Community Conversations

He’s one of Cook County’s most active volunteers, a long-time WTIP radio host, community advocate, former high school and college athlete…and an on-camera TV car salesman to boot.

 Each third Thursday of the month we sit down with an interesting guest for an in-depth exchange of thoughts and ideas, opinions and points of view.

This month, join Jay Andersen for a special “Side by Side” membership drive interview: “All Things Bob Carter” – this month’s Third Thursday Community Conversation, aired March 15, only on WTIP North Shore Community Radio.

According to a new national survey by the Centers for Disease Control, nearly half of Minnesota women experience some kind of sexual abuse.

Join Jay Andersen with WTIP’s First Thursday Community Conversation for the March 1st  broadcast of “Intimate Abuse: a closer look at sexual violence in Minnesota and Cook County.”

Each month we choose a topic for discussion, invite guests into the studio and invite you to join in the conversation.

This month the guests included Jodi Yuhasey from the Violence Prevention Center, Cook County Sheriff Mark Falk, First Congregational UCC pastor EvaLyn Carlson and Molly Hicken, Assistant Cook County Attorney.

“Intimate Abuse: a closer look at sexual violence in Minnesota and Cook County.” First Thursday Community Conversation. Only on WTIP North Shore Community Radio.

Late last year Cook County was shaken by shootings at the courthouse, followed by a subsequent death. In 2007 the huge Ham Lake fire traumatized much of the North Shore, followed by a suicide. Disaster and violence can lead to anger, frustration, confusion, depression and even the tearing of our community fabric. How do we regain our resilience?

Join Jay Andersen for “Community Healing: understanding the process” – the February 2nd First Thursday Community Conversation.

Guests are Bill Maloney, Director of Psychological Health and Wellness for the Air National Guard 148th Wing in Duluth and a Certified Trauma Specialist,  Dale McIntire, pastor at Cornerstone Community Church and Linda Vanden Brook, Licensed Family Therapist.

He’s a world traveler who’s sailed on the biggest ships, sipped strong coffee in small Turkish street cafes, floated the Amazon, roamed the Holy Land, stood on the Great Wall of China…and that was all a part of his job.

Join Jay Andersen for “Keeping up with Rick Anderson” – the Jan. 19 Third Thursday Community Conversation.

Each month we sit down with interesting guests for an in-depth exchange of thoughts and ideas, opinions and points of view – professional and personal.

Rick is a Cook County original, a product of mixed cultures and calls Grand Portage home for himself and his business.
“Keeping up with Rick Anderson” -- this month’s Third Thursday Community Conversation. Only on WTIP North Shore Community Radio

It’s traditional to make resolutions for the New Year. It’s also a tradition to quickly break them.
Find out why we do both by listening to the First Thursday Community Conversation of Jan. 5.

WTIP’s Jay Andersen talks with guests Greg Barnier, Marcia Hyatt and Wayne Arnzen for “Resolutions: make ‘em, break ‘em.” Only on WTIP North Shore Community Radio.

Sawtooth Mountain Clinic is a not-for-profit Community Health Center that has called Grand Marais home since 1979. For most of that time one woman has been at the helm.

Join WTIP’s Jay Andersen for Community Health Care – a long view with clinic CEO Rita Plourde – the December 15 Third Thursday Community Conversation.

Each month we sit down with interesting guests for an in-depth exchange of thoughts and ideas, opinions and points of view – professional and personal.

Rural community health care has changed dramatically over the past 30 years, especially for primary care facilities. Rita Plourde has seen changes in patient care, important medical advancements, public attitude swings toward diagnosis and treatment and much more.

Wolves are about to be taken off the federal endangered species list and will be managed by state and tribal authorities.

Join WTIP’s Jay Andersen for a discussion with four wolf experts held December 1 on First Thursday Community Conversation.

On the program was Dr. Seth Moore, Director of the Departments of Biology and Environment for the Grand Portage Trust Lands, Jess Edberg from the International Wolf Center in Ely, Rolf Peterson, professor of Wildlife Ecology at Michigan Tech and Minnesota DNR Wolf Management Specialist in Grand Rapids,  Dan Stark.

On Earth Day, April 22, 2010, two educator-adventurers from Cook County began an 11,000 mile expedition, traveling across North America by kayak, canoe, and dogsled.

Each month on WTIP’s Third Thursday Community Conversation, Jay Andersen sits down with interesting guests for an in-depth exchange of thoughts and ideas, opinions and points of view – professional and personal.

On Nov. 17th the broadcast featured “Reliving the North American Odyssey with Dave and Amy Freeman.”

Along the way Dave and Amy took over 50,000 students with them as part of the Wilderness Classroom.  Now they’re back home, ending the first half of their journey.

Rural communities across Minnesota are struggling to keep property taxes low and public services steady. Local Government Aid for cities and County Program Aids have been consistently cut for years.

WTIP’s November edition of First Thursday Community Conversation was “Trends in Taxation.” Several guests joined host Jay Andeersen to help you understand where our tax system is headed and why. From Cook County -- Auditor-Treasurer Braidy Powers, Grand Marais City Administrator Mike Roth and from the Twin Cities – Matt Entenza with MN2020 and education reporter Beth Hawkins.

“Trends in Taxation:” -- this November’s First Thursday Community Conversation. Only on WTIP North Shore Community Radio.

He knows thousands of songs, he can tell you the plots of hundreds of television shows and it’s been said that an event in Grand Marais is just not an official event if he isn’t there.

WTIP’s Jay Andersen hosts the October edition of Third Thursday Community Conversation --
“Talking with Buddy Skinner” only on WTIP North Shore Community Radio.