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There was a time when many thought of libraries as simplay a place to check out books and to study quietly. No more. While you can still do both of those things, libraries have become much more. They are a center of community engagement and have programs designed to inspire a love of lifelong learning. WEMU's David Fair talked with Ypsilanti District Library director Lisa Hoenig about its growing role in the community.

It's Thanksgiving Day! It's the day you think about a big turkey dinner, watching football, and going to the movies! WEMU's David Fair is joined by Marquee Arts cinema programming director Nick Alderink to discuss the new films and upcoming holiday cinematic events for a special Thanksgiving Day edition of "Cinema Chat"!

Social and educational stressors have increased for youngsters since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. That's where Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Michigan comes in. But there are challenges in finding mentors and volunteers. WEMU's David Fair checked in with interim president Dr. Joselyn Mitchell-Parker about Big Brothers Big Sisters' role in our community and how it is evolving.

Originating in Flint, Rx Kids is a program designed to provide new and expectant mothers and families below the poverty line with financial assistance—no strings attached. Starting this month, the program is expanding to Ypsilanti, and registration is now open. Lee Van Roth discussed the expansion and its local impacts with State Senator Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor).

We are well into the holiday shopping season now. Analysts predict there will be more spending this year than last, despite all of the economic uncertainty around the country and here at home. There are ways to cut down on spending and to help the environment at the same time. WEMU's David Fair talked with Samuel McMullen from Ann Arbor-based Zerowaste.org about sustainable gift giving on a pre-holiday edition of "Issues of the Environment".

An esteemed and beloved organist at the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor recently and suddenly passed away. Andrew Rogers will be honored with a Celebration of Life tribute. WEMU's David Fair and Marquee Arts cinema programming director Nick Alderink discuss Rogers' contributions and about tonight's event at the Michigan Theater. Additionally, they cover the next batch of new films and special holiday screenings playing in downtown Ann Arbor.

A vision born from tragedy is giving hope to the future. In 2017, Julie and Scott Halpert’s 23-year old son Garrett died by suicide. In their grief, and in hopes of preventing others from taking their lives, the Halperts envisioned a campus that would provide support to young adults in a non-medical setting. The residential part of that campus will soon be a reality. It is called Garrett’s Space. WEMU's David Fair talked with executive director David Garcia about the vision, the mission and where construction of Garrett’s Space stands.

There’s a new educational program that's literally transforming the landscape around Ypsilanti Community Schools, sometimes one sweet potato or pawpaw tree at a time. YCS has launched a new agriscience and botany career technical education program. It's part of a countywide push to expand hands-on learning opportunities for students. Lee Van Roth discussed the program and what it hopes to achieve with Ypsilanti Community High School biology teacher Laurel Wiinikka-Buesser.

The Ann Arbor School District is making progress toward making its bus fleet entirely electric. The goal is full electrification by 2035. There are challenges in getting to where the district wants to be in terms of funding, infrastructure and reliability. WEMU's David Fair talked with the district’s manager of construction projects, Moe Nagpal, to find out what the process and procedure looks like.

We're already halfway through November. The holidays are drawing near, and the movies are coming along for the ride! WEMU's David Fair gets together with Marquee Arts cinema programming director Nick Alderink to chat about the new films opening this weekend and Ann Arbor's next round of special screenings.