David Fair

Today is your last day to register to vote in the August 7th Primary Election.  There is plenty of election -related activity going on this week and som other items of community interest and engagement, too.  Get all the details in this week's 'Civic Matters' with WEMU's David Fair and Mary Morgan, the executive director of the CivCity Initiative. 

Environmentalists are exceedingly unhappy about Enbridge Energy's safety measure proposals for oil pipelines running through the Straits of Mackinac.  WEMU's David Fair talks with two such leaders about those concerns.  Lisa Wozniak is executive director of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters and Liz Kirkwood serves as executive director of FLOW, an acronym for "For Love Of Water." 

Celebrate America's independence with a good movie!  In this week's "Cinema Chat," WEMU's David Fair talks to Michigan and State Theater digital media specialist Nick Alderink about the latest movie news and all of the new films hitting the big screen this Fourth of July weekend!

The heat wave continues in Washtenaw County, Southeast Michigan, and a majority of the country.  While every summer brings its hot spells, you can expect greater periods of unpredictable and potentially more destructive weather events.  In this week’s edition of "Issues of the Environment," WEMU’s David Fair and University of Michigan professor Dr. Richard Rood explore the adaptive attitudes and actions necessary for our future. 

After stops as managing director of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in Australia and as president of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Mathew Van Besien chose Ann Arbor.  He left what many consider to be the cultural hub of the world to become the 7th president of UMS, the University Musical Society.  He began the job on July 1st of 2017 and, with an eye to the future, spent time reflecting on his first year in town and on the job. 

The 4th of July falls on Wednesday of this week and there are parades, fireworks, and other celebrations of note in Washtenaw County.  That's only part of the conversation between WEMU's David Fair and the CivCityInitiative's Mary Morgan on this edition of "Civic Matters!"

Eastern Michigan University was among the first in the nation to create an Arts Management program.  That was back in 1978.  Professor Susan Badger Booth now helms the Arts Managament and Administration programs and reflects back and looks ahead in this week's edition of "creative:impact." 

Michigan State University interim president John Engler is facing fallout from e-mails he sent regarding the Larry Nassar scandal.  A new redistricting proposal is heading to the November ballot.  Plus, Planned Parenthood is facing major cuts due to the next state budget.  WEMU's David Fair and the Michigan Public Radio Network's Rick Pluta discuss these issues in this week's "The State of Politics."

Summer is officially here, and the movie business stays hot!  In this week's "Cinema Chat," WEMU's David Fair talks to Michigan and State Theater executive director Russ Collins about the latest movie news and all of the new films coming to the silver screen this weekend.

Algal blooms are common in the Great Lakes in the summertime, but they may be more dangerous than originally believed.  In this week's "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's David Fair talks with Dr. Andrew Ault, assistant professor at the University of Michigan's departments of environmental health sciences and chemistry, about a study that determined that algal blooms can become airborne, and, therefore, become a public hazard.

For years, it has been a museum without walls.  In the near future, that is going to change.  Deb Polich, president and CEO of The Arts Alliance, joins WEMU's David Fair to explore the backstory of the African American and Cultural History Museum and look ahead to when the brick-and-mortar iteration of the museum will open.  Museum president and CEO Joyce Hunter joins them to provide the answers. 

Civic engagement opportunities abound in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County!  You may weigh in on the proposals of what Ann Arbor should do with the "Library Lot."  This week, you can learn about the University of Michigan's new budget and potential tuition changes.  Those are just a few of the topics covered by WEMU's David Fair and the CivCity Initiative's Mary Morgan in "Civic Matters!" 

Another Cinetopia is in the books, but there's still plenty to talk about in the world of film.  In this week's "Cinema Chat," WEMU's David Fair sits down with Michigan and State Theater executive director Russ Collins to talk about the movie business and the newest flicks hitting theaters this weekend.

For the last three decades, Food Gatherers has recovered food that would otherwise be wasted. It has put it to good use by helping feed the hungry in Washtenaw County.  In this week's "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's David Fair chats with Food Gatherers president and CEO Eileen Spring. They look back at how the organization has grown, what it has  has accomplished and what the future may hold. 

The English translation of the French word "dessous' is "underneath."  That's where you'll find the one of Ann Arbor's newest downtown eateries. "dessous' occupies an underground space that used to house "Melange." The menu and the space itself have been transformed into an entirely new experience for patrons.  In this week's "creative:impact" on WEMU, you'll hear from co-owner Jay Mullick and consulting chef Eve Aronoff,  on the creative process in creating something entirely new. 

From Monday night's Ann Arbor City Council meeting to finding out how to participate in the upcoming 4th of July parade in Ann Arbor, "Civic Matters" has your engagement opportunities covered! 

The 18th annual Mayor's Green Fair in Ann Arbor is coming up on Friday, June 8th! In this week's "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's David Fair talks to Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor about this year's event. 

Over the years, Bank of Ann Arbor has become the 2nd largest bank in Ann Arbor.  As the institution has grown, so has its investment in local music, art and cultural institutions.  There are now more than 30- such entities getting bank support from a pool of more than $5 million.  And, the president of the bank says that number will grow in the years to come.  In this week's edition of WEMU's 'creative:impact,' Tim Marshall explains why he believes corporate giving is vital to the area's cultural vibrancy. 

Government officials, gubernatorial candidates, and business and industry leaders have spent the week on Mackinac Island.  Through the week, some policy decisions have been made and, as we head toward mid-term elections, some issues are taking definitive shape.  Rick Pluta has been covering the Regional Chamber Conference on the island and joins WEMU's David Fair for a look back at the week and a look ahead to what's to come. 

From spills in the Straits of Mackinac, to large-scale water diversions to tainted drinking water, Michigan has plenty of issues to address and remediate.  There are questions as to whether the political landscape will allow for the development of policies to adequetly do so.  Dave Dempsey has authored 10 environmental books and served on the Michigan Environmental Council.  Now, he is Senior Advisor for FLOW.  His perspective is on tap in this month's "1st Friday Focus on the Environment." 

Cinetopia 2018 launches tonight, and we have all of the details, including a few surprises!  That's what's in store for this week's "Cinema Chat" with WEMU's David Fair and Michigan and State Theater executive director Russ Collins.

For those who experience seasonal allergies, this year could be particularly bad, and climate change may be partially to blame.  In this week's "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's David Fair sits down with Dr. Daniel Katz, postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Michigan's School of Public Health, and they discuss the implications and where current and future research may lead. 

For nearly 80 years, the Ann Arbor Potters Guild has been serving the needs and interests of some of the community's most creative people. And, those artists have been serving the Guild.  It is a cooperative model that is being copied around the country because of its ongoing success.  In this week's 'creative:impact,'  Maki Lin shares the story of how the Guild is set up and built to last. 

A petition drive aimed at ending gerrymandering in Michigan has turned in it's signatures but, for now, it remains in flux.  We now know how the legislature wants to spend a $315-million dollar windfall in the new state budget.  Those are just a few of the topics covered in 89.1 WEMU's 'The State of Politics' this week. 

Thanks to efforts over several decades, the Kirtland's warbler, a rare bird native to Michigan forests, may be removed from the endangered species list.  In this week's "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's David Fair speaks to Juliet Berger, an ornithologist for the City of Ann Arbor and President of the Washtenaw Audubon Society, about what the future holds for this avian species.