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Audio archives for The West Side
Host Mary Jo Wagner - 715-839-3869 - wagner@wpr.org Thursday, November 19, 2009: There's debate over whether Wisconsin's long term financial situation is in terrible or not-so-bad shape. What about western Wisconsin? Some perspectives from Executive Director of the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance, Todd Berry and Senator Pat Kreitlow-D from Chippewa Falls.
Thursday, November 12, 2009: The latest on public health issues - including the H1N1 flu and which new group will get the vaccine. Access to dental care for low income people and a nursing shortage are acute and long term problems. Guests include Richard Thoune, Director of the Eau Claire City-County health Department. Brent Hafele is Executive Director of the Chippewa Valley Free Clinic. Professor Sheila Smith is Assistant Dean of the UW-Eau Claire College of Nursing and Health Sciences and is President of the Board at the Free Clinic.
Thursday, November 5, 2009: Why are so many horses unwanted and abandoned in western Wisconsin? What about the growth of free-roaming horses in the west? Some blunt answers from Sandra Gilbert, Executive Director of Refuge Farms Horse Rescue and Sanctuary in Spring Valley. (www.refugefarms.org) Joining her is Dr. Don Hoglund, North Carolina veterinarian and equine consultant to the U.S. Department of Interior. He lead the rescue of 2,000 wild horses from the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico and wrote about it in "Nobody's Horses". At issue for some is whether now-banned domestic horse slaughter exacerbated the situation. Howard Goldman, Minnesota Director of The Humane Society of the U.S. joins with his perspective.
Thursday, October 29, 2009: With honesty and openness, women share their thoughts on aging with Hudson author, Connie Goldman. Her latest book is "Who am I...Now that I'm Not Who I Was? Conversations with women in mid-life and the years beyond." Goldman is a former daily and weekend host of NPR's All Things Considered and has spent the past quarter century focusing on the 'second half of life'.
Thursday, October 22, 2009: Dunn County has the highest number of bringe drinkers in the state according to state statistics. Dunn and Eau Claire Counties just received grants to target and change bad drinking habits by young people. Guests include Jean Christensen, Eau Claire's ATOD Prevention Coordinator. Missy Seibel is Youth Advocacy Advisor for the EC County Reality Check 21 Project. Amber Gerber is the Alcohol, Drug & Violence Prevention Coordinator at the UW-Stout Counseling Center. Jason Hausler is the Lead Prevention Coordinator at Arbor Place, Inc. in Menomonie and he's Chair of the Dunn County Partnership for Youth.
Thursday, October 15, 2009: A 16 day gun hunting season rather than 9 days is up for discussion - it's an alternative to Earn-A-Buck that was suspended. The West Side Outside focuses in on other controversial hunting issues in Wisconsin. Guests include Greg Kazmierski with the Hunters' Rights Coalition; Mark Toso is with the Wisconsin Deer Hunters' Association; Joe Knight is the outdoors writer at the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram and Dave Carlson is Northland Adventures' TV host and producer. A public hearing on proposed changes to next year's deer hunting season is scheduled for October 26 in Eau Claire.
Thursday, October 8, 2009: Those working internationally to stop violence against women and children have work in western Wisconsin too. Eau Claire is the international headquarters of Hagar International - designed to rescue women and girls from human trafficking in Cambodia, Afghanistan and Vietnam. (www.hagarinternational.org) Executive Director Jane Tafel joins us as does UW-Eau Claire senior Lauren Novak who worked in Peru with the Not For Sale project, searching out and rescuing very young prostitutes who are forced into the profession. (www.notforsalecampaign.org) Geri Segal is Executive Director of the Family Support Center where domestic abuse and sexual assault is a focus. November 3 at 7 p.m. in UWEC's Schofield Auditorium, the topic is Child Sex Slavery: A forum presentation of one student's research working with minors in the commercial sex industry on the streets of Lima, Peru.
Thursday, October 1, 2009: The complexity of addiction - whether it's from alcohol or prescription drugs. Would raising state's beer tax help? Guests include Tom Fuchs, Director of the LE Phillips Libertas Treatment Center in Chippewa Falls. Joining him is Libertas' Medical director, Dr. Robert Lea.
Thursday, September 24, 2009: Two new reports look at the "Consequences of Uninsurance in Wisconsin" and west central Wisconsin. The study was 3 years in the making at UW-Eau Claire. Researchers talk about what they learned. Guests include UWEC Health Care Administration Professor Jennifer Johs-Artisensi; UWEC Emerita Professor of Nursing Lois Taft interviewed people for the study. Dianne Rhein knows firsthand about the stress of keeping insurance when you have terminal cancer.
Thursday, September 17, 2009: A generous new GI bill has lead to an influx of veterans at UW institutions and it's also produced alot of paperwork and some confusion. That's where new Veterans Centers are helping. The one at UW-Eau Claire just opened and one is planned for UW-River Falls where a full time coordinator will soon be on board. Guests include Marc Goulet who is Interim Associate Dean of Students at UW-Eau Claire and is overseeing the Veterans Center. Diane Stegner Roadt is the Center's Veterans Services Coordinator. Alan Tuchtenhagen is Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Services at UW-River Falls.
Thursday, September 10, 2009: Leaders in business, industry, education and government come together each year to talk about ways to enhance the regional economy at the Synergy Conference. This year the challenge is how to steer a company through tough economic times and still be able to think "green". One perk right now is the number of companies getting government defense contracts. Guests include Mark Orendorff, Plant Manager for Great Northern Corporation in Chippewa Falls. Scott Hodek is an economist with the Department of Workforce Development. The conference is September 16-17 at the WITC Conference Center in Rice Lake.
Thursday, September 3, 2009: If there's a way to help Vietnam veterans heal from an awful war, Thuy Smith is looking for it. She's an Amerasian who's spearheaded a number of activities, including legislation to make March 29 Vietnam Veterans Day. We talk to her and western Wisconsin Vietnam veterans David Backstrom, Chuck Gorecki and Chuck Perry.
Thursday, August 27, 2009: Going through home foreclosure is humiliating and financially scarring. We'll have insight into the process and how asking for help is the right thing to do. Guests include Sherry Stabenow, a former mortgage banker, who's the Foreclosure Intervention Coordinator for Western Dairyland in Eau Claire, Buffalo, Jackson and Trempealeau counties. The free service often results in some type of loan modification. Robyn Thibado works with the housing crisis as Social Assets Director for the 7-county West CAP agency based in Glenwood City.
Thursday, August 20, 2009: Insight into making it easier to replace a car with a bicycle. Jeremy Gragert just finished a 2,000 mile ride to see cities the same size as Eau Claire -- such as Olympia and Bellingham, Washington and Corvallis, Oregon. Plus he tried out Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, British Columbia to get a feel for amenities that encourage bicycling. Joining him is Brad Henderson whose family doesn't own a car but gets around Eau Claire year round on bikes(with some help from a truck). He says the City of Eau Claire's draft Bicycle/Pedestrian Plan will be on its website. People wishing to comment on the plan can go to:
http://www.ci.eau-claire.wi.us/
Thursday, August 6, 2009: Thanks to more federal funding, prospects for high speed passenger rail stops in Eau Claire, Menomonie and Hudson just got a little more feasible. The state just released its long range transportation plan and included the possibility. Statewide hearings included one August 20 in Eau Claire. Guests include Scott Rogers, co-chair of the West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition. Bill Anderson is also a member of the Coalition and has been an avid proponent of rail travel since his first ride on the "400" in 1948. William Draves is a teacher, consultant and futurist author as well as founder of the Hudson-River Falls Area Rail Group.
Thursday, July 30, 2009:UW-Stout Chancellor Charles Sorensen speaks out about how frustrating UW budget cuts have been - especially in the area of faculty retention in Wisconsin. Joining him is Associate Professor of Biology, Kitrina Carlson who helped get a one million dollar grant from the federal government to encourage high school students to study science, technology, engineering or mathematics in high school and college. We'll find out what keeps her in Wisconsin.
Thursday, July 23, 2009: Who's responsible for flower displays, benches and other 'little' things that turn a downtown area from shabby to attractive? We'll find out from those who are part of a BID, or Business Improvement District in Eau Claire. The first BID and oldest one in the state is in Eau Claire. Founder of Higgins Travel, Carl Higgins helped set it up 25 years ago and joins us. Tom Reiter is a BID consultant and planner with the City of Eau Claire; Mel Jahnke is Chair of the South Barstow Street Business District and Network Consultant for Imagineering Computer Consultants.
Thursday, July 16, 2009: Wolves and bear hunting dogs tangle in northern Wisconsin - some dogs are killed this month as bear hunters train their dogs in wolf country. Guests on The West Side Outside talk about the challenges of managing the wolf and bear populations. They are Joe Knight, outdoors writer at the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram and Northland Adventures’ TV host and producer, Dave Carlson. Other guests include wolf expert Adrian Wydeven, a DNR mammalian ecologist and Kendal Durham of Neillsville, the President of the Wisconsin Bear Hunters’ Association.
Thursday, July 9, 2009: Insight into how to preserve natural resources for the next generation. Guests are involved in the Northwest Wisconsin Sustainable Living Fair in Rusk County July 25-26 in Ladysmith. Organizer Cader Olive explains how he lives off the land as much as possible and teaches others how to do the same. Keynote speaker, UW-Superior Economics Professor Jerry Hembd serves as Director of the Northern Center for Community and Economic Development. He co-chairs the UW-Extension Sustainability Team. Denise Johnson is the Energy Project Coordinator at the Lac Court Oreilles Indian reservation.
Thursday, July 2, 2009: What's to love about the environmental features of northern Wisconsin? We'll find out from those who know its glacial, logging, fur trading and mining history and promote edu-tourism. Guests include Jim Mallman, President of Watchable Wildlife and Dave Thorson, a retired forester who runs Down to Earth Tours in northern Wisconsin.
Thursday, June 25, 2009: Mental health experts are calling it a crisis exacerbated by a weak economy - coping with stress, anger, resentments, alcohol, family issues and other emotional behaviors associated with job layoffs, bankruptcy, divorce and the loss of insurance. Guests include Marshfield Clinic psychiatrist, Dr. Mahmoud Ahmed and clinical psychologist Steven Pongonis also from Marshfield Clinic in Eau Claire.
Thursday, June 18, 2009: A decision on whether Eau Claire County can expand its jail on the current downtown river site is imminent. The last step is approval by the Eau Claire City Council. Opponents are working up to the last minute to stop it. Guests include County Board member Colleen Bates who supports the plan and opponent Ryan Wells who's with the group Citizens for Accountable Jail Expansion or CAJE. http://www.co.eau-claire.wi.us/ http://eauclairejail.com/
Thursday, June 11, 2009: UW-Eau Claire Chancellor Brian Levin-Stankevich talks about the long-term consequences of state budget cuts. But there are good things happening at the university too. Joining him at the half hour is the newest member of the Board of Regents, Aaron Wingad who's a student at UWEC and from Rice Lake.
Thursday, June 4, 2009: The problem with garlic mustard and buckthorn. The West Side Outside focuses on invasive species in western Wisconsin. Regular guests, Joe Knight of the Leader Telegram and Dave Carlson with Northland Adventures join Chippewa Falls Middle School science teacher Kristi Sazama. Her students are attempting to remove the garlic mustard from Irvine Park in Chippewa Falls. Marlo Orth owns 50 acres of forest land that's choked with buckthorn. He explains how he's slowly getting rid of it.
Thursday, May 28, 2009: 17 counties have formed the Cooperative Health Choices of Western Wisconsin to provide health insurance for small businesses, non-profits, municipalities and possibly schools. A strong "wellness" factor is part of keeping rates down. Guests include Exec. Dir. of the St. Croix County Economic Development Corporation, Bill Rubin. He's coordinating the Co-op's formation. Carol Bulman is a Benefit Specialist with the RiverBank Insurance Center and also on the Steering Committee. Congressman Ron Kind is author of a national plan to provide insurance for small businesses. We compare and contrast the plans.
Thursday, May 21, 2009:The trouble with lyme disease and controversy over treatment. Guests include Marina Andrews with Western Wisconsin Lyme Action Group. Ann Krisik from Amery also has Lyme Disease. Dr. Paul Goellner is with the Duluth Clinic in Spooner. He first identified Lyme Disease in Wisconsin in the 70's after his daughter and brother became ill.
Thursday, May 7, 2009: Help for those with aging parents. We talk with the authors of a new book on eldercare, Mom, Dad…Can We Talk? Insight and Perspectives to Help Us Do What’s Best for Our Aging Parents. Author Dick Edwards served for 20 years as administrator of Charter House, a long-term health care facility affiliated with Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He now lives in Menomonie, Wisconsin. Joining him are co-authors, Ruth Weispfenning who serves as Director of Resident Services at Charter House and writer Mike Ransom who puts together memoirs for those in their eighties or nineties and has including poignant stories that include his parents in the book.
Thursday, April 30, 2009: Sexting, sex education, suicide prevention, addiction and the difference between love and infatuation are all part of the curriculum of award winning teacher, Deborah Tackmann. She is the Health Education Instructor at North High School in Eau Claire who won a national Blue Apple Award with distinction for exceptional commitment to health education.
April 21, 2009: To honor Earth Day as a year round event, a social justice group in the Chippewa Valley believes all should participate in shaping the community in which they live. Guests include the head of JONAH's Environmental Task Force, Greg Raleigh from Elk Mound and Mari Jackson, environmentalist and organic gardener from Rock Falls.
April 20, 2009: More and more local communities are focusing on sustainability. We'll look at plans for Dunn County and schools in Osceola. Guests include Dunn County Planner Bob Colson; the county's sustainability consultant, David Wanberg from St. Paul; Director of the St. Croix Institute for Sustainable Community Development, UW-River Falls professor Kelly Cain; and Warren Lang is with the group Sustainable Dunn.
April 14, 2009: Newly elected lawmakers from western Wisconsin give us some insight into their new jobs. Representative Chris Danou-D from Trempealeau and Representative Kristen Dexter-D from Eau Claire join us.
April 13, 2009: What's it like to live in the country - refreshing, shocking, annoying, eye-opening and/or tough? Rural Living Day at Beaver Creek Reserve was April 18. Guests include Erin LaFaive, Eau Claire County UW Extension, Horticulture Educator; Mahlon Peterson, Eau Claire County UW Extension, Agriculture Agent; Ryan Galbreath, Natural Resources Conservation Service, District Conservationist.
April 7, 2009: For 25 years, leaders in industry have lectured at UW-Stout as part of the Arthur R. Cabot Executive Residency. We'll talk to Scott Cabot, President of A.M. Feldman Jewelers in Chicago; Wisconsin's Secretary of Commerce, Dick Leinenkugel; Gail Prock, CEO of Pine Harbor Holding Company in Chippewa Falls which makes the Shadow Shield, a portable stalking and surveillance device; and UW-Stout Industrial Design senior, Christopher Becker.
April 6, 2009: How important is a good teacher to young people who are undecided on whether to get higher education? 2 award winning teachers from the Chippewa Valley Technical College and a student share their thoughts. Guests include paralegal instructor Linda Oliver; economics and sociology instructor Carmen Iannarelli; and marketing student Bettyann Nowak. Joining for a portion of the program is Congressman Ron Kind-D.
March 31, 2009: Wolves, coyotes and cougars in western Wisconsin on The West Side Outside. Regular guests Joe Knight of the Leader Telegram and Dave Carlson with Northland Adventures talk with DNR mammalian ecologist Adrian Wydeven. Edited due to phone connection drop-outs.
March 30, 2009: Is this a good time to hold referendums? Organizers of 2 in Dunn County will find out on April 7th. Taxpayers vote on whether to provide extra funding for the county's Health Care center. The advisory referendum asks if state-imposed levy limits can be exceeded by up to $500,000 a year indefinitely for the nursing home.
We'll also get details on a $9.3 million dollar school building referendum in the Dunn County school district of Elk Mound. Guests include School Board President Tim Sivertson and Vice President Jim Holte.
March 24, 2009: Child restraints - what's allowed in day treatment facilities and what's not - a new memo from the state spells out what's prohibited. It follows the death of a 7 year old girl from a restraint hold three years ago in Rice Lake. Guests include Jodi Pelishek with Wisconsin Family Ties in Rice Lake; Joyce Allen with the State Department of Health Services; Tom Johnston, Director of Marriage and Family Health Services; Jill Chaffee, Exec. Administrator with Northwest Counseling and Guidance Clinics; Liz Davis is grandmother of a teenager with emotional behavioral disabilities.
To read the Prohibited Practices memo Click Here.
March 23, 2009: The dilemma of how to keep up with demand for health care at free clinics in western Wisconsin. Guests include Executive Director of the Chippewa Valley Free Clinic in Eau Claire, Brent Hafele; nurse practioner Mary Richbourg volunteers there; the Chair of the Bd. of Directors of the Free Clinic of Pierce and St. Croix counties is Mary Conroy-Johnson; Kristina Anderson uses the clinic in River Falls for help with diabetes.
March 17, 2009: Western Wisconsin has sand deposits that are very attractive to oil and gas drillers. But some in Chippewa County are not happy about frac sand mining in their neighborhood. Guests include Gary Stone, Plant Manager of Canadian Sand and Proppant in Chippewa Falls; UW-Eau Claire environmental geology professor Kent Syverson does research in this area; Beth Walton is with the group Concerned Chippewa Citizens; Ken Schmitt is with the Town of Howard Loyalty to our Land group.
March 16, 2009: Western Wisconsin lawmakers talk about their challenges in coming up with a state budget. Guests include Representative Mary Hubler-D from Rice Lake and Representative Mike Huebsch-R from West Salem.
March 10, 2009: Despite efforts to protect children, there are still many who suffer abuse and neglect at the hands of their parents. Some with special needs qualify for Treatment Foster Care. What is it and are there enough foster parents available with the proper qualifications? Guests include Lutheran Social Service Treatment Foster Care Case Manager, Lauren Krukowski; LSS AODA Specialist, Jennifer Coyne, Eau Claire Circuit Court Judge Benjamin Proctor; foster parent, Leighan Nash.
March 9, 2009: There's new help in the form of a booklet developed in Eau Claire for parents of children who may not know the early warning signs of mental health problems. It's one part of a big statewide effort to integrate mental and physical health care. Guests include President of the Children's Mental Health Alliance in Eau Claire, Linda Klitzke; Rebecca Cohen is with the Bureau of Prevention, Treatment and Recovery at the State Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services; Claude Gilmore is Youth Policy Director for the WI Div of Public Health; Brad Goeltz is a licensed psychologist with Marriage and Family Health Services in Eau Claire. For information on the "Child and Adolescent Mental Health" booklet go to www.cmhaec.com. More help at www.wimentalhealth.org
March 3, 2009: Some insight into the challenges lawmakers face as they try to put together the next state budget. Guests include Representative Scott Suder-R from Abbotsford and Representative Jeff Wood-I from Bloomer. Some editing due to bad cell phone connection.
March 2, 2009: Senators Kathleen Vinehout-D from Alma and Senator Sheila Harsdorf-R from River Falls talk about solutions to the state budget deficit and share their differing views on a statewide smoking ban and options for health care coverage.
February 24, 2009: How secure is the internet connection you use? Could a fired employee destroy your business on the way out? The primary focus of the Chippewa Valley InterSec 2009 conference in Eau Claire is "Securing Data in a Mobile World". West Side guests include CEO and President of DCS Netlink, Dane Deutsch from Rice Lake; President of Leadership Freedom, Lee Ellis in Atlanta; and Chair of the UW-Eau Claire Department of Information Systems, Tom Hilton. Conference info at http://intersec.dcsnetlink.com
February 23, 2009: The West Side Outside looks at why winter is maligned with author of Frozen Assets, Joe Knight. He's an outdoors writer for the Leader Telegram. Plus we talk with Mike Beno, the editor of Thor and More, a collection of Jay Reed's writings that appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Reed called himself a "swamp rat" who was raised in the Mississippi River sloughs near Nelson. Joining them with other book references that savor the outdoors is Dave Carlson, Host and Producer of the television program, Northland Adventures.
February 10, 2009:What does Ken De Meuse have to say about company layoffs? There are tough times all around for businesses trying to figure out if they'll survive the latest economic crisis and they better be careful about planning for layoffs. Ken De Meuse is Associate Vice President of Research, Leadership and Talent Consulting with Korn/Ferry International. For 17 years, he was part of the business faculty at UW-Eau Claire. His most recent book is 50 More Things you Need to Know: The Science Behind Best People Practices for Managers & HR Professionals.
February 9, 2009: The legacy of Aldo Leopold as seen through the eyes of two who teach his land ethic in their classes at UW-Eau Claire. Guests include geography Professor Sean Hartnett, English Professor John Hildebrand and sophomore geography student, Amy Brickheimer.
February 3, 2009: The challenge of becoming a more diverse university has sparked a discussion for Black History Month in Eau Claire. Guests include Director of UW-Eau Claire's Office of Multicultural Affairs, Jesse Dixon; African American History Professor, Selika Ducksworth-Lawton; English professor David Shih who's also the university's first Campus Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Fellow; Berlye Middleton is Program Director at the Chippewa Valley Correctional Treatment Facility and is a member of the Eau Claire City Council.
February 2, 2009: Regional lawmakers talk about legislative priorities - including the budget and how to change the way election campaigns are funded. Guests include Senator Pat Kreitlow-D from Chippewa Falls; Representative Kitty Rhoades-R from Hudson; and Representative Jeff Smith-D from Eau Claire.
January 27, 2009: A five million dollar budget shortfall has the Eau Claire Area School District looking for cuts. Already two athletic directors and some administrators have been cut and some employees wages have been frozen. Guests include Superintendent Ron Heilmann; Ron Martin is President of the Eau Claire Assoc. of Educators; Jack Norman is a tax research specialist with the Institute for Wisconsin's Future.
January 26, 2009: Wasted food at UW-Eau Claire got the attention of students who want to package and share it with needy residents in the community starting in February. Guests include President of the Campus Kitchens Project, Lindsey Johnson; Americorp Vista representative at UWEC, Dylan Thomas; UWEC Service Learning Director, Don Mowry; General Manager of Sodexo Food Service at UWEC, Christian Wise; and Director of Hospitality Services at Sacred Heart Hospital, Rick Beckler.
January 13, 2009: Confused about the conversion to digital television? Bring your questions to the experts. Wisconsin Public Television engineer, Pete McClean; WEAU-TV Chief Engineer, Ron Wiedemeier; and owner of Woods Electronics, Roger Wood.
January 12, 2009: Baseball in Eau Claire - former Major League Umpire Bruce Froemming will be with us. He umpired in Eau Claire in the late 1950's and will be the speaker at the first Eau Claire Baseball Hall of Fame banquet. Joining him is Leader Telegram sports writer and author Jerry Poling and Lou Kassera who anounced Braves games when Froemming was an umpire.
January 6, 2009: The West Side Outside program features ways to live with wolves, ice fishing conditions, and a moonlight snowshoeing event. Guests include the Leader Telegram's Outdoors writer, Joe Knight; Northland Adventures TV host and producer, Dave Carlson; Wolf specialist and Wildlife Educator at the Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center near Wisconsin Rapids, Dick Thiel; Public Affairs manager for the DNR's northern region in Spooner, Jim Bishop; and Naturalist at the Chippewa Morraine Ice Age Center in New Auburn, Rod Gont.
January 5, 2009: How is the western Wisconsin economy doing? Perspectives on manufacturing from the Northwest Manufacturing Outreach Center's Marketing Manager at UW-Stout, Frank Borg; with the labor outlook it's Matt Pronschinske with Workforce Resource, Inc.; and President of Charter Bank, Dean Olson has the banking/credit perspective.
December 30, 2008: The challenges of caregiving from 4 perspectives. Barbara Manzo is caregiver to her grandchildren. Lisa Wells is the Family Caregiver Coordinator for the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Eau Claire County. Paula Gibson is Chair of the Chippewa Valley Caregiving Alliance. Regional Planner/Program Consultant for AgeAdvantAge, Inc., Dianne Rhein shares what it's like to go from being a caregiver to receiving care as she goes through chemotherapy treatments.
December 29, 2008: The future survival of newspapers and broadcast media -- who's paying attention and who isn't. Guests include Editor of the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, Don Huebscher; Dean of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, John Lavine. He's a former member of the UW Board of Regents and was editor/publisher of the Chippewa Herald-Telegram. Speaking for the younger generation is Trevor Kupfer, journalism grad who's now Special Projects Editor for Volume One magazine in Eau Claire.
December 23, 2008: Snowshoeing, a walk, bike ride, visit to a museum, concert or outdoor fun - all things the Executive Director of the Chippewa Valley Cultural Association says we can do to improve our qualify of life without spending much. The center is located in the Heyde Center for the Arts in Chippewa Falls. Debra Johnson joins volunteer Chuck Card to offer some perspective and we hear from special guest... SANTA.
December 22, 2008: Spiritual perspectives on Christian, Muslim, and Jewish traditions from Chippewa Valley residents. Guests include former St. Paul Pioneer Press religion reporter and now Methodist seminary student and part-time Chippewa Valley pastor, Steve Scott; psychiatrist, Dr. Mahmoud Ahmed, member of the Islamic Center and Mosque in Altoona; Emeritus UW-Eau Claire professor, Mort Sipress who was President of Temple Sholom Synagogue in Eau Claire for 17 years.
December 16, 2008: A lack of funds to buy rice for needy Hmong families was solved quickly as the Eau Claire community scrambled to fix the problem. More on food challenges and how the Hmong are doing in western Wisconsin. Guests include Interim Executive Director of the Hmong Mutual Assistance Association, Yong Kay Moua; Assistant director of Multi-cultural Affairs at UW-Eau Claire, Charles Vue; and UW-Extension family living educator, Julie Keown-Bomar whose background is in Hmong studies. She helped put together one of the first Hmong cookbooks that's just been released.
December 15, 2008: The old Polk County jail has been converted to a homeless shelter that filled up as soon as it was remodeled. Problems with alcohol and illegal drugs like meth affect residents who have strict rules. Guests include the Salvation Army's Duana Bremer, who oversees the new Serenity Home as well as Grace Place in Somerset. She joins Tim Steele whose circumstances brought him to Serenity Home. Tammy DeMar lived at Grace Place until she could get on her feet and now works there.
December 9, 2008:The West Side Outside focuses on the discovery of invasive carp - especially the jumping silver carp in the Mississippi River and on complaints about the deer harvest numbers. Joining Northland Adventures' Dave Carlson and the Leader Telegram's Joe Knight will be DNR fisheries specialist, Ron Benjamin in LaCrosse, and DNR's wildlife biologist, Keith Warnke in Madison.
December 8, 2008:Western Wisconsin businesses have a new way to attract talent to the region. The SMARTT Network is an online, anonymous, searchable database of people with needed skills who might be interested in moving back to where they were educated. Guests include Executive Director of the Eau Claire Area Economic Development Corporation, Brian Doudna; Regional Economist with the Dept. of Workforce Development, Scott Hodek; and President of Realityworks, Inc., Timm Boettcher.
December 2, 2008:The technical school perspective on future workers in tough economic times - how does a jail literacy program turn tax users into taxpayers. Funding for that program is up in the air. Guests include Chippewa Valley Technical College Dean of Students Margo Keys; Vice President of Education Joe Hegge; and Jail Instructor John Joadwine.
December 1, 2008: Wisconsin's drinking habits contribute to addiction and challenges for those providing treatment and jail space. Perspectives from Tom Fuchs, Director of the L.E. Phillips-Libertas Treatment Center in Chippewa Falls. He's worked in Minnesota and provides insight into how that state does things differently.
November 25, 2008:Stress and burnout in the health care field. Researcher Jonathan Halbesleben is assistant professor in the Department of Management and Marketing at UW-Eau Claire where he teaches courses in human resources management. He is the editor of The Handbook of Stress and Burnout in Health Care and the author of a forthcoming guide to managing stress for health care administrators.
November 24, 2008: Legislators start the process of sorting out the state's priorities now that the election is over and democrats gained control of both the Assembly and Senate. Guests include Senator Pat Kreitlow-D of Chippewa Falls and Representative Scott Suder-R of Abbottsford.
November 18, 2008: Why are so many horses being abandoned or abused? Some blunt answers from Sandra Gilbert, Executive Director of Refuge Farms Horse Rescue and Sanctuary in Spring Valley. Also Nancy Frank from Ridgeland - founder of Pets and Wellness for Seniors or PAWS.
November 17, 2008: Improving classroom instruction is the goal of UW-Eau Claire's new Center for Excellence in Teaching & Learning. Guests include chemistry professor Bob Eierman, Interim Director of CETL; psychology professor April Bleske-Rechek; English teacher Beth Preston-Simon; and senior psychology major Kelsey Michels.
November 11, 2008: Veterans Day - Chippewa Valley veterans talk about their experiences. World War II vet Roy Campbell was the only man to serve the whole war with the National Guard's B Company. He wrote about it in Kindling for the Devil's Fires, Journals of an Infantryman; Bruce Dybvik served as a Communication Technician in Vietnam; Lieutenant Colonel Scott Bolstad, U.S. Army, is a Professor of Military Science at UW-Stout and served in Afghanistan, South Korea and during the Cold War.
November 10, 2008: The support available for 680 military families as the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Wisconsin National Guard prepares for deployment in February. Guests include Anne Vaver, 1st Battalion, 128th Infantry (1-128) Family Readiness
Group coordinator. She is a civilian volunteer. Captain Dan Walsh is Officer In Charge of the Rear Detachment for the 1-128 - both are based in Eau Claire.
November 4, 2008: The West Side Outside program includes a discussion of the spirit of deer hunting. Regular guests include Dave Carlson, host of Northland Adventures and Joe Knight, outdoors writer for the Leader Telegram; also we talk to Rob Wegner, author of "Classic Deer Camps" who combines poetry and hunting. Sean Strom, DNR Wildlife Toxicologist explains the hazards of lead ammunition.
November 3, 2008: How important is western Wisconsin this election? Analysis from UW-Eau Claire History professor Jim Oberly and UWEC Political Science professor Geoff Peterson who study elections and historical patterns.
October 28, 2008: The final fall election forum features candidates from the 10th Senate district that's next to the Minnesota border. Senator Sheila Harsdorf-R and Alison Page-D are both from River Falls.
October 27, 2008: This fall election forum features candidates from the 93rd Assembly district. Representative Jeff Smith-D and Darcy Fields-R, both from Eau Claire.
October 21, 2008: This fall election forum features candidates from the 68th Assembly district. Representative Terry Moulton-R from Chippewa Falls and Kristen Dexter-D from Altoona.
October 20, 2008: This fall election forum features candidates from the 92nd Assembly district. Those running for this open seat held by retiring Representative Terry Musser-R are Dan Hellman-R from Sparta and Mark Radcliffe-D from Black River Falls.
October 14, 2008: This fall election forum features candidates from the 91st Assembly district. This is an open seat held by retiring Representative Barbara Gronemus-D. Guests include Chris Danou-D from Trempealeau, Dave Hegenbarth-R from Galesville, and Paul Beseler-I from Ettrick. We did not hear from Ted Burleson-L from Fountain City for this program.
October 13, 2008: This fall election forum features candidates from the 69th Assembly district. Representative Scott Suder-R from Abbotsford and Tim Swiggum-D from Owen.
October 7, 2008: This fall election forum features candidates from the 29th Assembly district -- Representative John Murtha-R from Baldwin and Chris Buckel-D from Hammond. We did not hear from Craig Mohn-L from Woodville for this program.
October 6, 2008: This fall election forum features candidates from the 28th Assembly district. Representative Ann Hraychuck-D from Balsam Lake and Kent Muschinske-R from Dresser.
September 30, 2008: Our election forum features candidates from the 30th Assembly district. Representative Kitty Rhoades-R and Sarah Bruch-D, both from Hudson.
September 29, 2008: This fall election forum features candidates from the 87th Assembly district. Representative Mary Williams-R from Medford and Judy Reas-D from Park Falls.
September 23, 2008:The fall election forums begin with candidates in an interesting contest in the 67th Assembly District. Incumbent Representative Jeff Wood from Bloomer decided to leave the republican party and run as an independent. But republicans found a candidate, Don Moga-R from Jim Falls who will be on the ballot after a successful, primary election write-in campaign.
September 22, 2008: The proposed new Eau Claire County jail is back to square one after opposition put the current plan to build in jeopardy. Now a new 15-member committee has been formed to evaluate the options. Guests include the Committee Chair, Colleen Bates and Vice Chair, Will Fantle. For more information go to www.co.eau-claire.wi.us/Construction.htm
September 16, 2008: How does a city develop its downtown so that businesses and shoppers are drawn there? Perspectives from Mike Schatz, Executive Director of Downtown Eau Claire, Inc.; Geoff Moeding is the developer of the Phoenix Parkside Neighborhood. Lorraine Dixon is owner of Cadeaux and a winner of the Jump-Start Downtown competition. For the website go to: www.downtown-eauclaire.com/
September 15, 2008: How will community television stations fare on cable networks and what you need to know to be ready for DTV. Guests include Joel Desprez, Executive Director of Community Television; and Andrew Felix, Promotions and Creative Services Manager at WEAU-TV. He hosts WEAU's Technology Spot, Friday at 10 a.m.
September 9, 2008:The West Side Outside focuses on fall hunting, and confusion over which roads into national forests will be closed. Guests include the Leader Telegram's Getting Out editor, Joe Knight and producer/host of the TV program Northland Adventures, Dave Carlson. Joining them is Kris Belling with the Department of Natural Resources Western Region Wildlife Management Supervisor and Tony Erba, Deputy Forest Supervisor in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.
September 8, 2008: This primary election forum features 2 democratic candidates in the 29th Assembly District. Chris Buckel from Hammond will face L. John Peters from Menomonie in the September 9th primary. One of them will face Representative John Murtha-R in November.
September 2, 2008: This primary election forum features 2 republican candidates in the 93rd Assembly District. They include Darcy Fields of Eau Claire who will face John Scheiss of Eau Claire in the September 9th primary. One of them will face Representative Jeff Smith-D in November.
August 26, 2008:This primary election forum features 2 republican candidates in the 91st Assembly District. David Anderson from Whitehall will face Dave Hegenbarth from Galesville in the September 9 election. The seat has been held by retiring Representative Bobbie Gronemus-D.
August 25, 2008:The second hour with 3 democratic candidates running in the 91st Assembly district includes Marge Baecker from Independence, Remy Ceci from Pepin and James Kraft from Durand. The seat has been held by retiring Representative Bobbie Gronemus-D.
August 25, 2008:A two-hour program with 6 democratic candidates in the 91st Assembly District. This hour includes Steve Boe from Taylor, Chris Danou from Trempealeau and John Kimmel from Arcadia. The seat has been held by retiring Representative Bobbie Gronemus-D.
August 19, 2008: A primary election forum with democrats Curtis Miller from Sparta and Mark Radcliffe from Black River Falls in the 92nd Assembly District. One of them will face Dan Hellman-R from Onalaska in November. This seat has been held by retiring Representative Terry Musser-R.
August 18, 2008: This primary election forum features democrats J. Suzanne Murphy from Westboro and Judy Reas from Park Falls in the 87th Assembly district. One of them will face Representative Mary Williams-R from Medford in November.
August 12, 2008: Primary election forums for western Wisconsin begin with republicans in the 30th Assembly district -- Rep. Kitty Rhoades from Hudson and Bob Hughes from River Falls. One of them will face Sarah Bruch from Hudson.
August 11, 2008: One in four Eau Claire county residents is considered poor or low income. To find solutions a Changemakers' Summit August 15th and another one September 30th are pulling people together to tackle the problem. Guests include Catherine Emmanuellle, a displaced homemaker experiencing poverty as a single mom and university student; Julie Keown-Bomar is a UW-Extension Family Living Educator; Nancy Coffey is Chair of the Poverty Work Group in Eau Claire and Barb Arnold helped write the Clear Vision strategic plan for the City of Eau Claire.
August 5, 2008: Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire has committed 10% of its food budget to buying some local food. It's all part of the Chippewa Valley Buy Local Consortium that received a grant to hire a coordinator. Guests include Rick Beckler, Director of Hospitality Services at Sacred Heart; Rich Purdy is President of the 12 county River Country RC&D and Julie Maro co-owns Coon Creek Family farm in Mondovi which sells products to Sacred Heart.
August 4, 2008: Hunger - those who don't know where their next meal will come from appreciate the Community Table in Eau Claire. The homeless, those with/without a job or those with mental illness make up the hundreds who partake each week. The Table has to move and needs help as rent is going from a dollar a year to $2,500 a month. Guests include Director, Nadine Jentzsch, Co-President of the Board, Laurie Bieze and Community Table users, musician Daniel Korn and artist Justin Dancing Hawk.
July 29, 2008: The efforts of hundreds over the past year to determine what the Greater Eau Claire community should look like in 2020 has culminated in the new Clear Vision Eau Claire report. Key members of strategic planning committees join us. Craig Carlson is co-chair of the Quality of Life Committee; Brent Hafele is co-chair of the Health Committee and Jeremy Gragert co-chaired the Transportation Committee.
July 28, 2008: Jails - most wish they weren't necessary but they fill up anyway and need replacement. That's the crossroads Eau Claire county is at. Some want more emphasis on alternatives to incarceration. Guests include Maureen Slauson, Eau Claire County board member and former high school counselor. Joining her is Captain of the Eau Claire County Jail, Dan Bresina.
July 22, 2008: The September primary candidates are now official. We have some analysis of upcoming elections in western Wisconsin from reporters Rod Stetzer with the Chippewa Herald, Eric Lindquist with the Leader Telegram and Brady Bautch with Rivertowns Publications. Joining them is UW-Eau Claire Emeritus professor of political science, Mort Sipress.
July 21, 2008: The Eau Claire Baseball History Committee has plans to add to the plaza around the Hank Aaron statue in Eau Claire. 3 new groups of players will be recognized in a "Hall of Fame" manner. Find out who they are. Guests include committee members Mark Olsen, Phil Fieber, Jason Christopherson, author of "Baseball in Eau Claire", and Lou Kassera, the radio "Voice of the Eau Claire Braves" from 1955-1960.
July 15, 2008: How long can universities continue to take budget cuts before core programs are affected? UW-Eau Claire Chancellor Brian Levin-Stankevich explains the universities new Strategic Plan. He says much criticized administrative budgets include things like preparedness training for a potential campus shooting as well as required education programs that focus on problem drinking by students.
July 14, 2008: More people are biking, kayaking and canoeing. The West Side Outside journeys outdoors with regulars Joe Knight, Getting Out writer for the Leader Telegram and Dave Carlson, host and producer of the TV program Northland Adventures. Joining them are Dan Sauter, owner of Anybody's Bike Shop in Eau Claire and Paige Olson-Lackey, co-owner of Kinni-Creek Lodge and Outfitters in River Falls. Thanks to WPR's Regional Manager in LaCrosse, John Gaddo for audio of Lake Superior's shoreline.
July 8, 2008: Helping teachers understand the cultural differences of students of color might cut down the number of students who are placed in special education. UW-Eau Claire has a grant to help current and prospective classroom teachers improve their cultural competency. UWEC Associate Dean of Teacher Education, Dwight C. Watson is author of the 3 year grant and our guest.
July 7, 2008: The first Northwest Wisconsin Sustainable Energy Fair is in Rusk County. Organizer Cader Olive lives at the Full Circle Natural Awareness and Learning Center near Glen Flora. Joining him on the program are his son, Weylin Olive who's employed in an urban setting and wants to focus on sustainable living. Zeus Stark is owner of Next Step Energy in Eau Claire.
July 1, 2008:The National Disaster Relief Fund of the Red Cross is out of money. How does that affect the Chippewa Valley when disaster strikes? Kyl Kriegl is Executive Director of the 12-county Chippewa Valley Chapter of the Red Cross. John Lee is Emergency Services Director.
June 30, 2008: A new smoking ban is in effect in the City of Eau Claire as of July 1. Eau Claire City-County Health Department director, Richard Thoune explains the rule and any wrinkles. So does unhappy bar owner, Norman Dodge who owns the Do Dodge Inn.
June 24, 2008: With international attention on the price of oil, a western Wisconsin group wants local governments to start thinking about how to do business with less reliance on oil. Members of the West Wisconsin Peak Oil Alliance explain their mission. UW-Stout professor Bob Salt is Chair of the group. Peter Kilde is a member and is Executive Director of West Cap, a community action agency. The Peak Oil website they use is at:
http://1ness.org/sustainabledunn/peakoillinks.htm
June 23, 2008:The new part of Family Care is designed to expand work options for people with disabilities. Our guest is Tim Sheehan, Executive Director of the Center for Independent Living in Menomonie. He is on the state wide Managed Care and Employment Task Force that's replacing the current 'sub-minimum wage in a segregated environment' situation with 'integrated employment' at a competitive wage. Tim works in an integrated workplace with the use of a wheelchair.
June 17, 2008: The historic price of corn has ethanol producers wondering what the future holds. A renewable energy alternatives discussion with Bob Sather, Chairman of the Board of Ace Ethanol in Stanley; Andrew Dane is a Community Development Agent with UW-Extension in Barron and Chippewa Counties; Tim Baye is a UW-Extension Professor of Business Development, specializing in renewable energy.
June 16, 2008: The Westside Outside - northern Wisconsin tourism perspective with Harold Treeland, co-owner of Treeland Resorts; live update from Jay Thurston, the 75 year old who's on a 486 mile canoe trip down the Wisconsin River; bear specialist Mike Gappa explains new numbers that show bear population is twice previous numbers. Treeland says bears are regular visitors. Joining them are regulars Joe Knight with the Leader Telegram and Dave Carlson with the television program, Northland Adventures.
June 10, 2008: Are too many people going to jail in Eau Claire county? A national assessment of the situation is in the hands of the Criminal Justice Collaborating Council. Guests include Reserve Judge Tom Barland and Gena Jarr, Regional Chief for the Northwestern Region of the Dept. of Correction's Division of Community Corrections - both are members of the Council. Paul Kaldjian is a UW-Eau Claire professor of Geography whose students created maps for a jail site.
June 9, 2008: Party leaders can be harsh on members of the legislature. Some western Wisconsin lawmakers who've each served more than 25 years are not running this fall. Representatives Terry Musser-R from Black River Falls and Representative Bobbie Gronemus-D from Whitehall talk about why. Also an update on flooding in west central Wisconsin.
June 3, 2008: What can regional people do help find peace between Israel and Palestine? Two of them recently went to both countries with the Interfaith Peace-Builders. Cathy Sultan and Jason Hicks from Eau Claire talk about their two-week trip around the conflict zone. Re-broadcast from April 29, 2008.
June 2, 2008: Does the lower Chippewa River have untapped economic value or is it meant to be left alone and protected. Author and Mississippi River rat Ken Salwey is among the 7 guests. Re-broadcast from April 8, 2008.
May 27, 2008:The challenges of providing and funding a safe place for young people to learn and grow. Guests include: Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Greater Chippewa Valley, Sara Antonson; Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Barron County; Ryan Scheel; 6th grader Myranda from Rice Lake and Eau Claire high school junior, Alex.
May 20, 2008: Regional lawmakers talk about the state budget and other issues. Senator Kathleen Vinehout-D from Alma and Representative Jeff Wood-R from Chippewa Falls are the guests.
May 19, 2008: Horseradish and the challenge of manufacturing in western Wisconsin with Pat Lehman, Plant Manager at Silver Springs Gardens; Frank Borg, Marketing and Public Relations Manager for the Northwest Wisconsin Manufacturing Outreach Center at UW-Stout; UW-Eau Claire Economics Professor, Tom Kemp; and Joni Geroux, Marketing and conference planner for NWMOC's May 21 conference. Web site is http://nwmoc.uwstout.edu
May 13, 2008: The desire to live in a "green" community has some cities looking at "The Natural Step" approach to sustainable living. Guests include Kelly Cain, Director of the St. Croix Institute for Sustainable Community Development and the Mayor of River Falls, Don Richards. Website: http://www.uwrf.edu/sustain/
May 12, 2008: The West Side Outside features the economic and philosophical benefits of fishing plus a few energy saving tips for the outdoors. Guests include Joe Knight, the Leader Telegram's Outdoors writer and Dave Carlson, host and producer of Northland Adventures. Also Dennis Vanden Bloomen, a DNR angler education instructor who teaches people with disabilities how to fish and Dave Reit who has started a fishing club for kids.
May 6, 2008: Campus counselors are concerned about a rise in depression and the number of those who've "seriously considered attempting suicide". Guests include Alice Reilly-Myklebust, Director of Student Health Services at UW-River Falls; Jennifer Elsesser is a Student Health Counselor at UWRF; Dick Trende is Director of Public Safety at UWRF; Bill Platz, M.D. is a psychiatrist at the River Falls Medical Clinic; John Achter is Director of the Counseling Center at UW-Stout.
May 5, 2008: A new UW-Eau Claire study looks at the complication of friendships between men and women. Psychology Professor April Bleske-Rechek pioneered research that suggests sexual attraction plays a role in friendships that often leads to trouble. Religion and politics play key roles in relationship longevity. Joining are UWEC psychology majors Cierra Mickey, Jon Baker and Sarah Tillman.
April 29, 2008: What can regional people do help find peace between Israel and Palestine? Two of them recently went to both countries with the Interfaith Peace-Builders. Cathy Sultan and Jason Hicks from Eau Claire talk about their two-week trip around the conflict zone.
April 28, 2008: Q & A with regional lawmakers. Guests include Representative Terry Moulton-R from Chippewa Falls and Representative Ann Hraychuck-D from Balsam Lake.
April 22, 2008: On Earth Day we take an in-depth look at learning through nature with students from the Wildlands School, headquartered at Beaver Creek Reserve. The Augusta charter school for grades 7-12 is now three years old. Guests include Science teacher, Liz Seubert; High school senior, Mike Kortness; Middle school students Esau Casetta, Erin Arneson and Dan Wiersgalla; and parent, Page Wiersgalla.
April 21, 2008: What's happening in a college classroom when prospective teachers in a methods class call it a fantastic experience? Guests from UW-Eau Claire explain why it makes sense for education professors to team teach students from different subject areas at the same time. The university is the first in the state to do this. Guests include UWEC education professors, Sue McIntyre, Mickey Kolis and Deborah Pattee; Sarah Larson is a Music Education major and Brendon Hertz is an English Education major.
April 15, 2008: Not only is the sky not falling but it's one of the best times in history to buy a home in western Wisconsin says Tom Mihajlov, Executive in residence in UW-Eau Claire's Department of Accounting and Finance. He's also the former president of S & C Bank in Eau Claire.
April 14, 2008: Wolves, deer and forests - issues before the evening's Conservation Congress meetings around the state. The West Side-Outside guests include the Eau Claire Leader Telegram's outdoors writer, Joe Knight; Northland Adventures producer and host, Dave Carlson; Doug Burrows, Conservation Congress delegate; Alice Droske, volunteer carnivore tracker for the DNR; Jess Edberg with the International Wolf Center in Ely, Minnesota.
April 8, 2008: Does the lower Chippewa River have untapped economic value or is it meant to be left alone and protected. Author and Mississippi River rat Ken Salwey is among the 7 guests.
April 7, 2008: The 40th Anniversary of the St. Croix River's designation as a Wild and Scenic river. Guests include river historian Jim Harrison; St. Croix Riverway Park Ranger, Dale Cox; Wisconsin DNR West Central Region Lakes Specialist, Buzz Sorge.
April 1, 2008: Will your favorite plants survive under several feet of snow in western Wisconsin? Pierce and St. Croix County Horticulturist Diana Alfuth gets us ready for the mystery of spring. Why is gardening the number one form of recreation and such a healing force? She also talks about when to rake a squishy yard, why treat crab grass differently than quack grass and what about weeds in the asparagus and iris patch.
March 31, 2008: Where women in business turn for help in western Wisconsin. Guests include Renee Walz, Director of Business Development for Western Dairyland Community Action Agency; Karman Briggs is E-Commerce Site Manager for Western Dairyland; Kay Van de Loo owns 2 businesses in Eau Claire; and for perspective on Western Dairyland's beginnings during the 1964 War on Poverty, Communication Director, Dale Karls joins us.
March 25, 2008: Voters April 1 will decide whether to put an end to the way Governors can veto parts of a budget bill. The so-called "Frankenstein veto" allows stringing random letters and words together to create new sentences that can change program funding. Guests include author of the legislation, Senator Sheila Harsdorf-R from River Falls; Senator Pat Kreitlow-D from Chippewa Falls; and Emeritus Professor of Political Science, Mort Sipress. We'll also get reaction to the Senate's approval of a budget repair bill.
March 24, 2008: The proposed smoking ban for Eau Claire. If adopted the city would become the third in Wisconsin to ban smoking in all city taverns and other workplaces. Guests include City Council President, Dave Adler; co-author of the proposal and city council member, Dave Duax; David Lamb is Board Chair of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 305 and manager of the VFW post bar.
March 18, 2008: The new BadgerCare Plus program is designed to provide health insurance for all children and certain other groups. There's been lots of confusion about how the program works and what it costs. Guests include Pat Perkins, a Health Benefit Specialist with the Eau Claire City-County Health Department. Linda Struck is Employment and Economic Resource Team Supervisor for Eau Claire County. Mike Rust is a child advocate and manager in Polk County for ABC for Rural Health.
March 17, 2008: The West Side Outside with the Leader Telegram's Joe Knight and Northland Adventures producer and host, Dave Carlson. Fishing and dogsledding stories. Plus the latest on Chronic Wasting Disease management hearings. Stanley resident, Al Brown is a member of the Stakeholder Advisory Group on CWD.
March 11, 2008: The angst behind funding schools - is there a better way? Tim Sivertson is Elk Mound School Board President and he's also President of the Wisconsin Association of School Boards - Region 4. Kerry Jacobson is superintendent of the Osseo-Fairchild School District. Tom Beebe is Executive Director of Wisconsin Alliance for Excellent Schools.
March 10, 2008: Should more universities and technical colleges outsource student e-mail to private companies such as Google and Microsoft? Former Chippewa Valley Technical College trustee, Jim Kreilich says yes. Other guests include Bruce Mathew, Director of Computing at Western Technical College in LaCrosse. Craig Mey is Director of Learning and Technology Services at UW-Eau Claire. Aaron Brewster is student Chair of the Information Technology Commission at UWEC. William Larsen is with WatchGuard Technologies in Menomonie.
March 4, 2008:Insight into the philosophy behind a western Wisconsin polytechnic university. UW-Stout Chancellor Charles Sorensen does a first year evaluation. Joining him is Forrest Schultz, chairman of Stout's polytechnic steering committee and chairman of the chemistry department.
March 3, 2008: The philosophy of living "Life to the Fullest" espoused by Rev. John Heagle, Co-founder of Therapy and Renewal Associates in Portland, Oregon. He's the keynote speaker at Senior American's Day March 18th in Eau Claire. He was the former pastor at St. Patrick's Parish in Eau Claire. Amy Segerstrom is with Sacred Heart Hospital's Healing Place and the Ink Spillers Writers Group. Diane Rhein has been on the Senior Americans Day committee for 20 years - she's the Regional Planner for Age Advantage, Area Agency on Aging in Eau Claire.
February 26, 2008: (Repeated from 10/01/2007) Those with a mental illness know the challenges of overcoming its stigma. Guests are from The Wellness Shack in Eau Claire - an advocacy group for people in mental health recovery. President Omar Nelson, board member Nora Bates and Grassroots Empowerment Project spokesperson Carmen Cerna have a frank discussion about their own personal experience with mental illness and why a recovery program can be life saving. Re-broadcast from 10-1-07.
February 25, 2008: (Repeated from 02/25/2007) Negro League Baseball. Dennis Biddle says he played with the league. He's written about it in "Secrets of the Negro Baseball League: As Told by Dennis Biddle". Eau Claire Professor Mark Clark is an avid baseball fan and author; Jason Christopherson is a member of the Eau Claire Baseball History Committee and author of "Baseball in Eau Claire." Re-broadcast from 2-12-07.
February 19, 2008: Primary election day - some history behind our state's process with UW-Eau Claire History Professor Jim Oberly and Emeritus Journalism Professor Henry Lippold.
February 12, 2008: Wisconsin's Presidential primary is a week away. Will young people get involved? What are older people saying? Perspectives from UW-Stout history and government professor Alec Kirby. Tom Burton and Bobbie Hamill are with UW-Eau Claire's College Republicans. Independent voter Adam Raddatz is a UW-Stout student. Merrill resident Melissa Schroeder is a Democratic National Committee super delegate.
February 11, 2008: The West Side Outside - a couple of those planning to ski the 35th American Birkebeiner share their love for winter sports. Guests include the Leader Telegram's Joe Knight; Northland Adventures host and producer Dave Carlson. Retired forestry professor John Kotar has skied all 34 Birkie races and recalls stories from many of them. Chris Hennum is composer of the Birkie Fever music.
February 5, 2008: Regional lawmakers continue the discussion of how to get ready for a downturn in Wisconsin's economy. Topics include a budget repair bill, renewable fuels and other issues. Guests are Senator Pat Kreitlow-D from Chippewa Falls and Representative Scott Suder-R from Abbottsford who's a member of the Joint Committee on Finance.
February 4, 2008: Lawmakers spell out their goals for the few remaining days they'll be in session before campaign season. Guests include Rep. Jeff Smith-D from Eau Claire, Rep. Jeff Wood-R from Chippewa Falls. Rep. Jon Richards-D from Milwaukee, Assistant Minority Leader.
January 29, 2008: How vulnerable is your business to Internet intrusions such as spam, botnets and possible business interruption? An internet security conference is coming up Feb. 7-8 in Rice Lake. Guests include CEO and President of DCS Netlink in Rice Lake. Bill Larsen is a Sales Engineer in Menomonie for the North Central region of Watchguard Technologies. Michael Berman is Chief Technology Officer with Catbird Networks in Scotts Valley, CA. Conference link is http://intersec.dcsnetlink.com/
January 28, 2008: Who's managing health and long term care for the frail elderly and physically disabled adults in western and northwestern Wisconsin? Public or private organizations? Guests include Director of Development for the 5-county Community Health Partnership in Eau Claire, Paul Cook; Rick Sommerfeld is Developmental Disabilities Coordinator for CHP; Dave Rynders is Chippewa County's Director of the Department of Human Services; John McMahon is Development Director for the 11-county Northwest Family Care Collaborative in Spooner.
January 22, 2008: Ethics in journalism. WEAU-TV's News Director just resigned over a disagreement with station management about whether the news department should be required to run medical stories featuring Sacred Heart Hospital staff. Glen Mabie joins us as does UW-Eau Claire Emeritus Journalism Professor, David Gordon; UWEC Emeritus Journalism Professor, Henry Lippold; Editorial Page Editor for the Leader Telegram and President of the Western Wisconsin Press Club, Tom Giffey. Leader Telegram reporter, Julian Emerson joins for a segment.
January 15, 2008: The West Side Outside with Leader Telegram Outdoors reporter Joe Knight and Northland Adventures host and producer, Dave Carlson. Discussion includes why some are ignoring the new fish bait rules and should Eau Claire county ban trapping in some areas because some pets are getting caught in traps. Joining the program is John Olson, Wildlife Ecologist and specialist in trapping with the Department of Natural Resources in Ashland.
January 14, 2008: The pros and cons of collective bargaining for UW system faculty and staff. A bill to allow it is in the State Senate. Guests include co-sponsor Senator Kathleen Vinehout; Russ Stanton is Director of Government Relations in Minnesota for the InterFaculty Organization (IFO) and he's a former lawmaker; Bill Steffenhagen is President of the Academic Staff Professionals Representation organization or ASPRO; Rick Richmond from UW-Eau Claire serves on the state board of the Association of UW Professionals or TAUWP.
January 8, 2008: The new President of the Chippewa Valley Technical College, Bruce Barker outlines his vision for CVTC. Senator Sheila Harsdorf-R from River Falls is on for a segment to explain her re-drafted bill to change the way technical schools are funded.
January 7, 2008: How western Wisconsin companies can convince the Government to be a customer. Guests are working with the Wisconsin Procurement Institute. Aina Vilumsen is Director; Frank Borg is Marketing and Public Relations Manager for the Northwest Wisconsin Manufacturing Outreach Center at UW-Stout; Paul Wenaas is Program Manager for government contracts at Extrusion Dies Industries in Chippewa Falls; Dane Deutsch is CEO and President of DCS Netlink in Rice Lake. (Edited because of host's cough.) January 10th conference details at http://www.wispro.org/
December 18, 2007: How newspapers are changing to stay competitive. Our year end look at the media includes Don Huebscher, Editor of the Leader-Telegram in Eau Claire; Bob Zank is reporter and columnist for the Amery Free Press. Listen December 17, 2007: Too much hype or pragmatic planning. The behind-the-scenes organizing for a pandemic flu outbreak or other emergency in western Wisconsin. Richard Thoune is Chair of the Western Region Partnership for Public Health Preparedness and he's Director of the Eau Claire City-County health Department; Marge McFarlane is Safety Coordinator for Sacred Heart Hospital and she's the Wisconsin Hospital Emergency Preparedness Program Region 1 Chair; Steve Senor is Chair of the Dunn County Emerg. Preparedness Committee and Health Instructor at the Chippewa Valley Technical College. Listen December 11, 2007: Is ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder over diagnosed? 2 studies reveal new information. Guests include UW-Eau Claire Psychology Professor William Frankenberger; Vicki Dowell is a retired Coordinator of Special Education for Eau Claire Schools; Mort Sipress is a parent of two who used Ritalin. Listen December 10, 2007: Can homelessness be solved without government help? Hope Gospel Mission in Eau Claire is trying. Guests include Gary Steward, Executive Director; Craig Pedersen, Business Manager of Building Hope, the Bargain Center and the Auto Dealership; Jeff White is a resident in the men's shelter. Listen December 4, 2007: Medicare Part D - answers to questions that often confuse seniors from 3 benefit specialists. Mary Rudd is with the Chippewa County Department of Aging; Janet Lesniewski is with Eau Claire County Dept. of Aging; and Judy Norish is from Pepin County's Senior Services. Listen December 3, 2007: The West Side Outside - with Joe Knight and Dave Carlson. Deer hunting perspectives. And some managed forest land owners are not happy with a new plan in the state budget that makes it illegal for them to charge for recreational activities on land that gives them a tax break - others say it was time to stop large land owners from taking advantage of the forest program. Listen November 27, 2007: Chanukah and Diwali, Jews and Hindus, what do they have in common? Their "Festival of Lights" celebrations came at around the same time this year. Helaine Minkus, President of Temple Shalom and Veena Chadha, who grew up in India, talk about their religions. Listen November 26, 2007: How safe are the bridges in western Wisconsin? Guests include Tom Beekman, Planning and Program Chief for the Department of Transportation's Northwest Region; Gary Brunner is the Northwest Operations Chief of DOT; UW-Stout Professor Joseph Wright is Program Director for the Construction program and is a structural engineer. Listen November 20, 2007: When poor countries can't provide basic services like eye care and glasses - churches take on the challenge. Members of Central Lutheran Church in Chippewa Falls have gathered more than 10,000 pair of glasses to send to the African country, Malawi. Guests who explain this project and other 'people-helping people' efforts include Dr. Lon Arneson, optometrist; Central's Senior Pastor Rick Hoyme; Bishop Duane Pederson with the ECLA's Northwest Synod; and Diane Kaufman, Companion Synod Coordinator - she's been to Malawi a dozen times. Listen November 19, 2007: The long term consequences of budget shortages at the county level. Jackson County has shut down services at times when money is short. County Board Chair Steve Dickensen and Director of the Wisconsin Counties Association, Mark O'Connell talk about a new group that's formed to look for solutions - the Wisconsin Way. Listen November 13, 2007: Those for and against a statewide smoking ban share their perspectives. Sally Jo Birtzer is a State Director of the Tavern League for 11 counties in western Wisconsin. Richard Thoune is Director of the Eau Claire City-County Health Department. Listen November 12, 2007: Should Eau Claire county have a Mental Health Court to provide alternatives to incarceration? The county board decides whether to run a pilot program. Guests include Eau Claire County Circuit Judge Paul Lenz; Director of the Eau Claire County Dept. of Human Resoures, Roy Sargeant; and Cynthia Paulson, mother of a mentally ill 22 year old who's been in and out of jail since she was 14. Listen November 5, 2007: The West Side Outside focuses this month on deer hunting, the Stewardship fund and eagle migration. Guests include Joe Knight, environmental reporter for the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram and Duke Welter, Secretary of the Natural Resources Board and Eau Claire attorney. Mary Beth Garrigan from the National Eagle Center near Wabasha talks about one raptor's recovery - 'Harriet' - who's perched on her arm. Listen October 30, 2007: Some are not happy the Music Therapy program at UW-Eau Claire may be eliminated. Guests include Program Director, Lee Anna Rasar; student Mandy Alvar; and the Director of Syverson Lutheran Nursing Home in Eau Claire, Randy Rennock. Listen October 29, 2007: The challenges of family caregiving. Guests include Mary Pierce, caregiver and Eau Claire author of “When Did My Life Become a Game of Twister"; Nancy Abrahamson, St. Croix County Dept. on Aging; Karren Gunderlach with the Alzheimer's Association in Eau Claire; and Dianne Rhein with Age AdvantAge Area Agency on Aging in Altoona. Listen October 23, 2007: Evolution - the Chippewa Valley Dialogue on Science and Religion invited evolutionary scientist and Brown University professor, Kenneth Miller to the UW-Eau Claire campus. He talks with us about why he is a firm believer in evolution but also believes in God. He is author of the most widely used high school biology textbook and "Finding Darwin's God: A Scientist's Search for Common Ground between God and Evolution". Joining him is UWEC Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Charlene Burns. Physics & philosophy major John Rohde and english literature major Buckley Cloud add the student perspective. Listen October 22, 2007: How will western Wisconsin grow economically, retain talented people and compete with other regions of the state? That's the challenge for Momentum Chippewa Valley which may expand from 4 to 9 counties. Guests include Momentum CV Director Mike Armstrong; Bill Rubin, Executive Director of the St. Croix Economic Development Corporation; and Bob Meyer, Director of the Stout Technology Transfer Institute. Listen October 16, 2007: Regional lawmakers with the latest on the overdue state budget. Senator Pat Kreitlow-D from Chippewa Falls, Senator Sheila Harsdorf-R from River Falls, Representative Jeff Wood-R from Chippewa Falls, Representative Jeff Smith-D from Eau Claire. Listen October 15, 2007: Why are fewer men going to college? It's a troubling issue that the Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Services at UW-River Falls is studying...Alan Tuchtenhagen also talks about whether the new UW holistics admissions policy will change the gender disparity. Listen October 9, 2007: Is it up to government to solve hunger and poverty problems or can private organizations fill the gap. Guests include Julie McNaughton with Menomonie Area Bread for the World, Craig Adams with the Farmer to Farmer organization in Glenwood City, Christine Cheevers with Interfaith Volunteers of Dunn County and Deborah Bappert who knows firsthand about being homeless with children. Listen October 8, 2007: A bill that ensures rape victims receive information about emergency contraception at a hospital has passed in the State Senate but is stuck in the Assembly. Those for and against the plan talk about it. Matt Sande is director of legislation for Pro-Life Wisconsin, Stephanie Erickson is a Case Manager at the Bolton Refuge House in Eau Claire, Sara Finger is Director of the Wisconsin Alliance for Women's Health. Listen October 2, 2007: The West Side Outside looks at the contribution of sportsmen to the economy. Representative Ron Kind shares his ways to get more kids outdoors with archery classes. In the second half, concerns about the woodcock's habitat with DNR wildlife researcher Larry Gregg. Regular guests include the Leader Telegram's environmental reporter, Joe Knight and Dave Carlson, host and producer of the television program, Northland Adventures. Listen October 1, 2007: Those with a mental illness know the challenges of overcoming its stigma. Guests are from The Wellness Shack, an advocacy group for people in mental health recovery. President Omar Nelson, board member Nora Bates and Grassroots Empowerment Project spokesperson Carmen Cerna have a frank discussion about their own personal experience with mental illness and why a support group can be life saving. Listen September 25, 2007: Angelspace will be a home in Eau Claire for the terminally ill and their families to share the last moments together. Guests include grassroots organizer Sharon Stokes, oncologist Dr. Dean Delmastro, and Sue Rogge. An update to this program that aired in January - Sharon Stokes passed away September 12, still hoping Angelspace would become a reality. Listen September 24, 2007: The health care proposal called Healthy Wisconsin - does it have a chance of becoming state law or is it too expensive. Guests include Senator Kathleen Vinehout, sponsor of the plan to cover all state residents. Opposing the plan is Chris Lokken, President of the North Central Chapter of Insurance Underwriters. Dean Kallenbach, Host. Listen September 18, 2007: Ok - so you're tired of the garden and lawn care. But there's still fall work to do. UW-Extension Horticulturist Tom Kalb from Eau Claire has a to-do list. Dean Kallenbach, Host. Listen September 17, 2007: Regional lawmakers and the state budget. Rep. Mary Hubler-D from Rice Lake and Rep. Jeff Wood-R from Chippewa Falls explain their views. Wood was the only republican to vote against his own party's budget proposal. Dean Kallenbach, Host. Listen September 11, 2007: An elaborate network of people in western Wisconsin intercept perfectly good food often headed to a landfill and get it to those in need of food. Guests include Emily Moore, Executive Director of Feed My People food bank; Michelle Gribble, Director of the St. Francis Food Pantry; Nancy Coffee, a UW-Extension Nutrition Education Program Coordinator and a recipient of food describes what that feels like. Re-broadcast from June 4, 2007. Listen September 10, 2007: An urban village in downtown Eau Claire - what it will look like once Minneapolis developers finish a revitalization project. Guests include Mike Schatz, Economic Development Administrator for Downtown Eau Claire, developer Geoff Moeding and Michael Huggins with Volume One Magazine. Re-Broadcast from July 17, 2007. Listen September 4, 2007: The West Side Outside focuses this month on chronic wasting disease in deer and why Stanley resident, Al Brown is worried. He's a member of the Stakeholder Advisory Group on CWD. Joining him are Joe Knight, environmental reporter for the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram and Dave Carlson, host and producer of the television program, Northland Adventures. Listen August 28, 2007: Farmers in western Wisconsin are waiting to see what the final 2007 Federal Farm Bill will look like. Guests include Sue Beitlich, President of the Wisconsin Farmers' Union and dairy farmer from Stoddard; Jim Holte is a Wisconsin Farm Bureau board member and beef producer from Elk Mound. Listen August 27, 2007: UW-Eau Claire Chancellor Brian Levin-Stankevich talks about the state budget cloud looming over UWEC, and a new business-oriented vision for the university. Listen August 21,2007: Chippewa Valley Technical College President, Bill Ihlenfeldt explains program changes and budget challenges. Listen August 20,2007: UW campus safety after the killings at Virginia Tech in April. Guests include the Governor's Task Force on Campus Security co-chair Roger Leque, who is the River Falls Police chief; Dick Trende is the director of public safety at UW-River Falls; and Blake Fry is special assistant to the chancellor and is overseeing emergency planning at UWRF. Listen August 14,2007: Regional lawmakers talk about the state budget. Guests are Representative John Murtha-R from Baldwin and Representative Ann Hraychuck-D from Balsam Lake. Listen August 13,2007: Regional lawmakers talk about the state budget. Guests are Senator Pat Kreitlow-D from Chippewa Falls and Representative Scott Suder-R from Abbotsford. Listen August 7,2007: The controversial Senate health care plan called Healthy Wisconsin. Perspectives on the proposal from two Chippewa Valley business owners -- Representative Jeff Smith-D, owner of Bob Smith Window Cleaning in Eau Claire and Representative Terry Moulton-R, owner of Mouldy's Archery and Tackle near Chippewa Falls. Listen August 6,2007: Genocide in Darfur - a local fundraiser in Eau Claire is designed to benefit the region. Guests include organizer Eric Anderson and Senator Sheila Harsdorf-R whose legislation requires state officials to divest from companies that provide income to the government of Sudan. Sachin Chheda is leading the Darfur Action Coalition of Wisconsin. Listen July 31,2007: Bullying is not only a problem on the playground but now cyberbullying is happening through a computer or cell phone. UW-Eau Claire professor Justin Patchin has done pioneering research on this issue. Joining him is Jake Schoeder, Secondary Technology Support Specialist with the Eau Claire Area School District. Recent high school graduate Caitlin O'Brien shares her experience with a social network. Listen July 30, 2007: Are bird species being threatened? The West Side Outside program features birding expert and author, Laura Erickson from Duluth. She joins regular guests Joe Knight, environmental reporter for the Leader Telegram and Dave Carlson, producer and host of the TV program, Northland Adventures. Listen July 24, 2007 Lawmakers talk about the state budget. Scheduled guest include Representative Terry Musser-R and Representative Barbara Gronemus-D, who recently announced she won't run again after serving since 1982. Listen July 23, 2007 The new Korean War Tribute at the Highground Veterans Memorial Park near Neillsville. Guests include Kirk Rodman, Highground general manager and Korean-Era veteran; Bob Bertz is also a Korean Veteran and Beth Martin, a Vietnam Era veteran who serves on the Korean Tribute committee. Listen July 17, 2007 Will downtown Eau Claire be a new urban village once Minneapolis developers finish a revitalization project? Guests include Mike Schatz, Economic Development Administrator for Downtown Eau Claire, developer Geoff Moeding and Michael Huggins with Volume One magazine. Listen July 16, 2007 How to get more budding entrepreneurs in western Wisconsin. Guests include Pat Dillon, NW Regional Director of the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Network, Pete Marsnik, founder of Clearwater Systems and Manager of the Chippewa Valley Angel Network and Dale Lotts, President of Knight Rider Consulting. Listen July 10, 2007 Can Wisconsin become energy independent by relying more on ethanol production? Representative Jeff Wood-R and Senator Bob Jauch-D join State Secretary of Ag, Trade and Consumer Protection, Rod Nilsestuen to talk about ways the state might become energy independent. Listen July 9, 2007 The rural landscape of western Wisconsin that so many people love. Is it getting loved to death? Guests include Dunn County Land Conservationist Jim Forster and Michelle Dingwall with West Wisconsin Land Trust. Joining at the last minute was Scott Humrickhouse, Director of the West Central region of the Department of Natural Resources in Eau Claire. He spoke about the overnight death of the department's Public Affairs Officer, Dave Weitz. Listen July 3, 2007 A re-broadcast of the April 10 program on Arbor Place, an organization with a grant to educate students about drinking. Listen July 2, 2007 A re-broadcast of the May 1 program on manufacturing in western Wisconsin. Listen June 26, 2007 Proposed changes in immigration law could affect western Wisconsin as owners of large farms and Christmas tree growers rely on Mexican workers. Among the guests are John Ahl, a partner in Northern Christmas Trees & Nursery near Black River Falls. He uses migrant workers. Stratford organic dairy farmer Jim Greenberg does not. Vicki Seltun is an Eau Claire attorney who specializes in immigration law. Listen June 25, 2007 It's the West Side Outside program with Northland Adventures TV host Dave Carlson and the Leader Telegram's outdoors writer Joe Knight. Joining them is now famous Eau Claire turkey caller, Scott Wilhelm. Woven into the discussion is the philosophy of Richard Louv, author of the book "Last Child in the Woods." Listen June 19, 2007 The Eau Claire County Board votes on whether to build a new jail and courts building. We'll hear three different perspectives from County Board Vice Chair Colleen Bates, board member Stella Pagonis and Circuit Court Judge Paul Lenz. Listen June 18, 2007 The Community Visioning process, an effort underway to shape the future of Dunn County by attracting new leadership, population diversity, improving technology education, Twin Cities sprawl and 16 other regional features. Listen June 12, 2007 What's changed at the Northwest Guidance and Counseling Clinic in Rice Lake in the year since the clinic was found guilty of negligent abuse of a resident in the death of a 7 year old girl. Guests include Denison Tucker, president of the company's board of directors and Rick Pelishek, regional director of Wisconsin Family Ties and disability Rights Wisconsin. Otis Woods is Administrator of the Division of Quality Assurance and Joyce Allen is Director of the Bureau of Mental Health and Substance Abuse. Listen June 11, 2007 The Slow Food movement. Guests include Andrew Dane, Community Development agent for Chippewa and Barron Counties; Nathan Berg, chef/owner of Native bay restaurant and Maurice and Gail Smith, owners of Dragsmith Farms near Barron. Listen June 5, 2007 The effect on lakes of phosphorus from fertilizer, feed and manure run-off. Guests include Paul LaLiberte, a Department of Natural Resources Basin Supervisor, Buzz Sorge, a DNR Lakes Specialist and Jerry Clark a crop and soil education specialist with UW-Extension. Listen June 4, 2007 An elaborate network of people in western Wisconsin intercept perfectly good food often headed to a landfill and get it to those in need of food. Our program on the growing problem of hunger includes Emily Moore, Executive Director of Feed My People food bank; Michelle Gribble, Director of the St. Francis Food Pantry; and Nancy Coffee, a UW-Extension Nutrition Education Program Coordinator. Listen May 29, 2007 The Outdoors program with Joe Knight, the Leader Telegram's outdoors writer and Dave Carlson, host and producer of the television program Northland Adventures. The latest on the virus which causes anemia and bleeding in fish, Joe describes how to tie a "pink squirrel" fly and new hiking trails in Pepin County. Listen May 22, 2007 The new Child Advocacy Center, a child friendly environment where children who are victims of sexual and physical abuse are interviewed by a specially trained investigator. Program Director Marnie Hersrud and Forensics Interviewer Marcia Roberts explain the team approach used by law enforcement and mental health specialists to investigate cases of suspected child abuse. Listen May 21, 2007: The success and future expansion of Service Learning projects in Eau Claire. Guests include the Service Learning Grant Coordinator Hjordy Wagner, students Jonah Zabel and Erica Nance and teachers Jennifer Birkholz and Mary Oehler. Listen May 15, 2007 UW-River Falls' plans to reduce dependence on traditional sources of energy. Guests include Chancellor Don Betz, science professor Kelly Cain, graduate student Eric Wickstrom and Anastasia Shartin of the Phipps Center for the Arts. Listen May 14, 2007 State Senator Kathleen Vinehout-D from Alma talks about the upcoming budget, the Governor's veto power, school funding, ag issues, health care and other legislation. Listen May 7, 2007 UW-River Falls Chancellor Don Betz talks about the American Democracy Project, the initiative designed to give university students a reason to become involved in local community activities. Joining him is Assistant to the Chancellor Blake Fry, student Katie Leisch and Jill Shannon from the St Croix Valley Community Foundation. Listen May 1, 2007: Manufacturing in western Wisconsin. Guests include Bob Meyer, Dean of the College of Technology, Engineering and Manufacturing at UW-Stout and Dan Conroy, Human Resources Manager with the Nexen Group. Listen April 30, 2007 Fishing is the main topic of this month's Outdoors program with Joe Knight, the Leader Telegram's outdoors writer and Dave Carlson, host and producer of the television program Northland Adventures. Listen April 24, 2007 The spirituality, wisdom and life principles of Tony DePerry, an elder of the Northwestern Ontario Ojibwe. He conducts sweat lodge ceremonies and teaches about native medicines. Listen April 23, 2007 The Chippewa Valley Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals is upset that the Office & Administrative Assistant program at Chippewa Valley Technical College might be eliminated. President Cynthia Welch will join us. Listen April 17, 2007 Violence Prevention in elementary schools. Our guests talk about how a grant from the Children's Legacy organization in Eau Claire enabled a three-year project to get off the ground in the school district. Listen April 16, 2007 Executive Director of West Wisconsin Land Trust, Rick Gauger talks about finding a balance between conservationists and development specialists. Joining him will be Bill and Pat Henke who have put land in a conservation easement. Listen April 10, 2007 An organization with a grant to educate students about drinking has kicked into gear in Menomonie. We'll hear about what Arbor Place and local law enforcement are doing, including party patrols. UW-Stout students share their picture of the drinking culture. Listen April 9, 2007 UW-Eau Claire students who illegally downloaded music face fines of up to $750 per song, says the Recording Industry of American Association. Guests include students, UWEC's Chief Information Officer, Chip Eckardt and Copyright Officer, Christopher Cox. Due to technical difficulties, only the first half of the program is available. Listen April 3: How a proposed bill to create competition between cable and other video service providers might work. Those running local community government channels are not happy about the proposal. Among the guests are Joel Desprez, Executive Director of Community Television in Eau Claire, Rick Vergin, CEO of Chibardun Telephone Cooperative, Rich Eggleston is the spokesman for the Wisconsin Alliance of Cities. Listen April 2, 2007 5:00 A local horticulture expert explains how to put your gloves, rake, pruning shears and garden books to good use in western Wisconsin. Listen April 2, 2007 5:30 Congressman Ron Kind-D talks about issues in Congress - the war in Iraq, the minimum wage, small business tax cuts, earmark reform, and the democrats' plan to wield more power. Listen March 27, 2007 The monthly Outdoors program. Joe Knight outdoors writer for the Eau Claire Leader Telegram and Dave Carlson host and producer of the television program Northland Adventures look at some of the issues of the April 16th Conservation Congress and update the delisting of wolves from the endangered species list. Listen March 26, 2007 Eau Claire school district residents will vote on a $21.6 million dollar referendum April 3. Superintendent of Schools Bill Klaus and school board member Mike O'Brien will explain why the money is needed. District resident, Robert L. Carr questions how the money would be spent. John Ashley, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Association of School Boards, will talk about other schools in the region holding referendums. Listen March 20, 2007 Freshmen legislators from western Wisconsin talk about what it's like to go from running a small business to having a hand at running state government. Representative Jeff Smith-D from Eau Claire and Representative John Murtha-R from Baldwin were both elected in November. Listen March 19, 2007 Award-winning author Jane Kirkpatrick is the keynote speaker at Senior Americans' Day in Eau Claire. She joins Sylvia and Gerald Lee in a West Side discussion of how hardiness keeps one in a good position to "Live Now...Age Later." Listen March 13, 2007 Lori Scardino, a self-described single mom who'd been out of school for 10 years and didn't have much money is now among 20 college students nationwide to be named to the 2007 All-USA College Academic First Team. She's a senior chemistry and biology major at UW-Eau Claire. Her adviser and mentor, UWEC chemistry professor Scott Hartsel talks about the lab research both have been involved in. Listen March 12, 2007 An election and political behavior specialist shares his knowledge and wit with West Side listeners. UW-Eau Claire political science Professor Geoff Peterson's current projects include late night talk show politics, the causes of voter roll-off and American Indian voting. He has just been elected to serve on the Council on Undergraduate Research. Listen March 6, 2007 Why diversity is important at a predominantly white midwestern university. It often creates opportunities, but also prejudice and privilege. Guests include Joy Mighty, a professor at Queen's University in Ontario and UW-Eau Claire Computer Science professor Michael Wick who serves on the Arts and Sciences Diversity Committee. Listen March 5, 2007 Should there be legislation in Wisconsin requiring education about the Hmong? Guests include Charles Vue, Hmong/Southeast Asian Program Coordinator at UW-Eau Claire; Professor Deborah Pattee who's writing curriculum about the Hmong; and Ka Vang who works at Chippewa Valley Technical College. Listen February 27, 2007 How girls and women can get a "you go girl" attitude and stop the "I need a man" attitude. UW-Eau Claire women's studies and education professor Maureen Mack discusses her new book, "Finding Center: Strategies to Build Strong Girls and Women". Listen February 26, 2007 Our monthly Outdoors program focuses on the March 12th removal of the gray wolf from the endangered and threatened species list. Rob Stafsholt of the Wisconsin Bear Hunters' Association joins Leader Telegram Outdoors writer Joe Knight and Dave Carlson, host and producer of the television program Northland Adventures. Listen February 20, 2007 Secretary of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Rod Nilsestuen; Bloomer farmer, Steve Hilger; Ellen Denzer, Senior Planner with St. Croix County; and Rick Gauger, Executive Director of West Wisconsin Land Trust talk about ways to protect ag land from development. Listen February 19, 2007 Do regional lawmakers like the Governor's budget proposal? We'll ask Senator Pat Kreitlow-D from Eau Claire and Representative Scott Suder-R from Abbotsford. Suder serves on the legislature's budget writing committee. Listen February 13, 2007 Should there be silica sand mining on agriculture land near Hoffman Hills in Dunn County? The proposal by a Texas company has stirred up some in the community. Both sides have been invited to talk about the issue. Listen February 12, 2007 A conversation with 3 authors about Negro League Baseball. Dennis Biddle says he played with the league. He's written about it in "Secrets of the Negro Baseball League: As Told by Dennis Biddle". Mark Clark has a book in progress, and Jason Christopherson is a member of the Eau Claire Baseball History Committee and author of "Baseball in Eau Claire." Listen February 6, 2007 How is affirmative action working? Regional perspectives from Kimberly Barrett, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Development and Diversity at UW-Eau Claire and History Professor Selika Ducksworth-Lawton who teaches African American history. Listen February 5, 2007 Why does UW-Stout want the designation of Polytechnic University? The Chancellor, Dean of the College of Technology, Engineering and Management and Chemistry Professor explain. Listen January 30, 2007 How has "gender" shaped everyday life, social policy, and economics? Those issues are part of UW-Eau Claire's new undergraduate major in Women's Studies. Program Coordinator Susan Turell, and majors Amy Oldakowski and Dan McNeely describe the program. Listen January 29, 2007 Drugs that are flushed get into the sewer system and pollute lakes, rivers and even drinking water. Representative Kitty Rhoades, Joan Burns of the DNR and St. Cloud State University Professor Heiko Schoenfuss idscuss the problem in western Wisconsin. Listen January 23, 2007 A home for the terminally ill is scheduled to open in Eau Claire next month. Sharon Stokes, Dr Dean Delmastro, Sue Rogge and Linda Woods share their goals for Angelspace where patients are expected to stay about a week surrounded by family members, nursing care, music and even massage therapy. Listen January 22, 2007 The West Side-Outdoors monthly program explores several issues including ice fishing, cross country skiing, ethanol production. Our regular guests include the Eau Claire Leader Telegram's Outdoors writer Joe Knight and Northland Adventures' television host Dave Carlson. Listen January 16, 2007 How can more employers be encouraged to hire and accommodate people with disabilities? Guests include Robin Jones, Project Director and instructor at the Great Lakes ADA Center; Tim Sheehan with the Center for Independent Living; Jim Schumacher with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and DVR client Nate Johnson who has a bachelor's degree in multi media but hasn't been able to find a full-time job. Listen January 9, 2007 They're producing and using lots of biodiesel fuel in Barron County. Guests include technical school teacher Kim Odden; farmer Tom Perlick; and County Administrator Duane Hebert. Re-broadcast from 7/25/06 Listen January 8, 2007 They're turning manure into energy on a 900-cow dairy farm in Elk Mound. Guests include the owner of Five Star Dairy, Lee Jensen and those who manage the 'manure digester' and sell the electricity. Re-broadcast from 8/7/06. Listen January 2, 2007 How do national immigration policies affect local farmers in western Wisconsin? Dairy farmer John Rosenow, Shaun DuVall, the Director of Puentes in Alma, and UW-Eau Claire geography professor, Paul Kaldijan talk about the need for and challenge of hiring immigrants. Re-broadcast from 5/8/06. Listen December 19, 2006: How well did the media handle news in 2006? What were the top stories? We'll find out from WEAU-TV News Director, John Hoffland; Eau Claire Leader-Telegram Editorial Page editor, Tom Giffey; and Chair of the UW-EC Communication and Journalism Department, Jan Larson. Listen December 18, 2006 Our western Wisconsin outdoors program recaps the hunting season, offers gifts for sportsmen, gives ice fishing advice and takes questions. The regular guests are the Leader Telegram's Outdoors writer Joe Knight and Northland Adventures' television host Dave Carlson. Listen December 12, 2006 A homeless shelter in Somerset takes in people from some of the richest counties in the state. Who are the rural homeless and where do they go in western Wisconsin? Listen December 11, 2006 UW-Eau Claire's new Chancellor, Brian Levin-Stankevich shares his educational philosophy and plan to handle the next budget. Listen December 5, 2006 Science vs. Religion - members of the new Chippewa Valley Dialogue on Science and Religion will share how they approach controversial subjects such as intelligent design and evolution. Listen December 4, 2006 UW-Eau Claire professors are compiling stories of people's experiences with the health care system. Professors Eric Jamelske and Jennifer Johs-Artisensi and Luther-Midelfort physician, Dr. Daniel Kincaid share their perspectives and welcome listener stories. Listen November 28, 2006: Nanotechnology - what is it and why is it important to the Chippewa Valley's economy. The NanoRite Center in Eau Claire will train future workers in the field and use local professors. Our guests include UW-EC professor Doug Dunham, UW-Stout professor Forrest Schultz and CVTC nanoscience instructor Hans Mikelson. Listen November 27, 2006 The alarming rise in use of methamphetamine in Dunn County. Our 4 guests include a woman who's recovering from a meth addiction, and an AODA counselor from Arbor Place who served time in prison for drug addiction. Joining them is a case manager with Dunn County Health and Human Services and the Assistant Executive Director at Positive Alternatives in Menomonie. Listen November 21, 2006 How is it possible that someone in western Wisconsin bought 16 acres of land that included 12 acres of water? It's considered illegal to own a lake. Wayne Anderson will explain what happened to him. Listen November 20, 2006 We'll hear from a woman who cared for her husband as he battled a lung disease. Judy Erickson and others who work with caregivers and a Northwest Wisconsin hospice program share their poignant stories. Listen November 14, 2006 Dave Carlson, host of Northland Adventures and Joe Knight, outdoors editor of the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram join us to talk about hunting and other outdoors activities. Listen November 13, 2006 UW-River Falls Chancellor Don Betz talks about his first year at the helm. Listen November 7, 2006 Over the last 150 years, Eau Claire county went from a lumbering economy to tire production and farming. How did it happen? Historians Frank Smoot, Dave Duax and Jim Oberly paint a picture for us. Listen November 6, 2006 The final election forum features the candidates in the race for the 31st Senate seat. Republican Senator Ron Brown of Eau Claire and Democrat Kathleen Vinehout join us. Listen October 31, 2006 Candidates for the 23rd Senate seat, incumbent Republican Dave Zien of Eau Claire and Democrat Pat Kreitlow of Chippewa Falls. Listen October 30, 2006 Election forums continue with the candidates for the 29th Senate seat: incumbent Democrat Russ Decker of Weston and Republican Jimmy Boy Edming of Glen Flora. Listen October 24, 2006 Candidates for the 25th Senate seat, Senator Bob Jauch-D, Poplar and Shirley Reidmann-R, Hayward. Listen October 23, 2006 Election forums continue with the candidates for the 68th Assembly seat: incumbent Republican Terry Moulton of Chippewa Falls and Democrat Michael Turner of Eau Claire. Listen October 20, 2006 7th Congressional District candidates square off in a debate held in Eau Claire October 17. Listen October 17, 2006 Candidates for the 67th Assembly seat. Republican Representative Jeff Wood and Democrat Roberta Rasmus, both of Chippewa Falls. Listen October 16, 2006 Candidates for the 93rd Assembly seat. Representative Rob Kreibich-R and Jeff Smith-D. Both candidates are from Eau Claire. Listen October 10, 2006 Candidates for the 28th Assembly seat. Republican Representative Mark Pettis from Hertel and Democrat Ann Hraychuck from Balsam Lake. Listen October 9, 2006 Candidates for the 91st Assembly seat. Representative Barbara Gronemus-D and David Anderson-R. Both candidates are from Whitehall. Listen October 3, 2006 Candidates for the 69th Assembly seat. Representative Scott Suder, Republican from Abbotsford and Owen Democrat Timothy Swiggum. Listen October 2, 2006 Legislative forums continue with the candidates for the 29th Assembly seat, Kerry Kittel-D of New Richmond and John Murtha-R of Baldwin. Listen September 26, 2006 Candidates for the 87th Assembly seat: Republican Representative Mary Williams of Medford and Dewey Floberg, Democrat from Ladysmith. Listen September 25, 2006 Candidates for the 75th Assembly seat: Representative Mary Hubler, Democrat from Rice Lake and Republican Dari McDonald of Birchwood. Listen September 19, 2006 Candidates from the 30th Assembly district join us - Republican Representative Kitty Rhoades and Democrat Dan Gorman. Listen September 18, 2006 Candidate forums for the fall election start with the 92nd Assembly. Republican Representative Terry Musser and Curtis Miller talk about issues that affect their region and the state. Listen September 12, 2006: Matt Pronchinske, Workforce Development director and Nick Meyer, Publisher and Editor of Volume One magazine explain why the so-called creative class is important to western Wisconsin. Listen September 11, 2006: Election coverage continues with the two Democrats facing off in the 31st Senate primary - Chris Danou of Onalaska and Kathleen Vinehout of Alma. Listen September 5, 2006: This primary election forum focuses on the 23rd Senate District and why Senator Dave Zien has a challenger from his own party. Republican Karen Anderson will appear, Senator Zien declined to participate. Listen August 29, 2006 Primary election forum in the 25th Senate district. Democratic candidates include Senator Bob Jauch and Gary Kauther. Listen August 28, 2006 Primary election forum for the open seat in the 29th Assembly district. Democratic candidates include Craig Mohn and Kerry Kittel. Republican candidates include Issac Weix, Rob Stafsholt and John Murtha. Listen August 22, 2006: Primary election forum with guests from the 87th Assembly district. Democratic candidates include Dewey Floberg and Judy Reas. Listen August 21, 2006 Primary election forum with guests from the 91st Assembly district. Democratic candidates include Representative Barbara Gronemus and Mark Totty. Listen August 15, 2006 The pros and cons of a $40 million dollar courthouse and jail expansion in Eau Claire county. Guests include County Director of Planning and Development, Mel Erickson and Jeff DeGrave, who helped collect 1,000 signatures to stop the effort. Listen August 14, 2006 This year Eau Claire County begins celebrating its 150th birthday. UW-Eau Claire History Professor Jim Oberly, Historian Dick Feeney and the Chippewa Valley Museum’s Frank Smoot talk about what the region looked like back then and the major changes since. Listen August 8, 2006 The controversial use of restraints following the death of a girl at a Rice Lake counseling clinic. Guests include Rick Pelishek with Disability Rights Wisconsin, Lynne Maslowski, Assistant superintendent for student services in the Menomonie area school district and Rose Battallio, Assistant Professor of Special Education at UWEC. Listen August 7, 2006 They’re turning manure into energy on a 900 cow dairy farm in Elk Mound. Guests include the owner of Five Star Dairy, Lee Jensen and Microgy manager Mike Casper who oversees operation of the 'manure digester.' Listen |
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