David Fair

Gardening season is in full swing, and folks are ready to buy the essentials, such as natural fertilizers. Yet, buyers should beware. A national study conducted by the Ann Arbor-based Ecology Center and the Sierra Club found a number of top-selling fertilizers contain the "forever chemicals" known as PFAS. Jeff Gearhart is research director for HealthyStuff.org at the Ecology Center. He joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the findings and the measures needed to protect us from these harmful chemicals.  

A reimagined art fair is coming to the State Street District in 2021 after all. Artists and merchants are excited to bring art back to the downtown district for a pared-down fair that runs Thursday, July 15 – Saturday, July 17. Meeting all the required safety protocol is paramount, says Frances Todoro-Hargreaves, director of the State Street Art Fair, when she makes the announcement to Creative Washtenaw's Deb Polich and WEMU's David Fair on "creative:impact."

Today marks one year since George Floyd died under the knee of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. Since then, Chauvin has been convicted of murder, while the call for police reform has intensified. Trische' Duckworth is founder of the social justice group Survivors Speak. She joined WEMU's David Fair to reflect on the past year, discuss Wednesday's rally in Ann Arbor, and look beyond to a community of equity, equality, and racial justice. 

While there is still work to be done, women continue to shatter glass ceilings. More women are taking on the challenge of entrepeneurship and doing so successfully. At some point, most everyone launching a new business needs some guidance, and that's where Kristin Gapske and her team come in. Kristin is director of the Entrepeneurship Center at Washtenaw Community College. She joined WEMU's David Fair about how the center is assisting women in business start-ups and in industry growth. 

President Joe Biden visited the Ford production facility in Dearborn this week, where a new, all-electric pickup truck was unveiled. While in Michigan, there was ongoing conflict and violence between Israel and Hamas. On Thursday night, a cease-fire was agreed upon and has, so far, held up. Michigan's 12th District Congressional Representative, Debbie Dingell, joined WEMU's David Fair to share her thoughts and the work she is doing on these issues and more. 

The weather continues to warm, as does your local movie house. On this week's "Cinema Chat," WEMU's David Fair connected with Michigan Theater Foundation executive director Russ Collins to discuss the latest Hollywood news, the new movies hitting theaters, and the classics that will entertain you once again! 

The apparel industry is always changing but rarely with sustainability in mind. You might be surprised at how damaging the industry is to the environment. WEMU's David Fair spoke with someone who is not and who is doing something about it. John Ames Jr. is co-founder and CEO of JOOB Activewear, and sustainability is at the center of his personal and professional mission.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recently announced that fully vaccinated individuals would no longer need to wear masks in most circumstances. It has caused some confusion, while infection rates and COVID -19 spread continue in the community. Washtenaw County Health Department spokesperson Susan Ringler-Cerniglia provides some clarity in her conversation with WEMU's David Fair.

The Ann Arbor Art Fair just had its second major COVID-19 hit. The directors of the fairs announced that the streets of Ann Arbor will be ghosted again this year by one of the highest rated art fairs in the country. Frances Todoro-Hargreaves, director of the State Street District Art Fair, joins Creative Washtenaw's Deb Polich and WEMU's David Fair and tells them of the difficult decision to cancel the art fairs on "creative: impact."

Reunited at the movies, and it feels so good. WEMU's David Fair returns for this week's "Cinema Chat." He talks with Michigan Theater Foundation executive director, Russ Collins, about the latest movie news and all of the films hitting the big screen this weekend. 

A new report released today by the Mind the Store campaign (a partner organization of the Ecology Center in Ann Arbor) finds significant chemical policy improvement. Nearly 70% of companies surveyed have better chemical safety programs now compared to their first evaluation dating as far back as 2016. Mike Schade is director of the campaign and joined by WEMU's David Fair to discuss the ongoing efforts to remove chemical hazards from consumer products. 

There is progress in the ongoing fight against the coronavirus. Vaccinations are being expanded to include more younger people, and employers will soon be allowed to return to in-person work. Soon, more social restrictions will be lifted. For a local perspective, WEMU's David Fair discussed the latest developments with Washtenaw County Health Department spokesperson Susan Ringler-Cerniglia.

Throughout history, women have been the primary caregivers. All too often, it comes at the cost of their own physical and mental health. Dr. Ebony Parker-Featherstone is an assistant professor of family medicine at the University of Michigan. She joined WEMU's David Fair to discusses ways for women to improve self-care. 

The Gelman 1,4 dioxane plume continues to spread in groundwater in the Ann Arbor area and could threaten the health of the Huron River and the city's municipal water supply. Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor joined WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters director Lisa Wozniak to discuss the latest on efforts to remediate the toxic pollution and where we go from here.

The natural parks found all over Washtenaw County are like a time capsule. They tell tales of local and state history, which is why their preservation is such a high priority. In this week's "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's David Fair talks about the work being done to protect and preserve these areas with Kira Macyda, a park planner and preservationist for Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation.

Self-described as a "failed music student," Ellie Snyder says she decided to seek out attention in a new way: making strangers laugh in bars. Imagine the irony of being an aspiring comic during the least funny time: a pandemic. With her style of observational humor, Ellie tells Creative Washtenaw's Deb Polich and WEMU's David Fair her story on this edition of "creative: impact."

The year-plus of the coronavirus pandemic has been difficult on everyone.  Yet, women, overall, have carried greater burden with both physical and mental ramifications.  Life and health coach Liza Baker has developed techniques to maintain and improve women's health and shared her methods with WEMU's David Fair. 

President Joe Biden, this week, marked 100 days in office with an address to a joint session of Congress.  There, he laid out his arguments for passage of the American Jobs Plan and George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.  12th District Representative Debbie Dingell attended and offered her thoughts to WEMU's David Fair from a Michigan-centered perspective.  

The 93rd Academy Awards ceremony is now in the books.  On "Cinema Chat," WEMU's David Fair and Michigan Theater Foundation executive director Russ Collins reviewed this year's winners and surprises and discussed the new movies and special events coming your way here in town! 

After a 17-year, underground incubation period, the Cicadas are coming.  The somewhat large, noisy insects will return this summer and swarm in huge numbers in portions of Washtenaw County.  WEMU's David Fair checked in with Washtenaw County Conservation District community forester Summer Roberts about the 2021 irruption.  There is some good they do for the environment, and there are ways to help mitigate the potential harm they bring to small trees and shrubs. 

Michigan is still the nation's hotspot for newly confirmed COVID-19 cases, but some positive strides are being made.  More vaccinations are available, and the pause on the one-dose, Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been lifted.  WEMU's David Fair discussed the latest information with Washtenaw County Health Department spokesperson Susan Ringler-Cerniglia.

Growing up in a household infused with art, creativity, and as the granddaughter of Motown Temptation Melvin Franklin, Morgan Foreman-McGovern gained confidence and direction.  She is a Renaissance woman: a dancer, singer, advocate for the environment and the BIPOC community, and the constituent services director for Michigan Representative Felicia Brabec.  She tells Creative Washtenaw's Deb Polich and WEMU's David Fair her story on this edition of "creative:impact."

"Barrier Busters" is a coalition of more than 90-plus service agencies and organizations in Washtenaw County.  It helps low and moderate income families in times of need and helps bridge gaps that might otherwise send a person, or family, spiraling downward.  Moonson Eninsche supervises the program from the Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development.  He joined WEMU's David Fair to offer an inside look at how pandemic hardships have increased the need for services. 

This year's Oscars will be handed out in just a few days, and we've got the movies to go with them.  In this week's "Cinema Chat," WEMU's David Fair and the Michigan Theater Foundation executive director, Russ Collins, discuss Sunday's Academy Awards and the rest of the movie news from Hollywood and in our area. 

In the wake of the conviction of former Minneapolis, MN police officer Derek Chauvin in the murder of George Floyd, police reform is at the top of local and national discussions.  12th District Representative Debbie Dingell weighs in on the opportunity to make meaningful change on that and other issues in a conversation with WEMU's David Fair.

Thursday, April 22nd is Earth Day, and, due to the pandemic, most celebrations will be virtual this year.  Still, the idea of Earth Day has endured since it all started with a series of teach-ins at the University of Michigan in 1970.  U-M Civil and Enviromental Engineering Professor Glen Daigger was there and joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss those heady days and what the future may bring. 

What do you get when you connect 13 Michigan members of Congress with 40 Michigan arts + creative industries advocates on Zoom?  Find out as Creative Washtenaw's Deb Polich and WEMU's David Fair discuss the state of the arts + creative industries on this edition of "creative:impact."

This year marks the United Way of Washtenaw County's 100th anniversary.  Appropriately enough, "Washtenaw United" has now surpassed 100 episodes on WEMU.  David Fair marks both milestones in a conversation with UWWC president and CEO Pam Smith and touches on what the future holds. 

It's Public Radio Music Day, and WEMU is celebrating with a one-day fundraiser.  One of many musicians who has benefited from WEMU's jazz and blues programming is boogie-woogie piano player Mark "Mr. B" Braun.  He joined WEMU's David Fair to talk about what public radio has meant to him, his career, and why having access to live and local music programming, presented by members of his hometown community, is so vitally important. 

Longtime Congressman John Dingell was one of the architects of the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967.  His widow is the current 12th District Representative  from Michigan.  Debbie Dingell continues his mission to keep public broadcasting alive in this country.  She joined WEMU's David Fair and Molly Motherwell to discuss John Dingell's legacy and why WEMU is worth supporting on Public Radio Music Day.