OTL: Episode #155- Privatizing Chicago, Bacon Fest Update, Share Your Soles Charity

(podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “O-gasm” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen introduces the new OTL correspondent, talks about privatization in Chicago and beyond, gets an important Baconfest Chicago update, and learns about the Share Your Soles local charity. Jessica Herman – “The Get” Writer at Time Out Chicago and new OTL Correspondent Everyone meet Jessica.  Jessica meet Everyone.  Our new correspondent drops by the OTL Bunker to say hi.  Look for her stories on the show in the coming weeks! In case you were wondering Jessica isn’t related to Andrew “The Count” Hermann, former OTL Executive Producer.  However, their glasses might be related. Mick Dumke – Writer and Editor at the Chicago Reader Privatization of local public assets is all the rage these days.  Mick joins us to explain why this is.  He also discusses how other cities are looking into privatization and how they’re doing it a bit differently than Chicago.  You can read his blog post on this topic here. Seth Zurer — Co-organizer and co-founder of Baconfest Chicago There is an important update about the launch of Baconfest.  Seth gives us the fatty details. Mona Purdy – Founder of Share Your Soles This locally-based charity provides shoes around the globe for those who don’t have any.  We get the story of the organization from its founder. OTL #155 local music provided by Soft Targets…

OTL: Episode #152- Rise of the Chicago Dem Machine, Bar Breakdancing, and What the Heck is Happening in Uptown?

(podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “viral audio” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen discusses the rise of the Chicago Democratic Machine, tells us about his experience with random bar breakdancing, and talks to an Uptown resident about what the hell is happening in that neighborhood. Rich Lindberg – Local writer and author of The Gambler King of Clark Street We’ve all heard of the political Chicago Democratic Machine.  But where exactly did it come from?  Rich shines a new light on this topic. Rando Bar Breakdancing – You never know when you’re going to see it. Recently Mike was hanging out with friends at Mac’s bar on Division.  Before they knew it they had front row seats to an impromptu dance-off!  Mike rolled video on his cell phone camera… James Cappleman – Resident of Uptown and Board President of the Uptown Chicago Commission There has been some craziness in Uptown lately.  From riots in the streets to angry residents chasing the Alderman out of a press conference, some might say, “What’s going on, Uptown?”  We hear from a resident about the mood of the neighborhood and what he thinks needs to be done to unify the area. OTL #152 local music provided by Anni Rossi…

OTL: Episode #151- The Honeymoon Show

(podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “let’s hear that again” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen has been sunning himself on the beaches of the Riviera Maya in Mexico for the past week so he brings us some fun stories OTL covered in 2009 as well as a BIG OTL programming announcement. BIG OTL ANNOUNCEMENT… Starting on August 27, Outside the Loop Radio moves to its new time slot: every Thursday morning from 10-11!  We’re very excited about this news and hope you’ll catch the show on the air then and continue to download the podcast! Mike Returns From His Honeymoon – Mike was busy this week eating dinners on the beaches of the Riviera Maya with his wife, Jenny, so he airs some fun stories that ran on OTL this year… OTL Rewind – Once again we bring you Mike’s conversation with the owner of the only American made harmonica factory (that happens to be here in Chicago), and his adventures at the Chicago Swordplay Guild. OTL #151 local music provided by Fair Herald…

OTL: Episode #149- Home Made Poetry, Printers’ Ball, TOC’s The Get, and Literago.org

IT’S THE LOCAL LITERARY-THEMED SHOW… (podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “literary masterpiece” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen gets poetic on his wedding weekend, chats with an organizer of a local literary party, checks in with a Time Out Chicago writer to see what she’s writing about these days, and learns about a website that is a local literary hub. The OTL Poetry Corner – Mike gets sentimental on his wedding weekend and reads a poem he wrote when he was 12.  It was published in Creation Spirituality magazine in 1993. Fred Sasaki – Associate editor of POETRY Friday, July 31 the Fifth Annual Printers’ Ball takes place in Chicago and it’s quite the literary throw down!  Fred gives us the details about the party and talks about the local literary scene. Jessica Herman – Writer for Time Out Chicago’s “The Get” We catch up with Jessica to see what she’s writing about these days, including taking a peek into some Chicagoans homes. Gretchen Kalwinski – Co-founder of Literago.org If you want to be in the know when it comes to the literary scene in Chicago you need to check out Literago!  We learn more about the site on this week’s show. OTL #149 local music provided by The Blissters…