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The perennial blossoming of the University of Michigan’s Peony Garden is a sure sign of spring. Perennial, yes, but this year, there is something extra to celebrate. The Peony Garden marks its 100th anniversary. Join Deb Polich on this edition of "creative:impact" to meet Doug Conley, garden coordinator at the University of Michigan’s Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum. They talk about the art of public gardens and learn what's planned for the celebration.

More than 230 environmental organizations and public interest groups have signed on to a petition asking the Federal Trade Commission to investigate the utility industry for harming the public by putting up barriers to rooftop solar and renewable energy expansion. WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak, took a deeper dive into the effort to reign in the power of America’s utility industry with Matt Kasper. Matt is deputy director at the Energy and Policy Institute.

Homelessness and housing insecurity continues to be a problem in Washtenaw County. One of the ongoing, contributing factors is an overall lack of affordable housing. WEMU's David Fair is joined by Heather Thiefels from Avalon Housing in Ann Arbor to discuss the progress being made on that front and the support efforts to address other root causes that land people on the streets.

A new center for auto-immune affected youngsters is coming to Ypsilanti Township. The Children’s Healing Center will offer immune-compromised kids and their families a chance for emotional and social healing in a germ-free environment. WEMU's Josh Hakala and Concentrate Media's Rylee Barnsdale discussed the facility and its missions with the Children's Healing Center's director of development and growth, Melissa Block.

A Washtenaw County program is investing in business startups in the Ypsilanti area. And those investments are already paying off in jobs and business development. WEMU's Cathy Shafran and Concentrate Media's Rylee Barnsdale bring you background on the "Innovate Ypsi" program with SPARK East's director of entrepreneurial services, Kristine Nash-Wong, in this edition of "On the Ground Ypsi."

WEMU wrapped up its fall fundraiser last week, and we're continuing the celebration with new movies! David Fair chats about the latest films and film news with Michigan Theater Foundation executive director, Russ Collins.

Acts of gun violence and deaths have reached epidemic levels throughout the United States. The group Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America is focused on reducing gun violence. Rylee Barnsdale speaks with Washtenaw County's chapter lead, Rochelle Igrisan, about the work they are doing in Washtenaw County and to highlight some upcoming events.

The race to eliminate waste is on, and the University of Michigan is working to win! The Campus Race to Zero Waste is the nation’s leading collegiate waste-reduction competition. Michigan won the competition in 2024 but fell short last year. The 2026 competition is underway and runs through the end of March. WEMU's David Fair spoke with U-M Sustainability Program Manager Alison Richardson about the competition and how it benefits the environment.

After two decades of nurturing young writers from a whimsical robot shop in Ann Arbor, the nonprofit organization, 826michigan, has relocated its headquarters to Ypsilanti. It's a move aimed at deepening impact and expanding access to literacy education. Lee Van Roth talks to 826michigan's grants writer, Catherine Calabro-Cavin, about the move to Eastern Michigan University's College of Education and what that means for the future.

The Ypsilanti District Library (YDL) is making summer more accessible, educational, and fun for everyone in the community. The library's eighth annual Summer Challenge, where readers of all ages earn badges for prizes, to free meals, mutual aid programs, and teen-led music showcases, offers a full slate of free programming. Lee Van Roth (formerly Rylee Barnsdale) will share more about the program and others being offered in a conversation with YDL Community Relations Coordinator, Sam Killian.