OTL: Episode #572- Fighting domestic violence, Beardsgaard Barbers grows, Local urban farming with The Gardeneers

Mike Stephen talks with:   Bethany Gomillion, Marathon Campaign Coordinator of Run Domestic Violence Out of Town and Elizabeth Gray, marathoner and domestic abuse survivor, about combating domestic abuse;   Natalie Anderson, co-owner and barber educator at Beardsgaard Barbers, about the success of this unique Batavia-based shop; and   May Tsupros, Executive Director and Co-founder of The Gardeneers, about educating CPS students on local urban farming and healthy eating   This week’s local music is provided by Fire Garden. Mike Stephen out in the field to explore the Gardeneers’ rail garden in Homan Square.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #207- Chicago Ave. In Limbo, Another Visit to the Near North Farmessori

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 “street-level” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen roughs the winds of Chicago, chats with the author of an article about Chicago Avenue, and visits the Near North Farmessori to see how goes the experiment in urban gardening. Janina Williams— Freelance Writer and Author of Chicago Ave: A ‘Hood In Limbo The stretch of Chicago Ave. between Damen and Ashland has seen a lot of action over the years.  Janina reflects on where this neighborhood has been, where it is now, and where it’s going. Deitch Pharmacy on Chicago Ave.  Photo Courtesy of Janina Williams Who Needs the Olympics?— Chicago has one of the top five gay bars in the world! Anna Viertel and Stacy Cushenberry— Staff at the Near North Montessori School The Near North Farmessori is a student-run farm in the East Village neighborhood.  It’s come a long way since we last stopped by in six inches of snow in February.  We get an update this week. The Near North Farmessori OTL #207 local music provided by I Kong Kult…

OTL: Episode #196- Inside Rogers Park’s Mayne Stage, WindyCitizen.com’s NowSpots Project, the Peterson Garden

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 “victory garden” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen would like a pic with the Stanley Cup, goes inside a new Rogers Park venue, learns about a new kind of web banner ad, and visits the Peterson Garden on the North Side. Chris Ritter — General Manager of the Mayne Stage and Act One Cafe in Rogers Park We go inside this new venue that doubles as a giant recording studio and radio broadcast facility. Mayne Stage in Rogers Park Brad Flora— Founder of WindyCitizen.com and NowSpots.com Brad was recently awarded $250,000 from the Knight Foundation for his NowSpots idea.  We find out all about it this week. LaManda Joy — Block Captain for the Peterson Garden We pay a visit to this organic community vegetable garden at Peterson and Campbell in the 40th Ward. Peterson Garden OTL #196 local music provided by Bird Talk…