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Peter "Madcat" Ruth and his harmonica have delighted music fans here and across the world for decades. A Grammy Award winner, Madcat includes Dave Brubeck and his sons Chris and Danny Brubeck, as well as his longtime partner Shari Kane, on the list of those with whom he’s made music. Madcat receives a Lifetime Achievement Medal on February 27 at THE pARTy!, Creative Washtenaw’s signature benefit event. He joins "creative:impact" host Deb Polich and they talk about his life and career.

Have you ever sat down for a meal—maybe a holiday meal and had something you loved—maybe, pumpkin pie— but wondered how put the right ingredients together, threw them in the oven, and made something delicious? If anyone knows where to find the answer, it's Juli McCloone, curator of the Janice Bluestein Longone Culinary Archive at the University of Michigan Library. Juli joins "creative:impact" host Deb Polich to talk about the history of food.

Dining is often a shared experience and frequently as we gather across the table, a cultural experience. Margaret Carney is the founding director and curator of the International Museum of Dinnerware Design in Ann Arbor. She joins "creative:impact" host Deb Polich to talk about how dinnerware adds to the enjoyment of breaking bread together.

Using all art forms, art + creative therapy is an integrative mental health and human services profession used in treating people of all ages. Though used in the majority of health care settings, unlike other medical practices, it remains unlicensed as a practice. Michigan Senator Jeff Irwin has introduced legislation to change that in Michigan. Listen in as he joins "creative:impact" host Deb Polich, and they discuss his reason for supporting this legislation.

All too many in the greater Ypsilanti community go without preventative health care because services are either inaccessible or unaffordable. A new partnership between Packard Health, University of Michigan School of Nursing, and a local church plan to change that. Clinical services will soon be provided to residents of Ypsilanti Township's West Willow neighborhood. WEMU's Cathy Shafran and Concentrate Media's Rylee Barnsdale were joined by Dr. Raymond Rion and Becca Fleming from Packard Health to discuss plans for the new clinic.

There is a proposed 400-acre gravel and sand mining operation in Sharon Township. Local residents appear decisively opposed to the operation. As the permitting process goes through the steps with the township board, the state Legislature is considering bills that move regulatory and permit control to Lansing. Former Sharon Township supervisor and current deputy supervisor Peter Psarouthakis joined WEMU's David Fair with a look at potential environmental and consequences and his desire to keep permitting under local control.

When we talk about creating more equity and opportunity in our community, we may not always be as inclusive as we think we are. For many in the intellectual and developmental disability community, they have no voice at all. Who helps give them a voice and life choices? It's the Washtenaw Association for Community Advocacy. WEMU's David Fair is joined by the association's president and CEO, Kathy Homan, to explore what a tremendous difference it can make to have allies help gain measures of self-determination.

This week, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed historic legislation into law aimed at improving the health and sustainability of Michigan's environment, and we wanted to take a deeper dive into what that is going to look like. WEMU’s David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak found Kara Cook to provide insights as WEMU’s 1st Friday guest. Kara provides perspective from her position in the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan Republicans agree: Enhancing literacy needs to be a greater statewide priority. While they negotiate how best to support literacy efforts, there are strong programs available through our libraries. WEMU's David Fair explored the underdiscussed and appreciated role of these institutions with the director of the Ann Arbor District Library, Eli Neiburger.

Earlier this year, Growing Hope announced the "Sprout Grants" program, which awards funds to organizations that promote self-reliance, self-determination, and food sovereignty through neighborhood gardening. This past September, seven Ypsilanti-area organizations received the inaugural grants, and among them was the Cross Street Village senior living facility. Cross Street community organizer Gwendolyn Copeland talks to Rylee Barnsdale about how they received the grant and their plans for the money.