Always Andersonville: The Podcast

This week, we are joined by Joel Porter of Land & Lake Restaurant . Joel is the General Manager of Land & Lake, a local restaurant that focuses on serving a variety of approachable American classics using locally sourced ingredients. Their bar menu focuses primarily on local and regional beer and liquors and American made wine!

This week, David and Kaylee are joined by Chris Le Beau, Matthew Gibbs, and Kim Warnke. Chris and Matthew are the owners and operators of GL Home Decor here in Andersonville and Kim has served as a Design Assistant for the past year and a half. GL Home Decor is a local, quality, and affordable home decor business at Farragut and Clark Street next to our very own Dalla Horse. Whether you are lookin...

This week we are joined by Renee Patten, a co-chair of the Edgewater Environmental Coalition, previously known as The Edgewater Environmental Sustainability Project. Renee has a passion for working nature and for the environment. She is an extremely active member of the community looking to help cultivate the environmental community and create change in many different ways through projects and pro...

This week, we are joined by Michael Corrigan of MCPR in Chicago. Michael is the founder and owner of MCPR. Michael has been gaining experience in PR for 15 years now with both agency and in house experience. Michael focuses on looking at marketing as storytelling to leverage the brand and help the brand grow. Michael works with both local and small brands as well as national and global brands! His...

This week, David and Nate are joined by Ricky Lee Barnes, the Director of Marketing and Programming at Meeting House Tavern here in Andersonville. Meeting House Tavern is a unique, LGBTQIA+ gathering place that offers multiple types of interactive and passive entertainment as well as domestic beers, refreshing drinks, and great music. Ricky Lee Barnes played a key role in the reopening of Meeting...

This week, David and Gene are joined by Alderperson Andre Vasquez of the 40th Ward. A lifelong Chicagoan, Alderperson Vasquez has worked to connect and include members across the 40th Ward. Before his time as Alderperson, Vasquez worked in a senior management position at a utility company eventually servicing over 145,000 Illinois households. Currently, Alderperson Vasquez is actively engaging wit...

This week, Laura and David are joined by the 47th ward Alderman, Matt Martin. Elected in 2019, Alderman Matt Martin has spent his political career improving the 47th Ward community that so many of us call home. Before his time working as an elected official, Alderman Martin tirelessly worked as a civil rights lawyer for the Illinois Attorney General's office, focusing on important issues such as p...

Today we are joined by Jorge Bezera, owner of Bezz Training Club, the community founded, lakeside gym with one of the best views of the city. Bezz Training is an inclusive and accepting club that focuses on one's health and wellness with the mission to make working out the highlight of one's day. Jorge excels at the art of health management, and his elite approach to fitness will get you in the be...

This week, David and Laura are joined by Jessica Texidor, Director of Programs at American Eagle Productions . American Eagle Productions has blazed the trail for youth and educational theatre in the Chicagoland area, bringing the performing arts to over 300 schools and groups a year for the past 28 years. Their programming builds confidence, fosters empathy, and encourages collaboration as well a...

This week, we welcome Bridget Gainer, the Cook County Commissioner of the 10th District. Elected to the board in 2010, Commissioner Gainer has used her leadership role in the non-profit, government and corporate sectors. She has worked tirelessly to create pension reform solutions, was able to institute the Cook County Land Bank and has continued to create new assets for regional workforce develop...

This week, Laura is joined by former Andersonville Chamber of Commerce employee and now current manager of the Uptown Business Center , Heather Saenger. The Uptown Business Center is one of eight business centers throughout Chicago. It aims to support new and existing business owners with licensing, permitting, and additional, specialized business assistance in collaboration with BACP, local Chamb...

This week, David and Laura are joined by Virgil Roundtree, owner of Downstate Donuts . Downstate Donuts has been cranking out life changing donuts since 2018.  Many were shocked after just 4 months on the donut scene they stole the show with first place @donutfest for a "simple" vanilla glazed donut.  It's all about that potato! Chicago restaurant industry pro Virgil, has taken the potato donut to...

This week, Laura and Joelle are joined by Sean Todd, owner of UnicornLife: The Creative Agency. Unicorn Life offers services related to branding, digital design development + marketing, and print design. Sean is a firm believer that your mind should not be confined to an ideal set by the world around you. If your mind can imagine it, Unicorn Life can achieve it! 

This week, David and Laura are joined by owner of WasteNot Compost , Liam Donnelly.  WasteNot Compost, Chicago’s first and only zero-emission compost collection, was born in 2015. WasteNot Compost currently serves homes and all business types ranging from schools, cafes, bakeries, to farmers markets, and everything in between. They take the work out of composting for you so it can not only be easy...

This week, Laura and Joelle are joined by our 2021-22 Neighborhood Guide photographer, Jamie Kelter Davis . Jamie is a local photographer, storyteller and traveler based in Logan Square who shoots compelling visual narratives with subjects ranging from: women in farming, organic agriculture, projects about the American Midwest, art activism, women fighting for social justice using art, aging in ru...

This week, Joelle and Kaylee are joined by Jamar Holloway of Visionary Eye Care in Andersonville at 5222 N Clark. Visionary believes that balancing great eye care and great eyewear is not an act; it’s their commitment to you. They’ve mastered the balance for over 25 years, bringing you expertise and style simultaneously. The team of doctors bring an incredible depth of knowledge to your care in or...

This week, Joelle and Kaylee are joined by Marisa Paolillo, owner of  Mango Pickle . Mango Pickle is a delicious bistro with Indian influences. They offer a number of different dishes, such as curries, various regional dishes, and are currently offering an impressive seasonal supper series. They also offer great cocktails and Indian coffee and tea. With the great reviews they’ve received, there’s...

This week, Laura and Joelle are joined by Mia Sakai and Tim Hannifan, owners of Á ndale Market , the fan favorite “bodega with swag” that opened this past December, 2020. Ándale offers a curated selection of goods on-the-go, from pantry items you never knew you needed to gourmet chocolate bars, puzzles, pretty pink dog poop bags, soup kits and more at 5232 N Clark.

This week, Joelle and Kaylee are joined by Stephanie Sinnott owner of  Sandbox Baby Boutique  opening soon at 5349 N Clark. Stephanie is a Chicago native and has lived in the Andersonville area for six years. She hopes that Sandbox will be a hub for parents, parents-to-be and anyone with a child in their life by offering a number of different sustainable products and clothing lines. We are very ex...

This week, Laura and Joelle are joined by Dr. Julian E. Bailes, Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at NorthShore University HealthSystem and a surgeon specializing in Spinal Disorders, Brain Disorders, and Neoplasm who is currently bringing his expertise to local patients via The Clark here in Andersonville. We are excited to jump into this conversation with Dr. Bailes to learn more about cut...

This week, David and Kaylee are joined by Matt Leyes, owner and esthetician of Men’s Grooming Parlor . Matt’s commitment to men’s skin care keeps him at the top of his profession by staying up to date on the best, safest and most exciting new developments in skin care. At The Men’s Grooming Parlor, you will see that his skill and knowledge mix seamlessly with his charming personality to make for a...

This week, Joelle and Kaylee are joined by Jacques Gourguechon, of Whole Hearted Psychotherapy . Jacques is a licensed professional counselor who is interested in helping couples struggling with issues of trust - be it affairs, alcoholism, behavioral addictions or estrangement. No matter how down you might feel, he believes that each person has certain inherent strengths, and identifying and build...

This week, we are joined by Cheryl Sloane, Brand Manager of Überlube . Überlube was a quest that began in 2002 and was created with sex in mind. Überlube is batched, tested, and bottled in a Chicago-area facility, and currently only three people know the formula. Ultimately, when you use Überlube you are using a product that’s all about helping you feel and be your best, and its first job is to ma...

This week, Laura and Kaylee (our new Chicago Semester intern) are joined by Kristin Fogarty-Yi of OBJEKT Architecture . OBJEKT Architecture is a full service, custom residential architecture and design firm creating beautiful, timeless, and livable homes from coast to coast. They specialize in residential architecture, kitchen & bath design, interiors, additions, renovations, new construction, his...

This week, Laura and Joelle are joined by local Andersonville residents Todd Ganz and Stephani Young, creators of the new podcast, If the Walls Could Talk , centered around the often mysterious history of local Edgewater Hospital, opened in 1929, and whose campus was formerly located at 5700 N Ashland. Known for famous births like that of Hillary Clinton the Edgewater Hospital and Medical Center c...