David Fair

There are new films opening in the are this week, and it is the season for film festivals. In this week's installment of "Cinema Chat"  WEMU's David Fair and Michigan Theater Executive Director Russ Collins cover all of it for you, beginning with discussion of a new, lavish movie musical that's in the works.

In this week's installment, WEMU's David Fair looks at how technology will help spare the lives of birds around windmill farms, and better map delicate ecosystems. The guest this week is Russell Conard. Russell is Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer for the Washtenaw County start-up company Ornicept.

For more info on Ornicept's work:  ornicept.com

The Great Gatsby  opens in theaters this weekend!  In this week's installment of  Cinema Chat, WEMU's David Fair and  Russ Collins discuss several film options for the weekend and preview the upcoming Cinetopia Film Festival. The conversation began, however, with some sad news out of Hollywood.

Rattlesnakes in Washtenaw County! They're here, and they serve a purpose. Unfortunately their habitat has been threatened, but a project is underway to help. Joining WEMU's David Fair on Issues of the Environment is Steven Parrish, Steven is the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake Habitat Restoration Project Manager and Natural Areas Specialist at Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum.  Together, David and Steven discuss  work in Washtenaw County on the Eastern Massasauga Habitat Restoration and Education Project.

A light ballot in Washtenaw County on Tuesday day means relatively quick results. The results, keep in mind, are unofficial until certified by the Board of Canvassers.

Voters in Dexter Village have opted to continue moving forward with the process of becoming a city. The measure passed on a vote of 460-to-408. The next step will be the election of a nine-member charter commission. Once a draft charter is adopted and passed by the state, incorporation into city-hood will go before a vote of the people.

The Obama administration wants to continue funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative at its current level of $300 million, but is it enough?  This month's First Friday Focus on the Environment from WEMU examines how the initiative has helped the Great Lakes.  Our guest is the Executive Director of the National Wildlife Federation's Great Lakes Regional Center, Andy Buchsbaum.

Film festivals galore, including Cinetopia, Jewish Film Festival; Iron Man 3, new openings downtown, and much more on this week's Cinema Chat from WEMU.

Hidden dangers posed by underground oil pipelines could threaten the Huron River.  Laura Rubin is Executive Director of the Huron River Watershed Council, and she's our guest on this week's Issues of Environment from WEMU.

From a half-dozen college students with a beat up truck to a major business, Barbara Lucas traces the 35 year history of Recycle Ann Arbor on The Green Room from WEMU.

Mr. B's Joybox Express is getting ready to bike the length of the Mississippi River, from Minnesota to New Orleans this fall, and WEMU is getting ready to follow the ride.   Mark Braun, aka Mr. B., spoke with WEMU's David Fair about the project and what the Joybox entourage plans to do along the way.

Star Wars galore!  Michigan premieres!  Lights, cameras, action!  It's Cinema Chat from WEMU.

Eastern Michigan University President Susan Martin assesses the past academic year at EMU, and her expectations for the school's future with WEMU's David Fair.

This week's Issues of the Environment from WEMU examines Washtenaw Community College's efforts to reduce, recycle, and now, compost.  Our guest is WCC's Facilities Maintenance Manager, Barry Wilkens.

Oscars moving for the Olympics; New Star Wars news; new openings downtown, and much more on this week's Cinema Chat from WEMU.

Amanda Bynum is Director of Programming and Education at the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor. 

Find out more about fair food systems on this week's Issues of the Environment from WEMU.  Our guest is Oran Hesterman, who discusses fair food systems in Washtenaw County, and some of the ways in which the county is working to provide equitable access to sustainable foods for all residents.

The 51st annual Ann Arbor Film Festival is underway.   Everything you need to know about it is on this week's Cinema Chat from WEMU.

This week's Issues of the Environment from WEMU examines infrastructure needs to meet the growing demand for electric vehicles and hybrids.  Our guest is the project manager for "Plug-in Ready Michigan", Mark Rabinsky. 

This week's Cinema Chat from WEMU is film festival central, plus new openings downtown and new releases at the cineplexes.

Ann Arbor Film Festival

SXSW

The latest Star Wars news, the yellow brick road returns, upcoming Ann Arbor Film Fest, special screenings and new openings downtown, and much more on this week's Cinema Chat from WEMU.