People Downtown Silver Spring Podcast

This episode is full of laughs, fun facts about lorries and 3rd world countries, the new Christmas song you should be listening to this holiday, and fun events happening at the Civic Center. Also, Grinch or Santa, find out which one Ade is? 

On this episode, Eric and I discuss placemaking, how the feeling around a public space is curated. Joining us on this Civic Center Roundup is Elizabeth Gallauresi, Silver Spring's Art & Entertainment District Coordinator, who also coordinates the annual Thanksgiving parade among other big events downtown.

Plant-based food alternatives and resources to grow your business in Montgomery County are just some of the topics we covered this week On the episode are Dan Koroma, Business Liaison Officer, Montgomery County, Jonah Goldman, Director of Strategic Marketing, PLNT Burger, Eric Rasch, Operations Manager, Silver Spring Civic Center and Ade Toye, host of the podcast.

In this laughter-filled episode learn about two organizations making a difference in our community. Find out about the upcoming ALPHA event as Ade and Eric chat with Chinyere Olujide. RSVP here:http://bit.ly/Alpha-Community-Healing-Event Also learn about Leadership Montgomery (LM). Ade caught up with LM's CEO, C. Marie Taylor at their 30th Anniversary celebration.

What do Silver Strings and Zed's Cafe have in common? What famous artiste visited the Silver Strings recently? Listen to find out on my conversation with Zed Mekonnen. 

What do a Japanese Chef and craft beer have in common? Listen to this conversation with Greg Whelan, one of the owners of McGinty's to find out. 

Learn about the work Making Cents, Inc. is doing with the Global Youth Economic Opportunities Summit which brought youth from 60 countries to Silver Spring. Also, find out about events coming up at the Civic Center this week. 

Warning: This episode is packed with a lot of exciting energy and you even get to hear Ade speak Yoruba. What is Park(ing) Day about? What does EDM have to do with a Pan African Festival? Listen and find out. 

On this episode, I had a fascinating conversation with Howard Ross, the founder of Cook Ross Inc and Co-founder Udarta Consulting. A former educator turned organizational consultant. He's an expert on diversity and inclusion and shares some cool nuggets on the subject. Listen!

How did the IPA come about? What types of beer does Astro Lab make? How did they get started? Learn the answers to these questions and more in my conversation with Emma Whelan, Co-founder Astro Lab. 

If you or anyone you know wants to know how Festivals are put together at the Veterans Plaza & Civic Center, this is one episode you don't want to miss. Also, find out about upcoming events at the Civic Center this week. 

In this special episode, I spoke with performers at the Silver Spring Jazz Festival 2019 headlined by 4-time Grammy award winning multi-instrumentalist, Arturo Sandoval. In the course of my conversations with them, in between performances, I asked each of them this one question, "What's your advice to parents whose kids are interested in pursing a career in music?" I got great responses. 

The Silver Spring Veterans Plaza is ever evolving. Eric shares some of the burgeoning ideas of what the next improvements to the Veterans Plaza will be. Listen, share, contribute!

August 24 is this year's annual Silver Spring Jazz Festival headlined by the 10-time Grammy award-winning Arturo Sandoval. On this episode, Montgomery County’s new Innovation Manager, Michael Baskin and Reemberto Rodriguez, Director, Silver Spring Regional Center join the conversation. 

Eric goes into detail about the Community Access Program at the Civic Center. He answers questions about who it's for, how to apply for it, how long it takes to get approval, it's benefits and more. You might find out your event at the Civic Building is eligible for county sponsorship so do check it out. 

Meet two summer rise interns who just concluded their internship at the Civic Center. Meet Kate one of your neighbors downtown Silver Spring. Of course, find out about upcoming events this week at the Civic Center.

What is Democracy Summer? Hear Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's responses to questions posed to her by Democracy Summer Fellows. Get some updates about Montgomery County development from Peter Fosselman. Meet one of our neighbors downtown Silver Spring. Find out about upcoming events at the Civic Center this week. 

Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rep Jamie Raskin are going to be at the Civic Center this week. Find out what's bringing them. Eric and I also discussed the 2020 census and awareness programs. As usual we did a quick recap of events and talked about exciting events coming up this week. 

Lene Tsegaye and her sister run Kefa Cafe, a coffee shop that has been running for close to 25 years on Bonifant Street. Ade Toye interviewed Lene at their second location at the Silver Spring library just down the block from their original shop. Learn her thoughts about what a cup of quality coffee should be and the cultural significance of coffee to Ethiopians. Find out the secret sauce that has kept customers coming year in, year out and more.

On this Civic Center Roundup find out how to take advantage of the Community Access Program Grant, and also meet Mindy the Logistics Support Specialist at the Civic Center. Eric and I, as usual, discuss extensively upcoming events at the Civic Center and the Veteran’s Plaza. Senegal Day 2019 on the plaza was a flamboyant cultural event and I was able to grab a quick interview with executives of the Senegalese Association of the DMV just before the event kicked off.

Listen to my fun conversation with two models from the Caribbean Fashion show. Also, find out all the fun events lined up this Independence week at the Civic Center. Happy 4th of July!

What is beer? Why do Americans like IPAs, is it because they have no sense of taste? Get Brett Robison's take as we discuss beer, the craft beer industry and more. Brett Robison and Christian Layke are co-founders of Silver Branch Brewing Company.

Cari Guthrie Cho, Cornerstone Montgomery CEO talked about ways to recognize and get help for people with mental health and substance abuse disorders, her experience engaging the African immigrant community about mental health and more. You don't want to miss this highly informative conversation. See pictures on Facebook.

Shannon Babe-Thomas, Executive Director, Community Bridges,  explains the work they do with girls from 4th to 12th grade. Find out how you can support their efforts. 

Listen to what people had to say about Downtown Silver Spring as I walked around and interviewed random people. Also, find out the fun and exciting events coming up this week, June 24 - 29 and beyond. See pictures and videos on Facebook. 

I had an interesting conversation with two young Montgomery County black men whose story recently went national because they were called the n-word by a white police officer. We talked about the negative stereotyping of young black men with tattoos, the impact of the arrest on their employment and more. Also, find out about events happening at the Civic Center from June 15-23, 2019 and get a recap of events that happened the week of June 9 - 14.

This episode we meet Yakov Elizarov, Chairman and CEO of Elizarov Consulting Group. They help local small businesses grow and connect them to EuroAsian markets. He tells his story and shares his list of favorite businesses Downtown Silver Spring. Yakov is an avid reefer. Don't forget to subscribe

From 1500 meals served in 1983 to over 117,000 meals in 2018 as well as clothing, eye care, and other critical services, Shepherd's Table is making a difference in the lives of the homeless population in the area. Learn more about what they do, their history and find out how you too can be part of this cause as you listen to my conversation with Shepherd's Table's Deputy Executive Director, Scott Davison.  Don't forget to subscribe. 

Learn about the upcoming Fit Fathers event. Hear what people had to say about the Planning Board Candidate Forum organized by the LGBTQ Democrats of Montgomery County. Meet some exciting businesses in the area. Learn about important events for the Caribbean American communities. Get insights into efforts made to manage stormwater. Also, find out about other upcoming events at the Civic Center. Don't forget to subscribe to the show

A roundup of events at the Downtown Silver Spring Civic Center last week. This week I spoke with an Imam, discovered an awesome Non-Profit working on increasing diversity in the media industry and much more.  Don't forget to subscribe to the show