Kankakee Podcast

#95: KVTA’s In The Heights with Director Sharla Ronchetto

Kankakee Podcast is presented by, Puter Pros, Digital World Design, and Stitch Prints in Bradley. Learn more at myputerpros.com, digitalworlddesign.com, and stitchprints.com.

 

Episode 95: 

 

Hey there! This latest episode of Kankakee Podcast is all about the upcoming production of "In the Heights" by the Kankakee Valley Theatre Association, and it features an interview with the director, Sharla Ronchetto.

 

I mean, who doesn't love a good theatre production, right? Ronchetto spills all the tea about her background in theatre and her approach to directing. And let me tell you, it's fascinating stuff.

 

But wait, there's more! Ronchetto also talks about the music in the show, which is a mix of several genres. And get this, the cast even had to learn backup vocals in Spanish. Talk about a challenge!

 

So, what are you waiting for? Listen to this episode of Kankakee Podcast and get all the juicy details about "In the Heights"!

 

Also, buy your tickets now at https://www.kvta.org/buy-tickets.

 

Much Love,

Jake LaMore

 

P.S. Support the podcast for as little as $1/month: https://patron.podbean.com/kankakeepodcast

#94: Meet the Mayor of Bradley - Mike Watson

Kankakee Podcast is presented by, Puter Pros, Digital World Design, and Stitch Prints in Bradley. Learn more at myputerpros.com, digitalworlddesign.com, and stitchprints.com.

 

Episode 94:

Our Meet the Mayor series continues on Kankakee Podcast with Bradley Mayor, Mike Watson!

 

It was fascinating to learn how Mayor Watson started his own waste removal company, United Disposal, what the Bradley Village Board is planning on doing with Northfield Square Mall and so much more.

 

You can follow Mayor Watson on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064006091898

 

Official website for the Village of Bradley: https://bradleyil.org/

 

Thank you for your time, Mayor! 

 

Much Love,

Jake LaMore

 

P.S. Support the podcast for as little as $1/month: https://patron.podbean.com/kankakeepodcast

#93: Kris Calmese - Beng

Kankakee Podcast is presented by, Puter Pros, Digital World Design, and Stitch Prints in Bradley. Learn more at myputerpros.com, digitalworlddesign.com, and stitchprints.com.

 

How often do we think about the fuel we put into our bodies? Most of the time, people just eat, without thinking about what the consequences of these foods could do to our bodies. This is where Kris Calmese enters. Kris is looking to change the narrative of unhealthy eating and help people start to pay attention to what they are consuming, even opening his very own restaurant called, Beng at Northfield Square Mall. Join Kris Calmese and I as he shares his journey to where he is now, as well as how to eat and live a healthier lifestyle on this episode of Kankakee Podcast.

 

The grand opening for Beng is this Saturday, April 8th, by the way. Get more information on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089993382445

 

Also shoutout to Bill Perakis of Meineke Car Care Center for introducing me to Kris! Since Bill pledges $100 or more per month in our patron program, he was allowed to pick a guest to be on the podcast and also attend the recording. Pretty cool, right? Thanks for your support, Bill!

 

Much Love,

Jake LaMore

 

P.S. Support the podcast for as little as $1/month: https://patron.podbean.com/kankakeepodcast

City of Kankakee Violence Prevention

Kankakee Podcast is presented by, Puter Pros, Digital World Design, and Stitch Prints in Bradley. Learn more at myputerpros.com, digitalworlddesign.com, and stitchprints.com.

 

Kankakee Violence Prevention Meeting

Last night on Thursday, March 30th, I attended a City of Kankakee Violence Prevention informational meeting at the train depot. I was there representing Milner Media Partners to write a news story for their radio stations, The Valley 92.7 FM and River Country 101.7 FM. After hearing Mayor Chris Curtis and Guest Speaker, Marcus Ellis, of Washington, D.C. talk about what needs to be done to combat violence in Kankakee, I thought maybe this would be a conversation you'd want to listen to. 

 

Now, keep in mind the audio is a little subpar compared to what you're used to hearing on Kankakee Podcast. I showed up to this meeting with my iPhone and a note pad with the intent to only use the audio for radio news broadcasts. I decided after the fact that you might want to hear this conversation. None of the less, the audio is mostly audible. 

 

If you want to learn more about Kankakee's Violence Prevention Program called, Kankakee United, go to https://ku.citykankakee-il.gov/.

 

Much Love,

Jake LaMore

 

P.S. Support the podcast for as little as $1/month: https://patron.podbean.com/kankakeepodcast

#92: Kankakee Geology with Abigeil Davis - Kankakee County Museum

Kankakee Podcast is presented by, Puter Pros, Digital World Design, and Stitch Prints in Bradley. Learn more at myputerpros.com, digitalworlddesign.com, and stitchprints.com.

 

Episode 92:

It isn't uncommon for the topic of Kankakee's history to come up on the podcast. Today, however, we head deeper than ever into Kankakee County's history with the Kankakee County Museum. Executive Director Veronica Featherston rejoins the podcast with future Geologist Abigeil Davis to talk about what types of rocks are common to the area, how the area was shaped, and its abundance of Limestone.

 

Learn more about the museum at https://www.kankakeecountymuseum.com/.

 

Much Love,

Jake LaMore

 

P.S. Support the podcast for as little as $1/month: https://patron.podbean.com/kankakeepodcast

#91: ”Good Enough” Q&A - Live at Paramount Theater

On Sunday, Kankakee Podcast teamed up with the Kankakee Area LGBTQ Network to host a screening of, “Good Enough: A Modern Musical”, written and directed by Kankakee County native, Mike Spears, at Classic Cinemas Paramount Theater. The film takes place at the fictional Kankakee Illinois University and covers a wide range of topics including sexual orientation, racism, addiction, and more. After the film, I hosted a Q&A with Mike and his partner, Adam Boltz. It was a lot of fun getting the audience involved asking their own questions and learning more about the movie. 

 

I thoroughly enjoyed “Good Enough” and encourage everyone to give it a watch now on Amazon! Learn more at https://goodenoughthemusical.com/

 

Special thanks to: Mike Spears, Adam Boltz, Matt Hedding-Hess, Kankakee Area LGBTQ, Classic Cinemas, Puter Pros, Digital World Design, Stitch Prints, and everyone who attended!

 

Much Love,

Jake LaMore

P.S. Support the podcast for as little as $1/month: https://patron.podbean.com/kankakeepodcast

#90: Bill Perakis - Meineke Car Care

Over the past 17 years, Bill Perakis has helped keep vehicles in the area safe and well. Owner of Meineke Car Care Center in Bourbonnais, Bill has plenty of experience in automotive care, including a certification in auto care from Moraine Valley Community College. Bill joins Kankakee Podcast not only as a guest, but a patron of the podcast as he talks about his life and his eventful journey into the auto industry. 

 

Thank you for your generous support, Bill! 

 

Much Love,

Jake LaMore

 

P.S. Buy your tickets for "Good Enough: A Modern Musical" screening 3/19 at Paramount Theater: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/good-enough-musical-screening-tickets-576423477137

#89: KVTA’s Disney Moana Jr. with Director Paula Sutter

KVTA’s Paula Sutter has an impressive history in her 29 years of directing plays. Her newest, Disney's Moana Jr., comes to the Lincoln Cultural Center in Kankakee March 17th, 18th, and 19th. Paula joins me on this episode of Kankakee Podcast to talk about Moana Jr, as well as her history with the KVTA.

 

Buy tickets now at: https://www.kvta.org/buy-tickets

 

Much Love,

Jake LaMore

 

P.S. Support the podcast for as little as $1/month: https://patron.podbean.com/kankakeepodcast

#88: Jermaine Hunt Sr. - Hunt Services & Consulting Inc.

Jermaine Hunt Sr. just might be the definition of a jack of all trades. A master of six instruments, speaker of two languages, economics and marketing major, former football player, the list goes on and on! However, most of all, he is the proud owner of Hunt Services and Consulting Inc. (HSC), the nation's first black owned Business Solution and Performance Company in America, a business that helps business consulting, facility performance, labor management, operation management, and so much more.   

 

Join Jermaine Hunt Jr. and I as he takes us through the journey of his life, and what it takes to help businesses lower their costs on this episode of Kankakee Podcast.

 

Learn more about Hunt Services and Consulting Inc. at https://www.hunt-sc.com/.

 

 

Much Love,

Jake LaMore

 

P.S. Support the podcast for as little as $1/month: https://patron.podbean.com/kankakeepodcast

#87: Carrying Torches - Alternative Rock Band

Kankakee Podcast is presented by, Puter Pros, Digital World Design, and Stitch Prints in Bradley. Learn more at myputerpros.com, digitalworlddesign.com, and stitchprints.com.

 

Episode 87:

Jon, Justin, and Misty of Kankakee's alternative rock band, Carrying Torches, join us on this episode of Kankakee Podcast to give us an early listen to their upcoming new single, "Small Talk". 

 

The new song will be available on all streaming platforms this Wednesday, March 1st.

 

The band is also playing a special show to celebrate the release of, "Small Talk", this Friday, March 3 at Rock Inn on Court Street in Kankakee. RSVP to the show here: https://fb.me/e/5ltnnNjEM

 

Visit the official Carrying Torches website: https://www.carryingtorches.com/

 

It was really fun catching up with old friends. Please support these guys! 

 

Much Love,

Jake LaMore

 

P.S. Support the podcast for as little as $1/month: https://patron.podbean.com/kankakeepodcast