Dr. Gail Mee updates us on the exciting new school year at Henry Ford Community College in our first half hour. She will be leaving HFCC after six busy years with numerous local accomplishments and both national and local recognition for her work. In the second half, we speak to "Mr. Public Citizen," Ralph Nader, who ran for President in 2000, 2004, and 2008, twice on a Third party ticket and once as an Independent. Should we vote at all this November? For whom? Why don't we hear more about all the choices we actually have on the ballot?

On November 6, the Presidential race is very important, as are the local contests. However, the ELEVEN proposals on the ballot in Wayne county--with SIX being statewide--could perhaps have the biggest impact on our everyday lives, so on today's JOURNAL we presents the proposals in detail, with a variety of perspectives about their need, value, and consequence.

First monthly edition! Listen now every SECOND TUESDAY each month, from 1-2 PM, or catch it here as a podcast, anytime after broadcast.

Host Ned Apigian, a Dearborn Heights councilperson, interviews two of the five candidates competing for election to the Michigan House representing the new District 11, which includes Dearborn Heights. This show features two of the four Democrats competing in the August 7 Primary: Bill Kaledas and David Knezek Note: all candidates were initially invited: Democrat Cody Bailey and Republican Kathleen Kopczyk were scheduled but, at the last minute, did not make themselves available.

Two special guests tell us about "Green Living Alternatives," part of Dearborn Homecoming actvities next weekend, this being from 1-4 PM on Aug. 4: Maureen McIlrath of Dearborn cable TV's "Going Green with Maureen," and Sean Galloway, who along with Maureen is guiding the Going Green Foundation (goinggreenfoundation.org).

"No Child Left Inside", that's the program name and the goal of program founder Alan Heavner. He'll talk about the positive effects of getting kids of all ages into the wilderness. Even if the wilderness is just a few miles from home. Kathy Martin discusses outdoor counseling and Peter Rudofski talks about working with blind and deaf children in canoes. Updates on Turner Town, the 2012 Michigan Ride for Kids, along with information about The Race for the Cure.