Wright Here Right Now, Discover Austin Minnesota 's Podcast

In this episode I’ll be at Discover Austin visiting with Stacy Sizemore, Office Manager and Case Worker at the Austin Salvation Army. As we get deeper into the fall season, the Salvation Army becomes a very busy place. It’s time to sign-up for the Thanksgiving Supplemental Food Bag, Christmas Meal, and Angel Tree for those in need of assistance this holiday season. Then there is also a need for bell ringers to go to registertoring.com to get signed up for your preferred bell ringing day and location. We’ll get into all of that in this episod...

In this episode I’ll visit with Lisa Deyo at Sweet Reads Bookstore and her special guest author Susan Joyce  We’ll discuss a special event taking place next week where Susan will talk with Seniors about protecting your financial portfolio from the upcoming tariffs. If you are at or near retirement you’ll definitely want to attend her talk.

Then I talk with Julie Clinefelter at the Austin Public Library. We will recap the celebration for Milly, the Mill Pond Monster and also update you on some of the inner works of the new library book reserva...

In this episode I'll start a look at a couple of news stories.

Then in the weekly City of Austin segment I’ll be talking with City of Austin Assistant Engineer Andy Sorenson. With all the leaves changing colors and starting to fall, the leaf collection site north of town is now open. We’ll talk about the site and how you can access it .

And I will also share some community events that you might want to check out.

I would like to take a quick moment to thank you for being a la...

In this episode I’ll be at Discover Austin visiting with Nancy Schnable and the owners of Gypsy K Consignment and Ice Cream in Downtown Austin.

Then I’ll visit with Director Luke Reese at the Jay. C. Hormel Nature Center. We’ll talk about some interesting things you’ll soon be able to spot in the night sky.

And I’ll visit with Steve Barrett at the Austin Area Foundation. We’ll talk about a couple of major events coming up on the foundation’s calendar. 

As always, thank you for being a large part of...

In this episode I’ll visit with Lisa Deyo at Sweet Reads Bookstore and her special guest poet Tim Brennan We’ll discuss Tim’s poetry and an upcoming visit to Austin.

Then I talk with Julie Clinefelter at the Austin Public Library. This Thursday, October 16th from 4 until 6, there will be a celebration for Milly The Mill Pond Monster. We’ll share all the details about that event and more. 

And then it’s time for a visit from the Austin Symphony Orchestra. The 2025-26 season kicks off on Sunday October 26th at 2:00 with the Heroes...

Coming up in this episode in my weekly Mower County Government segment I once get the chance to talk with Mower County Auditor/Treasurer Scott Felten. And we’ll be joined by Val Sheedy, Deputy County Administrator. We talk about a possible change coming to the how the Auditor/Treasurer position in the county will be filled in the future. The plan is to make the position appointed rather than elected.

Then in this week’s City of Austin segment I’ll be talking with City Councilor Jason Baskin. We talk about what goes into being a City C...

In this episode I’ll be at Discover Austin visiting with David Koier; Director of Broadcasting and Media and Peter Theodos; Director of Business Development for the Austin Bruins. We’ll talk about the new season for the Bruins and tell you about some of the special events coming up throughout the home schedule.

Then I’ll visit with Director Luke Reese at the Jay. C. Hormel Nature Center. We’ll talk about how the Nature Center plays an important role in many peoples’ lives and how having a Friends of the Nature Center Membership helps support activities...

In this episode I’ll visit with Lisa Deyo at Sweet Reads Bookstore and her special guest author Jeff Ollman We’ll discuss Jeff’s book Impious: Thoughts on growing up atheist in a judeo christian culture.

Then I talk with Courtney Wyant Schmitt from the Austin Public Library. We finally are able to reveal the identity of the creature coming to the area between the Austin Public Library and Mill Pond.

And then it’s time for a Service Above Self segment. I visit with Austin Rotary Member Alice Holst and the featured non-profit this mon...

In this episode I'll take a look at a couple of news stories from the past week.

Then in my weekly Mower County Government segment I get the chance to talk with Mower County Auditor/Treasurer Scott Felten. We talk about the differences between foreclosure and forfeiture as it applies to properties in Mower County and also the process once a property does go into forfeiture.

Then in this week’s City of Austin segment I’ll be at Riverside Arena talking with Aaron Heimer about what it takes to keep Riverside and Packers Arenas in t...

In this episode I’ll be at Discover Austin visiting with Director Nancy Schnable along with Heather Bose from Austin’s own Superfresh. We’ll talk about plans for special events at Superfresh throughout the fall season.

Then I visit with Naturalist Meredith Meloney at the Jay. C. Hormel Nature Center. We’ll talk about the fall curriculum at the Nature Center that teaches all about stream health and how a healthy watershed is important to all of us.

And then I talk with Steve Barrett, Executive Director of the Austin Area Foundation about the upcoming...

In this episode I’ll visit with Lisa Deyo at Sweet Reads Bookstore and her special guest author Lydia Emme Niebuhr. We’ll discuss Lydia’s book Under The Daytime Moon and why it is an important read for those interested in Minnesota history.

Then I talk with Courtney Wyant Schmitt from the Austin Public Library. We finally are able to reveal the special surprise event coming to the area between the Austin Public Library and Mill Pond.

I would like to take a quick moment to thank you for being a large part of the su...

In this episode I take a look at a couple of news items from last week.

In my weekly Mower County Government segment I get the chance to talk with Mower County Engineer Mitch Wenum. He talks about the many projects completed this year and also some interesting use of technology used to keep the county roads safe and in good condition.

Then in this week’s City of Austin segment I’ll be talking with Austin Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Director Jason Sehon and Recreation Supervisor Riley Donovan. As we head into “indoor activities” season...

In this episode I’ll be at Discover Austin visiting with Director Nancy Schnable along with Cindy Meany; Executive Director at the Hormel Historic Home. The Hormel Home has long been known for wonderful events to celebrate the holidays. We’ll let you know about some of them and let you know how to purchase tickets.

Then I visit with Director Luke Reese at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. Trial reconstruction work continues to move along and also plans for the annual Halloween Warm-up are coming together as well. We’ll update everything happening at the Nature...

In this episode I’ll visit with Lisa Deyo at Sweet Reads Bookstore and her special guest author Cary Griffith. We’ll discuss his new book, Rattlesnake Bluff, and learn what is coming next for the Sam Rivers Mystery series.

Then I talk with Julie Clinefelter from the Austin Public Library. We talk a little about the mystery item that has been hinted at for the last couple of weeks. The reveal is coming soon and we’ll share some of the details.

I’ll also talk with Professor George Aslanidi at the Hormel Institute. I learn...

In this episode I'll recap some of the news from the past week.

Then in this week’s City of Austin segment I’ll be talking with Austin City Engineer Steven Lang about not only the large street projects that have been underway this summer but also about quite a few smaller projects the have been completed this year.

And later, in the weekly Mower County Government segment, I get the chance to talk with Mower County Jail Administrator James Brown and Assistant Jail Administrator Greg Hartquist about what all is involved in keeping the jail...

In this special episode I had the honor of sitting down and talking with Dr. Sharon Adams (Class of 1972) and Thomas Herrera (Class of 2011), the 2025 Distinguished Alumni. We talk about their lives and careers since graduating from Austin High School and the messages that they hope to impart on the students currently enrolled at the high school.

I would like to thank the Austin, MN High School Alumni and Friends Association and especially Jeni Lindberg for arranging time in the busy schedule of the Distinguished Alumni to allow me to visit with each year's honorees and share...

In this episode I’ll be at Discover Austin visiting with Director Nancy Schnable along with Jamie Helgeson from Life Mower County. The annual Taste of Mower County event is coming up in a few weeks. We let you know how you can support this fundraiser and buy tickets.

Then I visit with Director Luke Reese at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. The annual 8k race at the Nature Center is taking place this weekend along with the Statewide Star Party. After the race there will be events throughout the remainder of the day including an op...

In this episode I’ll visit with Lisa Deyo at Sweet Reads Bookstore talking about the upcoming author visit. 

Then I visit the Austin Public Library to talk with Julie Clinefelter. We talk a little about the Mammoth tooth one on display at the library and the impact it has had on the number of visitors to the library.

I’ll also talk with Austin Utilities Customer Service Supervisor Michelle Orosco. October first the Cold weather protection rules will go into effect for the colder winter months. We’ll talk about what consumers need to know if...

In this episode I'll take a look at some news items and then in this week’s City of Austin segment I’ll be talking with Josh Kunze, Shift B Commander with the Austin Fire Department. Battery powered CO2 detectors have been available since the early 1990’s however many homes still don’t have a CO2 detector. There will soon be a program started in Austin that will get more detectors into more homes. We’ll talk about the importance of detectors and this new program.

I would like to take a quick moment to thank you for being...

In this episode I’ll be at Discover Austin visiting with Director Nancy Schnable along with Melinda Cowell from the North Central Highland Cattle Association. The Highland Cattle Show is this weekend at the Mower County Fairgrounds. The Junior Show is today Friday September 12th and the open show will take place on Saturday. The public is welcome to attend and see these beautiful animals. We get all the details when we talk with Melinda.

Then I visit with Director Luke Reese at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. The annual honey harvest is taking place this we...

In this episode I’ll visit with Lisa Deyo at Sweet Reads Bookstore talking about the upcoming Music Meander that will take place tomorrow evening, September 11th.

Then I visit the Austin Public Library to talk with Technology Coordinator Eric Christians. There are many opportunities for adults and youth to get some assistance with their knowledge of their computers and tech devices. We’ll tell you when those classes will be held

I would also like to take a quick moment to thank you for being a large part of the...