OTL: Episode #75

HAPPY LEAP DAY !! (podcasting “from” on the corner of Madison and Wabash in Jewelers Row) (broadcasting on the 100-watt architecturally sound yet well-krausened radio station WLUW 88.7-FM Chicago) Mike Stephen and a cranky Andy Hermann read through some news updates, they talk about architecture and preservation in Chicago, they get the scoop on the Chiditarod, and then they learn about craft brewing delicious delicious beer. Updates from the OTL Newsroom; Andy is cranky and sick (of Mike), Mayor Daley on the Great Lakes, Illinois smoking ban violations Gregory Dreicer – Vice President of Exhibitions and Programs, Chicago Architecture Foundation; on architecture and preservation in Chicago Jake Reimer – organizer (one of many), Chiditarod; on racing shopping carts for charity Jeff Sparrow – board member, Chicago Beer Society; on craft brewing and Night of the Living Ales IV (segue music this week from Van Ghost)

OTL: Episode #72

(podcasting “from” right outside of Toons Bar & Grill on Southport) (broadcasting on the 100-watt dome-encased radio station WLUW 88.7-FM Chicago) Mike Stephen and Andy Hermann discuss new OTL web stuff, they get the scoop on developers and Chicago aldermen, they talk about a plastic shopping bag recycling proposal, and then they learn about building a dome over the city. new OTL web stuff; if this picture of Mike with Tom Jackson isn’t enough for you, then check out the OTL MySpace page for more Mardi Gras photos! Jay Stewart – executive director, Better Government Association; on the Chicago Tribune‘s “Neighborhoods for Sale” investigation Mike Nowak – vice president, Chicago Recycling Coalition; on the plastic shopping bag recycling proposal Andrew Mason – founder, The Point; on his Chicago Winter Dome campaign (segue music this week from Pete Berwick)

OTL: Episode #70

(podcasting “from” on the corner of Logan Boulevard and Milwaukee Avenue) (broadcasting on the 100-watt local Olympic bid WLUW 88.7-FM Chicago) Mike Stephen and Andy Hermann learn about the infamous CTA voice guy, they get the scoop on urban “scenes” around the world, and then they discuss restoring funding for a very important anti-violence organization. Who exactly is the disembodied voice of the CTA? OTL listener Peter lets us know it’s Lee Crooks, and DJ Goldie G and Andy have other ideas for transit voices Dan Silver – doctoral candidate, Cultural Policy Center at The University of Chicago; on what makes a “scene” in an urban area, and how cities are changing David Cassel – executive director, Alliance of Local Service Organizations (ALSO); on restoring at least some of the funding back to CeaseFire Chicago (segue music this week from The Changes)

OTL: Episode #69

(podcasting “from” right next door to the Blue Line Bar, underneath the Blue Line “L”) (broadcasting on the 100-watt alternative mode of transportation WLUW 88.7-FM Chicago) It’s a transportation themed program as Mike Stephen and Andy Hermann discuss state’s open road tolling program, they get the scoop on the pedestrian rules of the road, and then they learn about the history of Chicago’s elevated trains. Terry Pastika – director, Citizen Advocacy Center; on I-PASS and Open Road Tolling problems Jacky Grimshaw – vice president, Center for Neighborhood Technology; on the Illinois Pedestrian Rules of the Road (PDF file) Greg Borzo – author, The Chicago “L”; on the history of Chicago’s elevated train system (segue music this week from The Blue Line Riders)