David Fair

The buses and heavy trucks that travel our towns and highway system contribute a significant part of the emissions causing climate change. We are in the midst of transition, as manufacturers are moving more toward electric vehicle production. WEMU's David Fair and Charles Griffith, the director of the Ann Arbor-based Ecology Center's climate and energy program, discussed the push for Michigan to join others in a commitment to zero out emissions from heavy vehicles by 2050.  

From her artist’s booth, Karin Wagner Coron had perfect view of the 2021 Ann Arbor Art Fair. In the second of this two-part series, Karin paints a picture of her experience, how it went, what was the same, what was different, and how it felt to be back on the streets selling art after a one-year, Art Fair hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Hear it all as she joins "creative:impact’s" co-hosts, Creative Washtenaw’s Deb Polich and WEMU’s David Fair.

Many families face some sort of crisis, especially when it involves the criminal justice system. Finding support can be difficult, which is why Florence Roberson formed "Sisters United Resilient and Empowered," or SURE Moms. She joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the work her group is doing to build the community and alter the life trajectories for local women and their children. 

Washtenaw Community College has announced it plans to run 100% on renewable energies by the year 2029. In part, it plans to get there by signing on to  DTE Energy's MIGreenPower program. The utility's renewable solutions director, Brian Calka, joined  WEMU's David Fair to discuss the agreement with WCC, the program itself, and DTE's plans for a more sustainable, renewable energy future. 

Karin Wagner Coron has exhibited at the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair for years. She has a routine: how many works to have in inventory and what to pack to be ready. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic caused the cancellation of last year’s Art Fair. In the first of a two-part series, Karin talks about that disruption and what she anticipates for the 2021 Art Fair. Next week, she’ll be back to tell "creative:impact’s" co-hosts, Creative Washtenaw’s Deb Polich and WEMU’s David Fair, how the Art Fair went.

Discussing racism, whether individual or systemic, is important, but sometimes awkward or uncomfortable. Not in the Kekere Freedom School program. It is at the core of what founder and director Nuola Akinde imparts to the students the school serves. Nuola joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss confronting racism and teaching children to embrace their cultural heritage. 

July rolls on with some new and classic films to choose from at local movie houses. WEMU's David Fair connects with Michigan Theater Foundation executive director Russ Collins to discuss new cinematic offerings and the latest film industry news.

Energy poverty is a problem all too many low-income households have to contend with. While more affluent households leave a bigger carbon footprint, it is usually people of color that suffer the most economic and health consequences. University of Michigan assistant professor and Urban Energy Justice Lab director Dr. Tony Reames explores the issues and needed solutions in this conversation with WEMU's David Fair.

Mackenzie Scott and Dan Jewett recently gave away $2.7 billion to “286 teams empowering voices the world needs to hear.” Neutral Zone (NZ) was surprised to learn they were on the list! Lori Roddy, NZ’s executive director, talks about the impact of this transformative gift with "creative:impact's" co-hosts, Creative Washtenaw’s Deb Polich and WEMU’s David Fair.

Learning remotely and through a difficult pandemic academic year has left some children in the area a bit behind. Black Men Read (BMR) was formed to promote literacy and cultural engagement. WEMU's David Fair spoke with one of BMR's founders, Tamara Tucker-Ibarisha, about the innovative program and its plans to help kids be ready for academics in the fall. 

Recent heavy rainfall brought significant flood damage to many southeast Michigan communities, including Washtenaw County. The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners has declared a state of emergency, but, in order to get further aid, a state of emergency must be declared by Governor Whitmer, as she did in Wayne County. 12th District Representative Debbie Dingell spoke with WEMU's David Fair about the need for immediate help and a massive investment in new transportation and water infrastructure.

The 1,4 dioxane plume in Scio Township, Ann Arbor, and Ann Arbor Township has plagued the area for decades. The state of Michigan has now formally requested the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to designate the contamination a Superfund clean-up site. WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak  discuss where we are and what comes next with Roger Rayle from the Coalition for Action on Remediation of Dioxane (CARD) and Scio Citizens for Safe Water. 

We are officially into summer, and a wide range of movies are hitting the theaters! WEMU's David Fair checked in with Michigan Theater Foundation executive director Russ Collins to get the lowdown on all you need to know for the Fourth of July weekend.

Curbside recycling is common practice, yet many residents are still placing unrecyclable materials in their bins. That's why the Washtenaw Regional Resource Management Authority (WRRMA) has started an audit and educational program to help property owners make better recycling decisions. Della DiPietro, who serves as both Ann Arbor Township treasurer and WRRMA representative, discusses the program in detail with WEMU's David Fair.

Retired FBI senior resident agent turned author Greg Stejskal's book, "FBI Case Files Michigan: Tales of a G-Man," just hit the racks. It's a page turner with once top secret intelligence on Jimmy Hoffa, the Unabomber, the Lovin' Spoonful (the local ice cream shop, not the band), and more. Creative Washtenaw's Deb Polich and WEMU's David Fair get the inside scoop on this week's edition of "creative:impact."

Many communities, including Washtenaw County, have declared racism a public health crisis. There are no simple cures for such a crisis, but holistic nursing consultant Dr. Roxane Raffin Chan has been providing services to help people cope with the racially-charged incidents in their lives. Dr. Chan explains how she and her company, Chan Body Energy, have responded to the United Way's 2021 21-Day Equity Challenge in a chat with WEMU's David Fair.

When it comes to our environment and natural resources, it's important to know how your tax dollars are being spent. Every five years, the Washtenaw County Conservation District (WCCD) gets the public's opinion through an online survey, and the latest is underway. The WCCD's executive director, Megan DeLeeuw, joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the survey and the impact it can have over the next five years. 

Like memories of their beloved homeland, art remains within the heart and soul of refugee artists. Their art offers a way to connect new neighbors to the culture and stories of their past. World Refugee Day is Sunday, June 20, and a celebration of artists new to our land is being planned. Dr. Shadin Atiyeh of Jewish Family Services, the refugee resettlement agency in Washtenaw County, gives all the details to Creative Washtenaw's Deb Polich and WEMU's David Fair on this week's edition of "creative:impact." 

There can't be equality until equity is achieved. Self-awareness and understanding of where systemic and institutionalized bias exists is the launch point. The United Way of Washtenaw County is about to kick off another 21-Day Equity Challenge, and its aim is to create recognition and awareness and provide a foundation for change. Naomi Norman is interim superintendent of the Washtenaw Intermediate School District. She joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the benefits to public education and the people it serves. 

Plenty of movies are on the way this weekend, including the highly-anticipated musical from "Hamilton" creator Lin-Manuel Miranda! WEMU's David Fair touched base with Michigan Theater Foundation executive director Russ Collins about when and where that is playing and about the other film options available to you. 

It's a great time of year to get outdoors! But, there are some potentially harmful critters waiting for you. Ticks have expanded their habitat in Michigan, and there is a major increase in the populations in Washtenaw County and Southeast Michigan. WEMU's David Fair checked in with Michigan State University entomologist Howard Russell to find out why that is and what we can do to keep ourselves and our pets safe. 

Washtenaw County continues making progress in the fight against the coronavirus. Vaccine sites are still available, and a new COVID-19 test challenge has been initiated. At the same time, a rare case of the Sin Nombre hantavirus has been detected in the county. WEMU's David Fair gets further details on these developments from Washtenaw County Health Department spokesperson Susan Ringler-Cerniglia.

Like the distinct threads of a tapestry, 20-some individual artists have entwined for more than two decades to fashion the WSG Gallery. This artist-owned and operated gallery has withstood the winds of change and now a pandemic. Textile artist and member Cathryn Amidei takes us through WSG’s journey to the future when she joins Creative Washtenaw’s Deb Polich and WEMU’s David Fair on this week’s edition of "creative:impact."

The United Way's National Day of Action is right around the corner. Local volunteers in communities around the country work on a number of projects  aimed at helping the underserved and enhancing engagement. Last year, the pandemic forced everything to be a virtual experience. This year, vaccinations and relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions will allow for the return of some in-person work, too.  WEMU's David Fair got the rundown of how the 2021 Day of Action will be conducted from United Way of Washtenaw County senior development associate Madeline Garcia.

In 2020, the City of Ann Arbor adopted its ambitious "A2Zero" plan that would make the city completely carbon neutral by the year 2030. Now, one year later, progress on the plan continues. WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak checked in with Ann Arbor sustainability and innovations manager Missy Stults. Listen and get the updates on progress so far and the work still needed to meet the 2030 target. 

Summer is nearly here, and movie theaters around the country and here at home are getting warmed up! WEMU's David Fair connected with Michigan Theater Foundation executive director Russ Collins to discuss the latest movie openings and news from Hollywood.  

Over many years, there has been a precipitous decline in our bee populations and that has a significant and negative impact on agriculture and the health of our ecosystem. Bees are one of our great pollinators, and human habitat is a major problem. University of Michigan doctoral candidate Gordon Fitch shares with WEMU's David Fair a novel approach he co-designed to monitor bees within the urban landscape.

Wild Swan Theater’s co-founders and artistic directors Hillary Cohen and Sandy Ryder created a family theater program their way. For more than 40 years, families gathered to enjoy their inclusive, accessible, and delightful theater productions. Now they are dropping the final curtain and spend time reflecting with Creative Washtenaw's Deb Polich and WEMU's David Fair on this week’s edition of "creative:impact." 

Michigan Ability Partners (MAP) has an ongoing mission to find work, housing, and other esssentials for military veterans and those with disabilities. The COVID-19 public health crisis created new and different challenges. MAP's chief executive officer, Jan Little, joined WEMU's David Fair to look at the immediate past, the present, and the future. 

We're heading for an extra-long, holiday weekend, so why not catch a good flick? On this week's "Cinema Chat," WEMU's David Fair gets in touch with Michigan Theater Foundation executive director Russ Collins to talk about the latest movie news and the new and classic films available to you on the big screens this Memorial Day weekend.