The Mike Nowak Show

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February 18, 2018 – Being Christy Feb 24, 2018

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The outspoken Christy Webber is a unique Chicago success story. The owner of Christy Webber Landscapes and Christy Webber Farm and Garden spends the entire two hours in the studio with Mike and Peggy. In a wide-ranging conversation, they discuss upcoming Chicago Flower and Garden Show, dealing with Chicago city landscaping ordinances, and even the effect of immigration policy on the landscaping industry. Adam Federman of The Investigative Fund at The Nation Institute returns to the show to follow up on his reporting about the disturbing direction away from conservation and towards resource exploitation being taken by the Department of the Interior.

February 11, 2018 – Healing Agriculture, Healing Earth Feb 17, 2018

Show notes

Agricultural economist Dr. John Ikerd, former North Carolina contract poultry producer Craig Watts, and activist farmer Karen Hudson of Illinois Citizens for Clean Air and Water (ICCAW) discuss the rise of "agroecology," and the continuing fight against concentrated animal feeding operations in America.

Dr. Michael J. Schuck and Dr. Nancy C. Tuchman from Loyola University Chicago talk about their online environmental textbook Healing Earth, which is being viewed in high schools and colleges around the world and which earned them an audience with Pope Francis.

February 4, 2018 – Saving the Monarch, Round 2: Pessimists v. Optimists Feb 10, 2018

Show notes

Kylee Baumlee, author of The Monarch: Saving Our Most-Loved Butterfly, visits the WCGO studios to discuss the future and fate of this iconic species. She is joined by Carol Niec and Kerrie Rosenthal, the founders and proprietors of The Seed Keeper Company. , which is in the middle of The Seed Keeper Project, which annually recognizes school gardens throughout the country.

January 28, 2018 – Solar Speed Bump, Healthy Parks Feb 02, 2018

Show notes

Lisa Albrecht of he Illinois Solar Energy Association (ISEA) comments on a decision to impose a tariff on imported solar panels to the U.S. Steve Neumann from Logic Lawn Care and Jeff Swano of Dig Right In Landscaping explain why they are working to get Illinois park districts to adopt natural lawn care programs.

January 21, 2018 – Soil Secrets, Flowertales Jan 27, 2018

Show notes

Mary Tiedeman from the Soil Science Society of America talks about how roots and soil organisms respond to snow and freezing weather. Zhenwei Zhu, of the Institute of Environmental Sustainability at Loyola University Chicago, promotes the new Loyola Environmental Testing Laboratory (LETL). Tony Abruscato, President and Show Director of the Chicago Flower and Garden Show, previews the 2018 edition of this classic Chicago event.

January 14, 2018 – The Threat to Organics Jan 18, 2018

Show notes

Janie Maxwell, executive director of the Illinois Farmers Market Association (ILFMA), reports on winter farmers markets and new ways to connect farmers to markets to consumers. Garden expert Charlie Nardozzi previews his presentation at the Chicago Flower and Garden Show and has advice about winter gardening and containers. Francis Thicke, PhD, is leaving the National Ogranic Standards Board (NOSB) and comments on his statement about what he perceives as a threat to the organic label in America.

January 7, 2018 – Happy Solar Energy and Food Justice! Jan 12, 2018

Show notes

Julie Brazeau from the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) promotes their upcoming Solar Training Academies with instructors Clay Sterling and Alex Jarvis. KAM Isaiah Israel's Robert Nevel comes to the studio to preview their 9th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Food Justice and Sustainability Weekend.

December 31, 2017 – See Ya, Wouldn’t Wanna Be Ya Jan 04, 2018

Show notes

On the final show of 2017, Mike and Peggy talk to Jennifer Molski from hfchristmastreerecycling.com and Kay McKeen from SCARCE about the best ways to keep Christmas trees, lights and other holiday trimmings from ending up in landfills. Meteorologist Rick DiMaio drops by to talk about Chicago's cold snap and the year in climate and weather.

December 24, 2017 – It’s a Wonderful Slice! Dec 29, 2017

Show notes

Bird conservationist Judy Pollock stops by the studio to talk about how citizen scientists play a key role in the annual Christmas bird count. Then it's Katy bar the door, as the Not-Even-Ready-for-Weekends-Smart-Talk-Players, featuring Bill Turck from Playtime with Sid & Bill, Featuring Kerri Kendall, Ron Cowgill from Mighty House Home Improvement Radio, and our very own Peggy Malecki, help Mike perform the 10-minute It's a Wonderful Slice of It's a Wonderful Life.

December 17, 2017 – The Gutting of America’s Natural Areas Dec 29, 2017

Show notes

Adam Federman of The Nation Magaine reports on his investigative series, The Plot to Loot America’s Wilderness about how our natural areas are in danger of being turned over to mining and oil interests. Friend of the show, farmer and activist Beth Vercolio-Osmund talks about her decision to run for the Illinois 16th Congressional District seat. She is joined in studio by Whitney Richardson, co-director of the Logan Square Farmers Market, regional development manager for The Kitchen Community Chicago.

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