This week, David and Nate welcome Executive Director, Gregory Gross from Care For Real. Care For Real has been serving the Greater Edgewater and surrounding northside communities for 50 years. They provide free programs and services to our neighbors in need including food distribution using a client choice model, deliveries to the homebound, a clothing shop, a pet pantry, a lending library, case management referrals and an Employment Resource Center to help clients self stabilize and get back on their feet. You can find Care For Real at 5339 Sheridan Road.

Always Andersonville: The Podcast

Episode 154 - The story of Care for Real with Gregory Gross

This week, Kaylee and Nate welcome teachers and administration from Chicago Waldorf School. Chicago Waldorf provides a diverse PreK-12th grade education that supports the development of self-directed young adults dedicated to the pursuit of ongoing learning and eager to contribute positively to the global society of the 21st century. Teachers in Waldorf schools are dedicated to generating an inner enthusiasm for learning within every child. This eliminates the need for competitive testing, academic placement, and rewards to motivate learning and allows motivation to arise from within. It helps engender the capacity for joyful life-long learning. You can find Chicago Waldorf School at 5200 N Ashland.

Episode 153 - The story of Chicago Waldorf School

This week, Kaylee talks to Song Chae, Business Development Manager at Founders First Capital Partners. The company focuses on supporting businesses led by women, ethnic minorities, and military veterans, inclusive teams and businesses located in low to moderate income areas. From being an events specialist to a current innovative team member committed to creating a thriving and inclusive economy, Song can do it all.

Episode 152 - The story of Song Chae of First Founders Capital Partners

This week, Kaylee and David are joined by Alex Jones and Abby Millner, owners of Fad2Fresh, the fan favorite vintage swag from the 80s, 90s, and early 00s that has joined us for our Andersonville Vintage Market. Fad2Fresh offers the most bodacious and extreme selection of vintage shirts and memorabilia on the north side of Chicago and suburbs. If you are looking for your favorite Chicago Bulls shirt or your Ecto Cooler tank top from twenty years ago, you will find it at Fad2Fresh. 

Episode 151 - The story of Fad2Fresh with Alex Jones and Abby Millner

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!

Episode 150 - The story of Land and Lake with Joel Porter

 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 looking for a new sofa, dining table, GL Home Decor has you covered. GL Home Decor  also has a great deal of furnishings ranging from lamps to throws, pillows, and artwork made by local artisans to make any house feel like a home!

Episode 149 - The story of GL Home Decor with Chris Le Beau, Matthew Gibbs, and Kim Warnke

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 program offered by the EEC. Along with being a co-chair with EEC, Renee is a co-site lead at Montrose Metra Community Gardens & Sunnyside Savanna and a Chicago Park District Site Seward at Osterman Beach's Natural Area and a certified Tree Keeper!

Episode 148 - The story of Renee Patten of the Edgewater Environmental Coalition

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 services include marketing, content, and PR.

Episode 147 - The story of Michael Corrigan of MCPR

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 House which successfully begins business July 1 at 5025 N Clark!

Episode 146 - The story of Ricky Lee Barnes of Meeting House Tavern

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 within the community increasing sustainability, infrastructure, and justice.

Episode 145 - The story of 40th Ward Alderperson, Andre Vasquez

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 police reform, healthcare, immigration, and workers’ rights. Now, Alderman Martin is leading to build a more prosperous and safe community.

Episode 144 - The Story of 47 Ward Alderman, Matt Martin

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 best shape of your life. You can find Bezz Training Club at 6033 N Sheridan.

Episode 143 - The story of Bezz Training Club with Jorge Bezera

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 as provides a safe space for children to express themselves. 

Episode 142 - The story of American Eagle Productions with Jessica Texidor

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 development, to name a few.

Episode 141 - The story of Bridge Gainer

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 Chambers, and community partners.

Episode 140 - The story of the Uptown Business Center with Heather Saenger

Welcome to Andersonville, the "shop local capital of Chicago." A neighborhood known for our Swedish roots, we now support over 300 local & independent businesses near and along Clark Street, located just north of Chicago's downtown. These are our stories, and we are #AlwaysAndersonville

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Always Andersonville: The Podcast

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