On the Ground-Ypsi

The three-mile stretch of Washtenaw Avenue between US-23 and EMU’s water tower area has been the target of discussion for years. Now, an MDOT study on that stretch of road is taking a comprehensive look at how to fix it and also how to make it an area friendly for pedestrians and bicyclists as well. On this edition of "On the Ground Ypsi," WEMU's Cathy Shafran and Concentrate Media's Rylee Barnsdale hear from Nathan Voght, the project manager for Reimagine Washtenaw, about visions for this portion of Washtenaw Avenue that could one day make it a multi-modal corridor, rather than a pothole-laden stretch of land to maneuver around.

Thomas Merton once said, "Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time." That philosophy is similar to what an Ypsilanti-based program is creating. Miriam Kirscht is founder of Improvisation Heals. The program uses improvisational interaction to help overcome social anxieties and build confidence. WEMU's David Fair and Concentrate Media's Sarah Rigg discovered more about this innovative local program in this week's #OTGYpsi conversation.

The 'Black Men Read' organization has its origins in Washtenaw County but is expanding its reach across the nation. It brings African American men to read books to children with hopes of inspiring them to go far in life while highlighting the vital and positive role that Black men bring to the community. Black Men Read co-founder, Tamara Tucker-Ibarisha, joined WEMU's David Fair and Concentrate Media's Sarah Rigg to talk about the group's recent work, including adaptations to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

All too often, those with disabilities feel left out. The notion of community-wide inclusion to forge more meaningful and productive relationships to people of all abilities is behind the soon-to-open "Work & Play Cafe" in Ypsilanti. In the return of "On the Ground Ypsi," David Fair welcomed Concentrate Media's "On the Ground" project manager, Sarah Rigg, and the subject of her article, cafe co-founder Steve Berg.

In its second year, Ypsilanti youth arts nonprofit "Elevation Youth Corp" is planning to support the community with winter coats for those in need. WEMU's…

Each week, WEMU's Lisa Barry checks in with On The Ground Ypsi's Sarah Rigg to talk about one of her online Concentrate Media stories being published that…

This week for "On the Ground Ypsi," our weekly partnership with Concentrate Media giving voice to one of their online stories about the Ypsilanti area,…

Just in time for Halloween, we meet one of several horror fiction writers who live in the Ypsilanti area. In this week’s "On the Ground Ypsi," WEMU’s Lisa…

The organizers of "Writers of Ypsilanti," a program sponsored by community writing lab YpsiWrites believe everyone's a writer and writing matters.WEMU's…

WEMU's Lisa Barry and On the Ground Ypsi project manager Sarah Rigg talk with Keesa Johnson from the Washtenaw County Black Farmers Fund about efforts to…