Everybody Can

(Airdate: March 22, 2022) Working in partnership with land and farming partners, along with grassroots and organizational allies around the region, The Chimacum Center works towards cultivating relationships, sowing sustainability and growing a more vibrant and equitable rural community. Through land-based interconnection, arts, advocacy, and education their vision is broad and their impact deep. Host Missy Nielsen talks with Executive Director Melissa O’Neill about the vision they have for our community and the place we all call home.

(Airdate: March 8, 2022) The Port Townsend Heritage Association is coming out of COVID-19 and putting on the Port Townsend Victorian Heritage Festival for 2022, on April 29, 30 and May 1.  KPTZ’s Missy Nielsen talks with board president Tracy Wirta and board member Kathy Knoblock about what’s going on.  Learn more about how to get involved!  

(Airdate: February 22, 2022) PHLUSH is an acronym for “Public Hygiene Lets Us Stay Human”. Through education and advocacy, PHLUSH consults with local governments and citizen groups to provide equitable public restroom availability, prepare for sanitation disasters and, recently, focusing on the linkages between our local housing challenges, public hygiene, and sanitation justice. Everybody Can host Missy Nielsen speaks with advocate and co-founder Carol McCreary to help us better understand the “plumbing” behind the effort to bring this topic to the forefront of our community discussions.

(Airdate: February 8, 2022) Skillmation, a non profit organization focused on connecting community members to our students, has returned to Everybody Can. Host Missy Nielsen discusses with Executive Director Martha Trolin the urgent and compelling need for more support in our schools. Listen in and learn how the Pandemic leaves in its wake students who are grappling with the impacts of isolation, limited activities and learning under the cloud of Covid.

(Airdate: December 14, 2021) Host Missy Nielsen of Everybody Can speaks with a couple of rising stars in our non-profit sector here in Jefferson County. Danny Milholland and Megan Claflin from The Production Alliance organization, commonly known as TPA, works to uphold cultural traditions through inclusive, annual gatherings that celebrate community and improve the quality of life for those living in Jefferson County. Listen in and hear how they are in partnership with the Jefferson County Historical Society, to present the 10+ year tradition of First Night – an all-ages New Year’s Eve extravaganza, celebrating light, music, and forward momentum.

(Airdate: November 30, 2021) JC MASH (Jefferson County Medical Advocacy and Services Headquarter) provides health and advocacy services for Jefferson County’s marginalized residents – from the underemployed to those who are unable to utilize the mainstream healthcare system. Missy Nielsen of Everybody Can speaks with founder and director Dr. Rotchford and Megan Claflin, UGN (United Good Neighbors) Campaign Manager, to better understand MASH’s impact in our community and how Jefferson County residents can participate in supporting JC M.A.S.H through the United Good Neighbors Jefferson Gives Annual Campaign.

(Airdate: November 16, 2021) New Image, New You – Building Confidence for Women in Transition. Martha Olbyrch, President of New Image enthusiastically shares with Missy Nielsen of Everybody Can what one might experience walking into this unique clothing boutique, tailored to serve women and young girls in transition. New Image, formally known as Working Image, serves Jefferson, Kitsap, and Clallam Counties. Along with community partners, they provide clothing and accessories to women in need of a helping hand. Women and young girls working through life circumstances ranging from domestic abuse, homelessness, financially insecurity, a new job, or simply a change in size due to an illness will find a cadre of caring stylists ready to serve – not only providing a new image but also a new outlook on life. Listen and be inspired!

(Airdate: November 11, 2021) Homelessness is lonely and pets can be an essential part of retaining mental health when homeless. Listen in as Everybody Can‘s Missy Nielsen and coordinator Laurie Riley of Pet Helpers discuss how the community is coming alongside this need to provide access to veterinary care for folks that may not have resources to care for their special furry family member.

(Airdate: October 28, 2021) Where Community Members and Students Engage and Innovate. Have you been looking for a tangible, time-constrained, and highly impactful opportunity to volunteer? Skillmation might be the organization for you. Skillmation, focused on connecting community members with a legacy of wisdom and expertise to those seeking mentorship and networking, is launching new programs in the Port Townsend School District. Listen in as Missy Nielsen of Everybody Can chats with Gary Smith, Subject Coach Lead and Ben Bauermeister, board member and “mentor wrangler,” as they describe the opportunities to connect with students. They offer insights and support through the Food Innovation Program for 9th graders. Folks with deep knowledge in sciences or physics can find additional opportunities to connect with these students through the newly launched Subject Coaching Program. Join us to learn more.

(Airdate: October 14, 2021) A Place to Go, A Place to Grow. Teens across the world have been challenged by the isolation during the Pandemic. Becoming a young adult can be challenging in the best of circumstances. On this episode of Everybody Can, Missy Nielsen visits with the folks behind the scenes at the Jefferson Teen Center, a space that provides socializing interactions, academic support, and most of all simply a place where teens can feel accepted. Oh, and did we mention snacks, pool table and foosball? Listen in as Executive Director Shayann Hoffer-Paulety and Board President John Barrett discuss why they view their work as vital to our collective future.

(Airdate: September 16, 2021) Sitting in for Missy Nielson while she is on sabbatical, Cliff Moore cover’s Missy’s program Everybody Can with a lively, informative, and important community conversation with Andy Stockton. Andy is a Volunteer Staff Member of the Jefferson County Department of Emergency Management where he leads planning efforts to prepare for a “mass casualty event”. He also is a community leader for the American Red Cross serving the South Puget Sound Area. Andy shares ideas about how your household can prepare for an emergency and links to volunteer opportunities for residents of Jefferson County.

(Airdate: September 2, 2021) Sitting in for Missy Nielson, Everybody Can guest host Cliff Moore had the opportunity to visit with Wendy Bart, Chief Executive Officer of the Olympic Peninsula YMCA. Their conversation touched on the past, present and future of the YMCA here in Jefferson County. In particular, it focused on programmatic opportunities for our residents. Wendy also highlights some volunteer opportunities for community members who would like to support the Y’s efforts. A wide-ranging, energetic, and fun conversation.

(Airdate: August 19, 2021) Missy Nielsen of Everybody Can converses with Angela Hewitson, Public Engagement Manager of the Northwest Maritime Center, about the 2021 Wooden Boat Festival and the adaptations for this year’s event for both volunteers and festival programming. Forging ahead with full sails, while anchoring their programs and processes to Pandemic protocols for outdoor gatherings, keeps this organization tacking at a moment’s notice. Join us as we consider how this festival can inform future events and gatherings of this kind.

(Airdate: August 5, 2021) When it comes to food system resilience, farmers and our farmers markets are the backbone of this notion. Join Missy Nielsen on Everybody Can as she discusses with Deirdre Morrison, Market Manager for the Chimacum and Port Townsend Markets, the organization’s effort to not only provide farm fresh foods but also build community. Learn about the many learn programs that help Jefferson County Families stretch their fresh food budgets.

(Airdate: July 22, 2021) Missy Nielsen of Everybody Can continues her discussion with District 1 Fire Chief Bret Black of about the extraordinary skill sets of our East Jefferson Fire & Rescue combination volunteer and career fire department. Learn how response time and serving a rural region located at the water’s edge has this fire district leaning heavily on volunteer support offering a breadth of experiences for those who serve us in these moments of crisis. Join us on this second part of our 2-part series as we discuss the training involved, career opportunities and the impact of volunteers to the mission of this critical service to our local community.

(Airdate: July 8, 2021) East Jefferson Fire & Rescue (EJFR) is a combination career and volunteer department serving Port Townsend and the surrounding area. District 1 Fire Chief Bret Black found this attribute of his new position attractive. New to Jefferson County, Chief Black was equally drawn to the unique aspects of our rural region. Missy Nielsen of Everybody Can had the opportunity to discuss with Chief Black the attributes of readiness along with how we can do our part to support this important service in our community. Join us for the first part of a two-part series to learn more about fire safety, hazard prevention and readiness for your family.

(Airdate: June 1, 2021) There is a “triad of care” supporting foster kids and their families in our community. Gary Frogner, Volunteer Coordinator of Office Moms and Dads and Elsa Golts, of Foster Care Support of Jefferson County speak about their organizations, which intertwine along the timeline of the children during the most critical and upsetting moments when they initially enter foster care. Listen in as Missy Nielsen of Everybody Can speaks with these passionate and caring folks assisting those families who have children living in dependency in real and tangible ways.

(Airdate: May 18, 2021) Has the thought of a child without a birthday cake ever crossed your mind? Hard to imagine, but it happens. Cake4Kids is powered by an amazing and compassionate group of volunteers who are mostly home-bakers. They bake the cake at home and deliver it to one of our partner agencies who support the youth. Cake4Kids supports the family by providing a custom birthday cake so every child can celebrate their special day “like any other kid”. Listen in to Everybody Can as Missy Nielsen talks with Cynthia Castro Sweet. Learn how these sweet gestures bring smiles to these families.

(Airdate: May 4, 2021) 4H is an organization that believe in the power of young people is America’s
largest youth development organization – empowering nearly six million young people across the U.S. with the skills to lead for a lifetime. Listen in as Missy Nielsen of Everybody Can chats with Cliff Moore WSU Extension Office Director about how 4H empowers youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults. Whether it’s learning to build a robot, care for a horse, or do great photography, 4-H volunteer leaders and staff make sure that youth have a safe place to dive right into what they want to learn.

(Airdate: April 20, 2021) Join Missy Nielsen on Everybody Can as she discusses with Dave Winters and Stephanie Moran, two individuals who discovered they share a passion and joined forces to tackle the growing problem of garbage found on our beaches, trails and just about anywhere these two go on a walk. Dave and Stephanie describe how their daily walk evolved into the Jefferson County WA Trash Task Force, uniting their efforts and inviting others to join in. Listen in and hear about best practices for collecting waste and how you can participate to reduce this growing problem in our county.

(Airdate: April 6, 2021) This student-led organization is dedicated to taking action to mitigate climate change not only at the local level, but also advocate for changes at community and state levels. These students have pressed legislative changes such as the straw ban and have presented their work to aspiring Washington state middle school students also committed to protecting the environment. Listen in as co-presidents Lochlan Krupa and Hailey Gallagher, discuss with Missy Nielsen of Everybody Can their legislative efforts towards an “idling ban” as well as their plans for a demonstration native garden. Join us!

Everybody Can airs alternate weeks on Tuesdays or Thursdays, in the noon hour.

(Airdate: March 16, 2021) The Washington State University Extension Office of Jefferson County is a resource that provides educational programs and brings to our community the broad resources of a major university. Join Missy Nielsen of Everybody Can as she discusses with Cliff Moore, Director of the WSU Jefferson County Extension Office, the history, the opportunities and the ongoing programs that serve our county.

(Airdate: March 2, 2021) On this episode of Everybody Can, Missy Nielsen speaks with PTHS students Melanie Bakin and Grace Wentzel, representatives from the Key Club and InterAct Clubs of Port Townsend High School. These student-led organizations prioritize community outreach while developing leadership skills. Join us for this conversation as we discuss the impact this has had for these inspiring students and the community members they touch.

(Airdate: February 16, 2021) Each of us has the opportunity to participate and shape the community we choose to live in. From time to time we run across folks who fly far under the radar, serving our community in the most humble and discreet ways. Consider the journey of these individuals and the contagious impact they have on our community. Join Missy Nielsen of Everybody Can as she speaks with Kevin Campbell and the Gardening Crone on F Street about how they both found a way to give back to the community in their own unique way.

(Airdate: February 2, 2021) As part of the Port Townsend Marine Science Center team, Betsy Carlson oversees the Citizen Science projects. Around the world folks of all ages engage in citizen science – participating in projects in which volunteers and scientists work together to investigate real world concerns, “crowdsourcing” that has the added bonus of giving volunteers a real sense of community. On this program, Missy Nielsen of Everybody Can discusses with Bets what it means to be a Citizen Scientist and the role of Citizen Science at the Port Townsend Marine Science Center.

(Airdate: January 19, 2020) Today’s guests, Jefferson County Historical Society Executive Director, Shelly Leavens and Tara McCauley, Director of Education and Public Programs, describe how this iconic nonprofit engages the region with unique and diverse stories of Jefferson County. Through collections, research, exhibits and programs, they bring our community together to share, learn and be inspired by the arts and our local heritage. From their First Friday Speaker Series to their recent “Dear 2020” letter campaign, we learn how JCHS endeavors to engage our community and foster programs that bring life to history and culture into our lives.