lakeview Area Master Plan, Local Improv with Tibia Ballerina

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “organic” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen learns about the Organic School Project, gets the lowdown on the Lakeview Area Master Plan, and talks to the director of a new local Improv show featuring real stories from Chicagoans. Greg Christian— Founder and Executive Director of the Organic School Project The OSP works to educate children how to grow food and why eating right is important in their lives.  We get the story on the organization this week. Harvest Time at Lowell Elementary in Chicago Heather Way— Executive Director of the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce The residents and businesses of Lakeview provided their input to create a new master plan for that neighborhood’s future.  What is that future?  Tune in to find out! Adam Higgins— Director of Tibia Ballerina at the Chemically Imbalanced Theater We get the lowdown on this new local Improv show featuring Chicagoans’ real stories as Improv inspiration. OTL #235 local music provided by The Ultrasounds…

OTL: Episode #210- Jeremy Karpen Runs For IL Rep Again, Hot Doug’s Celeb Sausage, Future of Chicago’s Water

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “celebrity sausage” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen talks to Green Party candidate Jeremy Karpen, gets some info on Hot Doug’s “Celebrity Sausage,” and discusses the future of Chicago’s water supply. Jeremy Karpen— Green Party candidate for IL State Representative (39th) We pay a visit to Jeremy’s campaign office in Logan Square to discuss why he’s back running for the Illinois legislature. Hot Doug’s Celebrity Sausage— Recently OTL Host Mike Stephen was notified that there was a possibility that he had his own celebrity sausage at Hot Doug’s.  We find out the real story this week. Mike’s Celebrity Sausage? Jessica Pupovac— Freelance journalist and regular contributor to mindfulmetropolis.com What’s the future of Chicago’s water supply?  Jessica examines this question and talks about how we have a bad habit of wasting our water.  Check out her article on this topic here. OTL #210 local music provided by Aviary Ghost…