his is the second edition of the Independent Media Guide (CIMG), brought to you by an informal and enthusiastic coalition of volunteers from Third Coast Press, Chicago Indymedia, and Chicago Media Action. We believe that a strong and supported indepedent media is essential to a better life in Chicago. In this time of impending media deregulation, which will put our precious airwaves in the hands of a mighty few, it’s more important now than ever to aggressively support free thought by reading, watching, and T listening to media outlets beyond the reach of those hands. Information is power. It’s time to take that power back.

The resources listed in the CIMG were chosen for the following reasons: • They are mostly based in the Chicago area • They are primarily non-profit, non-commercial outlets • They are primarily left-of-center • The volunteers had some personal familiarity with them • The volunteers liked them.

We’re certain we have missed things that are worthy of inclusion, and don’t pretend that the guide is exhaustive or complete. Feel free to contribute your ideas for the 2005 edition of the CIMG. Please email: [email protected] tp://creativecommons.org. This guide is available for download in a PDF format here: Chicago Media Action: www.chicagomediaaction.org Community Media Workshop: www.newstips.org Chicago Indymedia: chicago.indymedia.org Copyleft 2004 by the CIMG under the Creative Commons Share Alike Share Commons the Creative under the CIMG by 2004 Copyleft only works derivative distribute to others permits licensor The (1.0). License work. For the licensor’s governs that the one to identical a license under more info, visit ht © 1 the front lines of black cinema. Join Sergio music filling station Radio and his guests (filmmakers, scholars, and fans) as they analyze, criticize, and gossip www..org about the state of African-Americans in 773/508-8080 WZRD 88.3 FM mainstream and underground film today. 6525 N. Sheridan Rd. Northeastern University, 100 watts Chicago, IL 60626 Northwest side of Chicago; secondary from .uchicago.edu Evanston to the Loop, Oak Park to Park Ridge Studio: 773/702-8424 Office: 773/702-8289 WONC 89.1FM Democracy Now Reynolds Club , 1,500 watts MONDAY–FRIDAY,11AM–NOON 5706 S. University Ave. Aurora/Naperville/Wheaton area The Pacifica network’s morning news show Chicago, IL 60637 includes important harrowing and uplifting Local Chaos information. Recent examples include a WEDNESDAY,8 PM–10 PM report on the first Green Party mayor just WLUW 88.7 FM Showcase local ska, punk, metal, and rock elected in New Paltz, NY, and a speech Loyola University, 100 watts given by Rachel Corrie’s mother at Olympia From the Loop to the northern suburbs, from the The Vinyl Destination State College on what would have been her lake to the Tri-State (I-294). EVERY MONDAY FROM 5 PM–7 PM daughter’s graduation day, had she not been Feeling nostalgic? Do you long for the days crushed to death by an Israeli bulldozer in WLUW is a community radio station that when you attended Rock ‘n’ Roll High the Gaza Strip. generally runs news/talk/public service pro- School? Well, you can get lost in that day- grams in mornings, middays, and weekends; dream nation every Monday night at Free Speech Radio News alternative music programming in after- 8 PM. Join your host Aaron Ottinger for two MONDAY–FRIDAY, 3:45 PM–4:15 PM noons, nights, and overnights. hours of classic punk and alternative music Pacifica Radio’s afternoon news show from the ’70s, ’80s, and early ’90s. It’s the Free Speech Radio News Vinyl Destination, every Monday night at 5 Thursday Night Live MONDAY–FRIDAY,6 PM–6:30 PM PM on FM 89. THURSDAYS, 10:30 PM–MIDNIGHT acifica Radio’s afternoon news show WZRD’s live music showcase www.wonc.org From the Trenches 630/637-8989 WZRD also airs a number of regular radio FOURTH MONDAY OF THE MONTH, 30 N. Brainard St. shows at various times during the week. 9:30 AM–10:30 AM Naperville, IL 60566 These shows include: News and public affairs from the official radio show of the Chicago Independent Alternative Radio Media Center. WNUR 89.3 FM Counterspin , 7,200 watts Labor Express Live from the Heartland Lakefront from Highland Park to North Ave.; Making Contact WEDNESDAY,9 AM–10 AM; West to near the Cook/DuPage border. TUC Radio SAT U R DAY,9 AM–10 AM Voices Of Our World Wide-ranging discussion live from the This Is Hell 51 % Heartland restaurant in Rogers Park. SAT U R DAY,9 AM–1 PM Political discussion, humor, interviews www.zap.to/wizard_wzrd Counterspin 773/442-4586 WEDNESDAY,10 AM–10:30 AM The Lit Show 5500 N. St. Louis Ave. Media news and analysis from FAIR SAT U R DAY,7 PM–7:30 PM Chicago, IL 60625 (Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting) The Lit Show is a half-hour program featur- ing live authors reading their own creative Abstract Science work, be it fiction, poetry, plays, creative WHPK 88.5 FM THURSDAY,10 PM–2 AM non-fiction, or translation. Guests have WHPK, the community radio station of the Independent Music included published authors from the , bills itself as “The Pride Northwestern community and elsewhere of the South Side.” Labor Express around the country, as well as undergraduate SUNDAY,7 PM–8 PM and MFA students in writing. Sergio Mims: The Bad Mutha Film Show Local labor news and interviews MONDAYS,3 PM–4 PM www.wnur.org From crewing on Penitentiary in 1979 to pro- Something Else 847-491-7101 gramming controversial films series today, SUNDAY,11PM–2 AM 1905 Sheridan Rd. Sergio Mims has spent the last 25 years on Full service experimental and avant-garde Evanston, IL 60201

2 WRTE 90.5 FM Dialogue Catalyst Mexican Fine Arts Center, 73 watts MONDAY, 6:30 PM–7 PM Catalyst is an independent newsmagazine Pilsen and near west side of Chicago. Structural and historical aspects of issues, created in 1990 to document, analyze and rather than straight news analysis, are the support school improvement efforts in the Radio Arte, a youth initiative of the Mexican basis of Dialogue. This perspective distinguish- Chicago Public Schools. It is published by Fine Arts Center Museum, is an educational es it from other broadcasts dealing with the the Community Renewal Society, a faith- radio station that has served the Pilsen/Little effects of major issues on foreign countries. based organization founded in 1882 that Village neighborhood of Chicago for over six works to create racially and economically just years. Radio Arte trains, motivates and Riverwalk, Live from the Landing communities in metropolitan Chicago. The encourages youth to develop self-expression SAT U R DAY,10 AM–11 AM; Society also publishes The Chicago Reporter, through the broadcast medium. It provides a REPEATED SUNDAY,6 PM–7 PM an award-winning newsletter created in 1972 forum for young people to be creative and to investigate issues of race and poverty. responsible to the largest Mexican communi- Hosted by David Holt and Jim Cullum, ty in the Midwest as the only bilingual Riverwalk, Live from the Landing celebrates www.catalyst-chicago.org (Spanish/English), youth-operated, urban the lives and music of America’s top jazz 332 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 500 community station in the country, Radio musicians, past and present. Each week, the Chicago, IL 60604-4302 Arte is committed to training young people Jim Cullum Jazz Band salutes these jazz pio- 312/427-4830 (ages 15–21) from the Chicago metropolitan neers in live performances featuring classic area in the art of broadcasting. Radio Arte’s jazz and swing music, as well as fascinating unique two-year provides our youth with stories that bring to life remarkable moments Chicago Defender special courses on Writing for Radio, in the history of jazz. Founded in 1905, the Chicago Defender is the Journalism, voice training, FCC regulations, only daily black newspaper in America. as well as basic computer skills, production www.cod.edu/wdcb skills, and on-air training. 630-942-3708 www.chicagodefender.com 425 Fawell Blvd. 2400 S. Michigan Homofrequencia Glen Ellyn, IL 60137-6599 Chicago, IL 60616 MONDAY,8 PM–10 PM 312/225-2400 Homofrequencia is a live radio program in [email protected] Spanish that is created by and for young GLBT WVON 1450 AM Latinos. This production of Radio Arte 90.5 The Voice of the Nation, WVON is a part-time FM Chicago intends to educate and sensitize radio station that airs talk-show programs from The Chicago Flame the Latino community regarding various issues 10 AM–1 PM daily. The Chicago Flame has been the University of sexuality and gender identity.The show has of at Chicago’s student newspaper The Cliff Kelley Show an entertainment format and tries to provide since 1988. MONDAY–FRIDAY,6 AM–10 AM information in a truthful and objective manner. A native Chicagoan and attorney, Kelley has There is a different topic each week that is www.chicagoflame.com been active in Chicago’s political arena for exposed to the public in combination with pre- [email protected] more than 30 years, including 16 years in the recorded segments, live discussions, interviews City Council. Kelley has been the host of with professionals, public opinions, and conver- WVON’s popular morning drive talk show, The sations with GLBT activists in the United Chicago Free Press Cliff Kelley Show for more than six years. He “A Com mon Voice for a Diverse States and Latin America via telephone. makes numerous guest appearances on issue- Community.” “Local, national and interna- Homofrequencia presents personal testimonies, oriented programs on both local and national tional news, weekly health coverage, business and puts together segments related to health, television, and is a frequent contributor to pub- and technology reports, news and lifestyle politics, religion, and entertainment. E-mail us lic television’s Chicago Tonight. commentary, sports, community events, cal- at [email protected]. endar, community news and resources, and www..com Democracy Now vibrant photography. Provocative, in-depth 3350 S. Kedzie MONDAY–FRIDAY,6 AM–7 AM; feature stories, theater, film and book Chicago, IL 60623 MONDAY–THURSDAY,10 PM–11 PM; SAT U R DAY reviews, a comprehensive automotive page, 773/247-6200 12 AM–1 AM cutting-edge lifestyle features, celebrity and community profiles, and HomeStyle. www..org Restaurant features, a weekly nightlife photo 312/455-9455 essay, music column, ‘On-The-Town’ style 401W.18th St. Print column, bar listings, special events calendar, Chicago, IL 60608 an expansive personals section, and adult services/phone ads.” [email protected] The Baffler “The Baffler was our attempt to restore a www.chicagofreepress.com sense of outrage and urgency to the literature WDCB 90.9 FM 3714 N. Broadway of the Left and simultaneously to unmask College of DuPage, 5,000 watts Chicago, IL 60613 the pretensions of the lifestyle liberals.” DuPage County; secondary Cook County 773/325-0005 WDCB is known for its eclectic music program- www.thebaffler.com ming, primarily jazz, folk, and classical, and P. O. B o x 378 2 9 3 nostalgia music/radio shows. Chicago, IL 60637

3 Chicago Jazz Magazine Conscious Choice 7000 N. Glenwood Bi-monthly, covering Chicago’s jazz scene. Monthly, good source of local info about Chicago, IL 60626 how to use your consumer power to make a 773/465-8005 www.chicagojazz.com better world and for finding healthy restau- [email protected], [email protected] P.O. Box 737 rants and other green businesses. A recent Park Ridge, IL 60068 news story focused on Governor Blagojevich’s environmental appointments. Illinois Entertainer Illinois entertainment guide and music Chicago Journal www.consciouschoice.com review publication. Community news for the South Loop, Near 920 N. Franklin, Suite 202 West and West Loop. Chicago, IL 60610 www.illinoisentertainer.com 312/440-4373 124 W.Polk St., Suite 103 141 S. Oak Park Ave. Chicago, IL 60605 Oak Park, IL, 60302 312/922-9333 312/243-2696 Evanston Roundtable Weekly small-town newspaper. Illinois Issues Chicago Reader www.evanstonroundtable.com Illinois Issues magazine is dedicated to provid- “Published since 1971, the Chicago Reader is 1124 Florence Ave. ing [a] fresh, provocative analysis of public widely recognized as one of the leading alter- Evanston, IL 60202 policy in Illinois. With a special focus on native weeklies in the U.S. It specializes in fea- 847/867-7749 Illinois government and politics, the maga- tures rather than news, with emphasis on zine pays close attention to current trends urban issues and politics, arts and culture, and legislative issues, and examines the and literary journalism that seeks to capture F Newsmagazine state’s quality of life. the spirit of contemporary city life. It has won Publication of the School of the Art numerous journalistic awards and honors, Institute. F is a monthly newsmagazine open The magazine also engages its readers in dia- both local and national, and is well known as to submission from anyone in the school logue, enhancing the quality of public dis- a showcase for Chicago’s most talented writ- community. course in Illinois. A not-for-profit monthly ers, critics, photographers, and illustrators. magazine published by the University of www.artic.edu/webspaces/fnews Illinois at Springfield, Illinois Issues also spon- “The Reader is also well-known for its indis- 37 S. Wabash sors and promotes other appropriate public pensable guides to Chicago theater, film, Chicago, IL 60603 affairs educational activities. arts, and music, and for an extensive classi- 312/899-5230 fied advertising section that focuses on the illinoisissues.uis.edu needs of young urban adults.” Illinois Issues HRB-10 Gay Chicago magazine University of Illinois at Springfield www.chicagoreader.com GLBT News and Entertainment publica- One University Plaza 11E. Illinois tion, 26 years young. MS HRB 10 Chicago, IL 60611 Springfield, IL 62703-5407 312/828-0350 www.gaychicagomag.com 217/206-6084 3115 N. Broadway [email protected] Chicago, IL 60613 The Chicago Reporter 773/327-7271 The Chicago Reporter was founded by John A. In These Times McDermott in 1971, a time when Chicago, as “In These Times is a news, opinion, and culture the rest of the nation, struggled to come to Hasta Cuando magazine committed to extending political terms with the gains of the civil rights era Bilingual Spanish/English paper based in and economic democracy and opposing the and the resistance that followed. The Pilsen. Anarcho-punk edge with many tyranny of the marketplace over human values. Reporter continues to cover Chicago’s streets, Mexican punkers. “We try to be a quarterly neighborhoods, and institutions, winning bilingual publication and manage to get pub- “In These Times’ editorial content is shaped dozens of awards. Its pioneering use of com- lished once in a while, when it’s not so hot by a commitment to providing the news, puter-assisted reporting has also allowed it to and when we aren’t too distracted and furi- analysis, and perspective that is essential to scour the city’s databases and computer ous about the state of things.” developing a national and global movement disks, carrying on as gumshoes in the com- for democracy and justice.” puter age. Used by legislators, policy makers, 1840 S. Ra c ine academics, and individuals nationwide, the Chicago, IL 60608 www.inthesetimes.com Reporter continues to break the news and 773/274-6726 2040 N. Milwaukee Ave. influence the agenda in Chicago. [email protected] Chicago, IL 60647 773/772-0100 www.chicagoreporter.com 332 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 500 Heartland Journal Chicago, IL 60604 The Heartland Journal is a quarterly publica- 312/427-4830 tion of progressive news, commentary, poli- tics, arts, and activism, published by the Heartland Café in Chicago’s Rogers Park.

4 Lumpen magazine NewCity www.roctober.com “Lumpen Media Group was founded in We offer up a fresh take on culture and city 1507 E. 53rd St, #617 1990 to create distribution outlets for inde- flavored by a lifelong love of the metropolis Chicago, IL 60615 pendent and underground entertainment, we cover. With a combination of in-depth [email protected] news, and opinion. reporting, vivid profiles, and sassy commen- tary on the issues that keep Chicago percolat- “Lumpen magazine remains focused in pro- ing, NewCity lives as a kind of collective urban Stop Smiling magazine viding critical cultural and political informa- diary and tour guide. When readers climb “Described as ‘The magazine for high-mind- tion to our readers. We still believe that the between our provocative covers, they find a ed low-lifes,’ Stop Smiling continues to push “freedom of the press belongs to those who waking dream of film, theatre, art and concert the envelope of gonzo journalism à la own one.” As we witness the further consoli- reviews, previews and features—as well as the National Lampoon, Spy,or Oui.” dation of media outlets, the mechanization city’s most comprehensive and user-friendly of the war of terror, and the ascendancy of arts and entertainment calendar. NewCity www.stopsmilingonline.com friendly fascism worldwide, we remain com- captures provocative, stop-motion snapshots PO Box 577595 mitted in providing distribution outlets for of the City on the Make, giving natives and Chicago, IL 60657 independent views to those seeking a radical visitors a view of Chicago they can’t get any- 773/342-1124 and independent media.” where else. And NewCity is easy to find, with [email protected] 70,000 copies distributed to more than 1,350 www.lumpen.com/magazine points in Chicago and nearly 50 suburbs Third Coast Press 1542 N. Milwaukee Ave., 2nd floor every week. Add the spunkiest comic strips Third Coast Press is a broad, alternative month- Chicago, IL 60622 around, an insatiable literary appetite, ly publication for the Chicago area. It is 773/837-0145 thoughtful notes on the art of eating and released on the first of every month. We con- some of the city’s liveliest and best-read classi- centrate on local features and news of progres- fieds, and you’ll see why Chicago can’t get sive interest, alternative arts and culture, and Mouthtomouth NewCity out of its heart, or head. We are independent, conversational, and, at coverage of notable community businesses. times, irreverent—the art world has a sense www.newcitychicago.com Third Coast Press is committed to supporting of humor, and we think we should, too. We 770 N. Halsted, Suite 306 the businesses, creative endeavors, and the are not full of glossy images or slick design, hicago, IL 60622 individuals who invest their energy, resources, because we believe interesting, readable edi- 312/243-8786 and passions to help make Chicago the vibrant torial content is its own reward. And we are cultural and commercial center it is. distributing the magazine for free—in gal- leries and nearby businesses throughout Punk Planet Currently, Third Coast Press is 24 to 32 pages town—because we immediately want to Bi-monthly, well-designed, well-written, pas- with a print run of c. 7,000, with an estimat- reach as broad an audience as possible. sionate discussion of music, politics, and ed readership of approximately 20,000 every other topics. “We’re fiercely independent and month. We anticipate a distribution base of www.mouthtomouthmag.com dedicated to living outside the mainstream.” 10,000 to 12,000 copies by late 2004, with an P. O. B o x 18 0 0 78 audience of over 30,000. Chicago, IL 60618-0078 www.punkplanet.com 4229 N. Honore Third Coast Press is currently distributed to Chicago, IL 60613 more than 200 locations in Wicker Park, N’DIGO 773/248-7172 Rogers Park, Evanston, Lakeview, Lincoln N’DIGO is Chicago’s largest African-American Park, Roscoe Village, Hyde Park, weekly publication and offers its diverse readers Andersonville, Lincoln Square, the South a new view on contemporary culture. N’DIGO La Raza Loop, and a number of college campuses is a must-read in the African-American com- Spanish-language monthly publication with throughout the city of Chicago, as well as to munity, particularly by the black middle-class hard-hitting news and editorial. other areas. and progressive types who find its original edi- torial content relevant, hard-hitting, and fresh. 6001 N. Clark St. P.O. Box 577595 Chicago, IL 60660 Chicago, IL 60657 N’DIGO tells the stories that others have 773/273-2900 773/525-6730 mistold, forgotten, or just didn’t know. N’DI- [email protected] GO tells the most interesting stories on busi- ness, religion, entertainment, food, politics, Roctober Comics & Music fashion, the arts, movies, and much, much magazine UR Chicago more. N’DIGO provides fresh views via com- For more than 10 years, Roctober magazine Club and culture entertainment guide. Film, mentaries on social issues. has presented in-depth, well-researched pro- music, nightlife. files of some of the most dynamic, unjustly www.ndigo.com obscure figures in music history. The maga- www.urchicago.com 19 North Sangamon zine also features thousands of indy reviews 655 W.Irving Park Rd., #209 Chicago, IL 60607-261 a year and showcases the work of some of Chicago, IL 60613 312/822-0202 the most unique underground cartoonists in 773/529-5100 the world.

5 Windy City Times CAN TV channel 19 Evanston, IL 60202 “The Voice of Chicago’s Gay, Lesbian, Bi, Labor Beat is a weekly television show about 847/869-2510 and Trans community since 1985.” labor issues, politics and organizing. [email protected] www.laborbeat.org www.windycitytimes.com 1115 W.Belmont, Suite 2-D CAN TV provides a public space where Free Speech TV Chicago, IL 60657 Chicagoans can discuss local issues and cele- Dish Satellite Network #9415 (24 hours) 773/871-7610 brate local talent and initiatives. They often tape events held by Community Partners Seizing the power of television to expand social (community groups). Great past shows hap- consciousness, FSTV fuels the movement for LOCAL ZINES pened upon include an improv comedy show progressive social, economic, and political trans- Alternator and an author reading from her novel at the formation. FSTV broadcasts independently-pro- Americant Cultural Center. CAN TV is also an espe- duced documentaries dealing with social, politi- Bleach cially good source of local information dur- cal, cultural, and environmental issues; com- Bomb Time for Bonzo ing election cycles. missions and produces original programming; Caboose develops programming partnerships and collab- Death by Puppies CAN TV19 orations with social justice organizations; pro- Diatribe Zine Neighborhood news and community views. vides special live broadcasts from remote loca- Floatation Device Community Partners Events until noon. tions; and maintains an adjunct Website that Galactic Zoo hosts one of the Internet’s largest collections of Judas Goat Quarterly CAN TV21 progressive audio and video content. Porcelino Live call-in programs weeknights. Chicago Retail Whore Public Schools, other educational shows. Democracy Now Thought Bombs (Dish Satellite Network #9415) War Against the Idiots CAN TV27 MONDAY–FRIDAY,6 AM,6 PM,11PM Worse Than Queer Nonprofit community services bulletin board. CENTRAL Zine Guide (billed as “The Ultimate Neighborhood news and features from the Independent Press Resource Guide”) Illinois Labor History Society, Chicago Reporter, www.freespeech.org the Community Media Workshop, and Tom PO Box 6060 Most of the preceding publications can be Tomorrow’s comic strip This Modern World. Boulder, CO 80306 found in our favorite bookstores: Quimby’s, 303/442-8445 Chicago Comics, and Bookworks. Please visit CAN TV36 them. Tell them the Chicago Independent Religious and spiritual programming. Media Guide sent you. C-SPAN 1 & 2 CAN TV42 Comcast offers C-SPAN 1 only; RCN also Local events, jobs, educational activities, offers C-Span 2. Check cable listings. nonprofit resources, and daily program infor- Streaming video is also available on the Web Television mation 24 hours a day on this interactive at www.c-span.org. community bulletin board. C-SPAN has been called “what public televi- Chicago Access Network www.cantv.org sion should be.” Political junkies find it most Television (CAN TV) 322 S. Green Street addictive. C-SPAN tapes all manner of events Available on Comcast and RCN cable systems Chicago, IL 60607 and shows them in their entirety without in Chicago. 312/738-1400 editing or commentary. Recent shows include: fax 312/738-2519 the “Take Back America” Progressive SEIU Says [email protected] Conference, the House International Relations TUESDAYS,7 PM–7:30 PM Committee on Weapons of Mass Destruction, CAN TV channel 21 and FBI Director Robert Mueller addressing This is a weekly call-in show organized by Evanston Community the ACLU. the Service Employees International Union. Media Center Evanston’s cable access. Free intro class on studio LGBT Hotline video equipment on the first Monday of every WTTW Channel 11 FRIDAYS, 6:30 PM–7 PM month for Evanston residents. NOW with Bill Moyers CAN TV channel 21 SUNDAY,12 AM A weekly call-in show where LGBT groups Channel 6 provide support and information for Public Access Moyers has long been one of the best jour- Chicago’s LGBT population. nalists in television. He was one of the first Channel 16 voices on TV to address the media owner- Chicago Independent Television Government Access, City of Evanston ship issue, and this show regularly takes on Chicago Independent Television is the the biggest corporate interests, as well as Channel 19 monthly television show of the Chicago highlighting interesting cultural and commu- Educational Access Independent Media Center. nity developments. While WTTW refuses to run the show in primetime, it is available on www.ectv.com Labor Beat Sunday at noon. 1285 Har trey Ave. Thursdays, 9:30 PM, Fridays, 4:30 PM

6 cation to include those typically left out of We are activists, students, media artists— Online the process. It offers weekly screenings and both youth and adult—who are all commit- classes, and also hosts Chicago Lesbian and ted to cultivating images, ideas, and words Gay International Film Festival, the second that transform our communities, raise con- Chicago Bloggers oldest gay/lesbian film festival in the world. sciousness, and generate collective analysis Collection of Chicago-based and suburban and action. We use multimedia, video pro- bloggers, searchable by proximity to CTA 5243 N. Clark duction, and alternative press to explore and and Metra stops. Chicago, IL 60640 document the stories and perspectives of 773/293-1447 communities that are erased and distorted www.chicagobloggers.com www.chicagofilmmakers.org by mainstream media. Video Machete is committed to producing cultural work that addresses real change in our communities Chicago Indymedia Women in the Director’s Chair and society. The Independent Media Center (“indy- Women in the Director’s Chair (WIDC) is a media” for short) is a grassroots organization Chicago-based, international media www.videomachete.org committed to using media production and arts/activist center which exhibits, promotes, 1180 N. Milwaukee, Floor 2 distribution as a tool for promoting social and educates about media made by women, Chicago, IL 60622 and economic justice. It is a cooperative girls, and transgendered people that express a 773/645-1272 effort of hundreds of independent media diversity of cultures, experiences, and issues. [email protected] organizations around the world, some of whose efforts you can visit via the list of We strive to expand and create new audiences worldwide indymedia centers on the left- for this work and to advance the use of alter- Street Level Youth Media hand column of this Web page. native media for social change. It is our mis- Street Level Youth Media educates Chicago’s sion to raise the visibility of women media inner city youth in media arts and emerging The Chicago Independent Media Center makers and to support the production of technologies for use in self-expression, com- (“Chicago Indymedia” or “Chicago IMC”) is alternative media that defies demeaning munication, and social change. Street Level’s Chicago’s contribution to the growing stereotypes perpetuated by mainstream media. programs build critical thinking skills for Indymedia movement. Chicago Indymedia urban youth who have been historically neg- maintains a Website (chicago.indymedia.org) We seek to encourage the development of lected by government and mass media. with an open publishing newswire, which strategies of resistance that combat inaccura- Using video production, computer art and allows anyone to publish their story or opinion cy with truth, and replace perpetual disen- the Internet, Street Level’s young people and thereby quickly reach a wide audience. franchisement with community. address community issues, access advanced Chicago Indymedia also produces a monthly communication technology, and gain inclu- radio program, From the Trenches, and a month- It is our belief that educated viewers are crit- sion in our information-based society. ly TV series, Chicago Independent Television. ical viewers who become vocal and active participants in the social forces that shape streetlevel.iit.edu chicago.indymedia.org our culture. WIDC also serves as a network 1856 W.Chicago Ave. 3411W. Diversey where independent media artists share ideas, Chicago, IL 60622 Chicago, IL 60647 skills, and opportunities. 773/862-5331 [email protected] www.widc.org 941 W. Lawrence, #500 Chicago Media Action Chicago, IL 60640 Chicago Media Action is a Chicago organi- Media Activism 773/907-0610 zation devoted to media issues and the poli- [email protected] tics on media—everything from the FCC to & Training lobbying and pressuring corporate and so- called public television and radio, to support- buddY ing independent media like public access TV Chicago Filmmakers buddY is an artist run space, an effort in and community radio. CMA maintains an Chicago Filmmakers is a 30-year-old media creating space for experimental music, per- active announcements list for sending a reg- arts organization that fosters the creation, formance, workshops, discussions, and exhi- ular monthly e-newsletter and regular appreciation, and understanding of film and bitions. Our goal is to foster a habitat and announcements, and organizes events on video as media for artistic and personal cultural space for emerging accidents, radical assorted media issues. expression, as well as media of important culture and intentional community organiz- social and community impact. Our mission ing. We love you. www.chicagomediaaction.org is to provide an opportunity for artists to P. O. B o x 1414 0 make films outside the mainstream market- www.lumpen.com/buddy/yes.html Chicago, IL 60614 place, to distribute and exhibit this work, as 542 N. Milwaukee Ave., 2nd floor [email protected] well as building audiences and increasing Chicago, IL 60622 media attention for it. Recognizing the 773/342-7332 impact of mass media in contemporary soci- Community Media Workshop ety, it is additionally our goal to provide cul- The Community Media Workshop, founded turally diverse audiences with alternative Video Machete by a journalist, Hank De Zutter, and a com- images to those reflected in mainstream Video Machete is a Chicago-based, inter- munity activist, Thom Clark, is a small insti- media and to broaden access to media edu- generational collective of cultural workers. tution trying to link the two Chicagos by

7 encouraging the media to tell the stories of the other Chicago, the oft-neglected neigh- borhoods and back streets of Chicago, where the problems are felt most deeply and where solutions are most likely to be born.

The Workshop trains people working on If you would like to be considered for a listing these problems to tell their stories to the media, tips sensitive journalists to the impor- in the 2005 Independent Media Guide or tance of these stories, and tries to create bet- would like to recommend a media resource, ter relationships between the media and the diverse communities that make up Chicago. let us know: [email protected] www.newstips.org/index.php 600 S. Michigan Chicago, IL 60605 312/344-6400 [email protected]

Kartemquin Films to Change the World. Founded in 1965, this project of progressive filmmakers has pro- duced some of the most critically-acclaimed Chicago documentaries: Hoop Dreams, Stevie, The New Americans, protest films like What the Fuck are These Red Squares, and gentrifica- tion expose Now We Live on Clifton Street.The group has made more than 30 films focusing on social problems. www.kartemquin.com 1901W.Wellington Ave., # 1 Chicago, IL 60657-4029 773/472-4366

Four easy ways to improve reception of low power FM stations By Slacker, Reprinted from the 2003 Edition

1. Home listening on a com- work, consider buying a roof each other and rotate that way. antennas in these things are the ponent FM tuner: Usually mount antenna. Radio Shack I’ve also heard of people having headphone cords. Try to keep the these are the most expensive FM sells a directional model for $15. good luck using aluminum foil cord straight and away from receivers you can buy, but they Mounting hardware will set you creations wrapped around the your body. always seem to come with the back another $20 to $40. If all antenna…just mess with it until 5.Anything else? Yes…If you’ve same crappy wire antenna. else fails, you could move. it works. got about $30 to spend, you could First of all, take one end of purchase a “weather radio.” the wire and hook it on some- 2. Home listening on a boom- 3. Listening in a car: Make The best models are made by thing so that it is pointing box tuner:The antennas on sure you’ve got a decent antenna GE. These little devils are straight up. This will usually these are usually fixed telescop- on your car. The kind that’s small, portable, and notoriously improve your reception. If not, ing antennas, so you can’t almost three feet long and tele- good receptors. The higher end consider buying a cheap (<$10) replace them. Prepare to do scopes out. You don’t want a lit- models also come with external antenna from Radio Shack. DO some experimenting. First, set tle “whip” antenna. Those are antenna jacks. The reason these NOT get an amplified antenna. the boombox near a window only good for picking up power- radios receive FM signals so They don’t improve reception. that faces the location of the ful commercial stations. Aside well is because they’re mono. Also avoid satellite dish or cir- transmitter. Starting with the from that, there’s really nothing FM is always strongest on cular shaped antennas. The best antenna pointing straight up, you can do to improve reception mono receivers. In fact, if you performer will be a tele-scoping move it around a little bit. If except drive around. own one of the few receivers antenna or an antenna shaped you’ve got two antennas, angle that can switch to mono, like a bow tie. If it still doesn’t them 90 degrees apart from 4. Walkman? Good luck. The try that too. 3

8