Search results for

The Ann Arbor Film Festival continues and will run through March 29th. This is the 64th edition and we'll get an update on how the first few days have gone and what remains available to you. WEMU's David Fair and Nick Alderink from Marquee Arts will also fill you in on some new film openings apart from the festival.

Most of us will agree; when you combine environmental education with urban forestry and seasonal ecology, and part of the reward is a sweet, sticky, natural treat, you have a winning combination! Making syrup at the neighborhood level: that's the subject of this week's "Issues of the Environment" conversation between Jennie Williams and WEMU's David Fair. Williams is from the Pear Street Collective in Ann Arbor and part of the neighborhood maple sugaring project.

Interest rates, loans and investment strategies—it all plays into the health of individual businesses and the Washtenaw County business community as a whole. How are we doing right now? WEMU's David Fair and Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber Executive Vice President Andy LaBarre check in with Erik Bakker from Bank of Ann Arbor for a better perspective on well-being of our local business community, now and in the near-term future.

At some point, we will all experience grief. How we accommodate and live with loss is different for each of us. For the most mature among us, it remains heartbreakingly difficult. Young people feel it just as deeply but are more likely to lack the tools to deal with and work through it. The vision of Ele’s Place is to ensure no child grieves alone. Its mission is to support children and their families as they cope with loss. WEMU's David Fair was joined by Bereavement Coordinator Olivia Wilder to discuss that work in Washtenaw County and throughout Michigan.

Food, housing, transportation, health care, education—the price of everything is going up and putting a strain on greater numbers of people. The hardship is worse for those who are already living at or under the poverty line. Combating poverty and the challenges that perpetuate poverty through generations is at the heart of the work performed by the Ypsilanti-based non-profit, Friends In Deed. While the need for assistance is growing, so is the resolve to address poverty and related issues. For Friends In Deed Executive Director R. Tyrone Kelsey, the mission is personal. He explains why in a conversation with WEMU's David Fair.

There is a growing local food network in Washtenaw County. As high prices increase food insecurity, more homegrown food can help. Further, local farmers are creating better connections with the general public, and that is helping to combat the climate crisis by helping reduce transportation-related emissions. There is also potential for more local economic impact. WEMU's David Fair talked with Ryan Poe, the founder of The Hungry Locavore, about local agriculture as part of our carbon neutrality and food insecurity solutions.

Melvin Parson founded We The People Opportunity Farm with the mission of helping formerly incarcerated individuals get a second chance at life. After his tragic passing in March of this year, long-time member LaWanda Hollister took over as the farm's executive director. She talked with Lee Van Roth about her vision of keeping Parson's dream of helping others alive.

The weather is warming up, and the same can be said about the movie world! WEMU's David Fair meets up with Marquee Arts' own Nick Alderink to discuss the newest films landing on the big screen, what to expect at this year's Cinetopia Film Festival, and the special screenings that are coming to Ann Arbor!

Large-scale data centers are increasing in number. They can use a lot of land, water and energy. In the meantime, wind and solar farms are part of the renewable energy future. Where to put them, and how to responsibly deal with land use issues, is difficult. These decisions can have a particular impact on our rural communities and the people who live there. Are we prepared for that future? WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters CEO and President, Lisa Wozniak, wanted to know about potential benefits and consequences. They talked it over with Dr. Sarah Mills, the Director of the University of Michigan Graham Sustainability Institute's Center for EmPowering Communities.

Cinetopia is less than a week away now! WEMU's David Fair gets together with Marquee Arts' own Nick Alderink to chat about the final preparations for this year's festival. Plus, they give a rundown of the newest films and special screenings arriving on the big screen in the coming days!