The Chicagoland Guide

This week on, “Inside the Skev,” we sit down with Brandis Friedman, Skevanston resident and co-host of, “Chicago Tonight.” Chicago Tonight is a television news program broadcast weeknight on WTTW in Chicago. It reports primarily on local politics, education, business, culture, science and health, with a mix of in-studio panel discussions, one-on-one interviews and short documentary-style packages....

This week on, “Inside the Skev,” we sit down with Brittany McGhee, the Assistant Director of Next Generation at The Chicago Council on Global Affairs. The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is an independent, nonpartisan organization that provides insight on critical global issues, advances policy solutions, and fosters dialogue about what is happening in the world and why it matters to people in C...

This week on, “Inside the Skev,” we sit down with Alison Pure Slovin from the Simon Wiesenthal Center. The Simon Wiesenthal Center is a global human rights organization researching the Holocaust and hate in a historic and contemporary context. The Center confronts anti-Semitism, hate and terrorism, promotes human rights and dignity, stands with Israel, defends the safety of Jews worldwide, and tea...

This week on, “Inside the Skev,” we sit down with Jenni Rook from the Institute for Therapy Through the Arts (ITA). ITA provides creative arts therapy for people of all ages and needs, which is an alternative to traditional therapy methods. They are based in Evanston and were established in 1975. Jenni is the executive director. More information about ITA can be found https://itachicago.org/ . The...

This week on, “Inside the Skev,” we sit down with Kayla Strauss from the Looking Glass Pet Shop. Kayla recently purchased Not Just Thee Fishbowl. The Shop was formerly Not Just Thee Fish Bowl, and changed hands after 40 years of ownership by one family. Kayla is deeply devoted to her store and the animals and she has renovated the space and put her own stamp on it. More information about The Looki...

This week on, “Inside the Skev,” we sit down with Scott Holtz and Ilene Collins from the, “ it’s Skokie ,” podcast. “It’s Skokie,” is another podcast that chronicles the people and the businesses and happenings of Skokie.  More information about “its Skokie can be found here: https://itsskokie.com/ . You can download the it’s Skokie podcast on any podcast app and follow them on Facebook @itsSkokie...

This week on, “Inside the Skev,” we sit down with Brad Sugar from American Jewish World Service (AJWS). Brad is a Skevanston resident, longtime friend, Northwestern University Kellogg MBA graduate and works in AJWS’ local Chicago office.  American Jewish World Service is the leading Jewish organization working to fight poverty and pursue justice in the developing world. Through philanthropy and ad...

This week on, “Inside the Skev,” we sit down with Susan Abrams, the CEO of The Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center. Located in Skokie, the Museum is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Holocaust by honoring the memories of those who were lost and by teaching universal lessons that combat hatred, prejudice and indifference. The Museum fulfills its mission through the exhibition, pr...

This week on, “Inside the Skev,” we sit down with Dave Rahija from Northshore University Healthsystem. Dave is the President of the Skokie Hospital. In this episode we discuss the history of the hospital and the organization, the change to hospital specialization, the healthcare industry and Dave’s background in medicine. More information on NorthShore can be found here: https://www.northshore.org...

This week on, “Inside the Skev,” we sit down with Dino Robinson. Dino is the founder of the Shorefront Legacy Center. Shorefront collects, preserves and educates people about Black history on Chicago’s suburban North Shore. We discuss the origins of the Center, it’s growth and future. We also discuss the roots of segregation in housing in Evanston, and the topic of reparations in Evanston. More in...

This week on, “Inside the Skev,” we sit down with Kevin Francis from JaHbat F.C. JaHbat FC is a non-profit 501(c)(3), community-based organization, committed to the development and advancement of youth soccer in the Chicagoland, Northshore and West Suburb area. Jahbat F.C. was founded in 1996 by Kevin Francis, Franz Calixte, and Jean Gregoire to address the need for a topflight mens Pro-Am soccer...

This week on, “Inside the Skev,” we sit down with Khemarey Khoeun and Punisa Pov. Khem is a Skokie Park District Commissioner, and the President of the National Cambodian Heritage Museum & Killing Fields Memorial. Punisa is the Artist in Residence at the museum. In this episode we discuss Khem’s story of how and why she came to America, the museum, the history of Cambodia, Khem’s work at the Skoki...

This week on, “Inside the Skev,” we sit down with Juliana Taimoorazy. Juliana is the Founder and President of the Iraqi Christian Relief Council , a Senior Fellow at the Philos Project and a Skokie resident. We discuss what is currently happening in Iraq and Syria, Juliana’s journey from Iran to the United States and her connection to the Assyrian community in Skokie and Chicago.  The Iraqi Christ...

This week on, “Inside the Skev,” we sit down with Sean Simpson, the co-founder of Lanzatech . LanzaTech is based in the Illinois Science and Technology Park that is located in Downtown Skokie. Lanzatech is a company that recycles carbon waste from steel mills and other carbon producers and turns it into fuel and chemical by-products. In this episode we discuss what brought Lanzatech from New Zeala...

This week on, “Inside the Skev,” we sit down with Sam Glassenberg from Level Ex. Sam is a Skevanston resident, and founder of Level Ex , which is a company that creates breathtaking video games for doctors that capture the challenges of practicing medicine: from puzzling diagnoses to rare surgical complications. Level Ex has been dubbed the, “Deep Dish Hotdog of Chicago Tech.” In this episode we d...

This week on, “Inside the Skev,” we sit down with Miriam Ament from No Shame on U. No Shame On U is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to eliminating the stigma associated with mental health conditions and raising awareness. Their goal is for the people who need help to seek it, for family members and friends to know how to provide proper support and to save lives. In this episode we discuss why M...

This week on, “Inside the Skev,” with Cesar Maron and Shawn Decker from Sketchbook Brewery. Sketchbook Brewery is located at 821 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, IL 60202 and are building a second facility at 4901 Main Street, Skokie, IL 60077. First opened to the public on November 15, 2014, Sketchbook has come a long way from its early days filling growlers from an alley. Fueled by fierce customer loya...

This week on, “Inside the Skev,” we sit down with David Sutton from Sutton Studios. David has been a photographer for many years and specializes in taking square black and white photos of people and their pets. He is also a musician and writer. He is located in Skevanston at the corner of East Prairie Road and Church Street at 3417 Church Street Evanston, IL, 60203. We talk with David about his re...

This week on, “Inside the Skev,” we sit down with Elisabeth Foran, the community manager at the Industrious coworking space in Downtown Evanston. We talk about what coworking is, what Industrious offers and how Elisabeth got to this position. Coworking is a flexible workspace where people from different industries can rent space, network and work independently. Coworking’s goals are to make people...

This week on, “Inside the Skev,” we interview Nina Barrett the owner of Bookends and Beginnings. Bookends and Beginnings is an independent bookstore located in, “Bookman’s Alley,” located at 1712 Sherman Ave, Alley #1 Evanston, IL 60201. We discuss her ties to the store, why she became a bookstore owner, the book selling industry, her career in writing and her connection to Evanston. Her store is...

This week on, “Inside the Skev” we interview Lorri Lippitz from the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band. We discuss her passion for music, Yiddish and connections to Jewish culture through music. We also discuss her goals in sustaining music and Yiddish to future generations and how children can get involved. Lori Lippitz is the founder and manager of the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band, which has toured the...

This week we broadcast live from Bangkok, Thailand. We interview Michelle Mills Clement, the CEO of the Chicago Association of Realtors (CAR), Maurice Hampton, the President-Elect of CAR, and Mabel Guzman, the head of the Global Real Estate Council for CAR and Past President of CAR to discuss CAR's trade mission to Thailand. You may ask, what does Thailand and real estate have to do with the Skev,...

This week on, “Inside the Skev” we interview Mayor Steve Hagerty from the City of Evanston. Mayor Hagerty discusses his passion for being mayor, his triumphs, his challenges, his hopes and his passions. He also discusses new development projects in the area, both private and public like the new Robert Crown Center and the redesigned Fountain Square. Mayor Hagerty’s background is in leading a compa...

In this episode, we sit down with Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen and Trustee Karen Gray-Keeler. We discuss their motivation, how to become civically engaged and what new things are happening in Skokie. Mayor Van Dusen started in government by working for congressman Sidney Yates in Michigan. You can learn more about his background in his new book, Clear it With Sid, Sidney R. Yates and Fifty Years...

In this episode, we sit down with Matt Ryan, the farm manager at the Talking Farm in Skokie. The Talking Farm is a non-profit farm on Howard Street in Skokie. They grow fresh, hyper-local food using innovative and sustainable practices while educating the community about the environment, agriculture, biodiversity, permaculture, horticulture, gardening, and social justice and health issues. Through...