OTL: Episode #65

(podcasting “from” near the outdoor skating rink in Warren Park) (broadcasting on the 100-watt sack of holiday cheer WLUW 88.7-FM Chicago) Mike Stephen and Andy Hermann spread holiday cheer, they learn about chickens in the city, they conduct a social experiment, and then they get the scoop on classic Chicago television. OTL HOLIDAY CHEER; revisiting the antics of OTL: Episode #14 Linda Nellett – activist and chicken owner; on the proposal to ban chicken raising in the city (find more info at the Chicago Food Policy Advisory Council) “The Payphone Experiment“; a much more successful version of what we tried in OTL: Episode #1 Rick Klein – curator and founder, FuzzyMemories.TV; about the online museum of classic Chicago television (segue music this week from The Injured Parties)

OTL: Chicago Reader Staff Cuts (advance audio)

Yesterday (Tuesday 12/11/07), we spoke with Harold Henderson… who was fired from the Chicago Reader after putting in 22 years, 7 months, and 22 days at the alternative weekly institution. In a drastic cost-cutting move… he was let ago along with three other heavy-hitters — John Conroy, Tori Marlin, and Steve Bogira. Due to time constraints, an abbreviated version of this interview will be in the 64th edition of our Outside the Loop RADIO program on WLUW 88.7-FM this Friday 12/14 @ 6p (along with a bunch of other great segments)… but his insight into the state of journalism today is too important not to feature in its entirety. So take a listen, and be sure to keep up with Harold at his new “Harold, Daily” blog.

OTL: Episode #63

(podcasting “from” on the corner of Clark and Fullerton) broadcasting on the 100-watt bacteria-laden ice cube WLUW 88.7-FM Chicago) Mike Stephen and Andy Hermann collect more naming rights ideas for Chicago, they learn about eminent domain in the city, they follow up on the handbill distribution issue, and then they discover what’s in ice cubes at local restaurants. “Chicago Might Sell Naming Rights” (part 2); reading and soliciting more feedback from our listeners Imre Hidvegi – co-owner Chicago Soccer; on eminent domain in Chicago and Save Lincoln Square Ron Roenigk – publisher, Inside Publications; followup on free newspapers and the Commercial Handbill Distribution Law Mary Troken – director, food service sanitation program at Harold Washington College; on the Sun-Times study on bacteria found in ice cubes at area restaurants (segue music this week from The Moves)

OTL: Episode #62

(podcasting “from” in an alley in Andersonville) broadcasting on the 100-watt file-sharing program WLUW 88.7-FM Chicago) Mike Stephen and Andy Hermann kick around corporate sponsor ideas for Chicago, they talk about file sharing on college campuses, they hear about a statewide parking sting, and then they learn about retrofitting the city’s alleys. “Chicago Might Sell Naming Rights“; reading and soliciting feedback from our listeners Emily Glazer – Assistant Campus Editor and Administration Beat Reporter, The Daily Northwestern; on the “College Opportunity and Affordability Act“, and penalizing entire campuses for illegal file sharing Bill Bogdan – Disability Liaison, Illinois Secretary of State’s Office; on a statewide parking sting over the holidays and year-round Brian Steele – spokesperson, Chicago Department of Transportation; on the city’s ambitious Green Alley Initiative (segue music this week from Moist Guitars)