September 23, 2024 ~ Lucy Ann Lance talks with Andy Hetzel from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. In a recent discussion, Andy Hetzel from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan spoke with Lucy about the 20th anniversary of the Value Partnerships program, which aims to improve healthcare in Michigan through collaboration between doctors, hospitals, and Blue Cross. This value-based care initiative involves over 20,000 physicians, 40 physician organizations, and 100 hospitals, focusing on quality and safety improvements.

September 20, 2024 ~ Lucy Ann Lance talks with Michael Bright, Assistant Calendar Editor at the Ann Arbor Observer, who details various weekend events in the area. In Dexter, the Encore Musical Theater Company presents “New World Comin’,” a feminist jukebox musical about four young women in 1960s New York, with shows running Thursday through Saturday and matinees on the weekend, tickets costing $40 to $57. In Saline, Oktoberfest on Friday and Saturday features a beer garden, German food, live music, wiener dog races, and an acoustic performance by Luke Bula. The Ann Arbor Russian Festival at St. Vladimir Russian Orthodox Church offers Russian foods, entertainment, and children’s activities from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 1 to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Additionally, the Mathai Botanical Gardens hosts Harvest Fest on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m., featuring games, crafts, live music, and cooking demonstrations. A free concert by Mark Jewett and the Strategic Advisors will be held at the Ann Arbor District Library at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. More event details are available in the Ann Arbor Observer.

September 20, 2024 ~ Lucy Ann Lance talks with Perry Seibert from the Michigan Movie Critics Guild for this week's Talking Pictures. They review Tim Burton’s return to the “Beetlejuice” franchise after 36 years. Seibert reflects on Burton’s career, noting his early successes and later disappointments, but praises “Big Eyes” as an exception. The new “Beetlejuice” film exceeds expectations by not relying solely on Burton’s visual style. It features Michael Keaton’s Beetlejuice with a tragic backstory and returning characters like Winona Ryder’s Lydia Dietz, now a TV psychic with a teenage daughter played by Jenna Ortega.

September 20, 2024 ~ Lucy Ann Lance talks with Jenn Hayman, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Communications & Events, Ann Arbor SPARK and Ashley Schafer, MSAA Executive Director. The Main Street Area Association is organizing Tech Trek, a major technology event in downtown Ann Arbor on Friday, September 27th, from 1 to 5 p.m. This event, which has significantly grown over the years, will feature over 60 companies showcasing their technologies through demos like VR experiences and electric racing cars. Streets will be closed for the event, creating a lively atmosphere with food, games, music, and giveaways. Attendees can use the Whova app to navigate the event, plan visits, and participate in gamified activities. The event aims to highlight the diverse offerings of downtown Ann Arbor beyond just its restaurants.

September 19, 2024 ~ Lucy Ann Lance talks with Nick Nerbonne, Media/Digital/Industry Relations Director, Travel Michigan. They emphasize the beauty and accessibility of destinations like the Thumb Coast, including villages such as Lexington and Port Austin. He shares his recent experiences in Traverse City and encourages exploring coastal attractions like the historic Port Gratiot Lighthouse in Port Huron. Nerbonne also highlights Irish Hills for its scenic lakes, outdoor activities, and charming small towns, making it an ideal spot close to Ann Arbor.

September 18, 2024 ~ Lucy Ann Lance talks with Kathie Wilder, President Elect of the Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor; Josh Williams, Executive Director of Maker Works; Alison Richardson, Sustainability Program Manager at the University of Michigan Office of Campus Sustainability. The upcoming Trash Talk Tour on September 29th in Washtenaw County will offer residents a behind-the-scenes look at Ann Arbor’s recycling facility, Michigan Stadium, and local circular economy initiatives. Kathy Wilder from the Kiwanis Club highlights their significant recycling efforts through weekly sales of donated items. Josh Williams from MakerWorks discusses their community workshop offering repair services like Fix It Friday, where volunteers help fix items to prevent waste. The event features various sustainability demonstrations and activities, such as transforming old T-shirts into grocery bags and mending jeans. Attendees can learn about recycling, proper waste disposal, and Michigan Stadium’s zero-waste program, which diverts significant waste from landfills and supports food donations. The tour aims to educate the community about environmental impact and promote a zero-waste mindset, with further details available at TrashTalkTour.org.

September 18, 2024 ~ Lucy Ann Lance talks with Denise Frahm, Board Trustee/Music Committee Chair /Co-Chair, Farm Wagon; Emily van der Waard, Co-Chair, Farm Wagon; Eddie Josephs, Musician Volunteer. The Waterloo Area Historical Society’s annual Pioneer Day is set for Sunday, October 6th, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Waterloo Farm Museum near Grass Lake. This event offers a rich glimpse into 19th-century pioneer life through various activities and demonstrations. Attendees can enjoy home-baked goods, visit concessions and a gift shop, and watch wood carving and flint knapping demonstrations. New attractions this year include LaSalle Revolutionary War reenactors and a small petting farm. A brewmaster will provide beer, and various vendors will sell crafts and goods.

September 18, 2024 ~ Lucy Ann Lance talks with Frank Rubino, Psychotherapist for this week's On The Couch. They acknowledge progress in recognizing mental illness as a diagnosable disease but express concern about the media’s tendency to link mental illness with violent behavior, particularly after mass shootings. Rubino highlights that individuals with mental health conditions are more often victims than perpetrators of violence and that many violent criminals do not have a history of mental illness. The conversation underscores the need for accurate media representations to shape public understanding and challenges the narrative that equates mental illness with violence.

September 18, 2024 ~ Lucy Ann Lance talks with Dr. Raymond Hobbs, Senior Medical Director in Utilization Management at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Dr. Hobbs explains that Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, comprising about 70% of cases, among over a hundred different types of dementia, some of which are treatable. He underscores the necessity of accurate diagnosis for appropriate treatment, as conditions like vitamin deficiencies can mimic dementia symptoms but are reversible. Key indicators of Alzheimer’s include recent memory loss while long-term memories remain intact, which may confuse families.

September 18, 2024 ~ Lucy Ann Lance talks with Jill Durnen, Owner, Hartman Insurance. Milton A. Hartman, born in 1920 in Saline, founded the Hartman Insurance Agency in 1946 after serving in the Coast Guard during World War II. His granddaughter, Jill Durnen Hartman, now runs the family business, which has strong community ties and a legacy of customer service. The agency, which includes Jill’s father and two sisters, recently won the People’s Choice Award for insurance companies in Saline for the second consecutive year.