Live Here Riverside

Latest Episodes:

Laura Muller - Spicy Latina Mom Aug 22, 2017

Show notes

My favorite thing so far about this podcast has been discovering folks here in Riverside doing cool things that I wouldn't have otherwise known about. My guest today is no exception.

Laura Muller owns and operates Spicy Latina Mom, a website dedicated to a healthy taste for Mexican food and more. In addition to sharing hundreds of free recipes and having her own cookbook, Laura is a YouTube sensation with almost one million subscribers to her Spanish-speaking channel - Las Recetas de Laura - and over seventy-two million views of her videos! You can visit and subscribe to her English-speaking YouTube channel Spicy Latina Mom.

In our conversation, we discuss Laura's journey from her native Mexico to Riverside, how her personal struggles lead her to start her business & share her story with a growing online community, and how Riverside has welcomed her family with open arms in their short time here.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with our new neighbor Laura Muller.

Peter Boutsikakis - Riverside Foods Aug 08, 2017

Show notes

Riverside Foods has been the neighborhood grocery store in Riverside since 1981. And Peter Boutsikakis, the current owner of Riverside Foods, plans to continue that tradition for years to come by continuing to adapt and serve the changing needs of our community.

In our conversation, we discuss Peter's family history with the store, how he personally transitioned from a career in urban planning & design to running Riverside Foods, and the adjustments Peter and his team continue to make to accommodate the changing needs of his customers in the digital age as their local neighborhood grocery store.

I think you'll enjoy my conversation with our neighbor Peter Boutsikakis.

Camille Silverman - Riverside Arts Center Jul 24, 2017

Show notes

Since 1993, the Riverside Arts Center (RAC) has been providing Riverside, its surrounding suburbs and the city of Chicago with exhibitions, art classes, and special events. I didn't personally know about this great non-profit right here in Riverside until a neighbor recommended that I speak with Camille Silverman, the executive director of RAC, for the podcast.

In our conversation, we discuss how Camille found her way here to Riverside and how a visit to RAC ultimately lead to her current role as the executive director. We also discuss the many great programs, classes, and exhibits that RAC offers for both children and adults right here in Riverside.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with our neighbor Camille Silverman.

Nick Fournier - Scout Real Estate Partners & Riverfest Jul 10, 2017

Show notes

Growing up the son of two local, small business owners and being one myself, I have a soft spot for folks that take the leap and go out on their own in business. Nick Fournier of Scout Real Estate Partners located right here in Riverside shares that same passion for independency, autonomy, and local business.

In our conversation, we discuss how Nick and his family found their way to Riverside, why he decided to start up his own real estate agency right here in Riverside rather than join an existing one, and how he'd change Riverside if given the chance.

Nick also shares the history of Riverfest in the Park and all the details about the 3rd annual Riverfest in the Park coming up on Saturday, July 22nd courtesy of the Riverside Chamber of Commerce.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with our neighbor Nick Fournier.

Amy Jacksic - Riverside Farmers' Market Jun 19, 2017

Show notes

The Riverside Farmers' Market is a great weekly event enjoyed by many in our village. I was curious how a small village like Riverside made it happen where so many others have struggled. My conversation with Amy Jacksic, the original market manager, volunteer & long-time committee member, answered my question. We're lucky to have a dedicated, devoted group of volunteers that make our market possible.

In our conversation, we discuss how Amy found her way to Riverside, how she first got involved with the farmers' market, how the market has changed and evolved over the years, and what's in store for this season at our local farmers' market.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with our neighbor Amy Jacksic.

Adriana Saldana Meadath - Flur Jun 12, 2017

Show notes

Could you imagine becoming a pastry chef and working with many world renowned chefs only to then find out that you are gluten intolerant? Well that's what happened to Adriana Saldana-Meadath and this the story of how Flur, her gluten-free bakery & cafe located in downtown Riverside, came to be.

In our conversation, we discuss Adriana's transition from international business to becoming a pastry chef, how she saw own gluten intolerance as an opportunity to provide better gluten-free pastry options, and how she's positioned Flur to expand their product line across the greater Chicagoland area.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with our neighbor Adriana Saldana-Meadath.

Scott Zimmer - The Chew Chew & Sawmilly Jun 01, 2017

Show notes

Scott Zimmer's award winning restaurant, The Chew Chew, has been a pillar of downtown Riverside for the past twenty years. Scott invested in Riverside yet again when he opened Sawmilly, a high-end sandwich shop, last year right next door to The Chew Chew. If you've been to either The Chew Chew or Sawmilly, you know just how lucky we are that Scott chose Riverside.

In our conversation, we discuss Scott's journey from how he originally found Riverside, the evolution of The Chew Chew over the years, his decision to open Sawmilly at the encouragement of his long-time staff, and the community and great friends he's made over the years here in Riverside.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with our neighbor Scott Zimmer.

Stephanie Lukich Roldan - Blissful Owl May 20, 2017

Show notes

My wife first met Stephanie and learned about her business while attending an event at Ms. Clara's Joyful Learning Center with our daughter. In addition to being a great mom to her two young kids, she is the founder, owner, and lead instructor at Blissful Owl.

In our conversation, we discuss Stephanie's background & formal training in ballet, her work as a child life specialist at a prominent children's hospital, and how she started Blissful Owl here in Riverside to help make fitness a family activity that can be experienced together.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with our neighbor Stephanie Lukich Roldan.

Sarah Kampbell - Vault Escape Apr 30, 2017

Show notes

Sarah was first person I met when I moved to Riverside. She walked across the street the day we moved in, introduced herself as our neighbor, and offered to cook us dinner that very night.

Aside from being a great neighbor & friend, Sarah also owns and operates Vault Escape (3234 Harlem Ave), the #1 rated Chicago area escape room experience, right here in Riverside. In our conversation, we cover Sarah's unique background, how her family found their way to Riverside, what exactly an escape room is and how Vault Escape gives back the community and the next generation.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with our neighbor Sarah Kampbell.