Episodes

This week on Inside the Skev, we are joined by Alecia Wartowski, Executive Director of Foundation65. In this episode we will discuss the Foundation’s mission, its role during the pandemic and its vision for the future.

This week on Inside the Skev, we are joined by Jackie Melinger, co-owner of Home Instead in Skokie and My Personal Bookkeeper. The two businesses go hand-in-hand, as they provide critical support services for the senior communities of the North Shore and are located in Skokie.

This week on Inside the Skev, we are joined by Roger Sosa, the Executive Director of the Evanston Chamber of Commerce. In this episode we discuss the Chambers mission, its role during the pandemic and its vision for the future.

This week on Inside the Skev, we are joined by Michael Edgar, President of GWDC/SelectChicago. SelectChicago® is a curated program helping foreign investors and international businesses tap into regional Chicago area economic development programs. The organization has a large impact on bringing global investment to Skokie and Evanston.

This week on Inside the Skev, we are joined by Dr. Devon Horton, Superintendent of Evanston/Skokie School District 65, and Joseph Hailpern, District 65 Board Member. Dr. Horton joined the District 65 team in 2020. We will discuss how the district has responded to the pandemic, instituted social equity, and is preparing for the future.

This week on Inside the Skev, we are joined by Sheree Moratto from the Rogers Park Business Alliance and Mamello Tekateka from PATIENTcE Health Research. Rogers Park Business Alliance (RPBA) is a nonprofit organization that has served Chicago’s diverse Rogers Park neighborhood and the surrounding area for more than 25 years. RPBA works to cultivate and sustain a thriving economic environment, serving businesses and residents with a variety of public events and business initiatives. RPBA programs include the GROW/PROGRESANDO entrepreneurial training program, which Mamello participated in and lead her to create her own business. PATIENTcE Health Research is a health research and consulting firm that helps you navigate the healthcare system and empowers you with comprehensive knowledge on diseases through evidence-based literature and population data.

This week on Inside the Skev, we are joined by Jeff Schankerman from One to One Financial. Jeff is a return guest, and a local Skevanston resident. He works with One to One Financial, which is a family-owned financial planning firm. Jeff grew up in Indianapolis, and now lives in Skevanston. In this episode we will talk about what’s been going on in the stock market with Game Stop, AMC and the overall economy.

This week on Inside the Skev, we are joined by Raffi Arzoumanian. Raffi founded a+c architects in 1993 in the spirit of forming lasting partnerships with clients and communities through architecture and design. A designer’s designer, he brings a unique vision to every project, delivering solutions that marry functionality with innovation. a + c architects is located in Skokie, and several of their designs have been built throughout the area.

This week on Inside the Skev, we are joined by Marcy Larson, Vice President of Marketing & Business Development of the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center. Ms. Larson brings 25 years of marketing, consulting and research experience to this position. We will be discussing several things including the background of the museum, current events and the greater need for outreach and education, the cutting-edge technology the museum is employing and how they have adapted during the pandemic.

This week on Inside the Skev, we are joined Rebecca Cacayuran, the VP for Community Investment at the Evanston Community Foundation. Founded in 1986, the Evanston Community Foundation helps Evanston thrive now and forever as a vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community. It builds, connects, and distributes resources and knowledge through local organizations for the common good. The Foundation builds endowments for current and future opportunities, fosters private philanthropy, focuses the impact of collective giving, finds solutions to community challenges, allocates grants, and provides leadership training. They have been instrumental in supporting Evanston organizations throughout the pandemic.

This week on Inside the Skev, we are joined by Jill Schacter, the Marketing Communications Coordinator at the Evanston Public Library. Jill also hosts, The Check Out! A Podcast of the Evanston Public Library. Via eNewsletters, social media, press relations, and storytelling/content development, she works to inform the community about the many valuable, life-changing programs and services that are available through Evanston Public Library to enhance literacy of all kinds across our diverse community.

This week on Inside the Skev, we were joined by Amy Koester, the Learning Experiences Manager at the Skokie Public Library. Amy supports a team of staff who develop and provide library events for all ages, hands-on learning opportunities, and information and reference services. She also works with the Civic Lab team. We were also be joined by Courtney Sturgeon, who is a fellow member with me of the Young Professional Committee at the Illinois Holocaust Museum. Courtney Sturgeon is a small-business owner, media relations specialist with Business Wire-A Berkshire Hathaway Company, and freelance journalist. We discussed the upcoming YPC Virtual Trivia Night which is a fundraiser for the museum that will be taking place virtually on January 21st.

This week on Inside the Skev, are joined by Fritz Kaegi, the Cook County Assessor. Since assuming office in 2018, Fritz has brought fairness, ethics and transparency to the Cook County Assessor’s Office with a vision focused on operational changes, technological upgrades, and the elimination of favoritism. We talk about how he has accomplished his goals, what property owners should know about the property tax system in Cook County and how Covid is affecting property valuations. We also talk about our mutual admiration for to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and the Bernstein family.

This week on Inside the Skev, we are joined we are joined by Robert Masliansky, my brother. Robert is the President of First Class Moving & Storage, which is a local, independent moving and storage company that has been in business since 2001. We discuss the history of the company, the moving industry and how it works to maintain its excellent reputation. We also discuss Robert’s connection to the community with Skokie Central Congregation and his many years as a musician and most recently as the drummer for Damaged Justice, a Metallica tribute band.

This week on Inside the Skev, we are joined by Addie Goodman, President and CEO of the JCC Chicago. Addie Goodman joined JCC Chicago in 2014 and was named President & CEO in September 2018. Since her appointment, Addie has raised over $11M in capital support to develop JCC Chicago’s campuses, launched numerous new initiatives both internal and external, and continued to expand the reach of the agency to over 60,0000 community members last year. We discuss her role in helping the JCC adapt to the pandemic, and its role in the Chicagoland community.

This week on Inside the Skev, we speak with May May Tchao. Ms. Tchao is an Evanston resident and filmmaker. We speak about her new film, “Hayden and Her Family.” The film is about the Curry family who adopted five special-needs children from overseas while having seven biological children already. We also speak with Carolyn Murray and Commander Jason Garner from the Evanston Police Department about the Amnesty Gun Buyback event on December 5th.

This week on Inside the Skev, we are joined by Dick Co and Robinson Markus from the Evanston Development Cooperative. EDC is a local cooperative that engages the Evanston community in intergenerational social progress by building high-performing, sensible housing.

This week on Inside the Skev, we are joined by Monica Rodriguez, the Director of Communications and Engagement, for the All of Us Research Program at Northwestern University. The All of Us Research Program’s mission is to speed up health research breakthroughs. To do this, they are asking one million or more people throughout the United States to volunteer their health data to help lead the way in discovering better care for all of us.

This week, on Inside the Skev, we sit-down with Roberta Bernstein and Judy Holstein to talk the authors of, Somewhere in Europe. The book is a compilation of letters their father sent to their mother while he was stationed in Europe during World War II and were found many years later after their father had passed away. Learn about the tremendous sacrifices our soldiers made for the common good as we commemorate Veterans Day this coming week. We were also joined by Ilene Uhlmann who is the Director of Arts and Ideas Programming for JCC Chicago. She talks about the JCC Jewish Film Festival which is taking place virtually in November.

This week, on Inside the Skev, we sit down with Leslie Murphy, Economic Development Specialist for the Village of Skokie. We'll talk about what new developments are taking place in Skokie, what the Village is doing to support businesses during the pandemic, and how Skokie attracts international investment.

Julia Bunn
This week, on Inside the Skev, we sit down with Julia Bunn from the Spirited Gardner. Julia can often be heard (and seen) affirming the benefits of sustainable landscaping. After 10 years of building landscapes that often include rain gardens in the Chicago area, she has shifted her focus to consultations, design and project management. Julia's passion lies in teaching others how to responsibly manage their properties while creating beautiful gardens that can be enjoyed by homeowners and our native wildlife. Learn more about the Spirited Gardener on their website which can be found here: https://www.spiritedgardener.com/

This week, on Inside the Skev, we sit down with Matt Wechsler from the Village Farmstand. Village Farmstand is an online grocery store and micro-warehouse built for small farmers and loyal patrons looking to revolutionize our food system. Village Farmstand is a social entrepreneurship started by filmmaker Matt Wechsler and farmer Marty Travis. The two met in 2013 when Matt and his wife Annie set out to make a documentary about sustainability in agriculture. After meeting Marty, they knew they had found their main character.
The film, Sustainable, was released in 2016 and distributed worldwide, inspiring a new generation of farmers to be part of a fundamentally different food system.Village Farmstand can be found at https://villagefarmstand.com/ and is located at 810 Dempster Street, Evanston IL 60202.

This week, on Inside the Skev, we sit down with Heather Collins of Heather Collins Training. Heather is a certified personal trainer, group fitness instructor and swim, cycle and running coach. She provides unwavering commitment and support to her clients. Heather currently works with over 200 clients a week either individually, in group settings or via the Internet. Her studio is located in Evanston and more information can be found on her website here: https://www.heathercollinstraining.com/

This week, on Inside the Skev, we sit down with Mitchell Kahn, the owner of Greenhouse, which is a recreational cannabis store that is brand new in Skokie. Mitch is also the founder and former CEO of Grassroots Cannabis and is now a board member of Curaleaf. We talk about the cannabis industry, the development of the Skokie store with its distinct architecture, the recent sale of Grassroots to Curaleaf, and marijuana in general. We talk about changing public perceptions and how to learn more about the products.