Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hi, and welcome to the weekly show on iHeartRadio on
ninety three nine LIGHTFM, one of three five, Kiss at
Them and Rock ninety five to five. I'm Paulina, and
every week we're here to discuss a variety of topics
that matter to Chicago Land, from health, education, to finances
and so much more. Today on the show, we're chatting
with our friends at my Black Myhood, My City about
their upcoming event. We're also chatting with our friends at
(00:20):
the Salvation Army. Yes, it is that time of the
year and there is a coat drive happening in Pilson
and I've got all the info on that coming up
as well. And if you're interested in visiting Florida and
want to help their local economy, I got you with
that as well. So let's kick off the show. Hi,
It's Paulina here with iHeartMedia Chicago, and I am talking
to a friend of the show. A friend of iHeart.
(00:43):
We are talking to Jamal Cole.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
How are you hey, I'm doing better in a stone
Worth another. Thanks for having Paulina. How you doing today?
Speaker 1 (00:50):
I'm doing so good. I'm happy to connect with you.
You know, we've been connected for years and years So
this is really cool to have you back, and we're
gonna be talking all about your event coming up be
a part of the Light twenty twenty four. Before we
dive into that, do you mind telling our listeners a
little bit about yourself and about my block, my hood,
my city.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
Yeah, you know.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
My name is Jamal Cole. I'm the founder. I'm a
CEO lee volunteer of My Block, Mahom my City. I
started it out of Cook County Jail, and in the jail,
I realized a lot of kids, I've never been downtown,
They've never wait for a taxi, they've never been on
an elevator. They see Lake Michigan and they say, what
ocean is that? And I wanted to change that, and
so I started taking kids on field trips and exposing
them to different parts of the city to expand their worldview.
(01:31):
I also work with over seventy five block Club and
helping them with speed bumps, stop signs, allity, cleaning up
whatever they need. Our mission statement is to take care
of people no matter what. So we work with a
lot of elders, we work, we work with everybody. And
this is my son Justice.
Speaker 3 (01:45):
What a city name.
Speaker 2 (01:46):
He's the He's the future of my block, and I
love what I do. God's got a battery in my back.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
So that's what it is.
Speaker 1 (01:52):
Absolutely, Absolutely we love to see you, you know, back
in action. We love to see you here on the
show because, like I said, we've pnnected so many times
for so many other really important initiatives that you've done
here right in the city. I think recently, I think
last summer it was so cool. I went to where
did I go? I went to that what is that
thing called where they uh you can let you you
(02:12):
like stand over and like kind of like you see
the city. What is that called that thing that it's
in the.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
Chicago three sixties Chicago.
Speaker 1 (02:22):
Yes, I saw, I see it.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
Yeah yeah, the big yeah.
Speaker 4 (02:29):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
So we we invited a thousand kids downtown and two
thousand kids came downtown. So we every summer we do
this thing called Downtown Day mid July where we invite
a thousand kids downtown and give them fifty dollars to
do whatever they want.
Speaker 3 (02:40):
And three sixty Chicago is a big sponsor of ours.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
So this year we had eighteen hundred kids show up
the three sixties Chicago and they got the fifty dollars
gift cars to go to the museum, to go to theaters,
to go to park, to go through businesses, and to
just do whatever they wanted to do. It was amazing.
Speaker 1 (02:56):
That is so cool. Yeah, when I went there, I
saw the first thing I saw was your low and
like some of the cool stuff you guys have done,
So I thought it was so it was just awesome
to see that. So I love, I love course, I
love that you're here today. We're talking be a part
of the light twenty twenty four. Can you tell us
about your event?
Speaker 2 (03:12):
Yeah, so you know coming up this weekend we have
I never celebrate Christmas growing up, so this be a
part of light. Putting lights on King Drive is my
opportunity to make up on lost time we get to.
The Holidays aren't about what you're getting, It's about what
she's giving. And the more that you give, the more
that you're a part of the light. Doctor King talked
(03:33):
about light a lot. He said darkness cannot drive out darkness,
only light can do that. And hey cannot drive out hate,
only love to do that. And so we decorate five
hundred homes for free on King Drive to I'm tired
of seeing helicopter lights. I'm tired of seeing police car lights.
I want to take on holiday lights. I want to
interrupt that trauma and inspire hope by doing something simple.
(03:55):
So meet us this Saturday. You know, we're gonna be
hanging holiday lights on King Drive. And next week and
is the Winter Wonderland event next Saturday, where we're going
to actually be you know, having some songs, some music,
some a black Santa, some some fun stuff.
Speaker 3 (04:09):
For the kids.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
So just look on our website for my block dot
org for more information. But it's the seventh and the
thirteenth where we're going to be out there, you know,
hanging lights.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
I love it. I love that you do this. Keep
up the great work of course here in Chicago and
in our communities because we need you and I'm so
happy to see that. You know, you're making all these
things happen right here in our city. So where can
we go for more information? What's a good website? And
where can we follow you on social media?
Speaker 3 (04:34):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (04:34):
So my social media handle is my blog my city.
That's everywhere Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, again, go to my website
f o R myblog dot org. You'll see this weekend,
we're looking for volunt here at ten block in the
morning at eighty thirtyeen Drive. That's the seventh come out
and hang louts help us decorate five hundred homes. And
then next weekend, the fourteenth, we're having a family event.
(04:57):
Go to my website formblog dot org to find out more.
But we're gonna have you know, stans up, We're gonna
have face painting, we have activities, the kids, bring the
whole family out on the fourteenth. It's called the Winter
Wonderland and Chatham and we know Chatham is not a community,
it's a state of mind. And so it's all about
the You guys have the light, like when you come
out and help volunteer. Like I know we're literally hanging light,
(05:18):
but you guys are the light and when you light,
you gotta you can't be concerned with the darkness. Will
come out help us eliminate in darkness by hanging legs.
Speaker 1 (05:28):
Amazing, Jamal, thank you for being here with us today.
We appreciate you it. Keep up the great work and
we will see you soon.
Speaker 3 (05:34):
You'd be saying thank you.
Speaker 1 (05:35):
Hey. It's Paulina here with iHeartMedia Chicago and I am
chatting today with our friend of the show, Jesse Ella Beet.
How are you today?
Speaker 4 (05:44):
I'm doing this? Thank you? How are you?
Speaker 1 (05:46):
I'm so good? Thank you for being here today. So
first things first, Jesse, tell us a little bit about yourself.
Speaker 4 (05:53):
Okay, well, I want to start by saying thank you
for having me on the show. My name is Jessica
Elabed and I'm the owner of Slay Chicago. We are
located in Pilsen on eighteen forty South Racine. We are
a one stop shop that provides a number of services
from lashies to eyebrow threading, to body waxing and body squlking.
(06:13):
I've been in the neighborhood for about twenty years and
I provide specific services as eyebrow threading, lash lifts, and
lash ten. Thank you, Thank you.
Speaker 1 (06:26):
Very cool. Yeah, no, you guys are awesome. I've been
to your place, so I think that is so cool. So, Jesse,
I'm curious though, like what kind of made you get
into the industry. I'm so curious and like obviously open
up in Pilsen, Like what sort of kind of drove
you to that?
Speaker 4 (06:42):
So Covid drove me. I started doing eyebrows at the
age of fifteen. I actual used to work at Ford City,
which isn't too far and I used to service my
friends who lived in Pilsen and took a break when
I had my son. And when COVID hit and I
saw the demand that was needed for people who wanted
their eyebrows, that I started offering traveling services. So I
traveled people's houses and do eyebrows. And when I saw
(07:03):
that a lot of my clienteles were in the South Side,
I just started. I decided to open up a studio,
and from the studio, I opened up the storefront. And
here I am four years later with a whole storefront
and a bunch of services. And I couldn't be half here.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
Oh I love it was so cool. I know, it's
a crazy how COVID really like redirected a lot of people,
you know, on their trajectory. So that is always so
interesting to hear and I love all that you're doing.
So Jesse, a question for you. You are organizing a
Christmas coat drive right that is happening in Pilsen. Can
you give us kind of like a I guess, like
(07:39):
a backstory of what sort of you know, what you
wanted to do with that. You know, why you chose
to do this coat drive.
Speaker 4 (07:47):
I wanted to do it so I can get back
to the community that just like invited me in with
such open arms. I actually reached out to a Facebook
Pilson page I'm a part of, and I asked the locals, like, Hey,
what is a non profit that you guys would like
to see these donations go to? And they all recommended
or refer to us to do Pilson Food Pantry. IM
not sure if you're familiar with it, but they offer
(08:11):
free clothing and they're doing a toy draft drive next week,
which I wish we were able to be a part of,
but we can't. So I just like reached out to
the locals, heard their heard their you know, reached out, listened, yeah,
and they voiced their opinions, and I took it and
went with it. I just want to be able to
get back in any way that I can, and if
collecting coaches to help those in need is the way
(08:33):
to do it, then That's what I'm going to do.
Speaker 1 (08:35):
I love that. I love that your service the community
that you know you pretty much serve, which you know
is obviously Chicago, but Pilsen in particular, So donations could
be accepted from ten am to six pm. And this
is happening on December thirteenth and fourteenth, is that correct?
It is very cool? So uh, this season is perfect
for spreading kindness, extending support to those of us in
(08:57):
our community, those in need. You can help individuals stay
warm this winter by making a donation. So Slade, you're
currently accepting new and gently used codes to assist in need,
and then all these contributions will given to the pills
and food pantry. So where is Slade and where can
we donate codes?
Speaker 5 (09:12):
So?
Speaker 4 (09:13):
Slade is located on the corner of nineteenth and Racing.
Our address is eighteen forty South Racing. We are the
best way to describe it. We are across the street
from the Sanctuary. Most people are familiar with that business,
so we are we're kind of hidden, but you'll see
our sign on the windows and just knock on the door.
(09:33):
We'll open it up for you and just bring as
much as you can, just to help those in need.
Speaker 1 (09:38):
Very awesome, well, Jesse, I appreciate you being here with
me today, and of course one more time. That is
December thirteenth and fourteenth at Slade Chicago. Donations will be
accepted from ten am to six pm. So thank you
so much for organizing this, and thank you for joining
the show today.
Speaker 4 (09:54):
Okay, thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
Paulina here with iHeartMedia Chicago and today I am chatting
with travel expert Gabe Segley. How are you.
Speaker 5 (10:02):
Today, Paulina. Great to join you from Beautiful Anna Marie
Island today.
Speaker 1 (10:07):
Oh my gosh, it's beautiful. He said, it's seventy.
Speaker 5 (10:09):
Degrees right, Well, it's you know, I watched the sunrise
this morning. We're approaching seventy degrees as we speak. This
weekend temperatures approaching eighty. So yeah, it's a beautiful part
of the state to be.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
That is beautiful. I'm sitting in like twenty two degree weathers,
so that is the gorgeous. I love that.
Speaker 5 (10:27):
I know. That's why I'm running it in I know, No,
I love it, love it.
Speaker 1 (10:31):
So today we are talking about tourism in Florida, and obviously,
you know, if you know live in the United States,
you understand all the impacts of the recent hurricanes. I
believe it's Hurricane is it Helene or Helen? And then
Milton correct.
Speaker 5 (10:45):
Yeah, So this is an area southwestern Florida. It's Anna
Marie Island. Right across the water is downtown Bradenton. This
was a very active hurricane season this year. And yes,
those two storms Helene in late September Milton in early
October sort of a one two punch to this area
and not unfamiliar with big storms, but that that cadence
that won, back to back cadence. And of course the
(11:07):
strength of these storms with some pretty sort of ancillary
weather that was created by them, certainly created some issues here.
There's still some revamping going on of some structures that
were damaged. The good news is that the clean up
process of the sand, you know, the strong storm surge
did push the sand in a couple of blocks, but
that's all been cleaned and sifted and it's back on
(11:29):
the shoreline now. All of the beaches on Anna Maria Island,
which is this wonderful seven mile long island, are now
back open and welcoming visitors all over again.
Speaker 1 (11:41):
I love that. So obviously, yes, Florida has sort of
pretty much been through it this year. So that's why
we want to definitely talk about some of the favorite
attractions things to do in Florida. And obviously how us
going to Florida does you know, truly help the people
they are, you know, and being able to sort of
like rebuild the I don't know, Flirtian economy if you
(12:01):
will to sort of haven't affected. So talk to me
about some of the attractions that you recommend.
Speaker 5 (12:09):
Yeah, so, And by the way, I think this is
for a lot of folks listening in Chicago. This is
a very popular destination out of that part of the country.
You've got NonStop flights on United Southwest Frontier that bring
you right into the Sarasota braid Inton Airport, which then
puts you about just thirty minutes from the shores of
this very popular destination. Anne Marie Island famous for its sugary,
(12:32):
fine white sand beaches. It's very gentle surf. I've been
walking up and down the shoreline here the last couple
of days. Lots of families, lots of couple's hand in hand,
and lots of just a groups of friends who come
out here and want to enjoy the weather. This is
an area that does see winter temperatures during the day
match the water temperature, which is a mid to upper seventy,
(12:53):
So a very desirable you know, weather phenomenon here and
the travel dollars certainly a big part of the rebound
here because you're spending money directly with the businesses that
make this area tick. And this is Anamurray Island where
you really don't see any chain restaurant, this whole family
owned restaurants and businesses and mainly a vacation rental market.
I'm on the top floor a place called the Mainsale,
(13:15):
beautiful boutique vacation rental property that's literally right on the
white sand here as well. But yeah, this is the
part of Florida that for those who've been here recognize
it for that nostalgic, authentic Florida charm. It dates back
one hundred and seventy five years before the South Beach
high rises, before those theme parks, and so that nostalgic
(13:38):
approachability makes it a super desirable area.
Speaker 1 (13:41):
You throw with the great weather, the great.
Speaker 5 (13:43):
Beach conditions here and it's just a no brain of
her a lot of folks, especially during those winter months.
Speaker 1 (13:50):
Absolutely, and you mentioned the winter months for us, you
know here in Chicago to come and travel, when is
a good time to go to Florida. I think I
know the answer to that, and that's any time. But
when is a good time travel?
Speaker 5 (14:01):
Well, So listen, peak season is always going to be
like right about now through March and in April, because
where a lot of the rest of the country, including
the Chicago area, will see temperatures dip considerably, this is
where it stays super mild, and that's what attracts a
lot of people out here. Certainly over those couple of months.
Springtime is a great time to come as well. You're
(14:22):
going to see obviously things get a little bit more,
a little warmer, a little muggier. Company to come the
summer months. But I do love those what we call
the shoulder seasons right the spring and the fall season
for sure, because you see the crowds thin a little bit,
the weather still super pleasant, and then the prices drop.
There's some great value here. But for an area like
(14:43):
this that is really sort of at the threshold of
now rebounding from a very active hurricane season, I think
we're looking at all of twenty twenty five as a
prospective travel window because at the end of the day,
these are again mostly locally owned, family owned business is
that are going to depend on that travel dollar to
rebound throughout the course of twenty twenty five.
Speaker 1 (15:05):
Yes, And I love that you mentioned those family owned businesses,
you know, just the residents you know who live in
that area and who work there and who really could
use our support and obviously who wouldn't love to go
to a beautiful place like Florida to do that to
help really kind of you know, after this disasters that
were the hurricanes. I think it's really important, so support
if you can, Gabe, I really appreciate exactly where can
(15:29):
we go for more information, more details and how to
you know where to go check out you know the
cool spots in Florida.
Speaker 5 (15:35):
A great question. There's a ton of information on the
day to day recovery here. By the way, daily reopenings
of a lot of the businesses here in this part
of Florida and Anna Maria Island. The goal is to
have all businesses that would have been affected by the
hurricanes that had to shut down back open, back up
and running by Christmas Day. But you can get all
that information, get all your trip planning done by visiting
(15:56):
Raydenton Golf Islands dot com.
Speaker 1 (16:00):
Yabe, thank you, so much for your time today. I
really appreciate it.
Speaker 5 (16:03):
I will see you out here.
Speaker 4 (16:04):
Hi.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
It's Paulina here with iHeartMedia Chicago and today I am
chatting with Major Kate Kendall Matthews from the Salvation Army
Chicago Area Command. How are you today?
Speaker 3 (16:15):
I'm doing fine. Thank you, Thank you so much for
having me.
Speaker 1 (16:18):
Yes, thank you for being here. I appreciate your time.
So it is that time of the year and I
definitely am excited to have you on the show today.
We need to make sure that we are chatting all
about the Salvation Army and your fundraising goals as well.
So my first question for you is have you seen
a greater need this year, particularly in twenty twenty four.
Speaker 3 (16:37):
Oh.
Speaker 6 (16:38):
Absolutely, We're just you know, we're seeing more people coming
into our shelters and seeing more people who are having
to make a decision whether or not they want to
pay their utility bill or put food on the table,
and so we're seeing a twenty five to thirty percent
increase of those needing basic services. And so Salvation Army
(16:59):
is always been available to people during times of difficulty,
and uh that that includes even today and going into
the first of the year.
Speaker 1 (17:11):
Absolutely. Why do you think this is the need is
so great this year?
Speaker 6 (17:16):
I think the economy has has had something to do
with that. You know, people people are working, working less
the you know, the minimum wages needs to be increased
so that people can can have more resources to to
live on. But need knows no season, and they'll always
(17:37):
be need uh in our community, and the Salvation Army
has always addressed those needs, whether there's been disaster services,
or whether it's been during the holiday season, or you know,
whether it's been needing codes the children needing toys. Need
knows no season.
Speaker 1 (17:56):
Absolutely, I couldn't agree more. So why is it so
important to help this all army?
Speaker 6 (18:01):
Well, it's important to help the Salvation Army because there
are people who are in need, and the Salvation Army
has always been about meeting those needs.
Speaker 3 (18:14):
I mean, more than.
Speaker 6 (18:16):
Four hundred and fifty thousand Chicagoans live in poverty, and
when we see that, we also see homeless population triple.
We're also seeing about over twelve thousand undercompany youth experience
homelessness in Chicago each year. So when we take a
look at these statistics, there are people behind these statistics.
(18:39):
These people statistics represent people for us, and we know
that helping them during their time of need is what
the Salvation Army has been about for a very very
very very long time.
Speaker 5 (18:56):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (18:56):
Absolutely, And as far as you know, there's those who
are tuning in today. What can we do to help?
Speaker 6 (19:04):
Well, I think you know, those who want to donate
monetarily to the Salvation Army can go to sell Army
Chicago dot org. Sell Army Chicago dot org. Those monetary
donations can be could be toys, it could be hours
of volunteering, you know, it could be going to a
(19:27):
food bank. It just could be going by the kettle,
particularly during this holiday season.
Speaker 3 (19:33):
Don't pass up the red kettle. When you hear the
bell ringing.
Speaker 6 (19:36):
Know that that's the sound of service. And uh, some people,
you know may want to try to teach their kids,
you know the value of giving and giving cheerfully, particularly
during the holiday season and all year round.
Speaker 1 (19:54):
Absolutely, And where do you have the greatest need here
in the city.
Speaker 6 (19:59):
Well, you know, the greatest need right now is for cash.
You know, I tell people that you know it takes
cash to care, but you care with compassion and you
and you care with with with giving back to an
organization that one hundred percent of what they would give
to us stage right in the community. And so know
(20:22):
that monetary donations are stretched, but are put specifically.
Speaker 3 (20:29):
Towards helping people, and we take pride in that.
Speaker 6 (20:32):
And during the holiday season, we need toys through our
Angel Tree program that make sure that there's a kid
that this has a toy during Christmas. We don't want
one kid not to have a toy during Christmas. And
that also includes coats. We have a great relationship with
the Chicago Bears and a great relationship with Jules Osco
(20:55):
to have work to have to give kids a warm
coat during this frigid, frosty and cold winter months.
Speaker 1 (21:06):
Absolutely, so you did mention sort of how somebody can donate.
Can you repeat that one more time? How can we donate?
Where can we go and how do we help?
Speaker 6 (21:14):
Well, it's Seal Army Chicago dot org. That's the website
you'll go to to donate, or if you are passing
a Salvation Army facility and you just want to stop
in and see the work of the Army firsthand, we
encourage your listing audience to stop by one of our
(21:35):
Salvation Army locations. And there throughout the Chicago Land area
and that's how they can help. And you never know
somebody will go through there and say, man, I want
to start volunteering in your food pantry, or I want
to work with my local church to provide can goods
(21:56):
for the pantry, or I want to donate some toys.
Speaker 3 (22:00):
I want to do a COLT drive. So we encourage.
Speaker 6 (22:04):
Individuals to not just give money, but we want their time,
we want their talent, we want their treasures.
Speaker 1 (22:12):
Absolutely, and out of curiosity, what is your Christmas fundraising goal?
Speaker 6 (22:16):
If you guys have one, well, you know, our our
goal is pretty aggressive this year because of the need.
But our fundraising goal is twenty one million dollars. That's
that's that's a lot of lot of coin, that's a
lot of cash, that's a lot of checks. But we
know that those services and that and that goal will
(22:39):
help us do the most good, not just in our neighborhood,
but do the most good in the Chicago Land area.
And this money enables us to help people all year round.
And you know there's three hundred and sixty five days
in the year, but think about when there's three hundred
and sixty six days when it's leap year, the work
(23:01):
of the Army increases that one day. But we've seen
a lot of people come to us needing to be helped.
So our Christmas goal is seventy five percent of that
twenty one million.
Speaker 3 (23:14):
So we're looking in the.
Speaker 6 (23:15):
Next eight weeks or so of bringing in about fourteen
million dollars in an effort to help more people and
to provide people with soup, soap, and salvation.
Speaker 3 (23:29):
And that's one of my favorite the words I like
to use because what does the soup do.
Speaker 6 (23:33):
The soup feeds the stomach, the soap cleans the body,
and the salvation helps to save the soup.
Speaker 1 (23:42):
Yes, absolutely well, thank you so much for joining us today.
Major K. Kendall Matthews, Salvation Army Chicago Area Command. One
last final time for our listeners who are just tuning in,
Where can we go to donate and get more information?
Speaker 6 (23:56):
More information can be acquired at our website with your
sale Army Chicago dot org. That's sal Army Chicago dot org.
I'll say it one more time, Salarmy Chicago dot org.
Speaker 1 (24:14):
Perfect, thank you so much for your time today.
Speaker 3 (24:17):
My pleasure, Thank you, and happy holiday.
Speaker 1 (24:19):
Thank you, Happy holidays. Hi, it's Paulina here with iHeartMedia
Chicago and I am chatting today with our friend of
the show, Jesse Ellabet. How are you today, I'm doing this?
Speaker 4 (24:31):
Thank you? How are you?
Speaker 1 (24:32):
I'm so good? Thank you for being here today. So
first things first, Jesse, tell us a little bit about yourself.
Speaker 4 (24:38):
Okay, well, I want to start by saying thank you
for having me on the show. My name is Jessica
Aliabed and I'm the owner of Slate Chicago. We are
located in Pilsen on eighteen forty South Racine. We are
a one stop shop that provides a number of services
from lashis to eyebrow threading, to body waxing and body squlking.
(24:58):
I've been in the neighborhood about twenty years and I
provide specific services as eyebrows threading, lash lifts and lash ten.
Speaker 1 (25:08):
Thank you, Thank you very cool. Yeah, no, you guys
are awesome. I've been to your place, so I think
that is so cool. So, Jesse, I'm curious though, like
what kind of made you get into the industry. I'm
so curious and like obviously open up in Pilsen, Like
what sort of kind of drove you to that.
Speaker 4 (25:28):
So COVID drove me. I started doing eyebrows at the
age of fifteen. I actually used to work at Fort City,
which isn't too far and I used to service my
friends who lived in Pilsen and took a break when
I had my son. And when COVID hit and I
saw the demand that was needed for people who wanted
their eyebrows, that I started offering traveling services. So I
traveled people's houses and do eyebrows. And when I saw
(25:49):
that a lot of my clienteles were in the South Side,
I just started. I decided to open up a studio
and from the studio, I opened up the storefront. And
here I am four years later with a whole storefront
and a bunch of services. And I couldn't be half here.
Speaker 1 (26:04):
Oh I love it was so cool. I know, it's
a crazy how COVID really like redirected a lot of people,
you know, on their trajectory, So that is always so
interesting to hear and I love all that you're doing.
So Jesse, a question for you. You are organizing a
Christmas coat drive right that is happening in Pilsen. Can
you give us kind of like a I guess like
(26:25):
a backstory of what sort of you know, what you
wanted to do with that, you know, why you chose
to do this coat drive.
Speaker 4 (26:33):
I wanted to do so I can get back to
the community that just like invited me in with such
open arms. I actually reached out to a Facebook Pilson
page I'm a part of, and I asked the locals, like, hey,
what is a nonprofit that you guys would like to
see these donations go to? And they all recommended or
refer to us to do Pilson Food Pantry. I'm not
sure if you're familiar with it, but yeah, they offer
(26:57):
free clothing and they're doing a toy draw drive next week,
which I wish we were able to be a part of,
but we can't. So I just like reached out to
the locals, heard their heard their you know, reached out, listened, yeah,
and they voiced their opinions, and I took it and
went with it. I just want to be able to
get back in any way that I can, and if
collecting coaches to help those in need is the way
(27:19):
to do it, then That's what I'm going to do.
Speaker 1 (27:21):
I love that. I love that your serving the community
that you know you pretty much serve, which you know
is obviously Chicago, but Pilsen in particular. So donations could
be accepted from ten am to six pm. And this
is happening on December thirteenth and fourteenth, is that correct?
It is very cool? So uh, this season is perfect
for spreading kindness, extending support to those of ours in
(27:42):
our community, those in need. You can help individuals stay
warm this winter by making a donation. So Slade, you're
currently accepting new and gently used codes to assist in need,
and then all these contributions will given to the pills
and food pantry. So where is Slade and where can
we donate?
Speaker 5 (27:57):
Coades?
Speaker 4 (27:58):
So Slade is located on the corner of nineteenth and Racing.
Our address is eighteen forty South Racing. We are the
best way to describe it. We are across the street
from the sanctuary. Most people are familiar with fat Business,
so we are We're kind of hidden, but you'll see
our sign on the windows and just knock on the door.
(28:18):
We'll open it up for you and just bring as
much as you can, just to help those in need.
Speaker 1 (28:24):
Very awesome, well, Jesse, I appreciate you being here. With
me today and of course one more time that is
December thirteenth and fourteenth at Slade Chicago. Donations will be
accepted from ten am to six pm. So thank you
so much for organizing this, and thank you for joining
the show today.
Speaker 4 (28:39):
Okay, thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (28:41):
Thank you so much, and thank you for listening to
the weekly show here at iHeartRadio ninety three to nine,
Light FM, one O three five, Kiss FM, and Rock
ninety five to five. If you or someone you know
should be on this show and you're doing amazing things
right here in our city and suburbs, please contact me
at Paulina at iHeartMedia dot com and I'll try my
best to set up an interview with you so you
can get on the show. Thank you so much, and
(29:02):
as always, placed a show on our podcast page. Simply
search for the weekly show on iHeartRadio. Thank you so much, Chicago,
Stay safe and we'll talk to you again next weekend.
Hi, and welcome to the weekly show on iHeartRadio on
ninety three nine LIGHTFM, one of three five, Kiss at
Them and Rock ninety five to five. I'm Paulina, and
every week we're here to discuss a variety of topics
that matter to Chicago Land, from health, education, to finances
and so much more. Today on the show, we're chatting
with our friends at my Black Myhood, My City about
their upcoming event. We're also chatting with our friends at
(00:20):
the Salvation Army. Yes, it is that time of the
year and there is a coat drive happening in Pilson
and I've got all the info on that coming up
as well. And if you're interested in visiting Florida and
want to help their local economy, I got you with
that as well. So let's kick off the show. Hi,
It's Paulina here with iHeartMedia Chicago, and I am talking
to a friend of the show. A friend of iHeart.
(00:43):
We are talking to Jamal Cole.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
How are you hey, I'm doing better in a stone
Worth another. Thanks for having Paulina. How you doing today?
Speaker 1 (00:50):
I'm doing so good. I'm happy to connect with you.
You know, we've been connected for years and years So
this is really cool to have you back, and we're
gonna be talking all about your event coming up be
a part of the Light twenty twenty four. Before we
dive into that, do you mind telling our listeners a
little bit about yourself and about my block, my hood,
my city.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
Yeah, you know.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
My name is Jamal Cole. I'm the founder. I'm a
CEO lee volunteer of My Block, Mahom my City. I
started it out of Cook County Jail, and in the jail,
I realized a lot of kids, I've never been downtown,
They've never wait for a taxi, they've never been on
an elevator. They see Lake Michigan and they say, what
ocean is that? And I wanted to change that, and
so I started taking kids on field trips and exposing
them to different parts of the city to expand their worldview.
(01:31):
I also work with over seventy five block Club and
helping them with speed bumps, stop signs, allity, cleaning up
whatever they need. Our mission statement is to take care
of people no matter what. So we work with a
lot of elders, we work, we work with everybody. And
this is my son Justice.
Speaker 3 (01:45):
What a city name.
Speaker 2 (01:46):
He's the He's the future of my block, and I
love what I do. God's got a battery in my back.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
So that's what it is.
Speaker 1 (01:52):
Absolutely, Absolutely we love to see you, you know, back
in action. We love to see you here on the
show because, like I said, we've pnnected so many times
for so many other really important initiatives that you've done
here right in the city. I think recently, I think
last summer it was so cool. I went to where
did I go? I went to that what is that
thing called where they uh you can let you you
(02:12):
like stand over and like kind of like you see
the city. What is that called that thing that it's
in the.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
Chicago three sixties Chicago.
Speaker 1 (02:22):
Yes, I saw, I see it.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
Yeah yeah, the big yeah.
Speaker 4 (02:29):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
So we we invited a thousand kids downtown and two
thousand kids came downtown. So we every summer we do
this thing called Downtown Day mid July where we invite
a thousand kids downtown and give them fifty dollars to
do whatever they want.
Speaker 3 (02:40):
And three sixty Chicago is a big sponsor of ours.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
So this year we had eighteen hundred kids show up
the three sixties Chicago and they got the fifty dollars
gift cars to go to the museum, to go to theaters,
to go to park, to go through businesses, and to
just do whatever they wanted to do. It was amazing.
Speaker 1 (02:56):
That is so cool. Yeah, when I went there, I
saw the first thing I saw was your low and
like some of the cool stuff you guys have done,
So I thought it was so it was just awesome
to see that. So I love, I love course, I
love that you're here today. We're talking be a part
of the light twenty twenty four. Can you tell us
about your event?
Speaker 2 (03:12):
Yeah, so you know coming up this weekend we have
I never celebrate Christmas growing up, so this be a
part of light. Putting lights on King Drive is my
opportunity to make up on lost time we get to.
The Holidays aren't about what you're getting, It's about what
she's giving. And the more that you give, the more
that you're a part of the light. Doctor King talked
(03:33):
about light a lot. He said darkness cannot drive out darkness,
only light can do that. And hey cannot drive out hate,
only love to do that. And so we decorate five
hundred homes for free on King Drive to I'm tired
of seeing helicopter lights. I'm tired of seeing police car lights.
I want to take on holiday lights. I want to
interrupt that trauma and inspire hope by doing something simple.
(03:55):
So meet us this Saturday. You know, we're gonna be
hanging holiday lights on King Drive. And next week and
is the Winter Wonderland event next Saturday, where we're going
to actually be you know, having some songs, some music,
some a black Santa, some some fun stuff.
Speaker 3 (04:09):
For the kids.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
So just look on our website for my block dot
org for more information. But it's the seventh and the
thirteenth where we're going to be out there, you know,
hanging lights.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
I love it. I love that you do this. Keep
up the great work of course here in Chicago and
in our communities because we need you and I'm so
happy to see that. You know, you're making all these
things happen right here in our city. So where can
we go for more information? What's a good website? And
where can we follow you on social media?
Speaker 3 (04:34):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (04:34):
So my social media handle is my blog my city.
That's everywhere Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, again, go to my website
f o R myblog dot org. You'll see this weekend,
we're looking for volunt here at ten block in the
morning at eighty thirtyeen Drive. That's the seventh come out
and hang louts help us decorate five hundred homes. And
then next weekend, the fourteenth, we're having a family event.
(04:57):
Go to my website formblog dot org to find out more.
But we're gonna have you know, stans up, We're gonna
have face painting, we have activities, the kids, bring the
whole family out on the fourteenth. It's called the Winter
Wonderland and Chatham and we know Chatham is not a community,
it's a state of mind. And so it's all about
the You guys have the light, like when you come
out and help volunteer. Like I know we're literally hanging light,
(05:18):
but you guys are the light and when you light,
you gotta you can't be concerned with the darkness. Will
come out help us eliminate in darkness by hanging legs.
Speaker 1 (05:28):
Amazing, Jamal, thank you for being here with us today.
We appreciate you it. Keep up the great work and
we will see you soon.
Speaker 3 (05:34):
You'd be saying thank you.
Speaker 1 (05:35):
Hey. It's Paulina here with iHeartMedia Chicago and I am
chatting today with our friend of the show, Jesse Ella Beet.
How are you today?
Speaker 4 (05:44):
I'm doing this? Thank you? How are you?
Speaker 1 (05:46):
I'm so good? Thank you for being here today. So
first things first, Jesse, tell us a little bit about yourself.
Speaker 4 (05:53):
Okay, well, I want to start by saying thank you
for having me on the show. My name is Jessica
Elabed and I'm the owner of Slay Chicago. We are
located in Pilsen on eighteen forty South Racine. We are
a one stop shop that provides a number of services
from lashies to eyebrow threading, to body waxing and body squlking.
(06:13):
I've been in the neighborhood for about twenty years and
I provide specific services as eyebrow threading, lash lifts, and
lash ten. Thank you, Thank you.
Speaker 1 (06:26):
Very cool. Yeah, no, you guys are awesome. I've been
to your place, so I think that is so cool. So, Jesse,
I'm curious though, like what kind of made you get
into the industry. I'm so curious and like obviously open
up in Pilsen, Like what sort of kind of drove
you to that?
Speaker 4 (06:42):
So Covid drove me. I started doing eyebrows at the
age of fifteen. I actual used to work at Ford City,
which isn't too far and I used to service my
friends who lived in Pilsen and took a break when
I had my son. And when COVID hit and I
saw the demand that was needed for people who wanted
their eyebrows, that I started offering traveling services. So I
traveled people's houses and do eyebrows. And when I saw
(07:03):
that a lot of my clienteles were in the South Side,
I just started. I decided to open up a studio,
and from the studio, I opened up the storefront. And
here I am four years later with a whole storefront
and a bunch of services. And I couldn't be half here.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
Oh I love it was so cool. I know, it's
a crazy how COVID really like redirected a lot of people,
you know, on their trajectory. So that is always so
interesting to hear and I love all that you're doing.
So Jesse, a question for you. You are organizing a
Christmas coat drive right that is happening in Pilsen. Can
you give us kind of like a I guess, like
(07:39):
a backstory of what sort of you know, what you
wanted to do with that. You know, why you chose
to do this coat drive.
Speaker 4 (07:47):
I wanted to do it so I can get back
to the community that just like invited me in with
such open arms. I actually reached out to a Facebook
Pilson page I'm a part of, and I asked the locals, like, Hey,
what is a non profit that you guys would like
to see these donations go to? And they all recommended
or refer to us to do Pilson Food Pantry. IM
not sure if you're familiar with it, but they offer
(08:11):
free clothing and they're doing a toy draft drive next week,
which I wish we were able to be a part of,
but we can't. So I just like reached out to
the locals, heard their heard their you know, reached out, listened, yeah,
and they voiced their opinions, and I took it and
went with it. I just want to be able to
get back in any way that I can, and if
collecting coaches to help those in need is the way
(08:33):
to do it, then That's what I'm going to do.
Speaker 1 (08:35):
I love that. I love that your service the community
that you know you pretty much serve, which you know
is obviously Chicago, but Pilsen in particular, So donations could
be accepted from ten am to six pm. And this
is happening on December thirteenth and fourteenth, is that correct?
It is very cool? So uh, this season is perfect
for spreading kindness, extending support to those of us in
(08:57):
our community, those in need. You can help individuals stay
warm this winter by making a donation. So Slade, you're
currently accepting new and gently used codes to assist in need,
and then all these contributions will given to the pills
and food pantry. So where is Slade and where can
we donate codes?
Speaker 5 (09:12):
So?
Speaker 4 (09:13):
Slade is located on the corner of nineteenth and Racing.
Our address is eighteen forty South Racing. We are the
best way to describe it. We are across the street
from the Sanctuary. Most people are familiar with that business,
so we are we're kind of hidden, but you'll see
our sign on the windows and just knock on the door.
(09:33):
We'll open it up for you and just bring as
much as you can, just to help those in need.
Speaker 1 (09:38):
Very awesome, well, Jesse, I appreciate you being here with
me today, and of course one more time. That is
December thirteenth and fourteenth at Slade Chicago. Donations will be
accepted from ten am to six pm. So thank you
so much for organizing this, and thank you for joining
the show today.
Speaker 4 (09:54):
Okay, thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
Paulina here with iHeartMedia Chicago and today I am chatting
with travel expert Gabe Segley. How are you.
Speaker 5 (10:02):
Today, Paulina. Great to join you from Beautiful Anna Marie
Island today.
Speaker 1 (10:07):
Oh my gosh, it's beautiful. He said, it's seventy.
Speaker 5 (10:09):
Degrees right, Well, it's you know, I watched the sunrise
this morning. We're approaching seventy degrees as we speak. This
weekend temperatures approaching eighty. So yeah, it's a beautiful part
of the state to be.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
That is beautiful. I'm sitting in like twenty two degree weathers,
so that is the gorgeous. I love that.
Speaker 5 (10:27):
I know. That's why I'm running it in I know, No,
I love it, love it.
Speaker 1 (10:31):
So today we are talking about tourism in Florida, and obviously,
you know, if you know live in the United States,
you understand all the impacts of the recent hurricanes. I
believe it's Hurricane is it Helene or Helen? And then
Milton correct.
Speaker 5 (10:45):
Yeah, So this is an area southwestern Florida. It's Anna
Marie Island. Right across the water is downtown Bradenton. This
was a very active hurricane season this year. And yes,
those two storms Helene in late September Milton in early
October sort of a one two punch to this area
and not unfamiliar with big storms, but that that cadence
that won, back to back cadence. And of course the
(11:07):
strength of these storms with some pretty sort of ancillary
weather that was created by them, certainly created some issues here.
There's still some revamping going on of some structures that
were damaged. The good news is that the clean up
process of the sand, you know, the strong storm surge
did push the sand in a couple of blocks, but
that's all been cleaned and sifted and it's back on
(11:29):
the shoreline now. All of the beaches on Anna Maria Island,
which is this wonderful seven mile long island, are now
back open and welcoming visitors all over again.
Speaker 1 (11:41):
I love that. So obviously, yes, Florida has sort of
pretty much been through it this year. So that's why
we want to definitely talk about some of the favorite
attractions things to do in Florida. And obviously how us
going to Florida does you know, truly help the people
they are, you know, and being able to sort of
like rebuild the I don't know, Flirtian economy if you
(12:01):
will to sort of haven't affected. So talk to me
about some of the attractions that you recommend.
Speaker 5 (12:09):
Yeah, so, And by the way, I think this is
for a lot of folks listening in Chicago. This is
a very popular destination out of that part of the country.
You've got NonStop flights on United Southwest Frontier that bring
you right into the Sarasota braid Inton Airport, which then
puts you about just thirty minutes from the shores of
this very popular destination. Anne Marie Island famous for its sugary,
(12:32):
fine white sand beaches. It's very gentle surf. I've been
walking up and down the shoreline here the last couple
of days. Lots of families, lots of couple's hand in hand,
and lots of just a groups of friends who come
out here and want to enjoy the weather. This is
an area that does see winter temperatures during the day
match the water temperature, which is a mid to upper seventy,
(12:53):
So a very desirable you know, weather phenomenon here and
the travel dollars certainly a big part of the rebound
here because you're spending money directly with the businesses that
make this area tick. And this is Anamurray Island where
you really don't see any chain restaurant, this whole family
owned restaurants and businesses and mainly a vacation rental market.
I'm on the top floor a place called the Mainsale,
(13:15):
beautiful boutique vacation rental property that's literally right on the
white sand here as well. But yeah, this is the
part of Florida that for those who've been here recognize
it for that nostalgic, authentic Florida charm. It dates back
one hundred and seventy five years before the South Beach
high rises, before those theme parks, and so that nostalgic
(13:38):
approachability makes it a super desirable area.
Speaker 1 (13:41):
You throw with the great weather, the great.
Speaker 5 (13:43):
Beach conditions here and it's just a no brain of
her a lot of folks, especially during those winter months.
Speaker 1 (13:50):
Absolutely, and you mentioned the winter months for us, you
know here in Chicago to come and travel, when is
a good time to go to Florida. I think I
know the answer to that, and that's any time. But
when is a good time travel?
Speaker 5 (14:01):
Well, So listen, peak season is always going to be
like right about now through March and in April, because
where a lot of the rest of the country, including
the Chicago area, will see temperatures dip considerably, this is
where it stays super mild, and that's what attracts a
lot of people out here. Certainly over those couple of months.
Springtime is a great time to come as well. You're
(14:22):
going to see obviously things get a little bit more,
a little warmer, a little muggier. Company to come the
summer months. But I do love those what we call
the shoulder seasons right the spring and the fall season
for sure, because you see the crowds thin a little bit,
the weather still super pleasant, and then the prices drop.
There's some great value here. But for an area like
(14:43):
this that is really sort of at the threshold of
now rebounding from a very active hurricane season, I think
we're looking at all of twenty twenty five as a
prospective travel window because at the end of the day,
these are again mostly locally owned, family owned business is
that are going to depend on that travel dollar to
rebound throughout the course of twenty twenty five.
Speaker 1 (15:05):
Yes, And I love that you mentioned those family owned businesses,
you know, just the residents you know who live in
that area and who work there and who really could
use our support and obviously who wouldn't love to go
to a beautiful place like Florida to do that to
help really kind of you know, after this disasters that
were the hurricanes. I think it's really important, so support
if you can, Gabe, I really appreciate exactly where can
(15:29):
we go for more information, more details and how to
you know where to go check out you know the
cool spots in Florida.
Speaker 5 (15:35):
A great question. There's a ton of information on the
day to day recovery here. By the way, daily reopenings
of a lot of the businesses here in this part
of Florida and Anna Maria Island. The goal is to
have all businesses that would have been affected by the
hurricanes that had to shut down back open, back up
and running by Christmas Day. But you can get all
that information, get all your trip planning done by visiting
(15:56):
Raydenton Golf Islands dot com.
Speaker 1 (16:00):
Yabe, thank you, so much for your time today. I
really appreciate it.
Speaker 5 (16:03):
I will see you out here.
Speaker 4 (16:04):
Hi.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
It's Paulina here with iHeartMedia Chicago and today I am
chatting with Major Kate Kendall Matthews from the Salvation Army
Chicago Area Command. How are you today?
Speaker 3 (16:15):
I'm doing fine. Thank you, Thank you so much for
having me.
Speaker 1 (16:18):
Yes, thank you for being here. I appreciate your time.
So it is that time of the year and I
definitely am excited to have you on the show today.
We need to make sure that we are chatting all
about the Salvation Army and your fundraising goals as well.
So my first question for you is have you seen
a greater need this year, particularly in twenty twenty four.
Speaker 3 (16:37):
Oh.
Speaker 6 (16:38):
Absolutely, We're just you know, we're seeing more people coming
into our shelters and seeing more people who are having
to make a decision whether or not they want to
pay their utility bill or put food on the table,
and so we're seeing a twenty five to thirty percent
increase of those needing basic services. And so Salvation Army
(16:59):
is always been available to people during times of difficulty,
and uh that that includes even today and going into
the first of the year.
Speaker 1 (17:11):
Absolutely. Why do you think this is the need is
so great this year?
Speaker 6 (17:16):
I think the economy has has had something to do
with that. You know, people people are working, working less
the you know, the minimum wages needs to be increased
so that people can can have more resources to to
live on. But need knows no season, and they'll always
(17:37):
be need uh in our community, and the Salvation Army
has always addressed those needs, whether there's been disaster services,
or whether it's been during the holiday season, or you know,
whether it's been needing codes the children needing toys. Need
knows no season.
Speaker 1 (17:56):
Absolutely, I couldn't agree more. So why is it so
important to help this all army?
Speaker 6 (18:01):
Well, it's important to help the Salvation Army because there
are people who are in need, and the Salvation Army
has always been about meeting those needs.
Speaker 3 (18:14):
I mean, more than.
Speaker 6 (18:16):
Four hundred and fifty thousand Chicagoans live in poverty, and
when we see that, we also see homeless population triple.
We're also seeing about over twelve thousand undercompany youth experience
homelessness in Chicago each year. So when we take a
look at these statistics, there are people behind these statistics.
(18:39):
These people statistics represent people for us, and we know
that helping them during their time of need is what
the Salvation Army has been about for a very very
very very long time.
Speaker 5 (18:56):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (18:56):
Absolutely, And as far as you know, there's those who
are tuning in today. What can we do to help?
Speaker 6 (19:04):
Well, I think you know, those who want to donate
monetarily to the Salvation Army can go to sell Army
Chicago dot org. Sell Army Chicago dot org. Those monetary
donations can be could be toys, it could be hours
of volunteering, you know, it could be going to a
(19:27):
food bank. It just could be going by the kettle,
particularly during this holiday season.
Speaker 3 (19:33):
Don't pass up the red kettle. When you hear the
bell ringing.
Speaker 6 (19:36):
Know that that's the sound of service. And uh, some people,
you know may want to try to teach their kids,
you know the value of giving and giving cheerfully, particularly
during the holiday season and all year round.
Speaker 1 (19:54):
Absolutely, And where do you have the greatest need here
in the city.
Speaker 6 (19:59):
Well, you know, the greatest need right now is for cash.
You know, I tell people that you know it takes
cash to care, but you care with compassion and you
and you care with with with giving back to an
organization that one hundred percent of what they would give
to us stage right in the community. And so know
(20:22):
that monetary donations are stretched, but are put specifically.
Speaker 3 (20:29):
Towards helping people, and we take pride in that.
Speaker 6 (20:32):
And during the holiday season, we need toys through our
Angel Tree program that make sure that there's a kid
that this has a toy during Christmas. We don't want
one kid not to have a toy during Christmas. And
that also includes coats. We have a great relationship with
the Chicago Bears and a great relationship with Jules Osco
(20:55):
to have work to have to give kids a warm
coat during this frigid, frosty and cold winter months.
Speaker 1 (21:06):
Absolutely, so you did mention sort of how somebody can donate.
Can you repeat that one more time? How can we donate?
Where can we go and how do we help?
Speaker 6 (21:14):
Well, it's Seal Army Chicago dot org. That's the website
you'll go to to donate, or if you are passing
a Salvation Army facility and you just want to stop
in and see the work of the Army firsthand, we
encourage your listing audience to stop by one of our
(21:35):
Salvation Army locations. And there throughout the Chicago Land area
and that's how they can help. And you never know
somebody will go through there and say, man, I want
to start volunteering in your food pantry, or I want
to work with my local church to provide can goods
(21:56):
for the pantry, or I want to donate some toys.
Speaker 3 (22:00):
I want to do a COLT drive. So we encourage.
Speaker 6 (22:04):
Individuals to not just give money, but we want their time,
we want their talent, we want their treasures.
Speaker 1 (22:12):
Absolutely, and out of curiosity, what is your Christmas fundraising goal?
Speaker 6 (22:16):
If you guys have one, well, you know, our our
goal is pretty aggressive this year because of the need.
But our fundraising goal is twenty one million dollars. That's
that's that's a lot of lot of coin, that's a
lot of cash, that's a lot of checks. But we
know that those services and that and that goal will
(22:39):
help us do the most good, not just in our neighborhood,
but do the most good in the Chicago Land area.
And this money enables us to help people all year round.
And you know there's three hundred and sixty five days
in the year, but think about when there's three hundred
and sixty six days when it's leap year, the work
(23:01):
of the Army increases that one day. But we've seen
a lot of people come to us needing to be helped.
So our Christmas goal is seventy five percent of that
twenty one million.
Speaker 3 (23:14):
So we're looking in the.
Speaker 6 (23:15):
Next eight weeks or so of bringing in about fourteen
million dollars in an effort to help more people and
to provide people with soup, soap, and salvation.
Speaker 3 (23:29):
And that's one of my favorite the words I like
to use because what does the soup do.
Speaker 6 (23:33):
The soup feeds the stomach, the soap cleans the body,
and the salvation helps to save the soup.
Speaker 1 (23:42):
Yes, absolutely well, thank you so much for joining us today.
Major K. Kendall Matthews, Salvation Army Chicago Area Command. One
last final time for our listeners who are just tuning in,
Where can we go to donate and get more information?
Speaker 6 (23:56):
More information can be acquired at our website with your
sale Army Chicago dot org. That's sal Army Chicago dot org.
I'll say it one more time, Salarmy Chicago dot org.
Speaker 1 (24:14):
Perfect, thank you so much for your time today.
Speaker 3 (24:17):
My pleasure, Thank you, and happy holiday.
Speaker 1 (24:19):
Thank you, Happy holidays. Hi, it's Paulina here with iHeartMedia
Chicago and I am chatting today with our friend of
the show, Jesse Ellabet. How are you today, I'm doing this?
Speaker 4 (24:31):
Thank you? How are you?
Speaker 1 (24:32):
I'm so good? Thank you for being here today. So
first things first, Jesse, tell us a little bit about yourself.
Speaker 4 (24:38):
Okay, well, I want to start by saying thank you
for having me on the show. My name is Jessica
Aliabed and I'm the owner of Slate Chicago. We are
located in Pilsen on eighteen forty South Racine. We are
a one stop shop that provides a number of services
from lashis to eyebrow threading, to body waxing and body squlking.
(24:58):
I've been in the neighborhood about twenty years and I
provide specific services as eyebrows threading, lash lifts and lash ten.
Speaker 1 (25:08):
Thank you, Thank you very cool. Yeah, no, you guys
are awesome. I've been to your place, so I think
that is so cool. So, Jesse, I'm curious though, like
what kind of made you get into the industry. I'm
so curious and like obviously open up in Pilsen, Like
what sort of kind of drove you to that.
Speaker 4 (25:28):
So COVID drove me. I started doing eyebrows at the
age of fifteen. I actually used to work at Fort City,
which isn't too far and I used to service my
friends who lived in Pilsen and took a break when
I had my son. And when COVID hit and I
saw the demand that was needed for people who wanted
their eyebrows, that I started offering traveling services. So I
traveled people's houses and do eyebrows. And when I saw
(25:49):
that a lot of my clienteles were in the South Side,
I just started. I decided to open up a studio
and from the studio, I opened up the storefront. And
here I am four years later with a whole storefront
and a bunch of services. And I couldn't be half here.
Speaker 1 (26:04):
Oh I love it was so cool. I know, it's
a crazy how COVID really like redirected a lot of people,
you know, on their trajectory, So that is always so
interesting to hear and I love all that you're doing.
So Jesse, a question for you. You are organizing a
Christmas coat drive right that is happening in Pilsen. Can
you give us kind of like a I guess like
(26:25):
a backstory of what sort of you know, what you
wanted to do with that, you know, why you chose
to do this coat drive.
Speaker 4 (26:33):
I wanted to do so I can get back to
the community that just like invited me in with such
open arms. I actually reached out to a Facebook Pilson
page I'm a part of, and I asked the locals, like, hey,
what is a nonprofit that you guys would like to
see these donations go to? And they all recommended or
refer to us to do Pilson Food Pantry. I'm not
sure if you're familiar with it, but yeah, they offer
(26:57):
free clothing and they're doing a toy draw drive next week,
which I wish we were able to be a part of,
but we can't. So I just like reached out to
the locals, heard their heard their you know, reached out, listened, yeah,
and they voiced their opinions, and I took it and
went with it. I just want to be able to
get back in any way that I can, and if
collecting coaches to help those in need is the way
(27:19):
to do it, then That's what I'm going to do.
Speaker 1 (27:21):
I love that. I love that your serving the community
that you know you pretty much serve, which you know
is obviously Chicago, but Pilsen in particular. So donations could
be accepted from ten am to six pm. And this
is happening on December thirteenth and fourteenth, is that correct?
It is very cool? So uh, this season is perfect
for spreading kindness, extending support to those of ours in
(27:42):
our community, those in need. You can help individuals stay
warm this winter by making a donation. So Slade, you're
currently accepting new and gently used codes to assist in need,
and then all these contributions will given to the pills
and food pantry. So where is Slade and where can
we donate?
Speaker 5 (27:57):
Coades?
Speaker 4 (27:58):
So Slade is located on the corner of nineteenth and Racing.
Our address is eighteen forty South Racing. We are the
best way to describe it. We are across the street
from the sanctuary. Most people are familiar with fat Business,
so we are We're kind of hidden, but you'll see
our sign on the windows and just knock on the door.
(28:18):
We'll open it up for you and just bring as
much as you can, just to help those in need.
Speaker 1 (28:24):
Very awesome, well, Jesse, I appreciate you being here. With
me today and of course one more time that is
December thirteenth and fourteenth at Slade Chicago. Donations will be
accepted from ten am to six pm. So thank you
so much for organizing this, and thank you for joining
the show today.
Speaker 4 (28:39):
Okay, thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (28:41):
Thank you so much, and thank you for listening to
the weekly show here at iHeartRadio ninety three to nine,
Light FM, one O three five, Kiss FM, and Rock
ninety five to five. If you or someone you know
should be on this show and you're doing amazing things
right here in our city and suburbs, please contact me
at Paulina at iHeartMedia dot com and I'll try my
best to set up an interview with you so you
can get on the show. Thank you so much, and
(29:02):
as always, placed a show on our podcast page. Simply
search for the weekly show on iHeartRadio. Thank you so much, Chicago,
Stay safe and we'll talk to you again next weekend.
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