It's Skokie Podcast

Ilene and Scott venture into Evanston and meet with Aaron Masliansky, host of "Inside the Skev" podcast that features Skokie and Evanston. It's hard to tell who is running the show on this one and there is a LOT covered.  "Skevanston" is the area inside zipcode 60203. Learn what makes this a very unique area in this podcast. 

Ilene and Scott travel to Evanston to meet with Mary Ellen Ball – Executive Director of Open Communities.  Open Communities seeks to eradicate housing discrimination, in all of its forms, and against all persons, because of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sex, disability, familial status, or source of income.  We cover what the organization does in Skokie and surrounding communities in this week's episode. 

In this episode, we celebrate our one year of doing this podcast. On this occasion Mark, Ilene and Scott venture to Community Animal Rescue Effort - C.A.R.E. right here in Skokie. We meet Jennifer Guth and talk about the history and mission of C.A.R.E. Since 1987, Community Animal Rescue Effort (C.A.R.E.™) has been promoting adoptions and care for dogs and cats. The volunteer-driven, not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization serves all of the communities of Chicago’s North Shore. Shout out to Evanston Subaru in Skokie for being a big supporter of this great Skokie based organization. 

We travel to the Skokie Police Station HQ to meet with Chief Scarpelli and Sargent Franklin to discuss the Skokie PD's outreach and services for the community. From home security checks to block watches and outreach to schools.  Have a listen to this fun podcast and we can tell you a few things you didn't know about the Skokie Police Department. 

We visit Aw Yeah Comics in "Beautiful Downtown Skokie". Hey, they actually came up with "Beautiful Downtown Skokie" in their own comic book! The owners have done so much for Downtown Skokie we just have to share the story. Have a listen. I promise you will learn something! 

Jim and Gloria talk about their mission and how they make Mini Man Monkey Brains work. We hear from Gloria who is a Special Education Teacher how the store was founded and it's very special mission to train young men on the Autism spectrum some valuable job skills.  Scott, Mark, and Ilene lead this spirited conversation recorded live at Mini Man Monkey Brains. We cover  Halloween in Downtown Skokie and more!   

Mark, Ilene, and Scott meet with Skokie School District 69 Superintendent Dr. Margaret Clauson and Sarah Rankin again to discuss community schools and everything that has happened in the last 10 months since we last spoke. This time Liza Sullivan who is the birth to age 3 coordinator joined in to discuss the Ready For Success program and how it engages parents.   School District 69 is the only district in Skokie to support this effort and implement in their schools. Listen in and discover how all the resources available in the community are used to benefit the students. http://sd69.org/community/community-schools/

Recorded live at the NSBAR Centennial Celebration.

Recorded live at the NSBAR Centennial Celebration.

Recorded live at the NSBAR Centennial Celebration.

Recorded live at the NSBAR Centennial Celebration.

Recorded live at the NSBAR Centennial Celebration.

Recorded live at the NSBAR Centennial Celebration.

Recorded live at the NSBAR Centennial Celebration.

Recorded live at the NSBAR Centennial Celebration.

Avengers assemble! Mark is back with Ilene and Scott for this action-packed podcast  We all meet up on the Village Inn on the patio for a quick catchup. We talk about some of the stuff we left out on last weeks podcast and Mark has some questions to cover while he was gone. Midway through, Mark runs over and drags Dillon one of the owners of Downtown Skokies newest businesses Kneads and Wants over. Located in the old Sweety Pies location at 8042 Lincoln Avenue this new bakery has all sorts of awesome coffee drinks and baked goodies. We learn all about the new business and how it will grow over the next few months.  There is plenty of info to digest in the latest episode. Have a listen, I promise you will learn something. 

This is one you need to hear. We finally got the Skokie Village Manager, John Lockerby to join us for a podcast. We get to learn about the differences between a Village and a City and about the Village Managers job.  John gave us some great news about developments that are popping up all over Skokie and new businesses. There is an Amazon distribution center, employing 600 people on its way and, Sketchbook Brewing Company coming to Skokie on Main Street!  There is more than enough news to make this one something you should enjoy! 

Scott and Ilene went to visit John and Will Haben at the Haben Funeral Home in beautiful Downtown Skokie to discuss the family's history of being involved in with local business. These third and fourth-generation business owner/operators and local residents have a lot of family history in Skokie. Have a listen. I promise you will learn something! 

Mark, Ilene, and Scott got to meet Michelle Tuft, Superintendent of Recreation and Facilities for the Skokie Park District. Michelle is in charge of the fun and the places to have fun.  First, we discuss Skokie’s Backlot Bash is celebrating it’s 13th event this weekend. There will be music, carnival rides, a beer tent, bingo and lots, lots more. We also learn about some of the upcoming programs and more.  Backlot Bash website: http://www.backlotbash.com/ Skokie Park District website: https://www.skokieparks.org/

Ilene, Mark and I ventured to North Shore Community Bank to talk to one of my good friends and someone who is a great asset to the community, Ross Mathee. Ross is the Skokie Branch President and Regional Director for Wintrust Bank. In addition to all the things the bank does for the community Ross is involved with Rotary International, very active with Downtown Skokie and is a member of Skokie's Planning Commission.  Ross is engaged with economic development and is well versed in what's going on with new things in town. I always learn something when I can grab a few minutes of his time.  Have a listen to this one. I promise you will learn something. 

Ilene, Mark, and Scott went to visit Flavius Maximus at one of Skokie's cool new businesses, Ignite Gaming Lounge. Located at 8125 Skokie Blvd this amazing spot features PC gaming, XBOX, Couch Co-Op, Rock Band, pizza and a full bar. As a reminder: Guests under 16 are welcome but must be accompanied by a 21+ adult at all times. After 9pm, all guests must be 18+. A valid ID is required to enter. The bar is open to non-playing guests.

Scott and Ilene took a day off and let Andy from @properties host the show. Andy met with Randy Miles the owner of the Village Inn Pizzeria Sports Bar and Grill in beautiful Downtown Skokie and rather than talk Skokie Andy asked Randy about his newest business - Total Cannabis Solutions.  Randy defines what CBD is and explains what the medical benefits of its use are. He touches on the differences between THC and CBD and the values of CBD to our bodies. We learn where his organic business fits into the market.  It's legal. Have a listen and make your own choices. I promise you will learn something. 

Recorded live on the patio of the Village Inn Pizzeria Sports Bar and Grill, Ilene, Mark, and Scott talk about everything from Downtown Skokie Businesses to some exciting news as Mike Isaacs joins the It's Skokie Team soon! 

Jeff Burman has done a lot about the litter situation in Skokie and leads the Education Foundation for our local schools. A long-time resident and very active in the community Jeff and his wife were recently named "Humanitarians of the Year" by the Village of Skokie.  Listen up and I promise you will learn something! 

We met with Eileen Hogan Heineman and Antonio Rice recently to discuss all the great programming that is offered in Skokie by the YWCA North Shore.  We gathered today at Sweety Pies for our meeting where we touched on the mission of the YWCA and specifically young men's leadership programs and a court call program and in the middle schools.  "Building Healthy Relationships" programming in schools, "Let's Talk at Lunch" discussions about race, "Stand Against Racism" are just a few programs they bring to us here in Skokie.

Ilene, Mark, and Scott went to go visit Katie Bulgrin and Michael Smith, the owners of Culvers. Katie and Mark had lots of options where they could open a new Culvers in the area and chose Skokie for a number of reasons.  Join us as we talk to these business owners that have tremendous community spirit. Have a listen, I promise you will learn something.

Scott sat down recently to talk to Skokie Village Trustee Randy Roberts about how he came to live in Skokie and later become a Village Trustee.  Randy has been involved in many wonderful initiatives that have benefitted the community. Have a listen - get a good idea of how local government works. 

Andy and Rosetta recently met and discussed organization and staging. Rosetta owns Lettuce Organize LLC and you can hear more about what she does when you listen in to the podcast. 

Mike and Andy join Scott at the Village Inn to talk real estate in Skokie. While the north shore as a whole has way too much inventory on the market Skokie seems to be different with a much shorter supply.  Listen in and learn what's selling and the current trends in both commercial and residential real estate. 

Mark Bechtold and I met at the Village Inn in Downtown Skokie and discussed the types of home loans Mark offers and the position of US Bank in the market.  Sloppy joes, tater tots and 5 minutes of interesting banking talk. Have a listen. I promise you will learn something!

We meet with Heather at Euro Echo Cafe in beautiful downtown Skokie and discuss a number of really cool things that Heather does. In addition to being the  Choreographer for the Skokie Police Departments Viral Police video, she is the organizer of Wednesdays on the Green and the owner of Kaleidoscope Dance. Recorded live at Euro Echo Cafe in beautiful Downtown Skokie we cover all sorts of Skokie and hope you will become inspired to get more involved.   

Today's podcast was recorded at Village Hall in Downtown Skokie. Besides the milestone of our 30th episode, we get to talk to the Mayor of Skokie himself, George Van Dusen.  This is a great inside look at his life in politics and how he got here today in his own words. We discuss his wife and her gift of storytelling and discover he really has the gift as well.  Have a listen, I promise you will learn something. 

We venture to the Niles Township offices to talk to Mike Isaacs, formerly of the Chicago Tribune, Sun-Times, and the Pioneer Press. Mike was the writer that covered Skokie in the Skokie Review for whoever owned the paper until recently.  We talk to Mike about Skokie and the stories he covered. It wasn't always good news but he covered the community as deeply as his editors would allow. Mike was a source of information for most every Skokie event big or small for a long time.  Currently, Mike is working for Niles Township as a media consultant. We talk about the upcoming open house at the Township offices on 6/15 and all the services provided by the Niles Township office here in Skokie. 

For Episode 28 Scott, Ilene and our faithful sidekick, Mark are back for another visit around the Village. Today we meet up with Gina Speckman, the Executive Director of the Chicago North Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB).  The CVB does everything from helping make the arrangements for large to small group events to assisting with information for a small wedding that hasn't got a planner. We even joked they could help you with your date night.  The CVB promotes all the hotels in member communities and the member businesses that support the mission and organization. There is much more tourism in the area than you would expect. Learn the secrets in today's episode. 

Ilene and Scott went to Village Hall and met with Michael Lorge. Michael is a long time resident of Skokie and community builder/leader.  Michael has strong connections to Skokie and the Jewish community. We learn about what all he does for the community and the day to day work of the Corporate Counsel. We learn just a little bit of how the process works inside Village Hall. 

Today Ilene, Mark, and Scott met with Jon Marquardt and Robin Horwitz from the Skokie Park District at Euro Echo Cafe in beautiful Downtown Skokie. We discuss the Devonshire Cultural Center and The upcoming Festival Of Cultures. Did you know Skokie has a Pride event coming up? Robin shares the upcoming season at Devonshire and Jon is quizzed on his musical theatre knowledge.  Did you know raccoons can drag off mannequins? This and more in today's podcast.

Scott, Ilene, and Mark assemble at Sweety Pies in beautiful Downtown Skokie to talk about the past 24 podcasts, where we have been and where we are going.  We get Mark to talk about a big event at the Township office on June 15 and discuss the upcoming interview with the Mayor.  It's been fun doing these and we hope for many more to come.

Ilene and Scott ventured over to The Village Inn recently and had a great meeting with Matt from the Talking Farm.  Did you know that Skokie has a three-acre working produce farm? Learn more about what the farm does and how it helps the community in this weeks episode.  They offer 12 Educational Programs where students learn, using hands-on techniques, about sustainability, urban agriculture, and horticulture. Over 3,350 learning hours yearly offering over 3,000 hours of on-farm, hands-on, intensive learning to members of the community of all ages. The farm produces 21,000 pounds of sustainably-grown produce for the community yearly between the Howard Street Farm and other off-site gardens and urban farms. By 2022, they aim to produce over 60,000 pounds.

Both Ilene and Mark needed the day off so I asked my friend Andy Herrmann from @properties to sit in and keep us on the rails.  Today, Andy and I go back to the Skokie Public Library to record the podcast. We meet with Roger Hirsch from the Skokie Valley Symphony Orchestra (SVSO). We talk about everything from the community participation in the orchestra to the venue they play at - the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts.  The orchestra is a mix of professional musicians and amateurs with half of them living in Skokie or the area. They do four concerts a year with one coming up on Sunday, April 28, 2019. Have a listen I promise you will learn something.  

Today Ilene, Mark and Scott head over to Skokie's Public Works Department where we meet with Max Slankard, Director of Public Works and his Assistant, George Issakoo. Top of the agenda we learn what Public Works does and some of the extreme situations they operate in to keep Skokie operating.  Public Works is also starting a program that starts on Earth Day to reduce the number of plastic bags in the Village.  Have a listen. I promise you will learn something! 

This week we travel to Orchard Village and meet with Allison Stark. Orchard Village is one of the awesome not-for-profits located right here in Skokie. Orchard Village empowers people with developmental challenges to achieve integrated, fulfilling lives in their communities. We end up talking a lot about farming and produce. How they grow it and provide it to the community.     

Hard to believe its been 20 episodes. This week Scott and Ilene travel to Skokie Village Hall where we meet with Dr. Catherine Counard.  Dr. Counard covers all the really exceptional programs the Village offers and the collaborative way the Health Department works.  In 2017 Dr. Counard and her team created the Community Health Plan that is a five-year strategy for a healthier Skokie. Learn the details of this and more in this week's podcast. 

This week Mark and Scott head off to Westfield Old Orchard to the meet with Serge Khalimsky the General Manager of the mall. We learn what that job does and some insider info about the mall. He knows what is happening in retail and all the trends. Retail is changing for sure but he sees it as a renaissance. Listen in. I promise you will learn something.  

Back at the Village Inn in beautiful Downtown Skokie. We are trying to get out more often so after our scheduling meeting for the next 4 shows, Ilene and I discuss the opportunities that exist in Skokie to get more word out. 

Today, Scott has lunch with Andy Herrmann and they talk about Real Estate trends in Skokie and the market. Short take on a big topic. 

On the road in Skokie again with a special guest host!   Episode 18 takes us to the North Shore Center For The Performing Arts In Skokie (NSCFTPA). Ilene has the day off so Ann Tennes, our most frequent guest and the "voice of opportunity" is filling in. Ann and I recap the big St. Pat's parade that was held in beautiful Downtown Skokie recently. We talk attendance and the fun the parade was. The Kiwanis Club of Skokie was the producer of the event with the support of the Downtown Skokie Alliance and three school districts.   The point of the episode is to meet Michael Pauken, the General Manager of the NSCFTPA (even the abbreviation is a mouthful). We discuss the facility, the shows, the mission and more in this very informative episode. Did you know that deeply discounted tickets are available the day of any event for Skokie residents? Nope? Neither did I. Have a listen. I promise you will learn something.

Today, Ilene and Scott take the show on the road for episode 17 of the It's Skokie Podcast. We meet Ann Raney, the Chief Executive Officer at Turning Point Behavioral Health Center. Turning Point is located in Skokie at 8324 Skokie Blvd and offers many services for those in need of behavioral health services.  Have a listen. I promise you will learn something. 

Beth Lindley joins Scott and Ilene and we talk about all the good that the Village of Skokie's Human Services Department provides for the community. Scott gets a whole bunch of plugs in at the end and Ilene tries not to make a face. I promise you will learn something!

Our guests today are Ann Tennes, Director of Marketing and Communications for the Village of Skokie and Skokie Chief of Police Anthony Scarpelli. We discuss items from how to stay connected and informed to the viral Skokie Police Lip Sync Challenge video. Have a listen. I promise you will learn something. 

Ilene and Scott discuss economic development with Len Becker. Economic Development Manager for the Village of Skokie. We talk Tech Park, Old Orchard, Downtown Skokie and more. Wait until the end when we do our in-depth discussion of the "great mattress store mystery".