A one-stop shop for all things Skokie & Evanston

Hosted by Aaron Masliansky, Inside the Skev™ is a show all about the people of Skokie and Evanston, Illinois, a community rich in history, culture, and diversity — and a great place to be. They have some amazing stories, and you need to know about them. You are going to get to know all different types of people, like lawmakers, businesspeople, entertainers, culinary experts, people of mind and spirit, and real movers and shakers.

In a time when we have had to keep our physical distance, this show provides an opportunity to relax and listen to these great stories, and really get to know your neighbors. As recently featured in the Chicago Tribune and the podcast for the National Association of Realtors.

Catch “Inside the Skev™” Sundays from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Central on WCGO via 1590 AM and 95.9 FM, the LISTEN button at the top of the page, TuneIn, and Facebook Live feed. Find episodes below. Also visit www.skevanston.com. {Press Release}

COMING UP
(2/21/21)

This week on “Inside the Skev,” Aaron is 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. Michael is an urban development consultant.  Over 30-years, he's been the catalyst for attractive economic opportunities in the Greater Chicago Region. He brings together local businesses, municipalities, and foreign companies to assemble new businesses and facilitate financing to build and to redevelop communities.

ABOUT THE HOST

Aaron Masliansky lives with his family in Skevanston, which is an area of Skokie that has an Evanston mailing address and school districts. Residents have dubbed the area Skevanston because of the mix of both towns. 

Aaron is a realtor at Dream Town Realty in Evanston, and is connected with his local and global community. He is a Young Professional Ambassador with the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, a fellow with the UNA Chicago Engage an Embassy Fellowship, on the Global Real Estate Council at the Chicago Association of Realtors and the Young Professional Committee with Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, and a member of Rotary International. 

Hear his story by clicking on this episode.

Read the interview transcript

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FEBRUARY 14, 2021

On this episode, Aaron is 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 discuss how the district has responded to the pandemic, instituted social equity, and is preparing for the future.

FEBRUARY 7, 2021

This week, Aaron is 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 led her to create her own business. PATIENTcE Health Research is a health research and consulting firm that helps you navigate the health care system and empowers you with comprehensive knowledge on diseases through evidence-based literature and population data.

JANUARY 31, 2021

On this episode, Aaron is joined by Jeff Shankerman 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. We will talk about what’s been going on in the stock market with Game Stop, AMC and the overall economy.

JANUARY 24, 2021

This week Aaron is 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.

JANUARY 17, 2021

This week Aaron is joined by Marcy Larson, vice president of Marketing & Business Development at the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center. Ms. Larson brings 25 years of marketing, consulting and research experience to this position. They discuss the museum, the greater purpose for outreach and education, the cutting-edge technology the museum is employing, and how they have adapted during the pandemic.

JANUARY 10, 2021

This week Aaron is joined by 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.

JANUARY 3, 2021

On this episode, Aaron is 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 e-newsletters, social media, press relations, storytelling, and content development, she works to inform the community about the many valuable, life-changing programs and services that are available through the Evanston Public Library to enhance literacy of all kinds across our diverse community.

DECEMBER 27, 2020

This week Aaron is 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.

Then, we hear from Courtney Sturgeon, who is a fellow member with Aaron of the Young Professional Committee at the Illinois Holocaust Museum. Courtney is a small-business owner, media relations specialist with Business Wire-A Berkshire Hathaway Company, and freelance journalist. She’ll talk about the upcoming YPC Virtual Trivia Night, which is a fundraiser for the museum that will be taking place virtually on January 21st.

DECEMBER 20, 2020

This week on “Inside the Skev,” Aaron is 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.

DECEMBER 13, 2020

On this episode, Aaron is joined by his brother, Robert Masliansky. 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 obtain an excellent reputation. We also discuss Robert’s connection to the community and his many years as a musician. We may even share what it was like growing up with the number one radio host in the Skev!

DECEMBER 6, 2020

On this episode Aaron is 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 $11 million 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 will discuss her role in helping the JCC adapt to the pandemic, and its role in the Chicagoland community.

NOVEMBER 29, 2020

This time on "Inside the Skev," Aaron speaks with May May Tchao. Ms. Tchao is an Evanston resident and filmmaker. Her new film, “Hayden and Her Family,” tells the story of the Curry family, which adopted five special-needs children from overseas while having seven biological children already. They talk about that and her previous film “Spilled Water,” which examines the role of women in Chinese society. The 2014 film has won multiple awards, been shown in national and international film festivals, and was broadcast on PBS stations WTTW and KQED.

Aaron also welcomes Carolyn Murray and Commander Jason Garner from the Evanston Police Department to talk about the Amnesty Gun Buyback event on December 5th. Evanston Police will be partnering with the Evanston Community Foundation, Christ Temple Missionary Baptist Church, and Carolyn Murray to host a gun buyback event. The event takes place at Christ Temple Missionary Baptist Church, 1711 Simpson Street in Evanston from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m.

NOVEMBER 22, 2020

This week Aaron speaks with Dick Co and Robinson Markus from the Evanston Development Cooperative. The Evanston Development Cooperative (EDC) designs and builds environmentally sustainable, affordable homes with a local workforce and a commitment to racial equity. They collaborate with community members on programs and policies that aim to re-determine the future cost and color of Evanston's neighborhoods. They’ll discuss their work and progress on building Accessory Dwelling Units.

NOVEMBER 15, 2020

This week on "Inside The Skev," Aaron is joined by Monica Rodriguez, 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 1 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.

NOVEMBER 8, 2020

On this week’s show, Aaron interviews Judy Holstein and Roberta Bernstein, 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; they were found many years later after their father had passed away. Tune in to learn about the tremendous sacrifices our soldiers made for the common good as we commemorate Veterans Day this coming week. We're also joined by Ilene Uhlmann, director of Arts and Ideas Programming for JCC Chicago. She tells us about the JCC Jewish Film Festival, which is taking place virtually in November.

NOVEMBER 1, 2020

"Inside The Skev™" makes its WCGO debut!

On this episode: Leslie Murphy, economic development specialist for the Village of Skokie. We 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.