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CHIRP News is releasing its first on-going series featuring the voices of people from all around Chicago. News Director Dan Epstein and series producer Whitney Henry-Lester provide their perspectives on what they hope to achieve and what CHIRP listeners can expect to hear.
Dan Epstein – Director, CHIRP News
If you’re thinking we’re producing a radio version of the CBS television series of the same name, I hope you’re not disappointed to hear that’s not the case.
So why “Person of Interest?”
The title is a deliberate attempt to appropriate the phrase law enforcement likes to use to describe people who aren’t yet officially suspects. Despite its degree of separation from “suspect,” this phrase now shares the power of “suspect.”
If you’re labeled a “person of interest,” you might as well be an actual suspect. We want to free “person of interest” of its scarlet letter quality by seeking out the “people” part of “person” and the “pay attention to” part of “interest.”
As a news organization, we try to bring you stories about what’s happening in our community. We talk to people who are involved in activities that shape our culture, our public policies, our work, our leisure.
But as a community radio station, we feel it’s necessary also to talk to you, your neighbors, your fellow Chicagoans about how news-making events affect you, about how you’re getting along, about what’s on your mind.
Person of Interest is produced by a team of reporters from CHIRP’s News Department. We have Whitney Henry-Lester, who’s worked with NPR’s Story Corps, Meg Whedbee and Iris Lin. They’ve been traveling around the city asking people if they’d like to sit down and have a chat. Despite shoving a microphone in people’s faces, they can still make people comfortable enough to talk about such things as meditation and how they’ve recovered from breaking their neck.
So take a listen. Tell us what you think. And if you know someone we should talk to, drop us a line at news@chirpradio.org.
Whitney Henry-Lester – Person of Interest Producer
I admit it, I don’t know the name of my next door neighbor. Actually, I feel like I know more strangers on Twitter than people in my building.
It’s not because I don’t care or because I’m rude or unfriendly, but rather, I live in a buzzing city of millions of (busy) people. And I’ll never be able to meet all of them, let alone have a conversation.
Chicago has millions of people coexisting on one big plot of land, all with different backgrounds, jobs, hobbies, dreams, musical tastes, stories. And yet we tend to hang out with the same people, hear from the same people on the news.
This is an attempt to listen to the people around us rather than those in the headlines. Person of Interest is that person you see on the train or at a cafe or in the park that makes you wonder, “Who are you?” Person of Interest is your barista, your taxi driver, your next door neighbor. It’s not breaking news, but collectively it’s the real story of our city.
Click here for a complete list of Person of Interest stories.
Technically, yes, you have until 11:59pm tomorrow evening when the ball drops to become one of the shiny, happy, proud 2011 members of the best radio station in Chicago. But we’re pretty sure you’ll be so busy checking out a show, enjoying the company of your loved ones, or watching the Navy Pier fireworks blaze that we thought we should send you a reminder today.
CHIRP has had an amazing ride in 2011. Through the highs (two best radio station nods!) and lows (a devastating flood in July) we’ve persisted with one major goal in mind: to provide you with the best local independent radio station there is. At the end of this rollercoaster that we call 2011, we ask you to take a minute to think about what CHIRP means to you.
Did you discover a new band or learn about a local organization? Did you listen to an interview with your favorite artist or see an amazing show? Did you purchase some unforgettable albums or attend a cool community event?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you’re the perfect candidate to become a member of this station. So before you crack open another bottle of champagne, put on your dancing shoes, and get those lips puckered up, head on over to chirpradio.org/donatenow, and show your support today.
Please don’t delay. This is absolutely, positively your last chance to become a 2011 member of the Best Overall Radio Station in Chicago*!
Wishing you a safe, happy, and healthy 2012 from your friends at CHIRP!
*As voted in the Chicago Reader’s Best of 2011Poll
Feeling an overflow of holiday cheer and not sure where to share it? How about sharing it with CHIRP by becoming a member of the Best Overall Radio Station in Chicago*!
As a 501(c )(3) charity organization, CHIRP will ensure that your tax-deductible gift of holiday cheer goes to good use this season—and all throughout the next year—by supporting our daily operations and continuing to provide you with the best local community radio in Chicago.
Become a member of CHIRP today by visiting chirpradio.org/donatenow and help us finish out the year strongly. Make a gift of $100 or more before December 31, and we’ll even give you one of our exclusive 2012 screen-printed calendars.
We’ve got a lot in store for 2012, including a brand new website, an Android app, and the 10th Anniversary of our Record Fair extravaganza. We can’t wait to share the experience with you. Help make it all possible by visiting chirpradio.org/donatenow today!
*As voted in the Chicago Reader’s Best of 2011 Poll
In the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, don’t forget the music!
When you click through our Insound affiliate links, CHIRP gets a percentage of the proceeds. Not only that, you can also receive a 10% discount on your purchase, perfect for last minute gifts and New Year surprises. Just visit chirpradio.org/insound and use coupon code holidaycheer10 before January 5, 2012.
Insound is an online multimedia record shop that stocks a medley of LPs, CD’s, DVD’s, record players, downloads, and other fabulous audible accompaniments. Insound also carries a limited edition of You Weren’t There: A History of Chicago Punk 1977-1984, which includes a rare track LP, DVD, and a double-sided newsprint poster – a perfect gift for the little punk rock heart in all of us.
Forget the carols, turn up your speakers and support CHIRP! But remember, this offer expires January 5. Visit chirpradio.org/insound before the season ends!
When you hear the phrase “tis the season,” what’s the first thing you think of?
While it can mean something different to everyone – reliving concerts from the year with best friends, getting together with family far away, or finding the perfect present for a loved one – there is one meaning that everyone can agree upon: tis the season to give.
This holiday season, we encourage you to give back to CHIRP. Your tax-deductible gift will help CHIRP continue to provide the best in local, independent radio, homegrown here in Chicago.
So please, tune in to chirpradio.org and let us be the soundtrack for your season. And, while you’re there, cruise on over to chirpradio.org/donatenow and show us what this season is all about: giving back to those you appreciate.
As always, thank you for your support and Happy Holidays from your friends at CHIRP!