Issues & Ale

Michigan Radio does an interesting occasional series called Issues and Ale, in which those who know something about a particular public policy get together with citizens in a relaxed setting to discuss things that really matter. Last night we held one on “The Future of Public Education” in an improv theatre in the city of Ferndale, which I thought was an excellent choice.

Ferndale is an older, working-class Detroit suburb which has been a distinct community since the 1920s. Times are not what were, and the city has shrunk over the years to about 20,000 people. Ferndale has become somewhat well-known over the last two decades for its welcoming of the gay and LGBT communities, who have done much to revitalize neighborhoods and the city’s downtown.

But Ferndale also has a dedicated group of parents very concerned with education, their kids’ futures, and want to make sure their children are getting what they need to succeed.

Issues & Ale: “What is Preschool Worth?”
Thurs., Jan. 31, 6:30-8 PM
ConnXtions Comedy Club, 2900 N East St., Lansing

Issues & Ale: “What does Right-To-Work Mean for Michigan?”

Tues., Jan. 15, 6:30-8:00 PM
Corner Brewery, 720 Norris St.
Ypsilanti, 48198

In December, Michigan lawmakers passed controversial right-to-work legislation, which will take effect in April. What does the new right-to-work law mean for employment in the state of Michigan?

Join host Jack Lessenberry for a panel discussion about how right-to-work will actually impact Michigan’s economy and labor force.

Panelists will include:

• Kristin Dziczek | Director, Labor & Industry Group, Center for Automotive Research
• Vincent Vernuccio | Director of Labor Policy, The Mackinac Center for Public Policy
• John J.H. "Joe" Schwarz | Former Michigan Congressman
• Gretchen Driskell | State Representative for Michigan's 52nd District,

Free admission

Issues and Ale is an event series co-sponsored by Michigan Radio and the Center for Michigan designed to engage people in conversations about important issues facing Michigan... in an informal atmosphere. Stop by, have a drink, and join in the discussion with your questions and comments.

Tuesday, November 6, 8:00 PM-11:00 PM
Buffalo Wild Wings 
205 S. State St. 
Ann Arbor, MI  48104

Issues & Ale: Election "Truth Squad"

Tues, Oct. 23, 6:30-8:00pm
Dr. Grins Comedy Club 
20 Monroe Avenue Northwest, Grand Rapids, 49503

As the November election draws closer, you'll be seeing and hearing more political ads that stretch the truth...or contain outright lies and distortions. Join Michigan Radio political analyst Jack Lessenberry, investigative reporter Lester Graham, and the Center for Michigan's Truth Squad for a look at the fact and fiction behind the political ads you're seeing. 

Free admission

Issues & Ale: Asian Carp in the Great Lakes

Tues, Sept. 18, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Kirby House
2 Washington Ave.
Grand Haven, MI 49417

How much of a threat do Asian carp pose for the Great Lakes and what effect could they have on recreation and the fishing industry? Is harvesting the fish a way to solve the problem? What is being done now and what are the future options to keep this invasive species in check?

Rebecca Williams from Michigan Radio’s Environment Report hosted this panel discussion at the Kirby House in downtown Grand Haven. Panelists included Dr. Carl Ruetz-Grand Valley State University, Tammy Newcomb-Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Denny Grinold-Old Grin Sport Fishing.

Issues & Ale: Can Kids in Michigan Get Ahead?

Mon, July 30, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

HopCat, 25 Ionia Ave SW,
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Free admission

Nearly one out of four children in Michigan live in poverty. And 42 percent of children raised in poverty stay in poverty as adults. What does it mean for kids who are faced with serious disadvantages from an early age, from birth outcomes to nutrition to education? Can the future be different for them? And what beliefs do we have about what it means to live in poverty that affect the way policy is shaped, for better or worse?

Michigan Radio's Jennifer White will host this discussion exploring these questions, as we look to  define the problem of poverty in Michigan. This is the first community event in Michigan Radio’s “State of Opportunity” project. Over the next three years, Michigan Radio is taking an in-depth look at the challenges facing Michigan families living in poverty but also at the potential for clearing that path to success for Michigan’s most vulnerable kids. 

Issues & Ale: Climate Change – From Arctic Ice to Your Backyard

Sat, June 9, 12:00-2:00 pm

Location: Water Hill neighborhood, 700 block of Fountain Street,

Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103

Unless you’ve been at the bottom of a salt mine for the last month or so, you know that Detroit is facing the mother of all financial crises. The city is about to run out of cash and options.

Within nine days, the governor either has to reach something called a consent agreement with the city’s elected leaders, or name an all-powerful emergency manager to run Detroit.

Nobody really understands how the consent agreement model would work, or frankly, even if it would work, but essentially, it would mean an emergency manager by committee.

Michigan’s Emergency Manager Law has sparked debate, national news coverage, and a petition drive to put the issue on the ballot this November. Michigan Radio’s Senior Political Analyst Jack Lessenberry will host a discussion on this controversial measure at Michigan Radio’s next Issues & Ale event on Monday, March 26 at Blackstone’s Pub in downtown Flint. The event starts at 6 p.m.

Michigan Radio has been sponsoring a set of public forums designed to bring experts on various issues together with the public in an informal, non-threatening way, a series called “Issues and Ale.“ I moderated one earlier this week that focused on education, held at the Wolverine Brewing Company in Ann Arbor. I was doubtful how many people would actually show up. This was on Tuesday night in what is really early winter, with the holidays approaching. To my surprise, however, before the evening was over it was standing room only, with people packing the hall.

Issues & Ale: How Michigan Learns
Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011, 6:30pm
Jack Lessenberry hosted this discussion and community conversation on
the future of K-12 education. What’s the best way to prepare today’s
students for the global economy?  

Issues & Ale: The Future of Renewable Energy
Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011, 6:30pm Park Theater, Holland
Host Rebecca Williams of The Environment Report talked with
WMU Professor of Environmental Studies Harold Glasser, Hugh McDiarmid, Jr.
(Mich Environmental Council) and Paul Isely (GVSU Economics Professor)
about renewable energy in Michigan.