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Front Row Classics celebrates Veterans Day with a special interview. Brandon welcomes award-winning journalist Christian Blauvelt to discuss the time Hollywood helped win World War II.

The arrival of a meatpacking plant in one Midwest community brought jobs and development. But it has also strained the social safety net. The local food pantry says half of its clients are plant employees. We take a closer look at the town's growing pains.

Sangamon Reclaimed is under new leadership. Co-owner Amanda Compton and Director of Sales Greg Hardwood spoke with Community Voices about the transition in leadership and how they got involved in the wood-working community.

Front Row Classics welcomes bestselling author Scott Eyman to the podcast this week. Eyman is one of the premier writers on the subject of classic Hollywood. Brandon sits down to discuss Scott's newest book, "20th Century-Fox: Darryl F. Zanuck and the Creation of the Modern Film Studio". The book covers the entire history of the studio and its founders. The conversation between Brandon and Scott covers the highlights of the studio's history and the many personalities that gave Fox its unique identity. It's an informative hour that will surely inspire you to go back and rediscover the 20th Century Fox catalog.

Penny Powell is the executive director of Fifth Street Renaissance. She spoke with Community Voices about the history of the organization and the numerous services it provides to those experiencing homelessness in Springfield. The organization provides housing for these individuals as well as resources to create stability for those living in difficult situations.

Itty Bitty Fashion Trunk is a downtown Springfield, Ill. fashion shop owned by three sisters. Sisters Tricia Schlosser and Krissy Olson spoke to Community Voices about how they originally operated their family business out of a truck, when they were known as Itty Bitty Fashion Truck. They also shared their family's love of fashion and shopping and how that has influenced their business.

Johnnie Owens is a well-known jazz singer in Springfield, Ill., but he has also toured internationally earlier in his career as a member of the Platters and as a solo artist. He spoke with Community Voices about growing up in St. Louis and singing on the sidewalk with his friends. He also shared stories of life on tour and how he once was stranded on Fiji.

Carolyn Owen Sommer is an artist, who began her career creating pottery, but then switched to watercolors. And now, she works with mixed media to create works of art. She spoke to Community Voices about how she got her start as an artist and the similarities between pottery and watercolors. She also shared her inspiration for her artwork, and how color and design are integrated into what she creates.

Camilo Téllez is a Conducting Fellow at the L.A. Philharmonic, one of the world’s most noteworthy orchestras. In 2019 and 2020, he conducted the Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony in Springfield, Ill. Téllez spoke with Community Voices about his experiences working in Springfield and the path that led him to work with famed conductor Gustavo Dudamel in Los Angeles.

Ben Cole joins Community Voices to discuss bicycling and his business Velomine, one the the elite wheel shops.