OTL: Episode #163- Reeling Fest 2009 Preview, OTL News Desk Update, Bird Collision Monitors

(podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “for the birds” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen gets a preview of the 28th Annual Chicago Lesbian and Gay International Film Festival, jumps behind the OTL News Desk for a local news update, and learns about the problem of birds colliding with local buildings. Reminder About the OTL Third Anniversary Party/Show Taping — At Toons Bar and Grill! Come by Toons on Friday, November 20 to catch a live taping of OTL!  The guest lineup is coming soon!  Stay tuned! Toons Bar and Grill at 3857 N. Southport Brenda Webb — Director of Reeling 2009: The 28th Annual Chicago Lesbian and Gay Film Festival This week marks the beginning of Reeling 2009- it’s 28th year!  We get a preview on this year’s festival and Brenda discusses why it’s important to our community. OTL News Desk Update – From the future of Kiddieland to the disappearance of Blue Cart recycling in Chicago, Mike Stephen has the latest.  We’re also treated to a blast from the past when a former OTL employee checks in. The OTL News Room Former Producer Andy Hermann as He Grows a Robust Beard Annette Prince – Director of the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors During this migratory season, birds can easily collide into tall buildings in Chicago.  We learn more about this and how it can be avoided. OTL #163 local music provided by An Aesthetic Anaesthetic…

OTL: Episode #145- Poorly Rated Local Nursing Homes, Gardening With Mr. Brown Thumb, and Taste of Chicago Reflections

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!! (podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen extols the magic of the slow cooker, talks to a reporter who wrote about the rampant sub-par nursing home care in Illinois, chats about urban gardening with local blogger Mr. Brown Thumb, and listens to reflections on this year’s Taste of Chicago. Mike loves the slow cooker – He doesn’t have a grill to BBQ on this weekend…but he DOES have a slow cooker.  Even though it’s summer he plans on using it tomorrow! Jeff Kelly Lowenstein – Staff Reporter at The Chicago Reporter Illinois is the worst state when it comes to African-American senior citizens looking for quality nursing home care.  Jeff tells us why this is. Mr. Brown Thumb – Blogger on Chicago Garden at ChicagoNow.com Mike meets up with Mr. Brown Thumb at Garfield Park to discuss urban gardening in our city. Photo: Courtesy of Mr. Brown Thumb John Kristoff – Editorial Intern at WindyCitizen.com John recently wrote a blog entry reflecting on how we might be able to look to the Taste of Chicago to see how the city would handle the 2016 Olympics.  You can find John’s post here. Photo: Courtesy of the Windy Citizen OTL #145 local music provided by The Del Moroccos…

OTL: Episode #139- Chicago Swordplay, Project Squirrel, and Cooking Crawfish at Toons

(podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “cooking crawfish that are speared by a long sword while squirrels look on” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen goes on-location to play with swords, checks out the Chicago wildlife with Project Squirrel, and learns about the art of cooking crawfish here in the city. Greg Mele – Co-founder of the Chicago Swordplay Guild Greg tells us about preserving the art of European swordplay and shows Mike a few moves. Steve Sullivan – Principal Investigator for Project Squirrel. Steve tells us what we can learn from our local squirrel population and how we can be citizen scientists. Danny Beck – Owner of Toons Bar and Grill in Lakeview The 10th Annual Toons Crawfish Boil is happening this weekend.  We get a preview of the Boil and learn about the art of cooking crawfish. OTL #139 local music provided by Charlie Love…

OTL: Episode #136- Daily Daley, Chi-Town Angler, and Baconfest Chicago 2009

(podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “sizzling in bacon grease” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen talks to the editor of the Daily Daley, discovers the possibilities of fishing in Chicago, and chats with the Baconfest Triumvirate about Baconfest Chicago 2009. Anna Tarkov – Editor of the Daily Daley blog @ WindyCitizen.com Anna talks about Mayor Daley and his love of privatization, his relationship with the local press, the 2016 Olympics and much more. Marc Horwitz – a Chi-Town Angler and creator of Chitown-angler.com Marc lets us know how easy it is to fish in Chicago and tells us about the local fishing community. Seth Zurer, Mike Griggs, and Andre Pluess – the Baconfest Triumvirate and CURE-ators behind Baconfest Chicago 2009 Imagine a festival dedicated to bacon.  These guys did and they’re working to get it off the skillet and into reality.  We get the latest from them.  Also, check out the Baconfest Twitter page and Facebook group! OTL #136 local music provided by Joe Pug…