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Ypsilanti native John E. Lawrence is truly a man of many talents. He's a celebrated guitarist, respected music teacher, and the founder of the John E. Lawrence Summer Jazz Series. Lawrence talked to WEMU's Josh Hakala and Concentrate Media's Rylee Barnsdale about how he got started in music, transitioned into teaching and why it was important to him to create a jazz series in his hometown of Ypsilanti.

Feeling the summer heat lately? Why not catch a good flick? WEMU's David Fair gets together with Michigan Theater Foundation executive director, Russ Collins to give you the latest movie news and what's coming to your favorite movie house this weekend and beyond.

Disc golf is a sport that received a boost in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic and has continued to grow. WEMU's Josh Hakala and Concentrate Media's Rylee Barnsdale take a look at how to play and where to play in the Ypsilanti area with Jen Trombley. She's a member of the Professional Disc Golf Association and head of the Grit and Grace Ladies League.

To achieve environmental and sustainability goals, it's going to take contributions from everyone. The city of Ann Arbor has contracted with zerowaste.org to educate and engage the public in a variety of ways, including a 'neighborhood swap' program. Zerowaste.org executive director, Samuel McMullen, joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the effort and its intended impacts.

Julie and Scott Halpert know all too well what it means to lose a loved one to self-inflicted harm. Their son Garrett took his own life in 2017. Ever since, the Halperts have been working to provide support to others in hopes of preventing more grief. Now the plan is to have a brick-and-mortar facility on 76-acres of land in Superior Township to provide holistic and non-medical support and care services for young adults struggling with life. And, it's to be called Garrett's Space. The Halperts joined WEMU's David Fair to share their story.

There are efforts within city government to develop Water Street along the Huron River. Heather Wysor is an herbalist founder of the online shop Heathers on Earth. It focuses on foraged, natural medicines. She would like to "re-wild" the downtown property. WEMU's Josh Hakala and Concentrate Media's Sarah Rigg speak with Wysor about her proposal to preserve the area's natural state.

Violence is far too pervasive around the country and right here in Washtenaw County. There are efforts to address these matters educationally, legislatively and through the criminal justice system. There is a program in Washtenaw County that is taking its anti-violence message straight to the streets called WeLIVE, which has a particular focus on preventing retaliatory violence. And the program is proving to be one successful. WEMU's David Fair was joined by community outreach specialist Roger Roper and Derrick Jackson from the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office to find out more on efforts to prevent retaliatory violence.

The original cast of "Cinema Chat" is back together. Michigan Theater Foundation executive director, Russ Collins, returned from vacation to talk with WEMU's David Fair about the latest films and special screenings for the upcoming Labor Day weekend.

When Ann Arbor City Council next meets, it is expected to pass an ordinance that will require home sellers to acquire an energy score report from a qualified assessor before listing the property for sale. Tom Renkert is Chief Executive Officer of the Ann Arbor Area Board of Realtors, and while the organization fully supports the city's A2Zero carbon neutrality goals, it doesn't believe this ordinance should be a part of the plan. He joined WEMU’s David Fair to explain why.

It can be a daunting task to become a foster parent or to adopt a child. Children in foster care face so many challenges, and finding adoptive homes becomes more difficult the older they get. Ann Arbor-based Hands Across the Water helps navigate those turbulent times. Its services continue to expand to better help all involved get through the process in healthy and happy ways. Executive director Katie Page Sander joined WEMU's David Fair to share her stories.