OTL: Episode #226- Benefits of Downsizing the City Council?, South Loop Transformation, Group-Buying Through City Swarm

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 “city-swarmed” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen looks at how a smaller city council could save Chicago money, discusses the South Loop’s decade of transformation and learns about CitySwarm, Chicago’s newest group-buying option. Emily Miller— Policy and Government Affairs Coordinator for the Better Government Association What would happen if Chicago decreased the size of its city council?  The BGA investigates this question to see if the city could save some money.  Emily discusses what they found out. Matthew Blake— Contributing Writer for the Chicago Journal Recently, Matthew wrote an article for the CJ that examines the transformation of the South Loop area.  He joins us to describe how that neighborhood has changed over the last decade. A Slice of the South Loop Lindsay Saewitz — Founder of CitySwarm There’s a new local online deal site that combines group-buying and social interaction called CitySwarm.  Lindsay tells us how this works and how it gets Chicagoans to explore their city.   OTL #226 local music provided by Goodbye Cleveland…

OTL: Episode #223- A Look Back at 2010

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 “happy new year!” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen takes a look back at some of the stories covered on the show in 2010. An OTL 2010 Flashback- Sit back, relax, and listen to a few clips that aired in 2010! Thanks so much for listening to and supporting Outside the Loop Radio.  2010 was a great year and I’m excited to make 2011 even better! Have a Happy New Year! –Mike Stephen Here’s to the New Year!   OTL #223 local music provided by Cottonseed…

OTL: Episode #222- The Holiday Special!

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 “local holiday tunes” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen relaxes in his velvet robe with a glass of eggnog, talks to one of Santa’s lieutenants, and spins some seasonal songs that were recorded by local musicians in the OTL Bunker! This Year’s Christmas Show Features… Ronald Q. McGee — Santa’s United States Midwestern Regional Manager at the North Pole Santa Claus is way too busy to give an interview, so Ronald talks to us exclusively from Santa’s North Pole Command Center about the final preparations for the evening of December 24th. CHICAGO CHRISTMAS MUSIC! Special thanks to the following bands for dropping by the OTL Bunker studios to record some great Holiday songs with Mike Stephen:   Go Time– “Baby, Please Come Home” and “Stockings Hung Low” Mick from Gidgets Ga Ga -“Christmas Wish” Joe Dickinson– “Someone Saw Santa” Magic Milk– “Mele Kalikimaka” PJ Anderson and John Pacini from Jackson Bailey– “The First Noel” Merry Christmas From Outside the Loop Radio! OTL Host Mike Stephen Enjoys A Charlie Brown Christmas.