September 18, 2024 ~ Lucy Ann Lance talks with Ben Thompson, Corporate Relations Director, United Way for Southeastern Michigan. Cornhole, a lawn game with origins dating back to 1883, involves players throwing fabric bean bags at an inclined board with a hole. The United Way for Southeastern Michigan, led by emerging philanthropists Liz Garza, Megan Mazurek, and Rich Glover, is organizing a cornhole tournament on October 10th from 5 to 8 p.m. at Adams Outdoor Advertising in Ypsilanti. The event aims to connect people through philanthropy and community engagement, targeting younger individuals, and expects around 150 attendees with a fundraising goal of $20,000. Participants will compete in a double elimination format for various trophies, including a “toilet bowl trophy” for the team that tries hard but doesn’t win, and can also partake in a costume contest.

September 17, 2024 ~ Lucy Ann Lance talks with Jane Fraser, President of The Stuttering Foundation of America. James Earl Jones, the legendary actor known for voicing Darth Vader and a University of Michigan graduate, passed away on September 9, 2024, at 93. Despite his stuttering challenges in youth, which left him nearly mute at times, he achieved remarkable success. The Stuttering Foundation of America, founded by Jane Fraser’s father, has supported individuals who stutter since 1947. Fraser emphasizes that stuttering often persists even in accomplished speakers, stressing the importance of preparation and practice in public speaking, as demonstrated by Jones.

September 17, 2024 ~ Lucy Ann Lance talks with Dan Chlebos, Asst. Professor of Justice & Public Policy / Former Police Chief. discusses the tragic death of Michigan State Police Officer Daniel Kerstetter, who died after being involved in a fatal car accident while on duty. Officer Kerstetter had recently graduated from the Motor Carrier Officer Recruit School and was enforcing commercial vehicle regulations when he was struck by a woman experiencing a medical emergency. The woman died instantly, while Kerstetter succumbed to his injuries days later after his family chose to remove him from life support.

September 17, 2024 ~ Lucy Ann Lance talks with Mike Wilkinson, Reporter / Data Analysis, Bridge Michigan. They discuss the challenges faced by Michigan households due to a 3% decrease in income, primarily attributed to the state’s reliance on manufacturing and exacerbated by high inflation rates, which peaked at over 9% in mid-2022. This situation has disproportionately affected median families despite gains for higher-income households, and Social Security benefits have not kept pace with rising costs. The broader context includes similar economic pressures in other countries and U.S. political debates on how to address these issues.

September 16, 2024 ~ Lucy Ann Lance talks with Michael Ambrose, M.D.,Founder/CEO - DocNetwork. Doc Network, founded by Dr. Michael Ambrose, is a distinguished provider of electronic health record systems for camps, schools, and businesses, celebrating 15 years of operation. Recognized for its high growth and innovation, the company has won eight consecutive Ann Arbor Spark’s Fast Track Awards and anticipates a ninth. Its main products, CampDoc and SchoolDoc, were conceived from Dr. Ambrose’s summer camp experiences and developed during his medical education at the University of Michigan. Although he initially practiced pediatric emergency medicine, Dr. Ambrose now focuses on running Doc Network and researching children’s medical records.

September 16, 2024 ~ Lucy Ann Lance talks with Donna Doleman Dickerson, Chief Marketing Officer at the University of Michigan Credit Union. Celebrating 70 Years of Community Involvement. University of Michigan Credit Union was created in 1954 with just 12 members and $9.00 in assets. Today, its profile has grown markedly. Through it all, community has remained at the core of everything they do at UMCU.

September 16, 2024 ~ Lucy Ann Lance talks with Andy Hetzel from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Andy highlights the 20th anniversary of their “Strengthening the Safety Net” program, which supports uninsured and underinsured residents in Michigan. Over the past two decades, this initiative has provided $20 million in funding to improve access to primary care, dental, and behavioral health services, benefiting over 250,000 residents through more than 2 million doctor visits. This year alone, 48 clinics across the state will offer over 185,000 free or low-cost healthcare visits, significantly reducing unnecessary emergency room visits and saving the healthcare system $200 million. For more information, visit mibluedaily.com.

September 13, 2024 ~ Lucy Ann Lance talks with Michael Bright, Assistant Calendar Editor at the Ann Arbor Observer, who details various weekend events in the area. Highlights include “Beautiful Noise,” an immersive concert at the Ypsilanti Freight House on Friday at 7 p.m., and the Old Crow Medicine Show performing at the Michigan Theater at 7:30 p.m. on the same night. A benefit show for St. Andrew’s Church breakfast program also takes place Friday night at the Michigan Theatre, with tickets priced between $40 and $70. The University of Michigan will host free concerts, including a performance by the University Symphony Orchestra at Hill Auditorium on Friday night.

September 13, 2024 ~ Lucy Ann Lance talks with Perry Seibert from the Movie Critics Guild for this week's Talking Pictures. Perry reviews “Evil Does Not Exist,” a film by acclaimed Japanese director Yusuke Hamaguchi, known for “Drive My Car.” The film stars an amateur cast and centers on a widower handyman in a small Japanese village. It begins by depicting his daily life and bond with his daughter before introducing a contentious proposal for a glamping site by an entertainment conglomerate, sparking concerns among villagers. However, the film’s deeper focus is on the human experience rather than the plot. Seibert praises its thought-provoking nature, subtle storytelling, and unique artistic qualities, such as minimal dialogue and distinctive cinematography that captures the natural beauty of the protagonist’s environment.

September 13, 2024 ~ Lucy Ann Lance talks with Angela Heflin, Executive Director, State Street Area Association and Ashley Schafer, MSAA Executive Director. Downtown Ann Arbor is expanding its Social District to now include the State Street District, The Main Street Area Social District is being renamed to the Downtown Ann Arbor Social District and will launch on Friday, September 20.