The entire city of Saginaw is a canvas for 37-year-old artist Eric Schantz. But the reverse of that statement is also true. Schantz’s body is a canvas for this city that struggles with poverty, unemployment, and violence.

More here:
http://michiganradiopictureproject.org

Eric Schantz, A Saginaw artist tries to make things better, and the town responds

This is what it sounds like directly underneath a 1.6 megawatt wind turbine

The sound of a wind turbine about a quarter of a mile away

During our interview with the Gold family, six year-old Amelie Gold wanted to explain to us how the family goes into the forest to tap maple trees. She walks us through the process.

A six-year old from Ypsilanti, Michigan explains how to make maple syrup

At Detroit’s North American International Auto Show, the focus is naturally on the cars.
 
But behind the scenes, more than 2,000 people labor to make sure visitors are impressed by what they see.
 
Detroit has hosted an auto show for over a century now. And in a place known as the Motor City, it’s always been a pretty big deal.
 
But as the automotive industry has declined in Detroit, and the car industry has gone truly global, the event now known as the North American International Auto show has only gotten more important.
 
More than just cars and turntables
 
And since it’s gotten bigger, it takes a lot more time and effort to put on the show than it used to.
 
Jimmy Albert, a union steward with Teamsters Loal 299, has watched that happen. They do most of the heavy lifting around Cobo Center, home of the auto show.
 
“I came here shortly after high school…almost 19, and 52 years old now,” said Albert. “So I’ve been around.”
 
And needless to say, things have changed a whole lot during that time.
 
“At one time, it was just turntables and cars and maybe an ID sign, and it took about a week to set up,” Albert said. “Now, it’s a two-and-a-half month set-up.”
 
And Albert said it’s a whole different world on the floor than what you saw back in the turntable days. He likes all the exhibits, but is a particular fan of the German automakers.
 
“Look at the 3-D effect of the way the ceiling comes down here,” Albert said, pointing at Audi’s section of the show floor. “I don’t know if I’ve seen a cleaner, nice (exhibit).”
 
Albert helps lead some of more than 1,200 skilled trades workers who are responsible for building, running, and then dismantling the show’s infrastructure. And that’s a whole lot of infrastructure.
 
“Crates of flooring, crates of glass…all come through the Teamsters,” Albert said. “As a matter of fact at night, set change last night, I had 70 fork lift crews here. They switch cars, they take lights down...they change everything for the public.”
 
This biggest group of workers is also the show’s most invisible. But there are other folks out on the show floor who blend into the landscape almost as much – from the catering staff handing out fancy, free cappuccinos, to the people who help sometimes-clueless automotive reporters navigate the simulated race car experience that a number of automakers feature.

http://michiganradio.org/post/meet-workers-who-power-detroits-auto-show

Meet the workers who power Detroit's Auto Show

Michigan Radio reporter Kyle Norris asks original cast member Ela Weissberger to sing an excerpt from Brundibar. She sings in her native Czech. 

Hear an original Brundibar cast member sing from the opera

Cellist Yo Yo Ma and a few other renowned artists were in Detroit this week, working with some very young musicians.
 
"Can we say 'Tchaikovsky'?"
 
"Tchaikovsky!" screamed a classroom of obedient fourth graders.  
 
The elementary and middle schools students at Spain public school, near downtown Detroit, spent the morning with the most famous living classical musician in the world.
 




Credit Davie Trumpie 


It's part of a national push to gets kids engaged with the arts.
 
"Yo Yo Ma is coming up in here" 
 
In the auditorium, the 8th graders have been waiting patiently for this concert to get going.
 
"What did they tell you guys was going to happen today?" I ask. 
 
"Well, they told us that we was gonna have a performance, and it was gonna be a huge performance. Yo Yo Ma is coming up in here," says Lindell, an 8th grader with an earnest face. 
 
At this point, he and the rest of the school have been in overdrive preparing for Ma.
 
The school is spotless.
 
Don't you dare be the kid with notebooks still on his desk, like fourth grader Jerome. His classmate shakes his head, then silently removes the binders for him, placing them in his own desk; Jerome's own is already overflowing. 
 
The dance team, choir and band have all been practicing like mad.
 
A group of kids has been designated as official guides for all the TV cameras and reporters – some of the kids got so dressed up, one guy is even wearing a tiny tuxedo. 
 
Lindell and fellow 8th grader Martinez even have Yo Yo Ma's who bio memorized:
 
"Ever since he was born, October the 3, 1958. He's Chinese, too. Age 59."
 
Actually, Google says it's October 7, 1955 – but points for trying, man. 
 
When asked why Ma chose Spain Elementary-Middle School, Martinez doesn't hesitate:  
 
"Because this is the best choice they had for performing arts," he says.  
 



Even shy fourth graders like Brooklyn know their favorite instrument. "Violin," she whispers into the mic. 


Spain Elementary and Middle kids are really, really into the performing arts, at least if the kids I talked to are any indication.
 
Lindell plays tuba, Martinez plays drums. Even shy fourth graders like Brooklyn know their favorite instrument:
 
"Violin," she whispers into the mic. 
 
"Collaboration, trust, and imagination"
 
While the 8th graders waited, Yo Yo Ma spent his morning with the 4th graders.
 
They created a dancing, human model of the solar system. That's what the kids are studying this time of year.
 
Which meant the kids had to break some tough news to Ma: Pluto is no longer a planet.
 



No offense to Yo Yo Ma, but dancer Lil Buck stole the show for a lot of the fourth graders. 

Credit Dave Trumpie 


"I don't understand why!" Ma told them. "When I went to school, it was a planet! They demoted it!"
 
Pluto is too small to be a planet, the kids patiently explain. And "it was too far away," adds one. 
 
Ma and former New York City Ballet dancer Damian Woetzel have been doing classroom stops like this as part of a push to get kids involved with the arts.
 



"We [learn to] work together, and do what actually Detroit is doing with itself and all the committed citizens and people that are so passionate about the city." 


"Collaboration, trust, imagination," said Ma. "So we can talk together, and work together, and do what actually Detroit is doing with itself and all the committed citizens and people that are so passionate about the city."
 
When the school-wide performance does get going, Yo Yo Ma plays behind elementary school students who read from a poem they've written, called "I Am Unique."
 
"What makes me unique? My talent. I have skills like NO one else," one braided elementary school girl says, hands on hips. 
 
Afterwards I ask the 8th grade boys: Why do you think Yo Yo Ma comes and does this kind of stuff in schools?
 
Because, they say. He’s challenging us. 
 
"[Being good at music] is better than watching TV, or just sitting inside," says Lindell. "You get to get out, show your talent. Show the real you."


Yo Yo Ma playing with Detroit kids might make your heart melt

Tenant associations are springing up across the city. Their members say they’re pushing back against landlords who profit off buildings they don’t take care of -- while raising rents and evicting residents.

Tenants are organizing in Detroit against landlords. Here's what they're hoping to accomplish.

Mushroom lovers know that May not only brings flowers in Michigan, it also brings delicious morel mushrooms. Here's one way to cook them up. Audio produced by Tom Carr.

Cooking up morel mushrooms at Hermann's European Café

In our first interview of Warming Up with Emily Fox, Detroit DJ Juan Atkins shares his view on Detroit's techno past and present. All this month, Emily interviews Michigan musicians with new releases in February 2015. 

Juan Atkins discusses Detroit techno's past and present with Michigan Radio

After a life of loving music, Grand Rapids graphic designer Dana Nyson has released his very first EP. It’s called “So Far.” Nyson decided to pursue his passion at 50 years old, when he signed up for music lessons with teacher James Hughes, one of the owners at Triumph Music Academy in Grand Rapids.

Stateside with Cynthia Canty talked with Nyson about overcoming fear to find inspiration. 

Hear more music on the Stateside's Michigan Radio website: http://michrad.io/1ukRNc7.

Grand Rapids graphic designer Dana Nyson turns musician at age 50

Singer-songwriter from northern Michigan Kirby Snively plays a song from a song-writing workshop in which he had to use the words "black ice." Snively told us that "when your time comes to fall in love, love will hunt you down like the dirty dog in the streets that you are." He says it's funny how people miraculously find their way to one another.

Kirby Snively plays "When Love Turns Up On Your Doorstep"

Stateside with Cynthia Canty covers a wide range of Michigan news and policy issues — as well as culture and lifestyle stories. In keeping with Michigan Radio’s broad coverage across southern Michigan, Stateside with Cynthia Canty focuses on topics and events that matter to people all across the state.

For Michigan family living off the grid, it's "not about the sacrifice, it's about paying attention"

Marcella Keller is 80 years old. She's a member of the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians. This track was recorded outside of one of Marcella's son's houses in Cross Village (she had 12 kids). She is talking with me and a family friend of hers, Eric Hemenway, who is the director of Archives and Records for the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians.

Marcella Keller speaks Anishinaabemowin

On November 10th, 1975, the iron ore carrier the Edmund Fitzgerald sank in Lake Superior. Twenty-nine men died. The lake carrier was caught in one of the worst storms recorded on the Great Lakes. In the years since the Edmund Fitzgerald went down, Mike Simonson has talked with those connected with the ship.

Remembering the Edmund Fitzgerald

Mark Durno, the on-scene coordinator for the EPA explains how a lack of corrosion control can lead to elevated lead and copper in drinking water.

Here's how lead can leach into your drinking water

As Americans, we like to think of ourselves as exceptional, but in the case of women's political leadership, we're exceptionally backward. Nancy L. Cohen asks this very question in her new book "Breakthrough: The Making of America's First Woman President." She joined us on Stateside.

Why do we still not have a woman president?

Girls Rock Detroit co-founder Melissa Coppola is working to empower young girls through music education.

Girls Rock Detroit: Empowering girls through music education

President Obama called on Flint parents not to despair. Says kids in Flint will be fine if parents act to help them. 

Obama says kids in Flint will be fine if people take action

During his speech in Flint, Michigan on May 4, 2016, President Obama, experiencing a dry cough, asks for a glass of water.

President Obama asks for a glass of water while speaking in Flint

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder promoted his business skills when first running for office, but those skills are now being questioned as the Flint water crisis continues to be a government nightmare. Grand Valley State University is taking the opportunity to learn from the mistakes made by the Snyder administration.

Marie McKendall is a business professor at GVSU who will be using the Flint water crisis as a case study in her business ethics class this fall.

Don't do this: learning from the Flint water crisis

Mike Jackson...with the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights. Also we spoke with former state representative Rashida Tlaib, one of the leaders in the campaign to get this community benefits ordinance.


Is the Detroit community benefits agreements a jobs killer?

Michigan Radio’s Steve Carmody is headed that way but we wanted to grab him before he takes off.

Lindsey Smith: "Not Safe to Drink," a special documentary about the Flint water crisis. 

Produced and written by Lindsey Smith, with help from Sarah Hulett.
Edited by Sarah Hulett with help from Jennifer Guerra.
Additional reporting by Steve Carmody, Mark Brush , Rebecca Williams and other members of the Michigan Radio news team
Vincent Duffy is the news director at Michigan Radio

http://michiganradio.org/post/listen-not-safe-drink-special-documentary-about-flint-water-crisis#stream/0

Lindsey Smith: "Not Safe to Drink," a special documentary about the Flint water crisis

Ralph Giese -These Times

Darryle Buchanan

Randy Annala, a lifelong resident of Ishpeming, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, tells Michigan Radio's Kaye LaFond about his childhood, teenage and adult experiences with the Huron Mountain Club.

Randy Annala on the Huron Mountain Club

Archer Mayor, author of the book "Huron Mountain Club: The First 100 Years", tells Michigan Radio's Kaye LaFond about the club's history, quirks, and what it was like to spend winter in the Upper Peninsula.

Archer Mayor on the Huron Mountain Club

Listener Question 6 - Elder Care

Listener Question 7 - Elder Care

Listen to the call of the male red-breasted grosbeak, sometimes called "cut-throat" due to the scarlet patch on its breast.

Rose-breasted grosbeak

Listen to the call of a male indigo bunting, a small migratory bird that ranges from southern Canada to northern Florida.

Indigo bunting

Listen to the sound of a male Baltimore oriole.

Baltimore oriole

"When I First Went to Sea" from Ferndale-based singer Katie Else's new album Songs Across the Lake and Sea. 

https://www.katieelse.com/music

Recorded at Michigan Radio and engineered by Bob Skon.

When First I Went To Sea by Katie Else

"Barr An TSléibhe " from Ferndale-based singer Katie Else's new album Songs Across the Lake and Sea.

www.katieelse.com/music

Recorded at Michigan Radio and engineered by Bob Skon.

Barr An TSléibhe by Katie Else

"Leaving Arranmore" from Ferndale-based singer Katie Else's new album Songs Across the Lake and Sea.

www.katieelse.com/music

Recorded at Michigan Radio and engineered by Bob Skon.

Leaving Arranmore by Katie Else

MAB Mini Doc Or Series Entry: Believed

Delivered first in Detroit MI, June 23rd 1963.  delivered at the 28 Cobo Hall in Detroit.

It was 1963 in Detroit, Michigan, and the city was at a crossroads. Rich with a bustling auto industry, a great spurt in manufacturing as well as transplants from the Southern states and abroad, Detroit and its populace were on the cusp of embracing or thwarting diversity.

 African Americans by this time comprised 16% of the auto industry, up from 4% just 20 years before, helping to create a black middle class. But the election of a series of conservative mayors signaled some aversion to full-scale integration, noted author and historian Thomas Sugrue: “Economically, homeowners feared, above all, that an influx of blacks would imperil their precious investments.”

King’s trek down Woodward – organized by the Detroit Council for Human Rights and supported by the UAW and the NAACP – cemented Detroit’s activism and leadership in making change. It is said that $100,000 was raised that day for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.


Martin Luther King Original I Have a Dream Speech - Detroit, MI 1963

Michigan Public is Michigan's NPR news leader and the state’s most listened-to public radio service. We simulcast programming on three FM transmitters…WUOM 91.7 FM in Southeast Michigan, WFUM 91.1 FM in Flint, and WVGR 104.1 FM in West Michigan, with a broadcast signal that reaches 80% of Michigan’s population. Our stations serve approximately 500,000 listeners each week across the southern half of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, and a worldwide audience through our online audio stream. Michigan Public also provides an in-depth online news service that provides updated news stories throughout the day to over 100,000 unique users per month at https://www.michiganpublic.org.

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