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November 15, 2024


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2 GROUNDCOVER NEWS GROUNDCOVER hunger + homelessness awareness WEEK STATE of HOMELESSNESS and AFFORDABLE HOUSING Monday, November 18, 8 to 10:30 a.m. Washtenaw Community College — Morris Lawerence Building 4800 E. Huron River Drive Washtenaw Housing Alliance's annual breakfast and keynote program. Register at: SoHAH2024.eventbrite.com HEALTH and WELLNESS FAIR Monday, November 18, 2 -5 p.m. Delonis Center, 312 W. Huron Street Resource fair for clients and those in the community experiencing homelessness. Washtenaw Literacy, Humana and more will be present. Come here for blood pressure tests, employment resources and more! INTERFAITH COUNCIL for PEACE and JUSTICE HARVEST DINNER Monday, November 18, 5:30-7p.m. Ypsilanti Freighthouse, 100 Market Pl Honor community leaders who live the values of ICPJ and work toward a collective vision. The collective work of so many is what will lead toward radical, systemic change and bring about the racial, economic, social and environmental justice that all people deserve. RSVP online at: givebutter.com/ICPJ2024HarvestDinner OZONE HOUSE OPEN HOUSE Tuesday, November 19, 5-8 p.m. 1600 N. Huron River Dr., Ypsilanti November is HOPE (Homelessness, Outreach, Prevention, Education) month. Join Ozone to celebrate the work they're doing to support youth experiencing homelessness and to explore ways we can continue to prevent and address youth housing instability in our community. Free and open to the public; light refreshments will be provided. GROUNDCOVER LOVES YOU! ANNUAL OPEN MIC Friday, November 22, 6-8 p.m. Makeshift Gallery, 407 E Liberty St. Join Groundcover this November in honoring Hunger & Homelessness Awareness week at our fifth open mic event! Come listen to community members share writing, songs, poetry and stories from the street. This is a FREE event. All are welcome. See graphic on page 12. NOVEMBER 15, 2024 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR "I have just finished reading your issue of October 18th, and I thank you for the many interesting and helpful local news items. I was delighted to read 'Meet Your Vendor' focusing in that issue on Cindy Gere, whom I am happy to encounter very early in the mornings just outside Sweetwaters on West Washington St., where Cindy invariably greets me with a big smile. I also particularly appreciated Cindy's article on page 3: 'A2 downtown coffee shop extravaganza,' a topic I think many in the community are curious to know about. As an appreciative long-time reader of Groundcover News, I urge you to keep on informing us of current 'news and solutions from the ground up' in Washtenaw County." — Anna Ercoli Schnitzer, longtime Ann Arborite "There is international law about genocide and associated crimes. South Africa is familiar with that reality and was the voice for much of the world when they took Israel to the International Court of Justice. The US does not recognize the ICJ so there is no good legal response for cases brought before it. The US always claims immunity from prosecution for itself and its allies. Nevertheless the case for genocide against Palestine is impressive and world opinion supports an end to this war." — Ken Parks PROVIDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELF-DETERMINED INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY POVERTY, PRODUCING A STREET NEWSPAPER THAT GIVES A PLATFORM TO UNDERREPRESENTED VOICES IN WASHTENAW COUNTY, PROMOTING AN ACTION TO BUILD A JUST, CARING AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETY. Groundcover News, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in April 2010 as a means to empower lowincome persons to make the transitions from homeless to housed, and from jobless to employed. Vendors purchase each copy of our regular editions of Groundcover News at our office for 50 cents. This money goes towards production costs. Vendors work selling the paper on the street for $2, keeping all income and tips from each sale. Street papers like Groundcover News exist in cities all over the United States, as well as in more than 40 other countries, in an effort to raise awareness of the plight of homeless people and combat the increase in poverty. Our paper is a proud member of the International Network of Street Papers. STAFF Lindsay Calka — publisher Cynthia Price — editor Michelle Lardie-Guzek — intern ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS Tabitha Almond Elizabeth Bauman Pedro Campos La Shawn Courtwright Shelley DeNeve Jacob Fallman Mike Jones Marie Will Shakespeare Denise Shearer Ike Staple GROUNDCOVER NEWS ADVERTISING RATES Size 1/8 1/6 1/4 1/2 full page Black/White $110.00 $145.00 $200.00 $375.00 $650.00 Color $150.00 $200.00 $265.00 $500.00 $900.00 Dimensions (W x H in inches) 5 X 3 or 2.5 X 6.5 5 X 4 5 X 6.25 5 X 13 or 10.25 X 6.5 10.25 X 13 CONTACT US PROOFREADERS Susan Beckett Elliot Cubit Steve Ross Anabel Sicko VOLUNTEERS Jessi Averill Sim Bose Zachary Dortzbach Luiza Duarte Caetano Jacob Fallman Glenn Gates Alexandra Granberg Robert Klingler Simone Masing Anthony McCormick Mary Wisgerhof Max Wisgerhof Story and photo submissions: submissions@groundcovernews.com Advertising and partnerships: contact@groundcovernews.com Office: 423 S. 4th Ave., Ann Arbor Mon-Sat, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Phone: 734-263-2098 @groundcover @groundcovernews DONATE, LISTEN TO OLD ISSUES + LEARN MORE www.groundcovernews.org PACKAGE PRICING Three Months/Six Issues: 15% off Six Months/Twelve Issues: 25% off Full Year/Twenty-four Issues: 35% off Only run for two weeks/one issue: 40% off Additional 20% discount for money saving coupons NOVEMBER 15, 2024 ON MY CORNER MEET YOUR VENDOR Thank you for your presence. Thank you for kindness. Thank you for genuineness. Thank you for your help. Thank you for being my friend. Thank you for being you. SHELLEY DENEVE Groundcover vendor No. 22 Mike Jones, vendor No. 113 In one sentence, who are you? That guy! Where do you usually sell Groundcover? Ypsi — find me on Cross by the Sweetwaters weekday mornings. I plan to sell more in A2. When and why did you start selling Groundcover? Lost my job after COVID as a cab driver. What is your favorite thing to do in Ann Arbor? Talk to people. What is your favorite spot in Ann Arbor? Island Park. What words do you live by? Mean nobody harm and be nobody's fool! What is something about you that someone on the street wouldn’t know? I really love dogs and children. What motivates you to work hard selling Groundcover News? I plan to make social change through selling Groundcover newspapers. What was your first job? Selling newspapers for the Ann Arbor News. If you had a warning label, what would it say? Beware of fake news! "Forrest Gump:" a comedy, love story and heartwarming life lesson DENISE SHEARER Groundcover vendor No. 485 JACOB FALLMAN Writing support “Forrest Gump” has left a lasting impression on audiences since its release, standing out as both a comedy and a love story that resonates deeply with viewers. Watching “Forrest Gump,” I’m reminded of the first time I [Denise] saw it in the theater with my late partner, Karen. The joy of sharing such a heartwarming story has made it even more meaningful with each viewing. It’s a movie that offers lessons for audiences at any age or stage in life. At its heart, this film explores the transformative power of love and the resilience of the human spirit. Watching Forrest overcome obstacles with unwavering optimism reminds us that our attitudes and willpower can shape our lives in surprising ways. One of the movie’s most enduring themes is parental love. Forrest’s mother, a figure of unconditional support, remains committed to helping him succeed despite the challenges he faces growing up. Her wisdom, captured in her line, “Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get,” speaks to the film’s message of embracing the unknown. Forrest, who wore corrective braces and was often underestimated, rose above these perceptions to accomplish remarkable things, a testament to his mother's encouragement and love. In a similar way, the love between Forrest and Jenny serves as the emotional core of the film. From childhood, when Jenny was the only one who would sit with Forrest, their bond reflects a unique, judgment-free connection. Despite the paths they each take — Forrest into the military and Jenny on a journey of self-discovery and personal struggles — the two are always able to reconnect, finding in each other a source of strength and understanding. By the end, their relationship is one of acceptance and appreciation for each other’s inner goodness, a timeless story of love’s endurance. “Forrest Gump” is also filled with humor that brings light to the darker sides of life. Forrest’s ability to find happiness, even in difficult situations — like finding friendship with Bubba in the trenches or responding to Lt. Dan’s query about finding Jesus with a simple, “I didn’t know I was supposed to be looking for him” — offers a refreshing perspective. His innocence, which some might see as naivety, lets him enjoy life without overthinking, lifting the spirits of those around him. While some scenes may warrant parental guidance, “Forrest Gump” remains a feel-good, accessible classic that captures the beauty of a life well-lived, one step at a time. GROUNDCOVER NEWS Thankful for you being YOU! To all the patrons of Groundcover: I want to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving. Thank you for being so kind and supportive of Groundcover News. It is important to Groundcover that you keep on reading on and having an open mind and heart. From the bottom of my heart, Happy Thanksgiving. 3 Please help this Christmas TABITHA ALMOND Groundcover vendor No. 360 Hello all Groundcover readers! I am in need of Christmas help this year. All of the Christmas helping programs application deadlines have already passed. I did not know that I would have to complete the application form for Christmas helping programs so early. Now I am in desperate need of help to make sure my children will be able to wake up Christmas morning with some gifts from Santa. There is a couple ways you could help, if you're able. The first one is Venmo — my Venmo account is @Tabitha-Ludwig-1 — just put Merry Christmas on it. Another way is gift cards — Meijer, Target, Visa or Amazon gift cards sent to mine and my husband's email tabbysean99@gmail. com, but please in the subject line put MERRY CHRISTMAS so I know it is not a scam email just wanting me to click on something. Or, if you would like to help my family out in some other way, you could also email me or my husband at the email address with how you would be able to help and one of us would email you back. My family and I really appreciate whatever help you can give. Thank you in advance, and happy holidays to everyone! Almond family: Sean, Tabitha, Crystal (3) and Lena (1).
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4 GROUNDCOVER NEWS SHELTER NOVEMBER 15, 2024 From Ann Arbor to New York City: Who protects the right to food, shelter? PEDRO CAMPOS Groundcover vendor No. 652 Five years. That’s how long I had dreamed of New York City — the city that never sleeps, the place where so many lives seem to converge and collide, where ambition meets possibility. Growing up, I’d seen New York in movies, heard it in songs, and felt it in stories of all kinds. It was always larger-than-life, a place where anyone could be someone, where anything could happen. And yet, as I planned and saved, I never imagined I’d be arriving in New York City homeless. For most of my life, I’d managed to keep a roof over my head. I’d made sacrifices and hustled to make things work, and through all of life’s ups and downs, “homeless” was a label I never thought would apply to me. But life has a way of surprising us, especially when we think we know where we’re going. Originally, I had planned to pass through Detroit on my way to New York, but somehow, an unexpected turn brought me to Ann Arbor. It wasn’t on my original itinerary; it was more of a whispered suggestion, almost like an angel’s nudge: “Ann Arbor, University of Michigan.” Something in me said, “Why not?” And so I decided to stay for a while. I couldn’t have known then how much that detour would mean. on bikes, professors with armfuls of books, musicians, artists and people from all walks of life. It had a unique vibrancy, and something in that made me feel like I could breathe a little easier. The energy felt like something I could grow roots in. Within that first week, I was introduced to the harder side of homelessness. I found out quickly that not all parts of Ann Arbor were as welcoming as the sunny campus lawns and bustling cafes. While there were community spaces and meals at places like Saint Andrew’s Church, there were also many closed doors. Getting shelter was a challenge. I learned about the local shelters but felt, in a way, that I was invisible to the system. Other people had been offered intake at Delonis, but somehow, I was always told it wasn’t available for me. They never mentioned an option for a Michigan ID or access to EBT benefits. It was as if the system was set up for everyone but me. Yet, there were people who lifted me up in ways that words can hardly describe. When things felt hard, a ride on my bike would calm me down, remind me of the beauty of this unexpected home. And then there were the little spots around town where I found peace, like the river. Ann Arbor wasn’t always easy — it had its challenges, to say the least — but it also gave me roots. It was there, in my first week, that I met Michael, a man who would become my best friend and a kind of guide to life here in the United States. Born and raised in Brooklyn but with years in Ann Arbor, Mike became more than a friend; he became a brother, someone who looked out for me, helped me find work, and showed me ways to access the benefits I’d need to survive. Some afternoons, I’d find myself sitPedro (pictured left) and his friend and supporter Mike (pictured right) in NYC. The first thing that struck me about Ann Arbor was its warmth — not the weather, necessarily, but the people. There was a small-town friendliness mixed with the intellectual energy of the university community. Everywhere I turned, there were students ting by the water, watching the ripples and feeling like maybe everything was going to work out. Ann Arbor had this way of surprising you, and its kindness kept me there all through spring, summer, and even into fall. Part of me felt like I’d grown roots there, too, and when it was finally time to leave, I knew it wouldn’t be goodbye forever. I made a promise to myself that I’d come back in the spring. It was with those memories and experiences in my heart that I boarded the bus to New York. When the time finally came to move to New York, Mike came along. We rode together on a bus, both of us carrying dreams and burdens, sharing hopes and hardships on the road to the big city. It’s hard to describe the feeling of stepping off the bus in New York. You can imagine it a thousand times, but reality hits you like a wave. The noise, the lights, the people — it was all overwhelming and awe-inspiring all at once. I remember the words of a song by Brazilian poet Renato Russo that captured exactly what I felt: “He was amazed by the city, leaving the bus station, he saw the Christmas lights.” Even though it wasn’t the holiday season yet, the lights, the rush and the energy felt just as magical. Broadway was right there as I stepped out, and I couldn’t help but feel a little stunned. This was the New York I had dreamed of — glittering, chaotic, full of life. And yet, at that moment, I was without a permanent home, arriving with just what I had on my back and a few belongings in a bag. The excitement of the city was tempered by the reality of what I was facing: I was homeless in New York. Still, New York City is a place where dreams and struggles coexist. The first thing I noticed was that, unlike Ann Arbor, the shelter system here seemed prepared. Within days, I had an intake, a New York ID, and even a place to stay — a bed in a shelter on 30th Street and 1st Avenue. I’ll never forget my first night there. Over a thousand people were being sheltered under one roof, each with their own story, each facing their own challenges. And while the reality was sobering, there was also a strange sense of relief. In New York, everyone, whether an American citizen or not, has a right to shelter. It was something I hadn’t expected, but it was a relief all the same. Life in a New York City shelter is something you can’t really prepare for. The scale of it all was astonishing. Pedro's single dormitory where he was placed within days of arrival in New York. For the many months he was homeless in Ann Arbor, he never had access to indoor, overnight shelter. I remember standing in a long line that seemed to stretch forever, surrounded by people from every imaginable background — men, women, young people, the elderly, immigrants and locals. The sheer diversity of lives around me was a reminder that homelessness doesn’t have a single face or a single story. In a city like New York, everyone has a past and a reason for being there. After a week in the Manhattan shelter, I was transferred to an individual room in Brooklyn. It felt like a small victory, having a space to myself, even if it was temporary. In some ways, it made it easier to focus on my next steps. My intake was complete, I had my New York ID and I was already starting to learn how the see NEW YORK next page  Support an Alternative Business Model Local - Organic - Member-Owned Your Ypsilanti source for healthy, eco-friendly food and goods INVEST BY BECOMING A MEMBER! 7 principles of Co-ops Voluntary, Democratic, Equitable, Independent, Informative, Collaborative, Community We make it affordable: Frequent Sales/Use Your Bridge card/Ask us about Double Up Food Bucks Visit us for 312 N. River St. (734) 483-1520 www.ypsifoodcoop.org unique cards and local, handmade items too $2 OFF your purchase of $15 or more One coupon per transacton Must present coupon at time of purchase NOVEMBER 15, 2024 SHELTER WASHTENAW COUNTY WINTER SHELTER OPTIONS Daytime Warming Center Ypsilanti Ypsi Freighthouse, 100 Market Place November 13 - March 28 Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Daytime Warming Center Ann Arbor Luther House Ed. Building, 1510 Hill Street November 19 - December 6 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. First Baptist Church, 517 E Washington Street December 9 - January 3 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. All Washtenaw County office building lobbies are available as warming centers during normal business hours.  NEW YORK from last page city’s resources worked. I had a social worker assigned to me, someone who would help me navigate the complexities of getting a job, finding educational opportunities and eventually securing a place of my own. But as Mike had warned me early on, New York is a city that will shelter you, but it won’t feed you. There were plenty of places to get affordable food, and with my EBT card, I could buy groceries and make do. But the experience taught me a new kind of self-reliance. I quickly learned to stretch what I had, to find meals where I could, and to be mindful of how I spent my money. Every dollar counts, and with the cost of things here like cigarettes and legal weed, you learn to prioritize. Every day in New York has a rhythm, and it’s unlike any place I’ve ever been. The people here are quick, sharp and constantly in motion. You’ll see people from every walk of life — business people in suits, artists with their easels, tourists craning their necks at the skyscrapers. New Yorkers don’t have time for small talk, but when they look at you, it’s direct, almost like they’re sizing you up. In a strange way, it’s refreshing. They expect you to be as quick and self-sufficient as they are, and the city demands a kind of independence that feels both challenging and exhilarating. The other side of the hustle and bustle is the silence of Central Park, which I discovered one afternoon while exploring Manhattan. It was like stepping into another world — the noise of the streets fading into the background, replaced by birdsong, trees and the occasional jogger. The park became a place I could return to when I needed a break from the city’s intensity. It was a reminder that even in the middle of all this chaos, there was room for peace. But New York has its downsides, too, Weekend Daytime Warming Center Delonis Center, 312 W Huron Street November 11 - April 13 (normal daytime hours) Overnight Warming Center Ann Arbor Delonis Center, 312 W Huron Street November 11 - April 13 Open every night at 7 p.m. Overnight Warming Center Ypsilanti St. Luke's Church, 120 N Huron Street Starting November 11 Monday - Friday 7 p.m. to 8 a.m Emmanuel Lutheran, 201 N River St. Starting November 11 Saturday and Sunday 7 p.m. to 8 a.m especially when you’re homeless. Basic things like public restrooms, drinking fountains and outlets are hard to come by. You become keenly aware of how small conveniences — like a bathroom or a place to charge your phone — are luxuries when you don’t have a stable place to call home. The city’s Wi-Fi is good but not great, and sometimes it feels like you’re spending half your time just trying to find a place to sit down for a few minutes without being asked to move. Then there’s the garbage. New York produces so much waste that sometimes the sidewalks are piled with it, especially near the shelters. Rats are everywhere, and the subways could use more attention. But despite all of that, there’s a strange resilience in the city’s imperfections. People accept it as part of the package, and you learn to do the same. Through all of this, I’ve kept my eyes on the future. My goal is clear: to find a job, go back to school and secure a home of my own. With the help of my social worker, I’m exploring college options, looking for opportunities that will let me move forward. I know it won’t happen overnight, but every step I take feels like progress. Being here in New York, as overwhelming as it can be, has given me a sense of purpose. This journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s also been more than I ever imagined. I’m realizing a dream, piece by piece, and even on the hardest days, I feel blessed to be here. The museums, the libraries, Broadway — all of it feels like it’s right there waiting for me, a city full of possibilities, if I can just keep going. GROUNDCOVER NEWS 5
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6 GROUNDCOVER NEWS PEER LEADERSHIP NOVEMBER 15, 2024 Washtenaw Camp Outreach is modeling leadership and solidarity through community service On a Sunday in mid-August I visited a Washtenaw Camp Outreach cookout at Ypsilanti Waterworks Park for the first time. Washtenaw Camp Outreach is made up of individuals from various organizations, as well as unaffiliated individuals, many of whom have lived experiences of homelessness, poverty and other forms of economic hardship. Their day-to-day work involves visiting camps in person to connect with others in the struggle, share resources and supplies and assist others in living how they must to survive. This was an ordinary Sunday. I first attended the Groundcover News Visual Arts Contest celebration event at the MakeShift Art Gallery in downtown Ann Arbor where they display and sell local art. Then later that afternoon, I found myself at Waterworks Park where people were setting up for the WCO bi-weekly cookout. I parked the car and started helping to set up, when my friend and comrade Jim Clark asked me, “What do you think about leadership through community service?” I said, “I’m cool with that,” and then we had a brief conversation on the subject and proceeded to set up and have a great cookout. Later that evening at home, as I reflected on the day at the Groundcover News art event and hanging out at the WCO cookout, I began to ponder on leadership and community service. According to a quick Google search, “Leadership emcompasses the ability of an individual, group or organization to ‘lead,’ influence, or guide other individuals, teams or entire organizations.” “Leadership” is a contested term, something that is argued over, questioned and disputed. Community service is work performed by a person or group of people for the benefit and the betterment of the community, contributing to a noble cause without the intention of getting rewarded or compensated. These thoughts of leadership and community service and the awesome MIKE JONES Groundcover vendor No. 113 camaraderie amongst those at the WCO cookout answered my question of what to do next in my life, in terms of reinventing myself. “Leadership through the means of community service.” There is an old saying, “lead by example.” From that Sunday forward I started thinking on how I want to give back to the community. I remembered in the "Ask Your Vendor" column of Groundcover where staff asked the vendors the question, “What would you bring to a BBQ?” My answer was cold water. So, from now on, I plan to be the water man and hand out bottles of water to individuals or at events such as WCO cookouts and meetings when I can afford to do so, and I also decided to volunteer with WCO in their frequent camp cleanups. I got to talk to Josh who is unhoused and has been involved in WCO since May of last year. He got involved with WCO camp cleanups because, “One of my unhoused camp buddies was a hoarder and I needed help cleaning up my campsite and the good people of WCO helped me clean up the campsite and it started from that moment.” Do you encourage or suggest to other unhoused people to get involved with camp cleanup? “Yes, I do. I believe in keeping our community clean and I encourage others in the unhoused community to do their part in keeping our camp area clean. People at WCO are genuinely good people, who truly care about the community they live in and serve, and deserve all the support they can get.” I also got a chance to talk with LK Washtenaw Camp Outreach Sunday BBQ has been a tradition of the group since it was established in 2020. who has been involved with WCO since the beginning. She shared, “WCO got started in 2020 during COVID and when the shelters were full, and most shelter options were deemed no longer available, thus leaving many with no safety net or preparation on how to protect themselves while out camping from the COVID-19 virus. That's when WCO started making sanitation kits and we also set up water stations at campsites for people to wash their hands and to have access to water. “Soon after COVID subsided, WCO transitioned to providing camping supplies for those who had no other choice but to be outdoors: sleeping bags, tents and other needed supplies. A lot of people tend to migrate to the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area to try to pull resources like affordable housing, which leaves many homeless, and most camp in the same areas, culminating in a lot of trash. “Donations are really helpful this time of the year because winter is around the corner: clothes, blankets and camping supplies. All donations can be dropped off at the Hospitality House at 169 N Washington St [around the corner from the Ypsilanti Transit Center] or message us on Facebook. We also accept monetary donations via Venmo @washtenawcampoutreach. Funds are used for hotel stays, propane and buddy heaters.” Finally, I asked if there was anything The ground of a campsite before (left) and after a WCO cleanup. else LK would like our readers to know about WCO. She replied, “WCO is not a government or funded entity; no one other than ourselves and those who donate provides goods and services to our community. We do this because there is a need. At WCO, we have weekly meetings and every-other-week cookouts and discuss ways to combat systemic oppression that leads to homelessness. We stand with those in our community by providing supplies, resources and advocating to protect the rights of the unhoused and those forced to live outdoors.” Washtenaw Camp Outreach meets every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at 169 N Washington St., alternating between meetings, reading group and outreach (visiting camps). Every other Sunday there is a community barbecue at 2 p.m. at the same location. NOVEMBER 15, 2024 PEER LEADERHSIP MARIE Groundcover contributor “Catch-it, check-it, change-it” is utilized in the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services peer certification training as an approach to help navigate difficult situations. This article is a bridge to help readers understand the value of intentional peer support (defined as a supportive relationship between people who have lived experience in common, where the peer support specialist has undergone training) to the homeless, written by a chronically homeless peer. The Catch: Despite minimal published data about high quality studies specific to intentional peer support within the homeless or housing insecure populations, the effectiveness of formal peer support efforts to the homeless should be accepted (“treated”) as similar to evidence-based peer-led initiatives in mental health, substance abuse and veterans services. The Check: While the United States does not currently have established, published standards for peer support with the homeless, Canada’s Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness Society published a Peer Housing Support Program Toolkit in 2019 to help guide the development and implementation of evidenced-based peer programs specializing in housing. Change it: Efforts to implement intentional peer support related to housing issues has been underway here in Washtenaw County since 2022. Dedicated funding that allows for supervision and skill development for peer workers who are addressing poverty and institutional inequity would allow peer support programs to thrive in non-traditional sectors such as homelessness. At the end of the warming center season in 2022, two community members, Stefani Crouse and Sheri Wander, created Circling Back, a peer support group for people with lived experience with homelessness and housing insecurity. Through their participation in the support group and their personal and professional experience working in the area, a need and an opportunity arose to develop and create a trained and paid peer workforce able to reach those who fall through the gaps of services in Washtenaw County. That same year Circling Back was established; through a fiscal sponsor, they were selected to receive a $40,000 2023 grant disbursement through Washtenaw County’s New Human Services Partnership Mini-Grant, “in service of equity, and focused on addressing systemic racism, poverty and trauma.” It appears Circling Back collectively took an approach that is similar to the slogan, “nothing about us, without us,” in that they sought to create a new point of entry into the community support system based on issues related to housing stability, composed of people residing in the community they are serving. Circling Back recognized the need for people with lived experiences with homelessness to have opportunities to educate the community about homelessness, and to create new advancement opportunities for people who reflect the homeless populations' social identities and geographic locations. Ypsilanti is an area that the Office of Community and Economic Development (OCED) describes as an area with lowest access to opportunity. Ypsilanti is composed of a high number of residents who identify as Black, Indigenous or People of Color, and this is where the majority of low-income housing options are available. Efforts during 2023 focused on identifying community members residing in Ypsilanti who were interested in beginning a journey towards becoming a trained peer support specialist, as well as those invested in changing how social work is done with the homeless community. By the beginning of 2024, Circling Back’s first group of paid peer workers, all of whom have lived experience with homelessness, were formally active in the community on a daily basis. To help with the 2024 grant, Circling Back recruited me, a Certified Peer and Masters Social Worker, to act as team lead. I've been a state-certified peer for a decade, newly returned to my community of birth, yet a newcomer to the team with only a one page document to guide me. It was not immediately clear how significant training a housing specific peer force was, nor how vital my certification training, professional experience and lived experience with homelessness could be. To clarify, it appears Circling Back founders worked to create a training program to address discriminatory practices and service gaps in both the training and employment of the peer workforce. Yet they also wanted to be sensitive to the values of inclusionary practices for people at various levels of the peer workforce experience. Current ma-informed culture that values experience, training and supervision seen in the more established applications of the peer models, as they help address professional stressors. For example, current state certification requirements for peers to be eligible for a state-sponsored training require (1) a primary diagnosis of a qualifying mental health or substance abuse diagnosis, (2) have participated in services through a qualifying agency such as the Veterans Administration or Community Mental Health, (3) have at least 1-2 years of acceptable recovery, and (4) be employed by an agency that provides community based behavioral health services or by a recognized contract provider. The current state certifications requirements appear to contradict a 2021 MDHHS bulletin describing peer support specialists, which specifies a peer specialist qualifier has lived experience with substantial life disruption, and then defines a substantial life disruption as “experiencing some as or all of the following: homelessness, mental health crisis, trauma, lack of employment, criminal justice involvement, discrimination, stigma/ prejudice intensified by mental health challenges, receiving public benefits due to poverty.” Around the same time the Circling literature encourages a trauBack team was commencing its first round of paid internship positions (summer 2024), a study was published in the Community Mental Health Journal called "Certified Peer Support in the Field of Homelessness: Stories Behind the Work." This study suggests a shift from, “if peer support to the homeless works,” to “what makes peer support to the homeless effective.” As of 2023, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reported that 49 of the 50 states have programs to train and certify peer workers. However, Circling Back founders recognized the need to address a gap in opportunities for Washtenaw’s most marginalized communities, as there is not a state certification for people focused on lived experience with homelessness, and current state requirements present barriers. It is important to recognize that the barriers to training or growth in projects such as Circling Back’s, with its team members who were put together to reflect the Ypsilanti homeless and housing-insecure community (who are often disabled, experience mental illness, come from traditionally marginalized identities and have other challenges) mimic barriers to fair and equitable opportunities in historically marginalized areas overall. We need to design training and workforce support programs so that they eliminate these barriers, and are guided by those closest to the problem. We don’t want people “at the top” to continue to make those decisions that the community being served has traditionally GROUNDCOVER NEWS No place like homeless: the future of peer innovation 7 Circling Back Peer Support Nework was established in 2022 to create a paid and trained peer workforce to reach those who fall through the service gap in Washtenaw County. been excluded from. A lack of understanding about the value of a homeless peer force is exemplified by Washtenaw County Community Mental Health’s local Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) lacking peer workers. The challenge at this time is less about if a housing-specific peer workforce is possible, and more about addressing the system barriers created by linking homeless services to mental health and substance abuse treatment. While Washtenaw County is fortunate to have a PATH program, as there are only 20 PATH programs in Michigan, locally, their impact is minimal, and even traumatic in some cases. For example, late last fall, as reported in Groundcover News January 26, 2024, minutes before the first snowstorm of 2024 a PATH team made initial contact with people staying in tents, with both police and city officials in tow, attempting to clear people from one area. Fortunately, housing peers in the community rallied together and are advocating for more humane alternatives to addressing local encampments. Alternatives in the local community are more in line with 2024 United States Interagency Council on Homelessness’ 19 strategies about how to address encampments. The need to continue advocating for programs like Circling Back was evident in a 2018 survey conducted by MDHHS certified peers which focused on identifying community needs and priorities. According to the state survey, no peers are formally working in a housing or homeless specific setting, yet nearly half of the certified peers reported housing was a task they addressed most days of the week, and of those peers who engage in housing see PEER page 11 
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8 GROUNDCOVER NEWS HISTORY NOVEMBER 15, 2024 Civil Rights Act of 1964 turns 60! Remembering events, heroes and movements that shaped history On July 2, 2024, the White House released a statement on behalf of President Joe Biden to remind the American people of the historic significance of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which was signed by President Lyndon Baines Johnson. It was announced that President Biden would visit the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library in Austin, Texas, to deliver some remarks to commemorate the 60th anniversary of this transformative legislation. As the Civil Rights Act of 1964 turns 60, the mass media and the American public have begun to discuss how far the nation has come in successfully implementing the goals and objectives of this momentous legislation. After the 1964 Act, Congress passed and the President signed the 1965 Civil Rights Act (Voting Rights Enforcement/Freedom to Vote law) and the 1968 Civil Rights Act (Non-Discrimination in Housing/Fair Housing/Creation of U.S. HUD). Although I have talked to several students and community members since the 50th anniversary of the legislation in 2014, I wanted to gauge how much progress we are making toward a full understanding of the history and the impacts. More recently, I talked to some University of Michigan students who volunteer to help poor and homeless people in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. They are members of student organizations interested in community engagement and service learning. Among the organizations are Michigan Movement, Redefined and Michigan Community Scholars Program. A college senior, Lauren, said that civil rights mean equality to her. Her colleague, Esther, said that she thinks of Title 9 when she thinks of civil rights. Other students mentioned words such as “discrimination,” “injustice” or “civility.” I believe some members of the older generation may be able to speak more passionately, having lived through the civil rights struggles of the 1950s and 1960s. A Brief Overview of the Civil Rights Struggles award-winning book titled, Sociologist Aldon Morris wrote the “The Origin of the Civil Rights Movement.” He was a sociology professor at U-M, but is currently at Northwestern. Although his work was widely praised, a few historians and one law professor at the University of Minnesota wanted to see the book provide more WILL SHAKESPEARE Groundcover vendor No. 258 historical background. But even in the Library of Congress big poster displays, it’s suggested that the civil rights struggle started in 1950 and continued into the 1960s. Many people know the story about Linda Brown v. the Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas. It was a case against segregation in public education and pernicious discrimination. NAACP attorney Thurgood Marshall led the team that fought before the Supreme Court of the United States to overturn Plessy v. Ferguson, the 1896 SCOTUS decision which ruled that “Separate But Equal” was the law of the land. Earl Warren’s Supreme Court deliberated and reached a unanimous landmark decision on May 17, 1954. The justices said the Court was wrong in 1896. The Warren Court decided that “Separate But Equal” was no longer the law of the land. In 1955, the Court met again to decide how their decision should be implemented. SCOTUS suggested that the government should use “all deliberate speed” to enforce it. The story of Emmett Till is a crushing tragedy in the struggle for civil rights in the southern region of the country. Emmett was a young, confident 14-year old boy from Chicago. His family left the south during the Great Black Migration because of Jim Crow laws, racism and KKK harassments. Emmett told his mom that he wanted to travel to Mississippi for a summer holiday. His mother was worried about his safety and gave him some tips on how to survive during his stay in Money, Mississippi. Emmett was targeted because of his character, his race and his Chicago confident gravitas. On a late summer afternoon, Emmett and his cousins went to a small neighborhood store to buy candies and soda pop. The cashier made what she later admitted to be false accusations. The woman’s husband and his bully cousin came into the house where Emmett was staying in the middle of the night. One person had a gun in one hand, and hurriedly took the boy away. They did not listen to the pleas from the homeowners. August 28, 1963, President John F. Kennedy met with civil rights leaders of the March on Washington at the White House. Emmett was beaten so badly with hard objects that his skull shattered, and bullets opened gaping holes across his head. His messed-up body was tied to a 70-pound abandoned industrial fan and dumped into the Tallahatchie river. Emmett Till was killed on August 28, 1955. Emmett’s mom, Mamie Till, fought to bring her son’s body to Chicago for burial. The body and the face were so brutalized that Mamie insisted on giving Emmett an open casket funeral. Mourners who came to the funeral in South-Side Chicago wept and demanded federal government laws to protect Black people in the southern regions. The Emmett Till Antilynching Act was finally signed into law in 2022. The Montgomery bus boycott started in December 1955 and lasted more than one year. Ms. Rosa Parks was asked by a bus driver to go to the back of the bus because only white people were allowed to sit near the front of the bus. She said she was tired and her feet were hurting, and she chose to sit in the front. She was kicked out of the bus. A young pastor who had just become the pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, helped Rosa Parks and the local NAACP devise a plan on how to kick off the boycott, working with the Montgomery Improvement Union. The young Pastor’s name was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The strategy devised by Dr. King, Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Improvement Union was successful. After more than 500 days of the boycott, the bus company said they lost a lot of money and wanted to end their segregation policy. It is obvious to many scholars that the Montgomery bus boycott was a planned social change. Dr. King’s 1957 book, “A Stride to Freedom,” shared a story about the successful social movement. The Civil Rights Act of 1957 was signed by President Dwight Eisenhower. It called for dismantling the Jim Crow laws which put punitive restrictions on Black people in the south who wanted to register and vote. It also aimed at removing segregation and discrimination in public facilities, including public education. President Eisenhower had to empower the federal National Guard to go to Little Rock, Arkansas, in order to help nine Black teens attend classes at Little Rock High School. The nine kids were nicknamed, “The Little Rock 9.” One of them died recently at the age of 83. The SCOTUS recommendation in 1955 to use all deliberate speed to ensure integration of public schools and other public facilities was a major challenge in the 1950s, 1960s and beyond. Black pastors and business leaders helped to form the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in order to work with several faith organizations and wage successful human rights and civil rights campaigns. Dr. King was named the first president of SCLC. Dr. King worked with the NAACP and other community leaders to get the federal government involved in the struggles to end discrimination and ensure freedom, equality and justice.The southern states of Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida were “Ground Zero” for racial tensions related to actual and perceived racial injustice. Dr. King traveled across the nation, giving speeches in Ann Arbor (November 5, 1962), Detroit (June 1963) and other cities. see CIVIL RIGHTS page 11  NOVEMBER 15, 2024 PUZZLES GROUNDCOVER NEWS 9 Groundcover Vendor Code While Groundcover is a non-profit, and paper vendors are self-employed contractors, we still have expectations of how vendors should conduct themselves while selling and representing the paper. The following is our Vendor Code of Conduct, which every vendor reads and signs before receiving a badge and papers. We request that if you discover a vendor violating any tenets of the Code, please contact us and provide as many details as possible. Our paper and our vendors should be positively impacting our County. • Groundcover will be a voluntary purchase. I agree not to ask for more than the cover price or solicit donations by any other means. • When selling Groundcover, I will always have the current biweekly issue of Groundcover available for customer purchase. • I agree not to sell additional goods or products when selling the paper or to panhandle, including panhandling with only one paper or selling past monthly issues. • I will wear and display my badge when selling papers and refrain from wearing it or other Groundcover gear when engaged in other activities. • I will only purchase the paper from Groundcover Staff and will not sell to or buy papers from other Groundcover vendors, especially vendors who have been suspended or terminated. • I agree to treat all customers, staff, and other vendors respectfully. I will not “hard sell,” threaten, harass or pressure customers, staff, or other vendors verbally or physically. • I will not sell Groundcover under the influence of drugs or alcohol. • I understand that I am not a legal employee of Groundcover but a contracted worker responsible for my own well-being and income. • I understand that my badge is property of Groundcover and will not deface it. I will present my badge when purchasing the papers. • I agree to stay off private property when selling Groundcover. • I understand to refrain from selling on public buses, federal property or stores unless there is permission from the owner. • I agree to stay at least one block away from another vendor in downtown areas. I will also abide by the Vendor Corner Policy. • I understand that Groundcover strives to be a paper that covers topics of homelessness and poverty while providing sources of income for the homeless. I will try to help in this effort and spread the word. If you would like to report a violation of the Vendor Code please email contact@groundcovernews. com or fill out the contact form on our website. ACROSS 1. "Good kid, ___ city" (2012 Kendrick Lamar album) 5. Car company with an H.Q. in Munich 8. Entreprise rivaling Entreprise 12. Outdo 14. "___ you vera much!" (valentine for a horticulturist) 15. Yearn (for) 16. Fantastical ideals 18. Nicks or Knight, e.g. 19. Alt-rock genre 20. Own (up) 21. What boxers vie for 23. Dine and __ 25. Pamper, with "on" 27. Bank offerings 29. More cunning 31. Shapeshifting clown of literature 33. Hotel visits 35. Nonfiction flick 36. Court divider 37. Org. that dissaproves of boas 39. Assistant integrated with A.I. in IOS 18 42. One on a home screen 45. Unexplainable sexual repulsion, with "the" 47. "Brilliant!" 50. Crime often perpetrated through scam emails 54. Clay being in Jewish folklore 56. Make eye contact to an uncomfortable degree 57. Memo header 59. Establishment selling bagels and schmear 60. Jays and Rheas 62. Circle up in a monastery? 64. Director Brooks 65. Vibe 66. Dangerous snake ... or what 16-, 31-, and 50-Across share 69. Thin cut 70. "Woe is me!" 71. Important step before 'repeat' 72. Beg 73. Agent Smith's enemy, in "The Matrix" 74. Mull (over) DOWN 1. Some Vespas 2. Titular 14-Down characters, often animals 3. Delta, e.g. 4. Word with date and dilligence 5. Drunk, slangily 6. Cry from a younger sibling 7. "___ Side Story" 8. Judd who produced "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy" 9. One stereotypically stealing candy from babies 10. Passionate, as a romance 11. Metric tracked by a webmaster, in short 13. File read by Adobe Acrobat: Abbr. 14. Famous fabulist 17. ___ 40 (dye found in Twizzlers) 22. Texter's sign of affection 24. Disorderly pile 26. Chimp trained for 1000+ hours to become the third homonid to ever orbit the earth 28. Tennis segment that may be ended by a 36-Across 30. Bread option 32. Longtime CBS police procedural 34. Kerfuffle 38. Berry in a bowl 40. Oriental or Persian, e.g. 41. Apple product officially discontinued in 2022 42. Reactions to a cute dog, maybe 43. Artist also known as "Mr. Worldwide" 44. Grassland 46. Chinese chicken dish 48. He or I, but not she 49. Word after press or work 51. Editor's finds 52. Added logs to, as a fire 53. Stops and rolls connector 55. Bathroom growth 58. Opposite of WSW 61. Button on a car's radio 63. [Don't touch my squeak toy!] 65. Nile biter 67. ___ Miss 68. Not her's CROSSWORD Victor Schmitt
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10 GROUNDCOVER NEWS POETRY What Family Means to Me? LA SHAWN COURTWRIGHT Groundcover vendor No. 56 My true family; The one I'm reborn into. Yes, We all have the same Father!! We all love each other as Our Father teaches, Commands us all to!! Yes, We do not always like or agree about or with some things. Nevertheless, We still love everyone Equally!! As Our Father loves both You and Me!!! The Window of Life IKE STAPLE Groundcover vendor No. 23 Through the window of life, everything looks clear. Realizing it was just a full length mirror. Four thousand times I once thought about life, then I dreamed I fell asleep, Through the window of life. After giving everyone applause, I finally congratulated myself, after awakening from the fall, Through the window of life, I landed on an encore and a standing round of applause. Through the window of life, The sound I didn't want to end at all. NOVEMBER 15, 2024 PUZZLE SOLUTIONS exp. 01/31/2025 - NOVEMBER 15, 2024 CONTINUED  CIVIL RIGHTS from page 8 In remembrance of Emmett Till, the “March on Washington” was scheduled for August 28, 1963 in front of the Lincoln Memorial. The National Park Service estimated that the crowd was over 250,000. There were many speakers including the late John Lewis, a leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his “I HAVE A DREAM” speech. It was a profound and powerful speech. Dr. King was inspired by the poem of Langston Hughes titled, “Harlem: What Happens to a Dream Deferred?” Some historians had noted that Dr. King was urged by his favorite gospel singer, Mahalia Jackson, to say something about the dreams. He did! Dr. King’s oratory was also heard inside the White House and offices of the Nobel Prize Committee. King and his allies had made a persuasive case for civil rights in America. A few days after the March, President John F. Kennedy invited Dr. King and other Civil Rights leaders to the White House. Historians have said that when President Kennedy greeted the leaders, he jokingly said, “I have a dream!” At the White House, the host and guests discussed the 1963 Civil Rights Bill which President Kennedy sent to Congress for deliberation and passage. Sadly, in November 1963, Kennedy traveled to Dallas where he was killed by an assassin's bullet. The tragedy was very painful for the nation. Men, women and children wept openly on street corners, and in classrooms, churches, restaurants and workplaces. President Kennedy’s Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson was, later in the day, sworn in as president. The nation was in mourning and tributes to the young leader, now dead, were pouring in. The new president made a passionate plea to Congress to pass Kennedy’s 1963 Civil Rights Act as one way to honor his legacy. In February 1964, the House passed it. The Senate passed the bill in June and President L.B. Johnson signed it into law on July 2, 1964. This law called for non-discrimination on the basis of race, age, gender, ethnicity and national origin. It has been amended a few times to include disability, sexual orientation and other minority identities. The 1964 Civil Rights Act created the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to investigate complaints about workplace discrimination, bias and harassment. There was a lot of resistance after the President Lyndon B. Johnson shaking the hand of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. after signing the Civil Rights Act of 1964. passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In the southern states, there was rampant discrimination in hospital facilities, public education, restaurants, movie theaters and workplaces. In order to speed up compliance with the civil rights law, President L.B. Johnson signed Executive Order 11246 – The Affirmative Action Policy of 1965. The Federal government would not give funding to organizations noncompliant with the law against discrimination. Non-discrimination in voting was a key provision of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. However, southern Blacks were not given the freedom and opportunity to cast their votes. The march from Selma to Mongomery across the Pettus bridge was a march for voting rights enforcement and for freedom to vote. The Bloody Sunday in March 1965 showed peaceful protesters being beaten up with batons and threatened with guns by Sheriff deputies. The news media all over the world showed the brutality and injustice experienced by peaceful marchers. The images were stunning. The use of fire hoses to spray strong jets of water on young school children who were protesting, knocking them down, dealt a negative blow to the nation’s image abroad, and sickened many at home. Congress hurried and passed the 1965 Voting Rights Act, also known as the Civil Rights Act of 1965. President L. B. Johnson signed it into law and voiced a line from the old Negro Spiritual, “We shall overcome … some day.” Discrimination continued, especially in housing and residential neighborhoods. Dr. King joined local protesters in cities such as Chicago to call attention to redlining, disinvestment patterns and unfair discrimination in housing purchase and renting. In 1968, Congress was considering a non-discrimination fair housing bill which was sent by the Johnson administration. In March 1968, President Johnson received the reports from the Governor Otto Kerner Commission. After the 1967 Detroit Riot, the commission was created to answer three key questions. What happened? Why did it happen? What can we do to make sure it does not happen again? On April 4, 1968, another national tragedy shocked America and the world. Civil Rights leader and the November 1964 recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize Dr. King was shot and killed in front of Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. Once again, GROUNDCOVER NEWS 11 President Johnson urged Congress to pass the Fair Housing Act / Civil Rights Act of 1968. It was passed quickly in April and he signed it into law. Conclusion Many journalists continue to say that the nation has come a long way. America in the 21st century is much better than the 20th century and the centuries before. The young people of today will be leaders of our tomorrow. They have demonstrated a sense of moral rectitude and a sense of racial justice during the 2020 brutal tragedy on the streets of Minneapolis. Many people in the mass media have said that there should be an intergenerational dialogue about the good chapters and the sad chapters of our history. It would not be prudent to point the blame on the young folks for the sins of the remote past. In their highly regarded book titled, “Long Memory,” Mary Frances Berry of the University of Pennsylvania and John Blasingame of Yale emphasized the correction of distortions in our history books and our civic literature. Let the conversations begin in classrooms, community centers, coffee shops, restaurants, ice cream parlors, farmers markets and outside the libraries. I do realize the experience of one individual may be different from another individual. We must be careful about the error of generalization. This is a reminder from Maya Angelou’s poem, “Still I Rise." You may write me down in history with your bitter, twisted lies, You may trod me in the very dirt, but still, like dust, I’ll rise. ... You may shoot me down with your words, you may cut me with your eyes, You may kill me with your hatefulness, but still, like air, I’ll rise.  PEER from page 7 related tasks, housing was an area of weakness. Locally, the workflow available to help guide homeless or housing insecure individuals is published by the OCED, and only outlines the initial steps in the Housing Access of Washtenaw County process. Currently, the County lacks any type of resource that helps explain the flow of different resource options available to anyone interested in housing support. A recent discussion with OCED also revealed the need to improve the workflow for supporting people at all stages of their housing journey, which should address issues related to housing safety — such as sanitation, mold and repairs — as well as access to legal resources. For example, many people become unhoused because they lack legal representation or an understanding of their rights. On the other side, once people access housing — through public or private means — they are often cut off from the support network that assisted them up until that point. The concept of creating specialized programming utilizing peer workers brings both challenges and opportunities: at this time Canada, Australia, and the European Federation of National Organizations working with the homeless, have all published tools for applying peer support with the homeless and housing insecure. Peer curricula have historically been open to adapting peer training to the needs of the population served. The challenge, it appears, is that peer programs that prioritize housing require financial support mechanisms, which are lacking in the current system, as most peer programming is rooted in funding streams associated with substance abuse, mental health, or another qualifying medical diagnosis rather than actual homelessness. Recent literature published about peer programs in the United States suggests there is potential to explore future opportunities based on need and strengthened through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). At this time, efforts are underway through OCED to utilize Circling Back team members in this winter’s Point In Time (PIT) count to make it more accurate. The PIT count is funded by HUD to gauge homelessness in the United States, and helps guide how housing resources are disbursed. Also, to better serve the needs of its homeless and the housing unstable population, Circling Back hopes to improve towards a more trauma-conscious approach to the housing peer workforce, better equipped to improve quality of life for everyone.

November 1, 2024


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2 GROUNDCOVER NEWS GROUNDCOVER NOVEMBER 1, 2024 Groundcover is a critical asset in Washtenaw County: we are seeking 1-2 new members for our board In 2010 Susan Beckett, a public school teacher, decided to create an opportunity for individuals in Washtenaw County, most of whom were living on the street, to earn income for themselves. She wasn’t trying to “solve” poverty — most teachers understand practical limitations — but as a teacher she understood that meaningful occupation is a critical first step toward responsible social participation. And from this simple idea Groundcover News was born. Groundcover News is a street paper. Street papers exist all over the world — they even have their own international organization, the International Network of Street Papers (www.insp.ngo/) which supports information sharing and best practices with a yearly conference. There is enormous variety across these papers but most of them share local news and events that typically provide topics most relevant to the individuals who sell the paper. Groundcover is unique among these street papers in so far as we: • Provide fair compensation for writers (who are typically vendors) • Offer employment skills training workshops • Provide an informal infrastructure ANNA GERSH, PhD Groundcover Board President of care that supports participating vendors • Provide referrals to other nonprofits and agencies • Hold and promote community-serving events • Invite guest writers from our community partners • Offer an opportunity for community feedback “For the poor will be with you always…” - Matthew 26:11 Since its inception, Groundcover News has provided low-barrier employment to over 650 individual vendors. Many of them are burdened with not only the effects of extreme poverty, including but not at all limited to homelessness, but also the frequently inescapable co-morbidities like mental illness and addiction. As an organization we have struggled with our image. The dance between facilitating personal autonomy with an income-generating opportunity and close personal management that anticipates the predictable challenges of hiring individuals who represent these demographics is a delicate one. In the last couple of years Groundcover News has grown. Last year we faced many challenges but in the face of these challenges, we have developed our leadership and our community partnerships to more effectively address problems when they occur. We have also expanded our reach throughout Washtenaw County; we have hired a publisher who is also a social worker; and we have deepened our partnerships with other community-serving entities including the Ann Arbor District Library, Washtenaw Literacy, MISSION and the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County. And there is SO MUCH potential in an established print journal that is already dedicated to local concerns. We want to develop Groundcover News to better serve Washtenaw Application to join the Groundcover Board of Directors County and we need new board members to support this visioning. If you have any interest in joining our board we invite you to fill out the short application (QR Code below this article). We are looking for new board members with an appreciation of the fact that whether you like it or not, the social fabric is complex and there are many creative ways to support Community. Thank you so much for your consideration. PROVIDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELFDETERMINED INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY POVERTY, PRODUCING A STREET NEWSPAPER THAT GIVES A PLATFORM TO UNDERREPRESENTED VOICES IN WASHTENAW COUNTY, PROMOTING AN ACTION TO BUILD A JUST, CARING AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETY. Groundcover News, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in April 2010 as a means to empower lowincome persons to make the transitions from homeless to housed, and from jobless to employed. Vendors purchase each copy of our regular editions of Groundcover News at our office for 50 cents. This money goes toward production costs. Vendors work selling the paper on the street for $2, keeping all income and tips from each sale. Street papers like Groundcover News exist in cities all over the United States, as well as in more than 40 other countries, in an effort to raise awareness of the plight of homeless people and combat the increase in poverty. Our paper is a proud member of the International Network of Street Papers. STAFF Lindsay Calka — publisher Cynthia Price — editor Michelle Lardie-Guzek — intern ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS D.A. Jessi Averill Elizabeth Bauman Jim Clark Amanda Gale Anna Gersh Mike Jones Ken Parks Eli Sri Rangarajan Sarah Tholen Allison Wei PROOFREADERS CONTACT US Kendall Artz Susan Beckett Elliot Cubit Christopher May Anabel Sicko VOLUNTEERS Jane Atkins Jessi Averill Sim Bose Zachary Dortzbach Luiza Duarte Caetano Glenn Gates Alexandra Granberg Jacob Fallman Robert Klingler Stella Lansill Melanie Wenzel Mary Wisgerhof Max Wisgerhof Office: 423 S. 4th Ave., Ann Arbor Mon-Sat, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Phone: 734-263-2098 @groundcover @groundcovernews DONATE, LISTEN TO A STORY + LEARN MORE www.groundcovernews.org Story and photo submissions: submissions@groundcovernews.com Advertising and partnerships: contact@groundcovernews.com NOVEMBER 1, 2024 ON MY CORNER ASK YOUR VENDOR What are you thankful for? The ability to change how I think for the better. That changed my life. — Joe Woods, #103 I'm healthy, wealthy and wise. — Tony Schohl, #9 I'm grateful that a doctor finally listened to me and that I’m living. — Terri Demar, #322 Having my own apartment to live in and do what I want in. — Denise Shearer, #485 For spiritual friends. — Ken Parks, #490 That I'm with Groundcover, that I have friends and have money in my pocket everyday. I'm blessed! — Pony Bush, #305 Being healthy. — Juliano Sanchez, #174 That I have enough common sense that I don't end up in people's nonsense. — Wayne Sparks, #615 I'm thankful for the fact that every single day offers something new and exicting. I'm extremely thankful for the fact my life is low-key right now. — Cindy Gere, #279 For JESUS!; For Song! To Praise HIM With, For Nature To EXPERIENCE HIM Through; For The Christian Guy I'm asking HIM For; For my Mummy-Kins (Mom!) 'EEE' ; For Christian Fellowship, For FREEDOM; For Groundcover; For Miracles big and 'Small' ; For SAFETY and ESSENTIALS; For Apple Cobbler; For my BELOVED Pets, For Sunshine, and For Mashed-Potaoes W/butter, Gravy, and Sometimes W/ Chicken-broth! — Amanda Gale, #573 MIKE JONES Groundcover vendor No. 113 The lines in the sand have been drawn in more ways than one. In this case it’s democracy or autocracy — or should I say, a so-called democracy, or a potential autocracy? Did you know 71% of the world’s population is ruled or governed by an autocracy? That means if this democracy fails here in the United States of America, and is turned into an autocracy, liberty’s light of freedom on earth would be rendered dim. Millions of voters in America are not too thrilled about the two candidates they have to choose from. A large percentage of voters consider themselves voting for the lesser evil and it shouldn’t have to be that way. When one casts a ballot, one wants to be in full support of the candidate's ideas and values. As we have it, neither candidate shares the values I believe in. Nevertheless, through my struggles in whether or not to participate in the 2024 election, I decided to do my duty and cast my ballot because I still believe in the ideals of democracy. Voters like myself must seize this opportunity. I am not voting for either candidate; I’m voting for my ideas of freedom, and what I think this country should be and what it shouldn’t be. I consider myself fortunate to have the opportunity to vote, and encourage all that can to do the same. We voters can’t be naive. No matter who wins the presidency, we will have a lot of work to do in order for liberty’s bell to ring and be heard throughout the world. But we must first keep liberty’s torch lit from the shores of the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. Trump and Harris housing policies D.A. Groundcover contributor I interviewed someone for this article based on their views and outlook towards the Trump and Harris housing policies when it comes to the low-income and middle class United States citizens. This is a male who is in his sixties; let’s refer to him as Mr. Leon. First Mr. Leon stated that he will be voting for Vice President Kamala Harris because she has proposed expanding the financing options for affordable housing and promoting the conversion of empty office space into apartments. Mr. Leon is a middle-class retiree who still works to supplement his income and utilizes affordable housing supports. He is grateful for the supportive programs. As far as he is concerned when it comes to former President Donald Trump, he says he refuses to trust in someone who has been GROUNDCOVER NEWS ADVERTISING RATES Size 1/8 1/6 1/4 1/2 full page Black/White $110.00 $145.00 $200.00 $375.00 $650.00 Color $150.00 $200.00 $265.00 $500.00 $900.00 Dimensions (W x H in inches) 5 X 3 or 2.5 X 6.5 5 X 4 5 X 6.25 5 X 13 or 10.25 X 6.5 10.25 X 13 named in lawsuits for fraud and other felonious activities. Mr. Leon trusts that V.P. Harris will do what is in the best interest of the low-income people and families of America. Affordable housing is essential to a lot of things. This allows us to have access to the basics that get us through the day and offers the necessary safe and habitable shelter for rest and preparing meals. It is hard to obtain and maintain employment without these things. They go hand in hand. Mr. Leon recalls that former President Donald Trump has denied employment to poor people and has been discriminatory in his housing practices. He does not believe that Trump will do anything for low-income housing or for aiding new homebuyers. He does not agree with how Trump is disrespectful and self-oriented. This isn’t all about him. Here is an example of how housing policy has generationally affected Black Americans throughout the U.S. Democrats have worked to implement programs that provide mortgage assistance and financial support for Black contractors and home building companies. The Harris administration will pump billions of dollars into our communities. Trump's plans are to give trillions in tax breaks to real estate moguls and wealthy entities to build expensive, exclusive projects — using public tax dollars to increase the wealth of billionaire class. The top 1% percent of the nation who already control 90% percent of the private wealth of the U.S citizenry. Last but not least, Mr. Leon just hopes that whoever is elected won’t result in the loss of more housing for the low-income and middle class population with growing rent rates and costs of homeownership. He wants to see America as Americans united for the good of the U.S. and not a divided country. PACKAGE PRICING Three Months/Six Issues: 15% off Six Months/Twelve Issues: 25% off Full Year/Twenty-four Issues: 35% off Only run for two weeks/one issue: 40% off Additional 20% discount for money saving coupons Keep the torch lit! GROUNDCOVER NEWS 3
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4 GROUNDCOVER NEWS ELECTION DAY NOVEMBER 1, 2024 Beyond this election: FREEDOM ALL, FREEDOM BEST. Let's cast our vote for Harris-Walz! AMANDA GALE Groundcover vendor No. 573 This election season has not failed to top each of the recent 20-30 years’ national elections — for drama, intrigue and for what-all is at stake. "We the people …" of United States have a CLEAR, DISTINCTIVE pathway, we MUST FULFILL and OPT for–IF for a good majority yet from and for humanity, to yet ourselves SEEK for GOOD from and for ourselves, as a race of people — human. If we have done ourselves the great DISSERVICE of electing the campaign that ENSLAVES us — by abolishing the document that from ourselves first suggested we have EVERY RIGHT to be FREE, and that our persons INNATELY and INHERENTLY ARE FREE! — we will have simply EVIDENCED the HORROR OF OUR fallenness — by making it that MUCH MORE DIFFICULT for ourselves for SEEKING, "The GOOD." Of course, we might have opted to not know anymore what "the GOOD" is. A belief in RELATIVISM has been exchanged for a belief in some basic standard mores that once were ASSUMED and ACCEPTED — by those of us CONCEIVED and BORN under this WILD notion that we ARE and actually COULD BE / CAN BE — FREE! IF we have elected a mere "end justifies the means" INSTEAD OF A BEST DIRECTION AHEAD pathway; IF we will have SURRENDERED ourselves to the MAGA CULT OF THE MOST RECENT deceiving though seeming charismatic personality — who has PLAINLY told us he will STEAL AWAY / ERODE our FREEDOMS yet further, and under a GUISE of being a protector for us — we will begin experiencing the HORRORS of LOSING our FREEDOMS — beginning with "the Least of us" who are in NEED vocationally and financially, who have already been quite OVERLOOKED for our POTENTIALITIES and GIFTS by a larger, ELITE society; and we’ll have to work that MUCH HARDER! IF we have APPROVED for a direction that criminalizes "the Least of These" who are homeless and/or who reside atypically for modern times — and even do so under a GUISE of as if "PRO-LIFE" — UTTER SHAME! to us. If we have selected the candidate who has already at times at previous campaign rallies ordered, "arrest that person!" to some ACTUALLY PEACEFUL PROTESTORS who were MERELY SEEKING in that way to EXPOSE and RESCUE! Humanity from the WORST that could be from itself — TRUE HORROR! will be upon us. If we have selected an elitist modus operandi that SHAMES and BLAMES those recognized as being "NEEDY" among us; and also even mandates further DEPRIVATIONS for those who are deemed as if being the non-SUPERIORS among us — WOE! to us. WHAT!? are we INVITING onto Humanity — if we EXCLUDE and DEPRIVE those not deemed as being under our group of "the approved;" when we PREVENT/DENY their SKILLS and CAPABILITIES — though by which so DOING simply actually exposes/ reveals our own GROSS! and EXTREME NEEDS if we ourselves are the elitists? If while claiming we DEPLORE the IMPERIALISTIC IMPOSINGS and CONDEMNINGS that have occurred in South America, and on our own continent, and all throughout history in various places we vote for that which even BLATANTLY tells us its INTENTIONS are to do the SAME, here, now, and by starting with those who are simply The MOST VULNERABLE, and the least popular among us as a people and society — is that not APPROVAL of our own hypocrisies? Of course there are these people who we will begin with who are "heinous criminals" who have crossed-over the border and we use them as our beginning point for scapegoating and deportation — not allowing oursleves the REALIZATION that at some point, we’re NEXT! Is it "a GOOD Thing" for us to ANNIHILATE ourselves? How do we know if we even ACTUALLY EXIST — or even if there is actual GOOD, and WHAT IT IS? We NEED a STARTING POINT! As a Christian of course I realize THE BIBLE as GOD’S Objective LOVE-letter to the Human Race is inviting us to HIS Redemption and WHOLENESS. Outside of that, though, could there even yet be MERCIES and GRACES for humanity that ISN’T even Christian? What does that require? How can we “get there?" Will we ever REALLY, "arrive?” As a Christian I believe "arrival" by only mere finite, fallen means — is DOOMED! Nonetheless, I believe in a GOD who is SO! MERCIFUL that HE DOESN’T SEEK to ABANDON us to our own ultimately wicked ends; but WHO OFFERS us EACH and ALL the OPPORTUNITY to ourselves even OPT for at least what will be even if just in this LIFE a pathway of MORE PEACE and LESS SUFFERINGS — if we WILL. Have we now decided to be no special place of inspiration, to be no HARBOR for the WEARY and WANDERING, to UNDO our U.S. Constitutional Limitation of Powers — including and ESPECIALLY for our "Chief Executive?" Do we now NEED a self-proclaimed Martial Law "Protector" — to mete out to and upon us — the (supposed) freedoms for ourselves we are REFUSING? If SUBJUGATION and SUPPRESSION are the means by which we procure birth, what have we (*) wrought? And then blamed GOD for? And, WHY NOT? Follow after the dictates from other countries? Surely it’s "a better way," such as China mandates/IMPOSES — when and IF!? for family and children. Sure, you want Russia and "good ‘ole putin" to tell you, you MUST! be! and CAN ONLY be! a factory worker, a dentist, a kgb informant, et cetera. And you CANNOT! be the sculptor, the chef, the dentist, or factory worker that you! yourself! WANT to be! You CAN’T even have FREEDOM of press to even print Groundcover! If you’re a Christian, listen to Job's lament: "Oh that I had been aborted/miscarried — INSTEAD of birthed into MISERABLE SUFFERINGS!" If you’re not a Christian, please listen to even just the GLAD common sense of patriot Patrick Henry: "Give me liberty, or give me death." However perhaps we will have already instead decided to REJECT the bribe and supposed "justification" of trading our liberties? Let us Hope and Pray we will have already in a simplest way — our Vote — have decided for, the least egregiously consequential way for ourselves. Let us Hope and Pray we will have already DETERMINED that we WILL NOT! EVER! SURRENDER our Souls and liberties to anyone! for ANY! reason — NO MATTER WHAT! Are we already REALIZING that a surrenderee always sooner or later LOSES! that which is PRECIOUS and perhaps might NEVER!? be REGAINED? Do we LIKE it now already — when police OVERSTEP our FREEDOMS and our RIGHTS, and the boundaries — ethical and/or legal of the ENTRUSTMENT of their authority? And WHY!? Did Kwame Kilpatrick receive a jail term, while donald trump is pursuing a second term!? Have we CHOSEN the National Executive Team whose INTEGRITY and up-front indications can lead the way for ALL the BEST they are ASSURING for? Or have we settled for the supposed pair that merely as all dictators do, gives us only duping, changeable, INCONGRUITIES for FREEDOM and LIFE? Will we kowtow to the hitler-praising bloodbath threat or AFFIRM our potentialities and responsibilities FOR THE TRIUMPH of GOOD!? Of course we might not even know what? Or if "GOOD" — IS? Or if so; WHAT? IT IS? However, did it feel "REAL GOOD" to have to LIVE in FEAR of possible germ WARFARE on our own shores — via trump? Or, maybe you REALLY liked all those CLAMPING DOWN RESTRICTIONS like, we’re even AFRAID to breathe or cough or sneeze around each other, and we CAN’T even be around or near each other for concerts, or playgrounds, or LOVE. And say, HOW? did fauci (**) "know?" Of course we know that the people from totalitarian countries are JUST BEGGING! for an EXPANSION of the dictates OVER them, leaving NO ALTERNATIVE ANYWHERE! We know that they URGE us to ACCEPT! as BEST-human "whatever" whims a dictator and/or successor might RULE. Though maybe we have yet CHOSEN the TEAM who will lead only by the CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED who welcome ACCOUNTABILITY from "we the people …" instead of COMPLETE "IMMUNITY" for themselves! Is leadership for us that which we ELECT, ENTRUSTING us, EMPOWERING us? Or have we decided for a particular individual and/or oligarch to CANCEL OUT our WILL, and AT ANY time themselves instead Determining what we "NEED?" But IF you will promote BETRAYAL Of FREEDOMS even as the supposed means for "you and yours" by which to SAVE others and supposedly result in a "Utopia," that’s on you! For "you and yours." If however "you and yours" STRIP AWAY FREEDOM for "me and mine" — I ask you: is THAT WHAT you DESIRE, FROM me? Now if I am in any way DISSENTING, WHAT will you do with me? SURELY NOTHING LESS than the "mind-control" and TORTURE that typically occurs to expatriates SEEKING to EXPOSE and/or FREE us from "the Regime?" I may LOVE you in CHRIST, or even as a human being. However, I’ll NOT! OPT to even SAVE your unborn children — so that you ENSLAVE! me and mine! If we truly want to INSURE LIFE, this DOESN’T occur by MERELY MANDATING birth. So this election is NOT! merely a selection, but a REFERENDUM. Do "we the people …" value FREEEDOM and LIFE, or the MIRAGE of IMPOSTERS? Guess what? It’s NOT! TOO LATE!! (I learned while being an election inspector previously when resident in Canton, that even if you’ve already voted — like absentee, or even while at the polls — and you realize you have made a TERRIBLE ERROR, you have the right up until the close of the polls on election night to destroy that erring ballot and to cast as best possible for all the good and best that American seeks to be.) So, LET’S BE SURE TO VOTE! And to VOTE BEST! FOR our FREEDOMS! I am ASSURED even NONETHELESS that IF "we the people …" somehow FAIL ourselves for our chosen outcome for this election — that even the WORST IMMEDIATE and/or ULTIMATE SUFFERINGS and WRONG ways of going that might occur — WILL NOT! be what ULTIMATELY PREVAILS. I KNOW this because I KNOW JESUS. However, I even know this, because I know that the human spirit that HE Created–Innately MUST and WILL — ultimately also shine through for FREEDOM. NOVEMBER 1, 2024 FOOD JUSTICE GROUNDCOVER NEWS 5 Find the Ypsi Vegan Food Distro outside of 169 N Washington St. on Monday evenings. Freegan Vegan: local food justice activists help two causes at once In the front yard of Hospitality House on North Washington St. in Ypsilanti there is a table, a rack and a sign that says “food only.” On the table and rack is a constant cornucopia of donated foods ranging from fresh produce to milk and eggs to boxed and canned foods. Recently a group of local food justice activists began adding prepared vegan dishes to the fare found on Monday evenings. Some of the food is prepared by a person who goes by Shanky who is a food justice activist and gardener. I asked Shanky how the vegan food distro got started. “[Some friends and fellow vegans] met up at the library and threw around some ideas. Then we thought, let’s drive around and find people on the street. Let’s just start making meals. "That week FedUp was closed, someone asked if we could do a small distribution; so we came up with 50 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, Cliff Bars and juice boxes." FedUp Ministries serves meals to the street community. “Then we got permission to do it in front of Hospitality House. We put out flyers to the farmers market asking for leftover produce. A few other community members donated as well. We had a decent amount of produce to get out. We did some cooking and baking and threw it all together, then handed it out in mismatched containers.” Shanky is an Ypsilanti local who has been on nonprofit boards and helps run several community gardens while teaching people how to grow. She began baking vegan and gluten-free items for her friends with food allergies. On-again-off-again vegetarian, she does eat eggs and uses them in her baking. She also makes her own oat milk but does not JIM CLARK Groundcover vendor No. 139 eat honey. Shanky said, “Honey bees are an invasive, non-native that kills other bees by dominating the food sources.” Instead of honey, Shanky recommended, “Use maple syrup. It works just as well.” Every Monday offers a chance to see different activists staffing the vegan food distro table. One person, who goes by Cinder, is also a food justice advocate and vegan. Cinder said, “I have been vegan for ten years now and in that time I haven't done as much activism as I would have liked. I have mostly volunteered at events and worked to share my ideas one-on-one. I have always done volunteering in one way or another, so that aspect has been a part of my life since early childhood. I was keeping my eye out for local opportunities to help the disenfranchised members of our community without compromising my beliefs. I saw a call for volunteers on a local Facebook group and got in contact with the group from there.” The group was the vegan food distribution team. Cinder went on to explain the program. “The food distribution we are doing has a focus on offering a hot vegan meal each week … We also offer ready-to-eat options, produce, baked goods, and hygiene products as they become available. The whole program right now is being run by volunteers and a small pool of weekly donations. We are, of course, trying to expand that donation pool. Anyone who wants to reach out about donating food, drinks, or any other vegan products for distribution can reach out in person or via our Facebook page: Vegan Food Distro Ypsilanti.” I asked Cinder what they thought of the relationship between food justice versus housing rights. She answered, “On one level, offering a delicious hot meal of any kind is a step in the right direction. We need to make sure everyone knows where their next meal is coming from as a start. On the level of why vegan specifically, there are a few notes to consider. Firstly, most vegan food lasts longer without refrigeration than traditional options. Secondly, the meals lean heavily on vegetables. The health and energy benefits to whole foods are undeniable. Regular consumption of whole foods is associated with fewer hospital stays, lower risk of cardiac disease and a diminished number of overall health problems. Helping unhoused folks stay as healthy as possible means helping alleviate the potential of large medical expenses over time. We try to offer a variety of fresh produce every week to the same end. Lastly, the environmental, nutritional and community benefits of veganism are truly impossible to ignore. We can help those in our community without adding to the existing issues associated with animal agriculture. So why wouldn't we? Whether homeless or struggling, everyone deserves to eat healthy, delicious food.”
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6 GROUNDCOVER NEWS COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT NOVEMBER 1, 2024 Tracy Bennett's puzzle journey: NYT Wordle Editor bids farewell to Groundcover News ALLISON WEI Groundcover contributor You could say that Tracy Bennett was born a puzzle-lover. Before she could even talk, at 17 months, Bennett was doing jigsaw puzzles, according to her mom. As a young girl, Bennett’s appetite for puzzles couldn’t be stopped: she did her older sister’s jigsaw puzzles then moved on to crossword puzzles. At 17, she did her first New York Times crossword at a friend’s house and fell in love with it. But she couldn’t afford to get a New York Times subscription. “Growing up, we were very poor. I lived in a house with no running water and an outhouse,” said Bennett. To feed her love for puzzles, Bennett asked neighbors and friends for their NYT crosswords. Decades later, Bennett has gone from not being able to afford a NYT subscription to being the NYT’s first and only Wordle editor. As an associate puzzle editor, Bennett also edits crosswords and Strands. “It’s my dream job,” said Bennett. But for the longest time, puzzling was just a hobby. Never could she have imagined it would turn into a career. Originally from Maine, Bennett moved to Michigan to study English literature at the University of Michigan, joining her sister at U-M. She’s been in Ann Arbor ever since. It was here, in one of America’s most well-read cities, that Bennett discovered her love for words. “In my senior year, I became fascinated with how words worked,” said Bennett. Post-grad, she considered a masters in linguistics or publishing. She ended up choosing the latter, working as a copy editor for the journal Mathematical Reviews. Here, she further honed her love for language. “I loved editing. It was like working in two different languages: technical math language is a language in and of itself, but I was also working with a lot of non-native English speakers.” Working at Mathematical Reviews, Bennett was content. Life went on. She got married. Had a son. She continued pursuing puzzles, but only on the side. In 2010, at the urging of a friend, she entered a local puzzle solving contest and won. Afterward, she entered the American Crossword Tournament. “I didn’t do well as a competitor, but I met people who make puzzles for the first time. It was like a light turned on — I saw that people don’t just solve puzzles, but make them. That sounded so wonderful to me.” Bennett began learning how to construct puzzles under mentor Victor Fleming, who’s had his crosswords published in the New York Times and co-contributed crosswords to Groundcover. In 2013, Bennett had her first crossword published in the New York Times. In 2014, she got her first job offer as a puzzle constructor at Bust magazine. She started creating puzzles for Crosswords with Friends. All this came at a cost. “I was still working my day job, raising a child, and doing puzzles on top of all this. I was getting up at 5 a.m. or going to bed late exhausted just to get everything done,” said Bennett. Making puzzles is hard work. “It’s very time consuming to make a puzzle, it can take me three days to make a good one,” said Bennett. Beyond skill, it wasn’t easy breaking into the puzzle making scene. “The puzzle industry was primarily whitemale dominated,” said Bennett. “When I first started, there were these 16-20 year old Computer Science major phenoms being celebrated. As a 40 year old mom with a whole other career, I wasn’t really getting the same attention.” That’s part of why in her puzzle career, inclusivity has always been important to her. At Bust, Bennett created crosswords with feminist themes. In 2017, she co-founded the Inkubator: a magazine that trains women and non-binary folks how to create crosswords and pays them for their work. “I started to feel like I was really making puzzles for a living and my day job was just paying the bills. In 2020, when the job for associate puzzle editor at The New York Times opened up, I applied and got it,” said Bennett. “I was in my late 50s and made a major career change.” Bennett was hired at the same time as Wyna Liu, who edits Connections. “When I joined the Times, it was pretty much exclusively white male … but they were trying to expand that.” Since she joined NYT, Bennett has continued focusing on inclusivity. One way she does this is through mentorship — she’s mentored three people through the NYT’s Diverse Crossword Constructor Fellowship. "When you think of inclusivity, you always think of race and gender, but there’s also subtle ageism. It’s hard to be treated like you’re amazing when you’re older and starting a new hobby — that’s something I’m sensitive to Do you play the popular New York Times puzzle game, Wordle? The same person who picks the word of the day has been contributing puzzles to Groundcover News for five years. since I started making puzzles in my forties. One of my mentees was in her seventies.” Bennett also keeps in mind inclusivity when choosing the Wordle word of the day. “When you make a puzzle, who are you assuming is solving the puzzle? Who are you excluding when you say a word is obscure? “I wanted to expand the narrative of who’s solving the puzzle — to make more people feel seen and included in the story.” That hasn’t come without challenges. “I got complaints when I ran the word 'MANGA' and people didn’t know what it was. I got the same reaction for 'PENNE' (like the pasta). People thought I was trying to trick them with some weird foreign word but it’s not foreign — it’s English … so that’s a barrier I’m constantly pushing against.” Dealing with backlash is something Bennett has had to learn since joining the Times. “When I first started, I decided to do a few themed words. I ran 'FEAST' for Thanksgiving. There was so much furor over that word. Slate magazine ran an article titled 'The New Wordle Editor Is Ruining Wordle.' “The response to that — it was a wake up call,” said Bennett, a self-described introvert who’s most comfortable behind her computer. Despite the pressures of being in the limelight, it’s worth it. Some of Bennett’s favorite parts of being a Wordle editor are what she calls “moments of magical synchronicity” — when a word magically lines up with something happening in someone’s life. “I ran 'CAROL' one day. A woman wrote to me saying that that day was her mother’s memorial service — her mom's name was Carol and she was a lifelong Wordle lover.” A lot of intentionality goes behind choosing the five letter Wordle. Created by James Wardle in 2020, Wordle has a set bank of 2400 five letter words. “I set a random generator from 1 to 2400. If we haven’t run that word already, I’ll set that word up for the week. I do this until I have 7 picks and then order them in the order I think flows best.” Before moving forward, Bennett researches each word. “I look up the meaning in the dictionary and research the word’s secondary and tertiary meanings to make sure I’m not offending anyone.” Bennett is also careful about context. “If there’s something in the news like October 7th, I try to choose a bland word. We try to be sensitive about what we’re putting out there.” The words go to a dedicated team of puzzle solvers for testing before finally being approved. Bennett brings that same passion to her work at Groundcover. Since 2019, Bennett has been making some of the Groundcover crosswords, after being referred by Peter Collins, a fellow Ann Arborite who’s published 100+ crosswords in the New York Times, and many in Groundcover as well. Five years of puzzle making for Groundcover behind her, Bennett is see CROSSWORD next page  NOVEMBER 1, 2024 COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT It's the Great ... Brown Pumpkin, Charlie SARAH THOLEN Groundcover contributor Boldly as the acorns drop, the Fall imbeds itself. ‘Tis the season, once again, for candles on the shelf! Before we could prepare, In came the Autumn air, And with it, crafts for Halloween that you can “do yourself!” “I know that this will be the year I check off my whole list; I’ll bake a cake, and decorate, and even shop for gifts!” My problem is severe, For every single year, Not one, not two, but all my goals are regularly missed. Though the ghosts of those Fall hopes may seem to haunt me still, I have a trick to treat myself and keep moving uphill! Although I should refrain, With every task, I gain A chocolate-peanut-butter pumpkin Reese’s, freshly chilled. Its ratio of sweet to savory really should be studied, For when I eat one, it insists I must send down a buddy. It tastes so, so divine I truly fear a crime Where wolfing down this chocolate treat incites a fight quite bloody. Dare I say, this reward method truly won me over, Managing to keep me going all throughout October. But soon it will be time, When having passed its prime, The great brown pumpkin is replaced with trees by every grocer.  CROSSWORD from last page now bidding farewell. “I have too many projects going on outside of my day job, but I will still probably submit some when I have the time.” “It’s been really cool volunteering with Groundcover … I love being downtown and seeing someone selling Groundcover. I’ll always buy it and eagerly look at the back to see the puzzle.” At the end of the day, Bennett GROUNDCOVER NEWS 7 says her mission is to create joy. “Puzzles are little problems you can solve rather than problems you can’t solve. Nobody making puzzles wants to trick you. They want you to solve it.” In an increasingly complex world where it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, those small wins matter. “Bringing joy and meaning to other people’s lives … that’s what puzzles are all about.”
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8 GROUNDCOVER NEWS RACIAL JUSTICE ELI SRI RANGARAJAN U-M student contributor On November 9, 2014, Aura Rosser was shot and killed in her own home by Ann Arbor police. In the following days, months and years, Ann Arbor’s community alongside the growing nationwide Black Lives Matter movement, took action and protested against racist policing and the lack of police accountability throughout the US. No matter how hard we fight, it can often feel like no change actually occurs. Political figures constantly leave us with empty promises rather than tangible solutions. But, even if it's hard to notice, there is change. In 2018, as a result of the mobilization of communities across our country in alliance with BLM, Ann Arbor’s Independent Community Police Oversight Commission (ICPOC) was formed. With a goal of not only reducing harmful policing but improving community police relations as a whole, every aspect of its creation was intertwined with community feedback. The Commission consists of 11 voting members, one of whom is a youth member, and most of whom are part of specific committees within ICPOC. Committees include the policy, training, outreach and information committees. The bulk of each Commission meeting consists of reports from these committees followed by discussion among Commission members on ways to handle the issues that arise. At the September 24 meeting I attended, for example, the policy committee presented a concern surrounding the legal requirement for police body cameras. A complaint had been received that a specific policeman had arbitrarily switched off his body camera while at a University of Michigan protest, despite the potential for escalation. As Commissioner Randy Milgrom argued, legislation surrounding these cameras is extremely ambiguous, especially when these cameras are vital in holding police accountable. What followed was an engaged discussion between the Commission and Ann Arbor Police Chief Andre Anderson who attends the meetings alongside colleagues. The result was not only an increased understanding on the issue from both sides, but an agreement that in the subsequent days AAPD would revise the policies and send them to the commission for reapproval. It was somewhat shocking. Police and the Commission actually seemed to be listening to each other. AAPD seemed to understand that this was an opportunity to improve, and the commission did as well. In an environment often rife with polarity, the space invited a mutual respect that was extremely refreshing. At the closure of the meeting, ICPOC Commissioner Bonnie Billups went out of his way to explicitly thank officers who had shown compassion in their work in a specific situation. It truly felt like both sides were fighting for our community. Distrust has defined our police-community relations in the past, and although ICPOC is nowhere close to an all-encompassing solution, this type of collaboration and communication is the first necessary step towards an environment where police and the community support and engage with each other rather than demonize and clash with each other. It is a symbol that the constant effort so many have dedicated to reducing racist and brutal policing might actually be paying off. ICPOC meetings occur once a month; the next one will be held Tuesday, November 26 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. ICPOC’s public office hours (which allow other community It has been 10 years since Aura Rosser was murdered by the Ann Arbor police. members to be heard in the dialogue surrounding healthy policing) are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. -5 p.m. and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Any community member can attend these meetings. A police complaint form can be found on their website: https://www.a2gov.org/ dep ar tmen ts/cit y-c ler k/ Boards-and-Commissions/Pages/ Independent-Community-Police-Oversight-Commission.aspx NOVEMBER 1, 2024 One commission towards a better police mission NOVEMBER 1, 2024 PUZZLES GROUNDCOVER NEWS CROSSWORD International Network of Street Papers 9 Groundcover Vendor Code While Groundcover is a non-profit, and paper vendors are self-employed contractors, we still have expectations of how vendors should conduct themselves while selling and representing the paper. The following is our Vendor Code of Conduct, which every vendor reads and signs before receiving a badge and papers. We request that if you discover a vendor violating any tenets of the Code, please contact us and provide as many details as possible. Our paper and our vendors should be positively impacting our County. • Groundcover will be distributed for a voluntary donation. I agree not to ask for more than the cover price or solicit donations by any other means. • When selling Groundcover, I will always have the current biweekly issue of Groundcover available for customer purchase. • I agree not to sell additional goods or products when selling the paper or to panhandle, including panhandling with only one paper or selling past monthly issues. • I will wear and display my badge when selling papers and refrain from wearing it or other Groundcover gear when engaged in other activities. • I will only purchase the paper from Groundcover Staff and will not sell to or buy papers from other Groundcover vendors, especially vendors who have been suspended or terminated. • I agree to treat all customers, staff, and other vendors respectfully. I will not “hard sell,” threaten, harass or pressure customers, staff, or other vendors verbally or physically. • I will not sell Groundcover under the influence of drugs or alcohol. • I understand that I am not a legal employee of Groundcover but a contracted worker responsible for my own well-being and income. • I understand that my badge is property of Groundcover and will not deface it. I will present my badge when purchasing the papers. • I agree to stay off private property when selling Groundcover. • I understand to refrain from selling on public buses, federal property or stores unless there is permission from the owner. • I agree to stay at least one block away from another vendor in downtown areas. I will also abide by the Vendor Corner Policy. • I understand that Groundcover strives to be a paper that covers topics of homelessness and poverty while providing sources of income for the homeless. I will try to help in this effort and spread the word. If you would like to report a violation of the Vendor Code please email contact@groundcovernews.com or fill out the contact form on our website. ACROSS 1. Bakery attraction 6. Snitch 10. Pod dwellers 14. Observatory observations 15. Hip bones 16. With 1-Down and 27-Down, complain at length 17. ___ list 18. Go for 19. Sette follower 20. European country that's hard to spell 23. Fit of shivering 24. "___ is ___, of course, of course" 25. College treasurer 28. Jellied garnish 30. ___ Today 31. Disinclined 36. Invitation acronym 38. Charged particle 39. Zero, on a court 40. Niece's son 45. "Cool" amount 46. Rainbow ___ 47. Festival of lights 49. Denmark's second-largest city 52. Home of the Taj Mahal 53. Femme fatale's fatal footwear? 57. Hit the bottle 58. Amble 59. Band 62. Burden 63. "I had no ___!" 64. Part of a TV feed 65. Gym set 66. "___ of the Flies" 67. Church song DOWN 1. See 16-Across 2. ___ v. Wade 3. Ellipse 4. Fads 5. African spear 6. Specialty 7. "Thanks ___!" 8. Get up 9. Siestas 10. Set of rules 11. "Purple people ___" 12. Con men? 13. Peach pit 21. Hair piece 22. FedEx, say 25. Town 26. "Back in the ___" 27. See 16-Across 28. Take in 29. Hyperbolic function 32. Place 33. "Brave New World" drug 34. Malevolent 35. Kosher ___ 37. Untrodden 41. Exact 42. Frequently pierced place 43. Advantage 44. Bug 48. Tusked mammal 49. Fur trader John Jacob 50. Make amends 51. Shred 52. Winning 54. ___ list 55. Done 56. Fizzy drink 60. Black gold 61. Little dog, for short
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10 GROUNDCOVER NEWS VENDOR VOICES JESSI AVERILL Groundcover contributor Over several issues of Groundcover, Ramón Roberto Isla Caballero, vendor No. 347, has shared about his physical and mental health conditions while living unhoused. He has talked about the ongoing hip and chest pains he feels, as well as his routine to drink at night to help him sleep outside on the busy downtown street. Ramón turns 66 years old in December. Since returning to Ann Arbor during the pandemic he has only stayed inside overnight for a handful of days. Growing older while living unhoused makes it very hard for Ramón to keep good health. Fortunately, he is constantly checked on by Washtenaw County Community Mental Health’s street outreach team, PATH. They help him consistently schedule and travel to his doctor appointments. They also help him get the medicines his doctor prescribes. Early in October Ramón started experiencing more severe chest pains, mostly related to acid reflux. He started thinking the medicine he was taking was not working. He canceled an upcoming doctor's appointment and stressed to his CMH caseworker that he did not want to take the medicine anymore because he was not getting better. However, Ramón was continuing to drink alcohol somewhat heavily despite the doctor telling him it could worsen his acid reflux and affect the medicine that is supposed to help him with it. The caseworker asked Ramón if he would like to try staying at a local recovery center to see if it could help him with reducing his drinking. Both Groundcover and PATH staff helped prepare Ramón for moving into the center. He brought all his belongings to the Groundcover office, then PATH had an Uber pick him up to bring him to the center. Before entering the program he needed to take a COVID test. He tested positive. He had to wait at least 10 days before he could come back to try again. PATH made sure that Ramón was set up in a hotel to isolate and recover from COVID. He was now sleeping inside for the first time in a long, long time! At the hotel Ramón was able to shower, eat regularly and rest. He also was able to use a phone (his cell phone was stolen a while ago) which made it easier for his CMH caseworkers to stop by and check on him as well as Groundcover staff to plan meal dropoffs as part of his wellness care. Ramón started feeling much better and soon recovered from COVID. But the best news of all: Ramón was no longer drinking. To-date it has been over three weeks since he had a drink! During this time he has not been having acid reflux or chest pains. Other changes have been no more shaky hands or rapid breathing. Ramón has not returned yet to try the recovery center, but he is working with CMH to get placed in housing in Ann Arbor. This is huge news: Ramón was resistant to housing options in the past because he would say, "give it to someone else who needs it." CMH is also working on ordering him a mobile phone. While he waits for the new housing placement, Ramón has not been selling Groundcover New papers because he does not want to be far from the hotel phone in case his caseworkers need to reach him. He still stops by the Groundcover office to say hi, grab a cup of coffee and chat before taking off to go back to the hotel. The change in Ramón is obvious when he stops in to say hi — he is smiling, laughing and eager to talk about what he is watching on TV (usually something from the History Channel). On behalf of Ramón: Thank you to all the caseworkers who have been so helpful and caring to him and towards his recovery. And, most of all, thank you to Groundcover staff for their support over the last few weeks (and over the nine years since he became a vendor). NOVEMBER 1, 2024 Cancer survivor, and now COVID survivor, too! Support an Alternative Business Model Local - Organic - Member-Owned Your Ypsilanti source for healthy, eco-friendly food and goods INVEST BY BECOMING A MEMBER! 7 principles of Co-ops Voluntary, Democratic, Equitable, Independent, Informative, Collaborative, Community We make it affordable: Frequent Sales/Use Your Bridge card/Ask us about Double Up Food Bucks Visit us for 312 N. River St. (734) 483-1520 www.ypsifoodcoop.org unique cards and local, handmade items too $2 OFF your purchase of $15 or more One coupon per transacton Must present coupon at time of purchase exp. 01/31/2025 NOVEMBER 1, 2024 VENDOR VOICES GROUNDCOVER NEWS Look, look, my heart is an open book! Musings on land and healing That song spills out of my mouth occasionally. If you look you may see a heart of scars that are still healing. The stages of the path may require an even deeper level of healing. Some crises may reveal an underlying condition that is a big mystery. Spiritual friends may become the key to the clues you need. When my ophthalmologist told me that I have vascular endothelial growth factor, my mind went on full alert. When it shows up in the eyes it can cause what is called “age-related macular degeneration.” Matt Hoostal, who I know from Pizza in the Park, told me they call it “veg f” in his biology research lab. It appears to form in the gut microbiome, which Matt is studying. I am an eternal student and have discovered that some wounds and pathologies have a collective dynamic that must be addressed. The gut microbiome is the community of up to 100 trillion organisms that live in the intestinal tract. There are 37 trillion cells in our body so we have an even larger, very diverse community in our gut. Digestion, energy creation and the immune system are all expressions of the gut microbiome. If you have a gut feeling it is from your second brain so-to-speak. The vagus nerve connects the two brains. This is a field of study we need to honor. We live in a community of modern humans. Dr. Carl Jung and his adventures with and beyond Sigmund Freud have much to offer to intellectual workers who are trying to finish their job. Intellectual work that focuses on how to make sense of the mess we are in is very important. The difference between truth and fiction is that fiction must make sense. Homo sapiens sapiens is a subspecies of homo sapiens and the Latin word for wise is repeated twice to specify that modern humans are the only survivors of the species. Some of us may have Neanderthal genes but there are no remaining Neanderthal people. Neander is the name of a valley in Germany where remains were found. They evolved from homo sapiens and populated the Eurasian landmass until some 40,000 years ago. So when you look in the mirror who do you see? As you mature you will discover many times that you are not who you think you are. One thing is certain, we are sentient beings who are children of this earth. Water, air and sun have also brought us forth. We share Turtle Island with many relations, both plant and animal. My interdisciplinary studies are beyond my ability to fully master anything, so my eternal student is sometimes the “village idiot.” As Homo sapiens sapiens we learn to think at a young age. Rebirthers have discovered that we make deep decisions at the time of birth. We must be deciders before we are thinkers. Are you happy to be here or not? You may cry with your first breath. As you see, our community life is the context for our individual experience. You live your own life but you don’t do it alone. An understanding of natural law goes far beyond the law of gravity. Quantum mechanics and probabilities are the new paradigm. Making friends with our own mind is the essential task before us, in my humble opinion. As children of the Earth we will discover the sacred nature of Earth and realize that all earthly beings have a place here. So how could we have homelessness and underhoused populations? It’s time to examine social norms and create new ones in some cases. You can take a breath for a fresh start. Other times let the breath rest and observe the mind until you find a fresh mind. Khenpo Choephel from the Karuna Buddhist Center is a good teacher at this point. Many are those who want a more awakened mind. We can enter the Olympics of mind training in which everybody wins. Honor all who have some realization and are happy to share it. Private property is the main belief of what we once called middle class life. This belief is basic to the compliance culture which arose from the collapse of feudalism. The Renaissance and the Age of Enlightenment evolved into the capitalism we know today. We are deeply entrenched in the belief that you must be a property owner in order to be a real human being. Therefore children must be trained to think they do not fully count as human beings unless they adopt the values of the ruling class ideology. Maybe that’s why NASA discovered that most five-year-olds are at creative genius level and that declines as they are socialized into compliance culture. Let’s practice open awareness and KEN PARKS Groundcover vendor No. 490 imagine how we can use property so as to have a better relation with all the people. Ann Arbor has an ordinance on Accessory Dwelling Units. Jim Clark is helping me understand this ordinance. I believe it opens the door to build tiny homes in backyards or side lots that would be a simple living space. I am looking for folks who have used this ordinance and also those who are willing to explore the possibility. My vision is a small greenhouse, maybe 20'x14’ with a living space behind the plants. I have experience camping out in my house to beat foreclosure in Detroit, sustainable camping at Standing Rock and a base camp community on Carrizo Comecrudo land in Texas. I am ready to begin a discussion on accessory dwelling units and see if we can do a workable model of shared and simple living. We have a design challenge that could be fun as we design a simple house and then clarify the responsibilities of mutual respect and shared living. I propose we start with a council fire (a shared fire touches on our shared indigenous heritage) and focus awareness of body and earth on the land available. This process will be complete as land is returned to its indigenous caretakers who have an organic connection to the traditions of the first humans on this land. We can begin with the intention to design and build artistic accessory dwelling units until everyone has a safe place to sleep. Some may resemble a small bunkhouse or hostel for travelers. You can do a lot in a small space as nomadic peoples have demonstrated for countless centuries. Look around until you find indigenous connections. The Native American Student Association is important if you have any U-M relations. They are part of the Tahrir Coalition well known from the camp on the Diag that was in solidarity with the Palestinian people, which also merits your attention. Practice open awareness that creates the vision that Che referred to in his famous quote, “We are realists, we dream the impossible.” The first challenge is the permit and inspection process of the dwelling. I propose that permaculture design be brought into the ordinance. It looks like an obvious step but also may be out of sync with compliance culture. Peter Bane was once editor of the "Permaculture Activist" which was based in North Carolina. He now has a permaculture project in southwestern Michigan which we could visit. A central research issue is composting toilets. For simple, sustainable living it is probable that permaculture has a better design than the current waste disposal systems that regularly overflow with rainwater. Beaches are sometimes closed due to this inadequate design. Ann Arbor could be the vanguard by adopting compost as a basic tool of waste management. This approach would be a boon for a variety of ADUs and promote better use of the land. All this would best be done in consultation with indigenous traditions. We may develop a more complete form of land conservancy that focuses more on drainage basins rather than property lines that were created by settler communities who were caught in the land speculation of the 19th century in particular. Homesteading was a source of government income. The Northwest Ordinance laid out the process of populating territories so they could become states. The number of broken treaties and the current crisis of property speculation, and the poorly managed 2008 economic collapse in which billions were given to bankrupt billionaires by foreclosing on the people. We know from the work of Richard Werner that loans create money out of nothing. Interest is fraud and we need council fire with indigenous peoples to go back to the basics for a fresh start on the social commons, i.e., Mother Nature. Lee Sprague is important here. His presentation at the 50th Anniversary of the teach-in at U-M and his presentation to the Native American Student Association's and the School for Environment and Sustainability's conference just before COVID is precious history that I hope we can revisit. We need to focus on the next steps that came out of these two events and his presentations. He began with his quote; it is the essensce of his presentation. "We have seen the French, the British and now the Americans. We will still be here when you are gone.” 11

October 18, 2024


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2 GROUNDCOVER NEWS GROUNDCOVER community EVENTS ANN ARBOR PROPOSALS A-D DISCUSSION Saturday, October 19, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Washtenaw County Admin Building - 200 N Main St. in the basement Ann Arbor voters will asked to vote on four proposals this November 5th. All proposals will amend the City Charter. Speakers will share their reasons for supporting or for not supporting these proposals. A2 PLANNING OPEN HOUSE Wednesday, October 23, 11 a.m.-7p.m., Presentations at 12:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Ann Arbor District Library: Downtown (Multipurpose Room, lower level) Learn and give input on the A2 Comprehensive Plan, Downtown Area Circulation Study and the DDA Development Plan. HALLOWEEN DOWNTOWN Friday, October 25, 5:30-7p.m. Michigan Ave Library Plaza, Ypsilanti Celebrate the Ypsilanti District Library's annual Halloween event at the newly renovated downtown library branch! Trick-ortreat in the Library Plaza! Pick up sweets, win books, play putt-putt with Putt-RRound, and visit the "Boo"Mobile. MOVING our MONEY from WARFARE to HUMAN NEEDS Saturday, October 26, 3-5 p.m. 8200 W. Outer Dr., Southfield, Detroit Panel presentation on why cutting the bloated military budget and spending our tax money in the areas of jobs, healthcare, housing, climate control and education, would benefit ALL of us — no matter your political persuasion, gender, age or ethnicity. GROUNDCOVER NEWS ANNUAL OPEN MIC Friday, November 22, 6-8 p.m. Makeshift Gallery, 407 E Liberty St. Join us this November in honoring Hunger & Homelessness Awareness week at Groundcover News' fifth open mic event! Come listen to community members share writing, songs poetry and stories from the street. This is a FREE event. All are welcome. OCTOBER 18, 2024 letter to the EDITOR While I share the abhorrence of the death of innocent civilians occurring in Gaza and Lebanon, I take issue with calling it genocide, as many articles in Groundcover News have. The Oct. 4 article about the UN by Mike Jones is the most recent example. Genocide implies an extermination campaign. Israel warns the populace in advance of their major incursions, encouraging civilians to relocate. If their goal was eradicating all Palestinians, they would not do so. Israel has consistently targeted enemy leaders and their military infrastructure. Further, Mr. Jones blames the UN Security Council vetoes for the continued war in Gaza, never mentioning that Hamas has been unwilling to agree to any of the cease-fire agreements brokered by other nations. Israel has agreed to several. And let’s not forget that this war began when Hamas attacked Israel. They tortured, raped and killed thousands and took 250 hostages, many of whom are now dead or still being held. And that Hamas continues to intermingle its leaders and munitions with its population centers. Hamas is engaged in a war for public sympathy and Groundcover News writers are helping them win it. — Susan Beckett PROVIDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELF-DETERMINED INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY POVERTY, PRODUCING A STREET NEWSPAPER THAT GIVES A PLATFORM TO UNDERREPRESENTED VOICES IN WASHTENAW COUNTY, PROMOTING AN ACTION TO BUILD A JUST, CARING AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETY. Groundcover News, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in April 2010 as a means to empower lowincome persons to make the transitions from homeless to housed, and from jobless to employed. Vendors purchase each copy of our regular editions of Groundcover News at our office for 50 cents. This money goes towards production costs. Vendors work selling the paper on the street for $2, keeping all income and tips from each sale. Street papers like Groundcover News exist in cities all over the United States, as well as in more than 40 other countries, in an effort to raise awareness of the plight of homeless people and combat the increase in poverty. Our paper is a proud member of the International Network of Street Papers. STAFF Lindsay Calka — publisher Cynthia Price — editor Michelle Lardie-Guzek — intern ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS VOLUNTEERS D.A. Elizabeth Bauman Jamie Cameron Pedro Campos Jim Clark La Shawn Courtwright Cindy Gere Amelia Isacksen Ginger Johnston Earl Pullen Will Shakespeare Denise Shearer Scoop Stevens Felicia Wilbert GROUNDCOVER NEWS ADVERTISING RATES Size 1/8 1/6 1/4 1/2 full page Black/White $110.00 $145.00 $200.00 $375.00 $650.00 Color $150.00 $200.00 $265.00 $500.00 $900.00 Dimensions (W x H in inches) 5 X 3 or 2.5 X 6.5 5 X 4 5 X 6.25 5 X 13 or 10.25 X 6.5 10.25 X 13 Jessi Averill Sim Bose Zachary Dortzbach Luiza Duarte Caetano Jacob Fallman Glenn Gates Alexandra Granberg Robert Klingler Simone Masing Anthony McCormick Mary Wisgerhof Max Wisgerhof CONTACT US PROOFREADERS Kendall Artz Susan Beckett Elliot Cubit Anabel Sicko Story and photo submissions: submissions@groundcovernews.com Advertising and partnerships: contact@groundcovernews.com Office: 423 S. 4th Ave., Ann Arbor Mon-Sat, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Phone: 734-263-2098 @groundcover @groundcovernews DONATE, LISTEN TO OLD ISSUES + LEARN MORE www.groundcovernews.org PACKAGE PRICING Three Months/Six Issues: 15% off Six Months/Twelve Issues: 25% off Full Year/Twenty-four Issues: 35% off Only run for two weeks/one issue: 40% off Additional 20% discount for money saving coupons OCTOBER 18, 2024 ON MY CORNER MEET YOUR VENDOR SCOOP STEVENS Groundcover vendor No. 638 Groundcover vendors are losing Cindy Gere, vendor No. 279 In one sentence, who are you? I am Dene Nation, Kaska Tribe, Native Canadian from the Wolf Clan Warrior. I fight for the least of us; that is my mission. Where do you usually sell Groundcover? Sweetwaters coffee shop on Ashley and Washington from 7-10 a.m. as much as possible. When and why did you start selling Groundcover? I am a humanitarian – and Christ told the world, be and do for the least of us! So I choose to work with and be part of the homeless as part of my mission-walk in life. What is your favorite thing to do in Ann Arbor? Go to all the free festivals and gatherings with my friends. What is your favorite spot in Ann Arbor? Pink is my favorite color so to calm down I go to the pink coffee shop with all the roses (House of Chimney Cakes). What words do you live by? I do what I can for who I can and when I can! What is something about you that someone on the street wouldn’t know? I have an operatic voice. If you could do anything for a day, what would it be? Hang out with real war veterans and teach them yoga/meditation. If you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Moose. What are your hobbies? Lifting weights and dancing. I go out every Friday to dance and party! What change would you like to see in Washtenaw County? A homeless tent community for nondrug and sober working homeless people. the war against aggressive panhandlers in Ann Arbor. In the end, Groundcover will lose this war. Before this happens, Groundcover should change its primary mission from providing employment for low-income individuals to becoming a newspaper of enlightened justice. This can be accomplished by making improvements in our freelance writing program. African American sociologist, educator and author W.E.B. Dubois wanted Black people to agitate, agitate and agitate for justice. His nemesis, Booker T. Washington, sought an accommodation with whites through an emphasis on vocational training. Vocational training is for slaves. Traditional liberal arts (grammar, logic and rhetoric) are the subjects that free people study. Groundcover should continue its social justice mission but should also publish articles that teach traditional liberal arts. This will educate the public and nurture freedom. It will also prevent Groundcover from becoming just another vocational training, dead end for the vendors. As the overall quality of journalism improves in Groundcover’s newspaper, a more sophisticated reader base will develop that will become investors in Groundcover solutions. Having an article Jamie's Choice Awards Best Thai Food: No Thai (Kerrytown). Best Billiards: The 8 Ball Saloon (downstairs from Blind Pig or enter via alley). There may be a cover charge. Best Dancing: Depending on JAMIE CAMERON Groundcover vendor No. 612 day of the week, Necto, off Liberty. There may be a cover and coat check charge. It used to be called “The Nectarine Ballroom!” Best Cinnamon Buns: CinnaBon in Briarwood Mall near JC Penney. Best Cup of Coffee: Espresso Royale off Main near Liberty. Unfortunately, all locations are now closed. Best Seafood: The Black Pearl, on Main St. near Liberty. Best Book Shop for used buy or sell: The Dawn Treader, off Liberty in downtown. Happy consuming! Halloween is a real treat What Halloween means to me is fun and treats. Halloween means to me a time to love God and Jesus more. Halloween means to me the same as Thanksgiving — being thankful for all God blessed me with. I also like to have fun on Halloween but not with spooky things. I like to celebrate Halloween with beautiful, colorful things. I like to dress up as a butterfly or a cat. I love watching the Charlie Brown Peanuts “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.” I like to joke that my boyfriend Richard don’t discuss politics, religion, and the Great Pumpkin with anybody. This is part reality, though! Halloween also reminds me of the movie “Cinderella,” where her carriage was a pumpkin. Halloween reminds me of “The Princess and the Frog” movie, too. Halloween reminds me of being DENISE SHEARER Groundcover vendor No. 485 During Halloween time I also like to go to farmers markets because it’s the harvest time of the year. All the fruits and vegetables are so colorful and pretty; they are very delicious, too. Halloween reminds me of candy and hot dogs and candy apples. French fries, too. Halloween also reminds me of delicious popcorn — caramel popcorn and buttered popcorn. with my friends at Halloween parties. Halloween is not just for kids, it’s for anybody at any age who wants to have fun and enjoy treats and enjoy the holiday. It also reminds me of getting together with church groups and celebrating and getting treats. Halloween can be celebrated in many different ways; I enjoy them all except spooky things. I like to celebrate God and Jesus in every holiday, including Halloween. GROUNDCOVER NEWS Groundcover News evolution path published in Groundcover will become a literary achievement and many writers who submit articles will not have them published. In keeping with its non-profit corporation status, these articles will be evaluated and writers will be compensated according to merit. A culture of literacy that leads to more effective civic participation will grow out of the Groundcover freelance writing program. Sales will increase because of the content of the paper and the paper will, for the most part, sell itself. The vendor role will be diminished in importance but new opportunities will become available. 3 by Denise Shearer
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4 GROUNDCOVER NEWS ELECTION DAY OCTOBER 18, 2024 Community Mental Health Public Safety Millage — what to know before November 5 Nothing is certain but death and taxes. The death part is obvious — if you’re a human being, you have an expiration date. But why are taxes certain? Because as long as you're alive and a human being, you or someone you know may need public services. Public services are provided by the people running the government through programs and departments. The Washtenaw County government coordinates important services like community mental health and public safety. As we live in a society driven by money, these services need to be funded to pay employees and obtain resources. Hence, taxes. The Community Mental Health and Public Safety Preservation Millage was voted on in 2017, commenced in 2019, and is set to expire in 2026. It is up for renewal in the upcoming general election in order to avoid running a special election next year. The millage is a 1 mill tax that generates $15 to $18 million a year for Washtenaw County. Five to six million dollars go to CMH, the rest goes to public safety/the Sheriff’s Office. The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office provides services like animal, boating and food/restaurant safety; disaster response; and 911 dispatch. CMH provides services like prevention (early diagnosis and mental health awareness campaigns); crisis intervention (for people facing mental and/or emotional stability challenges); stabilization (programs that support the recovery of substance abuse and mental illness survivors and people with barriers to such services due to lack of resources or homelessness); and diversion (avoiding incarceration, ER visits and JIM CLARK Groundcover vendor No. 139 rehab while providing extra mental health and substance abuse recovery services for people in jail). The impact of these services is measured in the number of people helped. There is no public impact report for the funds allocated towards the Sheriff’s Office. The impact of Washtenaw County Community Mental Health services in 2023 are as follows: • Substance abuse call line was answered approximately 250 times per month • The CARES team served 2.4 times more people that year than before the millage • The CMH crisis team visited 2,628 crisis calls in person • Served over 2,200 children and young adults • Provided over 300 hours of psychiatry • Created more than 10 programs for the Washtenaw Intermediate School District • Found emergency shelter for over 250 individuals • Provided over 800 people with support services such as therapy and case management • Created a co-response team with a mental health professional and a deputy who responded to over 540 emergency calls An additional service that the millage would have provided for is the Crisis Stabilization Center, which is not currently open. Advocates have long been calling for accountability both in terms of individual programs the millage funds, and particularly regarding the portion of the funds that go to public safety activities. Though there is reporting to involved agencies, the general public is often kept in the dark. Preceding the June 5 Board of Commissioners vote to restore and renew the millage on the November 5 general election ballot, the BOC passed an ordinance to create a Public Safety Millage Advisory Committee (MAC) that will provide oversight over the majority funds allocated to the Sheriff’s Office. More details regarding this ordinance can be reviewed in the May 17, 2024 edition of Groundcover News. Even with advisory committees, the public is unhappy with expenditure accountability. Kat Layton, LLMSW is a community-centric social worker and a former employee of Community Mental Health. When asked for the most important thing for voters to know about the millage renewal, she had this to say: “I was an employee at Washtenaw County Community Mental Health from February 2022 to December 2022. During my short time there, it became evident that the Crisis Stabilization Center at 750 Towner was no longer operational due to staffing issues, shortly after its opening in June 2020. I later noticed, reviewing meeting materials from the Millage Advisory Committee (MAC), that despite this, funds from the Public Safety and Mental Health Preservation Millage continued to be allocated to this center. “After noting this financial spending, it is concerning to see taxpayer money being allocated to a service that is no longer operational, especially when pressing needs within our community could benefit from these resources and the purposes of the millage funds are intended for these resources. I want to inquire why our millage funds have been directed to a crisis stabilization center over the last two years without providing that service. “During the 8/12/24 MAC meeting, CMH administrators acknowledged that the line item labeled ‘Crisis Stabilization Center’ visible on the bi-monthly and yearly financial reports was allocated to the renovation of the 750 Towner facility, which does not seem in alignment with the original appropriation of these funds and millage monies. CMH administrators stated this location was being ‘built up’ for transfer to another CMH department rather than being utilized for the Crisis Stabilization Center services as initially intended. This raises significant concerns, considering that millage funds, derived from taxpayer contributions, were allocated to support public safety and mental health services.” Questions about openness/ accountability are important, because if the millage is renewed, citizens should be able to monitor the associated expenditures. This includes whether funds are appropriated to re-establish the Crisis Stabilization Center which, in addition to an emergency shelter based in Ypsi, is a greatly needed resource. No matter who wins, don't forget the Americans! I wrote this article to draw out information from people who are economically challenged or poor. I interviewed five people about issues related to public policy and the election, and this is what they offered. Some said they are going to vote, and some said they will not, and some said that they are not yet 100% sure. They shared different perspectives on and about the current political climate in this year 2024. Overall it was agreed to by all five interviewees that the policies are far from resolved. If the individual presidential candidates, former president LA SHAWN COURTWRIGHT Groundcover vendor No. 56 Donald J. Trump or Vice President Kamala D. Harris, and the embodiment of the political parties that must agree, forget the purpose as they argue and finger-point at one another, they are forgetting about the American people. Many of these people are the backbone of major industries as the labor force, and the other veins and arteries that support the vast array of billionaires and those who possess generational wealth, while they are undervalued — not even human, just a poor person. As a result, the information gathered from the poor results in policies that cause even more harm and wrong-doing. Policy-makers imply that the wealthy could really, actually benefit by modeling and utilizing the data that they've collected. The only thing that's apparent is that these “benefits” always backfire on the poor. I'm going to refer to the commenters as Person A-E so that you don't know their real names. That should not matter. They want to just briefly comment on the issues and be open about their views and experience. Person A talks a little about how having monthly food stamp benefits see BENEFITS page 11  OCTOBER 18, 2024 ELECTION DAY Voting while homeless: accessible, yet unequal AMELIA ISACKSEN AND GINGER JOHNSTON U-M student contributors The 2024 presidential election is an extremely close race by all polling numbers, with the Silver Bulletin by data journalist Nate Silver predicting just a 2% lead for Vice President Kamala Harris over former President Donald Trump. While the foundations of U.S. democracy include the right to vote as an important vehicle for citizens to self-govern, a tight election makes each vote all the more important. With every vote counting, the votes of people experiencing homelessness become even more critical. As of 2016, the voting rate of low-income individuals was 46%, compared with a rate of 67% for people with incomes above twice the poverty line, according to a study done by Columbia University. As of 2020, US News reports that only 1 in 10 people experiencing homelessness casts their vote. The Detroit Press writes that “many barriers to voting among those facing homelessness include misconceptions.” People who are experiencing homelessness as well as the general public may not know that people without a permanent address can legally vote, or what kind of identification is needed to cast their ballots. The voices, votes and opinions of low-income voters and those experiencing homelessness in Washtenaw County are more important than ever given the continuing reality of a lack of affordable housing; specifically the lack of political and public will to better fund low-income housing. The Washtenaw Housing Alliance found that “In Washtenaw County, the standard cost (Fair Market Rent or FMR) of a two-bedroom apartment can be $1,471/month, a monthly rate more expensive than 98% of the state.” When faced with issues such as these, voting empowers citizens to advocate for the change they want to see through political participation. The role of the Michigan Secretary of State is to ensure free and fair access to voting. Local election officials who manage the voting process are trying to educate people experiencing homelessness about voting and the voting process. Grace Bartley, a member of the Washtenaw Chapter of the League of Women Voters works to clear up these misconceptions. “It’s more about making sure that people are registered [to vote], and letting people know that registering is a thing they can do,” Bartley said. “The League of Women Voters also comes out with a Voting Guide of information which is pretty cool, we’re going to start distributing it.” Bartley is correct, as any citizen over the age of 18 not currently serving time for a felony conviction can vote in the state of Michigan, including those experiencing homelessness. People can register without a house or apartment address by using a street corner, shelter, or park as their place of residence. With a state ID, one can register online. Another option includes bringing a letter from a public assistance program or shelter to the township clerk’s office for proof of residence. Additionally, when prompted for an ID at the polls, individuals can request to fill out a statement that they do not have a photo ID. By casting their votes, those experiencing homelessness offer a valuable and often marginalized perspective on candidates and their platforms, from the local to the national level. Trudy Hughes, a League of Women Voters member, argues that a major barrier between homeless people and voting is feeling isolated and irrelevant to their government. “I think there is a lack of connection to the elected officials to feel that they are making a difference in their life,” Hughes said. “It’s that barrier of not feeling like their vote is going to make a difference.” Many similar organizations are working to spread information about available options for voters experiencing homelessness. For example, the Michigan Secretary of State's Office has partnered with the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness to educate voters and offer registration clinics. Locally, the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County here in Ann Arbor offers assistance with voter registration. On September 21 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., the SAWC hosted an event at the Delonis Center in which attendees could learn about their right to vote. On the first floor, there was lunch provided, along with representatives from Ambassadors from Voting Access for All Coalition to provide information on early voting, absentee voting, and more as a person experiencing homelessness. On the second floor, attendees had the opportunity to meet privately with a representative from the League of Women Voters to check their registration status. The SAWC is putting on another event in October to register clients to vote. However, regardless of how pure the intentions were going into the event, it was clear that voting was not high on unhoused people’s priority list. Most people in attendance buzzed past voting workers on their way to get lunch provided by the shelter, as they simply needed to eat. After witnessing what people experiencing homelessness go through on a day-to-day basis, it seemed silly to think that those who were struggling to find a place to sleep at night or their next meal would care about an election, especially since a lot of these people feel they have been excluded in the policies and agenda of our government. Also in attendance was Gail Summerhill, the founder of ‘Ypsi, Can I Share?,’ a program dedicated to equalizing information for those excluded by our government, that is specifically for people of color and impoverished individuals. Summerhill was disappointed in the event. She felt it was sick to expect homeless people to step up and vote while our government continually ignores their needs at the local and national level. “People who are at the lowest places in their life are not thinking about voting because their basic needs are not being met,” Summerhill said. “If you haven’t done anything but suppress these people what do you expect from them?” As we move forward as a democratic country it is crucial to equalize voting and to ensure accessibility to all citizens. Voting is the foundation of our country, and the heart of every citizen’s inherent voice in our democracy, so we must continue to break down the barriers for the marginalized voices of the people experiencing homelessness and work to equalize voting accessibility. As we look at this years’ close election, the mobilization of such a large voting block could very well make the difference between candidates. Still, while we must not expect the silenced to jump at the opportunity to vote, it is important that these communities know that they have an opportunity, and a choice, to exercise their democratic right. GROUNDCOVER NEWS 5
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6 GROUNDCOVER NEWS CHOICE AWARDS Photo credit: Stella Lansill OCTOBER 18, 2024 A2 downtown coffee shop extravaganza! CINDY GERE Groundcover vendor No. 279 In the past two years we have seen an explosion of coffee houses across Ann Arbor. What I find very intriguing is that each coffee shop does not just serve coffee but has its signature features — whether it be happy fairy doors or the connection to the L.G.B.T.Q community. Each coffee shop is not just a coffee shop; they are meetups, gatherings, social events and meeting locations. Coffee plays a huge role in the morning; the ritual of pulling oneself out of bed is like crossing the Grand Canyon each morning. But one thing most people can agree on is the very first tasty sip that brings one back to life. As I walked around town I realized that ten years ago coffee was but a ghost of its current self. Only a handful of coffeeshops existed then: Espresso Royale, Starbucks and Sweetwaters, not to mention Cloverleaf and the Fleetwood Diner. What we have now is amazing because you don’t need to get off your route to find a coffee shop. The coffee shop will pop up wherever you now walk. Yippy! What an amazing convenience. I will now list many of the coffee shops by what makes each most agreeable. Bitty & Beau’s was founded by the Wright family in honor of their two children Bitty and Beau who have Down Syndrome. It changes the way people see other people. Just opened, the Moka & Co. is a wonderful specialty Yemeni coffee shop. Yemeni owned and operated, this coffee shop came about through family tradition from Yemen. The grandparents wanted to bring to America the delightful full taste of sun-dried, no-pesticides, all-natural coffee with a touch of cardamon spice called smoky spice blend with a full homemade flavor. Cahoots has a wonderful, modern, quiet atmosphere with high ceilings and abstract paintings. It is an L.G.B.T.Q friendly and gender-neutral space. This coffee shop is a co-working space and has a great backroom area for large events like group meetings and gatherings. House of Chimney Cake is a very child-friendly atmosphere covered in the delightful color pink (my personal favorite) with wonderful pink roses and a happy photo of angel wings. These yummy ice cream delights and milkshakes and sherbet with no milk hit the spot everytime. Hyperion is a very strong customer interaction community. Here, many have become friends. In part because the shop is so small. Hyperion has a direct relationship with the farmers and ethically-sourced coffee. Right in your cup. At Roos Roast, the staff are super friendly and extremely helpful. The other point is the warm atmosphere and very agreeable location (close to Groundcover and the bus station). If you want to see good artwork on display, Roos Roast is the place to go. My personal fave is the Miss Pac-Man table. Sweetwaters is a long-established coffeehouse; they recently celebrated their 30 year anniversary. Kids come to Sweetwaters to see the fairy door display by Jonathan B. Wright at the Ashley and Washington location. There are still fairy doors around Ann Arbor to hunt and see. Place a token for the fairy who lives there and don't forget to make a wish every time. The artworks on the wall are for sale all year long. There is a wonderful meeting area in the back for business and groups. For the furry friends there are happy pup cups (whipped cream), yum yum! Le Bon Macaron is a wonderful French-inspired cafe that has a large variety of colorful tasty macarons — pina colada, violet and rose are on the menu. All syrups are made in-house with Italian and French sodas. Their white spring atmosphere with chandelier lighting is so quaint . At Cannelle, the outdoor seating area brings on a truly tropical sensation. You will feel total relaxation as you step inside. Supermodern soft music greets you for a quiet study area. Cannelle is known for its large variety of pastries and yum yum eclairs, and amazing smells. Vendor Cuba tells us it’s the best espresso coffee around. Mr. Cuba says it can't be beat! At Toastiques, live plants greet each customer in a warm modern atmosphere with a down-home feeling and happy smiles. This coffee is ethically sourced from Ethiopia and the chocolate is from Brazil. My fave is the health boosters shots which are great during the cold season, along with good soups and sandwiches. Cinnaholic — Make your own yum yum cinnamon bun creation with a large variety of toppings to choose from! The smells are to die for — come get a taste of happy today! Bakehouse48 has the largest variety of tasty cupcakes with seasonal ones as well. They are very kid friendly and they offer sandwiches, donuts, cookies and bagels, but by far the most fun are the tiny mouth-watering mini baby cupcakes that everyone loves. Shinola Cafe is very quiet with a calm atmosphere and a speakeasy vibe. With low light and a comfortable setting and wonderful work spaces for being on a laptop, they offer a single origin espresso with a large variety of music. The popular cafe Argus Farm Stop offers a one-stop shop for a seven-daya-week hyperlocal farmers market. The relaxed mood makes a great meetup location for family and friends. They are a consignment model (70% of the sale of goods and food go to the producer). Very down-home atmosphere. Downtown Home and Garden is the location for the truly cheapest coffee in town; it has a warm homey atmosphere and don't forget happy puppy treats! Dunkin’ is brand new to the scene on Liberty: tasty donuts with cute happy donut holes!! A second location is to open on the corner of William and State Street very soon. That concludes 16 shops for your delight. Take a tour of the shops and try out new tasty treats. You never know what you will find that will change your mind and become a new favorite … YUM YUM! OCTOBER 18, 2024 CHOICE AWARDS Best Affordable Restaurant: FLEETWOOD DINER GROUNDCOVER NEWS 7 Best Place to Hear Live Music: ZIGGY'S Best Nonprofit / Grassroots Org: GROUNDCOVER NEWS Best Dispensary: BLOOM CITY CLUB BEST MURAL: Mary Thiefels and Danijel Matanic Best Hot, Free Meal: PEGGY'S PANCAKE BREAKFAST* (see page 12) Best Cup of Coffee: GROUNDCOVER NEWS OFFICE! Best Public Park: FROG ISLAND Best Free Daytime Activity: BBQ IN THE PARK Most Supportive Faith Community: ST. ANDREW'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
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8 GROUNDCOVER NEWS HERITAGE The theme for this year’s celebration of Hispanic and Latino heritage history month is “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together.” For a long time, Hispanic and Latino Americans have celebrated their cultural heritage and history in California, Texas and other regions of the country. In the late 1960s, U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a federal law which initiated Hispanic Heritage Week. It became a national celebration which was observed in every state, city and town in America. In the 1980s, U.S. President Ronald W. Reagan signed legislation which changed the weeklong celebration to a month-long celebration (September 15 to October 15). In Washtenaw County, the Hispanic and Latinx Heritage month is celebrated in many public schools, colleges and universities. It is also celebrated in city halls, county buildings, churches and some workplaces. At the University of Michigan, the Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs and the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives work with groups of students, staff and faculty to design programs and schedule events which capture the interest of the campus and off-campus communities. "The Michigan Daily" student newspaper publishes lists of events from September to October and beyond. At Eastern Michigan University, events which celebrate Hispanic and Latino heritage are posted in the University’s student newspaper, “The Eastern Echo.” Across the nation, there are celebrations in public institutions such as libraries and the Smithsonian Museums. They feature guest speakers and some motif of cultural expressions which include art, movies, music, salsa dancing, cultural foods and story-telling, to mention a few. More recently, Hollywood actors and comedians of Hispanic and Latino ancestry have started to challenge the younger population to learn more about their Latino history. They want the young folks to appreciate the sacrifices made by “the pioneers of change.” Actor and comedian John Leguizamo said that young Hispanic and Latino Americans should take pride in the ancient civilizations of the Mayans, the Aztecs, the Incas, Olmecs and other indigenous peoples of Meso-America. Young Hispanic and Latino Americans are also reminded that they will inherit the future, and that they have the responsibilility to work hard and use today’s technology to help shape the future of their community and their nation. They are challenged to make meaningful contributions to American society, just as their parents, their grandparents and WILL SHAKESPEARE Groundcover vendor No. 258 their great-grandparents have done over many generations. This is a presidential election year. Presidential candidates of the two major parties, Democrat and Republican, are campaigning for all ethnic votes, including the Latino vote. With rapid demographic transition, Americans of Hispanic and Latino ancestry have gained enormous political power. The U.S. census records show that in 1960, Americans who identified as Hispanic or Latino were 6.7 million and accounted for about 6.5% of the national population. Today, it is estimated that the population of Hispanic and Latino Americans is about 67.5 million and they account for about 19.7% of the national population. Approximately 66% of the Hispanic and Latino population in America are eligible to vote. Their votes can make a difference in presidential, congressional, gubernatorial and down-ballot elections in November. Recent poll data show a tight race between the Republican and Democratic nominees for president. The Latino vote will be vital in the battleground states, especially Arizona and Nevada. The Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. now has a National Museum of the American Latino. The museum curators want Americans to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans in all fields of human endeavors. However, it is also important to embrace the civic knowledge and historiography of the Hispanic or Latino American experience. What are the costs and consequences of the Spanish colonization of Latin America and the Caribbean? What happened after the Spanish-American war? Why did Spanish Texas declare independence from Mexico and opt to join the Union? What caused the Mexican-American war? Why was the border changed in 1848? Who benefitted from the boundary change? Who lost territories and population? Educational Consultant E.D. Hirsch wrote the bestseller, “Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know.” He implores every American, including Latino Americans, to open up our minds and make a commitment to a lifetime of learning and reflection. When we learn, we can boldly and courageously engage in conversations, dialogues and debates on a wide range of topics. If we are able to answer the questions outlined before, we may begin to maximize our cultural literacy, harness our multicultural excellence and make members of our Latino community very proud. Gracias Amigo! Gracias Amiga! Finally, I asked six Latino Americans from Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti how they celebrate Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month. They started their answers with extra spicy Mexican or Caribbean food, some drinks, some music and some dancing. Most of them prefer house parties and two of them would like to celebrate at the Frita Batidos restaurant in downtown Ann Arbor. Right: Activist and civil rights leader Cesar Chavez worked with the famous Dolores Huerta to organize farm workers in California for fair wages and working conditions. Above: Supreme Court Justice Sonya Sotomayor is the first Latina American to become a member of SCOTUS. She grew up in a public housing neighborhood of New York City and graduated from Yale Law School. OCTOBER 18, 2024 Celebrating 2024 National Hispanic Heritage Month Left: Salma Hayek is a famous Oscar-nominated Mexican American actress in Hollywood. Her movie credits include "Bandidas," "Wild Wild West" and "Only Fools Rush In." She once said that Hispanic representation improved when she arrived in Hollywood. OCTOBER 18, 2024 PUZZLES GROUNDCOVER NEWS COME FLY WITH ME Peter A. Collins 9 Groundcover Vendor Code While Groundcover is a non-profit, and paper vendors are self-employed contractors, we still have expectations of how vendors should conduct themselves while selling and representing the paper. The following is our Vendor Code of Conduct, which every vendor reads and signs before receiving a badge and papers. We request that if you discover a vendor violating any tenets of the Code, please contact us and provide as many details as possible. Our paper and our vendors should be positively impacting our County. • Groundcover will be a voluntary purchase. I agree not to ask for more than the cover price or solicit donations by any other means. • When selling Groundcover, I will always have the current biweekly issue of Groundcover available for customer purchase. • I agree not to sell additional goods or products when selling the paper or to panhandle, including panhandling with only one paper or selling past monthly issues. • I will wear and display my badge when selling papers and refrain from wearing it or other Groundcover gear when engaged in other activities. • I will only purchase the paper from Groundcover Staff and will not sell to or buy papers from other Groundcover vendors, especially vendors who have been suspended or terminated. • I agree to treat all customers, staff, and other vendors respectfully. I will not “hard sell,” threaten, harass or pressure customers, staff, or other vendors verbally or physically. • I will not sell Groundcover under the influence of drugs or alcohol. • I understand that I am not a legal employee of Groundcover but a contracted worker responsible for my own well-being and income. • I understand that my badge is property of Groundcover and will not deface it. I will present my badge when purchasing the papers. • I agree to stay off private property when selling Groundcover. • I understand to refrain from selling on public buses, federal property or stores unless there is permission from the owner. • I agree to stay at least one block away from another vendor in downtown areas. I will also abide by the Vendor Corner Policy. • I understand that Groundcover strives to be a paper that covers topics of homelessness and poverty while providing sources of income for the homeless. I will try to help in this effort and spread the word. If you would like to report a violation of the Vendor Code please email contact@groundcovernews. com or fill out the contact form on our website. ACROSS 1. Picket line defier 5.___-Lorraine (French region) 11. Proust's "Remembrance of Things ___” 15. Headlight? 16. Do over, as a backsplash 17. Shakespeare's river 18. Grand story 19. "The Eras Tour" star 21. Pulitzer-winning poet of 1987 23. Don't change a thing 24. "The Addams Family" cousin 25. Coffee, in slang 26. 65-Across that dines on stinging insects 28. Drop of water? 30. Animal's coat 31. Bridge bid, for short 32. Biting pest 33. Biblical giant 36. Queue after Q 37. "All I Wanna Do" singer 40. What makes fat fast? 43. Hinders 44. "Last one ___ a rotten egg!" 48. Noses, informally 50. Store window posting: Abbr. 51. It might get stuck in a corner 52. Starbucks staffers 54. Cry of disgust 56. Scotland's longest river 57. Triangular sail 58. 2009 inductee in the Skateboarding Hall of Fame 60. "Pirates of the Caribbean" hero 62. Jai ___ 63. Fit to be drafted 64. Big lizard 65. What can be found at the ends of 19-, 21-, 37-, 58-, and 60-Across bird 66. Fellow 67. More intense 68. Understands DOWN 1. Western hero 2. Lansing, for instance 3. Somewhat 4. ___ Raton, Florida 5. "Star Wars" droid, affectionately 6. Depart 7. Eye woe 8. Feel under the weather 9. It might be decided by a nose 10. Mysterious 11. Fruit with a reduplicative name 12. Earhart or Lindbergh 13. Starts to melt 14. Big bang letters 20. Prefix with -scope 22. Vinyl spinners 26. Intensifies 27. Go bad 29. ___ Cruces, New Mexico 30. Philadelphia icers 33. Ruby, for one 34. "Oliver!" setting 35. ___-80 (classic computer) 38. Angry cats' sounds 39. Comical quality 40. Decline 41. Shipping channel 42. Crusades combatant 45. Portman of "Black Swan" 46. "You don't have to tell me" 47. 2001 Antonio Banderas film 49. Red-wrapped candy bar 51. Bashful 53. Lukewarm 54. Legendary pioneer Daniel 55. Sadat of Egypt 58. Word with sand or speed 59. Montreal Canadiens' nickname 60. Go for a leisurely run 61. Feel awful about
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10 GROUNDCOVER NEWS HALLOWEEN POETRY Tricks are not treats D.A Groundcover contributor There is no treat In being dehumanized The trick is to put It in whereas it is the equal of Wearing a disguise. I’m not spooked by it It’s so obvious Open your eyes Peek-a-boo!! Let’s all come to civil Agreements I’d like to say For this We’re more wise PUZZLE SOLUTIONS The Reaper EARL PULLEN Groundcover contributor As the reaper calls in the dead of the night All you can do is run in flight To catch your breath Or though it seems The reaper comes in your dreams And in the dead of the night You hear the screams Of witches and goblins Or so it seems In the dead of night You’ll hear their screams When you wake up It's only a dream. Mirror PEDRO CAMPOS Groundcover vendor No. 652 OCTOBER 18, 2024 Veja O espelho Olha A cada um De um modo Look The mirror Glances at Each of us In a certain way - OCTOBER 18, 2024 HALLOWEEN Truth or Lies: The Golden Halloween It was October 30,1998; Martus was sitting around the bonfire. It was his first bonfire party at his grandparents’ estate; he had just inherited the estate earlier that year. He was sitting by the fire drinking wine with his neighbors and friends, reminiscing on all the stories his grandpa used to tell him. The main story on his mind was how they would light the lanterns the night before Halloween. It was to honor the men who worked in the mountains during the gold mine era. A crew of over 50 men were trapped during a sudden earthquake. Martus was proud that he had kept his grandfather’s tradition. After the party settled down, several people were asleep around the fire. When he woke up, the fire was still blazing, but the lanterns were out. He could not understand how they were not lit. He didn’t hesitate relighting them. However, the first one blew out as he lit the second one. He looked down the path at each lantern; they started flickering on and off. Martus thought someone had walked past him, feeling a warm breeze. He decided not to light the lanterns again. Walking away, Martus turned back and all the lanterns were lit. While entering the house, he noticed a pattern of lights without lanterns. He walked into the path of lights, looking around to see where the pattern of lights would lead him. FELICIA WILBERT Groundcover vendor No. 234 He stood in the hallway. The bathroom door opened up suddenly — he jumped nervously! It was his friend Fernando stumbling out of the bathroom. He was so relieved to see Fernando. Martus decided to return to the bonfire with his friends. Several people had awakened and they were again telling spooky stories of Halloween. After his guests had left, Martus cleaned up in the kitchen. Sweeping the floor he noticed a pattern of lights once again. This time the lights were moving back and forth. They were quarter size blinking lights. He stopped then walked over to them. The lights moved, he moved forward, they moved again, he moved again, then he stopped! The lights stopped blinking. Suddenly his grandpa’s picture fell off the wall in the living room. He went to see what it was. He picked up the picture and noticed lights all over it. He dropped the picture and the lights disappeared. Martus picked it up and hung it quickly. He sat down on the sofa, spooked. Did he really see the lights on his grandpa‘s picture? Martus’ throat got dry and his body started shaking. He felt someone tapping him on the back of his right shoulder. Martus turned around to see who had touched him. He only saw blinking lights on the floor, and heard footsteps! The lights moved. He jumped up and decided he was going to follow them again. This time he wouldn't give up. The thought of his friends laughing eased the tension in his neck. The footsteps started again; frightened, he continued to follow the lights. The light shone on the wall outside of his grandfather's bedroom. He heard a tapping sound on the wall down to the floor. He shouted, “You can come out now! The prank is over. The joke is on you!” A few minutes passed, no one came out. The sound got louder. His heart started beating faster. He walked over to the wall to see what the lights were shining on. Glancing up and down the wall, looking towards the floor. He noticed a sparkle and glimmer; peeking between the floor and the wall. It was a small hole that wasn’t noticeable the day before. The tapping got louder, the hole got bigger, the glare became brighter! He wanted to run but could not move. He was so afraid he passed out. Hours later, when he awakened, it was nighttime. He jumped up, thinking about how he was supposed to attend a Halloween party with his friends. Reaching to turn the lights on he dropped a gold coin from his hand. He looked down to see where he had dropped it. The coin rolled over into the hole on the floor. As Martus reached to retrieve it, the hole got even bigger. The glare was so bright he decided to get a hammer and chisel. Finally, he took the hammer to pound a bigger hole in the floor. The glare was so bright he forgot to cut the lights on. Skeptical, he put his hand in the hole grabbing at whatever he touched. He pulled his hand out of the hole. Looking into his hand, he saw small gold nuggets. He jumped up and cut the light on. There was gold everywhere in the hole. When he excavated the hole, he found a note from his grandpa that said, “My only grandchild, take this wealth and build houses. The gold is from 1829. My great grandpa left it for me — now it’s yours. Love you, Grandpa.” Author's note: Please forgive me for not showing up. I encountered family difficulties that couldn’t be avoided. Truth or Lies Mystery Lane: "Winter" published June 14, 2024 was true. GROUNDCOVER NEWS 11  BENEFITS from page 4 eases the pull on your almost non-existent budget (earned incomes/ unearned/both). Then as you mature in your earned wages/income, the food stamp program snatches the rug right back from under you — then you are back at square one again or worse off than when you began. So this benefit is needed and necessary. Its weaning function is ultimately counterproductive. Person B said that what good is a higher minimum wage when as soon as wages increase, the prices of everything else does, too. It is like a hamster running fast in that big circle wheel. Moving quickly, constantly getting nowhere. It only then serves as an illusion of what progress should look like. Person B is self-employed and doesn’t tell anyone what they do. Person C’s observations on healthcare are this: There are major areas of healthcare that would lose considerable profits if the government were to focus on providing oral health care that’s affordable or free, or mandated dental practice coverage in health insurance policies. Chewing your food right is important to overall health. And a dentist can tell a lot about a person’s health by their oral examination. Great research on aging and disease has been done and proven. Prevention is the best and most effective medicine. The patient must be able to trust the provider. For instance, this person may be a smoker or not be a smoker. (If I can’t trust you then I won’t be honest with you.) If you prevent the ill, you don't or won't need the pill. This in itself would incept the beginning of eliminating expensive and unaffordable prescription costs for seniors, our children in the future, and for those who may now require it here and around the world. Person D says that everyone alive deserves to have a variety of nutritional dietary options. Why eat healthy when one small apple or orange is $1 apiece? That's about 200 pieces of fruit for 30 days utilizing food stamps for a family. Some people get less than that. Nutrition and rest are essential to overall function. Especially during the primary years of a child's life. It is right to help other children who are hungry to have food, but what about when your neighbor's child or your own child right here in the United States is starving? Where are the billions for them, for us? So I guess crime and hunger go hand in hand, Mr. Trump. No one in their right mind can believe that causing poverty won’t challenge basic survival. No one has your number and is awaiting your call or action. Person E: The child tax credit is a good thing if they can model and re-implement that program. You can barely earn enough while working long hard hours away from your child to simply provide nutritional meals. That doesn’t even begin to address who will offer safe, effective and essential components of child care that is also affordable. The consensus when it came to the tax and budget part of the issues: there were chuckles, giddy grins and smiles on the faces of the interviewees. This is their persnickety response — we don't have any income to report and we already know our budget — scrape by on what's left, barely nothing! exp. 01/31/2025

October 4, 2024


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2 GROUNDCOVER NEWS GROUNDCOVER GROUNDCOVER STAFF Get excited for the first-ever Groundcover Community Choice Awards! Throughout the month of September we complied the following categories and nominations from Groundcover News vendors. Over the next two weeks we will be polling in the community to determine the winners! Buy the next edition (October 18, 2024) of Groundcover News to see who the community chooses! Best Public Park • County Farm Park • Argo Nature Area • Waterworks Park (Ypsi) • West Park • Frog Island • Wheeler Park Best hot, free meal • St. Andrew’s Breakfast Church • Delonis Center • Fed-Up Ministries • Mercy House pancake breakfast • Bellflower Best affordable restaurant • Fleetwood Diner • New York Pizza Department • Mama’s Pizza • Pilar’s Tamales • Detroit Pizza Pub Best cup of coffee • Groundcover News office • Downtown Home and Garden • Argus Farm Stop • Bridge Community Cafe Best place to hear live music • Crazy Wisdom on Friday night • Sonic Lunch • Blue Llama • Ziggy’s • LIVE • Downtown A2 streets Best dispensary • Misty Mountain • Cross Street Shop • Jars • Bloom • House of Dank Best nonprofit / social service / homeless grassroots organization • Delonis Center • Groundcover News • Washtenaw Camp Outreach • Hospitality House Ypsi • Mercy House • Pizza in the Park OCTOBER 4, 2024 2024 Community Choice Awards coming soon! Best free daytime activity • Pizza in the Park • BBQ at the park • Go to the library Most supportive faith community • St. Andrew’s Church • St. Luke’s (Ypsilanti) • Trinity Lutheran Church • Karuna Buddhist Center • Bethlehem United Church of Christ Best mural • Pure Roots Alley • Bomber restaurant • Challenge everything. Create anything (Huron St.) • Flowers on Huron St. underpass • Geometric Rainbow on 432. Michigan Ave PROVIDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELFDETERMINED INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY POVERTY, PRODUCING A STREET NEWSPAPER THAT GIVES A PLATFORM TO UNDERREPRESENTED VOICES IN WASHTENAW COUNTY, PROMOTING AN ACTION TO BUILD A JUST, CARING AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETY. Groundcover News, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in April 2010 as a means to empower lowincome persons to make the transitions from homeless to housed, and from jobless to employed. Vendors purchase each copy of our regular editions of Groundcover News at our office for 50 cents. This money goes toward production costs. Vendors work selling the paper on the street for $2, keeping all income and tips from each sale. Street papers like Groundcover News exist in cities all over the United States, as well as in more than 40 other countries, in an effort to raise awareness of the plight of homeless people and combat the increase in poverty. Our paper is a proud member of the International Network of Street Papers. STAFF Lindsay Calka — publisher Cynthia Price — editor Michelle Lardie-Guzek — intern ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS Elizabeth Bauman Ramón Roberto Isla Caballero Jamie Cameron Dezz Clark David KE Dodge Cindy Gere Mike Jones James Manning Ken Parks Denise Shearer Shawn Swoffer GROUNDCOVER NEWS ADVERTISING RATES Size 1/8 1/6 1/4 1/2 full page Black/White $110.00 $145.00 $200.00 $375.00 $650.00 Color $150.00 $200.00 $265.00 $500.00 $900.00 Dimensions (W x H in inches) 5 X 3 or 2.5 X 6.5 5 X 4 5 X 6.25 5 X 13 or 10.25 X 6.5 10.25 X 13 PROOFREADERS CONTACT US Kendall Artz Susan Beckett Elliot Cubit Christopher May Anabel Sicko VOLUNTEERS Jane Atkins Jessi Averill Sim Bose Zachary Dortzbach Luiza Duarte Caetano Glenn Gates Alexandra Granberg Jacob Fallman Robert Klingler Stella Lansill Melanie Wenzel Mary Wisgerhof Max Wisgerhof Office: 423 S. 4th Ave., Ann Arbor Mon-Sat, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Phone: 734-263-2098 @groundcover @groundcovernews DONATE, LISTEN TO A STORY + LEARN MORE www.groundcovernews.org PACKAGE PRICING Three Months/Six Issues: 15% off Six Months/Twelve Issues: 25% off Full Year/Twenty-four Issues: 35% off Only run for two weeks/one issue: 40% off Additional 20% discount for money saving coupons Story and photo submissions: submissions@groundcovernews.com Advertising and partnerships: contact@groundcovernews.com OCTOBER 4, 2024 ON MY CORNER ASK YOUR VENDOR What was your favorite subject in school? Reading and writing. — Donna McGaughy, #310 History. — Ramón Roberto Isla Caballero, #347 Geography. — Wayne Sparks, #615 Physiology and anatomy. I enjoyed it so much my professor tried to convince me to switch majors to biology. — Ken Parks, #490 Smoking a cigarette in the hallway. — Shawn Swoffer, #574 History and civics. — Cindy Gere, #279 The girls. — Tony Schohl, #9 By the time I started liking school, it was math. I love numbers! — Lonnie Baker, #99 Probably should have been politics. — Terri Demar, #322 Physical education. — Pony Bush, #305 Doing the cars … body work! — Schillington Morgan, #148 English. — Stephanie Dent, #84 Home economics. — Tre McAlister, #519 History and social studies — and later I discovered sociology, knowing people, helping people. — Dezz Clark, #643 Lunch. But I excelled in math. — Jason Lozon, #212 Impromptu writing. — Will Shakespeare, #258 Math, as a student and a teacher. — Jim Clark, #139 History. — Mike Jones, #113 GROUNDCOVER NEWS The hidden truth about mental disorders People don’t understand the ones who have or know someone with a mental disability, that one in every eight people have to deal with. The people in this world think that they don’t have a problem but they don’t want the world to see the real you! Now people don’t know how widespread mental disability is. The funny thing is that people don't know that people who have a physical health disability are more likely to show it than that side of their mental disability because the physical is more visible. No one can see the mental pain that you know is there but can‘t do anything about it. The problem is people tend to hide their disorder. It becomes a factor in all of their life. Now as a person like myself who has PTSD, I DEZZ CLARK Groundcover vendor No. 643 have experienced a lot of unwanted looks and finger pointing because they have a disorder themselves. You also have those who know it is hard to hide the things we go through but we only wish for someone to help, to please just listen. Maybe one day people who feel that they are usually exempt from any connection person with a mental disability will recognize it’s not true. But maybe as a PERSON WHO HAS A MENTAL DISORDER, I need to come to to any type of 3 understand my own mental disability. I’m OK after a long stay in prison where I was subjected to a lot of abuse from the Michigan Department of Corrections, but this is about me, you or anyone that has been through the same thing. It is the person who has the mental disability who has to understand what brought this on. With my PTSD, I find myself speaking to others who have similar illnesses with different experiences and different disorders, feeling, thinking psychosis. The medical field comes with its own understanding. This results in people getting misdiagnosed and now you have people who don’t believe that they're suffering. Sometimes, especially in the case of misdiagnosis, people’s families try to hide their disabilities — the hidden truth. Undercover art intel: Luna gallery Low income and struggling artists took a huge hit when the pandemic raged through Michigan. All art galleries and art shops were closed. It only took three months to destroy the art communities in Ann Arbor. New art locations have now popped up across the Michigan landscape; one such location is the new Luna Gallery in downtown Ypsilanti. This location is a place for local artists to display and sell their beautiful creations and build a sense of community. Undercover Intel’s purpose is to bring people together, out and away from their computers and out of their shells, The pieces are from around a CINDY GERE Groundcover vendor No. 279 and out into the community. Luna Gallery was first established in fall 2022 and the community totally received the gallery well. Luna is located at 50 North Huron Street, Ypsilanti. dozen local artists across southeast Michigan from all demographics, including LGBTQ artists. The kinds of art shown include paintings, ceramics, jewelry, mixed media and locally made soaps. There are also tarot readings with Madam Brule on the weekends! Luna Gallery hosts ongoing activities. The Michigan Pagan Gathering is going to be there on October 6 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. It will be located at the Ypsilanti Freighthouse at 100 Market Place in Depot Town. Come one, come all! Improvements for FlexRide I appreciate all public transportation because me and other people really need it. If we didn’t have public transportation, we all would be in bad shape. I especially appreciate the FlexRide that's part of our local transportation options, too. FlexRide is a shared shuttle service that helps riders connect to fixed-route bus stops and other hard-to-reach destinations. FlexRide provides on-demand, curbto-curb transportation in select locations of the greater Ann Arbor and Gold Card I.D. (Free). There are things I wish were different about the Flex. I wish the rides were easier to get for people with leg problems like I have. It’s too hard to climb up into the car. The step is too high. I wish that there were nicer drivDENISE SHEARER Groundcover vendor No. 485 and Ypsilanti area. A regular, oneway fare is $1 — unless you have a half-fare card ($0.50) or an A-Ride ers and dispatchers; I wish they would be nicer and more understanding to the riders. That’s the only thing I wish was different about the Flex. I wish they would pick people up when they say will, and be more compassionate.
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4 GROUNDCOVER NEWS HOMELESSNESS No smile, too much goofy On Thursday, September 12, Ramón Roberto Isla Caballero was sitting and selling his Groundcover papers on the corner of Washington and Main Streets. While selling he keeps his belongings under an archway to stay dry and off the sidewalk. A police officer driving by parked their car after they noticed Ramón and his things outside. They walked up to him and said he needed to move his belongings and find a new place to sleep by Monday, September 16 — just four days from then. The officer suggested Ramón talk with someone from the Washtenaw County’s Street Team (PATH) to get a tent and go camp in the woods behind the Kroger on Jackson and Stadium. If he stays downtown to sleep outside, then the officer said they will fine him $250, which he does not have. Ramón is most comfortable staying around downtown because it is where he feels safe knowing there are people around. It is where he sells his paper. This allows him to be close to the services he needs at the Groundcover office and the Street Team’s Annex office. Ramón has grown close to some of the downtown businesses and restaurants, whose staff look out for him in different ways, including helping him with food. This is important to him because he no longer goes to get breakfast at St. Andrew’s Church. There is too much fighting. He no longer goes to the Delonis Center for a meal because the last two or three times he It does not make sense to stress out Ramón about where he sleeps because he is already stressed about it, in addition to all that he has to do for his own health. En Español: El jueves 12 de septiembre RAMÓN ROBERTO ISLA CABALLERO Groundcover vendor No. 347 went, his belongings were stolen. He did not want to say much about it to the staff there because he did not want to get someone in trouble, or have someone then come find him outside to cause trouble for him later. Ramón is a cancer survivor. Now he has other health issues that he is taking care of. He sees doctors often who prescribe a lot of different types of medications to help him feel better and manage the pain on his hip. Staff in the Street Team help him get to all of his appointments so it is very important he is close to their offices for this, and also if there is any emergency, that he is close to the hospital. Leaving downtown to sleep elsewhere is not a better option for Ramón. Not to mention, the suggestion from the police assumes that he can just take the bus back and forth. After selling his papers he must use what he makes to get food. He says, “Who will give me money for bus tokens?” Ramón Roberto Isla Caballero estaba sentado vendiendo sus periódicos Groundcover en la esquina de las calles Washington y Main. Mientras vendía, mantenía sus pertenencias cerca debajo de un arco para mantenerse seco y alejado de la acera. Un oficial de policía que pasaba por allí estacionó su auto después de notar a Ramón y sus cosas afuera. Se acercaron a él y le dijeron que necesitaba mover sus pertenencias y encontrar un nuevo lugar para dormir antes del lunes 16, solo cuatro días después. El oficial sugirió a Ramón hablar con alguien del equipo de calle del condado de Washtenaw para conseguir una tienda de campaña e ir a acampar en el bosque detrás del Kroger en Jackson y Stadium. Si se queda en el centro a dormir afuera, el oficial dijo que le impondrán una multa de 250 dólares, cantidad que no tiene. Ramón se siente más cómodo quedándose cerca del centro porque es donde se siente seguro sabiendo que hay gente alrededor. Es donde vende su periódico. Eso le permite estar cerca de los servicios que necesita en la oficina de Groundcover y la oficina anexa de Street Team. Ramón se ha acercado a algunos de los negocios y restaurantes del centro que lo cuidan de diferentes maneras, incluso ayudándolo con la comida. Esto es importante para él porque ya no va a desayunar a la iglesia de San Andrés. Hay demasiadas peleas. Ya no va al Centro Delonis a comer porque las últimas dos o tres veces que fue le robaron sus pertenencias. No quería decirle mucho al personal porque no quería meter a alguien en problemas, o que luego vendrían a buscarlo afuera para causarle problemas. Ramón es un sobreviviente de cáncer. Ahora tiene otros problemas de salud de los que se está ocupando. A menudo visita médicos que le recetan muchos tipos diferentes de medicamentos para ayudarle a sentirse mejor y controlar el dolor de cadera. El personal del Street Team lo ayuda a llegar a todas sus citas, por lo que es muy importante que esté cerca de sus oficinas para esto y, si hay alguna emergencia, que esté cerca del hospital. Salir del centro para dormir en otro lugar no es la mejor opción para Ramón. Sin mencionar que esto supone que puede tomar el autobús de ida y vuelta. Después de vender sus periódicos debe utilizar lo que gana para conseguir comida. Él dice: "¿Quién me dará el dinero del token del autobús?" No tiene sentido estresar a Ramón por dónde duerme, porque él ya está estresado por eso y por todo lo que tiene que hacer por su propia salud. OCTOBER 4, 2024 How to live for a day How do those who are homeless live and what are their daily concerns? This article focuses mainly on those newly homeless, not chronically homeless. Our first need on Maslow's Pyramid focuses strictly on survival needs: food, safety and shelter. Food — Where to get food? Peggy's House (sometimes called Mercy House) offers free breakfast on Saturday mornings 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., dinner Monday and Wednesday evenings, and some lodging. Inquire within at 805 W Huron St. The nearby Delonis Center provides lunch and dinner. Groundcover News sometimes has food during office hours 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is a very early morning breakfast at St. Andrews Church (7:30 to 8:30 a.m.). Pizza in the Park is another option on Fridays at 7 p.m. at Liberty Plaza. FedUp feeds people in both Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti on Wednesdays at lunch, and Hospitality JAMIE CAMERON Groundcover vendor No. 612 House (169 N. Washington) has open hours Sunday 12-3 and Thursday 4-7. There is an outdoor barbecue at Wheeler Park at 3:30 every other week, and on the off weeks at the same time in Waterworks Park. Both of these places will change locations in the winter. Money — You can risk police contact or disturbing people by panhandling. Or you can charge for your talents, such as singing and playing guitar with an open guitar case as one example. Or, you can work for Groundcover News. We buy each paper for fifty cents, and go sell them at the cover price of two dollars, sometimes with tips. You can also earn income by participating in the freelance writing program (writing and editing articles). Inquire within (423 S 4th Ave.). As a new vendor, you get ten free papers and a badge to go sell. Safety — The best solution for safety is to be around other people, and sleep during the late day hours or around other people near churches. Tent encampments, the Delonis Center and Peggy's House have lodging potential. In a worst case, perhaps sleep in the ER of the University of Michigan Hospital, if you can be discreet. Clothing — Goodwill, House by the Side of the Road or the Salvation Army. Showers — If you have money, the Washtenaw County Recreation Center on Washtenaw Avenue has lockers and showers. The Delonis Center has laundry and showers. Inquire within for both. Social networking — Take free classes where offered, keep your eyes open as you walk down Main Street and Liberty Street. There are professional social networking shops. The YMCA off Huron or Washington is another option. Mental Health Resources — Community Mental Health is at the Annex on Fourth just north of Huron. This is where you can get help and get a caseworker to talk to. Transportation — The AATA has reduced fare for children, seniors and low income people. At the Blake Transit Center you can buy a weekly or monthly pass. Be safe and take care! OCTOBER 4, 2024 HOMELESSNESSS Outrage over resolution to increase downtown policing shuts down Ypsilanti City Council meeting By the start of Ypsilanti City Council’s October 1 meeting, the hall chambers were already standing room only. The increased attendance was due to an agenda item introducing Resolution No. 2024-229. It reads the following: “Whereas it is in the interest of the entire Ypsilanti community to have a safe and welcoming downtown for all Ypsilanti residents, business owners and visitors and; Whereas the downtown currently has areas where safety is a significant concern for many of Ypsilanti residents, visitors and business owners and; Whereas it is inappropriate to focus on the safety concerns of a subsection of the population without addressing the safety concerns of the entire downtown population and; Whereas the effort to concentrate services for a vulnerable population in the downtown core has had a significant negative collateral impacts including open air drug dealing violence and threats to public safety and health and; Whereas business owners and property owners have a right to expect the city to take measures to ensure the safety of all interest a promoting a safe and private vibrant downtown that serves the diverse clientele; now therefore be it Resolved that the city manager is hereby directed to use all appropriate resources including police resources and police presence to ensure a safe downtown for all residents, visitors and business owners; be it further Resolved that these resources shall be used in a manner consistent with respect for the civil rights of all residents, visitors and business owners.” Introduced by Ward 2 Council Member Patrick McClean, this resolution comes after a more than yearlong narrative battle over what safety means on Washington Street in downtown Ypsilanti. This stretch of the neighborhood includes the high-traffic Ypsilanti Transit Center, Growing Hope’s Marketplace Hall, newly reopened Deja Vu Strip Club, Beer Cooler liquor store, the Tap Room and Bobcat Bonnie's bar restaurants, in addition to small clothing, food and other service-based businesses. The Ypsilanti District Library downtown branch — usually providing free Ypsilanti residents waitling in line for public comment completely filled City Hall on Oct. 1. LINDSAY CALKA Publisher restrooms, air-conditioned/heated space to sit and relax, outlets, wifi and other supportive services — has been closed since July 2023. Fed-Up Ministries moved their headquarters to the Growing Hope Marketplace Hall in June of this year. Services including meals, showers, air conditioned indoor space, survival supplies and activities were accessible almost daily. Care-Based Safety also began their pilot placebased non-police response program at the same location this summer. Earlier this year CBS sought funding from the City of Ypsilanti, but on June 4, 2024, the expenditure for an unarmed alternative to police fell short by one vote. A wide variety of Ypsilanti residents spoke about Resolution 2024-229 during public comment on Oct. 1 — housing and shelter activists, renters, homeowners, business owners, people experiencing homelessness, addiction and recovery — and a vast majority of speakers spoke against the passage of the resolution. Many echoed the phrase, "Police do not make us safe" and referred to the resolution as "violent." The business owners who communicated support for more policing of Washington Street articulated that they didn't think the resolution would accomplish much. There was obvious outrage towards the council members, with many speakers purposefully ignoring the rules of public comment. When Mayor Nicole Brown pleaded for respect in the chambers, one speaker responded, “This resolution is disrespectful to us all.” This outrage was directed equally, if not more, towards Stewart Beal, a landlord present in the chambers who has been criticized by his tenants for poor housing conditions and high eviction rates. Beal has publicly pushed this safety narrative with frequent Facebook posts that led to the proposed resolution. When Council adjourned for 10 minutes after a different speaker continued speaking after the three minute allocation was up, the crowd erupted into chants protesting Beal, and Mayor Brown adjourned the meeting for the night. The protestors marched out of the chambers chanting "Shelter not police!" One activist remained in the chambers and was arrested. The protestors switched their chant to "Let them go!" and this collective pressure released them immediately. The vote on Resolution 2024-229 did not occur Tuesday night. Council is meeting again Oct. 4 at 7 a.m. but the resolution is not on the agenda. Formerly homeless activist Seth Best reflected at the end of the night, “Both sides think safety is the problem. Both sides want to spend money on the solution, but one side refuses any solution that involves vulnerable people getting something life-saving for free — and are willing to pay even more to ensure they don't.” GROUNDCOVER NEWS What’s Happening at the Ann Arbor District Library Open 10am–8pm Daily Hang out in any of our five locations across town, browsing books, magazines, newspapers, and more, or check out movies, CDs, art prints, musical instruments, and home tools— you name it! Study and meeting rooms, fast and free WiFi, and plenty of places to sit and hang out. Fifth Avenue Press AADL founded Fifth Avenue Press in 2017 to support the local writing community and promote the creation of original content. The imprint publishes works by authors who live in Washtenaw County. Consider submitting your finished manuscript to Fifth Avenue Press at fifthave.aadl.org. Preschool Storytimes and Baby Playgroups Join our storytellers on weekdays inside the library for fun songs, stories, puppets, and movement! Visit aadl.org/storytimes to view a list of upcoming in-person storytimes and playgroups. You can also stream and download our recorded storytimes online at AADL.TV. FEATURED EVENT AADL Halloween Costume Contest Sunday, October 27 • 12–3pm Downtown Library Do you have a creative, cool, cute, or spooky costume? Come in your flashiest, most beautiful, or most outrageous costume to AADL’s annual costume contest! To enter, you must be seen by the judges between 12 and 2 pm. The award ceremony will be held at 2:30 pm. We will have a photo booth in the Lobby to commemorate the day. Check out aadl.org/ costumecontest for details! 5
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6 GROUNDCOVER NEWS WAR 365 days of war: the good, the bad and the ugly Wars and rumors of war — we are now at war and one can only imagine the end results of this war. We did not ask to be in this war; no one asked for this war. Things like this happen every so often in human affairs. It’s like an old volcano that's bound to blow its top. I believe in non-violence, and I desire peace. Many like myself believe in non-violence and desire peace. But there comes a time when an adversarial force won’t allow peace, thus creating a negative pervasive force so great, we end up in a space where peace no longer exists until the aftermath. Let me start by saying: in this war no one is safe! I mean no one. As we now see daily, children and women being killed en masse should be an indication of the intent of such an adversarial force. A genocidal massacre is taking place in real time (right now) in Palestine — live and in living color in the twenty-first century. This is old school warfare, but the only difference is, we have front row seating as we watch things unfold. But measures were put in place after WWII ended on September 2, 1945 to prevent things of this magnitude from taking place in the 20th and 21st century. On October 24, 1945, in San Francisco, CA, the United Nations was founded. Then why does the United Nations have no real effect on what takes place on the battlefield in Gaza? All these discussions, but no cease-fire? Let's examine the UN and its inability to solve world conflicts. The answer is simple: Those nations who hold veto privileges in the UN assembly are the five permanent member states of the security council. Who might those be? The United States, the UK, China, France and Russia. With this privilege and power they rule. There is more, but in short, this is why war-crimes committed by the Israeli Defense Force on the Palestinians continue to happen to this very moment — because of the backing and support of three nations: the United States, the United Kingdom and France. Protests take place daily and weekly, but no cease-fire. The people of these nations want a cease-fire, but rulers and leaders of their nations do not. Three of the most powerful nations stand with Israel. And these three nations hold veto power. Even though these three nations are the minority amongst all the other nations, the privilege of the veto trumps in this arena. We also need to take a look into the contracts of nations and their affiliation with other nations. There are 193 UN Member States. Each Member State has one seat in the General Assembly. MIKE JONES Groundcover vendor No. 113 Remember, only five members in this assembly hold and have veto power. All other members (nations) have no real say on what truly happens on the battlefield. Surely, smaller nations try their best to align themselves with bigger nations who might benefit them in one way or another. At the end of the day these five nations call the shots. Is it rigged? If so, that might explain why there has been 365 days of war and non-stop bombing and total neglect of innocent Palestinian civilians. Hypocrisy from the highest level of authority will be the downfall of these bigger nations, especially so-called democratic nations. Those in power in these nations have plans for global domination. My personal observation: it looks like it’s coming down to Nationalism vs its civilian population. The reason is because the citizens and governments of these nations, or empires, are becoming more restless as time goes on, and the citizens of these empires are becoming willing to challenge systematic authority. The powerful in these nations continually respond in the typical violent manner in order to try to quell dissent. There are nearly eight billion people on planet Earth. 1% of the population retains a majority of the wealth of the planet. Something is not right with this picture. With the middle class virtually eliminated, look at the disproportionate wealth gap, mental illness, poverty, the new racial-class segregation and culture wars. This is what we are facing within these so-called democratic nations, a war from within. Whether it be foreign or domestic, we are at war, and the majority of the population doesn't realize it, nor the seriousness of the situation. This war will consist of different types of components, but in plain language this will be war between the haves and the have nots, landowners against those who have no land at all. This war won’t be just nations fighting other nations; major struggles and conflicts will take place within nations, where government infrastructure won’t be able to stand on its own, thus leading to change (revolution) within these nations. War is inevitable. Change is inevitable. The eruption of a volcano is inevitable. Hold on ladies and gentlemen, it can blow any moment now! I would like to focus now on a particular aspect of this war because most of the world’s population will be involved. When most people think of war, they think of guns, tanks, battleships and more, but one should know that war can impact everything under the sun. Most noticeable is the war on information and public opinions. All nations control what they want people to see and hear, some more than others. Good and accurate information comes with a cost. If one chooses to stand on good journalism ethics, by bringing forth the truth, one must know his or her life could be in danger. In this line of work, the players “play for keeps.” Information rules the nations. Those in power know this, so they seek to control the flow and consumption of information. Nationalism is identification with one’s own nation and support for its interests, especially to the exclusion or detriment of the interests of other nations. Sovereignty means supreme power or authority. These are a few of the serious components we are dealing with. So, media networks are formed of a biased nature which leads to division, deception and confusion. The recent news and events is ugly personified, hypocrisy on the highest level. I would have never thought we would bear witness to a genocide in Palestine. However, things of this nature have happened before in recorded history. What happened to George Floyd isn't something new; it was just caught on video for the whole OCTOBER 4, 2024 Signs at a Pro-Palestine rally in Ann Arbor, October 2023. Photo credit: Mike Jones. world to see. We who live in the United States are living where once indigenous people lived. America is a product of genocide. Let’s take a look at the major media networks: ABC, NBC and FOX. We will say, ABC is somewhat neutral, and NBC is Democrat and FOX shares Republican views. Each of these networks put their own spin on the information released to their audience. So much so it’s obvious. I hate to say it, but it is almost fake news because you see and hear what they want you to see and hear. They put their own spin on the facts or hide certain facts, which misleads their audience. Those in power and these networks do this without pause because they know most people don’t do their research and will believe whatever information is given. At the core of journalism is truth (facts). Whether one likes it or not, the facts are the bottom line all the time. Those who choose to be informed, such as myself, rely on good, accurate news to be able to make a good conscious decision. By doing so, we have to learn to take a close look at what and where we receive information of any sort. Journalism and media outlets bear the burden of the good, the bad and the ugly — a constant pressure from all directions in the struggle for truth. The good lies in the hearts of those who have been charged with responsibility to resolve problems through the means of accurate and truthful information, and in the audience that receives that information and puts good use to what was given. OCTOBER 4, 2024 VOTING DAVID KE DODGE Groundcover contributor Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) is a method by which voters in democracies cast ballots by ranking candidates according to their appeal and preference to each voter. Thus, if the ballot has five candidates running for one position in the office for which the candidates are running, a particular voter will place a number “1” beside the name of the candidate which the voter most favors, a number “2” beside the candidate whom the voter next most favors, and so on, with the candidate whom the voter least prefers receiving a number “5”. By a methodology which I will not try to explain here, the candidates are sequentially eliminated from the ballot according to their unpopularity, as evidenced by their having the fewest number of “1” votes. Each stage of the eliminations leaves each voter’s ballot changed by an elimination of the most unpopular candidate from their ballot, and a “moving up” in rank, by 1, of all the candidates who that voter liked less than the candidate who was eliminated in that stage. If, after a particular stage, a candidate has enough #1 votes to exceed 50% of the total votes cast, that candidate is declared the winner. Advantages to RCV There are a plethora of advantages of RCV to candidates and voters who love their nation: • During campaigns, a strategy of candidates to attack one of their opponents is not so appealing; the candidates realize that attacking one or more of the other candidates may alienate the voters who support those other candidates, so rank the offending candidate low on their ballot. The result is that candidates limit their campaigns to running on policies and positions on issues. • Because the candidates run on policies, the winners of the elections tend to disfavor gridlock, and thus serve terms of office promoting the public's authentic interests; legislative officers and administrators are more willing to reach across the aisle to garner support for proposed laws. As a result, more productive legislatures and administrators are elected. • Voters who don’t like either of the candidates of the two major political parties, and decide to vote for a third (or fourth or fifth…) party candidate, won’t necessarily be “throwing away” their vote. If enough voters share such sentiments, neither of the two main parties’ candidates will be elected. • Multiple interests will be reflected in the vote results — minority parties will be found in some elected offices. • Being a voting strategy which gives results similar to multiple runoff elections, the winner of an election will receive a majority of the vote, rather than the largest plurality; democracy will be more vital, and hence, government will enjoy greater trust and respect. • Parties and elections will be less subject to domination by small numbers of activists who are regimented to take control of local party processes for nominating candidates, and hence exercise power and influence far beyond what their small numbers can justify. • Participation rates in elections will likely be greater; surveys of voters leaving precinct stations after voting for the first time by RCV show a marked increase in the voters’ satisfaction with the experience. Challenges to RCV I’m yet in an early stage of taking a serious look at RCV; it’s appealing to me, but I anticipate there may be problems: • The means by which our leaders will be selected is more complex — it’s far easier to understand the details of how one of two candidates wins the election, by the most “X’s” beside his/ her name, than it is to understand the complexity of a computer repeatedly counting and eliminating candidates and ultimately declaring a winner who some bureaucrat on a silver screen announces to the public as the winner. In a nation which was once witness to a familiar, gradual, nationwide unfolding of state-by-state results until a candidate was declared the winner of the electoral college, there was a sheen of “legitimacy” to the process which has been increasingly automated, with increasing distrust in our electoral institutions; • The nation will have taken another step toward turning over the keys of our power-assignment institutions to technocrats, instead of precinct workers who have a love of democracy and have historically shown their work to be found accurate by recounts; some means of vetting the technocrats for devotion to democracy, perhaps by the administration of polygraph, is necessary. • RCV has a number of potential vulnerabilities to evasion of its intended performance. For example, there is a question of how names get on a ballot — if the process is not carefully thought-through, a ballot of five candidates might have two Democrats and three Republicans. The devil is in the details. GROUNDCOVER NEWS Ranked Choice Voting – enhancing democracy How it can happen here I’ve been aware of RCV for some time, and have recently learned of the existence of an organization in Michigan that is working to amend Michigan’s Constitution by an initiative to place RCV on the ballot in the 2026 election. That organization is named “Rank MI Vote.” RMV is very much a grassroots movement of private citizens. It is just starting to gain momentum in its efforts, and the people who join today will find themselves very involved in fundamental planning, conceptualization and decision-making. But an overall plan of action exists and was revealed in a Zoom meeting of its members on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. If you wish to fill yourself in on their overall plan-of-action, you can get RMV to send you a link to the Zoom meeting by submitting a request to: communications@rankmivote.org RCV is becoming increasingly used in cities, counties and states across the nation, including cities in Michigan. Once supported by many U.S. citizens of all political stripes, as RCV has been increasingly used in elections, it has accrued opponents as incompetent, extremist and/or corrupt politicians find themselves losing elections. Some such opponents are even participating in attempts to repeal the laws which provide for RCV. In addition to RMV’s Michigan presence, “Fair Vote” is promoting RCV nationwide. GET ACTIVE! Engage! Our self-determination is at stake. 7
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8 GROUNDCOVER NEWS POETRY For Ronnie, Robert and Old Joe Gone to Rest in Peace I write poems About great things. I write poems about wars and walls and towers, Starting and ending, rising and falling. I write poems about leaders, Some who are good people, And others who make themselves into volcanic moutains. I write poems about nations collapsing, And about hope of a better world dawning. But it is the poems I write about "small" people With large and loving spirits That are my heart-poems! Perhaps they are the poems I treasure most, Because I feel and believe That writing about such modest And often impoverished but ever noble souls, Is the closest I can come to describing reflections Of the likely struggling And gentle soul of God. OCTOBER 4, 2024 PHILIP SPINK Groundcover vendor No. 630 OCTOBER 4, 2024 PUZZLES GROUNDCOVER NEWS ROCKING SIMILIESby Tracy Bennett 9 Groundcover Vendor Code While Groundcover is a non-profit, and paper vendors are self-employed contractors, we still have expectations of how vendors should conduct themselves while selling and representing the paper. The following is our Vendor Code of Conduct, which every vendor reads and signs before receiving a badge and papers. We request that if you discover a vendor violating any tenets of the Code, please contact us and provide as many details as possible. Our paper and our vendors should be positively impacting our County. • Groundcover will be distributed for a voluntary donation. I agree not to ask for more than the cover price or solicit donations by any other means. • When selling Groundcover, I will always have the current biweekly issue of Groundcover available for customer purchase. • I agree not to sell additional goods or products when selling the paper or to panhandle, including panhandling with only one paper or selling past monthly issues. • I will wear and display my badge when selling papers and refrain from wearing it or other Groundcover gear when engaged in other activities. • I will only purchase the paper from Groundcover Staff and will not sell to or buy papers from other Groundcover vendors, especially vendors who have been suspended or terminated. • I agree to treat all customers, staff, and other vendors respectfully. I will not “hard sell,” threaten, harass or pressure customers, staff, or other vendors verbally or physically. • I will not sell Groundcover under the influence of drugs or alcohol. • I understand that I am not a legal employee of Groundcover but a contracted worker responsible for my own well-being and income. • I understand that my badge is property of Groundcover and will not deface it. I will present my badge when purchasing the papers. • I agree to stay off private property when selling Groundcover. • I understand to refrain from selling on public buses, federal property or stores unless there is permission from the owner. • I agree to stay at least one block away from another vendor in downtown areas. I will also abide by the Vendor Corner Policy. • I understand that Groundcover strives to be a paper that covers topics of homelessness and poverty while providing sources of income for the homeless. I will try to help in this effort and spread the word. If you would like to report a violation of the Vendor Code please email contact@groundcovernews.com or fill out the contact form on our website. ACROSS 1. Comedic pranks 5. Crisler Center, for one 10. Crumb-carrying insects 14. Supermodel Macpherson who had a role on "Friends" 15. Wanders all over 16. Bubble on the stove 17. Absolutely spotless 20. Marie Kondo's "life-changing" method for tidying up 21. Like many a professor with job security 22. Exclamations heard after a stubbed toe 23. Information 25. TV dad on "Black-ish" 26. In absolutely perfect health 31. Early anesthetic 34. Employ 35. Feel poorly 36. Greeting between old-time sailors 37. Way in 39. Radio band letters 40. Tool with teeth 41. Night light? 42. Stews 43. Absolutely leak-proof 47. Tic-tac-toe win 48. The "Y" in MYOB 49. Cardinals, on scoreboards 52. Artist's studio 56. Potato dumpling dish of northern Italy 58. What 17-, 26- and 43-Across might be, if they "band" together 60. Marriage rights activist Windsor 61. Dogg who was a torchbearer at the 2024 Paris Olympics 62. ___ the act (stop pretending) 63. Badminton dividers 64. Displays a form of sleepiness that's sometimes contagious 65. The : in (-: DOWN 1. Lizard with clingy toepads 2. Permit 3. Narrow valleys 4. Fashion line? 5. Where Noah's ark landed at last 6. Spanish-speaking Muppet on "Sesame Street" 7. Actress Longoria 8. Eye of ___ (part of a witch's brew) 9. Tennis great Arthur 10. Utterly ridiculous 11. Football powerhouse that last played (and lost to) the Wolverines in 2019 12. Mosaic piece 13. Go downhill fast, say 18. Lowest point opposite a zenith 19. Sundance film, typically 24. Pottery class project (back when every household allowed smoking) 26. Tina of "30 Rock" 27. Put on TV 28. Saute 29. Raise up 30. Stately shade trees 31. Toward the rising sun 32. Cuisine served at Tuptim on Washtenaw Avenue 33. "What's your life like these days?" 37. McNamara terminal approx. 38. Lil ___ X 39. One of two huggers 41. Keeping a stiff upper lip 42. Angry uproar 44. Sacred places, quaintly 45. "Oh, tell me more, please!" 46. Preceding periods, as to elections 49. Like many Halloween films 50. Sudden pang 51. Talks like Daffy or Sylvester 52. "So true!" 53. Sassy impudence, slangily 54. Popular online marketplace 55. Novelist Jaffe 57. Give up, as territory 59. "That smarts!"
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10 GROUNDCOVER NEWS THINK ABOUT IT Fear is a survival mechanism for a reason Do you ever get the feeling that something is off? That what is taking place before you, indeed the world you live in, has an artificial presence you can't put your finger on? And you begin to wonder if you're being screwed with. No, you're not going crazy, and you’re not alone in the suspicions of seemingly scripted events for the purpose of manipulation. I have days when I wonder if I've been psychologically toyed with to an extent. I might as well start taking the whole Matrix simulation theory seriously. Now, I'm not the type who is adamant in his somewhat paranoid belief that we are the unwilling subjects kept firmly in check by a corrupt system that will stop at nothing to acquire and maintain power in order to ensure agendas that not only lack benefits for the common man, but completely dominate him and demand his subservience. To break our will so thoroughly nobody would dare question, much less challenge, our assigned place in the world. No, I'm not exactly a hardcore enthusiast of conspiracy theories of ill-intentioned government plotting a tyrannical New World Order establishing a slave/servant class composed of lower and impoverished classes and other undesirables. I want to be clear that I hold no rock solid belief or conviction in that kind of paranoia. Unfortunately, however, though I don't anticipate such a bleak outcome for humanity, I cannot with certainty discard the possibility that the system we grant custody of our rights and freedoms would harbor nefarious intentions for the world's less fortunate. Now there are a lot of variables and factors that would make the transition into such a despicable system of governance somewhat rocky at best. And despite the embarrassingly large number of people who wouldn't be bothered by such a display of hypocrisy (at least where America is concerned) there will be people who are. I really don't think these people would embrace the total omission of their already uncertain chances of a better life. It would be a scenario that runs a very good chance of igniting a civil war. And ironically it would essentially be over the same line of ethics that the last American Civil War was fought over – human rights and America's official stance on slavery. I can see where the wealthy just love and eat such a practice up. I also see how pathetically selfish and immature such an ideology would seem in today's world. Perfect for spoiled brats who want to have JAMES MANNING Groundcover vendor No. 16 their way while operating with the absence of any accountability. That's entirely possible and probable by simply dehumanizing the lower social classes and undesirables. I can definitely see how a certain degree or legal word play would be employed to justify reverting back to the practice of outright slavery. Sure, it will be called or labeled as something different. But at the end of the day it will be outright slavery. I truly wish it was paranoia and my own mind coming unhinged that was the reason behind me making these observations, that they are baseless, unrealistic and delusional. But these fears are and have been confirmed by the simple fact that these practices occur all around us. There's no shortage of programs and organizations that take advantage of people in unfortunate situations and have no moral dilemmas taking these people and using their desperation to entrap and exploit them. And if that isn't proof enough you can always look at the market of human trafficking. That doesn't really need any explanation to tell you what the hell this is all about. You have to wonder why our country has such a vague stance on it. We're supposedly against it but I fail to see any serious effort to do anything about it. Other than the occasional raid on — excuse the expression — whorehouses here and there, like something that just happens to fall in the lap of law enforcement, a matter of convenience. But nothing ever huge, no real campaign to eradicate it. So it's back to that standard American mindset of indifference that enables the continued existence of such a thing. Can we really say with certainty that we're not being psychologically conditioned to adopt the kind of mindset that will opt to look the other way to the benefit of sociopaths that profit from these atrocities? A mindset of “better them than me.” I'm sure it's a great comfort to these victims that we're doing all we can to pretend they don't exist. The thought that we are intentionally manipulated to turn our backs on — and if need be, to destroy — each other is a fear that troubles my thoughts every day. A constant nagging suspicion that we are all being herded down a path of ruin. As negative as all that sounds I still have to reflect on certain facts that are in contrast to such a sense of defeatism. For myself, the first and most important one being that nothing is over and lost yet. Second, that anything is possible and it's not a certainty we’ll all be serving cruel overlords in the coming years. Also the fact that we're talking about the oppression of a society in which the vast majority holds a firm ideal in the concept of freedom. And like myself, there are people willing to fight like hell for it. Especially when those ideals are being attacked. So if any B.S. is pulled there is no way it's going to go on unchallenged. But really, I wanted to write this article to address my own fears in one way, and to serve as a warning in another. Because God, does it bug me when I see the levels of outright vanity and hypocrisy on display. And it makes me think of how it is exactly what’s expected of a plan that doesn't hold the best intentions for everyone. Acknowledgment to a fear that we should fight for what we cherish while we still can. OCTOBER 4, 2024 exp. 01/31/2025 OCTOBER 4, 2024 PEACE Day of Che Che Guevara is among the best known revolutionaries of the 20th century. He is widely honored in Cuba. Originally from Argentina, Ernesto Guevara was “Che” in Cuba from Argentinian-Spanish slang for “pal” or “buddy.” He became a top Commandante with Fidel and was the brilliant military strategist at the Battle of Santa Clara, which sealed the defeat of the Batista dictatorship. I believe the armed struggle began after Batista canceled the election in which Fidel was a candidate. I’ve already written about the attack on the Moncada barracks, which like Harper’s Ferry, was a big defeat. Unlike John Brown, Fidel was sentenced to prison rather than execution. Upon his release he went into exile in Mexico. Che was in Guatemala when President Eisenhower, at the behest of United Fruit Co., authorized the coup against the popular President Arbenz. Che, as an Arbenz supporter, was forced to flee and went to Mexico where he met Fidel. The rest is well-documented history. Luisa Yanez wrote “On the Trail of Che Guevara,” a great read from the Miami Herald; learn about the mystery of Che’s bones. Every year, hundreds of thousands make a pilgrimage to Che’s tomb/memorial in Santa Clara. Alberto Korda took the legendary photo of Che that is everywhere. It captures the pathos, perseverance and passion of the revolution. On March 4, 1960, the French freighter La Coubre exploded in Havana Harbor, killing up to 100 people and injuring several hundred more. Che participated in the rescue operation. The following day, the Che photo was taken. Jack Kenny, our Ann Arbor photographer, traveled to Cuba in the 1990s, met with Korda and came back with a good part of his collection. Jack’s work may be found at the Makeshift Art Gallery on Liberty Street. October 8 is the Day of Che in Cuba. By significant coincidence it is also my birthday. My 75th in 2017 was a great party in Cuba. This year I will be 82. We are setting up an October 6 event (the Sunday before), at the Friends Meeting House from 4 to 8 p.m. It is a potluck party with a film screening of “Salt of the Earth” at 7 p.m. This film embodies the spirit of Che as much as “The Motorcycle Diaries,” which is also a great film. I got the book “Salt of the Earth: The Story of a Film” to get a better feel for freedom of speech and the struggle for the mind of Hollywood. The witch hunts of McCarthyism, also called the Second Red Scare, sent many people to prison and exile. If you knew a communist you may have been subpoenaed and father find water with a branch that pointed down at the right spot. Please review the “People’s Peace KEN PARKS Groundcover vendor No. 490 threatened with the loss of your job. It was a replay of the Inquisition, a tragedy that plagued Europe for centuries. World War I was the context for the Russian Revolution. The first Red Scare in America came immediately after the Bolshevic Revolution took power in Russia. Violent incidents and rumors of violence were the excuse for many raids, arrests and deportations in the United States. Sacco and Venzetti were executed based on their anarchist beliefs more than any evidence of violence. The anti-communist fervor that is an undercurrent in American culture has a long history and anyone who declares themself to be a socialist, let alone a communist, cannot be surprised to find themselves under attack. The Korean War and the Vietnam war were anti-communst crusades. The prejudice that comes from othering human beings feeds on fear, scapegoating and the creation of enemies if none exist. Indigenous people become savages as supremacism goes on a rampage. I met a veteran who became an expert at kicking in doors and shooting anything that moved inside. He thought his training in Iraq would qualify him for a job with the police. The mercenaries that I saw during the Detroit newspaper strike, and again at Standing Rock, believe that peace and justice activists are the enemies and their addiction to violence motivates them to act against us. We see this same dynamic in Palestine today as children and the World Central Kitchen become targets of bombs while snipers pick off medical workers and journalists. Peace is needed. There is plenty of work to do as we begin the healing. Let us end the war on ourselves. Smile in the mirror as you see who you are in a judgment-free zone. Honest health care would get toxins out of our food and water. Food would be medicine as we tune in to the wisdom of the body. Applied kinesiology, commonly known as muscle testing, is an important skill. Water dowsing works in the context of tuning into the wisdom of the body and the wisdom of the earth. I have seen my Bank” Groundcover article (May 17) and “Move The Money” article (August 23). It’s time to put basic research about money into practice. The first law of thermodynamics will go into play – everything we need is at hand. Let’s talk and go to work as we share in simplifying our lives. Peace is the way. We will begin and end with some mindfulness practice that empowers peace of mind. A natural breath is a miracle of presence. I am looking forward to meeting you on October 6 at Ann Arbor Friends Meeting House. My writing is preparation for a discussion on money, sharing of resources and organizing the details. Jim Clark told me about auxiliary dwelling units which is an ordinance in Ann Arbor. It may be the basis for a series of tiny houses as first done in Seattle. When we love one another we live in a fresh world and can live visions of peace. "Yes" and "no" are powerful words. “How about this?” Is a phrase that introduces new options. The blessings of a fresh mind are bountiful. Remember the famous slogan, “think globally, act locally?” Try a thought experiment with your breath. The average breath has 2.5 X 10 to the 22nd power number of molecules, 22 zeros is a large number. Check Google for the probability that a goodly number of those molecules have been around the world and breathed by every plant and sentient being that ever existed. That’s just one breath. How many dinosaurs do we meet in our breath? This is an example of how intimately we are interrelated. Science is now theorizing that consciousness is connected to dimensions we cannot perceive. We need to explore mental consciousness and contemplate the Clear Light of the Void, also known as "the all-good expanse of primordial purity.” God, Allah and unconditional love are in this field of word play. As is taught, one moment of the clear light of the mind can erase eons of karmic obstacles and habitual patterns. We can forget about the need to prove anything and rest in the natural state of spontaneous activity, uncontrived and decisive. The earth invites us to be at ease and do good work. GROUNDCOVER NEWS 11 PUZZLE SOLUTIONS
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12 GROUNDCOVER NEWS FOOD Tofu-veggie stir fry ELIZABETH BAUMAN Groundcover contributor Ingredients: 1 14 oz. package firm or extra firm tofu 3 cups chopped green beans 2 cup diced carrots 1 cup chopped red pepper 4 T. toasted sesame or coconut oil for sauteing Sauce: ½ cup soy sauce (low sodium) 2 T. fresh grated ginger (I use a little less) 3 T. brown sugar 2 T. maple syrup 2 T. cornstarch Directions: In a small mixing bowl, whisk together all of the sauce ingredients and set aside. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and begin drying your tofu. To drain, remove it from the package and place between two thick towels. Then place a plate or bowl on top of it. Let it dry for about 15 to 20 minutes, changing your towels if they get too wet. Once dry, chop tofu into 1-inch cubes or rectangles. Arrange tofu on a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet to prevent sticking and bake for a total of Sunrise, sunset SHAWN SWOFFER Groundcover vendor No. 574 OCTOBER 4, 2024 25-35 minutes, flipping once halfway through to ensure even cooking. This will dry out the tofu and help give it a more meat-like texture. Once it’s golden brown and a bit tough and firm, remove from the oven and set it out to dry a bit more while you prep your vegetables. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the sesame oil or coconut oil and swirl to coat the pan. Add veggies and toss to coat in oil. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring often. When the vegetables have some color and have softened a bit, add the sauce and stir. It should bubble and thicken. Then add the tofu and stir. Cook the mixture for 3-5 minutes, stirring often. When veggies are cooked to your preference, remove from heat. Serve immediately, as is or over rice for a more filling meal. $5 OFF NATURAL FOODS MARKET 216 N. FOURTH AVENUE ANN ARBOR, MI PHONE (734) 994 - 9174 • PEOPLESFOOD.COOP ANY PURCHASE OF $30 OR MORE One coupon per transaction. Must present coupon at the time of purchase. Coupon good for in-store only. No other discounts or coop cards apply. Not valid for gift cards, case purchases, beer or wine. OFFER EXPIRES 9/20/2024

September 20, 2024


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2 GROUNDCOVER NEWS GROUNDCOVER SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 International Network of Street Papers gathers in Liverpool to celebrate 30th anniversary, share best practices and inspiration LINDSAY CALKA Publisher For four short but jam-packed days, 43 street papers convened in Liverpool, UK for the International Network of Street Papers 2024 Summit. Groundcover News is a proud member of INSP; year-round we participate by attending the monthly North American regional network meet-ups, by publishing content from other papers, and by sharing our own content across the globe for republication. Although this summit commemorated the past 30 years of INSP, one stated goal of the conference was to build a strategy for the future of the network. Since the 2022 gathering in Milan, INSP has experienced a drop in income and had to reduce staff at the Glasgow office — on top of the challenges individual street paper organizations are facing with funding, street sales and a global rise in attacks on human rights. In the first session of the summit, delegates were invited to reflect on what they need from INSP and our global network. There was clear consensus that all the street paper organizations see the priority being connection and regard INSP as the best tool to make that connection happen, calling for more support in between summits with information-sharing, translation, collaborative projects and simple directories of who does what and where. Each day, delegates shared best practices through panel discussions, breakout conversations, strategy sessions and keynote speakers. Groundcover News was invited to speak on the “Valuing Lived Experience” panel and INSP 2024 Summit delegates at the Walker Art Gallery on the opening night, Monday, September 12. Not all delegates are pictured. presented on our Freelance Writing Program, which pays homeless and low-income people to write for the newspaper. Others on the panel were Katie Langford from Arts and Homelessness International, Simon, a vendor from Hus Forbi in Denmark, and Andre Rostant, a vendor from the see INSP page 4  PROVIDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELF-DETERMINED INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY POVERTY, PRODUCING A STREET NEWSPAPER THAT GIVES A PLATFORM TO UNDERREPRESENTED VOICES IN WASHTENAW COUNTY, PROMOTING AN ACTION TO BUILD A JUST, CARING AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETY. Groundcover News, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in April 2010 as a means to empower lowincome persons to make the transitions from homeless to housed, and from jobless to employed. Vendors purchase each copy of our regular editions of Groundcover News at our office for 50 cents. This money goes towards production costs. Vendors work selling the paper on the street for $2, keeping all income and tips from each sale. Street papers like Groundcover News exist in cities all over the United States, as well as in more than 40 other countries, in an effort to raise awareness of the plight of homeless people and combat the increase in poverty. Our paper is a proud member of the International Network of Street Papers. STAFF Lindsay Calka — publisher Cynthia Price — editor Michelle Lardie-Guzek — intern ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS Pedro Campos Dezz Clark Jim Clark Concert Music Outreach Collective La Shawn Courtwright Cindy Gere Robbie February Anthony McCormick Denise Shearer Wayne Sparks Scoop Stevens Lynn Sutfin Maisie Weyheng GROUNDCOVER NEWS ADVERTISING RATES Size 1/8 1/6 1/4 1/2 full page Black/White $110.00 $145.00 $200.00 $375.00 $650.00 Color $150.00 $200.00 $265.00 $500.00 $900.00 Dimensions (W x H in inches) 5 X 3 or 2.5 X 6.5 5 X 4 5 X 6.25 5 X 13 or 10.25 X 6.5 10.25 X 13 CONTACT US PROOFREADERS Kendall Artz Susan Beckett Elliot Cubit Anabel Sicko VOLUNTEERS Jessi Averill Sim Bose Zachary Dortzbach Luiza Duarte Caetano Jacob Fallman Glenn Gates Alexandra Granberg Robert Klingler Simone Masing Anthony McCormick Mary Wisgerhof Max Wisgerhof Story and photo submissions: submissions@groundcovernews.com Advertising and partnerships: contact@groundcovernews.com Office: 423 S. 4th Ave., Ann Arbor Mon-Sat, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Phone: 734-263-2098 @groundcover @groundcovernews DONATE, LISTEN TO OLD ISSUES + LEARN MORE www.groundcovernews.org PACKAGE PRICING Three Months/Six Issues: 15% off Six Months/Twelve Issues: 25% off Full Year/Twenty-four Issues: 35% off Only run for two weeks/one issue: 40% off Additional 20% discount for money saving coupons SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 ON MY CORNER Kamala Harris for President SCOOP STEVENS Groundcover vendor No. 638 Now that an accomplished Black MEET YOUR VENDOR La Shawn Courtwright, vendor 56 Who is La Shawn Courtwright? I am the author of the book, "The Fold - A Collection of Poetry," not the author of the article "Justice InDeed is uncovering hidden histories of housing discrimination in Washtenaw County" or article with all Candor intended. What is Groundcover News to you? Groundcover News is not a "Homeless People's Newspaper," it's an instrument that prevents me from being destitute and/or homeless. What would you say to those who buy or those who choose not to buy our paper? Do not cast my work down because I choose to earn a living by uplifting, or simply allowing, others to have new thoughts because of my writing. I hope that it can create bridges were there are gaping gaps of communication. Who do you credit for what you've learned? All that have taught me things knowingly and unknowingly. What is strength to you? A dynamic or group of individuals that is able to build great things together without struggling about something that may be unusual to norms, and the greatness of the single or many gifts when used to empower, not dim, another's light. What do you want out of this life? To not be of it as I'm in it. I want to be Holy. Family DEZZ CLARK Groundcover vendor No. 643 Family. Do we understand what family is? From my understanding, the answer to that question is no. Family is not only blood, but also friendship, family affairs, smiles, mothers, fathers … because without you there wouldn't be me! FAMILY — THE WORLD NEEDS TO REMEMBER WHAT FAMILY IS! Kamala Harris, KAMALA HARRIS, she understands what family is. Now it’s time that we remember what family is all about. Family — we are one in this world. Family. IF GOD MADE A LOT OF MEN AT ONE TIME THEN WE WOULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT FAMILY IS because there would be too many fathers and we wouldn't understand who or what family is. WOMEN REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT FAMILY IS. But let’s not misunderstand that I am a man who understands what family is. Family is us. Family is the being of who we are because without it we would all be lost FAMILY. woman, Kamala Harris, is running for president, America can put behind her racist, sexist past and strive toward a non-racist future. Opposing this enlightened future is former president Donald Trump. Speaking at a convention of Black journalists, Trump said it was news to him that Kamala Harris is Black. Trump still wants to make America white again. Race is pseudoscience; it is a contrivance of man that is used to exploit human beings. American citizens should never vote for someone because of their race. Gender is a different matter because it can in certain instances be an important factor. Maybe the time has come to elect a female president since a woman may bring a different, more cooperative perspective. Taking a presidential candidate’s gender into consideration when voting can help determine who is best suited to be the 47th president of the United States. But is Kamala Harris qualified to be president? Many vice presidents have become presidents, therefore being vice president is her primary qualification to be president. In my opinion, since she has not made any big mistakes (such as those made by Vice President Spiro Agnew during the Nixon era), she is qualified to be president. A Harris administration will continue to do the work of the Biden administration, and in due time, will evolve into its own distinct entity. The divine feminine that has been oppressed by patriarchal domination will now be free to release her energy and heal a broken world. I imagine President Harris singing Helen Reddy’s song “I Am Woman” at her inauguration on January 20, 2025. It can happen. Vote for Kamala Harris for President. GROUNDCOVER NEWS 3 It's called football! The sky has opened. The sun will shine. It’s football season in Ann Arbor. College towns across America are transforming into the wild, wacky times of football season in America! Even if you don’t like football, come on, admit it: you love football season in a college town. Look around — signs up, flags flying, rooting for your home team, anticipating a winning season … the new slogans, the students, the townies who have grown up here and have Michigan Football in their DNA. The whole city transforming right in front of your eyes. The highs, the lows, oh what a time to be alive. We wake up Saturday morning just knowing that the universe is on our side. How could it not be? I’ve got my lucky jersey on and you know what that means! Yes, we always win when I wear my lucky jersey. Okay, so what happened when we played Texas? Ahh, I know someone WAYNE S. Groundcover vendor No. 615 didn’t do their part. Oh my God! Someone didn’t do their part? How selfish can you be? Don’t you know we all have to do our part for this thing called football to work? I walked around the city after the game, taking it all in, analyzing the faces I saw. And you know what? I saw it all: disappointment, sadness, experiencing the hurt and dismay. Then the clouds parted and the sun shone down upon us. Because we are Michigan fans and that means we take the bad with the good. And no matter what, we get to wake up next Saturday morning and get to do it all over again. Yes, my friend, it’s Michigan Football in Ann Arbor again!
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4 GROUNDCOVER NEWS MENTAL HEALTH First "988 Day" observed on September 8 LYNN SUTFIN Michigan Department of Health and Human Services The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) joined with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to observe the first 988 Day on Sunday, September 8. 988 Day is a national initiative dedicated to raising awareness about the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline through the overarching theme of “No Judgement. Just Help.” This inaugural observance, coinciding with National Suicide Prevention Month, underscores the critical importance of behavioral health awareness, fostering open communication and extending support to individuals in their moment of need. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, (previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline), is a 24/7 tollfree nationwide hotline consisting of a network of local call centers across the country that confidentially provide compassionate care for people with emotional distress or crisis related to life circumstances, anxiety, depression, suicide, mental health, substance use and more. This line offers immediate support to people when life gets to be too much, regardless of the reason for call. “Calls to Michigan’s 988 Lifeline are  INSP from page 2 Big Issue UK. Many panels took deep dives into the unique ways street papers across the world generate income for their vendors in addition to selling their newspaper or magazine. Just to name a few, at =Oslo, vendors can work at the =Kaffe making and serving coffee to the magazine’s customer-base and neighborhood. At the Big Issue UK, vendors can work for the “Big Issue Recruit” by connecting unemployed people to job vacancies across the UK. The Big Issue Japan started the “Nighttime Bakery” which hires vendors to pick up day-old bread and re-sell on the street during hours that bakeries are typically closed. And of course, there were presentations and displays on the variety of special edition products street newspapers produce: crossword editions, short story/fiction books, calendars, wrapping paper, children’s editions — examples of which can now be browsed at the Groundcover office! This year’s summit piloted an activity called “unconferencing” which gave delegates the chance to go deeper into the issues, opportunities and challenges not covered in the pre-set conference schedule. Street paper organizations across the network look quite different — some big, some small, some representing homelessness, others migrants, many languages and social issues. Topics chosen by the delegates included: reader engagement, cashless payments, data collection, rogue sellers, digitalization, social media and mental health for staff. The INSP Awards, a tradition of the summit, celebrates the successes and excellence of the movement. Although Groundcover News was not shortlisted this year for any award categories, we were proud to submit works in Best Photo, Best Vendor Contribution, Best Article/Journalism and Best Cover. You can see what we submitted in the graphic to the right. On the final night of the summit, INSP announced the location for the next summit: Portland, Oregon with host paper Street Roots! I am hopeful the upcoming conference based in the United States will allow for closer planning with Groundcover News, so we can organize much-needed programming and add focus on street paper vendors — the heart, soul, and reason for street organizations. Groundcover News application for INSP Awards 2024 newspaper answered by dedicated and welltrained staff who help connect those experiencing crisis with support and resources,” said Elizabeth Hertel, director. “Strengthening crisis care and mental health services continues to be a top priority for MDHHS. We encourage anyone experiencing a crisis, whether personally or through one of their family members, to use this resource whenever needed.” With rising levels of anxiety, emotional distress and overdose deaths, it is crucial people have somewhere to turn when they are in crisis. According to data from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 40% of young Michiganders responding felt sad or hopeless during the 12 months before the survey and 16.9% had made a plan about how they would attempt suicide. For the state’s youth, 988 offers instant support through call, text or chat. Additionally, the 2022 State of Mental Health in America report showed more than 20% of Michigan adults were experiencing mental illness and more than 357,000 Michigan adults had serious thoughts of suicide. Further, the Washtenaw County Health Department's 2023 Firearm Death Report found these increases aligned locally as well. “When we compare 2014-2018 to 2019-2023, local firearm homicides have increased 113% and firearm suicides have increased 53%. Firearm deaths are preventable, and continued collective action is needed to save lives," said Juan Marquez, MD, MPH, Washtenaw County Health Department medical director. This report analyzed data from the Washtenaw County Medical Examiner Office. In 2023, most (66%) firearm deaths in Washtenaw County were suicides and 34% were classified as homicides. Resources The 988 Lifeline is a direct connection to immediate support and resources — the average time it takes for a call to be answered in Michigan is 14 seconds. People who are worried about a loved one who may need support can also call 988. There are specialized services available for veterans, LGBTQ+ youth and adults and other groups by selecting the corresponding option on the call menu. Crisis center calling services are available in English and Spanish, as well as a Language Line Solutions to provide translation services in more than 250 additional languages. Text and chat are currently available in English only. Suicide is preventable and help is available. Anyone in Washtenaw County can call Community Mental Health 24/7 with any mental health questions or concerns: 734-544-3050. Call 988, text 988, or visit 988lifeline. org/chat for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also text “HELLO” to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line. It’s important to know the warning signs for those at risk of suicide including: • Talking about wanting to die, feeling hopeless or having no purpose, feeling trapped or in unbearable pain, or being a burden to others. • Looking for or talking about ways to kill oneself. • Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs. • Sleeping too little or too much. • Withdrawing from activities or isolating from family and friends. • Visiting or calling people to say goodbye. • Giving away prized possessions. • Displaying feelings of depression, anxiety, loss of interest, irritability, humiliation or shame, agitation or anger, and/or relief or sudden improvement. It is especially concerning if any of these warning signs are related to a painful event, loss or change. If someone you know shows warning signs of suicide, assume you are the only one who will reach out. Take them seriously, talk to them in private, and ask directly about suicide calmly and without judgement. See more information at washtenaw.org/suicide. SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 BEST PHOTO Mike Jones (June 30, 2023) BEST COVER Street Mythology edition BEST JOURNALISM Alexandra Granberg, "Driver runs over homeless cyclist, cops take no action" (September 8, 2023) BEST VENDOR CONTRIBUTION Christopher Ellis, "Housed, unhoused or homeless?" (November 4, 2022) SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 SHELTER Victory Inn shutdown upends the most vulnerable On Sept. 3, the Victory Inn on Washtenaw Ave. was shut down for severe code and health violations. The City of Ann Arbor responded to a variety of recent complaints about the inexpensive hotel by demanding that the building be shut down. A posted sign from a Building Official said, "DANGER This Structure Is Declared Unsafe For Human Occupancy Or Use." The hotel has a history of problems, including traditional code violations, the death of an employee due to carbon monoxide poisoning in 2023 and accusations about human trafficking and drug overdose deaths which resultd in a suit to close the building permanently in 2018. Owned by Jimmy Garmo of Southfield-based U.S. 23 Lodge LLC, the Victory Inn motel is at the corner of Washtenaw and U.S. 23, one of the most high traffic areas in Ann Arbor. Due to further code violations and as a resolution to the 2018 suit, the motel building is scheduled to be replaced with a modern building and new branding — turning into the Staybridge Suites and Holiday Inn Express. Many homeless/housing-insecure people were impacted by the Sept. 3 condemnation. One of them I met at Bridge Community Cafe; her name is Brittany. Brittany is a 20-year-old woman who was living at the Victory Inn. The room was being paid for by a mentor. According to management, the building was also being shut down that week to begin the construction. No one told Brittney or Molly, her mentor. I asked Brittany for an interview. GCN: Tell me a little bit about your past, whatever you're comfortable with sharing. Brittany: I grew up in a toxic household where every day my mom and my dad was fighting. My mom even tried to kill herself in front of us. GCN: Sorry to hear that. That's rough. Brittany: My dad died when I was 11. I went into foster care when I was eight years old. Then I got out when I was 17. Recently, I was placed in jail for assault. That's pretty much about me, I'm just wild in some ways. GCN: Well, you're 20, of course you're going to be a little wild. Tell me about your stay at Victory Inn. Brittany: Monday afternoon, I went to Victory Inn, me and my mentor got the room for a few days, her name's Molly. GCN: Are you calling them mentor and then a job. Commissioner Sara HammerJIM CLARK Groundcover vendor No. 139 because they were assigned to you from an agency or is it just somebody that knows you that's helping you out? Brittany: She's happy to help out. GCN: So you and your mentor went to Victory Inn and what happened? Brittany: She paid for the room, it was all cool, nobody said anything about it being shut down. The next morning (Tuesday), I left to run some errands. I come back around 3, 4 o'clock in the afternoon. I walked in and immediately the worker said I had to go. I was like, why do I need to leave? They said the building's being shut down. GCN: They let you get your stuff but you said they didn’t offer your mentor a refund? Brittany indicated they did not. Molly was owed $380. GCN: Did they give you any reason why they were keeping your money? Brittany: No. GCN: So you said you were evicted that day? Brittany: Yes, Tuesday afternoon. GCN: What did you do that night? Brittany: I called Molly and she got me a room at Harmony House. GCN: So you haven't had to sleep on the street? Brittany: No. GCN: What's next? Brittany: I'm in a hotel room provided by Ozone House. I plan on getting an apartment through Ozone, schmidt said in an MLive article the building [Victory Inn motel] was "less than desirable." “The city took action in court in 2018 to try to shut it down, citing a history of prostitution, human trafficking and numerous police dispatches to the hotel, which the city deemed a public nuisance and threat to public safety. “The city agreed to drop its case in 2019 after getting cooperation from the hotel with efforts to decrease crime on the property, increasing daily rates, scrapping hourly renting, requiring identification at check-in and adding security measures. That led to a decrease in calls for police service and a decrease in severity of calls, the city attorney’s office said in 2019.” (MLive. com “Plans to raze, construct new hotel approved for Ann Arbor’s Victory Inn site” Jun. 26, 2024) It did lead to a reduction in the number and severity of calls, at least for a time, but at the expense of housing-insecure members of our community. What stood out was that increasing daily rates was a strategy in their crime reduction plan. This serves to also exclude individuals who aren’t using the space to commit survival crimes but need the low rate for survival. Independent sex workers are also impacted by increased rates and the elimination of hourly rates. However, sex traffickers might not be deterred by higher prices. The minimum need for human shelter is warmth/climate control, safety from imminent danger, privacy, access to showers, laundry and toilet, and reliability. Motels do all of that. Motels with low rates are an essential resource for shelter. But business is business, including pricing people out of the motel option by raising rates. On September 3, the Victory Inn was declared unsafe for human occupancy or use, displacing people relying on low rates for shelter. GROUNDCOVER NEWS 5
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6 GROUNDCOVER NEWS SHELTER SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 Recuperative Care program for homeless attempts to fill healthcare gap ROBBIE FEBRUARY Groundcover contributor The Shelter Association of Washtenaw County, in partnership with Packard Health, has a program to help homeless people recover after leaving the hospital. It's called the Recuperative Care program, and it's a safe place where people can stay and get better. They get a temporary bed, medical care and help finding a permanent home, all without cost. It runs out of the Delonis Center in Ann Arbor, and there are currently 12 beds. While it is not a skilled nursing facility, the partnership with Packard Health (as well as participation and referrals from Michigan Medicine and Trinity Health) means there is contact with healthcare professionals who can spot problems and make referrals to health organizations. Patients see the well-loved Dr. Ravi Vadlamudi from Packard Health and receive holistic care including analysis of overall health. Megan Daniels serves as a fulltime nurse. The pilot for the program, which is managed by Recuperative and Crisis Care Coordinator Shannon Gilroy LLMSW, took place in 2019, and the program started up in 2021. To get in often requires a referral, and there are detailed instructions for qualified personnel on the SAWC website, www. annarborshelter.org, by searching for the Shelter Association’s Programs page. According to that website, Recuperative Care programs offer several key benefits: • Breaking the cycle of hospital readmissions: By providing a safe space for homeless individuals to recover after hospital discharge, these programs prevent unnecessary returns to the hospital. • Promoting overall health and well-being: Recuperative care allows individuals to fully heal from illness or injury, improving their long-term health outcomes. • Facilitating access to essential services: These programs connect individuals with primary care, behavioral health services and social services, addressing their comprehensive needs. • Supporting housing stability: By assisting individuals in finding permanent housing, recuperative care programs contribute to long-term stability and self-sufficiency. This program is important because some people who are homeless get stuck in a tough cycle. They leave the hospital but have nowhere to rest and heal, so they end up back in the hospital again or face a lot of avoidable pain and suffering. The SAWC program wants to break that cycle and help people get back on their feet and stop struggling against the rejection they often face. For example: see that person in the park with the dog? I've known him a bit. I have even Narcanned him. He was so blue before he started breathing again. He has worms for pets. I mean, his pets have worms. He also has worms. His worms should have been addressed by any of a handful of hospital stays. I attempted to reach members of HAWC and other avenues to help him out. Obviously, if he had had a recuperative care program to care for him intensively, many of his longer-term problems could have been avoided. This long-term unhoused individual, who wants to remain anonymous, has spent over four years on the street. He fares pretty well, takes care of his Recuperative and Crisis Care Coordinator Shannon Gilroy in front of the Packard Health Clinic located at the Delonis Center. Clinic hours are 8 a.m.-12 p.m. on Mondays and 1-6 p.m. onThursdays. immediate needs. He has recently cleaned up and looks pretty dapper. But since he and his pet dog have intestinal parasites, they are carriers for hookworm. Sarge, my friend with two decades of history on Washtenaw’s streets, notes about the health system, “The lack of care is keeping people on the streets.” He is critical of the program, saying it doesn’t work. However, the problem seems less that the program is not working than that not enough people know it exists. Recuperative Care has served 122 people in its short life. Gilroy commented, “It’s a very needed and valuable resource in the community. There are only four or five Recuperative Care Centers in the state so we get referrals from all over the place. But we concentrate on the Washtenaw area. We get referrals from our two health care systems in Washtenaw County. "It’s been just incredible to see the things that have happened here. We've had folks come through with stage 4 cancer and we’ve been able to heal them and see them go on to get housing. It's clear how much it’s needed so that people are not dying outside.” Gilroy admitted that fewer people than optimal know about it, including those who might make referrals. Gilroy feels strongly about helping individuals who might not have a referral, saying, “If they come to the clinics on the second floor here at Delonis or even just the front desk, I can help them see a medical professional. I can help them.” The clinics are held Monday morning 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and Thursdays 1:00-6:00 p.m. Gilroy would love to see the program expand and possibly get its own location. There is precedent for that. A similar program, L.A. Care Health Plan, teamed up with National Health Foundation to test out a new program that provides temporary housing and healthcare in a stand-alone facility for homeless folks who are fresh out of the hospital. It's like a halfway house. Gilroy acknowledged there are (hopefully temporary) problems and wants to address the space limitations that sometimes require turning people away, but understandably said, “I am very pleased with the way it’s going.” SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 SHELTER GROUNDCOVER NEWS 7 Left: Sean Chese of Forward Design, who is installing drywall, stands in front of the brand new roof at Purple House. Right: Diversified Roofing working on roof construction. Forward Design Build Remodel helps MISSION go green at Purple House ANTHONY MCCORMICK Groundcover contributor Forward Design Build Remodel, in partnership with other contractors, is catalyzing a transformative journey for Purple House, a vibrant house of hospitality. This timely collaboration aims to propel Purple House (aka Jimmy Hill Memorial House) into a new era of energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, ensuring a warmer and more welcoming space. MISSIONa2, a nonprofit in Ann Arbor, provides a variety of services for people experiencing homelessness, at Purple House along with their other projects, which include Mercy House in Ann Arbor and Hospitality House in Ypsilanti. Amazingly, Forward Design is doing the work for this project at cost, using volunteers whenever possible. Included are: a new roof (already completed), renovation of two of the bathrooms, and an upgrade of the electrical systems. The company partnered with MISSION to host a successful fundraiser at the house in early July to pay for the project. “We set up a GoFundMe that helped us do more so we were able to add the roof to our original list of proposed projects,” said Carly Withers, Design Team Leader. “But the most important thing was addressing the water issues. That included the roof and over 16 leaks in the bathrooms. Since showers are a large part of what the Jimmy Hill House provides, we knew that [improving the bathrooms] would provide a service for everyone involved.” Forward Design also donated to another phase of going green: the installation of solar panels by Homeland Solar. Central to this endeavor is upgrading to a state-of-the-art electrical system. Skilled technicians will replace aging wiring, change over to modern electrical systems and introduce energy-efficient solutions, such as lighting and insulated window blinds. These will all significantly reduce the house’s energy consumption and create a more thermally efficient envelope for Purple House. The solar panels will provide all of the electricity used in the house, ensuring lower carbon emissions and greatly lowering operational costs. The project encompasses the installation of energy-efficient appliances throughout the facility, from refrigerators and freezers to dishwashers. These upgrades will not only contribute to Purple House's overall energy efficiency but also enhance the daily operations of the community center. The collaboration between Forward Design Company and the Homeland Solar electrical company is a testament to their shared commitment to environmental stewardship and community well-being. By combining their expertise, they are empowering Purple House to become a beacon of sustainability within the Ann Arbor community. The project aligns perfectly with Forward Design Company's mission of promoting innovative and sustainable design solutions. Other collaborators with Forward Design who contributed to the project include Chelsea Plumbing (labor and toilets), Ferguson (faucets and vanity), Jaco Electric (labor), Gross Electric (bath fans), Diversified Roofing (labor and materials), Dignified Dumpsters (a dumpster), Flooring Consultants of Michigan (labor and materials) and Star Painting (painting labor). Brian Durrance, who was the main project liaison on the MISSIONa2 board, said, “We are very grateful, especially to [Forward Design’s] Design Team leader Carly Withers. We are also very grateful to Project Manager Ryan Bieber who is doing a wonderful job of moving the project forward. They have already installed a new roof, they have upgraded our electrical service, and they are currently renovating two bathrooms so that we can better provide shower services to our guests. We are just very grateful in general. “And we’re very excited about their generous donation for the installation of the solar panels. These solar panels will make it possible to provide meals and laundry services at a fraction of the cost.” Withers responded in kind. “We know that the MISSION people are happy with us, and that makes us happy in return.” She added, “I think the people [on site] were touched by this more than they realized they would be.” Together, MISSIONa2 and Forward Design are empowering Purple House to make a positive impact on the environment, reduce its operating costs, and provide a more comfortable and welcoming space for the community, especially during the cold winter months when they will run their weather amnesty overnight shelter program. This transformative journey embodies the power of collaboration when forprofit companies embrace a justice ethic and work together to create a more sustainable future. exp. 01/31/2025
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8 GROUNDCOVER NEWS VENDOR VOICES Humane Society helps people keep their "friends for life" programs to help people and pets stay together to avoid separation anxiety in circumstances such as loss of home or moving. They are specifically for low income families and individuals and support a large variety of animals. The provided help includes vet care, CINDY GERE Groundcover vendor No. 279 Animals are for some people very sacred and a lifeline when it comes to personal issues — for example, seeing eye dogs or emotional support animals for people with special needs. Many service animals who are helping people with disabilities need extra care. The Bountiful Bowls Pet Food Assistance, Safe Harbor and Pet Care programs at the Human Society of Huron Valley help these people in low income groups with extra pet care. The programs provide food assistance based on food availability and pet care is on a case-by-case basis. Safe Harbor sheltering is for emergency help like natural disasters, house fires or medical emergencies. The Humane Society has created these food, neutering and other animal paraphernalia such as leads, cages, toys and more. This helps animals to stay off the streets and stay with owners for life. Each case is different based on the needs of the animal, whether dogs or cats or other pets. Some people have such a hard time even feeding animals. This program is available to help keep animals safe and provided for during hard times for families and individuals. Vet care is important for fleas, ticks and other illnesses that animals need help with that can cost so much now, and for medications for some animals who have conditions like allergies or illnesses. They need help as well and this program gives them real opportunities. If you need Friends for Life services from Humane Society of Huron Valley, call 734661-3550, visit hshv.org/friendsforlife/ or look at their advertisements in past issues of Groundcover News. DENISE SHEARER Groundcover vendor No. 485 September is one of the best months of the year. It’s one of the last months with really good weather and one of the last months of hot weather. September is a great month to enjoy God's and Jesus’s great creations outdoors. It’s a colorful month too. September is a month to say goodbye to good weather by enjoying the outside. September is also the month my birthday falls on and that’s important. September is a good time to celebrate and thank God for what the month has to offer. SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 September, the good month SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 PUZZLES GROUNDCOVER NEWS CROSSWORD International Network of Street Papers 9 Groundcover Vendor Code While Groundcover is a non-profit, and paper vendors are self-employed contractors, we still have expectations of how vendors should conduct themselves while selling and representing the paper. The following is our Vendor Code of Conduct, which every vendor reads and signs before receiving a badge and papers. We request that if you discover a vendor violating any tenets of the Code, please contact us and provide as many details as possible. Our paper and our vendors should be positively impacting our County. • Groundcover will be a voluntary purchase. I agree not to ask for more than the cover price or solicit donations by any other means. • When selling Groundcover, I will always have the current biweekly issue of Groundcover available for customer purchase. • I agree not to sell additional goods or products when selling the paper or to panhandle, including panhandling with only one paper or selling past monthly issues. • I will wear and display my badge when selling papers and refrain from wearing it or other Groundcover gear when engaged in other activities. • I will only purchase the paper from Groundcover Staff and will not sell to or buy papers from other Groundcover vendors, especially vendors who have been suspended or terminated. • I agree to treat all customers, staff, and other vendors respectfully. I will not “hard sell,” threaten, harass or pressure customers, staff, or other vendors verbally or physically. • I will not sell Groundcover under the influence of drugs or alcohol. • I understand that I am not a legal employee of Groundcover but a contracted worker responsible for my own well-being and income. • I understand that my badge is property of Groundcover and will not deface it. I will present my badge when purchasing the papers. • I agree to stay off private property when selling Groundcover. • I understand to refrain from selling on public buses, federal property or stores unless there is permission from the owner. • I agree to stay at least one block away from another vendor in downtown areas. I will also abide by the Vendor Corner Policy. • I understand that Groundcover strives to be a paper that covers topics of homelessness and poverty while providing sources of income for the homeless. I will try to help in this effort and spread the word. If you would like to report a violation of the Vendor Code please email contact@groundcovernews. com or fill out the contact form on our website. ACROSS 1. Very, in music 6. Scoundrels 10. Atlantic fish 14. Navy ___ 15. Alliance 16. A non-American's unit of weight 17. Repeated behavior 18. Follower of the Pentagram 20. Protozoa 22. Papa's partner 23. "___ the season ..." 24. Branch of the United States Armed Forces 26. Australian runner 27. "Star Trek" rank: Abbr. 28. "___, humbug!" 29. Schematic drawing 31. Poison plant 33. Aardvark fare 34. What some might call a place without dissent 39. Oyster's favorite stitch? 40. Come to 41. Progress 45. Anger 46. Finish, with "up" 49. Born, in bios 50. Order including ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies 53. "To ___ is human ..." 54. Carbon compound 55. Have-not 56. They'll get your boat going in a jiffy, but don't ask for gas 59. Manicurist's or carpenter's concern 60. On the safe side, at sea 61. Exec's note 62. Clear, as a disk 63. "Check this out!" 64. Father of Balder 65. Force units DOWN 1. "That's ___!" ("Too bad!") 2. Deck figure 3. Light weapons? 4. Accused's need 5. City in the headlines for a crackdown on journalism 6. "60 Minutes" network 7. "Remember the ___!" 8. Geezer 9. Seafood dish 10. Schuss, e.g. 11. Water tanks 12. Final 13. Animals known for playing dead 19. Astronaut's insignia 21. Clothes lines 25. Crack, as lips 30. Acquire 31. Aria, e.g. 32. Aviary sound 34. Memorials 35. Solar system models 36. Drops from the sky 37. Canton neighbor 38. Intensified 39. Tree secretion 42. "Beg pardon ..." 43. Go-getter 44. Like salmon, often 46. Highway divider 47. End of a threat 48. Breaks down a sentence 51. Fragrant resin 52. Like some goodbyes 57. Rent 58. Howard of "Happy Days"
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10 GROUNDCOVER NEWS CREATIVE The Awakening of Expansive Cosmovision cosmovisions. Human interaction becomes a path to expanding understanding and empathy. Then we navigate the ocean of PEDRO CAMPOS Groundcover vendor No. 652 The journey begins transcendentally towards understanding our place in the universe. By exploring the five levels of cosmovision, we dive into an incessant quest for meaning, wisdom and connection with the cosmos in its myriad manifestations. First: the internal awakening, where introspection allows us to transform information into knowledge and acquire wisdom. Here, we become protagonists of our own existence, capable of catalyzing energies and acting for the common good. The second level invites us to look outward and recognize the world around us, understanding that each individual is a portal to a diversity of human knowledge, exploring ancestral teachings and the vast possibilities that unfold at every moment. Social networks and intercultural interaction are living sources of intellectual and spiritual enrichment. Next we go beyond the limits of planet Earth, to the vast observable cosmos. Using scientific and technological tools, we seek to understand the mysteries of the universe and our position within it, constantly expanding our horizons. Finally, in the fifth plane, we enter the spiritual dimension, where we explore holistic connection, transcendence and a full understanding of the meaning of the divine. The expansion of cosmovision is a journey of dual significance to the core of the primal and simultaneously expansive inner being, from the observable universe and beyond. Read, see and explore the Cosmonauts on Pedro Campos's Instagram: @pedrocamposbrasil PUZZLE SOLUTIONS Poem LA SHAWN COURTWRIGHT Groundcover vendor No. 56 It's apparent that the more they abuse the opportunity to cast me down on their invalid records that in their minds only referenced by those... Minimize my person!! They're not deep enough To meet me eye to eye!! - AN INVITATION FROM KEN PARKS: Come celebrate my 82nd birthday and the Day of Che! October 6 (the Sunday before my birthday) at the Ann Arbor Friends Meeting House, 1420 Hill Street, from 4-8 p.m. It is a potluck party with a screening of the 1954 film, "Salt of the Earth” at 7 p.m. SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 EVENTS FOR CHANGE Trash Talk: sustainable fashion and beauty Over the past few years, the climate advocacy movement and its teenage leaders have been at the forefront of the news. With a surprising sense of urgency, the younger generations joined this movement and expanded it beyond belief. The media has exploded with educational content, calls for action and tips on living a sustainable lifestyle. Sustainability is becoming more and more mainstream. But apart from the youth’s online excitement, how eager are teenagers actually about saving the planet? Well, in my experience, most teenagers in Ann Arbor have mixed feelings about it. For one, young people are welcoming the idea of being sustainable and making decisions that will have long lasting benefits … but only to an extent. Once staying sustainable begins to interfere with their ability to have fun or buy the products that make them feel best — from clothes to beauty products to food — it starts to take the backseat. For many people, making sustainable decisions can seem daunting or even impossible, especially when it comes to the world of fashion and beauty. There’s a perception that sustainable or “green” products are over twice as expensive as regular products and can be harder to find in stores. Even further, the idea that sustainability can only happen through more — more purchases, more practices, more green appliances — has become widespread. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Many sustainable practices can save you money: thrifting (like the To share local resources on how you MAISIE WEYHENG Groundcover contributor origin of its name) means you can purchase used clothing and household items at a fraction of the price of buying things new. Reducing the amount you buy has even bigger impacts on your wallet, and the climate. Everyday life is full of decisions — from deciding what soap to buy to buying a house. And those decisions, especially about what you buy, have huge consequences on the climate because nearly half of global emissions come from producing stuff and food. And with 2024 rounding out to be perhaps the hottest year on record, climate change and its ever-impending consequences are becoming increasingly apparent to consumers and companies alike. And if we want to slow this catastrophic warming, many, if not all, of our everyday life decisions will have to be made with sustainability in mind. In a Microsoft report, a whopping 88% of people globally make sustainable purchases when able. But that’s the catch — what if people aren’t able to make sustainable purchases? can be sustainable without breaking the bank, Her Horizon, a local initiative focused on making sustainable living accessible to all, is joining Trash Talk Tour 2024 and welcomes you to attend Sustainable Fashion & Beauty Element at this year’s Fall Festival at Kiwanis on September 29. This innovative element of the event advocates for sustainable fashion/ beauty practices and recognizes businesses and brands that fit under this umbrella. With vendors like BYOC (Bring Your Own Container) and Plato’s Closet attending, community members will have a chance to shop for sustainably sourced clothing and beauty products that are affordable. The Sustainable Fashion & Beauty Element will not only provide community members with easy access to sustainable fashion/beauty, but will also educate the community about the waste levels related to the fashion/beauty industry. The Ross Retail Club from the University of Michigan will be facilitating activities about the fashion/beauty industry and offering mentorship to community members. There will also be an interactive kids’ table with fun, fashion-centered activities and games to inspire youth to make sustainable decisions and rethink their closets. Throughout the course of the event, Her Horizon will be raising money for Menstrumate: a female-founded, India-based nonprofit that distributes sustainable menstrual products made from agricultural discards to rural communities. This past June, I had the GROUNDCOVER NEWS 11 Trash Talk Tour 2023 incredible opportunity to travel to Kochi, India and meet 100 other amazing teenage girls from the United States and South Asia. While attending this UN/U.S. State Department program, I met Anupriya, the CEO of Menstrumate. Meeting Anupriya and hearing her story was beyond inspiring and it truly encouraged me to delve deeper into gender-justice issues and their implications with the climate crisis. With this global tie-in, Her Horizon hopes to expand the education component of the event to show how the sustainable fashion/beauty industry takes shape in other areas of the world as well as supports other female advocates and entrepreneurs. To take part in this exciting event, on September 29 from 12-3 p.m. at Kiwanis (100 N Staebler Road), please RSVP at trashtalktour.org! Run for change with Concert Music Outreach Collective CONCERT MUSIC OUTREACH COLLECTIVE Concert Music Outreach Collective (CMOC), a pioneering non-profit bringing classical music performances to underserved communities in Michigan's prisons and homeless shelters, has announced that the organization will be one of the charity partners for the annual Ann Arbor Marathon on October 13. Founder and director Allyson Cohen will run the full 26.2 mile race to raise awareness and funds for CMOC’s mission to bridge the gap in classical music access. “I’m thrilled to take on the challenge of running the marathon in support of CMOC,” said Cohen. “The work we do aims to combat the disparities in access to classical music by bringing concerts to underserved communities. Every dollar raised from this marathon will directly support these efforts.” CMOC stands out by employing innovative engagement practices that break down barriers between performers and audiences. The organization’s concert series in Michigan’s prisons and shelters prioritizes contemporary works by underrepresented composers, fostering a deeper connection through post-performance discussions that engage and empower participants. The goal is to create a welcoming sanctuary for all, using music as a tool to foster inclusivity and dismantle the elitism traditionally associated with classical music. "Music is a powerful medium that transcends linguistic and cultural barriers. It unites people in their shared humanity," Cohen explained. "At CMOC, we believe in the transformative power of music, and we’re committed to making classical music accessible to everyone, no matter their circumstances." Beyond its regular concert series, CMOC has recently launched two new projects: 1. Field Trip Project: This initiative brings audiences from shelters and prisons to professional concert halls, providing them with the opportunity to experience world-class performances. 2. Commissioning Project: CMOC will premiere up to five compositions each year by BIPOC student composers. The compositions will be professionally recorded for the students’ portfolios, offering them invaluable support at the start of their careers. Cohen’s marathon run serves as a platform to raise both awareness and funds for CMOC's vital work. Donations — no matter the size — will directly benefit CMOC’s ongoing mission. “Even a $1 contribution can help make a meaningful impact," said Cohen. "Together, we can break down barriers and share the beauty of classical music with those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience it." To support Allyson Cohen's marathon run and the Concert Music Outreach Collective’s mission, donations can be made directly through CMOC’s website cmoutreachcollective.org or through the Ann Arbor Marathon charity platform.

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2 GROUNDCOVER NEWS GROUNDCOVER in this ISSUE COC WINTER TASK FORCE PRESENTS PLAN FOCUSED on FAMILIES, EVICTION PREVENTION Lindsay Calka, page 4 UNDERCOVER ART INTEL: STEPHON PATE and HOW ART CAN CHANGE LIVES Cindy Gere, page 5 OUR WEDDING DAY Tabitha Almond, page 7 POETRY Wayne S. and Ramón Roberto Isla Caballero, page 8 TAKE BACK BIKES is REDEFINING "BIKE SHARE" Indira Sankaran, page 11 PUZZLES page 9 DO STUDENTS MATTER? Ken Parks, page 10 content CORRECTION On page six of the August 23, 2024 edition of Groundcover News, the article "Justice InDeed is uncovering the hidden histories of racial discrimination in Washtenaw County" was attributed to the wrong author. PROVIDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELFDETERMINED INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY POVERTY, PRODUCING A STREET NEWSPAPER THAT GIVES A PLATFORM TO UNDERREPRESENTED VOICES IN WASHTENAW COUNTY, PROMOTING AN ACTION TO BUILD A JUST, CARING AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETY. Groundcover News, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in April 2010 as a means to empower lowincome persons to make the transitions from homeless to housed, and from jobless to employed. Vendors purchase each copy of our regular editions of Groundcover News at our office for 50 cents. This money goes toward production costs. Vendors work selling the paper on the street for $2, keeping all income and tips from each sale. Street papers like Groundcover News exist in cities all over the United States, as well as in more than 40 other countries, in an effort to raise awareness of the plight of homeless people and combat the increase in poverty. Our paper is a proud member of the International Network of Street Papers. STAFF Lindsay Calka — publisher Cynthia Price — editor Michelle Lardie-Guzek — intern ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS Tabitha Almond Jane Atkins Ramón Roberto Isla Caballero Jim Clark Luiza Duarte Caetano Cindy Gere Ken Parks Indira Sankaran Denise Shearer Wayne Sparks Shawn Swoffer Felicia Wilbert GROUNDCOVER NEWS ADVERTISING RATES Size 1/8 1/6 1/4 1/2 full page Black/White $110.00 $145.00 $200.00 $375.00 $650.00 Color $150.00 $200.00 $265.00 $500.00 $900.00 Dimensions (W x H in inches) 5 X 3 or 2.5 X 6.5 5 X 4 5 X 6.25 5 X 13 or 10.25 X 6.5 10.25 X 13 PROOFREADERS Susan Beckett Elliot Cubit Anabel Sicko VOLUNTEERS Jane Atkins Jessi Averill Sim Bose Zachary Dortzbach Luiza Duarte Caetano Glenn Gates Alexandra Granberg Jacob Fallman Robert Klingler Melanie Wenzel Mary Wisgerhof Max Wisgerhof CONTACT US Story and photo submissions: submissions@groundcovernews.com Advertising and partnerships: contact@groundcovernews.com Office: 423 S. 4th Ave., Ann Arbor Mon-Sat, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Phone: 734-263-2098 @groundcover @groundcovernews DONATE, LISTEN TO A STORY + LEARN MORE www.groundcovernews.org PACKAGE PRICING Three Months/Six Issues: 15% off Six Months/Twelve Issues: 25% off Full Year/Twenty-four Issues: 35% off Only run for two weeks/one issue: 40% off Additional 20% discount for money saving coupons exp. 01/31/2025 SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 ON MY CORNER MEET YOUR VENDOR Bettering yourself Self reflecting is something as important as meditation. You should look in the mirror every day and say something nice to yourself when others put you down or say something against you. Once you get the hang of it most of your doubts about yourself melt away. You should have a mantra that Stephanie Dent, vendor No. 84 In one sentence, who are you? Nice. Where do you usually sell Groundcover? By the Co-op in Ann Arbor. When and why did you start selling Groundcover? I started again a couple of weeks ago. I started selling to do anything I can do to help the homeless community while I’m here. What is your favorite thing to do in Ann Arbor? I like to go to my AA meetings and work for Groundcover News. It’s a good place to stay sober. What words do you live by? Easy does it. What is something about you that someone on the street wouldn't know? I’m generous. If you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Chinese food. What are your hobbies? I like to draw. What was your first job? Subway at the Michigan Union. What change would you like to see in Washtenaw County? More services to help homeless people, especially in the summer. What song do you have compltely memorized? “7 Years” by Lukas Graham. What's the most impressive thing you know how to do? Ride a bike. What is your pet peeve? Liars. What would you do if you won the lottery? Start my own business and give to the poor. Hi Groundcover News readers, this is Felicia who writes the Truth or Lies Mystery Lane column. Check out my new hilarious comedy mystery: THE AD-DAM FAM. It has a fascinating cast of FELICIA WILBERT Groundcover vendor No. 234 Order The Ad-Dam Fam today! characters. Who is Wenbone the Parrot? What is Lester the Wallet Molester B.K.A. "the Butler" up to? Will Cruddexter the Foot tap out a message to save his family? Journey into an extraordinary comedy mystery by ordering my newest book off of Amazon today. Just search “Felicia Wilbert” in the search and my three publications, “Billy Don’t Kill Us,” “3333Mommy,” and “The Ad-Dam Fam” will come up! Come out and celebrate my new book and my birthday. Let’s have a reading good time! At Cinnaholic, 121 E Liberty Street, on September 12 and 13, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. you repeat in your head; you don't need to say it out loud to cause a scene, or end up in some kind of argument or physical confrontation. You are bettering yourself, not bettering others. It is on them if they can't see through it on their own. People can be real f***** up in their head, so they throw it on you. These are people who think they're better than you. These are people SHAWN SWOFFER Groundcover vendor No. 574 and I do believe in blessings, and if they harm another person they should get nothing in return or it should backfire in their face. Just remember that you are a good soul and as long as you do the right things, it will come back to you. There's not a timetable nor is there a way to know how it will exactly come back. It is for people who are bouncing who stab you in your back. These are people you cannot trust. These are people who may have a hard time getting out of their own heads, people who this exercise and great lesson is for. Maybe someday they will get where you are but I do not believe so because I do believe in karma Dumbo and elephants I think “Dumbo” is an excellent movie. I like the cartoon version and the live action version. I think Dumbo is a beautiful, unique elephant. He makes a great pet for anybody. Dumbo has big, pretty ears that he can fly with and he is a very loving elephant to kids, adults and other animals. I think he does better in his natural life than the circus life. I think elephants and all living things do better when they’re not under pressure to do things. Elephants are beautiful animals when you treat them with care and love. I don’t think elephants or any other animals should be abused and under pressure to do things. DENISE SHEARER Groundcover vendor No. 485 tail holders of elephants and elephant designs printed on T-shirts. I also like stuffed animals that are elephants. There are sculptures of elephants that are very beautiful. There are also wood carvings of elephants and furniture that is elephant-shaped. They make a room look very attractive. Baby toys made of elephants are Elephants are beautiful in artwork and movies like “Dumbo.” I like to see paintings and pictures of elephants. People make jewelry of elephant art, too, like earrings and necklaces and bracelets that are very beautiful. There are also pony fun. It's good to have elephants as service animals as long as you’re not abusing them and not putting pressure on them. They are very interesting animals and I would recommend both "Dumbo" movies for anyone to watch. back and getting situated again, but it really can help everyone. You get up in the morning and make it part of your routine that you say something positive about yourself in the mirror. Sometimes you could say something negative that should give you a chance to better yourself on things that you may feel are not your strong suit. GROUNDCOVER NEWS 3
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4 GROUNDCOVER NEWS SHELTER CoC Winter Shelter Task Force presents plan focused on families, eviction prevention LINDSAY CALKA Publisher On September 4, Dan Kelly and Shonagh Taruza spoke before the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners with a plan and an ask for $1.3M. Dan Kelly is the Executive Director of the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County; Taruza is the Executive Director of the Interfaith Hospitality Network at Alpha House. Both are members of the Winter Shelter Task Force, a working group of the Washtenaw County Continuum of Care which formed after record levels of homelessness — particularly, family homelessness — during the winter of 2022-2023. Other members of the working group represent CoC agencies conducting or funding winter sheltering activities such as SOS Community Services and the Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development. The purpose of the task force is to 1) help analyze existing data and programs for winter shelter, 2) research best practices for providing winter shelter in Michigan climate, 3) develop strategies and recommendations and 4) identify funding and support necessary to provide winter shelter for all populations. Since the formation of the task force, Washtenaw County has continued to track higher and higher levels of homelessness. Kelly and Taruza reported to the Commissioners that the winter sheltering season of 2023-2024 had increased mental health and substance abuse challenges, increased percentages of older adults and people reporting a disability, a record number of individuals served on a given night, and over 100 homeless families in need of shelter over the winter months. They presented a key structural challenge from 2023-2024: requests for additional funding and support for expanded programs were unavailable for most of last winter. “[The funding] just didn’t get out fast enough,” Kelly remarked. Kelly and Taruza presented specific recommendations for funding in areas of eviction prevention, diversion, hotel stays with supports, rapid rehousing for families, overflow family shelter, and expanded individual shelter. In an interview with Groundcover News, Kelly noted, “Over half of the money [$700K] is for eviction prevention and a large amount is flowing to families ... we're trying to be proactive so the shelters aren't inundated." Alpha House has renovated their basement space (which was formerly used for furniture storage for newly housed families) to accommodate the daytime and nighttime family shelter, adding three bathrooms and a washing machine. The $100,000 funding request is for staffing this 24/7 overflow space. Alpha House will continue to run their emergency shelter for families throughout the winter on nights with extreme weather, although no funding requests for this program were made. Struggle for sites The six sites across the County providing individual shelter include the Delonis Center, the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti Daytime Warming Centers, the men’s rotating overnight shelter, the Ypsilanti offsite overnight shelter, and the Recuperative Care program, all of which were open in the 20232024 season. Last year, all but two of these shelter options were hosted at local churches. “We still do not have the actual locations figured out ... How do we stop having a hamster cage experience every winter? Can't we have a site that's permanent?" Kelly asked during the interview. Next steps The Winter Shelter Task Force plan presented at the September 4 working group meeting was just that: a presentation. The presentation will be made again at the Continuum of Care Board Meeting on September 18, and then will be voted on by the Board of Commissioners later that night at 7 p.m. The task force will continue to meet and refine the plan for this winter in the coming months. “Our goal is to hit the ground running with everything we need on day one. We don’t want to miss a day of winter,” said Kelly. “There is still community support needed; advocacy never hurts,” Kelly emphasized. “We need to come up with a structural fix. We need a solid plan that isn’t a hodgepodge.” Taruza concluded, “We are trying to get ahead of some of the anticipated problems this winter. We are concerned given the termination of the Housing Choice Voucher waitlist ... What we really need is more housing, more supportive services, mental health care and increased wages. Given that we don’t have all of that yet, we are trying to figure out how we can triage for this winter, while continuing to work on long-term solutions.” CITY OF ANN ARBOR THRONE BATHROOM LOCATIONS SEE ARTICLE PAGE 6 1000 Canal 6 M 2150 Jackson 7 8 100 block 1 312 W. Huron E. Washington 2 Family Friendly ADA Accessible 4 310 S. Division F 215 Chapin 5 315 Detroit 3 SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 1. 100 block of East Washington Street (east of Main Street on the north side of the street) 2. Robert J. Delonis Center, 312 W. Huron Street 3. Ann Arbor Farmers Market, 315 Detroit Street 4. Liberty Plaza Park, 310 South Division Street 5. West Park, 215 Chapin Street 6. Riverside Park, 1000 Canal Street (near the Border-to-Border Trail) 7. and 8. Veterans Memorial Park, 2150 Jackson Avenue A N D A A L L C E O I P Y I I N T F Y A L M D R SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 DISABILITY JUSTICE Undercover art intel: Stephon Pate and how art can save lives Stephon David Pate: “Growing up in a military family is not simple. There were three things that really affected me. First was the constant moving from base to base. This led to insecurity issues. The second issue was the lack of family — the higher the rank the less time one sees family on a regular basis. And last but not least, the uncertainty of what the war will bring and how it would affect me and my family.” Pate’s family traveled around the world and within the United States, living on many bases and near the Pentagon. As a child he suffered from ADD and ADHD as well as other issues that have created many personal pains for years. The one thing that was a true help in all the frustrations was the creation and use of his artistic talents. “I discovered I had real talent at the very young age of four. It was my dad who saw my ability to draw. He sat me down one day and told me to draw for him. So I did and created an image that totally impressed him to support my artwork. As I got older he would always have pen and paper to help me to calm down because of my ADHD. He had the ability to see how art would give me time to think and slow down. I remember in highschool as a freshman this kid needed help drawing in art class, so I took him under my wing and by the time he graduated, he used what I showed him over many years to go on and become an architect in real life. “What I love about my artwork is the thrill of others when they see my talent. I am what people call a perfectionist when it comes to my artworks. I love the detailed work I do to create soft images of swans, trees, flowers as well as edging. Making stationary and postcards as well as being addressed — no oversight or regulation to check the truth on many disabled people's diagnoses. It is also my own personal reality. When I was homeless Pate told CINDY GERE Groundcover vendor No. 279 magnets for fun helps me to slow down and think. Keeps me calm.” Mindfulness is a therapy for disabled people that has increased over the past ten years and Pate in his own way discovered how to do mindfulness with the use of art therapy. This can change lives and it did for Pate. I asked him how this helped him — he told me, “If it was not for drawing as a kid with my dad, I know I would have been more out of control. It was the use of art that helped me keep myself under control with rage and impulsivity. I'm discovering what it takes to calm down. This is a lifelong process that I deal with all the time.” Stephon is not under any drug influence and so he uses art as a real ongoing non-drug therapy. I fully believe in non-drug actions for disabled people. Too often in our society we go directly to the drug rather than see any kind of alternative for low income and disabled people. Disabilities are a revolving door for big pharma to make millions and the more disabled people that are labeled, or what I called stamped, the more they are pushed into taking drugs and then suffer from life threatening long term effects that are not watched, the more they die from the drugs rather than the disability. To me this is a real issue not me to check out the truth of the marriage of homelessness and disability with the drug pushers within the system. What I found was very sad. The doc asked me to take Lithium for my fetal alcohol syndrome. If I took such a hard drug this could have led me to suffer its side effects and maybe to take heroin or crack. This all happened back in 2014. The system has changed since then. But not by much. When people take control over their disabilities they find freedom and truth. Pate took charge of his own life with the use of art therapy, and he told me this is a lifelong process he will live with, but art changed his life. Most of the art he chooses to do is in fact given away as gifts. Every artist uses their art for many different reasons; some use it for profit and others for personal well-being, still others as gifts. GROUNDCOVER NEWS What’s Happening at the Ann Arbor District Library Open 10am–8pm Daily Hang out in any of our five locations across town, browsing books, magazines, newspapers, and more, or check out movies, CDs, art prints, musical instruments, and home tools— you name it! Study and meeting rooms, fast and free WiFi, and plenty of places to sit and hang out. Unusual Stuff to Borrow There’s more to borrow at AADL than books, music, and movies. To name a few, there are games, telescopes, stories-to-go kits, and home tools. Check out these unusual yet handy items during your next library visit. Michigan Activity Pass With a valid library card from any Michigan public library, you can print a pass to participating organizations, including museums and state parks, through the Michigan Activity Pass website. Some partners offer complimentary or reduced-price admission; others, discounts in their gift shop or other exclusive offers. FEATURED EVENT 5 Saturday, October 5 • 10am–5pm Downtown Library Join us in October for A2CAF: Small + Indie Press, where you can explore the world of independent comic publishing. Meet artists, discover unique art, and get your favorite books signed by the creators themselves! This event is perfect for teens and adults who are passionate about comics. Pencil sketches by Stephon David Pate.
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6 GROUNDCOVER NEWS HUMAN RIGHTS The Game of Throne From the mire of the Dark Ages, the mold-injected, formaldehyde-infused, construction-worker-butt porta-johns comes the Renaissance of outdoor public toilets. Ann Arbor’s Parks and Recreation Department proudly brings us the “Throne.” The Throne is a “smart toilet” that sends a link to your phone to gain access and monitors how long you are in it. Like a knight in shining armor, the Throne monitors for cleanliness and preventative maintenance. The Throne can also summon management and law enforcement if you are in it too long. I used the Throne this summer at Sonic Lunch. The attendant, Rebecca, taught me how to get in. “Scan the QR code and the Throne will send you a link,” Rebecca instructed. “When it's your turn, click the link and the door will open. Do not click the link before the current occupant leaves and the ‘available’ sign comes on. Otherwise you will have to start over.” Rebecca continued, “The link sends an unlock code to the door; it's like getting buzzed in, so the timing has to be right.” Rebecca talked about working for Throne Labs, the makers of the Throne. “They’re a good company doing a good thing,” she said, referring to the company’s mission and vision to provide the public with clean, safe and accommodating commodes. “People are appreciative,” she added. Rebecca facilitates the guests of the facility and helps to keep it clean. Thrones are remotely monitored. A sensor tracks how long you take. There is a ten minute time limit with warnings. After fifteen minutes, the door opens a crack, then it gives another warning before it opens all the way. Then a notification goes to the Throne manager on duty. If they determine there is a safety issue, they may notify JIM CLARK Groundcover vendor No. 139 first responders. I asked Scott Spooner, Deputy Manager for Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation, why the stall was installed in Liberty Plaza. “There were two reasons: one is that there are no public bathrooms in the area. Secondly, people who frequent the park use it [Liberty Park] as a bathroom which ends up being the city’s responsibility to clean it up.” Derek Delecourt is the Ann Arbor Community Service Administrator, who oversees Parks and Recreation. Delecourt is on a mission to provide better public services — especially bathroom facilities. I asked him how the Throne solves Ann Arbor's public potty problem. “The Throne is a oneyear pilot program, which began in June 2024. It was funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, the University of Michigan, and Ann Arbor’s Downtown Development Authority.” When asked about his role, he replied, “I was tasked with improving our public restroom system. At the time we were using regular port-a-johns. The toilets are too hard to maintain. Some companies quit doing business with Ann Arbor because of their misuse. We are considering permanent structures, but they are expensive and have their own problems. After doing some research, I discovered Throne Labs. Although Ramón Roberto Isla Caballero, vendor No. 347, smiles outside the Throne closest to his corner on Washington Street. Last summer Caballero received a ticket for urinating in public even though there were no nearby public restrooms available at the time of arrest. they are more expensive, the added features prevent the maintenance and safety problems presented by them.” But why worry about toilets at all? Delecourt says, “All citizens are entitled to a clean usable facility. It’s for the public good. I want to add that Ann Arbor works for better quality public services in general. This includes our homeless population.” Anthony M., Ann Arbor denizen and regular at Liberty Plaza, has been using toilets his entire life. I asked him about his experience with the Throne. GCN: Is it unlike any bathroom you’ve ever used? AM: Yeah, it is unlike any bathroom I've ever used. GCN: How so? AM: Because it is internet capable. He pointed out that the internet connection would make it easy to summon someone if there was a horrible mess. Anthony originally said “because it’s run by AI.” We agreed that would be giving it too much credit. And a little creepy. GCN: What was your favorite feature? AM: It is a port-a-potty that has running water and is always clean. GCN: Anything else? AM: It would be cool if it told people about any cool events happening in town. Anthony agrees with the mission of Throne Labs. He says, “Dignity is important to people and elimination is basically part of digestion, so shouldn't a clean safe toilet be as important as food and water?” There are eight Throne stalls installed in Ann Arbor — at Washington and Main Street, the Farmers Market, Liberty Plaza, the Delonis Center, West Park, Riverside Park, and two in Veterans Park. The Throne is wheelchair-accessible and you can get a pass card from City Hall or the Delonis Center if you do not have a smartphone. See page 11 for a map of all Ann Arbor Throne bathrooms. SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 VENDOR VOICES Our wedding day TABITHA ALMOND Groundcover vendor No. 360 I'm so happy to be able to say I am now Mrs. Sean Almond. Me and the love of my life got married August 11, 2024. Even though we did not have the money to have my dream wedding, it was still the most amazing day I could have asked for. We planned the entire thing in just three days and in the end it turned out perfect. There was nine people there besides me and my husband. I was lucky enough to find a beautiful dress for only three dollars and a veil for ten dollars. After getting married, we had a barbecue with some amazing food. I'm so blessed I'm clean and sober because my dad is back in my life. And I could have never imagined getting married without my dad there. My dad and my 16-year-old son walked me down the aisle. It was so special to me to have them give me away to the love of my life. We plan on having a big wedding on one of our anniversaries. I can also say God was on our side, because, literally, we was not able to find someone to do the ceremony until 30 minutes before the wedding. So we was very blessed about that. My husband's son was also able to come. And we are very thankful about that and it feels so good that my family actually likes my husband. I will never forget what my stepmom said to me right after the ceremony; she pulled me to the side and told me that I better treat him good because Sean is a good man and she knows a good man when she sees one. Me and Sean have been through a lot in our relationship and we are excited for this chapter together. I couldn't be happier. I finally found a man that truly loves me and wants to spend the rest of our lives together. It's both mine and his first and only marriage. He means everything to me. And it feels so good to be able to call Sean Almond, my husband. I'm so happy we made it. I wouldn't want to spend my life with anyone else. He truly is my soulmate. We had an amazing night. And I can't wait to see what the rest of our lives together have in store for us. TRASH TALK TOUR GROUNDCOVER NEWS 7 Above left: My dad (Lewis), me and my son (Thomas) walking me down the aisle. Above right: Mr. and Mrs. Almond. Below: "You may kiss the bride!" September 29th from 12-3 pm GAMES | PRIZES | LIVE MUSIC Free, Family-Friendly event KIWANIS THRIFT SALE (BEHIND THE SCENES TOURS!) 100 N STAEBLER RD SUITE C, ANN ARBOR, MI 48103 Made Possible By: SIGN UP FREE! TrashTalkTour.Org
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8 GROUNDCOVER NEWS POETRY Where do we go from here? WAYNE S. Groundcover vendor No. 615 It’s ending. Can’t you see what it’s done to me? That’s right — it’s ending you’ve had enough. You’ve seen all you want to see It’s over, you said so yourself, it’s ending I can still hear the words You think of me in a different light Yes that’s right I thought we were so much alike You were all I wanted then something happened I don’t know what? I don’t know when But it was ending and I couldn’t question why. I know it couldn’t be what you said it was. And so do you! Where do we go from here? No matter what no matter when I hope you’ll always be my friend I need that more than ever at this point in my life take the pain away that’s all I ask Where do we go from here? RAMON ROBERTO ISLA CABALLERO Groundcover vendor No. 347 Las santas escrituras escritas para ayudar, más la manifestación de la vida, y la destrucción del universo, las estrellas y los luceros no tienen el sueño ni el pensamiento para cambiar la humanidad. ¿Qué estás esperando para ayudar y cambiar la vida? Gracias. Poem of the Universe The holy scriptures were written to help foster the protests of life, against the destruction of the universe, the stars and moon have neither the vision nor the thought to change humanity. What are you waiting for to help and change life? Thank you. SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 El poema del universo SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 PUZZLES GROUNDCOVER NEWS REGRETS Peter A. Collins 9 Groundcover Vendor Code While Groundcover is a non-profit, and paper vendors are self-employed contractors, we still have expectations of how vendors should conduct themselves while selling and representing the paper. The following is our Vendor Code of Conduct, which every vendor reads and signs before receiving a badge and papers. We request that if you discover a vendor violating any tenets of the Code, please contact us and provide as many details as possible. Our paper and our vendors should be positively impacting our County. • Groundcover will be distributed for a voluntary donation. I agree not to ask for more than the cover price or solicit donations by any other means. • When selling Groundcover, I will always have the current biweekly issue of Groundcover available for customer purchase. • I agree not to sell additional goods or products when selling the paper or to panhandle, including panhandling with only one paper or selling past monthly issues. • I will wear and display my badge when selling papers and refrain from wearing it or other Groundcover gear when engaged in other activities. • I will only purchase the paper from Groundcover Staff and will not sell to or buy papers from other Groundcover vendors, especially vendors who have been suspended or terminated. • I agree to treat all customers, staff, and other vendors respectfully. I will not “hard sell,” threaten, harass or pressure customers, staff, or other vendors verbally or physically. • I will not sell Groundcover under the influence of drugs or alcohol. • I understand that I am not a legal employee of Groundcover but a contracted worker responsible for my own well-being and income. • I understand that my badge is property of Groundcover and will not deface it. I will present my badge when purchasing the papers. • I agree to stay off private property when selling Groundcover. • I understand to refrain from selling on public buses, federal property or stores unless there is permission from the owner. • I agree to stay at least one block away from another vendor in downtown areas. I will also abide by the Vendor Corner Policy. • I understand that Groundcover strives to be a paper that covers topics of homelessness and poverty while providing sources of income for the homeless. I will try to help in this effort and spread the word. If you would like to report a violation of the Vendor Code please email contact@groundcovernews.com or fill out the contact form on our website. ACROSS 1 Performed without a sound 6. Administrative aide: Abbr. 10. Open a little 14. Amtrak express train 15. Cash for Phoenix, for example 16. Adidas rival 17. Zipped past 18. XXX film 20. First part of a quip 22. Cease 23. Shipping lanes 24. That guy 26. Former AT&T rival 27. Places to store some winter gear 32. Frighten 35. "To Kill a Mockingbird" recluse 36. Choice for Hamlet 37. Quip, part 2 38. "The Magic Mountain" author Thomas 39. Yosemite landmark 41. "The Divine Comedy" poet 42. Segments of books 43. Cribbage board marker 44. Air-quality org. 45. Seafood fish 49. Questionnaire datum 52. End of the quip 55. As it were 57. City in Italy (and Michigan) 58. Henry VIII's wife Boleyn 59. Not prerecorded 60. Hole-___ (golf feat) 61. Still life subject, maybe 62. Pizazz 63. Heads of France? DOWN 1.Ballplayer who was the subject of the film "61*” 2. Start of Caesar's boast 3. Brainy bunch 4. Vigorous effort 5. Motel fee 6. "We Have The Meats" fast food chain 7. Concerto highlights 8. Urban blight 9. Concert souvenir 10. A year in the Yucatan 11. Nonsense 12. Similar (to) 13. Saxophonist's accessory 19. ___ Kelly of "Fire Walk With Me" 21. Deli choice 25. "Spy vs. Spy" publication 27. They can make a case for drinking? 28. Zen riddle 29. Extended family 30. Grand Rapids' county 31. Word in a New Year's Eve song 32. Put one's foot down? 33. Bubbly drink 34. Basic skills 35. Diminish 37. New York City nickname, with "the" 40. Half a 1960s quartet 41. Set the boundaries of 43. Chinese zodiac beast 45. Monopoly piece 46. Television series tryout 47. Vapid 48. Saint often depicted with a lamb 49. Right away, initially 50. Departed 51. Volcano in Sicily 53. Trompe l'___ (optical illusion) 54. Output from 51-Down 56. "Jingle Bells" contraction
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10 GROUNDCOVER NEWS STUDENTS Do students matter? There are many kinds of students. Learning begins in the womb and continues until we are fully enlightened. That is a bold statement which requires some study and experience. Even if it is possible to be fully enlightened in this lifetime, how many of us are prepared for that? Theory and practice, that dialectic becomes lifelong learning. To go from mindfulness of breath to mindfulness of mind, let alone to fully enlightened mindfulness, is a journey into timeless time. Consider the first law of thermodynamics. Matter and energy cannot be created or destroyed in any closed system but can change from one form to another. Is consciousness a unity of matter and energy? When evolutionary scientists look at intuition and its role in evolution many end up stuck on the brain as the origin of consciousness. They may not understand the laws of nature and the possibility of consciousness as inherent in nature, able to evolve from simple to complex life forms. Whatever you study you need a context that helps you work with the parts of the puzzle. This is particularly important when you see there are parts that don’t fit in the puzzle. The amount of data available can be overwhelming and the challenge to sift out relevant information is a test of mindful attention and understanding of priorities. The truth is what matters. Understanding of the truth changes as you explore the mystery of your life and begin to face reality. So which reality awaits you? If you hear the ticking of the doomsday clock you may notice our central planners with trillions to play with are preparing for high-tech nuclear war. NATO is placing nuclear weapons on the Russian border and turning a deaf ear to appeals for a treaty that respects every country’s security needs. Especially nuclear disarmament. We have the elephant in the room regardless of what you are studying. KEN PARKS Groundcover vendor No. 490 Basic research about our fundamental assumptions and subsequent theories is always good. Quantum mechanics has yet to fully replace Newtonian assumptions about cause and effect, especially the machine view of reality. Quantum probability becomes the best context to discover the truth. I loaned out my copy of Niels Bohr's “The Limits of Human Knowledge.” “Copenhagen” is a brilliant play by Michael Frayn about a conversation between Bohr and Heisenberg in 1941 when Heisenberg, a student of Bohr, was in charge of Hitler’s atomic bomb project. Study Dr. Pierre Kory. He has been decertified due to his advocacy of ivermectin for Covid 19. Big pharma and compliance culture targeted him and others to give emergency approval and mandates for a vaccine that was not fully tested. The story behind the pandemic may be as difficult to unravel as the JFK assassination. Once again we come to our own conclusions based on the narratives and information that we embrace. The middle class inclines to believe the authority of official experts with the attitude of “go along to get along.” There are times when this is good advice. We need analytic mindfulness to question the experts who may be following orders and making too much money to tell the truth. I wrote “Spring Forwards, Feel Your Toes” a few months after I took the Johnson and Johnson vaccine and my right leg gave out. Every phenomena has more than one cause and I had prepared for the vaccine with extra doses of vitamin C and antioxidants. I met a nurse who broke into tears when I said Johnson and Johnson. “That’s the one that caused so many amputations.” she cried out. My leg healed but I now have more arthritis, which cleared up temporarily during my month in Cuba during May 2023. It was mango season and there’s a tree near my room. The family was a healing presence so I was in paradise. I still eat from the tree of knowledge so am afflicted with the common dualism and various forms of ignorance that arose with Paradise Lost. Remember Eve and the serpent. A book of essays about Ursula LeGuin has a quote that comes to mind, “Those who do not learn the language of dragons are doomed to live out the nightmares of politicians.” The fixation on a permanent separate self is the deep ignorance also called egocentricity. My favorite teacher of science now is Dr. Jack Kruse, a neurosurgeon who is a quantum biologist and was awarded the Nobel Prize in physics in 2016. Check him out. He is a proponent of decentralized medicine, has been deplatformed by centralized medicine but continues the work. His conversations with Dr. Andrew Huberman, the Stanford neuroscientist, and Rick Rubin, the music man, are masterpieces in the art and science of reality. Knowledge that leads to wisdom and compassionate activity is what matters; students who pursue the interrelatedness of their specialty in the context of nature and the laws of nature matter very much. Buddha and Jesus are among those who inspire us to have mercy for ourselves and others and step on the path of unconditional love. May you cross the finish line of this path, the great going beyond which leaves nothing behind. SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 Everything matters, especially you, but nothing is permanent. Enjoy this moment as a presence that cannot be measured but becomes an awareness that experiences past, present and future in the context of timeless time. Whitney Webb, who does Unlimited Hangout as a website and YouTube, shows her investigative journalism of artificial intelligence/ globalism and central planners in, “The End of the World As We Know It.” Also Richard Werner's writings on the Deep State. Become an engaged student and look for what matters. I hope we meet at the International Day of Peace celebration September 21. See the details below and search annarborcommunitycommons.org INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE Saturday, September 21 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Ann Arbor Community Commons (Fifth Avenue and Library Lane) Music stage, songs, dance, open microphone, discussions of the wars of the world, paths to uncover the peace always ready. Bring Your Knowledge, All Questions on the Peace Table, the Commons and the Culture of Peace and the wars at home, in Native America and in our own town, work places, and often families. YOU ARE INVITED! contact: megiddo@umich.edu - SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 STUDENTS GROUNDCOVER NEWS Six things every college student should know about Groundcover News JANE ATKINS Groundcover contributor I heard about Groundcover News through an English class I had taken during my freshman year at University of Michigan, but I wasn’t really sure what the newspaper was about beyond its mission statement. Now, as a sophomore, Groundcover has been one of the most positive experiences of my freshman year, and I never knew back then how involved I would be now. If I could go back in time, here are five things I wish I knew about Groundcover News as a freshman: 1. Every Groundcover vendor is a person experiencing homelessness or poverty. Each vendor keeps the profits they earn from selling the newspaper, which means that the money you spend on a newspaper goes directly into the pockets of the vendor you bought it from! 2. It's easier than you think to find a vendor selling the paper. Many of them wear blue vests and they always have a Groundcover News badge on. You can find vendors all over Ann Arbor, and some even like to stay around the same area every day, which makes it very easy to buy the paper regularly. 3. Groundcover News is a nonprofit organization that is mostly run by volunteers, and they value their work greatly. Every day in the office is a fun one, and volunteers are what make the newspaper happen. Groundcover is always looking for people to volunteer who want to make a difference in the Ann Arbor community and care about housing justice. 4. You can buy the street paper with Venmo! I didn’t know this at first, but it makes it much easier to buy the paper since I don’t think most people carry cash around these days. Each issue has a Venmo QR code you can scan on the front cover, and in the comments you write the name and vendor number so you know the money is going directly to your vendor, all for a cost less than a cup of coffee. You can watch a "how-to" video on the Groundcover News Instagram page. Some vendors use their own Venmo accounts, too. 5. Groundcover is more than a street newspaper. They host fundraisers, art fairs, poetry slams — they even have their own audio version of the newspaper called Groundcover Speaks, which you can listen to on their website through the Ann Arbor District Library. They also host workshops for vendors to practice their writing skills, salesmanship and more. 6. Groundcover News publishes a variety of writers and voices. While they place an importance on stories written by their vendors, there are also stories written by volunteers (like the one you are reading now!) or U-M students who are in English classes partnering with Groundcover. It is a newspaper filled with diverse perspectives and topics. Like snowflakes, no issue is the same as the one before! I hope this article has been informative and calls you to volunteer, start reading the paper regularly, or at the core, makes you more aware of the community that exists around you. If you are interested in getting involved, visit groundcovernews.org and fill out the Volunteer Interest Form! 11 Take Back Bikes is redefining "bike share" INDIRA SANKARAN Take Back Bikes The story of Take Back Bikes begins not in Michigan, nor in the United States, but in Palestine — where there is an ongoing genocide and decadeslong occupation by the zionist entity. After months of pressure on the University of Michigan administration to divest the $6B tied up in companies that contribute to or profit off of the genocide, students, staff and community members of the Tahrir Coalition erected the Gaza Solidarity Encampment to escalate their demands. The encampment, which lasted a month before U-M Police Department violently raided it, was a space of freely shared ideas and food, the creation of communal art and music, and, above all, was a community insistent on taking radical action towards collective liberation. The encampment was also where upwards of 20 bikes were donated by community members eager to support the folks camping out; it was there the idea of Take Back Bikes was conceived. In Washtenaw County, many who rely on the bus know it's easy to get stranded if it's too late at night, too early in the morning, or too far from a bus route. The activists who started TBB hope to contribute to free transportation accessibility, while keeping the genocide in Gaza at the forefront of the visual landscape. "No one should be able to go about their day without the reminder that our tax dollars are going towards genocide, and basic services like transportation, healthcare, and housing remain neglected in our communities," said one TBB organizer. All bikes are decorated with themes of Palestinian liberation in mind. TBB has distributed four bikes in Ann Arbor, with another four soon to follow in Ypsilanti. These bikes were either recovered from the encampment or donated by the community. Each bike is repaired, tested, decorated and inspected for safety. To use a bike, find the code to the lock on the bike, ride where you need, and lock it back up in a heavily trafficked or downtown location. In its first few weeks TBB has received a warm and hopeful welcome from the community. A TBB organizer said, "The other day [a bike user] needed to get back to his camp with his bags before the rain hit. He found a TBB bike and was able to make it back home to his tent just in time before it started pouring." TBB has already begun experiencing repression from the police. In August, one bike was tagged by the Ann Arbor police with a notice saying the bike would be impounded if not removed within 48 hours. This appears to be selective enforcement of a city ordinance, as many bikes around the city PUZZLE SOLUTIONS are left on racks for months with no issue. Time and again, pro-Palestinian protestors have been repressed through arrests, charges, brutality and changes to law and policy. While a bike notice is insignificant in comparison to the felony charges that some activists are facing, it shows how the law flexes to specifically repress the Palestinian liberation movement at every level. What can you do to support TBB? The biggest request is to ride the bikes! If you are interested in getting more involved, you can attend the next TBB workday. Details will be posted on their instagram @takebackbikes. Take Back Bikes also needs money for parts, tools and decorations, which can be donated to givebutter.com/kb4qff. Questions can be emailed to takebackbikes@proton.me. By providing a free community service meant to challenge for-profit, exploitative business practices and oppressive university policies, TBB is one of the many ways people in our community strive to build healthy communities and work towards the world they wish to live in. Ride on and Free Palestine.

August 23, 2024


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2 GROUNDCOVER NEWS GROUNDCOVER AUGUST 23, 2024 A letter of appreciation to our home, Bethlehem United Church of Christ GROUNDCOVER NEWS To all at Bethlehem United Church of Christ, Groundcover News says thank you for being a gracious and honorable host. In 1833, German immigrants started Bethlehem Church in a log cabin, making it the longest standing church in Ann Arbor. On August 26, 1833, Pastor Schmid preached his first sermon to 33 families who gathered in the woods west of Ann Arbor. Thus began something great that would stand the test of time through worship and community service — 190 plus years of physical and spiritual endurance that would not only benefit its members but also the most vulnerable in our community, the unhoused and those facing financial hardship. In 2011, Bethlehem United Church of Christ opened its doors to Groundcover News. Groundcover is a street newspaper that is produced, purchased and resold by homeless people and those facing poverty. These newspapers provide a source of income and platform to interact and build relationships in the community. People from all walks of life have come through these church doors seeking physical, emotional and spiritual refuge: Bethlehem United Church of Christ has become a home away from home for hundreds who struggle in this community. We at Groundcover know holding space for those in unfortunate situations such as being unhoused presents its fair share of challenges, and we especially appreciate your spiritually-based compassion and understanding during turbulent moments with vendors and participants.Thanks to all who serve at Bethlehem United Church of Christ, past, present and going into the future.Thank you for sharing your space with us! Sincerely, Groundcover News PROVIDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELF-DETERMINED INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY POVERTY, PRODUCING A STREET NEWSPAPER THAT GIVES A PLATFORM TO UNDERREPRESENTED VOICES IN WASHTENAW COUNTY, PROMOTING AN ACTION TO BUILD A JUST, CARING AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETY. Groundcover News, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in April 2010 as a means to empower lowincome persons to make the transitions from homeless to housed, and from jobless to employed. Vendors purchase each copy of our regular editions of Groundcover News at our office for 50 cents. This money goes towards production costs. Vendors work selling the paper on the street for $2, keeping all income and tips from each sale. Street papers like Groundcover News exist in cities all over the United States, as well as in more than 40 other countries, in an effort to raise awareness of the plight of homeless people and combat the increase in poverty. Our paper is a proud member of the International Network of Street Papers. STAFF Lindsay Calka — publisher Cynthia Price — editor ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS Elizabeth Bauman Teresa Basham Pedro Campos Ramon Roberto Isla Caballero Dezz Clark Jim Clark David KE Dodge Markona Love Ken Parks Earl Pullen Wayne Sparks Buk'e Woyrm PROOFREADERS Kendall Artz Susan Beckett Elliot Cubit Zachary Dortzbach Anabel Sicko VOLUNTEERS Jessi Averill Sim Bose Luiza Duarte Caetano Jacob Fallman Glenn Gates Alexandra Granberg Robert Klingler Simone Masing Anthony McCormick Mary Wisgerhof Max Wisgerhof CONTACT US Story and photo submissions: submissions@groundcovernews.com Advertising and partnerships: contact@groundcovernews.com Office: 423 S. 4th Ave., Ann Arbor Mon-Sat, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Phone: 734-263-2098 @groundcover @groundcovernews DONATE, LISTEN TO OLD ISSUES + LEARN MORE www.groundcovernews.org GROUNDCOVER NEWS ADVERTISING RATES PACKAGE PRICING Size 1/8 1/6 1/4 1/2 full page Black/White $110.00 $145.00 $200.00 $375.00 $650.00 Color $150.00 $200.00 $265.00 $500.00 $900.00 Dimensions (W x H in inches) 5 X 3 or 2.5 X 6.5 5 X 4 5 X 6.25 5 X 13 or 10.25 X 6.5 10.25 X 13 Three Months/Six Issues: 15% off Six Months/Twelve Issues: 25% off Full Year/Twenty-four Issues: 35% off Only run for two weeks/one issue: 40% off Additional 20% discount for money saving coupons AUGUST 23, 2024 ON MY CORNER ASK YOUR VENDOR What's your favorite outdoor activity? I'm not a big outdoor person ... but if I had to pick I would say fishing and swimming. — Tabitha Almond, #360 Hiding under the blankets. — Sean Almond, #561 When I was little, it was climbing trees. It's been awhile since I've done that ... In my old age, my favorite thing is lying on the ground under a tree looking at the sky. — Ken Parks, #490 Horseback riding. — Cindy Gere, #279 Working. — Roberto Isla Caballero, #347 Watching Detroit Tigers baseball, or playing baseball and football! — Tony Schohl, #9 Playing softball. — Wayne Sparks, #615 Giving people useful information. — LaShawn Courtwright, #56 Barbecuing. — Stephanie Dent, #84 I love swimming and camping. I like serenity. — Terri Demar, #322 Go to a BBQ. — Denise Shearer, #485 Cycling. — James Manning, #16 Football and barbecuing. — Joe Woods, #103 Long walks in the park. — Mike Jones, #113 Are you listening? A new day is arising and it’s sending chills down through my body. It can’t be stopped, no way! I look around me and I know you feel it too. I walk the streets every day. I see it in your faces just like you see it in mine. Is it a glimmer of hope I see? Well, I hope you see it in me. I want a world where putting people down is not so funny. A new day is coming and I want to be part of it. The message is clear: reject the hate, stop blaming each other, let's just fix this mess. I have ideas, I hope you do too. Let's figure out what to do, yes me and you. Aren’t you tired of listening to the self-serving? Yes, you and I, that’s right, us, what a novel idea — we can actually think for ourselves! We know what’s wrong, we don’t need someone to tell us. We need someone who knows how to fix it. The answers are all around us if we just listen to each other. A new day is coming, I tell you louder. Are the birds singing a little? I hope so! I hope it’s not just me because that WAYNE S. Groundcover vendor No. 615 means they feel it too. We need all the help we can get! There’s something going on. I can feel my ancestors looking down, and I’m trying to interpret their meaning. So far all I’m getting from them is to stop listening to clowns. It’s all about timing, they tell me. Do yours tell you the same thing? Don’t you think we should be listening? The time is now! Opportunities are opening! Let’s walk through them, I say. And not look back. Let’s not be afraid of the future and reject those who think we can’t ourselves. Either we resolve our differences and walk hand in hand and meet the think for future together: man woman and child, black-skinned white-skinned, brown and yellow-skinned too. Let’s take the word hate out of the English language. Let’s just have one race, the human race. Haven’t we had enough! What has the blame gotten us? What has picking sides gotten us? It’s the 21st century, folks, wow I never thought I’d make it but here I am just like the rest of you! The window is open and our chance is here. Let’s keep pushing on it. Let’s see what happens, let’s find the truth, we can’t go on like we have. It just won’t work — let’s bring in our future fearless and brave together as one. We can do it my friends, I know we can remember. I see it every day! Let’s take this opportunity — what I call a pause. If we reject this fear that engulfs us, we will find out that we now have the opportunity to reject hate, reject fear. And it’s time for us to govern ourselves too! Put this fear mongering in its place by going forward with love. Take the hate and destroy it! POWER TO THE PEOPLE! GROUNDCOVER NEWS 3 Enough is enough! DEZZ CLARK Groundcover vendor No. 643 When the world says enough is enough, when the world says stop killing me, when politicians are killing the people’s dreams, stop; when trash in the sea is killing the fish, stop; when trees are being burnt up, stop — when the wildlife stop reproducing wildlife, stop; when the people of this world keep killing each other in the name of who, God? God didn’t say kill in my name, he said be fruitful, replenish the earth, keep your eyes on me, and all will be well. Stop the hunger, stop the hurt. ‘Cause if you keep on the earth will turn — on you, when she says stop, that hurt me. (‘Cause enough is enough!) We all have to play our part in this world. We have to do our part to come together as a people to live as a people ‘cause happiness is the way of life for our future children who have no idea what this world has for them! But that is our job as a people: to make sure we take care of our children ‘cause they are our future! Enough is enough!!!!! Buy the paper, read the paper! Discover more about the passage of life and the summary of life. There is nothing as objective as reading Groundcover. It’s like happiness in perfect conditions and positive thoughts. Let us analyze the conditions of the world, future, past, and present. Every time you read, you’re inspired to think — both positive and negative things. If you buy the paper, read the paper. Don’t put the paper in the trash! If you throw the paper out on the street, someone without a Groundcover badge might pick up the paper Descubra más sobre el repaso de la vida y el resúmen de la vida. No hay nada más objetivo que leer Groundcover. Es como la felicidad en condiRAMON ROBERTO ISLA CABALLERO Groundcover vendor No. 347 and try to sell it, and get themselves and me in trouble. ciones perfectas y los pensamientos positivos. Analicemos las condiciones del mundo, el futuro, el pasado, y el presente. Cada vez que lees, te inspiras a pensar — tanto en cosas positivas como negativas. Si compras el periódico, léelo. ¡No lo tires a la basura! Si tiras el periódico, alguien sin la credencial de Groundcover puede cogerlo e intentar venderlo. Eso puede meterlo en problemas, y también a mí.
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4 GROUNDCOVER NEWS POLITICS Move the Money “Money talks, bullshit walks” is a common expression in bars and on the street. It says something about the centrality of money in our life. It may be on your mind so much that you look forward to happy hour if you have a few bucks to spare. In the debates on the wording of the Declaration of Independence, “pursuit of wealth” was replaced by “pursuit of happiness” as the best expression. Happiness won the debate as capitalists knew the accumulation of wealth is happiness. Gold is god as the Spanish told indigenous peoples about their disease that only gold could cure. We see the rise of gold again as currencies explode in the war-based financialization and sanctions economy of the “rules based order,” also called the Washington consensus. Wall Street is the temple of global financial flows and “War Is A Racket” as Major General Smedley Butler taught us in 1935. When we realize that public money funds the war system at the expense of health care, education and infrastructure, the shock may be so great that we will be tempted by denial and scapegoating. Even the refugees at the border may not fully understand how their economies were destroyed, but they do know how to follow the money trail to the United States. Noam Chomsky and Michael Hudson teach us a lot about the global financialization in this epoch of neoliberal imperialism and the drive to turn conflicts into war. The money trail to war is astronomical. The waste is legendary. That is public money. What is our responsibility? If we succumb to fatalism we will face apocalypse together. I was fortunate to get a ride to the Hamtramck Library for the first meeting of the Move The Money Coalition. It began from conversations with Veterans For Peace, Michigan Peace Council and Peace Action. Some 30 persons responded to the invitation and committed to a new level of struggle. It’s time to stand up and organize for responsible use of public money. Imagine if the military budget was used to clean up the toxins that result from bases and operations. Many reparations have not been paid as the war plays out in other ways. Think of all the agent orange and more that was dumped on southeast Asia. The number of unexploded devices on the ground in all war zones is incalculable. Imagine if America began to clean up the mess. When we are ready to understand money and take responsibility for its creation and use, we will begin to Move the Money from war to peace. The Youtube channel “Untold KEN PARKS Groundcover vendor No. 490 Histories” with historian Dr. Jeff Rich is a good summary of the Cold War and its aftermath. Diplomacy and negotiation are important skills. They begin with listening which may mean walking a mile in someone else's shoes. I listened to Lavrov’s presentation at the UN Security Council. It was an insightful look at how Russia understands the multilateral world as it emerges from Western hegemony and American exceptionalism. The NATOdriven war in Ukraine has the expressed purpose of regime change in Russia and the domination of the Eurasian landmass by Western investors. The CIA-backed Maidan coup in 2014 began the war that leapt forward in 2022 as Russia began military action to support the Russian-populated areas and its only naval base on the Black Sea. NATO covets this base in Crimea. So we have another forever war as the American military financial complex increases its declared full-spectrum dominance which begins with information control and the compliance narrative of good versus evil. We are now in the apocalyptic imagination which tempted President Reagan. His declaration of Star Wars was supported by many apocalyptic Christians, some of whom welcome nuclear war and the rapture of true believers into heaven. I wrote “People’s Peace Bank” in the May 17 issue of Groundcover. Political economy is the most obvious context of our lives. I focused on the work of Richard Werner who did the experiment showing how loans create money out of nothing. I also reccommend his video on the deep state. The main point is whether the loan promotes useful projects. There are many ways to waste money. The war system specializes in spectacular waste. “Vietnam War, The Last Secrets” is a YouTube video that chronicles the devastation of that war and the ongoing work to repair the damage. International Day of Peace will be commemorated on September 21 on the commons next to the downtown Ann Arbor library. “End the whole war system” is the theme which will focus on the move to peace. We support Move the Money Coalition, a new AUGUST 23, 2024 Cartoon by Izzy Hedin-Urrutia formation of existing peace groups and activists who feel the urgency of the world at risk. It is said that cockroaches will be the last survivors of nuclear war. “On The Beach” is a great movie about the last humans after a nuclear war. The belief that we can learn to take responsibility for our actions and change our behavior and to mature, faces the fatalism and habitual patterns of submission to the masters of violence. The power of the central planners and especially their bosses comes from the power we give them. If we use our power in more creative ways we can support a peaceful society. Our defense would be based in educated awareness of health and the mindful awareness of what needs to be done. In order to be reality-centered we need training in mindful mind and to give birth to calm and clear as our basic state of mind — the Olympic training to be who you really are. A happy inner child and mature inner adult mentor. Everyone is smiling. When the student is ready the teacher will appear. This belief that we can learn and change is the core of Move the Money Coalition. Veterans for Peace, Peace Action and Michigan Peace Council (part of the U.S. and World Peace Councils) are together in this new formation that you can join. The next meeting is Saturday August 24 at noon, at the Hamtramck Library. We will report on plans for a public event. International Day of Peace will have updates. The Ann Arbor Coalition Against War has been active since the Vietnam War. We do regular vigils at 5:30 p.m. on Fridays at Liberty and Fifth. We support International Day of Peace and Move the Money Coalition. We will work together for an October forum with candidates and movement leaders as we all learn to be fully engaged in living for peace. No more genocide. No more mass shootings. No more beating of honor students to teach them a lesson. Love can flow from our hearts as a habit for every situation. Righteous anger can be an expression of great love. It’s good to remember the peace sign which was created in 1958 using semaphore symbols for N and D, Nuclear Disarmament. South Africa and Israel were both provided assistance to develop nuclear weapons. One of the U.S. conditions for majority rule in South Africa was that they give up nuclear weapons. Everyone knows that Israel has nuclear weapons. Israel views Iran as their main enemy and wants to drag the United States into a war with Iran. The doomsday clock is seconds from midnight. Now is the time to BAN THE BOMB and MOVE THE MONEY to peace. Let’s create beautiful peace signs as an expression of a peace culture. Politicians and candidates will be invited for Peace Day. Prepare for a Question and Answer session as we move the discussion to ceasefire and negotiations. Visualize Peace. Ongoing education is available. Noam Chomsky's “The State and Corporate Complex, A Threat To Freedom and Survival,” a podcast with the Hart Institute, is excellent place to start. As we learn to share our resources, we can start with our situation among ourselves and extend it to the public pot, whether it be personal taxes or sharing the wealth of production. There is much to learn and do. Let’s take one step together and celebrate with another one. The all good expanse of primordial purity, you may say Allah or God, the Clear Light of the Void, these are like fingers pointing at the moon. Let’s breathe together for a life well lived. AUGUST 23, 2024 POLITICS A book review: You are found guilty of all counts, as charged DAVID KE DODGE Groundcover contributor Political Repression in Modern America: from 1870 to 1976 a graduate school thesis by Robert Justin Goldstein, PhD, Political Science, U of Chicago Pub. by University of Illinois Press, Urbana and Chicago c. 1978, 2001 To the reader: “You are found guilty of all counts, as charged.” “What!?” you protest, affronted; “Of what charges? Based on what evidence? In what court?” Such questions merit answers. The crimes you committed, and currently are committing, are copious — they include complicity in: loitering; disturbing the peace; vagrancy; impeding pedestrian traffic; peddling without a license; being a public nuisance; solicitation; disorderly conduct ... And the evidence against you is manifest: clearly, it is a crime to possess a “street paper,” and clearly, you are in possession of one. “WHAT?” you say. “This is the United States! There’s such a thing as Freedom of the Press in this country. And since when is it illegal to possess a street paper? There’s not a court in this country that would entertain such bogus charges, much less enter a finding of ‘guilty.’ Good luck finding a District Attorney who would even touch such prosecution!” In response, I refer you to page 518 of Goldstein’s graduate school thesis. Goldstein recounts the plight of the workers and vendors of “underground” newspapers, starting at least as early as October, 1968. In at least 13 cities across the nation, local police raided underground newspaper offices, sometimes without a warrant, seized “evidence” necessary to the functioning of the papers and damaged the offices, leaving behind gratuitous destruction. The papers’ staffs and vendors were arrested on a potpourri of charges — the police would go shopping for a charge which the courts would buy. If a charge wasn’t deemed “legit” by a judge, the police would try something else: vagrancy, littering, obstructing the sidewalk, possession of pornographic material, obscenity, instigating a riot, possession of marijuana; peddling without a license, possession of a copy of an underground newspaper … You’re right; such arrests and prosecutions are unconstitutional. And, though the Supreme Court of the United States has a spotty record as ultimate defender of Constitutional Rights, it at least sometimes comes through. But the point is that these are the tools of political repression. As unjust and wrong as they may seem, these are the instruments The State may use to avoid change in the overall system. And before you persist in your lawless possession of an underground newspaper you might ask yourself some questions and come up with candid answers: “Is time behind bars, awaiting justice, daunting?” “Is a criminal record daunting?” “Are your pockets deep enough?” and perhaps most telling, “Are you feeling lucky?” (Justice is a fickle mistress.) Your answers to the last two questions are the most important, if you recognize the Truth that in the U.S. justice is a roulette wheel, and that the “house” has deep pockets, and is near-infinitely patient. This means that, when it comes to resistance to or deviance from the status quo, the “system” generally wins. The system, at worst, risks the draw of a court proceeding unfavorable to itself (oftentimes, a mere temporary inconvenience, with the precedent always being subject to eventual reversal). But win or lose at the wheel, the system — the house — will score a victory against you: you’ll think twice before you again let Groundcover News filter its way into your life. At a number of points in his book, Goldstein cites evidence that a mere atmosphere of endless harassment and litigation, however legally bogus, can decimate dissent among activists. The status quo will be a small bit safer. Over the years of innumerable such victories, the status quo (as I call it) has become near-infinitely secure. An overriding theme of Goldstein’s book is that U.S. institutions, long accustomed to legal, tax, regulatory, property, protection and subsidization contexts “friendly” to their customary operations, are quite zealous that those contexts remain unchallenged and unchanged, Any proposal for reform which might truncate those contexts, or expand their benevolence to new institutions or methods of operation deemed uncomfortable or inconvenient to those already legitimized, can expect severe resistance. A reality of life in the United States of America is that nearly everything about the Constitution makes the status quo difficult to change. Slavery was abolished; what made it possible is that the nation was at war, and abolition of slavery made the North’s task easier. Labor unions were legitimized when the choice posed to the already legitimized business community was that of life under Communism, or that of life with labor unions in their plants. The status quo can be changed, and in the past, when the status quo has been changed, I personally regard the outcomes to be a blessing. Thus, the emancipation of the slaves. Thus the Wagner Act and its legitimization of labor unions. The “legitimized” institutions can count on a veneer of due protection of the law not available to the “illegitimate” outsiders. The actual offense of Richard Nixon’s “plumbers” in entering the Democratic Party Headquarters during the Watergate scandal in the 1970s was one offense, and mild compared to a longstanding program of routine invasion and destruction of property and records in the Socialist Party Headquarters by the FBI. But Richard Nixon was guilty of something unthinkable, and unacceptable, even to his fellow Republicans — he had violated an unwritten code of what is right to do to an institution which has the blessings of being part of the status quo. Between page 10 and page 15 of PRMA, Goldstein gives proper names of six companies serving as profit mechanisms which used at least two of those three components to fight workers: Pullman; US Steel Corporation; Republic Steel; General Motors; Pinkerton Detective Agency (which does not belong in a list of proper names of companies which served as a profit mechanism, it was listed as a company which illustrated the magnitude of the private police phenomenon); Pittsburgh Coal Company; Pennsylvania Coal and Iron Police (again, a tool of tycoons, rather than a profit mechanism); and see REPRESSION page 11  GROUNDCOVER NEWS 5
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6 GROUNDCOVER NEWS RACIAL JUSTICE AUGUST 23, 2024 Justice InDeed is uncovering the hidden histories of housing discrimination in Washtenaw County ANONYMOUS Justice InDeed is a collaborative project dedicated to exposing the deeds of thousands of homes in Washtenaw County which contain "racially restrictive covenants" — or provisions prohibiting Black people and other minorities from living there. As a group of researchers, students, residents and community activists, they are working to: • educate the community about the role these covenants and other racist housing policies played in causing segregation and economic inequality; • repeal the covenants; • and encourage the adoption of policies to repair the damage caused by systemic housing discrimination in Washtenaw County. Here are some frequently asked questions (from the Justice InDeed website): What are racially restrictive covenants? A racially restrictive covenant is part of a home's deed that prohibits people of certain races from buying and occupying property. Why were racially restrictive covenants written into deeds? Racially restrictive covenants were one of many racist tools used by white homeowners and developers to ensure that neighborhoods remained segregated. While racial covenants were written into deeds of homes in Washtenaw County as early as 1912, their use became particularly widespread both in Washtenaw County and nationally beginning in the 1920s. Institutions and individuals who wanted to enforce racial segregation saw racial covenants as an alternative to racially restrictive zoning, which the United States Supreme Court struck down as unconstitutional in 1917. Unlike racially restrictive zoning ordinances, which were enacted by the government, covenants were seen as private agreements. Both the U.S. Supreme (1926) and the Michigan Supreme Court (1922 and 1947) initially held that private individuals could enforce racial covenants in court to prevent people of color from living in their neighborhoods. Are racially restrictive covenants legal? Not anymore. In 1948, the United States Supreme Court ruled that courts, as government bodies, could no longer enforce racially restrictive covenants — although the Court did not say they were illegal (Shelley v. Kraemer). Finally in 1968, Congress passed the Fair Housing Act, outlawing housing discrimination by private parties and making racially restrictive covenants patently illegal. Although racially restrictive covenants are now illegal, they still exist as part of the deeds to thousands of homes in Washtenaw County. Restrictive covenants "run with the land," remaining on the title in perpetuity absent legal, legislative or other action. In other words, a change in ownership of the land of property does not alter existing covenants for the property. If racially restrictive covenants are unenforceable and illegal, why should we care about them? Despite the fact that they are not enforceable today, racially restrictive covenants remain on home deeds as repugnant reminders of the blatant racism that characterizes American housing practices and continues into the present day. Justice InDeed believes that it is critical to take action to address racially restrictive covenants because: 1. The covenants cause real harm in now. Whenever homebuyers Wash-tenaw County read their closing packets, they read that people of color – and sometimes non-Christians — are unwelcome in the neighborhood. It can be jarring and cause stigmatized injury. One local real estate agent told us that she knew of one would-be homebuyer who was so offended by a covenant that, even though it was unenforceable, he refused to close and decided to buy elsewhere. We see these covenants as similar to a "White Christians Only" sign at the entrance to a subdivision today; while such a sign is unenforceable, it would be — and should be — distressing to all who see it. 2. Education about racism begins at home. Justice InDeed thinks that there is no better way to teach the residents of Washtenaw County of the pervasiveness of white supremacy than to show them the house they live in has a racially restrictive covenant. This knowledge would then serve as an entree to education about, for example, (a) how covenants denied people of color the opportunity to attain wealth through homeownership, (b) how they deprived people of color the opportunity to live in neighborhoods where their children would go to integrated schools, (c) the role of the federal, state and local government see INDEED next page  AUGUST 23, 2024 RACIAL JUSTICE  INDEED from last page played encouraging racially restrictive covenants and denying mortgages to individuals who lived in areas without the covenants, and (d) the many other racist housing policies that contributed to segregation in Washtenaw County. 3. Education about restrictive covenants should impact current housing policy debates. When setting housing policy today, it is critical to know the history of housing discrimination in Ann Arbor. For example, there are those in Ann Arbor who wish to (1) stop development of new housing projects, (2) maintain one-family housing zoning throughout large parts of the city, and (3) prevent a dedicated source of funding for affordable housing. Policymakers need to understand that racially restrictive covenants and other racist housing policies caused current segregation in the city and how some of these proposals would effectively freeze discrimination in place. What should be done about them? Currently, the process of repealing covenants on a home is complex, expensive and time-consuming. However, with guidance from our Advisory Board, Justice InDeed is in conversation with community partners about ways to repeal racially restrictive covenants through neighborhood/community organizing, litigation and/or legislation. Justice InDeed is committed to finding ways to amend the deed and repeal the racial covenants without erasing or "whitewashing" history. Would repealing the racially restrictive covenant in my neighborhood, or on my house erase or "whitewash" history? Absolutely not. Justice InDeed is strongly against erasing the history of discrimination. Under this project, Washtenaw County homeowners do not redact the racially restrictive covenants or physically remove the document from Register or Deeds files. Rather, we file a new amendment document that (1) explains the harm done by racially restrictive covenants, (2) repudiates and reveals the racist restriction, and (3) replaces it with a covenant prohibiting discrimination. So historians researching the chain of title on the property would both see the original language of the racial covenant and the amendment repealing the racially restrictive covenant. Plus, Justice InDeed is mapping all neighborhoods and homes in Washtenaw where racially restrictive covenants existed as a reminder of the pervasive and ugly history of housing discrimination in our county. Author's experience Now I want to add some personal views that involve rental properties that reflect racial and economic inequality and discrimination. The rule that a renter's income must be three times the rental rate is another way to say if you are not wealthy, then we don't want you to occupy our rental property. There are also a lot of landlords who won't consider low-income people at all who have Section 8 or a Housing Choice Voucher, and will not cooperate with this program. Then there are landlords who won't keep the rental properties up to standard knowing that most renters will tolerate substandard living conditions because they don't want to become homeless. A lot of the leasing managers are not honest about some of their billing policies or practices. For example, I live in housing that did not make it clear that the property owner divides the water bill from a fourunit rental property into what is supposed to be your water bill payment each month. There are eight other renters from two other building units who use the laundry room washer. Who pays for that water? They expect you to pay the utility in full the same GROUNDCOVER NEWS 7 day they give you a bill that is simply a printout they make — not from an official utility company. This is surely illegal! The rental payment portal has no way to designate what your payments are for. If I don't pay the utility in full, they take the money and say I did not pay my rent. I feel inequities like this will always exist because money is more important than human life nowadays. Justice InDeed was featured on Centering Justice Webcast. Listen to the conversation and hear how you can make an impact in unearthing our racialized history. If interested, reach out to justiceindeed@futureroot.com. Join Justice InDeed on Monday, August 26, 7-8 p.m. for a virtual work session (on Zoom) to further document racially restrictive covenants on property deeds. Register on the Events page on their website, ceindeedmi.org justiMENTAL HEALTH IS health. TALK ABOUT YOURS TODAY! 24/7 mental health and substance use support 734-544-3050 LEARN MORE about programs funded by the community mental health and public safety preservation millage
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8 GROUNDCOVER NEWS ENTREPRENEURSHIP Ypsi entrepreneur shines: Esthetician expands business to men’s cologne and candles AMARI HAYES Groundcover contributor A local businesswoman is making waves with her unique blend of skincare and fragrance products. Amari Hayes, a licensed esthetician, has been building a successful business for the past six years, offering not only topnotch skin and hair services but also a range of men’s cologne and candles. Amari’s journey began with a passion for skincare and a desire to help people feel their best. Her spa, Enchanted Radiance Spa, quickly gained a loyal clientele thanks to her expertise and personalized approach. However, Amari's entrepreneurial spirit didn’t stop there. Recognizing a growing market for high-quality men’s grooming products and elegant home fragrances, she expanded her business to include a line of men’s cologne and candles. Expanding horizons The decision to branch out into fragrance and candles was driven by Amari’s commitment to enhancing her clients’ overall experience. “I wanted to offer something that complements the spa experience,” she explained. “Men’s cologne and candles are not just products; they are part of a lifestyle that supports relaxation and self-care.” Amari’s cologne line is carefully curated to meet the diverse tastes of her male clients, while her candles are designed to create a soothing atmosphere at home. Her dual focus on esthetics and fragrance has proven successful, as her products are gaining popularity in Ypsilanti and beyond. Community and growth Local residents and visitors alike have embraced Amari's business. Her spa is known for its welcoming atmosphere and exceptional service, while her fragrance and candle products have become popular gifts and personal indulgences. “The products are a hit with everyone who values quality and craftsmanship,” said local customer Mike Smith. “Her colognes and candles make excellent gifts and add a touch of luxury to everyday life.” Over the years, Amari has navigated the challenges of expanding her business, from managing increased inventory to marketing her new product lines. However, her dedication and innovative approach have enabled her to thrive. Her success story is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit of Ypsilanti and the power of combining passion with business acumen. As she looks to the future, Amari plans to continue growing her business and exploring new opportunities. “I’m excited about the possibilities ahead,” she said. “There’s always room for innovation and improvement, and I’m committed to delivering exceptional products and services to my clients.” For now, Amari continues to serve her community with her skills and products, proving that with creativity and determination, a successful business can be built on a foundation of passion and hard work. Advice for Groundcover vendors "Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” – Arthur Ashe AUGUST 23, 2024 Contact: For more information about Amari’s esthetician services or her range of men’s cologne and candles contact Enchanted Radiance Spa directly via phone, (810) 689-9849, email, enchantedradiancespa@gmail. com, or website enchantedradiancespa.com Spa location: 3850 2nd Street Wayne, MI 48174. AUGUST 23, 2024 PUZZLES 1 14 17 20 23 24 25 26 29 31 38 42 45 49 50 51 54 56 64 67 57 58 65 68 52 53 55 59 66 69 60 61 62 63 39 40 43 46 47 48 44 32 33 34 21 27 28 30 35 36 37 41 2 3 4 5 6 7 15 18 19 22 8 9 GROUNDCOVER NEWS LEGAL OBSERVATION Victor Fleming 10 11 12 13 16 9 Groundcover Vendor Code While Groundcover is a non-profit, and paper vendors are self-employed contractors, we still have expectations of how vendors should conduct themselves while selling and representing the paper. The following is our Vendor Code of Conduct, which every vendor reads and signs before receiving a badge and papers. We request that if you discover a vendor violating any tenets of the Code, please contact us and provide as many details as possible. Our paper and our vendors should be positively impacting our County. • Groundcover will be a voluntary purchase. I agree not to ask for more than the cover price or solicit donations by any other means. • When selling Groundcover, I will always have the current biweekly issue of Groundcover available for customer purchase. • I agree not to sell additional goods or products when selling the paper or to panhandle, including panhandling with only one paper or selling past monthly issues. • I will wear and display my badge when selling papers and refrain from wearing it or other Groundcover gear when engaged in other activities. • I will only purchase the paper from Groundcover Staff and will not sell to or buy papers from other Groundcover vendors, especially vendors who have been suspended or terminated. • I agree to treat all customers, staff, and other vendors respectfully. I will not “hard sell,” threaten, harass or pressure customers, staff, or other vendors verbally or physically. • I will not sell Groundcover under the influence of drugs or alcohol. • I understand that I am not a legal employee of Groundcover but a contracted worker responsible for my own well-being and income. • I understand that my badge is property of Groundcover and will not deface it. I will present my badge when purchasing the papers. • I agree to stay off private property when selling Groundcover. • I understand to refrain from selling on public buses, federal property or stores unless there is permission from the owner. • I agree to stay at least one block away from another vendor in downtown areas. I will also abide by the Vendor Corner Policy. • I understand that Groundcover strives to be a paper that covers topics of homelessness and poverty while providing sources of income for the homeless. I will try to help in this effort and spread the word. If you would like to report a violation of the Vendor Code please email contact@groundcovernews. com or fill out the contact form on our website. ACROSS 1. 2005 World Series losers 7. Mil. plane used on short runways 11. Firms on the NYSE 14. "Not a ___ too soon" 15. Israel's Barak 16. Prone 17. See 23-Across 18. LAX arrival 20. Apply juice, as to a turkey 22. Affectionate attention 23. Start of a quotation by 17-/39-/59Across, Jr. 29. Item on a cowboy's belt 30. 20-volume ref. 31. Give off 32. Like some synchronistic experiences 35. Half a dance? 38. Vietnamese holiday 39. See 23-Across 41. "Frasier" character 42. Suffix for lemon or lime 43. "Don't get any funny ___!" 44. With 53-Down, "The Hustler" protagonist Felson 45. "Joyful Girl" singer DiFranco 46. Catchphrase 49. End of the quotation 54. "Free Willy" animal 55. Build an extension on 56. Maine city 59. See 23-Across 64. Bon Jovi's "Livin' ___ Prayer" 65. German car manufacturer 66. Computer messages 67. Autumn air quality 68. "Say Anything ..." actress Ione 69. "Oh ___!" (cry of surprise) DOWN 1. Start of a Latin trio 2. Costa del ___ 3. "I don't want to know any more!" 4. Accelerate sharply 5. Half of a quarter? 6. Attack from the air 7. "From ___ shining ..." 8. Stealing sort 9. Your and my 10. "Bad" cholesterol letters 11. Passage with locks 12. Musical drama 13. Scatter (about) 19. Added frosting to 21. Anxiety-free 23. Letter on fraternity row 24. Proceeded toward a target 25. "Who's Who" group 26. "Saving Private Ryan" craft: Abbr. 27. Drudgery 28. Pump part 33. Author LeShan 34. Ceased to 27-Down 35. Diet guru Jenny 36. Egypt's Mubarak 37. Cortez's victim 39. Skid row tippler 40. Work on, as a manuscript 44. "Alice" spin-off 45. Gray subj. 47. "Please stand for the national ___" 48. Pessimistic 49. "___ Pop" (Dr. Seuss classic) 50. Rice-___ 51. Dump 52. Exchange, as words 53. See 44-Across 57. "Leaving ___ Vegas" 58. Arctic bird 60. Fall back 61. "O Sole ___" 62. Chi-town trains 63. Librarian's directive
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10 GROUNDCOVER NEWS POETRY Peace of mind Yes, I might not have A house A car Money Credit A bank account Shares A bridge card A bathroom An address A mirror Respect PEDRO CAMPOS Groundcover vendor No. 652 But I neither have A record A woman Children of mine Bills Rent Dues To fit Enemies To gamble Shames Pills to take A doctor To die or betray my beliefs A label Strings attached whatsoever A mistress Viciousness of any kind I never lie A dead line A manager superior to take shit from Arrows to run I don't have to I just do A shift To follow orders Or a company policy A bottle to keep me hanging My milk makes me strong Yes, I may have skipped dinner last week But I had Sonic Lunch Yes, I may not have My family around Got my feet on the ground Sure that they’re proud The way I get around The good people in this town Got my back Yes I might be homeless But I'll never be A bum A thief A coward A criminal I am honest to myself I have the church I don't have a provider I am my one and only provider God above me I have purpose Ideas, plenty Propositions I got a plan There is so little time And so much to do I need help We all do Try profiling me You’ll see that I hope I do have a home In my heart For my friends I keep my dignity All these rules make me feel free Freely, I think Wonders take me away To the river Spring water Yes, I might Have foreseen the future As I listened to the birds Filling my lungs with pure air Yes, I might say This town is so beautiful Almost heaven But sometimes I just wish I could see the stars Hugging the tree MARKONA LOVE Groundcover vendor No. 531 In the fading light of this coming night Darkness breaks for stars to pierce the void Sparkles shining truth to those who hid From a previous day’s sun. Now with the sun down, and the Moon up A glow shows a diminished Love needed To shine truth to the Light We of a true Love are assembling an army To guard our guiding light Shining for all Humanity, a message is brought By Our Conduit of Another Earthly Species … Kona Love Yet, as a simple man, but a complicated Human I experience Life at an immense intensity That abounds in my soul, a great Joy. Love and pain, like rain Are felt in union within a congregation of them And I. Now a radiant sun shining, Pours golden liquidity soaking my skin, Overflowing my grail With Love of Life’s Light Buds beneath my feet, spring from beneath My toes Burgeoning youth breaks thru a tucked nature Am I the facilitator of the Incubator My Heart layering blankets of A gifted Love, indiscriminately, Coddling friend and foe Only The Creator and Love of Life Cradle the knowledge of who was to be Conduit or Messenger Kona speaks directly to my majestic Heart Once gifted by an impatient Creator I stand in awe of under measured Love Flowing thru myself ... As I shimmer, Shine and suffer its glory. This at times becoming a tragic wrestling Between my heart and its imperfect Mind of good intent Within the weakness of a man’s egg Dark contrasts cut deep in hidden fathoms Whipping myself at my post Starry twinkles emanate my obligatory Chore until this Mortal coils. - Here though, in the tall grasses of paradise I hear flowers singing in a chorus of Daffodils led by towering sunflowers Finally, our Mother tree reconnects us Skin to her bark, feet to her roots See Kona then perch, reaching my gifted heart Her message flow from across the Cosmos As my heart gently weeps, seconds pound til my Earthly departure. AUGUST 23, 2024 AUGUST 23, 2024 POETRY Love BUK'E WYRM Sometimes the way things seem the truth we escalate happens to temperate this dismay refrain happens to occlude us as is so fits the format framing. The culture God is our surface to allow this generation some such decorations sort of happens these developments sort augment stasis quote, “wasting” and this has got to stations remove to replacing has God sent into place on love we creating? GROUNDCOVER NEWS Drowning heart (part 2) TERESA BASHAM Groundcover vendor No. 570 Some such savings BUK'E WYRM These these breed heart stings growing our dreams. The same same much hac come of this lately has happened. Enough just to come of and can self-correct their mechanism subtle suggest our message fix this life lessons has happened as can happen. How this happens some such basic sanity soul contracting fractions above the reference so some happens just to give this back with you. All we ever do not to fit the promotion wanting the most Oceans motions has this pertains to what it is obvious these things happen of their own accord God works in mysterious ways to divine miracles to perform wonders we get our truth to happen to. Only if I knew, For sure that you, Were completely mine, Not only part time, You treat any other bitch, Better than me, Thatz just one more stitch, Ta my drownin heart, Only if you could see, How itz tearin me apart, Through thee last year, I’ve cried those tears. The way life goes EARL PULLEN Groundcover contributor No one knows the way Life goes when life is young And you are old thus I can Say on that very day I have lived life in a Special way wondering what a special Life holds when life is young And you are old when dreams Come true and all you can say I have lived my life in a Special way when day turns Night and night turns day I open my eyes and then I can Say oh how I lived life In a simple special way when Day turns night and Night turns day 11  REPRESSION from page 5 Tennessee Coal Mine Company. Each of these six companies were given as illustrative of a large number of events in U.S. labor history. It is inconceivable that, in view of the prevalence of private police, company towns, and deputization of private police, as well as reliance on state militias as strikebreakers, that my “composite,” as a literary device, is far off from actual events in U.S. history. In the other 573 pages of the main body of Goldstein, he describes in exquisite detail the “recent” history of political repression in the United States, from 1870 to 1976. Political repression in the United States has gone through a number of transformations since 1870. In many ways, U.S. political repression is now more “polite” — no longer, to my knowledge, do corporate tycoons (who own company towns) hire thugs to “keep order” in their towns, especially if threatened by the disorder of striking workers. And then, after the same thugs are safely implanted at the plant gates, no longer do the same tycoons enlist the aid of the County Sheriff by deputizing the thugs, thereby augmenting the thugs’ informally recognized power (to beat on the said workers’ heads with clubs, without provocation) and arrest the workers and turn them over to the formal justice system of The State, for “processing.” (See author's note.) Such processing as done in the past would probably now, in 2024, alarm all but the most rabid Cro-magnons of the Mitch McConnells of the United States. It doesn’t really matter; such processing has been supplanted by more polite — and therefore more dangerous (because less offensive to the sensitivities of the general public) — political repression. The Ann Arbor District Library has no copies of “PRMA”. The book remains in print, from University of Illinois Press, for $40.00. Online book sellers also offer both new and used copies. Buy it. Read it. Keep it. Your favorite local bricks-andmortar bookstore needs support. your Author's note: The scenario described in this paragraph, of what happened before repression became “polite,” as far as how tycoons exploited the status quo, is a composite of a number of events described by Goldstein. Here is a partial list of Goldstein’s terms: “company towns,” see page 10; “thugs” (private police), see page 11; “deputization,” see page 13. I briefly and unsuccessfully searched PRMA for a description of a specific event in which, explicitly, 1), private police 2) entered a company town and not only assaulted striking workers, but 3) used public police powers to arrest the same workers and turn them over to the community’s criminal justice system for prosecution. But in view of the plethora of occasions when at least two of the three elements of political repression were present in the response of corporations to union activism, the likelihood that there have been occasions when all three occurred seems great. exp. 01/31/2025

August 9, 2024


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2 GROUNDCOVER NEWS GROUNDCOVER from the DIRECTOR'S DESK customer, that the vendor has been LINDSAY CALKA Managing director Did you know that the Vendor Code of Conduct is printed in every paper? (Check out page 9, beneath the puzzles.) Every Groundcover News vendor agrees to this Code of Conduct on their first day; it is a list of our rules, a reflection of our culture and also a framework of how to sell the paper successfully while upholding the reputation of the organization. One very important element of the Code is: I will wear and display my badge while selling the paper. The badge is the only uniform piece that we require vendors to wear. The badge signals to you, the through the New Vendor Orientation, has purchased their papers from the office, and is accountable to the other vendors and the organization. Perhaps most importantly, the badge contains a solicitation permit for the municipalities they sell in — a permit that makes the act of selling Groundcover legal. The sentence “Please only buy from badged vendors” is printed on the cover of every Groundcover newspaper and magazine. Recently we have had a handful of people who are not, or are no longer, affiliated with Groundcover News incessantly try to sell the newspaper. We stamp the newspapers with Vendor Numbers to ensure Venmo sales go to vendors, and to track where papers are moving once they leave the office. Consequently, this call to customers has become ever more important: Please only buy from badged vendors, and check whether the number stamped on the paper matches the badge. If not, you might not be buying from a Groundcover vendor. Please contact the office if this happens. PROVIDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELFDETERMINED INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY POVERTY, PRODUCING A STREET NEWSPAPER THAT GIVES A PLATFORM TO UNDERREPRESENTED VOICES IN WASHTENAW COUNTY, PROMOTING AN ACTION TO BUILD A JUST, CARING AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETY. Groundcover News, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in April 2010 as a means to empower lowincome persons to make the transitions from homeless to housed, and from jobless to employed. Vendors purchase each copy of our regular editions of Groundcover News at our office for 50 cents. This money goes toward production costs. Vendors work selling the paper on the street for $2, keeping all income and tips from each sale. Street papers like Groundcover News exist in cities all over the United States, as well as in more than 40 other countries, in an effort to raise awareness of the plight of homeless people and combat the increase in poverty. Our paper is a proud member of the International Network of Street Papers. GROUNDCOVER NEWS ADVERTISING RATES Size 1/8 1/6 1/4 1/2 full page Black/White $110.00 $145.00 $200.00 $375.00 $650.00 Color $150.00 $200.00 $265.00 $500.00 $900.00 Dimensions (W x H in inches) 5 X 3 or 2.5 X 6.5 5 X 4 5 X 6.25 5 X 13 or 10.25 X 6.5 10.25 X 13 STAFF Lindsay Calka — publisher Cynthia Price — editor ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS Jamie Cameron Cindy Gere Robbie February Hosea Hill Mike Jones Will Shakespeare Tony Smith PROOFREADERS Susan Beckett Elliot Cubit Zachary Dortzbach Anabel Sicko VOLUNTEERS Jessi Averill Sim Bose Luiza Duarte Caetano Glenn Gates Alexandra Granberg Jacob Fallman Robert Klingler Simone Masing Melanie Wenzel Mary Wisgerhof Max Wisgerhof Office: 423 S. 4th Ave., Ann Arbor Mon-Sat, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Phone: 734-263-2098 @groundcover @groundcovernews DONATE, LISTEN TO A STORY + LEARN MORE www.groundcovernews.org PACKAGE PRICING Three Months/Six Issues: 15% off Six Months/Twelve Issues: 25% off Full Year/Twenty-four Issues: 35% off Only run for two weeks/one issue: 40% off Additional 20% discount for money saving coupons CONTACT US Story and photo submissions: submissions@groundcovernews.com Advertising and partnerships: contact@groundcovernews.com AUGUST 9, 2024 AUGUST 9, 2024 ON MY CORNER MEET YOUR VENDOR GROUNDCOVER NEWS Undercover art intel: party time at the Ann Arbor Art Fair My journey through the Ann Keith Wilson, vendor No. 637 In one sentence, who are you? I am a father, coach, pipefitter, as well as a great guy. Where do you usually sell Groundcover? All over — but you can catch me on Ashley and Liberty. When and why did you start selling Groundcover? Earlier this year. I was broke. What is your favorite thing to do in Ann Arbor? Shoot pool. What words do you live by? Never forget what a person does for you or what a person does to you. What is something about you that someone on the street wouldn't know? I'm a hopeless romantic. What motivates you to work hard selling Groundcover? My brother James Woods. What is something you wish you knew more about? The stock market. Arbor Art Fair (July 18-20, 2024) was very exciting and much anticipated. Art is loved in this town and mural art has been exploited over the past five years. One cannot drive anywhere in Ann Arbor without seeing large art installations on buildings and underpasses. There are new flowers painted on the bridge and underpass near Delonis Center and on the nearby railroad bridge on Miller Ave. This was finished during the Art Fair this year. (See “The Art of Gentrification” in the July 12 Groundcover News.) This year, walking along the downtown Main Street Art Fair I saw many different kinds of art — two-dimensional, three-dimensional, personal favorite has always been animals from an artist named Mr. Faun who is always in the same location. He does wonderful images of so many different animals as well as flowers, including my faves: pandas, dragons and roses. As I walked up Liberty Street I saw so much color this year, from abstract paintings to colored blown glass and the vibrant illustrations of fantasy scenes. I was awestruck with the details in much of the work this year. Hours upon hours of love goes into some of the work and the price doesn't do it justice. What I find hard for artists is the level at which art is graded by price. jewelry and more. My As I walked down to William CINDY GERE Groundcover vendor No. 279 What I feel is cheap art is by far priced out of a common person’s reach, and yet what is considered cheap art is so wonderful to look at and needs to be in a higher price range. The argument has always been over what art is truly worth and so artists struggle with this forever. Almost to the end of Liberty Street, I came upon the political and nonprofit organization section for social justice issues, religions and electoral politics. What I chose to get was the free candy they give out, fun fun yum yum! I walked up to State Street and turned right; this is where I found the African American art bead vendor. He remembered me from last year and so I got some wonderful beads. As a Native American, it's hard to come by beads now without paying a huge amount. Each vendor on State Street is fun to see, from discounted clothes to wonderful food. Street, I chose to look at the different precious gems and metal workers who create totally custom-made art — one of a kind. Every jeweler was unique: some were totally modern while others had a time period attached to them, such as the 1800s. I wandered up past the University of Michigan Law School and this one artist stuck out like no other. She was a Fimo artist (Fimo is a type of clay) with very vibrant colors, and being a colorist myself, I fell in love. She had just about everything someone could want, from magnets to pins and freestanding caricatures to sculptures that looked like they were right out of a Jim Henson Muppet movie — she had it all! This was for me the ultimate fun this year. Each artist touched me with their artwork and as I wandered down a lonely path on a side street, I found the hat that has eluded me for years. This vendor artist had wonderful vibrant colorful hats for sale. I chose to get a black one as others looked like Indiana Jones was ready to show up. It was fun to see the large variety of hats at this booth. My Art Fair was full of fun and colors and new ideas. I hope you had as much fun as I did this year. 2025 Art Fair here we come … 3 Dave Bing NBA Hall of Famer David (Dave) Bing played nine seasons for the Detroit Pistons, two seasons with the Washington Bullets and one season with the HOSEA HILL Groundcover vendor No. 532 (the inventor of basketball). “Everything that I’ve ever done, I Boston Celtics. According to hoophall.com, “Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving and celebrating the game of basketball at every level.” The Naismith basketball Hall of Fame is named after John Naismith have attacked it,” Bing said, according to the Detroit Free Press in November 2020. Leaders are readers and Dave Bing certainly read often on long road trips during his NBA career. In 1989, he became involved in politics and Detroit because the city announced plans to cancel all sports programs in public schools due to budget cutbacks. He launched a campaign that raised money to save the programs. He was elected to replace former mayor Kwame Kilpatrick in 2009 and was reelected for a full term. He is an inspiration to all because he’s a good example of a person changing careers and being successful at both careers.
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4 GROUNDCOVER NEWS HOUSING CBS Sunday Morning broadcast on April 14 told the story of Houston’s “Housing First” model. The story, narrated by reporter Martha Teichner, was titled “Inside Houston’s Successful Strategy to Reduce Homelessness.” Kelly Young, President of the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston–Harris County, said that the Housing First model which was implemented in Houston should be followed by other cities in the nation. She noted, “We were one of the worst in the nation to begin with, in 2011, 2012. Since then, homelessness is down 63% in the greater Houston area, and more than 30,000 people have been housed.” Teichner talked to many of the organizers and beneficiaries of Houston’s Housing First Program. How did they do it? Instead of having dozens of homeless advocacy groups work separately on the services or programs they provide to the homeless, the community chose to create an umbrella organization known as The Way Home. This new organization is collaborative and is now called The Coalition for the Homeless of Houston–Harris County. The coalition agreed to have one president and CEO, Kelly Young; one Project Communication and Strategy Director, Mandy Chapman; Mayor’s Special Assistant Marc Eichenbaum and a dedicated board. What is Housing First? Like the Y Foundation Housing First of metropolitan Helsinki, Finland, Houston’s The Way Home Umbrella totally embraced the concepts and applications of Housing First. The National Alliance to End Homelessness provided a clear concept and definition of Housing First in a publication dated March 20, 2022: “Housing First is a homeless assistance approach that prioritizes providing permanent housing to people experiencing homelessness, thus ending their homelessness and serving as a platform from which they can pursue personal goals and improve their quality of life. “This approach is guided by the belief that people need basic necessities like food and a place to live before attending to anything less critical, such as getting a job, budgeting properly, or tackling substance use issues. Additionally, Housing First is based on the understanding that client choice is valuable in housing selection and supportive service participation, and that exercising that choice is likely to make a client more successful in remaining housed and improving their life.” The publication observes the differences between Housing First and other approaches. It states, “Housing AUGUST 9, 2024 Houston has success with "Housing First" strategy WILL SHAKESPEARE Groundcover vendor No. 258 First does not require people experiencing homelessness to address … all of their problems including behavioral health problems, or to graduate through a series of services programs before they can access housing. Housing First does not mandate participation in services either before obtaining housing or in order to retain housing. The Housing First approach views housing as the foundation for life improvement and enables access to permanent housing.” The Housing First concept discussed above is a generic concept definition. The U.S. Housing and Urban Development department’s report titled “Housing First in Permanent Supportive Housing” attempted to provide a more concise definition of Housing First. HUD stated, “Housing First is an approach to quickly and successfully connect individuals and families experiencing homelessness to permanent housing without preconditions and barriers to entry, such as sobriety, treatment or service participation requirements. Supportive services are offered to maximize housing stability and prevent returns to homelessness as opposed to addressing treatment goals prior to permanent housing entry.” On July 14, 2022, writer Robert Davis of the online magazine “Invisible People” stated that Housing First was first pioneered in the U.S. in the 1990s. It was developed by a professor named Dr. Sam Tsemberis. Housing First is premised on the principles — (a) Homelessness is first and foremost a housing crisis and can be addressed through the provision of safe and affordable housing; (b) All people experiencing homelessness, regardless of their housing history and duration of homelessness, can achieve housing stability in permanent housing. Some may need very little support for a brief period of time, while others may need more intensive and longterm supports; Everyone is “housing ready.” Sobriety, compliance in treatment, or even non-criminal histories are not necessary to succeed in housing. Rather, homelessness programs and housing providers must be More than 100 nonprofit, grassroots and government organizations are assembled under The Way Home Umbrella. “consumer ready;” (c) Many people experience improvement in quality of life in the areas of health, mental health, substance use and employment as a result of obtaining housing; (d) People experiencing homelessness have the right to self-determination and should be treated with dignity and respect; (e) The exact configuration of housing and services depends upon the needs and preferences of the population. Houston’s Housing First Implementation Strategy As noted in the introductory paragraphs, Houston was able to convince service and treatment providers, nonprofit philanthropy groups, and other homeless advocacy centers in the community, to join a coalition known as the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County. Houston’s next strategic move was to go all in by adopting the key concepts and principles of Housing First. Teichner of CBS Morning News talked to the newly housed individuals and families. She talked to outreach coordinators at some homeless encampments who use tracking devices to locate individuals with various needs, including permanent housing. She also talked to Young and the Housing First “architect” for The Way Home community umbrella, Mandy Chapman. Teichner noted that Chapman “now advises other cities on how to replicate it, among them Dallas, New Orleans and Oklahoma City.” In her conversation with Teichner, Chapman observed, “Our natural instinct when we see homelessness increasing is to hire more outreach workers and to build more shelters, beds … The idea that if you have no permanent place to live, that you are also going to be able to transform and tackle complex mental health issues, addiction issues, complex financial issues? It’s just unrealistic.” Impacts and Lessons for Cities Community impacts of Houston-Harris County’s Housing First implementation are quite impressive: • 32,000 homeless people permanently housed since 2012 by the partners of The Way Home • 90% success rate for local housing programs. (People don’t return homelessness within two years.) • 22,300 unique people who accessed homeless assistance in 2022. • $179 million in public funding in 2023. • $50 million in HUD’s Continuum of Care awarded to partners of The Way Home in 2023. • Net-zero veteran homelessness in Harris County-Houston metro area. • Over $1.4 million awarded to The Way Home in 2024 for homeless youth. On February 15, 2024, Groundcover News published an article titled, “Homelessness is a national crisis in America: lessons from Finland’s ‘Housing First’ policies.” Finland native Alexandra Granberg shared her knowledge of Finland/Helinski’s Housing First model with our local readers. Many other cities have tried to see HOUSTON page 11  CBS Sunday Morning also reported that “Houston has dismantled 127 homeless encampments, but only after housing had been found for all the occupants. So far this year, The Way Home has already housed more than 750 people. It helps that the city, unlike many, has a supply of relatively affordable apartments, and that it was able to use roughly $100 million in COVID aid to help pay for rentals on top of its other homeless relief dollars. But Houston’s message is this: What’s really essential to success is committing to homes, not just managing homelessness.” AUGUST 9, 2024 HOUSING Section 86’d: Housing Choice Voucher waitlist closes in Michigan Last month, the waiting list for Section 8 housing vouchers closed statewide. No new applications will be taken and existing renewals will not happen. The waiting list will be dropped entirely. This leaves some people who have been anxiously waiting for their spot for years feeling frustrated. The multi-year process of checking-in, preparing paperwork, meeting case managers can be a daunting effort. Two friends of mine are going through the process, Steve and Amy. They’re navigating the challenging terrain of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority’s (MSHDA) Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program, commonly known as Section 8. This program is essential for providing affordable housing to low-income residents, but the process can be fraught with difficulties, especially with the complexities of the waiting list in Washtenaw County. The MSHDA Housing Choice Voucher Program operates on a waiting list system to manage the demand for affordable housing. In Washtenaw County, where the need is high, this waiting list can extend over several years. This lengthy wait often leads to considerable confusion and frustration for those seeking assistance. According to the County's website, there were over 2,400 vouchers administered in Washtenaw County in 2023, and 140 are reserved for homeless households. One major issue is that the waiting list is dynamic rather than static. Applicants are placed on the list based on their application date and need, but changes can occur, including additions or removals based on various criteria.This can make it difficult for applicants to understand their current standing and predict when they might receive assistance. Mercy House] and certain people at Delonis. It’s stupid. I owned a trailer and tried to apply for Section 8. It could have totally eliminated this process. I could have saved my place. “Seriously,” Amy continued. “I ROBBIE FEBRUARY Groundcover contributor Due to budget constraints, the HCV program will not release any new vouchers for the foreseeable future. During this time, MSHDA will close all HCV waitlists to new additions starting July 1, 2024, and waitlists will remain closed until the budget allows for new vouchers to be released. Budget shortfalls from the federal government coupled with rising housing costs have created a deficit in the program. Misunderstandings Complicating the process further are the project preferences that influence an applicant’s waiting list status. MSHDA administers the HCV Program with various housing projects and landlords, each with their own criteria for accepting tenants. Preferences may prioritize certain demographics, such as veterans or individuals with disabilities, which can affect an applicant’s placement on the waiting list. Steve shared his frustration with the lack of clarity in the process: “We were living at the Purple House for the winter a few days a week. That is when we got the first letter about being kicked off the list. I am not used to this craziness. I don’t know how any of this works.” Amy followed up, “We felt defeated. Like nobody cares, except people like Peggy [Lynch, founder of had 23 teeth taken out and had emergency surgery this month. Recovering in my car is hard. We are so thankful for the car, but I have neuropathy. Have you experienced waking up in the winter with burning hot feet? Like someone has a f***ing torch to your feet. But because of Peggy, no lie, this pain was significantly reduced. “ “Well, it’s shitty that someone has to recover from surgery sleeping on a floor or in a car seat,” I replied. “Duh,” Amy and Steve say in unison. Administrative challenges and communication barriers Administrative challenges within MSHDA itself further contribute to the difficulties. Bureaucratic processes can create barriers to effective communication and management of the waiting list. Many applicants, including Steve and Amy, report struggles with reaching MSHDA staff, receiving timely responses, or understanding the instructions provided. “I felt like we had no support from the County,” Steve noted. MSHDA’s website and online resources, while useful, might not always be up-to-date or comprehensive. Applicants often rely on these resources for guidance, but outdated information can lead to misunderstandings about the waiting list process.The people who help locally are Delonis Center and HAWC (Housing Access of Washtenaw County). Steve and Amy stayed in their car often last winter. They not only suffered from below freezing temperatures, they were also harassed by law enforcement. Steve said, “We were targeted by the police in November. Received multiple tickets on back to back days while caring for a friend sleeping in our car.” “Get one ticket that I can’t afford to pay, then I get a late fee. My tags are soon expired and I can’t get them updated until I catch up with the tickets. Even if we are homeless, we pay taxes. These $100 tickets have Robbie (right) interviewing Amy and Steve (left, middle). see HCV page 8  GROUNDCOVER NEWS What’s Happening at the Ann Arbor District Library Open 10am–8pm Daily Hang out in any of our five locations across town, browsing books, magazines, newspapers, and more, or check out movies, CDs, art prints, musical instruments, and home tools— you name it! Study and meeting rooms, fast and free WiFi, and plenty of places to sit and hang out. The Summer Game If you’re reading this, the 2024 Summer Game is officially in full swing! Use your Library this summer to find codes, solve puzzles, attend events, and earn points toward awesome AADL prizes. Visit aadl.org/play to learn more and get started! Fifth Avenue Press AADL founded Fifth Avenue Press in 2017 to support the local writing community and promote the creation of original content. The imprint publishes works by authors who live in Washtenaw County. Consider submitting your finished manuscript to Fifth Avenue Press today at fifthave.aadl.org. FEATURED EVENT Summer Game SKATE Friday, August 23 • 6–8pm Yost Ice Arena Join AADL at Yost Ice Arena to celebrate the end of Summer Game 2024! There will be no charge for admission or skate rentals. Eli and his game code shirt will be in attendance. Please note: Skate at your own risk! 5
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6 GROUNDCOVER NEWS CRISIS RESPONSE First year of Care-Based Safety: workshops, community building, place-based response On June 18, the Wayne Police Department murdered John Zook Jr. He called the police for help during a mental health crisis and they responded by shooting him six times. On July 6, the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department in Springfield, Ill. murdered Sonya Massey in her own kitchen after she called 911 to report a possible intruder in her home. We hear stories like this far too often when it comes to police and ordinary citizens in distress. “Care-Based Safety” is an unarmed response organization, established in September 2023. Their main objective and purpose is to keep people of color, Indigenous, undocumented, unhoused, LGBTQIA+, people using drugs, and/or those experiencing mental health struggles safe by addressing: • Conflict such as arguments, disagreements • Basic first aid (wound care, wellness checks) • Overdose prevention, reversal, and aftercare • Noise complaints and neighbor concerns • Distress related to mental health and other stressors Care-Based Safety is building a community response program that brings loving, unarmed support to people directly impacted by structural violence. The Ypsilanti Care-Based Response pilot program has been operating throughout the summer in the downtown area. They work out of 16 S. Washington St. in partnership with Growing Hope and FedUp Ministries to respond to conflicts and troubling issues that might occur in the downtown area. Care-Based Safety planned to serve the most vulnerable in the Ann Arbor area as well, but on Dec. 18, 2023, Ann Arbor voted to cancel their most recent Request for Proposals (RFP) for an unarmed response program. CareBased Safety was the only organization that submitted a proposal to this RFP, so Ann Arbor effectively rejected CBS when they canceled it. The Ann Arbor City Council received many negative comments from CBS supporters, but didn’t change its vote. Note that Care Based Safety is the first and only unarmed response organization in the state. I talked to Washtenaw County native Liz Kennedy, the director, who leads operations and culture work at CareBased Safety. “How do you like your job at CBS?” I asked. She said, “I love MIKE JONES Groundcover vendor No. 113 it. It's an amazing opportunity to bring a purely non-police community-led program here in Ypsilanti. I grew up in Washtenaw County, and I lost a lot of loved ones to overdoses, violence and incarceration over the years. I myself am a survivor, so it is a really humbling experience to be able to support and bring a program like this to life because I feel we as a community need more options, more tools in the tool box, when it comes to getting crisis care and healing support.” I also asked her, “Why does this community need CBS?” She answered, “The community we serve asked for CBS. We are a very diverse group of community leaders who work, live and play in Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor, and in the wider Washtenaw County community. We are the representatives of people who are most impacted by police and all of state violence like people of color, trans and queer, and those suffering from mental health issues, and together we are developing a care-based system for all. Care-Based Safety is created by us and for us.” I also had a chance to talk to Community-Building Lead Sheri Wander, and she wanted our readers to know: “The pilot program is a place-based pilot, meaning we will be in the downtown area and if any crisis or conflict is brought to our attention, we will respond from there (not in response to a phone number). In part, this is a capacity issue, because we don’t have the people or funding to have an outward facing phone number that would allow us to respond to a large geographic area. But also, there is a particular need in this area. So many people hang out downtown, [people with] intersecting identities, people of color, poor, homeless, [with] alcohol and substance abuse — leaving many in our community vulnerable to over-policing and the penal system. “The pilot program is largely about community building. When we co-created Care-Based Safety through listening sessions and surveys, we heard over and over that 50% of the work AUGUST 9, 2024 Top: Music circle at the place-based pilot. Bottom: CBS staff members Amal Omer, Robert Ramaswamy, Sheri Wander and Marquise Williams. should be about community-building. Building trust and a safety net in our community is the only way for it to be successful. And that those who respond to whatever situations that might occur in our community should be from the community. “We plan to have days where we have fun: dance parties, karaoke, rap contests — and we have cornhole and a giant Jenga game. And also be on the lookout on really hot days for us to host a cooling center for those who need to escape the harsh summer heat. “We also hope people will give monetary donations, and/or their time and services so we can better help our community with resources needed. Visit our website to donate and for more information on how to get involved: carebasedsafety.org “For those who need these services, we will be at 16 S. Washington St, every Wednesday and Thursday from 5-9 p.m. throughout summer.” Note: Wellness Wednesdays include: Haircuts, foot care and more. Thursday’s Fundays includes: Music, dance, and games. Be safe, and have a great summer! AUGUST 9, 2024 AROUND TOWN Visual Arts Contest winners announced GROUNDCOVER STAFF On Sunday, August 4 we gathered at the Makeshift Gallery to celebrate the close of the 2024 Groundcover News Visual Arts Contest. We listened to music by Desmond Bratton, Randall McCaleb, Violin Monster and Amanda Gale. The community cast the last votes for their favorite submissions. The popular choice was decided by tallying the 21 online votes and 265 physical ballots. Our panel of judges — composed of Washtenaw County artists Barry Chattillion, T'onna Clemmons, Denali Gere and Ria Daugherty — selected the four juried winners through a consensus process. Thank you to all who engaged with this project over the summer — buying each of the summer issues featuring the submitted artwork, visiting and viewing the work at the downtown AADL or the Makeshift Gallery. Thank you to the donors who made this arts contest possible. And of course, thank you to all the artists who submitted work — it is your creations and talents that made this contest worth doing! If you have any feedback, ideas for next year, or would like to participate in planning the project, reach out to contact@ groundcovernews.com PHOTO PAINTING DRAWING OPEN/MIXED GROUNDCOVER NEWS 7 Juried choice: Hosea Hill Popular choice: Cindy Gere Juried choice: Robbie February Popular choice: Cindy Gere Juried choice: James Manning Popular choice: Philip Spink Juried choice: Robbie February Popular choice: Terri Demar
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8 GROUNDCOVER NEWS VENDOR VOICES  HCV from page 5 kept Amy and I in a precarious situation for months. The stress of it has caused a few medical concerns. We have had four surgeries between the two of us in the last 30 days. This isn’t any way to heal and it will cause us years of recovery that could have and should have been prevented.” Amy reaches out for Steve's hand and we continue the interview. “I met Steve in first grade.” Amy added, “I was married for 15 years with two kids. My husband passed away in 2015 and my life has been a mess since. I was 35 when he died. We had no insurance, nothing. I had a trailer in Wixom. Steve and I stayed in touch and started traveling together in November 2022. We were in the same situation, we were f***ed and let’s just say we were still f***ed. We chose to find shelter together compared to two bad separate home situations.” Steve said “The first letter we got [from MSHDA] stated that it was determined that we were housed. I was like ‘When? And how the f*** did anyone determine we were housed?’ We followed up with them and I felt the community was turning on me. We were in a lot of contact with PATH. Or maybe sh*t got lost in the shuffle. Last year, PATH would come out and check on us. This year I feel like we have no support from the County." Addressing the confusion To address these issues in Washtenaw County, several measures could be considered: 1. Improve mail handling: Ensuring reliable mail delivery for shelters like the Delonis Center is crucial. MSHDA should work with these facilities to resolve mail issues and explore alternative communication methods, such as digital notifications or secure online portals. 2. Improve communication: The HCV program could improve its communication strategies by providing clear, updates about the waiting list process. Enhancing accessibility through multiple communication channels would also be beneficial. 3. Clarify project preferences: Offering transparent information about project preferences and criteria would help applicants understand how these factors affect their waiting list status. Clear guidelines can aid applicants in making more informed decisions. 4. Simplifying administrative procedures: This will improve efficiency and reduce delays. Investing in technology and staff training might enhance waiting list management and applicant experience. 5. Provide educational resources: Offering workshops or resources to educate applicants about the waiting detailed instructions and list process, their rights, and available options can empower them to navigate the system more effectively. By tackling these areas, MSHDA can better support applicants like Steve and Amy, reducing the stress and uncertainty associated with the waiting list and ultimately providing more effective and equitable affordable housing assistance. MSHDA will continue to provide rental assistance on behalf of current HCV participants as their program participation is not impacted by the shortfall. MSHDA may continue to assist families in these programs: Project-Based Voucher program, Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program, and the Stability Voucher program. People who are seeking publicly funded housing should take heart. Many other states have suspended their waiting lists only to reopen them again. New York recently reopened a previously closed list. Over two hundred thousand people applied for less than three thousand vouchers, but there are other opportunities as well. Steve adds a personal note: “I can still beat up on some of those younger guys on the disc golf course. When I’m done, I’ll whip them up with a tasty dish of Stevey sauce served on my favorite disc.” His humor underscores the resilience and determination that keep him and Amy going despite the challenges they face. exp. 01/31/2025 AUGUST 9, 2024 AUGUST 9, 2024 PUZZLES 1 13 16 18 23 28 31 34 37 44 47 50 56 61 63 Groundcover Vendor Code While Groundcover is a non-profit, and paper vendors are self-employed contractors, we still have expectations of how vendors should conduct themselves while selling and representing the paper. The following is our Vendor Code of Conduct, which every vendor reads and signs before receiving a badge and papers. We request that if you discover a vendor violating any tenets of the Code, please contact us and provide as many details as possible. Our paper and our vendors should be positively impacting our County. • Groundcover will be distributed for a voluntary donation. I agree not to ask for more than the cover price or solicit donations by any other means. • When selling Groundcover, I will always have the current biweekly issue of Groundcover available for customer purchase. • I agree not to sell additional goods or products when selling the paper or to panhandle, including panhandling with only one paper or selling past monthly issues. • I will wear and display my badge when selling papers and refrain from wearing it or other Groundcover gear when engaged in other activities. • I will only purchase the paper from Groundcover Staff and will not sell to or buy papers from other Groundcover vendors, especially vendors who have been suspended or terminated. • I agree to treat all customers, staff, and other vendors respectfully. I will not “hard sell,” threaten, harass or pressure customers, staff, or other vendors verbally or physically. • I will not sell Groundcover under the influence of drugs or alcohol. • I understand that I am not a legal employee of Groundcover but a contracted worker responsible for my own well-being and income. • I understand that my badge is property of Groundcover and will not deface it. I will present my badge when purchasing the papers. • I agree to stay off private property when selling Groundcover. • I understand to refrain from selling on public buses, federal property or stores unless there is permission from the owner. • I agree to stay at least one block away from another vendor in downtown areas. I will also abide by the Vendor Corner Policy. • I understand that Groundcover strives to be a paper that covers topics of homelessness and poverty while providing sources of income for the homeless. I will try to help in this effort and spread the word. If you would like to report a violation of the Vendor Code please email contact@groundcovernews.com or fill out the contact form on our website. ACROSS 1. Corner store 7. Cite as evidence 13. Made square 14. Congenial 16. Led 17. Ornamental purple flower 18. Make a mistake 19. Part of GPS (Abbr.) 21. ___ Havre, French seaport 22. Neck accessory 23. "Smart" one 25. Confined, with "up" 27. Defensive spray 28. Gossip, slang 29. 007 30. Cast a ballot 31. "La Scala di ___" (Rossini opera) 32. Not at home 33. ___ Rapids, Iowa 34. Viking weapon 37. Of dairy cows 39. What might come before the chicken 40. Barber's motion 44. "Don't bet ___!" 45. Part of TLC 46. Ditty 47. "What are the ____?" 48. Information unit 49. Swerves at sea 50. Something old, something ___ 51. Yes, in Spanish 52. Disliked, in a text (Abbr.) 55. After expenses 56. Upholster's heavy, floral friend 59. Scalawag 61. One working at a copy shop, maybe 62. Ace place? 63. "___ Roots" 64. Looked after, with "to" 57 51 58 48 52 53 59 62 64 DOWN 1. Decapitates 2. Cover 3. Honey 4. Armageddon 5. Orders to plow horses 6. Mark of "Game of Thrones" 7. Austrian river 8. Gave out, as cards 9. "Truth or ____" 10. "Born in the ___" 11. Choral composition 12. Siren 14. Shiny shoe material 15. Old-fashioned "you" 20. Shoot off one's mouth 24. White Burgundy wine 26. Bismarck st. 27. Demureness 29. The two of them 30. Annoy 33. Hamster's home 35. Division of a play 36. "Snowy" bird 37. Contemporary people 38. Lived inside, as a spirit 41. Multifaceted 42. Incorporate something into a fabric 43. Crushed into a powder 45. Famous baseball pitcher Young 47. "___ bitten, twice shy" 48. Pig out 51. Achy 53. At one time, at one time 54. Valley 57. Toni Morrison's "___ Baby" 58. Nothin' but ___! 60. Merkley or Wyden, e.g. (Abbr.) 54 60 38 45 35 39 24 29 32 36 40 46 49 55 41 42 43 33 19 20 25 26 30 2 4 5 6 7 8 GROUNDCOVER NEWS CROSSWORD from the International Network of Street Papers 3 9 14 17 21 27 22 10 11 12 15 9
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10 GROUNDCOVER NEWS STREET MYTH A breakdown of Homer's The Iliad Not being a lover of Classical Literature, I found it hard to read The Iliad. My saving grace is that as a grandson of George Glenn Cameron, a former archaeologist and History teacher, I followed in his footsteps as a student of anthropology at Eastern Michigan University. My understanding of the Iliad is due to the writing style of Homer, and my being a student of Hermetic and Ceremonial Magic, and a lover of the mysteries of the gods/goddesses. And that Homer begins his book not as a dry run of the history of the Trojan War, but as dialogue between man and the divine. Homer's books “The Iliad” and “The Odyssey” are required reading in many programs of Great Books, one of which, from beginning to end, "St. John's College, the Freshman level of Great Books," I am determined to finish in my spare time. All of us have at our disposal time to read ten pages a day of a particular book, in a form of self sacrifice of what else we may do with that amount of time on a daily basis. This tale covers the Trojan War in prose style of classical literature. Not being an avid fan of history but rather religion and the anthropology of religion no less, it is fortuitous that the story begins as a dialogue between Man and his Divine source. Great heroes of the time are included in this tale. The Trojans and the Achaeans are both covered in this battle. I must admit it took more than just the text in an English translation from Classical Greek, supplemented by Spark Notes and Cliffs Notes for me to comprehend the book. How does this relate to homelessness and economic struggles in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti? A fair question. It is because we all have inner battles and wars, sometimes spilling out into the physical realm — as within so without, as without, so within. In understanding a ship’s crew in waters unknown, seeking dry land on which to dock and pursue unknown treasure, we can find that literature is a great treasure, helping us to understand life and death itself. Is death always easier than life?If we think so we are sadly mistaken, as it (Death) is our greatest foe we all must face, and we can choose to enter into it in the role of Coward or Hero. This is not to say that Death is easy, nay, very much the opposite. The best we can do is to live a virtuous life and enter into the great unknown as a courageous hero, having fought our wars in life itself before meeting our ultimate end, seeking perhaps the very hand of Helen, Hera or the hand of Jove. Our next foe of life is that of ignorance. To this end I seek to aid you, my dear reader, with a condensed underJAMIE CAMERON Groundcover vendor No. 612 by the gods, and Agamemnon powerful himself as captain of the fleet and king of Mycenae. The Acheans (Greeks) sought to make war with the Trojans due to the lying spirit sent by Jove in the dream of Agamemnon. It was stated in the dream that they, the Acheans, would fight the Trojans and take the city of Troy. I am currently on the second book of The Iliad, so forgive my ignorance in writing this before finishing the book itself. A parallel to what is occurring in this standing of The Iliad. We can find in this story (and perhaps why Virgil and Shakespeare appear in my mind as I read this great tale) the Trickster God, or a god in his malicious role. In the form of a dream, the God Jove sent this lying spirit to the captain of the fleet. Many of us may view Jove, or Jupiter, as not only a father of gods and goddesses, but as the very source itself, both in roles of the trickster and a non-trickster. If we view life as a potential of a trickster as well as reality, a dream or in our waking up to reality from a world of dream, we may see a parallel, and that is what I seek to leave you with. We in this world may not be unarmed, but none of us can afford to stroll down the street armed with spears and swords and shields. Nay, this would immediately put us in bonds. So I implore you to consider the times in which this tale took place. We now have the benefit of entire libraries at our disposal, a benefit of our times, despite those who seek to burn or ban books. Ignorance is our greatest foe. May libraries become your — our — sanctuary, with a common theme as we seek to learn and understand, not just use it as a warming or cooling center as we go about our days and nights. Nay, make much use of these centers of learning. If the internet fails to work on a given day, there are still words on paper from which we can extract an education. With that, I invite you to join me in the quest to understand the point of The Iliad and its characters, and perhaps see in our modern times the parallels to being homeless. As you read this, we are seeing multiple wars across the globe, which in itself seek natural resources and people to exploit, and to seek treasures in the form of human and political power, money a bonus. Achilles is not just a Greek restaurant, but a great man of renown, a hero. In Book One of The Iliad, Homer presents a quarrel between Achilles and Agamemnon, with Achilles aided world is a competition between two parties seeking to take control of the United States, one as just another leader, while one wants to be not just a man but a king and God. You feel me on this point? If not, here is the spoiler — Harris and Trump. Where this intersects with the homeless is by which social programs or policies one or the other seeks to exploit, corrupt or completely take away. Let us view Troy as the United States, and the treasures sought as the money behind the social programs and domestic and foreign policies. Troy was set up to fall, aided by the gods, the hand of Helen as the prize to gain in a major war between the Acheans and the Trojans. Helen may very well be the voting process, our democracy, as opposed to a monarchy that one party seeks. This will affect each and every one of us, in high places and low. So who are the Acheans and who are the Trojans? And of what shall be the fate of Troy? What gods shall we appease with burnt offerings? Where is the hand of Jove or Zeus himself in all of this? This may be viewed on the global theater: in Venezuela a tied election for or against the people; Ukraine, if victorious, will prevent a dictator from taking other countries at will. Should Ukraine fail to be aided by the gods, let us hope the hand of Zeus and AUGUST 9, 2024 Hera be with us all. Let us set up altars for our household gods and goddesses, with regular offerings and praise. In the end, let us hope our democracy stays and stands through our Heroine, rather than the man who wants to be King and a God himself. Let the trickle-down effect be seen, heard and felt in favor of the common (wo)man of this city of Troy (the United States). Let the Olympics not be a distraction in all of this. Let Olympus’s gods and goddesses reign, and not man. Let the treasure (our election process) remain safe and guarded in the open, along with its trickle-down programs and policies. - AUGUST 9, 2024 AROUND TOWN Operation robin rescue: do's and dont's I was on my way to the library. I had some applications to follow up on and I was going to orate my article for the Groundcover Speaks podcast. I was just making my way as I usually do —shouting obscenities at passersby and generally being offensive — when I saw a baby bird on the ground. This little bird didn't look happy. I looked up and I saw the nest, which was WAY TOO HIGH!!! I couldn’t reach it. I was faced with a choice: I could give up my plans for the morning or say “that’s life in the big city” to the bird and keep moving. I picked up the little bird and I wondered what to do. I couldn't leave him to the ants, the life of a bird is short enough and they would get theirs soon enough. A man walked up to a pick-up truck nearby and I asked him if he would help. He said yes! But when we examined the area below the nest site his truck was not going to fit. “Oy vey,” he said with a sad look on his face. He wanted to help, but the planters by the tree were not gonna move. Those planters have to weigh tons! So I thanked the kind man and I figured maybe someone at the Groundcover office might help? They sure weren't expecting me to walk into the office at that time and definitely not with some kind of dang baby bird. But I did it anyway. I thought maybe there would be a step ladder or something we could get. Many people were apprehensive about the bird's fate. Many said, “You touched it, now the momma bird will reject it.” I explained if I didn't the poor bird was destined to be ant food, so I had to try. It turns out I did the right thing. I went outside the office and turned over rocks till I found a grub and two worms. I didn't go full on momma bird and chew them up, but I did smash them a bit. The bird bros had this to say: “If you find a baby bird, it likely does not need your help unless it is featherless or has its eyes closed. These birds are nestlings and aren’t ready to leave the nest yet. If you can locate the nest nearby, the How to Help a Grounded Baby Bird When you come upon a hatchling or TONY SMITH Groundcover contributor nestling on the ground, look for a nest in the area; it’s likely to be within a few yards. Then follow these steps: (1) Put on gloves (or, if you don’t have gloves, wash your hands). (2) Gently pick up the baby bird and place it back into the nest. Note: If the nest has been damaged best thing to do is simply place the nestling back in the nest. If you cannot locate the nest, leave the nestling where you found it or move it to a shaded area. The parents will come back. Don’t worry, your scent won’t deter the parents. “As birds get bigger, they outgrow the nest and need room to move around, flap their wings and learn to fly. These more developed birds are fledglings and they can easily be identified by their more developed feathers. They can hop and flutter on their own. Fledglings don’t need help — their parents are nearby and still caring for them. Be sure to give them plenty of space.” (US Fish and Wildlife) It's important to know the stages of a bird; when they first leave the nest it might be awkward. My guy seemed like late stage two to me. Baby birds go through three stages: Hatchling (usually 0-3 days old). It hasn’t yet opened its eyes, and may have wisps of down on its body. It’s not ready to leave the nest. Nestling (usually 3-13 days old). Its eyes are open, and its wing feathers may look like tubes because they’ve yet to break through their protective sheaths. It’s also not ready to leave the nest. Fledgling (13-14 days old or older). This bird is fully feathered. Its wings and tail may be short, and it may not be a great flyer, but it can walk, hop or flutter. It has left the nest, though its parents may be nearby, taking good care of it. or is too high to reach, you can place the bird in a woven basket from your local garden store and hang it on a low branch. A basket looks to birds like a natural nest and the weave design will allow rainwater to drain through it and prevent the baby bird from drowning. Watch from a distance to see if the parent comes back to the nest. This may take a few hours, so if you can’t stay, try to come back later that day to check. If the parent bird doesn’t return to the nest, or you can’t find the nest: 1. Using gloved or clean hands, place the bird in a container (e.g., a shoe box) lined with soft cloth. You can use paper towels, a baby blanket or a piece of clothing. 2. If you have a heating pad, place it on the lowest setting and put it under the soft bedding to keep the baby bird warm. A hot water bottle also works well. 3. Place the box with the baby bird in a dark, quiet place away from people and pets. 4. Don’t give the bird food or water. 5. Contact your local wildlife rehabilitation center to arrange for further care. I left the Groundcover office with the bird in a blue laundry container. I’d squished a few worms and a grub. I was this bird's mommy now — a mommy from Hell! I had a chair and one of the Groundcover reporters came with me in case I needed a hand. I was grateful for her because my plan involved balancing on a chair made during the Eisenhower administration. As luck would have it things would work out perfectly. When we arrived at the corner I soon found out that the chair was not going to cut it. So I had the idea of trying the library; the librarian was helpful but no one was available to help. So I returned to the scene. The little bird was chirping and its mother stood a distance away calmly watching the situation. Its little mouth opened wide and its eyes squinted hard so I gave it the last of the worms while I figured what to do. It was then birdy lightning struck. Across the street were two guys one with a ladder of just the right size and another with a pull cart. I yelled and gesticulated wildly as I ran across the street. The look on their faces was definitely one of trepidation. That all changed when I told them the situation. They gladly came to aid in my mission of mercy. We set up the ladder and got to business. During this time I learned that the pair worked for the city hanging banners on street lamps and putting up posters. Very likely you have passed their work many times. They may not paint the art for the pieces they hang, but if not for them and their coworkers the many beautiful pieces would not be hung so often and changed with good regularity. In an instant the heroes of this story turned from regular working guys into an elite bird rescue team. As a backup, I had the number of the nature rehab people on deck, but as you will see in the film [https://files. catbox.moe/5m22x3.mp4], everything worked out. A few days on everything looks fine, I’ve checked and no dead Birdy :). I did see their mother catching worms the next day, and heard the wee birds' near-ravenous peeping. As I was doing the final revising of this piece I had another interesting bird experience. This time with a fledgling (the last stage of baby birds). It landed on my back and proceeded to chirp in my ears for like ten minutes. In this stage of bird development the birds can fly, but they are still learning. A nice lady wanted to keep the bird because she thought it was lost. Enjoy and be kind to our feathered friends. GROUNDCOVER NEWS 11  HOUSTON from page 4 implement the Housing First model with varying degrees of success and failure. Atlanta says that they succeeded in reducing their community’s homeless population by 40% by using the Housing First approach. Dallas and Salt Lake City saw some improvements. However, Los Angeles is still searching for a significant improvement after implementing the Housing First strategy. Grand Rapids/ Kent County’s coalition to end homelessness which includes more than 60 Continuum of Care partners recently plans to house 100 chronically homeless people within 100 days. Houston’s Housing First success story should resonate with local and state government leaders who are searching for durable solutions to their challenges with unhoused, unsheltered and growing street homelessness. Houston presents a good case study. National Alliance to End Homelessness research has shown that Housing First is more cost effective than traditional rapid rehousing programs. Washtenaw County is not as large an urban county as Harris County. However, Ann Arbor, the County Seat, lacks affordable housing. Rent inflation continues to be too high. Ypsilanti is somewhat more affordable, but the cost of housing is rising there, too. Local and state governments should implement Housing First policies but they will likely need economic support from the federal government to make substantial headway.
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12 GROUNDCOVER NEWS FOOD Mouth-watering meatballs ELIZABETH BAUMAN Groundcover contributor Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef 1 pound Italian sausage 1 egg 1/2 cup finely chopped onion 1/4 cup chopped parsley (or a bit more) 1/4 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese 4-ounce block of mozzarella cheese Directions: Mix the first 6 ingredients together in a large bowl. Form into balls a little larger than a golf ball. Stuff with centimeter-cubed piece of mozzarella cheese. Place on cookie sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees. Do not allow the cheese to melt out of the meatball. Remove from cookie sheet and blot to remove grease. Transfer to a pot of your favorite marinara sauce and allow meatballs to simmer for an additional 30-40 minutes. Serve hot with spaghetti noodles. PUZZLE SOLUTIONS B O D E G A AUGUST 9, 2024 A D D U C E E V E N E D P L E A S A N T H E A D E D A M A R A N T H E R R S Y S T A L E C L E T I E P E N T M A C E D I S H B O N D V O T E S E T A O U T C E D A R B A T T L E A X E O D D S M I L C H E G G S N I P O N I T C A R E B Y T E N E W S I H T E D N E T C R E T O N N E R A S C A L E N L A R G E R S L E E V E S T R E E T T E N D E D T U N E Y A W S $5 OFF NATURAL FOODS MARKET 216 N. FOURTH AVENUE ANN ARBOR, MI PHONE (734) 994 - 9174 • PEOPLESFOOD.COOP ANY PURCHASE OF $30 OR MORE One coupon per transaction. Must present coupon at the time of purchase. Coupon good for in-store only. No other discounts or coop cards apply. Not valid for gift cards, case purchases, beer or wine. OFFER EXPIRES 8/23/2024

July 26, 2024


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2 GROUNDCOVER NEWS GROUNDCOVER voting INFORMATION NEXT ELECTION Tuesday, August 6: Primary election — Federal, state and local candidates, proposals Tuesday, November 5: General election VIEW PERSONALIZED VOTING INFORMATION www.vote411.org • See what's on your ballot • Check your voter registration • Find your polling place • Discover upcoming debates in your area EARLY VOTING INFORMATION Michigan voters now have the right to vote early in-person during nine (9) full days prior to every major election. To do so, voters must visit one of the Early Voting sites assigned to the city or township they live in. All sites are open from the second Saturday through the Sunday immediately prior to every major election, including on the weekends. Wondering where and when you can vote early? Look up your voter record and early voting site information at Michigan.gov/Vote WATCH CANDIDATE FORUMS League of Women Voters - Washtenaw County organized and recorded all-candidate forums for the August Primary races, including the Board of Commissioners. my.lwv.org/michigan/washtenaw-county SAFER COMMUNITIES START WITH SUPPORTING PEOPLE, NOT POLICING THEM. Kat Layton’s approach to public safety goes beyond traditional policing models. With 44% of jailed individuals reporting at least one mental health condition, and jails disproportionately affecting people of color, we need systems that don't criminalize people of color, the poor, unhoused, or mentally ill. By investing in community programs that address the root causes of crime, like mental health services, harm reduction, affordable housing, and education, we can create safer and more resilient communities without relying on police. ACTION ITEMS KAT INTENDS TO FULFILL Realign Millage Funding: Determine the true allocation of funds from the Mental Health & Public Safety Millage and redirect spending to support its original purpose, addressing underfunded programs focused on root issues. Work towards prioritizing support services over law enforcement funding. Unarmed & Non-Police Crisis Response: Leverage county funding for an data-driven, unarmed crisis response program without police involvement, while working towards providing pre-arrest diversion and deflection programs. 24/7 Shelter and Resource Center: Establish a year-round warming and cooling center for our unhoused neighbors in collaboration with the county and community organizations, with the long-term goal of developing an emergency overnight shelter. VOTE AUGUST 6 JULY 26, 2024 KAT LAYTON EQUITY-CENTERED DEMOCRAT FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONER PROVIDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELF-DETERMINED INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY POVERTY, PRODUCING A STREET NEWSPAPER THAT GIVES A PLATFORM TO UNDERREPRESENTED VOICES IN WASHTENAW COUNTY, PROMOTING AN ACTION TO BUILD A JUST, CARING AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETY. Groundcover News, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in April 2010 as a means to empower lowincome persons to make the transitions from homeless to housed, and from jobless to employed. Vendors purchase each copy of our regular editions of Groundcover News at our office for 50 cents. This money goes towards production costs. Vendors work selling the paper on the street for $2, keeping all income and tips from each sale. Street papers like Groundcover News exist in cities all over the United States, as well as in more than 40 other countries, in an effort to raise awareness of the plight of homeless people and combat the increase in poverty. Our paper is a proud member of the International Network of Street Papers. STAFF Lindsay Calka — publisher Cynthia Price — editor Hanan Husein — intern ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS Elizabeth Bauman Jim Clark Ramon Roberto Isla Caballero Mike Jones Jane Reilly Ken Parks Will Shakespeare Denise Shearer Wayne Sparks Philip Spink Buk'e Woyrm GROUNDCOVER NEWS ADVERTISING RATES Size 1/8 1/6 1/4 1/2 full page Black/White $110.00 $145.00 $200.00 $375.00 $650.00 Color $150.00 $200.00 $265.00 $500.00 $900.00 Dimensions (W x H in inches) 5 X 3 or 2.5 X 6.5 5 X 4 5 X 6.25 5 X 13 or 10.25 X 6.5 10.25 X 13 CONTACT US PROOFREADERS Kendall Artz Susan Beckett Elliot Cubit Zachary Dortzbach Anabel Sicko VOLUNTEERS Jessi Averill Sim Bose Luiza Duarte Caetano Glenn Gates Alexandra Granberg Jacob Fallman Robert Klingler Simone Masing Anthony McCormick Mary Wisgerhof Max Wisgerhof Story and photo submissions: submissions@groundcovernews.com Advertising and partnerships: contact@groundcovernews.com Office: 423 S. 4th Ave., Ann Arbor Mon-Sat, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Phone: 734-263-2098 @groundcover @groundcovernews DONATE, LISTEN TO OLD ISSUES + LEARN MORE www.groundcovernews.org linktr.ee/groundcovernews PACKAGE PRICING Three Months/Six Issues: 15% off Six Months/Twelve Issues: 25% off Full Year/Twenty-four Issues: 35% off Only run for two weeks/one issue: 40% off Additional 20% discount for money saving coupons exp. 01/31/2025 JULY 26, 2024 ON MY CORNER ASK YOUR VENDOR What issue brings you to the polls? Affordable housing policy. — Mark Gigax, #620 Not issues but the elections themselves. Local elections — because local issues — are important to me. — Wayne Sparks, #615 Peace and freedom. — Ken Parks, #490 The border. — Tony Schohl, #9 People having good healthcare and housing and food and ending violence. — Denise Shearer, #485 Getting the first woman President! — Shawn Swoffer, #574 Defeating Donald Trump. — Cindy Gere, #279 Getting some sort of stability for people who have none. Not just people on the street, working families, everyone ...except the rich. — Michael Montagano, #640 While I don't think participating in America's governmental processes will yield any result that moves us towards a compassionate and evolved state, I will vote for my friends who are running because they are fighting the same fight just on a different front. — Jim Clark, #139 ICE is so racista RAMON ROBERTO ISLA CABALLERO Groundcover vendor No. 347 44 years ago, in the United States, a bastard in the state police in the state of Indiana in the county of Valparaíso used immigration control and an illegal immigrant lost all his rights when he signed a voluntary deportation. That immigrant was me. Since then, I spent many years working and now I don’t owe anything to anyone. Now I feel sick at 65 years, with no family, and the only thing I have is my job selling papers. I have no free time and own nothing; everything is given to me for free by the American government, thanks to the federal laws in this country. Still this is a racist country because of ICE. Now it’s even worse. I lost my Section 8 title because the waitlist closed and now have no more prospects for housing. If I was living in another state, and the police caught me sleeping outside, I would need to pay a $250 fine. Everyday, new, more discriminatory laws are passed. That’s why I don’t like this country anymore. Hace 44 años, en Estados Unidos, un desgraciado de la policía estatal en el estado de Indiana en el condado de Valparaíso usó el control de imigración y un ilegal perdió todos sus derechos al firmar una deportación voluntaria. Ese ilegal era yo. Después, he pasado muchos años trabajando y no tengo que darle cuenta a nadie. Ahora me siento enfermo con 65 años de edad, sin familia, y lo único que tengo es mi trabajo de vendedor de periódicos. No tengo un día libre y sin nada, todo me lo da grátis el gobierno americano. Gracias a las leyes federales de este país. Sin embargo, este es un país racista. Ahora es mucho peor. Ya no tengo mi vale de Sección 8 porque la lista de espera se cerró y así no tengo más vivienda. Si yo viviera en otro estado y la policía me atrapara durmiendo en la calle, tendría que pagar una multa de 250 dólares. A cada día, nueves leyes más discriminatorias son aprobadas. Por eso no me gusta más este país. GROUNDCOVER NEWS 3 I'll miss June and July June and July are two of my favorite months to celebrate holidays. In June, there’s Juneteenth celebrating how God and Jesus helped people be free. People also barbecue and have good food and get togethers for Juneteenth. I also like to celebrate Christmas any month I can, including the summer months. June and July are two good months to barbecue and have celebrations and have fun. I also like to send cards and get and give Christmas presents in June and July too. I like to go to places where my friends are, like Growing Hope and FedUp Ministries in Ypsilanti. I like to hang around downtown Ypsilanti and go to the church where my friends are. I like going to Bethlehem DENISE SHEARER Groundcover vendor No. 485 United Church of Christ where Groundcover is and a lot of my friends are there, too. I like to celebrate the holidays by doing artwork for my friends, too. The Ann Arbor Art Fair is in July So long, Joe! WAYNE S. Groundcover vendor No. 615 In this time of political turmoil, it is refreshing to see that there are still people around who will put their personal wants aside and will do what's best for the people! Yeah, remember us? Now with his example and heartfelt and every July I get happy and excited and try my best to make it there. The Art Fair has any type of artwork you want to see. I like the nonprofit booths where you can get things for free. I like to get food from the Art Fair and just walk around and look at the beautiful scenery and maybe see some of my friends, or maybe make some new friends if I can. One of my favorite things to do is get something cold to drink because most of the time it be so hot. The Art Fair is very fun and beautiful and relaxing. There’s a lot of interesting people and artwork. Those are the ways I like to celebrate June and July. decision we have a true patriot who showed us he didn't just talk the talk, but walked the walk. Now it is time for us to come together. We have a moment in time where we can change the narrative, where we can run political campaigns on our accomplishments, not on our opponents' failures. It's time for us to take a quick breath and take a good look at both candidates, not have them just attack one another. A time to find who has the integrity to have the light shine on them and not come up wanting. So we are saying goodbye to a person who has spent most of his adult life serving the people: Joe Biden. It would be so easy to take pot shots at both parties. I’ll follow the President of the United States — Joe Biden's — lead and see if this novel idea of doing what's best for the people resonates and catches on!
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4 GROUNDCOVER NEWS VOTING I remember the first time I voted and became a part of the democratic process … but why? Black Men here in the United States of America, a lot of us feel our vote doesn't matter or won’t have no-real effect on our situation here in America; in short, we are totally detached and have no faith in the democratic process. But it is projected that there will be 34.4 million eligible Black voters by election time in November 2024. Black voter turnout rates are projected to be higher than Hispanics and Asians. The first time I voted was when Barack Obama first won the presidency in 2008. The reason I voted for him was simply because of his skin color. Not because he was a Democrat or his ideas and values were in line with my own; I never thought about what type of policies he might administer. How naive I was then. Now, seventeen years later, I am much wiser. Still, I have to mention his skin color caught my attention and put me in the game of the democratic process. During Barack Obama’s presidency I started becoming detached and decided not to participate in the 2012 election.Then Trump came along in 2016 and swept the nation by storm, with it at times. This upcoming election I will be casting my vote and hope others will do the same. I met a brother in the downtown Ann Arbor area named Todd Wilson, the Michigan lead organizer and consultant of Black Men Vote. As we talked, he let me know that MIKE JONES Groundcover vendor No. 113 catching everybody's attention. He turned ordinary news stations into political entertainment narcotics; people became hooked on Trump news. Now, I must mention that Trump news got me back into the game of the process of democracy again. Both Obama and Trump caught the attention of the masses, including those people who would have never paid attention to politics. Sometimes it takes extreme figures and/or situations to get people's attention and to get them involved. Ever since 2016, I have been back in the game, being a part of the democratic process, even though I struggle Frank White, known as former President Barack Obama’s top fundraiser, started BMV in January 2024. BMV is currently partnered with “Shop Talk,” the flagship of the campaign currently operating in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan. The goal is to get 55-60 barbershops, beauty salons and barber schools involved with helping to get Black Men registered and participating in the democratic process.” As he continued, he informed why he decided to get involved and engage in Black Men voter mobilization and voter registration. “Because I noticed a voter deficit, if we look at the polls, our voter turnout rate was the lowest nationally; only 12 percent of Black registered voters came out to vote in the last Michigan Primary election. Shop Talk is geared towards changing that trajectory, by mobilizing Black Men to get them engaged or reengaged into the JULY 26, 2024 Black Men Vote mobilizes voters in barber shops democratic process. As men, we are looked-up to in the household and in our communities. People watch us; therefore, we can lead by example, and we can change the trajectory, when it comes to our vote as a whole, in our community. Black Men being involved allows for Black Men to be more informed on issues, and allows us as Black Men to have a voice in the political arena on issues that matter to us.” Then I asked him about the types of responses that have been received since the start of BMV. He said, “Voter mobilization; people are really getting behind it and getting involved. We also look to partner with various organizations and with state and local governments soon; things have been going well.” I had one last question for Todd: How can people register to vote and get involved with BMV? He said, “If you want to get more information on Black Men Vote, you can go to our website blackmenvote.org and you can register to vote on our website and also get valuable information needed for the upcoming election.” So, there you have it folks, exercise your right and vote! Three City of Ypsilanti ballot initiatives to look for during November election LINDSAY CALKA Publisher Ypsilanti Ballot Initiative Group (Ypsi BIG) is a newly formed group of organizers in Ypsilanti that has nearly collected 900 signatures on three separate ballot petitions aimed at amending the Ypsilanti City Charter. The group includes members from Ypsilanti Tenants Union, What’s Left Ypsi, Eastern Michigan University, and former members of Defend Affordable Ypsi. Ypsi BIG began planning for the petitioning process early in 2024, drawing inspiration from an unsuccessful effort by Defend Affordable Ypsi in 2020, which attempted to instate rent control through a ballot petition process. Ypsi BIG surveyed a number of local grassroots organizations, considering over 10 possible charter amendments before deciding on three. A ballot initiative is a proposed law — in this case, a change to the City Charter — initiated by the electorate instead of by those in elected office. In order to get the proposed legislation on the ballot, a certain number of signatures must be collected and approved by a deadline. In addition to the standard tactic of door knocking and street canvassing at public events such as Ypsi Pride, First Fridays and Juneteenth, Ypsi BIG marketed the ballot initiatives on social media and directed interested signers to show up at a central location — Vertex Cafe, Sundays 1-4 p.m. — throughout June and July. Due to their efforts, close to 900 Ypsilanti residents have signed in favor of these changes and if the remainder of the signatures are collected and approved by the City Clerk by July 30, the measures will be up for general vote in the November 5 election. Read up on what each of the initiatives aim to do so you can make an informed decision on election day. 1. Public Control of Police Budget: Requires that any changes to the Ypsilanti Police Department budget be voted on as a stand-alone issue by the general public during a regular November election. 2. Non-partisan Local Elections: Would eliminate partisan voting for Mayor and City Council positions, Show up to Vertex Cafe Sunday, July 28 1-4 p.m. to sign and support the initiatives! which would mean that straight-ticket voting would not apply to those seats. This would also eliminate City Council and mayoral primary elections, which would effectively create more competitive races in November. 3. Tenant Rights: Would result in three big changes: 1) A ban on rental application fees, 2) A requirement for landlords to follow a Right of First Refusal law, and 3) A requirement for landlords to register all of their properties with the City on an accessible online database. There would be substantial financial penalties for landlords should they not follow this, and holding them accountable will be the job of City Council. Right of First Refusal mandates that landlords, if selling their rental properties, first offer to sell the property at market rate to the tenant(s) who live there. If you are interested in supporting the campaign for these initiatives, contact Ypsi BIG by visiting their website www.linktr.ee/ypsibig or messaging on Instagram @ypsi.big JULY 26, 2024 MAKING CHANGE Where is the revolution? KEN PARKS Groundcover vendor No. 490 It is often said, “You can kill the revolutionary but you can’t kill the revolution.” On the 4th of July, independence is tainted with a military flavor that usually promotes the military-industrial-financial complex that Eisenhower warned us about. Freedom of expression is limited by the idolatry of flag worship. Fireworks are a magical display that distract from the bombs that are regularly falling on someone in the world. The aspiration for freedom is born with the first breath of every baby. The potential for love and creativity which we recognize in a newborn is the human heritage we all embody. The real question may be, “Where is your inner child?” NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) did a study on genius, creativity and imagination and discovered that nearly all fiveyear-olds scored high. The rate declined with age and was down to 2% for adults. Google can teach us a lot but it is up to us to work with what we have. This means recognizing the plight of our inner child and doing the healing so that inner child and adult learn to communicate. I proposed a workshop at Crazy Wisdom with Joya D’Cruz on this theme and hope to have an announcement soon. Joya was mentored by Eugene Gendlin who wrote “Focusing,” an important book on mental health. Facing reality is a revolutionary act and can inspire you to become an active participant in your life. The dialectic of theory and practice is a lively one as the rhythm of joy appears. Today, July 1, is the anniversary of the jazz standard “Take Five,” the 5/4 rhythm that brightens our life. Search that when you are ready for a treat! Maybe we will play it on October 8 as the theme of my 82nd birthday. I was born just before the baby boomers who once said “Don’t trust anyone over 30.” There is some form of youth rebellion with every generation and the Gray Panthers slogan “Youth and Age Together” is one to remember. We can empower each other to follow through until the job is done. We will know when peace and justice replace compliance with the chain of command. Martha Reeves and the Vandellas sang about it, “Dancing In The Street.” Another treat at your fingertips. We have a long history of victories that seem to crumble just as we want to rest on our laurels. After the war in Vietnam, the ruling class broke the so-called Vietnam Syndrome with Ken Parks at the Ann Arbor Coalition Against the War Art Fair Booth. war in Granada and then Panama. The School of the Americas became known as the School of the Assassins and renamed itself to continue the wars of counterinsurgency. Read soaw.org for updates as the popular struggles continue in Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador in particular. The most recent victory in the global struggle for freedom is the release of Julian Assange. The popular movement in Australia gained enough momentum that politicians took notice and acted to release him after five years of prison which came on the heels of his controversial arrest at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London where he was in asylum for seven years. The bravery and persistence of Assange and his family and the struggle for freedom of the press is now legendary. Let’s follow through and support the whistleblowers in our midst. Water protectors — from Standing Rock in North Dakota to the Carrizo Comecrudo tribe of Texas, the original people of the Rio Grande — are active in exposing the extractive war on the environment. As Juan B. Mancias says, “Water is meant to unite, not divide.” I ordered a t-shirt with a striking photo of him and that quote. You can get one at the Carrizo Comecrudo Tribe of Texas website. I am guilty of being active in both religion and politics, the two taboos of bourgeois culture. This French origin word refers to the capitalist class and sometimes middle class as people adjust to the geopolitical order of our time in history. The French and American Revolutions consolidated the end of feudalism and the deepening of the capitalist revolution which is ripening for the next step towards freedom. This is the responsibility we share as we learn that reality is a seamless whole, that awareness is the next step in our evolution to genuine revolution. James Boggs and Grace Lee Boggs are legendary in Detroit and beyond for their life of theory and practice that you can visit in the book “Evolution and Revolution in the 20th Century.” When your life’s purpose becomes a shared purpose with others, the power that arises is formidable. If your intention is to benefit all beings without exception, countless world systems will arise. When inner space and outer space come together, infinity takes a dive into the Clear Light of the Void. This is the moment when masters of mindful awareness will be welcomed into your inner circle of significant beings. Suffering becomes a force to seek the cure. When we discover that reality is a workable situation, the revolution of unconditional love will erase all the conceptual prisons that have enslaved us from beginningless time. Unimpeded awareness becomes a victory celebration. Imagine that! I must mention that July 26 is celebrated in Cuba as the beginning of the Cuban Revolution. Although the attack on the Moncada barracks was a failure, it marked the beginning of open resistance to the Batista dictatorship. I regularly ask my Cuban family “Where is the revolution?” and the response is always “Where is it?” We have unfinished revolutions in many places. Awareness with dignity and confidence will help us weave many local fabrics into a beautiful global quilt. “The Invention of Wings” is a wonderful book on quilts and freedom. The historic friendship of a slavemaster’s daughter and a slave girl is the inspiration for this book by Sue Monk Kidd, who many know from “The Secret Life of Bees.” This world is an amazing place when your curiosity comes out of the closet. The revolution begins here. Since no one can do everything, it is good to tune in to whatever speaks to you and know that anything you do is interrelated and that everyday life is the main stage. Daily mindful awareness practice is my recommendation on where to start. Your inner child is ready to play the game of life. Just as the sun rises everyday, raise yourself to a daily practice of engaged living. The revolution lives in your heart. GROUNDCOVER NEWS 5
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6 GROUNDCOVER NEWS AUGUST PRIMARY Who will be the new sheriff in town? JIM CLARK Groundcover vendor No. 139 County Sheriff’s Departments are charged with the same things police officers are — investigating crimes and arresting criminals. Little regard is given by law enforcement for the circumstances under which crimes are committed or the state-of-life the “criminals” are in. Law is blind. So it doesn’t care if your parents abused you and now you perpetuate crimes of abuse. It doesn’t care if you fell to peer pressure and now are addicted to something. Law doesn’t care if you have mental illness or are simply a person built to live outside of norms. The point of the law does not seem to be to protect and serve as much as it is to arrest and punish. Washtenaw County is about to elect a new sheriff. This means almost nothing to abolitionists and anti-capitalists; however, it is worth paying attention to who will be holding this position of power. As a young activist, I was told that I could work within the system to change it from the inside. I have tried this and have seen others try it. It rarely works. Real change is not going to come from within this system; it will only come from complete deconstruction of the system. However, there is some sentiment within the ranks of law enforcement towards abolition. I interviewed each candidate to learn where they stand on abolition, reallocating public funds to mental health care, and on community-led actions to solve homelessness. Here are the takes from the candidates: What Interested You in Police Work? Alyshia Dyer: “I grew up extremely low-income in Ypsilanti, raised by a single parent, and had a lot of childhood trauma. I ran away from home a lot and at one point was falsely arrested and treated badly by the police. These experiences motivated me to get into law enforcement to be a more compassionate officer who really cared about people in our community. I also wanted to change things in law enforcement that I knew were harming people I cared about.” After completing her bachelor’s degree at Eastern Michigan University, Dyer earned advanced degrees from Gerald R. Ford School of Policy and the School of Social Work at the University of Michigan. She served as a road patrol deputy and a marine deputy at the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s office for nearly a decade. Derrick Jackson: “Originally I was JULY 26, 2024 Alyshia Dyer: Ypsilanti native who wants to end over-policing. just interested in systems work, like doing things in my neighborhood that could make the lives of people who were living in the community better. I left direct service social work because every day I would help a young person but there was always another family coming back who needed more help.” Jackson took on a job at the County Clerk's office where he met Jerry Clayton, Washtenaw County Sheriff. As Jackson tells the story, “I went into work at the Clerk's office where I met this guy [Jerry Clayton] who had this crazy idea about doing social work through a police agency. Honestly that's what pulled me into it. I didn't grow up wanting to be a police officer. It was literally this idea of doing social work and police work together.” Ken Magee: “I was a young and rambunctious person who had a good family but was running the neighborhood being mischievous, always pushing the envelope. I was never a bully. Instead, I stuck up for the kids who were getting bullied. In high school, my mentors encouraged me to channel my rambunctiousness into police work.” Two of Magee's mentors were Keith Hafner and Ed Sells, owners of Keith Hafner’s Karate in downtown Ann Arbor. There he met FBI agents. “This led to exploring a career in police work,” Ken recalled. “Numerous cops have the same story as me.” Magee graduated first in his police academy and was class president. Being very competitive, his chief challenger is always himself. He excels in all he does — martial arts, police work and writing. Magee has written four books about University of Michigan football. His law enforcement tenure includes involvement with the Drug Enforcement Administration and, as Magee puts it, “facing down some of the most dangerous criminals on the planet.” Derrick Jackson: Bringing social work to police work by restoring communities. On Abolition Dyer: “I’m never going to call myself an abolitionist because it’s hypocritical to do that and run for a position like sheriff. I will say I have read about this extensively, and what it means to me is recognizing that many of our systems were originally designed around harmful practices. Sheriffs, for example, historically were born out of slave patrols in the South and helped promote mass incarceration. Present-day, we try to push back on these roots, but there are still realities in the design of law enforcement that cause harm, even when the people working inside the system don’t intentionally mean to cause harm. I believe in reducing harm in this space as sheriff so that we are working towards new strategies to create safer communities. We also have to be more honest from a police administration standpoint about how over-policing has contributed to violence. I know so many young people who got zero support until they got into trouble. Then the support was very punitive. It didn’t help. “Abolitionists I know and have talked to, at the end of the day, believe in a Ken Magee: Former DEA agent who "thinks outside the badge." better world where everyday people aren’t being extorted, oppressed and harmed by systems that are supposed to protect us. Some of the principles, including investing more upstream and investing more in solutions for safety, hit home for me as someone who grew up in an area where opportunity is defined by zip code. My goal as sheriff is to make sure we are responding adequately to calls for service but also doing so in the least harmful way possible and ensuring we are doing our part to invest in root-cause solutions to better public safety. We need more deflection and diversion, and we need more restorative justice to offer healing for when victims of crime want to go a different route.” Jackson: “I think …” He paused and then started again. “Listen, we're all trying to work towards abolition. How do we actually get there? It would be great if we didn't have deaths or homicides or serious assaults, right? There's a lot of social ills out there. And I think as a social worker, I have these ideals of what we would be like as a society if kids weren't picking up guns and see SHERIFF next page  JULY 26, 2024 ARTS CONTEST GROUNDCOVER NEWS 7 Vote for your favorite mixed media piece and view submissions to the other three categories online at linktr.ee/groundcovernews Voting closes August 5! Terri Demar Scan to watch gif submission Norma Jean Cisneros Robbie February Hosea Hill  SHERIFF from last page shooting at each other. That's literally what I work for. I work so that those mothers don't have to wake up and hear me telling them that their son had been murdered. So I would love to see that stuff [abolition] in the future. I think it's just about how we get there.” Magee: “The prison system is not the responsibility of the sheriff, as the sheriff is in charge of the jail. I believe a jail and a prison both have their own respective purpose. However, any incarceration system can be improved to facilitate the ultimate goal of rehabilitation. Example, literacy, teaching the trades, advancing education, all part of the rehabilitation process. The abolition of the incarceration system is not something I believe in, but continually assessing the desired outcomes and what research and analysis presents.” On Alternatives to Policing Dyer: “Beyond policing, we need to address the root causes of crime and focus on creating safe, supportive and stable communities. We also have to admit the effect over-policing has had on our community, disproportionately affecting Black residents in Washtenaw County. We must tackle the high racial disparities in our legal system, particularly involving youth. Investments at the neighborhood level, providing better support for young people, and addressing social determinants of health are crucial for building safe communities in addition to minimizing the harm caused by our local legal system. Criminalizing low-level offenses by using heavy-handed traffic enforcement tactics only exacerbates problems, especially for young people, and we must adopt more supportive and restorative approaches. “We will do our job as law enforcement to tackle more serious crimes but what we won’t do is criminalize whole neighborhoods by stopping people for petty reasons that aren’t related to safety concerns. We also need to make more evidence-based investments at the neighborhood level to increase safety, especially to reduce traffic fatalities. This is why I also heavily support traffic calming infrastructure.” (Author's note: I’m including the second paragraph because while I believe in a non-police society, there will still be a need for people to pay attention to safety issues. Like kittens, humans are frequently guilty of petty stupidity. As a result, we will need fire departments when a candle gets knocked over by a cat, or air lifts for the hiker who slipped and fell down a hole. We don’t need police, but we all need a little help from time to time.) Jackson: “I think we're trying to eliminate social ills in unhealthy communities, in general. I think that's what social work is about, right? It's about helping people not just deal with the crisis, but help them move from crisis to self-sustainability, to live healthy and thriving lives. Any neighborhood that is safe, is also well. And so police and social work go together because you can't have safe communities unless you have well communities. So that's literally how I think these two things really go together. “But I also think, if we were serious, even abolitionists, if we were really serious, we would be investing in communities that have been disinvested in for generations. Where I grew up, where I raised my family, those communities intentionally have been disinvested from. So if we're serious about it, it isn't only about these policy tweaks to policing. We've got to invest in our communities in very different ways.” Magee: “Great question! Outside of policing [there are] literacy projects.” Magee explains there is a connection between criminal behavior and literacy. “Opportunities can be provided for people who are returning citizens, such as housing, and employment, but these are outside of [the sheriff’s] function. “What would it take to abolish the police and have a society that polices itself should have happened two centuries ago. I don't see it. I believe that there will always be predators. Individuals violate the law for their own benefit.” Magee's approach to improving policing is by “thinking outside the badge,” not the box. Magee says this means “maintaining your true values to law enforcement. To protect and serve. It’s not just about reducing crime, it’s about the police force voicing our concerns about what we feel would make us safe and protected.” On Community-led Emergency Shelter Dyer: “I am committed to being a strong advocate for self-led community emergency shelters. As sheriff, I will work to ensure these shelters are safe and that we prevent over-policing in these spaces. My experience as a deputy has shown me the harsh reality of people turning themselves in on old warrants during winter months just to stay warm. We must do better by supporting investments in shelter and providing the necessary resources to keep people safe and housed. We also need to do better in our jail so when see SHERIFF page 11 
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8 GROUNDCOVER NEWS ACCEPTANCE An attitude, "only my life matters," is popular among bullies. In terms of behavior as opposed to legislation, equal rights means allowing others to live, believe and disagree, even if it is different from your personal or religious beliefs. Two people were fatally shot, including the shooter, two critically injured, and former president Donald Trump wounded July 13 at a rally in Butler, Pa. Police visually scrutinized every pedestrian crossing the University of Michigan Diag during the Gaza Solidarity Encampment, April 22-May 21. It wasn't harassment. It was to prevent violence against the Gaza and antiwar protestors. There were no mass shootings of protestors nationwide. Why would we ever consider these ideas, mass shootings and assassination attempts? As a country, what are we becoming? "It was very American to think that to be willing to use violence was to show seriousness and to be effective but that was not what I had learned in Vietnam," Daniel Ellsberg wrote in his book, "Secrets." Ellsberg, a former government official and Marine, helped end the Vietnam War by exposing the lies of five presidents. He gave the top-secret Pentagon Papers to the JANE REILLY Groundcover vendor No. 611 New York Times and 18 other newspapers. He was tried for espionage, the charges dismissed. Whether the gunman meant to kill or help, Donald Trump has the right to exist. The life of murdered bystander Corey Comperatore, 50, of Sarver, Pa. mattered. (Information from Thomson Reuters News Service.) At a Groundcover News vendor meeting on July 2, a newcomer was met with hostility simply for existing. The vendor said they cannot tell their Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender, Queer friends they are homeless. They cannot tell their homeless friends they are nonbinary; nonbinary means someone who does not exclusively identify as male or female. "It can be easy to ask, 'Why are events like this important?’" Joe Halsch, Director of Ann Arbor Pride and President of the Jim Toy Community Center, wrote via email, "and I think the experience involving your coworker stresses the importance of building safe, inclusive, welcoming communities. "Pride is more than just a party," Halsch added. "Pride is a connection point to others in our community. Pride is a protest and a statement. Pride is still needed in 2024." The Jim Toy Community Center is presenting its 29th annual free Ann Arbor Pride celebration August 3 from noon to 9-10 p.m. at Liberty and Main Streets in downtown Ann Arbor. The Jim Toy Community Center is the LBGTQ support and advocacy group in Washtenaw County. Artists Gilbert Baker and Lynn Segerblom created the original rainbow Pride flag in 1978 at the request of Harvey Milk. Milk, the first openly gay elected official in California as San Francisco City Supervisor, was assassinated for writing a law banning discrimination in public accommodations, housing and employment based on sexual orientation. (Inforsee PRIDE page 11  JULY 26, 2024 A2 Pride reminds us that all lives have the right to exist Rainbow Groundcover News sign at Ypsi Pride, June 7. Each of the eight colors was assigned a specific meaning by artist Gilbert Baker: Hot pink: Sex; Red: Life; Orange: Healing; Yellow: Sunlight; Green: Nature; Turquoise: Magic and Art; Indigo: Serenity; Violet: Spirit. The brown and black are inspired by the Philadelphia Pride Flag of 2017 to honor queer People of Color. JULY 26, 2024 PUZZLES PLAY TIME Peter A. Collins GROUNDCOVER NEWS 9 Groundcover Vendor Code While Groundcover is a non-profit, and paper vendors are self-employed contractors, we still have expectations of how vendors should conduct themselves while selling and representing the paper. The following is our Vendor Code of Conduct, which every vendor reads and signs before receiving a badge and papers. We request that if you discover a vendor violating any tenets of the Code, please contact us and provide as many details as possible. Our paper and our vendors should be positively impacting our County. • Groundcover will be a voluntary purchase. I agree not to ask for more than the cover price or solicit donations by any other means. • When selling Groundcover, I will always have the current biweekly issue of Groundcover available for customer purchase. • I agree not to sell additional goods or products when selling the paper or to panhandle, including panhandling with only one paper or selling past monthly issues. • I will wear and display my badge when selling papers and refrain from wearing it or other Groundcover gear when engaged in other activities. • I will only purchase the paper from Groundcover Staff and will not sell to or buy papers from other Groundcover vendors, especially vendors who have been suspended or terminated. • I agree to treat all customers, staff, and other vendors respectfully. I will not “hard sell,” threaten, harass or pressure customers, staff, or other vendors verbally or physically. • I will not sell Groundcover under the influence of drugs or alcohol. • I understand that I am not a legal employee of Groundcover but a contracted worker responsible for my own well-being and income. • I understand that my badge is property of Groundcover and will not deface it. I will present my badge when purchasing the papers. • I agree to stay off private property when selling Groundcover. • I understand to refrain from selling on public buses, federal property or stores unless there is permission from the owner. • I agree to stay at least one block away from another vendor in downtown areas. I will also abide by the Vendor Corner Policy. • I understand that Groundcover strives to be a paper that covers topics of homelessness and poverty while providing sources of income for the homeless. I will try to help in this effort and spread the word. If you would like to report a violation of the Vendor Code please email contact@groundcovernews. com or fill out the contact form on our website. ACROSS 1. ___ pit (rock concert area) 5. Schooner feature 9. Roughly 13. Magazine filler? 14. French twist, for one 15. "Nonsense!" 16. Authoritative order 17. Long heroic tale 18. 2024 NCAA men's basketball champions 19. * "I really don't mind" 22. Pale 23. * "My deepest condolences" 27. Vast quantities 29. Singsong syllables 30. Makes a plea 33. Pickleball court divider 35. Spud 36. Actress Issa ___ 37. Lead-up to checkmate (and a hint to the last word in the answers to the starred clues) 40. Form 1040 no. 41. Catherine of "Schitt's Creek" 43. "Big Blue" on Wall Street 44. Cornhole delivery 45. Quartz or feldspar 48. Rectangle part 50. *1998 Pixar film 52. Ill-tempered 56. * "No idea" 58. 1836 battle site 61. Make an engraving 62. Witches 63. West Pointer 64. ___-do-well (rascal) 65. James Bond's school 66. First place? 67. The Aztecs of the Mountain West Conf. 68. Nevada casino city DOWN 1. Organized crime group 2. Leaves off 3. Sensation 4. Sex appeal 5. Bird feeder food 6. Notified 7. "Shoot the breeze," for instance 8. Part of a biblical plague 9. Noted Seminole chief 10. Letter after pi 11. Part of 67-Across 12. Possess 15. Throb 20. Binary digit 21. Manhattan, for one: Abbr. 24. Dustin's "Midnight Cowboy" role 25. Like May through August, letterwise 26. Long stories 28. ___ Arbor 30. Bakery output 31. Hindu title 32. "Matrix" star Reeves 34. ___ Friday's (restaurant chain) 37. Audible range 38. Attendance book notations 39. 2001 to Augustus 42. Systematic routine 44. One concerned with class struggles? 46. Chicken ___ king 47. Animates 49. Genetic code carrier 51. Celebrated 53. Bluish-gray color 54. Pull at 55. Kind of question with only two answers 57. By way of, for short 58. Blackjack half 59. Chap 60. Ending with Gator or orange
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10 GROUNDCOVER NEWS POETRY “Kidnapped from her West African home in 1762 and sold into slavery, Phillis Wheatley grew up to become the first popular African American poet. She was also the first African American and the first slave to publish a book of poems.” — Britannica Kids website The story of Phillis Wheatley is one which appeals to both the younger and the older generation. She was a trailblazer. When we talk about early Black literary achievements, her contributions and her excellence loom large. This is our fourth and last article about early Black writers and poets of America. The author plans to encourage more discussion and dialogues on this topic at some bookstores and coffee houses in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. Stay tuned for some announcements and community invitations. Biography of Phillis Wheatley Historians do not have the exact birthday for Phillis Wheatley. Many have suggested that she was seven or eight when she was abducted and sold into slavery in 1761. She was a young girl when the slave ship brought her to the shores of Boston. A wealthy tailor, John Wheatley, purchased the little girl to be a servant to his wife, Suzanna. Soon, Suzanna and John noticed Phillis had reading and writing abilities. Suzanna and her young daughter, Mary, started to teach young Phillis English, grammar, religion, Greek, Latin and English literature. Within two years, Phillis could read and write clearly in English. She also demonstrated proficiency in Latin. She mastered the styles and techniques of popular poets by the time she turned 14. A Britannica Kids online article said that as a teenager of 14, Phillis had a poem published in the Newport Mercury Newspaper of Rhode Island. Later, other poems by Phillis appeared in Boston publications. Phillis’s poems were influenced by the words of poets John Milton, Thomas Gray and Alexander Pope. Britannica Kids observes that in 1770, her “An Elegiac Poem, on the Death of the Celebrated Divine … George Whitefield’ was published first in a locally-produced pamphlet and then in newspapers throughout British America and England.” Britannica kids continued, “...the poem’s wide distribution brought her recognition as the ‘extraordinary poetical genius of New England.’ Selina Hastings, countess of Huntingdon and a WILL SHAKESPEARE Groundcover vendor No. 258 friend of Whitefield, invited the young poet to England and sought a publisher for her works.” According to Poets.org, Phillis traveled to London, England, in 1771, accompanied by Nathaniel Wheatley, son of John and Suzanna Wheatley. She had put together a collection of her poems into a book, “Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral.” In London, she was well-received. The book of 39 poems was published in London and she dedicated it to Countess Selina Hastings. While in London, she met with some dignitaries, including William Legge, second earl of Dartmouth, the abolitionist Granville Sharpe and Benjamin Franklin. She was unable to meet the countess who invited her to England, because when Suzanna became ill in 1773, Phillis hurried back to Boston to help her recover. Poets.org noted: “In 1776, Wheatley wrote a letter and a poem in support of George Washington, who replied with an invitation to visit him ...” Phillis was freed from slavery before Suzanna’s death in 1774. After John Wheatley died, Phillis tried to support herself as a seamstress and a poet. Phillis married a free Black man known as John Peters in 1778. He was a grocer and a lawyer. The couple had three children. Mr. Peters abandoned Phillis and her children. To provide for her kids, Phillis became a maid in a boardinghouse. Two of her children died while she experienced poverty. Britannica kids noted, “On December 5, 1784, Wheatley and her third child died within hours of each other. They were buried together in an unmarked grave.” A very sad tragedy! Historians tell us that Phillis continued to write poems until her last day on earth. However, she was unable to find publishers for her books of poems. About 50 years after her death, in 1834, “Memoirs of Phillis Wheatley” was published. Another book, titled “Letters of Phillis Wheatley, the Negro-slave of Boston,” was published in 1864. Britannica Kids noted that abolitionists refer to Phillis Wheatley’s On Being Brought from Africa to America 'Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land, Taught my benighted soul to understand That there's a God, that there's a Saviour too: Once I redemption neither sought nor knew. Some view our sable race with scornful eye, "Their colour is a diabolic die." Remember, Christians, Negros, black as Cain, May be refin'd, and join th' angelic train. writing as a refutation of society’s claim in the 18th and 19th centuries that “African Americans were intellectually inferior to Whites.” Many legacies Wheatley left an impressive legacy of brave and thoughtful African American women writers. It took several decades in the 1800s before Frances Ellen Watkins Harper became the first African American woman to publish a short story. Harper was both an abolitionist and a suffragette. Other Black women writers and women rights activists displayed their talents in the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. Women writers who were inspired by Wheatley’s sense of empowerment and excellence include Ida B. Wells, Mary Church Terrell, Alice Dunbar-Nelson, Zora Neale-Hurston, Shirley Graham DuBois, Lorraine Hansberry, Toni Morrison, Audrey Lorde, Angela Davis, Maya Angelou, Amanda Garman, Nikole Hannah Jones and Isabel Wilkerson, to mention a few. Harvard scholar and historian Henry Louis Gates paid tribute to Phillis Wheatley in his recent books, “The Black Box” and “The Trial of Phillis Wheatley.” In the latter book, Dr. Gates said, “In 1773, the slave Phillis Wheatley literally wrote her way to freedom. The first person of African descent to publish a book of poems in English, she was emancipated by her owners in recognition of her literary achievement. For a time, Wheatley was the most famous Black person in the West. But Thomas Jefferson, unlike his contemporaries Ben Franklin and George Washignton, refused to acknowledge her gift as a writer — a repudiation that eventually inspired generations of Black writers to build an extraordinary body of literature in their efforts to prove him wrong.” JULY 26, 2024 Phillis Wheately: a pioneer of Black literary excellence PUZZLE SOLUTIONS JULY 26, 2024 POETRY Of poets poor, of poets richer PHILIP SPINK Groundcover vendor No. 630 I like the poetry of the poor, Often the most. This is because the poor, Perhaps because having the most need to speak truth, Seem to speak truths the most; While more well heeled poets As if wanting to be as high and enigmatic as the Gods, Seem often interested in speaking in ways Full of mind powers and mazes Struggling to tower More than to speak. intent cares "a poem" BUK'E WYRM Groundcover contributor The Values we share are there . Must mean something To care . The relative, the states we make ourselves to be demonstrating. Behaviors in assertion to attain With how we value. With our value, One values to just pen this in the Space allotted we may become as We are with how we are. And a major phase of changing seems to allow meaning full experiential transactions of exchange of self with the other the referencing the the values we’re Embodying the vantage and this happens with our values. this is a way. "another poem" BUK'E WYRM True to how we sense with Self The same old same old same old day in and day out. still we seek to change with self for what it’s worth and all that works out for all we could achieve these themes still remembering the same self purpose has been writing the place these dreams on their own ways just to re turn with self again. GROUNDCOVER NEWS 11  PRIDE from page 8 "It would take commitment and mation from Wikipedia.) Baker, who died in 2017, wrote on gilbertbaker.com that he chose the six rainbow colors for hope. The pink triangle was Adolf Hitler's way to mark the LGBTQ community. Hitler’s ideas still flourish today in the form of Hezbollah and Hamas, who murder LGBTQ and Jews for existing. Hitler’s ideas flourish today when non-conforming vendors have to hide from everyone at Groundcover. Or when there are mass shootings. courage and tenacity to end this [Vietnam] war, but not an imitation of the government’s own destructive tactics," wrote Ellsberg, who died in 2023. That is what will win the war against "only my life matters," too. On Dexter Ave. in Ann Arbor in June, there was an Intersex-Inclusive Progress Pride flag planted in the lawn next to a Little Free Library box. An American flag flies from the house. "It's showing support of all different types of people," resident Bridget O'Connor-Ranta explained. "I want to give credit to the artist. It's flying at the Smithsonian." Designed in 2021 by Valentino Vecchietti, the Intersex-Inclusive Progress Pride flag incorporates the elements of five other flags: the Intersex flag designed in 2013 by Morgan Carpenter; the Pride Progress flag created by queer, nonbinary artist Daniel Quasar in 2018; the Transgender Pride flag designed by Monica Helms in 1999; the Philadelphia Pride Flag of 2017 and the original rainbow Pride flag. On June 11, 2023, the Smithsonian Institution of Washington D.C. flew the Intersex-Inclusive Progress Pride flag for the first time in history, according to cooperhewitt.org. James Smithson founded the Smithsonian in 1846 for "the increase and diffusion of knowledge," according to si.edu. Knowledge shows seriousness and effectiveness, not violence and bullying. Ann Arbor Pride is an opportunity for everyone to connect, learn and have fun. Editor's note: This essay reflects the opinion of the author.  SHERIFF from page 7 people do find themselves there, they are leaving with better support. This will reduce recidivism. “In addition to all this, as sheriff, I will work with local and statewide partners to support enacting rent control to keep rent affordable, and will support more housing investments especially for people leaving our jail. My whole platform can be found at Dyer2024.com.” Jackson: (was unavailable to answer) Magee: “Being homeless is not a crime. Law enforcement is asked to respond to the issues the unhoused are victimized by — such as getting mugged or committing crime / being victim of a crime due to mental health concerns. I cannot stress the importance of this enough. But the Sheriff's Office wouldn’t [oversee it], but if [a community-led shelter] would reduce police calls, victimization and actual crime, then I agree to that.” On Defunding Law Enforcement Dyer: “Yes, I believe that diverting some funding from policing to community mental health care is essential. The Sheriff's Office currently receives $6-7 million annually from the Community Mental Health and Public Safety Millage, in addition to their already large budget. They used some of this money to buy rifles and upgrade their infrastructure. My goal is to use flexible funding to prioritize investments in mental health services, substance use treatment, housing and preventive measures. As a therapist, licensed social worker, and former police officer, I understand the importance of increasing access to mental health treatment. Police officers are not equipped to handle mental health crises, and expanding community mental health support and alternative responder programs will better serve our community's needs. This also allows law enforcement to focus on emergency 911 calls for service that need immediate attention for safety reasons. It shouldn’t be the case that in Wash-tenaw County people can’t get preventative mental health support. These gaps have real consequences on families and our whole community.” Jackson: (was not available to reply) Ken: [Long pause] "I do not believe we should divert [police] funding to community mental health, but should provide training to officers to respond to mental health emergencies.” Magee believes that after taking away crime (that is caused by mental illness and acts of survival) there are still predators. “I believe we need a strong police presence to prevent crime,” Magee said. Magee is an advocate of restorative justice — with principles and limitations. He believes restorative justice should not apply to sex crimes and domestic violence.

July 12, 2024


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2 GROUNDCOVER NEWS OPINION JULY 12, 2024 Hear Me Out: the SCOTUS Grants Pass v. Johnson decision is a declaration of war People experiencing homelessness survive by sleeping in tents and alleys and bushes. Sleep and safe shelter are second to food and water, which means homeless people are literally barely hanging on to their lives. And now the United States Supreme Court has said it is okay to further punish people for trying to survive homelessness. In the case City of Grants Pass, Ore. v. Johnson, the Supreme Court was asked to determine if punishing homeless people for trespassing is cruel and unusual, per the U.S. Constitution. This June, they decided it is not: the Constitution does not protect the homeless from arrest or financial penalties — even though our economic JIM CLARK Groundcover vendor No. 139 and penal system put them there. Our lives as Americans are 100% built around and governed by our economic system. For those close to the bottom, the grind is getting some kind of job then entering an endless cycle of going to work and paying bills. The bills include some of the very things that support life — food and shelter specifically. Without these things, survival is impossible. The life-support things are commodified, so the only access you have to them is with money. Meaning if you don’t work in the system, you don’t get to live in the system. America is a pay-to-play country, and by play we mean survive. In America, you must be part of the economic system or you will die a slow death. Americans die every day from malnutrition, exposure to the elements, critical mental illnesses and from the violence of surviving on the street. And now, additionally, being homeless is a criminal act in America. The prevailing attitude towards people experiencing homelessness in our country is that it was their fault, due to some moral failing like “laziness,” and they could get out of their situation if they wanted to do so. The fact of the matter is, every homeless person I’ve met wants to get out of poverty. What people don’t realize is how hard that is in a capitalist system. In our system, one has to compete to survive. But the playing field is not even. To begin, most people need a cell phone and a car to get a job. Both cost money. You also need to be able to interview and prove you can make it to work. You also need to be clean see GRANTS PASS page 4  PROVIDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELFDETERMINED INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY POVERTY, PRODUCING A STREET NEWSPAPER THAT GIVES A PLATFORM TO UNDERREPRESENTED VOICES IN WASHTENAW COUNTY, PROMOTING AN ACTION TO BUILD A JUST, CARING AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETY. Groundcover News, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in April 2010 as a means to empower lowincome persons to make the transitions from homeless to housed, and from jobless to employed. Vendors purchase each copy of our regular editions of Groundcover News at our office for 50 cents. This money goes toward production costs. Vendors work selling the paper on the street for $2, keeping all income and tips from each sale. Street papers like Groundcover News exist in cities all over the United States, as well as in more than 40 other countries, in an effort to raise awareness of the plight of homeless people and combat the increase in poverty. Our paper is a proud member of the International Network of Street Papers. STAFF Lindsay Calka — publisher Cynthia Price — editor Hanan Husein — intern ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS Jim Clark Misti Davis Luiza Duarte Caetano Amanda Gale Cindy Gere Alexandra Granberg Robbie February Hosea Hill Jane Reilly Wayne Sparks PROOFREADERS CONTACT US Susan Beckett Elliot Cubit Zachary Dortzbach Anabel Sicko VOLUNTEERS Jane Atkins Jessi Averill Glenn Gates Alexandra Granberg Jacob Fallman Robert Klingler Simone Masing Emily Paras Melanie Wenzel Mary Wisgerhof Max Wisgerhof Emily Yao Story and photo submissions: submissions@groundcovernews.com Advertising and partnerships: contact@groundcovernews.com Office: 423 S. 4th Ave., Ann Arbor Mon-Sat, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Phone: 734-263-2098 @groundcover @groundcovernews DONATE, LISTEN TO A STORY + LEARN MORE www.groundcovernews.org linktr.ee/groundcovernews GROUNDCOVER NEWS ADVERTISING RATES PACKAGE PRICING Size 1/8 1/6 1/4 1/2 full page Black/White $110.00 $145.00 $200.00 $375.00 $650.00 Color $150.00 $200.00 $265.00 $500.00 $900.00 Dimensions (W x H in inches) 5 X 3 or 2.5 X 6.5 5 X 4 5 X 6.25 5 X 13 or 10.25 X 6.5 10.25 X 13 Three Months/Six Issues: 15% off Six Months/Twelve Issues: 25% off Full Year/Twenty-four Issues: 35% off Only run for two weeks/one issue: 40% off Additional 20% discount for money saving coupons JULY 12 2024 ON MY CORNER MEET YOUR VENDOR GROUNDCOVER NEWS Students design new shoe HOSEA HILL Groundcover vendor No. 532 Philip Spink, vendor No. 630 In one sentence, who are you? A human being, I think. Where do you usually sell Groundcover? Packard Street and Carpenter Road. Why did you start selling Groundcover? To earn some extra money to help out a disabled friend. What are your hobbies? Doing artwork, writing, watching old movies. What is a small thing that makes your day better? My luck pebble. What is the most impressive thing you know how to do? Write in a grand tone or write in a small tone. What is your superpower? Anxiety. What is your favorite spot in Ann Arbor? My bed. What song do you have completely memorized? None, I've got a memory like a sieve. What is your pet peeve? Trump. What is the best way to start the day? With a coffee and a cigarette — but I quit smoking. A Poem About Myself I am a person for fun, For dancing in the rain And playing in the sun. Although what I write May make me seem to others a sober philosopher, I am far less a wannabe Socrates Than a man against hurts and hypocrisies. I am no intellectual Attila the Hun; Just a man inspired by being tired Of Babel and gun, And all the sorrows eating at the sun. Hearing many wounded cries I try to work to be helpful and wise; Yet what can any writer do shy and unknown But wear himself to the bone, Without help not to be a singer alone. What I long for most is the company of others, To live and to work as part of a rainbow Of sisters and brothers and all one anothers, Who believe in caring for one and all, And that the light is on down the hall. WAYNE S. Groundcover vendor No. 615 Groundcover News wants to give a shoutout to our neighbors at Muehlig Funeral Chapel. They have extended their hand to their neighborhood by presenting their first ever Juneteenth celebration. While joining in the festivities, this reporter had the chance to talk with Funeral Director Kelsey Tingley. Kelsey was a wealth of knowledge for me, telling me facts about our neighbors that were quite impressive. For example, Muehlig Funeral Chapel is the longest running establishment of its kind in the state of Michigan. They are coming up on Muehlig Funeral Chapel joins the hood on Juneteenth their 150th year in business. When asked how this celebration came about, she said, “Well when the idea came up, the whole staff was excited about it and directed me to office manager Corey Leniear Sr.” So I sat down and had a chat with Corey. Corey was in charge and I found him to be a young man who was very excited about the festivities. He was going from place to place making sure things were running smoothly. He said he was glad to be working for an organization that was just as excited about this event as he was. Last but not least was the entertainment put together by an up-and-comer on the Ann Arbor entertainment scene, DJ Freeze, who entertained the crowd with his masterful performance at the turntable and mixer. Groundcover gives a shoutout to Corey and the rest of the Muehlig staff for putting together a wonderful event to spend the Juneteenth holiday. Thanks from the neighborhood to Kelsey, Corey and the whole staff of Muehlig Funeral Chapel. Students at the Akron-based “I Promise School” recently designed a basketball shoe for LeBron James. The LeBron James Foundation supports the I Promise public elementary school that is specifically geared to at-risk children and has a trauma-informed curriculum. The eighth-grade students were thrilled to come up with a vision and make new custom designs and play around with color choices for the new LeBron NXXT Gen shoe. They drew out these designs and used computer software at the Kaulig Media Lab in Ohio to create the shoe specifications. The I Promise School boys and girls basketball teams, step-team and cheer squad had the opportunity to team up with Nike designers to design the shoe. Portions of the profits will go to the LeBron James Family Foundation. The shoe is on sale at nike.com for about $100. 3 She's perfect When I look into your eyes I see an ounce of pain. To whoever gave you that … Thank you, for she’s made of gold, 1000% my gain, a treasure so fine and true. There’s many things I wish to do but one of them is loving you. I feel as if forever is still never enough time … for us! Every day I learn more and more about you but MISTI DAVIS Groundcover vendor No. 625 my soul feels as if I’ve known you my whole life … as if we met in a previous life and where I knew my sexy wife.
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4 GROUNDCOVER NEWS HOUSING JUSTICE JULY 12, 2024 Extended Stay gives eviction notice to long-term resident, twice ALEXANDRA GRANBERG Groundcover contributor On May 24, Elizabeth “Lit” Kurtz, a long-term homeless guest at the Extended Stay America hotel in Ann Arbor, was handed an eviction notice for no reason. She had been paying her fees in full and on time. She never violated any guest rules or did anything else to break her contract with Extended Stay. It was after requesting her tax exemption — which she is legally owed and had received in the past — that the hotel decided to terminate Lit’s contract and ability to continue reservations. Without telling Lit why she was being kicked out and refusing to communicate further with her, the hotel management then called the police to physically remove her. The police instead suggested a seven-day eviction notice that the hotel staff posted on her door. The hotel’s site manager disabled Lit’s keys. She decided to stay in the room and mobilize community support via her social media followers and Washtenaw Camp Outreach (WCO) to put pressure on the hotel. Lit had three demands: that the management come to the table and give her answers, pay her legally owed tax rebate, and allow her to continue reservations at the same rate she had paid previously. Most importantly, she said, “I stayed to begin the discussion about human rights for everyone, not just me.” Over five days, community members put on a mass pressure campaign, making nearly 100 complaints through the hotel’s website and phone line. Finally WCO — in talks with Lit — hand-delivered a letter to the hotel on Friday June 7. In the letter WCO stated Lit’s demands and made an ultimatum: if the hotel management did not contact Lit to communicate in good faith by the following Monday morning, WCO and solidarity organizations would be hosting a press conference outside the hotel about the situation on that same afternoon. This final push to pressure the hotel was successful — initially. The next day, Saturday June 8, the hotel’s general manager Amber King called Lit; she agreed to all three of Lit’s demands and lifted the eviction. With the help of generous community contributions Lit was also able to pay for the days she hadn’t been able to leave the hotel to make money. This concession turned out to be short lived. In the next booking period, despite Amber King’s promise, the hotel charged Lit for the taxes — over $50 more than it would have been with the exemption. Lit refuses to pay her reservation fee until the hotel honors the tax rebate. On June 17 the front desk handed her another seven-day eviction notice. This time they did not disable her keys, so Lit is still able to leave her room. She has since not been able to contact Amber King, and King has not reached out to Lit. The only point of contact has been at the front desk, who is directly going against the word of the general manager. Lit is trying to take her case to the courts on a formal eviction basis. Michigan law does not make it clear when an extended stay hotel guest becomes a tenant, so a legal eviction case would likely be complicated and not necessarily fruitful. Lit Kurtz is facing eviction from Extended Stay. The law and its cruelty allows private establishments like Extended Stay and other hotels to bend contracts and kick people out without reason. However, both Lit and WCO recognize that this is a violation of human rights, starting with the seven-day notice. Seven days is not nearly enough time for anyone to find and make arrangements to move to another safe location after having established long-term residency. Some reviews on Extended Stay’s Facebook page reveal that this is not the first eviction to take place on their property. It will likely not be the last. The short pressure campaign with WCO led to a temporary but material win for Lit. But if this case is resolved, the real victory, in her own words, would be “for my human right to stay housed.” She says the fight is just getting started.  GRANTS PASS from page 2 and presentable when you go to work. Some people can pull themselves up, but it still doesn’t happen overnight and it doesn’t happen without a safe, reliable place to sleep. There is a stark parallel between being homeless and being displaced by war. In war, people are forced to leave their homes by a military system either because soldiers force them at gunpoint, or because their homes were destroyed by weapons of war. In America, people are forced to leave their homes by a capitalist system either by cops forcing them to leave at gunpoint, or just having their tents and belongings destroyed by a bulldozer. In war, people who are displaced are seen as an enemy, in America, the homeless are considered a nuisance, a word not as strong as “enemy” but equally dehumanizing. In war, refugees end up sleeping in tents; in America the homeless do as well, but now that can be disrupted at gunpoint. If you think “gunpoint” is too strong I must remind you, cops carry guns, are not afraid to use them, and have a license to kill. In other words, they are soldiers charged with “protecting and serving” capitalist interests. America has demonstrated a certain hatred towards the homeless. It is seen in other nations that practice genocide. One earmark of genocide is forcing people out of their homes and into the streets where their chances of dying increase. This is the exact same thing the U.S. Supreme Court just did! The reality is that punishing humans for trying to survive is a hate crime. Pay attention to anyone who supports such treatment. The hate is visceral. You can hear it, you can taste it. People who have never wanted for anything stand in judgment of the homeless, find them unworthy and deserving of being exterminated. This is what they mean when they say “the solution to homelessness is a bus ticket out of town.” Or jail. Or death. They don’t care, just get them out of their backyard. What this decision allows for is sinister. Any town, county, state or federal entity can declare homelessness a form of vagrancy and disorderly conduct. This means a person can be picked up for sitting on a bench too long. If you think that doesn’t happen, you’re deluded. It happens every day and now there is no defense you can make against it. If you happen to have a warrant, you can end up in prison, and guess what? Many states still allow chattel slavery. People are owned by the penal system and forced labor is not considered cruel and unusual. But it doesn’t stop with the homeless. The sayings “one paycheck away from losing housing” or “one car breakdown away from losing a job” describe real situations. The working poor (including myself when I had a job but nowhere to live) have never been so at risk from becoming refugees of war. If you lost that job because the car broke down and now you don’t have that check to pay rent, your chances of becoming homeless are near 100%. You may end up sleeping on the street; literally, this is how it happens. Then people can be fined for trespassing and punished by incarceration. This is business as usual in America. The Supreme Court of the United States has created an atmosphere so similar to genocidal nations that their decision could be taken as a declaration of war against the homeless. The poor must take it that way. Americans have kicked the last refuge out from under our feet. We must unite against this passive-aggressive attack. Wake up. The rich have always despised the poor, have always seen us as disposable cattle, and have always resented having to pay us to produce the wealth they enjoy. Technology replaces wage slaves everyday. Now they want to incarcerate us. And guess what? Prisons are so poorly managed that you may contract a disease or simply be killed by a fellow inmate. Homelessness can be a death sentence if it leads to prison. Since it is now illegal to be homeless anywhere, catching charges for trespassing on federal land can result in a felony punishable by prison according to our Constitution. The song “Talkin’ ‘bout a Revolution” by Tracy Chapman has a line that goes “poor people gonna rise up and get their share. Poor people gonna rise up and take what’s theirs.” It is time. JULY 12, 2024 SPORTS SAWC invites Darren McCarty to speak at annual fundraiser Darren McCarty, a former professional hockey player for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League, was the keynote speaker at "Almost Home," June 24 at Barton Hills Country Club in Ann Arbor. "Almost Home" is a Shelter Association of Washtenaw County fundraiser to support the homeless community. Cazzie Avery, a former shelter client now housed, also was a guest speaker as advertised on the SAWC website. A Groundcover News press credential request was turned down. McCarty did not respond to email. McCarty is best known for fighting Colorado Avalanche right wing Claude Lemieux, March 26, 1997, in retaliation for Lemieux's hit from behind on Kris Draper in the 1996 playoffs. In the real world, both Lemieux and McCarty would have been charged with assault. The illegal hit, which broke Draper's jaw, orbital bone, cheekbone and nose, and caused a concussion, was not fatal or career-ending but easily could have been. The Wings went on to win the Stanley Cup as the best team in the NHL, one of four for McCarty and Draper, best friends. McCarty was best man at Draper's wedding. Along the way, McCarty said he became addicted to gambling, alcohol, marijuana, Ecstasy and cocaine, as reported by Deadline Detroit. He lost $6.2 million and filed for bankruptcy according to ESPN. McCarty was put in the NHL substance abuse program four times. McCarty remained employed until four events in succession in 2007: he suffered a sports hernia injury, Calgary did not re-sign him, he failed an NHL drug screen resulting in a ban from the NHL until he was drug-free. Draper, still a Red Wing, was also part-owner of the Flint Generals of the International Hockey League, Draper signed his friend in January 2008 and paved his way to return to the Red Wings in March. In a 1995 interview, the late Steve Howe, 48, said many professional athletes use cocaine for energy because of the travel and physical demands. Howe, a left-handed relief pitcher for Major League Baseball and U-M, was banned for life from baseball in 1992 for drug use, including seven times for cocaine. He threw between 90-96 miles-per-hour. Unlike the general public, McCarty was never imprisoned for cocaine use, purchases or trafficking. Howe stayed overnight once awaiting JANE REILLY Groundcover vendor No. 611 believes medical marijuana saved his life and uses it for pain. He now earns a living through speaking engagements and selling marijuana. Still, elite employers avoid hiring candidates who choose these options, legal or not. Cannabis may have closed more doors for McCarty than it opened. "Darren is a wonderful example of arraignment in 1991, according to the Los Angeles Times wire service. A plea deal reducing the felony to a misdemeanor resulted in the MLB lifetime ban. Felony cocaine conviction means five years imprisonment in Montana where Howe moved and four in Michigan. Howe, from Clarkston, was reinstated in 1993 because of the MLB Players Association, possibly in an attempt to save his life. Individual teams, MLB and the NHL made money from the work of Howe and still do from McCarty. The Professional Women's Hockey League just finished its first season in history. It played 24 regular season games, with either three or four days between games. It also has specific checking rules to eliminate dangerous hits of stationary players and hits away from the puck. The same NHL rule is rarely enforced. The NHL players take multiple strides before checking. The NHL plays 82 regular season games, of which two a month are consecutive. The remainder have either two or three days in between. More rest between games and enforcing the checking rules means less exhaustion, fewer injuries, eliminates the need for cocaine and lessens the need for painkillers. It also means less money. McCarty now has his own cannabis brand, named after himself. He someone who has constantly reinvented himself," SAWC Development Director Sarah Paspal-Jasinski wrote via email. "Every time he gets knocked down, he gets back up. As a substance abuse survivor, Darren has explored many paths since he left hockey. He has boxed, golfed, become a public speaker, and an entrepreneur. This makes him relatable and an ideal guest speaker for our organization. He understands the experiences of those we serve who are experiencing homelessness and recognizes how circumstances and decisions in life can bring you down. However, Darren's journey exemplifies that you can always rise again and reinvent yourself." At "Almost Home," guests had the opportunity to: purchase $100 raffle tickets to gamble for a one in 52 chance to win $2,600, purchase as many $30 tickets as were available for wine pulls (choosing a mystery bottle of various prices), compete against each other in a silent auction and learn about becoming "a sophisticated stoner," as McCarty referred to himself in The Detroit Free Press. Encouraging gambling, drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana, all legal addictive behaviors prohibited at the Delonis Center, ensures job security for Delonis staff. Like all the Delonis clients, McCarty is being helped by SAWC. It is keeping both itself and McCarty employed. GROUNDCOVER NEWS What’s Happening at the Ann Arbor District Library Open 10am–8pm Daily Hang out in any of our five locations across town, browsing books, magazines, newspapers, and more, or check out movies, CDs, art prints, musical instruments, and home tools— you name it! Study and meeting rooms, fast and free WiFi, and plenty of places to sit and hang out. The Summer Game If you’re reading this, the 2024 Summer Game is officially in full swing! Use your Library this summer to find codes, solve puzzles, attend events, and earn points toward awesome AADL prizes. Visit aadl.org/play to learn more and get started! Public Computers The AADL has public-access Internet computers available for use by both cardholders and noncardholders at all five locations. Each station has USB ports, headphone jacks, and some of the fastest wifi speeds in town! FEATURED EVENT Summer Game SPECTACULAR Saturday, July 27 • 1–4pm Veterans Memorial Park Come one, come all, to the annual splendiferously staggering, outdoor, earn-a-metric-ton-ofpoints, Summer Game Spectacular! We’ll be at the baseball fields near the parking lot off Maple for an outdoor extravaganza featuring the high-flying circus The Aviary, our amazing outdoor game collection, face painting, food trucks, and more! 5
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6 GROUNDCOVER NEWS ARTS CONTEST Vote for your favorite drawing and view submissions to the other three media categories online at linktr.ee/ groundcovernews Voting closes August 5! JULY 12, 2024 Eric Kopchia Philip Spink Denise Shearer Rainbow Country Lovin Alexandra Salazar Paul Wertz James Manning JULY 12, 2024 STREET ART CINDY GERE Groundcover vendor No. 279 I've always felt artists, in the past, were seen as a low class group of people working for kings, emperors and patrons. Sad but true, we still don't get the recognition or the status we merit. We are willing to do great works of art but still people look down on art; this is not new at all. It was well-known that if you wanted to become an artist, family would discourage it for lack of wage or stability. We still don't get the recognition of, say, a lawyer or doctor. Even if we create great works of art like we see from the Renaissance, family and bosses say that it's just artwork, as if it has no greater worth than a nice image. This stigma has been the artist's burden for centuries; yet in countries like Ireland and Cuba and France, art is valued so much that artists are given stipends for projects. This gives artist recognition across the nation. New projects are starting to pop up slowly, giving majority artists recognition in those countries. My personal goal is to bring more recognition to low income artists and new businesses that feature their art. Street music artists and street visual artists: it's about recognition, dignity and pride. I try to do my own small part to bring to the public an artist who otherwise would be overlooked, unnoticed and unseen. Each one carries with them the amazing talent and artistic work that help influence America today. Street artist James Manning James says: “My natural art talent was discovered in the fourth grade when a teacher asked the class to draw three dimensional images. The simple lines all connected on the chalkboard creating depth and perspective. That was when my art talent showed itself. “When I was a child many things influenced me such as anime, and the 1988 movie “Akira” which is very dystopic. As I got into my teenage years, new influences came into my world such as the rave dance craze and gatherings of like-minded people. With this kind of dance came music such as techno, steampunk, cyber punk and punk rock. “My cousin was a working tattoo artist. As a young person, I was very aware of the subculture of tattoos but had no idea it was going to influence me so much. It led to me discovering GROUNDCOVER NEWS Undercover art intel: street artist James Manning Manning selling art at the corner of 4th and Liberty Street. 7 tribal art. “Tribal art in the tattoo art world came from three large native groups — Pacific Rim islanders, the New Zealand Maori, Australian Aboriginals — as well the Canadian Inuit and Northwest coastal people, who all adorn both body and face with tattoos. For many tribal people, this form of tattoo is a right of passage into warrior society and man and womanhood rights. Shamans also tattoo the face to show one’s spirit animal and status. “Tribal tattoo art has become a new form of cultural expression, and it takes on a sense of sacredness. It truly is a bold statement when shown on the body. “What I did not know is how fast I would come to love this form of imaging. Tribal became my new obsession. What I love about it is the bold sweeping curves, and the many different kinds of images. No two are exactly the same. “I do commission work as well as see JAMES page 11 
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8 GROUNDCOVER NEWS VENDOR VOICES AMANDA GALE Groundcover vendor No. 573 Warning! This article is kind of an open article for Christians — and whoever else wants to come along. In the ageless, timeless Book it is declared: “Let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years.” (Gen 14.d-g, GNV) Like any widely observable and somewhat rare Heavenly phenomenon, the Great American Eclipse (April 8, 2024) came and went, and with it the typical doomsdayers and spin prognosticators seeking to capture it to their ends. If we consult The Maker of The Eclipse, however, we might just find HIS timeless, priceless message. It was widely advertised that the trajectory of the 2024 Eclipse that passed through North America included seven cities that are named Nineveh. There is also an eighth city of Ninevah that the Great American Eclipse passed through in Canada. Often in The Bible we find repeating names of people and places when GOD wants to emphasize certain indications and meanings from those names. Also, various Christian scholars throughout the ages (and in modern time, most notably D. James Kennedy, “The Gospel In The Stars”) have noted that stars, constellations and planetary signs are interspersed throughout The Bible. The scales of Libra make their appearance in The Book of Daniel (Daniel 5:27). WARNING! A Kingdom wanting for justice — will soon have it meted out. The Symbol of Libra also appears in Revelation with one of the four apocalyptic horsemen carrying it and crying out, “A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny, and oil, and wine hurt [you] not,” (Rev 6:5), signifying economic hardship and/or famine. The Virgin of Virgo has an extra-special picture for us to wonder at; the Deliverer-Child birthed to Her, and the old cataclysmic battle from "The Dragon" against Her and This Child (Rev 12), enraged and doing all he can, however he can — to seek their demise (Rev 12:34, 6-7-17). Holy Scripture indicates eclipses as special attesting indications from GOD (Joshua 10.12, Isaiah 13.10, Acts 2.20) and we find a special eclipse or an eclipse-like effect occurring during the three hours CHRIST was atoning for our sins on HIS Cross (Luke 23:44-45). But it was to Jonah (Matt 12:39, 16:4) that CHRIST referred when people requested of HIM “a sign.” So what is the sign and message of Jonah? And what BLESSING is there if we receive its impact? Why will we not want to miss this special message, even after the Eclipse itself has come and gone? When Jonah was being RESCUED, he JULY 12, 2024 Jonah and the Great American Eclipse: are we yet missing it? declared, “They that wait upon lying vanities, forsake their own mercy”’ (Jonah 2:8, GNV). What if we observe Heavenly Signs and Earthly Wonders — and never really meet with and worship The GOD WHO made them? Why would we want to appreciate spectacular effects and not connect with the special, awesome PERSON from WHOM these proceed (see John 6:26 and Jeremiah 29:13)? Let’s step back in time; Jonah was one of GOD’s Prophets, though unlike most of the prophets, Jonah was sent to a “heathen” people — to Nineveh — to warn them that they might repent, turn to GOD and not face judgment. The Assyrian Kingdom that Nineveh was the capital of, and to which Jonah was sent, was expanding greatly. Meanwhile, Jeroboam II was a wicked King who was reigning over the Nation of Israel, with its capital Jerusalem. It’s like GOD was saying, “OK, the Nation of Israel through which I’ve been seeking to get my message of grace out to everyone in the whole earth isn’t cooperating; so, I’ll send SOMEONE (Isaiah 49:6-7, Luke 2:32) directly to these other people — starting at Nineveh.” Jonah didn’t want to obey GOD and tell this other group of people, this other nation, about GOD’s Mercy and Love they would experience if they would but turn to HIM (Jonah 4:2). Some of that seems to be nationalistic superiority; Jonah certainly was missing GOD’s plan and Heart (as in Luke 9:54-55). There also was likely understandable fear! “What will occur if that rival nation continues its expansion? Can GOD be trusted?” It would also be really embarrassing for Jonah and the Nation of Israel that GOD had been pleading to be HIS witness to everyone! In the whole earth, if Nineveh and not Jerusalem was repenting. However, even now the “religious Jerusalem” (See Rom 9:6 and Rev 21:2) isn’t repenting. Yet GOD will get HIS message of mercy to everyone somehow; and HE will not forsake his own nor any of HIS promises. We fallen and finite humans want “the Wrong Thing.” Instead of really caring about people and see JONAH page 11  JULY 12, 2024 PUZZLES 1 13 17 20 23 29 32 33 37 40 43 46 51 52 55 56 57 60 63 58 61 64 38 41 44 47 53 59 62 65 45 48 54 49 50 42 34 24 18 21 25 30 22 26 27 28 31 35 39 36 2 4 5 6 7 GROUNDCOVER NEWS CROSSWORD from the International Network of Street Papers 3 8 14 15 16 19 9 10 11 12 9 Groundcover Vendor Code While Groundcover is a non-profit, and paper vendors are self-employed contractors, we still have expectations of how vendors should conduct themselves while selling and representing the paper. The following is our Vendor Code of Conduct, which every vendor reads and signs before receiving a badge and papers. We request that if you discover a vendor violating any tenets of the Code, please contact us and provide as many details as possible. Our paper and our vendors should be positively impacting our County. • Groundcover will be distributed for a voluntary donation. I agree not to ask for more than the cover price or solicit donations by any other means. • When selling Groundcover, I will always have the current biweekly issue of Groundcover available for customer purchase. • I agree not to sell additional goods or products when selling the paper or to panhandle, including panhandling with only one paper or selling past monthly issues. • I will wear and display my badge when selling papers and refrain from wearing it or other Groundcover gear when engaged in other activities. • I will only purchase the paper from Groundcover Staff and will not sell to or buy papers from other Groundcover vendors, especially vendors who have been suspended or terminated. • I agree to treat all customers, staff, and other vendors respectfully. I will not “hard sell,” threaten, harass or pressure customers, staff, or other vendors verbally or physically. • I will not sell Groundcover under the influence of drugs or alcohol. • I understand that I am not a legal employee of Groundcover but a contracted worker responsible for my own well-being and income. • I understand that my badge is property of Groundcover and will not deface it. I will present my badge when purchasing the papers. • I agree to stay off private property when selling Groundcover. • I understand to refrain from selling on public buses, federal property or stores unless there is permission from the owner. • I agree to stay at least one block away from another vendor in downtown areas. I will also abide by the Vendor Corner Policy. • I understand that Groundcover strives to be a paper that covers topics of homelessness and poverty while providing sources of income for the homeless. I will try to help in this effort and spread the word. If you would like to report a violation of the Vendor Code please email contact@groundcovernews.com or fill out the contact form on our website. ACROSS 1. Airport in AK 4. Kvetch 8. In base 8 13. 2016 Olympics host 14. Division signs 16. "Ta da!" 17. Proxima Centauri b, for one 19. English county 20. Unit of pressure 21. Needle holder 23. Salad green 25. Pixie 26. "A Nightmare on ___ Street" 29. Egyptian fertility goddess 30. Barbecue site 31. Chinese "way" 32. Fang contents 34. Do some modeling 35. "Mr. Holland's ___" 37. Zeal 38. Library stamp 39. Hang loose 40. Lug 41. Singles 42. Bleeding heart 43. Part of mpg 44. Bread at an Indian restaurant 45. Sound of resignation 46. Tokyo, formerly 47. Hall of Famer Mel 48. Givens 51. Not domestic 54. Spoiled brat 55. Give rise to 58. Praising 60. Gold unit 61. Collection 62. "It's no ___!" 63. Foreword, for short 64. Christmas season 65. In medias ___ DOWN 1. Mountain crest 2. Watergate figure 3. Organized 4. Maj.'s superior 5. Lessens 6. Ashcroft's predecessor 7. Diplomat 8. "Your turn" 9. Beautician 10. "___ the season ..." 11. A pint, maybe 12. Calif. airport 15. Lists (Brit.) 18. Captured enemy 22. More fitting 24. Vigor's partner 27. Celebratory circuit 28. Shed feathers (Var.) 32. Do a background check on 33. Run off to the chapel 34. Long cigar 36. Sneaky 38. Philanthropist 42. Half a dozen 45. Summer footwear 49. Code with dots and dashes 50. Eye sores 52. "I'm ___ you!" 53. Expert 55. Hit the slopes 56. Give a bad review 57. "A jealous mistress": Emerson 59. Affirmative vote
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10 GROUNDCOVER NEWS STREET ART The art of gentrification There are a few new murals going up at any given time in Ann Arbor. It’s one of the many things that make the city lively and fun. My friend Ben recently received a commission to do an amazing mural at Washtenaw Dairy. There was a 10 by 40 foot mural called “Best Boy Blue” of a staggering and under-recognized genius that went up in Graffiti Alley last month. Graffiti is a voice of underserved people that expresses concerns about society, remembers lost loved ones, or shows affection for bodily functions and components, to name a few. Originally seen as a form of vandalism, graffiti has evolved into a recognized art form that shapes the visual and cultural landscape of neighborhoods worldwide. This evolution challenges conventional perceptions and highlights graffiti's role in fostering creativity and community engagement. Beyond aesthetics, graffiti plays a crucial role in shaping neighborhood identity. It serves as a visual representation of cultural diversity, historical narratives, and community values, thereby fostering a collective memory among residents. This cultural richness distinguishes neighborhoods and enhances their appeal as vibrant, livable spaces. However, the increasing popularity of graffiti has also sparked debates about gentrification and urban development. Real estate developers and businesses sometimes appropriate graffiti to enhance property values or attract affluent residents, displacing long-time residents and erasing the authentic character of neighborhoods. In recent years, graffiti has become a prominent medium for social justice movements. Artists use walls as canvases to memorialize victims of racial injustice, challenge systemic racism, and advocate for social change. These murals serve as poignant reminders of ongoing struggles and rallying points for community solidarity. Anthony McCormick, a local housing justice advocate, said, “Destroying a mural is equivalent to silencing a community. These voices that once cried out for recognition now fade into the background.” Recognizing public art’s potential as a vehicle for education and community engagement, schools and organizations increasingly incorporate graffiti workshops and mural projects into their curricula. These initiatives not only teach artistic skills but also foster civic responsibility and cultural awareness among participants. By involving residents in the creation of public art, communities build social cohesion and strengthen bonds across ROBBIE FEBRUARY Groundcover contributor Huron Street bridge after BLM mural was taken down. JULY 12, 2024 diverse demographics. In neighborhoods with rich cultural histories, graffiti serves as a means of preserving traditions and memories. Artists draw inspiration from local folklore, ancestral practices, and community narratives to create murals that celebrate diversity and challenge stereotypes. Graffiti thus becomes a living archive that documents stories and experiences, ensuring that cultural heritage continues to resonate within contemporary urban settings. Despite its cultural value, graffiti faces regulatory challenges and legal scrutiny in many municipalities. Advocates argue for policies that recognize graffiti as a legitimate art form while addressing concerns about property damage. By fostering dialogue between artists, policymakers, and community members, cities can develop inclusive strategies that promote responsible graffiti practices and support artistic freedom. Ann Arbor shame One culturally significant piece has existed on the Huron Street railroad bridge — a hangout near the Delonis Center — for a few years. This piece of art recognized those that were killed by police, specifically people of color; it celebrated their lives and called for change. This art was significant and this art had meaning but it was removed. Replacing art of those killed in police action with “flower-washed” tissue box art disrespects the community whose collective struggle it represents. In May 2024, Ann Arbor unveiled a new mural adorning that same bridge, signaling a transformational moment for the city's downtown area. The mural's vibrant colors and flowery theme were intended to beautify the area and create a sense of pride and shared identity among local residents; but some feel differently. One local resident and artist stepped away from the excellent job they were doing managing FedUp Food Ministries to speak with me. Cortney Labbe said, “They intended to include Delonis Center residents in the project. I am not sure they did so. I’m surprised that covering up a significant Black Lives Matter mural didn’t raise any concerns during planning.” Ripping out and replacing significant art to meet upper middle class aesthetics will not create the future that Ann Arborites want. According to newspaper reports, the corporate artists and their supporters, “The Murals That Bridge,” raised over $150,000 for this and a similar amount for other overpass mural projects. That is more than 15% of the budget for The Shelter Association of Washtenaw County. SAWC claims to serve more than 1200 people annually. Therefore, this effort to turn the Huron Street Bridge BLM mural into a Kleenex advertisement is a waste of funds that could otherwise house, feed and support nearly 200 at-risk individuals in our community for a year. It demonstrates a lack of understanding of art, human kindness and fiscal responsibility. If we continue to feed the cultural racism masquerading as quasi-philanthropic acts, our community will continue to fracture around borders. socioeconomic JULY 12, 2024 CONTINUED  JAMES from page 7 drawing what moves me. If someone wants an image of tribal art, I'm willing to go for it. Many also use this for tattoos or just hang it on a wall. Believe it or not, I have two commissions I’m currently working on. I hope to get more as the summer progresses. “I'm looking at the possibility of going into art school and getting a bachelor's degree in graphic design and starting some computer graphics classes as well. "The art form I now practice is called abstract tribal art. Abstract is shapeless and formless, influenced by indigenous tribes across the world, along with the influence of lovecraft, steampunk, cyberpunk, bubblegum, pacific rim, Battle Angel and Dragon Ball Z.” Conclusion As a low income artist it can be hard to get art supplies and work. So I give a small shout to the world to help with James’ work. If you wish to show interest or even commission a piece of work from James, please contact Groundcover (page 2), or you can often find James near the downtown Ann Arbor library on the corner of Fifth Street and GROUNDCOVER NEWS 11 Liberty selling Groundcover News. You can also help James out by giving him any of the following: • mechanical pencils • fine point sharpies • sketchbooks (medium sized) • Prismacolor fine point pens • small sketchbook for ideas  JONAH from page 8 animals, we want esteem, trendy causes, right doctrine and liturgy, clubby, churchy culture. The message Jonah ultimately points us to however, is CHRIST’S Cross and HIS Resurrection. Here we find encouragement and hope for humanity. The Book of Jonah points to CHRIST via symbol-types; for example, prophetically prefiguring depictions that parallel HIS PERSON, sufferings, death, resurrection and redeeming mission. Just a few of these are; The "Word" (John 1:1) that comes to Jonah (Jonah 1:1) to The Assyrian King (Jonah 3:6) and The Word that is proclaimed (Jonah 3.4, 7-9). Jonah as the strange, out-of-realm “FOREIGNER,” and the “guilty” one who must be sacrificed for others’ absolution and freedom (Jonah 1.:, 11-12). The REDEEMER, the SUFFERING ONE; and one who is utterly forsaken (Jonah 2.4, Matt 27:46) all prefigure and point to CHRIST’S PERSON. Almost all of Jonah Chapter 2 is replete with descriptions paralleling CHRIST’S sufferings and death, and temporary banishment to Hell. From 2:3 for example, “Weeds were wrapped around my head” even specifically prefigures the horror of the Crown of Thorns CHRIST would receive. Jonah was spared death; however the language indicating death pangs and death following and along with grueling sufferings, are intertwined throughout Jonah Chapter 2. We find descriptors such as, “Out of the belly of hell,” (Jonah 2:2), and “The waters compassed me about unto the soul: the depth closed me round about …” (Jonah 2:5a-b) , and “For [you had] cast me into the bottom in the midst of the sea, and the floods compassed me about: all [YOUR] surges, and all [YOUR] waves passed over me.” (Jonah 2:3) for example. CHRIST’S RESURRECTION is vividly and poetically afore depicted as, “I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me forever; yet [have YOU] brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my GOD” (Jonah 2:6) Also, other various allusions prophetically indicating CHRIST are presented via Jonah’s Redeeming Mission, a parallel/contrast of the Redeemer asleep in the bottom of a boat during a storm that has other passengers troubled, and casting of lots that occurs, just as it will/ did for CHRIST’S last garments. Each of these pointers thus, is towards CHRIST; just like the Voice present at HIS baptism that Calls Out; “This is MY BELOVED SON; HEAR HIM!” This message is therefore inviting us to believe on JESUS and be saved (Mark 1:15, John 14:6) transformed to be like JESUS (Rom 13:14) — and as much as we will (Matt 13:8). Also then, CHRIST’S people and church are supposed-to-be being “salt and light” on this Earth, bringing GOD’S mercies to as many people as possible who will receive HIM. We are also supposed-to-be not only GOD’s Voice calling people out from the ways of this fallen, sinful world, but also exactly to GOD’s Ways of LOVE and MERCY (Matt 12:7, John 13:34). This includes not only acknowledging the ONE, TRUE and LIVING GOD; but also exactly in HIS SPIRIT to minister to practical needs and empower to “a leg up” — just as the First Century Christians actually did! (Acts 2:44-47, Acts 4:34-35) It’s not enough to simply wish people good (Jas 2:16 a-c , I John 3:17) ; we must actively be bringing GOD’S mercies via meeting practical needs, and opening jobs and opportunities. We must do this for everyone. Including the outcasts, the non-in-crowd, those who for whatever reasons have practical needs for life openings and resources. Whatever blessings I have, I therefore have the responsibility to seek the blessing of others. At this time in Christian history, there has been much saying correct teachings about who CHRIST is, and the salvation from our sin HE offers — though astonishingly then not actually being as JESUS in this World— to have and lead the way for social conscience, to give gladly what we truly can to stop our arrogance of blame for practical needs and invite people to the level ground at the foot of CHRIST’S Cross. To humbly seek to live in and offer CHRIST’S transformational LOVE to a world in need! Exactly this includes offering job openings, life calling opportunities, providing resources and means, empowering shoulder to shoulder. This fallen, sinful world only has counterfeits! This is also why it’s so important that GOD’s conduit for modern-day — the actual, believing Christian Church — return to being “on-mission” with GOD and HIS mercies for people and animals and for this World that HE created and HIMSELF suffered and died for (John 3:16-17). It’s easier and more “culturally comfortable” to cognitively believe — as even demons do! (Jas 2:19) — all the right facts, doctrine. The actual, liberating Gospel of Jesus however, calls us to real heart transformation and life (II Cor 5:17). The Christian contemporary band Casting Crowns has a line in a song that says, “What if we put down our signs, crossed over the lines, and loved like [HE] did?” “Churchianity” calls us to counterfeit; THE HOLY SPIRIT calls us to really live the values of JESUS — to be HIS Hands and Feet (I John 4:17)— in all aspects of our lives. THE HOLY SPIRIT wants “a cup of cold water” (Matt 10.42) to be given in JESUS’ name. When CHRIST’S people don’t do this, others counterfeit. Jonah’s message includes the irony that if those of us who “believe-on-JESUS” are refusing our mission — GOD in HIS mercies will nonetheless one way or the other send out and offer HIS mercies. As GOD deals with people in The Book of Jonah, we find HE is completely trustworthy. HIS ways are goodness, truth, mercy. HE will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb 13:5). Following HIM leads us only to good for ourselves and others — though sometimes in this fallen, sinful world also with some sufferings and persecutions. There is a 1990s song by Christian singers FFH called “Big Fish” that certainly can be a fun reminder about Jonah and GOD’s Message to and through him, and thankfully over our own failings. A sad thing regarding Jonah is that after he was delivered and no longer in danger: 1) He allowed himself to forget the tender touch of GOD’S LOVE that he had experienced SO powerfully and particularly while he was being rescued (Jonah 2:6-10); 2) Jonah did not continue to defer to GOD when his own limited understandings were challenging what GOD exp. 01/31/2025 was actually telling him and CALLING him to do (Jonah 4:1-4). As we look forward, will we ourselves receive JESUS and truly share HIM with others? The gourd plant (also symbolizing CHRIST) that comforted Jonah and then was mercilessly eaten by a worm exposed Jonah’s return to hypocritical, non-care for people and animals (Jonah 4:2, 11). This observation helps us realize our own utter callousness to CHRIST, people, animals, and plants. In light of CHRIST’S horrible sufferings and death to atone for us, after GOD stretched out HIS arms on a cross — WHAT ARE WE DOING? Are we living HIS LOVE? Being HIS Hands and Feet? For shame! If we don’t seek our every breath and moment — given back in praise and gratitude to HIM. FATHER, help us look to YOU, and not miss the BLESSED sign of Jonah; to point us to CHRIST JESUS and the LOVE HE has for us EACH and ALL, and wants us to have for each other. AMEN.

June 28, 2024


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2 GROUNDCOVER NEWS GROUNDCOVER free community EVENTS ANN ARBOR JAYCEES ANNUAL FOURTH OF JULY PARADE Thursday, July 4, 10 a.m. The parade route starts at E. William St. and S. State St., running north on State, west on Liberty, south on Main, east on William and ending south on Thompson. YPSILANTI FOURTH OF JULY PARADE Thursday, July 4, 11 a.m. The 94th Annual Fourth of July Parade will start at the corner of Oakwood and Cross Street and ends in Depot Town at Rice Street with a time capsule reveal at Riverside Park. ANN ARBOR ART FAIR July 18-20, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. State Street, Liberty Street, Main Street, North University The Ann Arbor Art Fair captivates nearly half a million visitors over a vibrant three-day extravaganza every July. Renowned as the largest juried art fair nationwide, it showcases the talents of nearly 1,000 artists, spanning an impressive 30-cityblock footprint throughout downtown Ann Arbor. CHELSEA SOUNDS & SIGHTS Thursdays through July 25, 6:30-8:30 p.m., downtown Chelsea GROUNDCOVER NEWS 2024 VISUAL ARTS CONTEST EXHIBIT • June 20-July 22, Ann Arbor District Library downtown branch (first floor lobby). • July 24-September 1, Makeshift Gallery, 407 E Liberty St. GROUNDCOVER PRESENTS: MUSIC and ART at MAKESHIFT GALLERY Sunday, July 28, 12-2 p.m., Makeshift Gallery, 407 E Liberty St. Join the Groundcover News community in launching the second exhibit at MakeShift gallery with coffee, snacks, music and words from the artists. JOHN E LAWRENCE SUMMER JAZZ SERIES Every Friday 7-9 p.m. July 5-August 23, Ford Lake Park, 9075 S Huron River Drive Bring your own chairs and enjoy some of the finest jazz in Michigan! YPSILANTI JAZZ FESTIVAL Saturday, July 27, 5-9 p.m. at Montibeller Park. Sean Dobbins, Dave Stryker and Jarod Gold, the Blu Reed band (a local student band) will be playing. SEE MORE MUSIC EVENTS ON PAGE 10 PROVIDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELF-DETERMINED INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY POVERTY, PRODUCING A STREET NEWSPAPER THAT GIVES A PLATFORM TO UNDERREPRESENTED VOICES IN WASHTENAW COUNTY, PROMOTING AN ACTION TO BUILD A JUST, CARING AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETY. Groundcover News, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in April 2010 as a means to empower lowincome persons to make the transitions from homeless to housed, and from jobless to employed. Vendors purchase each copy of our regular editions of Groundcover News at our office for 50 cents. This money goes towards production costs. Vendors work selling the paper on the street for $2, keeping all income and tips from each sale. Street papers like Groundcover News exist in cities all over the United States, as well as in more than 40 other countries, in an effort to raise awareness of the plight of homeless people and combat the increase in poverty. Our paper is a proud member of the International Network of Street Papers. STAFF Lindsay Calka — publisher Cynthia Price — editor Hanan Husein — intern ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS Elizabeth Bauman Teresa Basham Dezz Clark La Shawn Courtwright Brandy Finley Cindy Gere Hosea Hill Mike Jones Jane Reilly Ken Parks Denise Shearer Tony Smith GROUNDCOVER NEWS ADVERTISING RATES Size 1/8 1/6 1/4 1/2 full page Black/White $110.00 $145.00 $200.00 $375.00 $650.00 Color $150.00 $200.00 $265.00 $500.00 $900.00 Dimensions (W x H in inches) 5 X 3 or 2.5 X 6.5 5 X 4 5 X 6.25 5 X 13 or 10.25 X 6.5 10.25 X 13 Wayne Sparks Scoop Stevens PROOFREADERS Susan Beckett Elliot Cubit Zachary Dortzbach Anabel Sicko VOLUNTEERS Jessi Averill Glenn Gates Alexandra Granberg Jacob Fallman Robert Klingler Simone Masing Emily Paras Caelan Saunders Melanie Wenzel Mary Wisgerhof Max Wisgerhof Emily Yao CONTACT US Story and photo submissions: submissions@groundcovernews.com Advertising and partnerships: contact@groundcovernews.com Office: 423 S. 4th Ave., Ann Arbor Mon-Sat, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Phone: 734-263-2098 @groundcover @groundcovernews DONATE, LISTEN TO OLD ISSUES + LEARN MORE www.groundcovernews.org linktr.ee/groundcovernews PACKAGE PRICING Three Months/Six Issues: 15% off Six Months/Twelve Issues: 25% off Full Year/Twenty-four Issues: 35% off Only run for two weeks/one issue: 40% off Additional 20% discount for money saving coupons JUNE 28, 2024 exp. 01/31/2025 JUNE 28, 2024 ON MY CORNER ASK YOUR VENDOR What's your favorite body of water? The Pacific Ocean. — Shawn Swoffer, #574 Silver Lake. — Wayne Sparks, #615 A swimming pool! — Cindy Gere, #279 Torch Lake ... where Kid Rock has his home. — Terri Demar, #322 I don't know the name of it, but it was a stream in Rey Springs, North Carolina. It was so clear and so cold. — Joe Woods, #103 The Gulf of Mexico. — Derek Allen, #177 Lake Michigan. — Jocelin Boyd, #85 The Potomac River. — Mary Vanover, #636 I like the river better than the sea because you can drink the water and it is cold. Better for swimming, too. — Roberto Isla Caballero, #347 The Pacific Ocean. — Jane Reilly, #611 The Mississippi River! — Ken Parks, #490 Chesapeake Bay. — Michael Brown, #306 Atlantic Ocean — its quite beautiful and relaxing. — Hosea Hill, #532 1969 — the summer of love! Dancing in the streets, rock bands galore, the summer of revolution. We all wanted in on it. In 1969, we called each other “brother” and meant it. There were free concerts, people traveling from one end of the country to the other, spreading the message “all we need is love.” Be free, be active, be involved – it was the rise of the hippies. Tiedyed T-shirts, bell bottom pants, these weren't fashion statements; this was how we recognized each other. And let’s not forget the hair: long glorious heads of hair. Every redneck in the nation fought to collect hair off of the hippies’ heads. That was the trophy of the day and they were serious about collecting every strand of it they could. Things were changing. There was Why am I still calling it the WAYNE S. Groundcover vendor No. 615 an upheaval of all known things that can be changed. “Hey buddy leave that flag alone!” That saying is my symbol of the other side, the people that flew around the world of “justice and the American way” — whatever that was. We were experiencing that harrowing time of “the summer of love.” summer of love when it degenerated into so much hate invading the streets, race riots, protests against the war, good Americans turning bad?! Because of the message, man! War is bad, peace is good! Social injustice is bad, equality between the races is good, why is it so hard to get, people!? Looking back, I find Wall Street, the government and the average working person now trying to explain away and reinvent what really happened. I will take peace over war. I will take coming together rather than pulling apart. I want justice for the masses. I want too much, you say; I say you are wrong. So let’s make 2024 “1969 REVISITED.” All you need is love. GROUNDCOVER NEWS 3 Boss Baby (2017) movie review The first time I saw “Boss Baby,” it was at the movie theater on Carpenter Rd. in Ypsilanti. I was with my boyfriend and we had a ton of fun. It was so good that we watched it together two more times at home. Even though this film came out a while ago, it still holds a special place in my heart. Boss Baby presents audiences with adorable characters and scenes for the whole family to enjoy. The story centers on a growing family, with mom and dad bringing home a new baby boy to meet his older brother, Tim (Miles Bakshi). But it is soon clear to Tim that his baby brother is more than the innocent newborn that he seems to be — he is a Boss Baby. the film takes place in Heaven, as all the babies prepare to join their new families down on Earth. In the background, one of my favorite songs plays — “Cheek to Cheek” — with all the babies singing about how excited they are to meet their new families. Fun for the whole family, “Boss DENISE SHEARER Groundcover vendor No. 485 The Boss Baby himself (Alec Baldwin), adds plenty of humor throughout the film as he portrays his familiar role as a high-powered executive, but trapped in the adorable body of a newborn baby. My favorite scene in Baby” brings colorful, heartwarming characters to life with plenty of cute babies to enjoy along the way. A story of coming together as a family, the film shares important lessons about learning to share and how to accept new people into your space. This film is one of my all-time favorites and I hope it will be one of yours too. Check out “Boss Baby” for your next family movie night!
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4 GROUNDCOVER NEWS JULY 4TH SCOOP STEVENS Groundcover vendor No. 638 On July 4, 2024, Americans celebrate the 248th birthday of an exclusive political community founded on the principle of white supremacy. The Southern Confederacy sought to maintain this political community when they seceded in 1861 and started the American Civil War (1861-65). The founding of modern America as a just and inclusive nation doesn’t begin until after the military defeat of the Southern Confederacy, followed by the Reconstruction Amendments: 13th Amendment (1865), 14th Amendment (1868) and 15th Amendment (1870). The history of the United States is the history of being weaned off of Christianity. The Declaration of Independence declares that the new occupation of life is the pursuit of happiness, which replaces finding one’s place in Christendom. Since most of the immigrants coming to America were coming from Christendom and bringing their state religion with them, America’s founders gave us the First Amendment to keep them from establishing their religion. In the process of being weaned off of Christianity, the resources of the earth have been exhausted and humanity is on the brink of ecological catastrophe, but we are also on the verge of a new age of consciousness. In a speech that African American abolitionist leader Frederick Douglass gave, he asked rhetorically, what does the 4th of July mean to the “negro” in America? It means to always be an outsider, to never really be part of a political community that was instituted for the benefit of white people. All of this began to change after the Civil War because of the 13th Amendment which makes slavery illegal, the 14th Amendment which makes former slaves citizens and the 15th Amendment which empowers them to vote. Looking at history, the United States has become much more inclusive than other nations since that time. Roman crucifixion was the ultimate tool of propaganda, the fictional Gospel of Jesus Christ is proof of this. America’s answer was and is the Eighth Amendment which bans the federal government and by incorporation (14th Amendment — due process) the state governments from using “cruel and unusual punishment.” There is much to celebrate in America’s founding era 1775-91 but Independence Day is not really about the birth of a great nation. America didn’t become a great nation of justice and inclusion until after the Civil War and the Voting Rights act of 1965 which built upon the 14th and 15th amendments. Abraham Lincoln said in the Gettysburg Address, “Government of the people, by the people and for the people ... ” In light of this, “We the People” should change the national anthem from the anthem conceived in slavery, "The Star-Spangled Banner," to the anthem conceived while ending it, the Battle Hymn of the Republic where men die to set other men free. JUNE 28, 2024 Should Americans celebrate Independence Day? Protestors, not terrorists! The seven founding fathers: George Washington,Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay and James Madison. Washington the strong soldier, Thomas Jefferson the political revolutionary, John Adams the philosopher, the inventor Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton the statesman, John Jay the forgotten founding father, and James Madison the father of the constitution. I wonder if these fine gentlemen are terrorists? Are these not the gentlemen who led protests which led to the Revolutionary War to gain independence from Britain? Let’s not forget to mention the founding mothers: Phillis Wheatley, Martha Washington, Abigail Adams, and Elizabeth Schuyler, who contributed a lot in this time period of building a nation. MIKE JONES Groundcover vendor No. 113 Did they not teach us in elementary school about our right to free speech and our right to assemble and protest? I don’t want to sound like the Backstreet Boys, but "tell me why” the DeKalb County Prosecutor Sherry Boston charged 61 protesters with conspiracy and 42 protesters with domestic terrorism? “Stop Cop City” is a multi-faceted Imagine iconic Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks being called or labeled terrorists. That would sound ludicrous. But here in America at ground-zero of the civil-rights movement in Atlanta, Ga., government officials are now charging protesters with racketeering and domestic terrorism. movement in the struggle with the Atlanta Police, opposing the building of a Police Training Center. “Cop City” is a $90 million police and fire training facility to be built in Atlanta. This plan has embroiled the city in protest and demonstrations for two years. Protests like this have now taken hold on the global scale. On just about all seven continents there is some kind of protest or social demonstration taking place daily. Nations have their hands full trying to quell dissent.The free nations of this world must be doing something wrong. All these nations claim to be liberal free democratic bodies of governments, but the policies they support and back render mass protest and unrest. The positioning and actions of these nations contradict what these nations say they are all about. And now, through desperate means, they are willing to label and charge ordinary citizens as terrorists. The student-led Encampment for Gaza and the Divestment of Major Universities Funding to Israel has taken hold in America and Europe. These students are doing us all a favor by standing up for what is right! I say, thank you to all the students who were arrested and all who stand up for justice! The student-led protests and demonstrations stand on the foundation of principles of the constitution of America. These students are doing what they were taught to do, to stand and resist against what is wrong! JUNE 28, 2024 JULY 4TH The Deep State Is Trump targeted by the Deep State or is he part of it? The chain of command gets complex at the higher levels and none of them want to be identified. President Bush Jr. declared himself to be the Decider. We now know he was a spokesperson of Project for a New American Century (PNAC). It is at this level where we find the Deep State. As the Soviet Union imploded, the PNAC came out as the spokesperson for the sole super power.This is a subject of deep doo doo, the filthy lucre which is the flip side of lucrative. If you go to the top of the chain of command there are the central planners that plan what Bill Clinton called “market democracy” and the management of financial flows through Wall Street. They believe the world is their oyster. FOIA (Freedom of Information Act, which allows citizens to request documents from the government), does not apply to everything and releases are so redacted they are meaningless. There was a lawsuit in Detroit in the 1970s to release the Red Squad files which included surveillance of all peace and justice events. My mother got hers. There was a lot of black ink over the print. They did show that she attended events that I helped organize. You would never see the names of those spying on you. They were seen copying the license plates of all the cars in the parking lot.The Detroit Red Squad was part of Cointelpro, a cross-agency counter intelligence task force organized to infiltrate and destroy resistance from the working class and oppressed minorities with a focus on the Black Panther Party, the American Indian Movement and the Brown Berets. The ruling class has many resources to dominate the narrative you hear. I did not apply to get a copy of my file after I saw it would be mostly black ink. The Chicago police branch of Cointelpro shot Black Panther leader Fred Hampton in his bed and called a press conference to claim that the Panthers shot first. Chicago local media told the truth, the national media did not at the time. Europeans came to Turtle Island, now known as North America, and brought a supremacism based on the nation state and the Age of Enlightenment, which gave birth to capitalism and the first scientific revolution with Galileo, Copernicus and Isaac Newton in the forefront. I searched “leading thinkers” and Google popped up with “of the enlightenment” before I touched the next key. It is a thesis waiting to happen, a big turning point in history which is now KEN PARKS Groundcover vendor No. 490 meeting and plans for the New World Order. The unity of Turtles and Teamsters, environment and labor, was such a threat that the Seattle police riot rivaled the Chicago police riot at the Democratic convention of 1968. The media blamed protestors as the cause of violence in the ongoing culture of “blame the victim.” This wave of activism died after 9/11 and the War on Terror. Endless war is wearing us out and the amazing show of solidarity with giving birth to the next age of awareness. Einstein, Niels Bohr, Heisenberg and Szilard began to deepen our understanding of science from the machine model to a more open reality, and they did the preliminary work which led to the Manhattan project. Please watch “Oppemheimer” to experience the strange story of the atomic bomb and the nuclear era. Awareness of a bigger reality than the machine model takes root. Neuroscience, quantum mechanics and mindfulness are coming together in the seamless interrelatedness that promotes a more complete understanding and experience of life and death. East meets west and Buddhist teachers in the west are in the vanguard promoting mindful awareness. Globalization is growing beyond the commodity fetish of neoliberal financialization. The 1990s saw a huge wave of Globalize Liberation. The Zapatista movement came out as the North American Free Trade Agreemant (NAFTA) went into effect. Subcomandante Marcos was prominent on the world stage as a liberation leader who made good sense. The Zapatistas were a big influence on Occupy Wall Street and the global movement against the World Trade Organization (WTO). There was an international conference in Cuba that numbered in the thousands. I remember Canadian activists who had shut down Ottawa and called for more direct action. We were in an assembly hall with a microphone at every seat and headphones to choose your preferred language. Translations and sound were excellent. I raised my hand and got to speak after the Canadians. I applauded the many kinds of direct action and made the case for a general strike as the kind of direct action that would be most effective. Even a general strike would be a step towards organizing our power to be self-governing. The 1990s ended with the Battle of Seattle where many thousands protested the World Trade Organization Palestine is a sign that people do not want to be organized around the war machine. You are welcome to the peace vigil every Friday, 5:30pm at Liberty and Fifth Ave. I hope some of us go to Washington D.C. on July 24th to protest Netanyahu’s invitation to speak to Congress. I will work on follow-up details in a July Groundcover. It is time to focus on what we want more than what we don’t want. Coalition building with the goal of a United Front for the Salvation of America (UFSA). Precious human birth and the reality of impermanence motivates growing numbers of people to dig into our essential nature. We are social beings and individuals. To bring that reality to creative fruition is the challenge of our day. When we learn that political economy is the context of our daily life, we face the gods of capitalism who consider themselves to be eternal and omnipotent. Wealth accumulation is the god to whom most of us submit when we realize that poverty is a death sentence which takes skill and work to avoid. Grassroots work may mean living under the concrete of the commodified world as you search for a crack which allows a few photons to enter the darkness and grow sprouts. Take heart from dandelions! The masters of wealth accumulation use their wealth to organize the masters of violence to be their favored servants. This alliance gives new meaning to our ancestors' understanding of the powers behind the throne. Voila, we have the Deep State. Who is at the top of the chain of command? The Bible has a verse which is relevant here, Corinthians 6:12, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” That was written during the Roman empire. We are so much more see STATE page 7  GROUNDCOVER NEWS 5
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6 GROUNDCOVER NEWS MEET MY PET PAL meet my pet pal: PAUL & BLUIE A column on why those experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity have pets and why it is important to support that. What rewards do you get from having a pet? My depression goes away — he gives me a good reason to be happy! What is a challenge of having a pet while experiencing homelessness/ poverty/economic exploitation? It’s a challenge to keep him cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Also to get food and proper equipment for him. He is a catahoula-leopard-pitbull mix. How did you get your pet? I adopted him from a troubled kid. Tell us a few things about Bluie: He loves to play in the water. He loves steak and beef. He is very loyal! What is something our readers should know about your pet if they see you both on the street? Do not rush up to us because he will think you are trying to attack us. If I leave my post with Bluie, please wait JUNE 28, 2024 Before the photo op, Paul was working on his artwork on Liberty Street and Bluie was dozing in the summer sun. close by or come back in five minutes. Bluie will start barking at anyone who is near our stuff. I don’t like hanging out with loud and stupid crowds; they make Bluie scared and he may bite. He loves steak, vanilla ice cream — no chocolate, no onions, no seedy veggies or fruits. You can give him some pizza, but not a lot! Free Marijuana Society TONY SMITH Groundcover contributor My favorite four letter word is FREE. If you feel the same way, then the free marijuana society might be for you. https://www.freemarijuanasociety. org/pages/Info In Ann Arbor we have a place where once a day anyone over 21 can come and get FREE pot, every day! One may choose from indica, sativa, wax, pressed hash, or kief. This is not just some gak-schwag organized-crime weed, it's “dank af.” All that Liz, the purveyor of this unique social experiment, asks is that you don't pay any money! Liz will not take one red cent from you — so don't even offer. Simply call the number below to find out when the office is open. I liked the hash a lot, but I also enjoyed everything else. Liz had numerous kinds of wax to try; I was impressed. Not much in the way of edibles; however there are snacks and tea and coffee just in case one gets the munchies or needs a little shot in the arm after smoking a bit too much. Liz has an interesting story. She helped make Ann Arbor history. I’m sure most of my readers have at least heard of the “HASH BASH.” They gave John Sinclair ten years for two joints and John Lennon made the rest rock and roll history (in his song “John Sinclair.”) At the proto-Hash Bash in 1971, Lennon gave a concert intended to help free Sinclair. The first actual Hash Bash in 1972 wasn’t even called “the Hash Bash,” the T-shirt guy biffed the shirts they had made and called it the “hash festival.” Bash just rolls off the tongue better and eventually the name stuck. Another interesting aspect of this story is the reasoning behind the first IRL “Hash Bash.” Michigan's marijuana prohibition law lapsed for three days and so on April 1, 1972, weed was totally legal! Liz and friends had pounds of hash to get rid of in a hurry, because that's what law-abiding hippies do, I guess? So they decided to continue the tradition of celebrating the dream of the decriminalization of marijuana. I highly recommend if you want some FREE WEED that you holler at Liz. The idea is a good one. Free weed for sick people and maybe a completely decriminalized situation in the future? Kick Uncle Sam and their system pigs completely out of the garden. The government isn't any good at winning the war on drugs anyway — just take one look at Hunter Biden or consider all that Iran Contra coke they flew into Arkansas, those “glow in the dark” shade balls eventually put in the hands of men like Freeway Ricky Ross. Just think of the hypocrisy and broken lives poisoned by addiction to hard drugs, just think of the gangs and the violence, just think of the money they wasted. Our government waged chemical warfare on the American people. Those guys at the CIA are such great Americans. And this is why weed must be completely free, if I understand Liz properly. I think every sane adult ought not to have to deal with cops or criminals for any drug at all. I’m not a fan of hard drugs, but I’m definitely not a supporter of the prison-industrial complex either — screw them, screw Bill Clinton, Oliver North, George Bush, and all the government operatives who flooded America’s cities with coke from South America and later heroin from Afghanistan. We must absolutely get our government out of the business of drugs. But I digress. Maybe I’ll see you over at the Free Marijuana Society sometime? Don't be a stranger! You can grab some pot and split or chillax for a few and hear wild stories about the good old days, or maybe Liz will bust out the harmonicas and WAIL. My father played the harmonica and let me tell you Liz does a good job. Don’t bring any money, just give this number a call and enjoy nature’s nicest plant. Phone: 734-590-0499. Address: 280 Collingwood (Ste A) Ann Arbor. Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon-Fri; 2 p.m.-8 p.m. weekends **Hours may vary, please call for more info.** JUNE 28, 2024 ARTS CONTEST GROUNDCOVER NEWS 7 Vote for your favorite painting and view submissions to the other three media categories online at linktr.ee/ groundcovernews Voting closes August 5! Eric Kopchia Cindy Gere Robbie February  STATE from page 5 Ritter are among the best analysts we have. sophisticated now. The new imperial plan aims for full spectrum domination. Both outer space and inner space become battlefields as plans to colonize the moon and Mars mesh with the digital design to use all your time to keep in compliance with the terms and conditions of central planners. The gods of capital pay their servants well. Tony Schwartz, the ghost writer for “The Art of the Deal” spent enough time with Donald Trump to know him well and publicly repent for the success of his writing. His interviews are eye-openers. Some of us have known of the Deep State for decades. John le Carré educated many of us with his best seller “The Spy Who Came In From The Cold.” I saw the movie first in West Berlin after returning from a day in East Berlin. It was dubbed in German which in 1967 made little difference to me as I was happily bilingual. I then read the book in the original English and reread it regularly; I saw the movie in English several times. Richard Burton is at his best in this movie. Today we have the Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity, whistleblowers from the national intelligence community who tell us the inside story of the Deep State. It was founded by Ray McGovern, who with Col. Larry Wilkerson and Scott The idea of American exceptionalism and the sole superpower is thoroughly deconstructed. Donald Trump attacked the Deep State as traitors to America who are bent on sabotaging him. I cannot keep up with all the rhetoric about America the great but I do believe when we learn to be authentic in the style of Buddha, Jesus with some study on who is the last prophet. Some say Mohammed; I think Martin Luther King Jr. I must mention Gandhi who was deeply influenced by Thoreau who learned of the Deep State that set up the Mexican American War. He refused to pay taxes for this consolidation of American supremacy, known as Manifest Destiny. Thoreau wrote the classic essay On the Duty of Civil Disobedience. As the war machine aims for omnipotence in the 21st century, we need to analyze and reflect on a Constitution that has been seized and interpreted by private property extremists dedicated to claiming the commons as fair game for investors who devastate public health, public education, transportation … Wealth disparity has become obscene. We can make a stand by connecting withannarborcommunitycommons. org, Ann Arbor for Public Power, AnnArbor CoalitionAgainstWar.org — combined with daily mindfulness training so as to tune in to daily life. That’s where the action is: Democracy at Work as Richard Wolf teaches in his podcasts. Mario Savio is an icon for many of us who remember the Berkeley Free Speech Movement. His landmark passionate speech “Bodies Upon The Gears” was given at UC Berkeley in December 1964. Free speech is still the heart of the popular liberation movement as we struggle to free ourselves from every form of supremacism, until egomania is composted into the dustbin of history. Mindfulness training of body, speech and mind and the necessary discipline to follow through until we experience “calm and clear” and make that state of mind the center for deeper progress on the path. Awareness of our fundamental qualities of compassion, loving kindness and discriminating wisdom will lead to the actions that purify our karma and lead to “liberty and justice for all.” All hands on deck as we embrace reality and share in the awakening that benefits all without exception. I take another breath to walk with you on the path. We will hit critical mass and countless awakened beings will arise. Let’s be among them!
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8 GROUNDCOVER NEWS SPORTS HOSEA HILL Groundcover vendor No. 532 I was reading during the Michigan vs. Purdue baseball game on May 11 and learned that it was Little League Day at the ballpark (Ray Fisher Stadium at the Wilpon Complex in Ann Arbor). I had the opportunity to interview four Little League baseball players. Following is our conversation: Hosea Hill: Hey everybody, it's Hosea Hill here and thanks to Groundcover Newspaper, I'm a freelance writer with them. We're here today, May 11, the day before Mother's Day but we're celebrating a special day here at the Michigan baseball game vs Purdue. Michigan is tied up right now 5-5. I got some special guys with me, some young players, these are Little League players. Today is a special day, it's Little League appreiation day here at the game and hey we are going to introduce these kids here, we got four of them, hey what's your name buddy? TJ: Hi, I'm TJ and I play for Hawks Gold. HH: You play for the Hawks? Oh, that's a good team. What do you think about the game today? TJ: Hopefully Michigan wins, and Go Blue! HH: Sounds good. Where you from? TJ: South Lyon, Michigan. HH: What position do you play? TJ: I play catcher. HH: We got a young catcher here! Who's your friend next to you? TJ: This is Brenden. HH: Hey Brenden, what do you think about this game today? Brenden (B): I think it's going to be a good game and I hope that Michigan wins also. HH: Sounds good, Go Blue, right? B: Go Blue! HH: Yeah! You play with the Hawks too? B: Ummm-hummm. HH: What position are you playing? B: Outfield and everywhere. HH: You getting all in, you getting good experience out there, huh? B: Yeah. HH: Do you love baseball? B: Yeah. HH: Where are you from Brenden? B: I'm from Milford, Michigan. HH: Alright cool. We got another buddy right next to him, what's up kid? What's your name? Wesley (W): Wesley HH: It's good to meet you, Wesley. W: Good to meet you. HH: What position you playing Wesley? W: First base. HH: First base! Oh cool, what do you think about the game today? W: Good, I think Michigan will win. HH: Sounds good, let's Go Blue, right? Let me get a Go Blue from you. W: Go Blue! HH: Alright, hey buddy what's up? What's your name? Lincoln (L): Lincoln HH: Lincoln, we got a young Lincoln here hahahaha, hey Lincoln, what position you play? L: Third HH: Third base, right? L: Yep HH: How's that going? L: Good HH: Alright good, you play for the Hawks, too … What else can you tell me about the Hawks? L: They are a good team, they’re ranked sixth in the state and I got a lotta teammates. From left to right: Brenden,Wesley, TJ and Lincoln. HH: What do you think about the game today? L: I think it's good, it’s tied up right now. HH: Yeah, Go Blue right ... L: Yeah, Go Blue H: Yeah, I like that, hey hey thanks it was a pleasure meeting you all today and I wish you all the best luck — you guys are golden. Again, thanks to the kids that participated in this interview and their coach for giving me approval to talk with them. Michigan won the game too, Go Blue! JUNE 28, 2024 Interview with young fans at Michigan vs. Purdue JUNE 28, 2024 PUZZLES GROUNDCOVER NEWS LET'S CELEBRATE Tracy Bennett and Victor Fleming 9 Groundcover Vendor Code While Groundcover is a non-profit, and paper vendors are self-employed contractors, we still have expectations of how vendors should conduct themselves while selling and representing the paper. The following is our Vendor Code of Conduct, which every vendor reads and signs before receiving a badge and papers. We request that if you discover a vendor violating any tenets of the Code, please contact us and provide as many details as possible. Our paper and our vendors should be positively impacting our County. • Groundcover will be a voluntary purchase. I agree not to ask for more than the cover price or solicit donations by any other means. • When selling Groundcover, I will always have the current biweekly issue of Groundcover available for customer purchase. • I agree not to sell additional goods or products when selling the paper or to panhandle, including panhandling with only one paper or selling past monthly issues. • I will wear and display my badge when selling papers and refrain from wearing it or other Groundcover gear when engaged in other activities. • I will only purchase the paper from Groundcover Staff and will not sell to or buy papers from other Groundcover vendors, especially vendors who have been suspended or terminated. • I agree to treat all customers, staff, and other vendors respectfully. I will not “hard sell,” threaten, harass or pressure customers, staff, or other vendors verbally or physically. • I will not sell Groundcover under the influence of drugs or alcohol. • I understand that I am not a legal employee of Groundcover but a contracted worker responsible for my own well-being and income. • I understand that my badge is property of Groundcover and will not deface it. I will present my badge when purchasing the papers. • I agree to stay off private property when selling Groundcover. • I understand to refrain from selling on public buses, federal property or stores unless there is permission from the owner. • I agree to stay at least one block away from another vendor in downtown areas. I will also abide by the Vendor Corner Policy. • I understand that Groundcover strives to be a paper that covers topics of homelessness and poverty while providing sources of income for the homeless. I will try to help in this effort and spread the word. If you would like to report a violation of the Vendor Code please email contact@groundcovernews. com or fill out the contact form on our website. ACROSS 1. It's a wrap! 6. Pleads 10. Drive-___ window 14. Mother, in Madrid 15. First name that's also a noble rank 16. Defeat and cause to retreat 17. Road-tripper's navigational aid, before GPS 18. Locality 19. ___ Major ("greater bear" constellation) 20. Tiny imperfection 21. Summer observance celebrated with red velvet cake and strawberry soda 23. Japanese theatre style 25. The real ___ (authentic) 26. Word with code or colony 29. Subject 33. Opponent in a battle 36. Overabundance 39. Aloe ___ 40. Summer observance celebrated with sparklers and fireworks 43. Underworld river of Greek myth 44. Focus of many a perfectionist 45. Geniuses have high ones, for short 46. Puccini opera about an opera singer 48. Playful river mammal 50. Gave the once-over 53. Use strongarm tactics on 57. Summer observance celebrated with rainbow flags and parades 62.The ___ minimum 63. Way out 64. Singles in a till 65. Ann Arbor high school that shares its name with a nearby river 66. ___ spumante 67. Stereotypical athletic dude 68. Twists to fit a biased narrative 69 Actor Astin 70. Rubs the wrong way 71. Passionate about math, maybe DOWN 1. Noisy kiss 2. Style of yoga 3. Wing it 4. Conclude, as filming 5. "___ Misérables" 6. Boyfriend 7. Accrue, as interest 8. Covetousness 9. Agenda 10. Bond between soul mates 11. Honker 12. Tin Man's worry 13. One of the Four Corners states 21. Brought bad luck to 22. "Dig in!" 24. "___ your chin up!" 27. Clearasil target 28. Culminated in 30. Start to cure? 31. Baghdad's nation 32. Islets 33. Black Power symbol 34. Not fooled by 35. "Slow Churned" ice cream brand 37. Catbird ___ (enviable spot) 38. One who'll rat you out 41. Migraine relief brand 42. Nile queen, familiarly 47. Nautical "affirmative!" 49. Admonish 51. Party hat face with a noisemaker, for one 52. Benefit attendee 54. More difficult to locate 55. Great body of people 56. Minuscule 57. Smartphone precursors, briefly 58. Stood, as in court 59. 56-Down amount 60. Make out 61. Clucks of disapproval 65. Sister channel of QVC
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10 GROUNDCOVER NEWS SUMMER FUN Sonic Lunch Summer Concerts open A2’s free summer music scene Aint Afraid and SHAED, both twin and family bands, opened the 2024 Sonic Lunch Summer Concerts, June 6, at Ann Arbor's Liberty Plaza. Both bands focused on connection and hope. "It's one of the most important purposes that we have, as a group, as a band, as ‘Aint Afraid,’ connecting with you," twin sisters Sakinah and Zakiyyah Rahman of Ypsilanti said to the overflowing crowd at East Liberty and South Division Streets. "And one of the things that we hope for everyone to find is their own ‘Aint Afraid,’ their own unapologetic way of living." Sakinah, who goes by the nickname Inah and the stage name "Straingth," and Zakiyyah, who goes by the nickname Yahzi and the stage name "WiZdumb," are Black Muslims performing in hijabs, Muslim head scarves. Not noticeable is their former homelessness as girls growing up in Detroit, according to the Detroit Metro Times. Aint Afraid performed at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as part of the "Artists Across America Video Series," in 2021. "This is one of the shows that typically won't show up in my Spotify," Ruby from Ann Arbor said about Aint Afraid's mix of pop, hip hop, soul, rhythm and blues. Presented by the Bank of Ann Arbor and hosted by radio station Ann Arbor's 107one WQKL FM, Sonic Lunch is every Thursday (except July 4) from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. through August 29. Sonic Lunch artists' music is played on the radio station. THS Audio provides the sound production. Ann Arbor's 107one also provided music quietly at the Ann Arbor YMCA's Fourth Annual Summer Block Party, June 15 at 400 West Washington Street through 3rd Street. The event was held in conjunction with the final day of A2ZERO Week from the City of Ann Arbor's Office of Sustainability and Innovations. The Washtenaw County Sheriff Office's bright pink Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicle with the inscription, "Strength, Courage, Hope" and the pink breast cancer ribbon attracted much attention. The WCSO sells pink shoulder patches with proceeds being donated to the Shades of Pink Foundation in Washtenaw County. The donations from the Block Party go to the "Y" nonprofit annual campaign. Like others in Washtenaw County, Delonis Center clients use the "Y" for physical and mental health and physical rehabilitation. JANE REILLY Groundcover vendor No. 611 A relaxed, cheerful lunch crowd packed Liberty Plaza for Sonic Lunch, bringing their own stadium chairs, sitting on the cement barriers or standing on the steps to listen to live music, June 6. Ann Arbor musician Laith Al-Saadi has performed at 15 of the 16 Sonic Lunch concerts, the most of any band. "We need art," Al-Saadi explained to friends. "I don't separate between the arts. Arts in general. All art." Al-Saadi, on electric guitar, Ann Arbor bass guitar player David Stearns, who has been in Al-Saadi's blues, soul and rock band for 25 years and Plymouth drummer Mike Shea played an 11-song, 64-minute set, June 13. Al-Saadi promoted his 2024 album, "Don't Give Up on Me," which can be purchased directly at laithalsaadi.com instead of from a record label. Al-Saadi payed homage to blues, jazz, rock and heavy metal, sang “Ophelia,” in genuine tribute to Levon Helm, “How’s It Gonna Be,” written for Ellis Marsalis and a solo ballad, "Run to You," that is his Mom's favorite. Shea's Mom watched from her car parked in a spot on S. Division closest to the drum kit. Al-Saadi spent about another 50 minutes greeting fans that spanned ages and interests from a kindergarten graduate to a 91-year-old gentleman. He talked shop with musicians. Instead of the Ann Arbor Summer Streets Thursday night music series June 13, there was The Event on Main. The concerts are 7-9 p.m. Thursdays (except July 4) through August 29 on South Main St. between Liberty and William. Concerts are: II-V-I Orchestra July 11, August 22; Depot Town Big Band July 25, August 15; Harmolodics August 1, 29 and The Pherotones August 8. The Event on Main is the annual fundraiser since 2010 for the Charles Woodson Clinical Research Fund for Little Victors at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. Both the Woodson Foundation and the "Y" accept donations all year. Woodson helped the University of Michigan football team win the co-national championship, earned the Heisman Trophy and won a National Football League Super Bowl. Only weather and the 2020 pandemic are capable of stopping the free outdoor concerts by Sonic Lunch and A2 Summer Summer Streets, started in 2022. Both cancel for rain. "Our ability to share our good fortune and give back to the community is very important," said Timothy G. Marshall, President and Chief Executive Officer of Arbor Bancorp Inc. and the Bank of Ann Arbor. "Particularly in times of need, it's our obligation to give back to the community." Music promoter Matthew Altruda, who has chosen the bands for 15 seasons, said Sonic Lunch was Marshall's idea. Altruda met Marshall at the first Sonic Lunch in 2008 and has managed the series since. Altruda also promotes the A2 Summer Streets concerts from the Main Street Area Association, works for Bank of Ann Arbor, hosts the radio show "Tree Town Sound" on Ann Arbor's 107one and is part owner of the Associated Football Club - Ann Arbor. This season there is a new restroom with QR code entry, food from EJ's Gourmet Street Cuisine and Ginger Deli with cash and credit payment, merchandise tables for artists and Sonic Lunch, a soap bubble machine and free Sonic Lunch stickers, bracelets, ear plugs and pins. On June 20, a misting fan was added, the product tables were moved to the north side of Liberty St., allowing more room for the crowd and Acai Bowls joined the food trucks. Perich Advertising & Design created the Sonic Lunch image for the merchandise and advertising. There was one city police officer — alert, professional, friendly. Chelsea Lee, lead singer of SHAED - of Washington D.C., sang "Rocket in the Sky," with children dancing at her feet and students from Ann Arbor Open Middle School in the audience. Her husband Spencer Ernst and his twin, Max are the electronic-pop, indie rock style band which first played Sonic Lunch in 2019. Jacob Sigman, a 2017 U-M graduate now in Los Angeles, said June 20, "This brings together my friends from Michigan and my friends from L.A." Sigman, high fidelity rhythm and blues, opened for Allen Stone from Seattle. He also invited Detroit vocalist Jade Nicole to Sonic Lunch after meeting at Ann Arbor Top of the Park, which concludes June 28-30. The Pherotones invited Tyler Duncan of Ann Arbor, alto saxophone, to join for three songs in the second set of their June 20 A2 Summer Streets show before playing their regular Thursday gig at The Last Word. The Pherotones, Ross Huff, trumpet, flugal horn, tambourine; Giancarlo Aversa, keyboard; Brennan Andes, bass guitar; Wes Fritzemeier, drums played a 40-minute first set. Tenor saxophonist Jon Lynn joined for the 60-minute second set. The Pherotones played jazz, Latin rock, mambo and Big Band. The upcoming Sonic Lunch concerts: July 11, Michigander with Young Ritual; July 25, The Accidentals with Joy Clark; August 1, Frontier Ruckus with Timothy Monger; August 8, May Erlewine with Kate Peterson; August 15, Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers with The Rebel Eves; August 22, Antwaun Stanley with Andrew Horowitz; August 29, The Crane Wives with Anna Ash. Other free summer concerts listed at annarborwithkids.com or its own website include: Ann Arbor Civic Band 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays June 29 in Chelsea, July 3, 10, 17 at Burns Park; Washtenaw Community Concert Band 7:30 p.m. July 18, German Park; Live from Tolan Square Milan Fridays 5:30-8 p.m. except July 5, August 30 and Sept. 20 and every third Thursday through Sept. 27; Dexter Summer Music Series at Monument Park 6:30 - 9 p.m. Fridays through August 30; Saline Salty Summer Sounds, Thursdays, 7-9 p.m. through Aug. 15 (West Henry Parking lot) and U-M School of Music Summer Carillon Concerts, Mondays 7 p.m. July 15-August 12 at Lurie or Burton Memorial Towers. JUNE 28, 2024 JUNE 28, 2024 POETRY Out of My Cascades LA SHAWN COURTWRIGHT Groundcover vendor No. 56 A numerous thing rings true I'm sure of this The evidence is in, true to the trier of facts This isn't science My life experiences Are a matter of fact Some people lie down, some people get down I've managed to get right back on track Slowly, Yet, surely Maybe not 100% Yet, it is a small, mighty, insect Yes I'm a living human being Not one should ever forget that Cascades out of cascades flow The farther you come The higher you may reach Just remember, I can only teach... Out of my Cascades TERESA BASHAM Groundcover vendor No. 570 BOTTLE UP THE CHANGE DEZZ CLARK Groundcover vendor No. 643 CHANGE only come when you don’t expect it (change) PEOPLE only look for change sometimes when it’s forced on them (change) It’s a scary thing when you don’t look for it. But when you see it and feel it, then and only then do change come into play. Now we expect something to happen favorable to us when we put the work into making change. WAR is going on because somebody and I really do mean somebody, one person wanted a difference because he or she believed that something wasn’t right and needed to be fixed. Now here comes Mr. Nightmare and his homeboy fantasy, but please lets not forget Mr. Sandman himself aka Mr. Dreams So now reality sits in. So others ideology comes into play – who’s to say your ideals are not someone else's nightmares or fantasies. Someone thought about the same thing. So when you get to be part of change when it is needed Bottle it up fast Because you might never see change again I’m so glad you’re not like other men, You could care less about other females, You play ta win, Ta get that sell, Don’t care you who you hurt, You’re not a pervert, All you care about izz tha grind, Don’t care if she’s fine, You could care less being wit a female, You just care about your own detail, Don’t care if anyones fake, Azz long azz you can take, That one thing you love money, You don’t care about no honey. Self-love mantra BRANDY FINLEY Groundcover vendor No. 641 To heal the heart you must stand on your values. Hold who's accountable for their actions. Love yourself before loving someone. Stand on your feelings. No lowering your standards. Spend time with your emotions. Learn how to control them. Stop giving your all when it is not deserved. Learn how to be by yourself. Remember that being by yourself doesn't mean you're going to be yourself. Know that ain't nobody going to love you like you. Forgive anyone that was causing you pain. Give yourself so much love that all your hopes and dreams are wrapped up in you. Now you know no one can come in and destroy your hopes, your dreams, or your ambitions. Now that's what you call real self love. Tha birdz and tha beez GROUNDCOVER NEWS 11 PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

June 14, 2024


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2 GROUNDCOVER NEWS GROUNDCOVER 2024 VISUAL ARTS CONTEST GROUNDCOVER NEWS STAFF This summer, Groundcover News is not limiting our arts activities to the weekend of the Ann Arbor Art Fair. The first ever Groundcover News Visual Arts Contest is officially live, and we need your help determining the popular winners! We accepted art submissions from homeless/low-income artists in four categories: photo, drawing, painting and mixed media. There will be two winners per category: a juried winner ($250 cash prize) and winner by popular vote ($200 cash prize). Photography submissions are featured in this issue of Groundcover, along with a QR code that leads to the online ballot. Our June 28, July 12 and July 26 issues will feature drawing, painting and mixed media, respectively. Readers can vote for all categories at the same time. Just look for the colorful frame insignia on the cover of the next three issues. For the next eight weeks, Groundcover readers are encouraged to follow along with the contest by buying consecutive issues of Groundcover News, visiting the gallery displays at the AADL and Makeshift Gallery, and voting for your favorite pieces — online or in-person. Popular vote will be calculated based on online votes and in-person gallery votes combined. One vote per individual. The panel of judges choosing the jury winners is composed of artists representing different facets of the Washtenaw County arts scene: T’onna Clemmons, Barry Chattillion, Denali Gere and Ria Daugherty. These judges were hand selected by the production committee because of their arts expertise and committment to community! Special thanks to the Ann Arbor Art Center, the Ann Arbor District Library, the Makeshift Gallery artists and donors for making this possible. TIMELINE OF EVENTS June 20 - July 22: All submitted artwork will be on display at the Ann Arbor District Library downtown branch. In-person voting open. July 24 - September 1: All submitted artwork will be on display at the Makeshift Gallery at 407 E Liberty St. in downtown Ann Arbor. In-person voting open. Sunday, July 28, 12-2 p.m: We will launch the Makeshift showcase with musical performances, coffee, snacks and words from the artists. August 5: Online and in-person voting closes. August 9: Winners announced. Follow @groundcovernews on Instagram and Facebook to follow arts contest programming throughout the summer! JUNE 14, 2024 PROVIDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELFDETERMINED INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY POVERTY, PRODUCING A STREET NEWSPAPER THAT GIVES A PLATFORM TO UNDERREPRESENTED VOICES IN WASHTENAW COUNTY, PROMOTING AN ACTION TO BUILD A JUST, CARING AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETY. Groundcover News, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in April 2010 as a means to empower lowincome persons to make the transitions from homeless to housed, and from jobless to employed. Vendors purchase each copy of our regular editions of Groundcover News at our office for 50 cents. This money goes toward production costs. Vendors work selling the paper on the street for $2, keeping all income and tips from each sale. Street papers like Groundcover News exist in cities all over the United States, as well as in more than 40 other countries, in an effort to raise awareness of the plight of homeless people and combat the increase in poverty. Our paper is a proud member of the International Network of Street Papers. STAFF Lindsay Calka — publisher Cynthia Price — editor Hanan Husein — intern ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS Elizabeth Bauman Jim Clark La Shawn Courtwright Robbie February Hosea Hill Mike Jones Tabitha Ludwig James Manning Earl Pullen Jane Reilly Felicia Wilbert GROUNDCOVER NEWS ADVERTISING RATES Size 1/8 1/6 1/4 1/2 full page Black/White $110.00 $145.00 $200.00 $375.00 $650.00 Color $150.00 $200.00 $265.00 $500.00 $900.00 Dimensions (W x H in inches) 5 X 3 or 2.5 X 6.5 5 X 4 5 X 6.25 5 X 13 or 10.25 X 6.5 10.25 X 13 PROOFREADERS Susan Beckett Elliot Cubit Zachary Dortzbach Anabel Sicko VOLUNTEERS Jane Atkins Jessi Averill Glenn Gates Alexandra Granberg Robert Klingler Simone Masing Emily Paras Caelan Saunders Melanie Wenzel Mary Wisgerhof Max Wisgerhof Emily Yao Office: 423 S. 4th Ave., Ann Arbor Mon-Sat, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Phone: 734-263-2098 @groundcover @groundcovernews DONATE, LISTEN TO A STORY + LEARN MORE www.groundcovernews.org linktr.ee/groundcovernews PACKAGE PRICING Three Months/Six Issues: 15% off Six Months/Twelve Issues: 25% off Full Year/Twenty-four Issues: 35% off Only run for two weeks/one issue: 40% off Additional 20% discount for money saving coupons CONTACT US Story and photo submissions: submissions@groundcovernews.com Advertising and partnerships: contact@groundcovernews.com JUNE 14, 2024 ON MY CORNER MEET YOUR VENDOR Truth or lies: Winter A warm soul with a radiating Denise Shearer, vendor No. 485 Where do you usually sell Groundcover News? On Main Street in front of Your Media Exchange that sells DVDs, CDs and tapes and media stuff. When and why did you start selling Groundcover News? A couple of years ago I think. And I wanted to help myself and help the community and have my own money. What is your favorite thing to do in Ann Arbor? I like to sell Groundcover, I like to go to Sonic Lunch and I like to look at artwork. What is the best thing about selling Groundcover? I help myself and the community at the same time. I get to earn my own money which is something that helps everybody. If you could do anything for a day, what would it be? Go to Frankenmuth. If you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Hot dogs and chicken noodle soup. What is your superpower? I like to walk. What are your hobbies? Writing and drawing and coloring. What changes would you like to see in Washtenaw County? People not being rude, and better customer service. What would be the first thing you’d do if you won the lottery? Buy some clothes. What song do you have completely memorized? Joy to the World, the Christmas song. smile. I would always see this young lady rolling in her chair down the street when my truck broke down and I started walking to get around. Every time I saw her in the street, she was either rolling in the same direction I was walking or rolling towards me. I often wondered, where did she live? How far did she travel going to Walmart? I would think inside of my head that she is a strong young lady. I know she can’t walk. Her chair is raised in the air, and her legs are stretched out. However, she never let her circumstances hold her down. You could see the resilience in her. Winter would always wave her hand and smile. One particular day I was getting off work and driving with my son in the car. I saw her sitting in the middle of the sidewalk. I pulled over and spoke to her because she was on my block. Now I could find out where she lives. My son asked her if she needed any help. Winter said her battery was dead. She just FELICIA WILBERT Groundcover vendor No. 234 needed to be pushed over one hump in the sidewalk. I parked my car. Me and my son got out to assist her. As we started pushing, her 16-year-old daughter came to help. Winter started telling us how she had five days to move. I asked her why and what happened. She said that her apartment was not handicap-equipped; how she cannot get up and down the stairs in her apartment. When she got a lawyer from legal aid, they informed her she had been served an eviction and had to move out in five days. I looked at her chair. The left tire was ripped almost into shreds. I wondered how the chair was rolling. I asked her if Medicaid would give her a new chair. Winter said she had gotten the chair when she was living in Kentucky. Here in Alabama, Medicaid would not replace her chair or fix it. Her daughter was pushing with my son. The chair hit the hump and she flipped over! With all the strength we could muster, the three of us picked her up and put her back on her chair. She was embarrassed, however I assured her there was no need to be embarrassed. I explained to her that we are all here to help one another. We continued pushing her home. The sidewalk was cracked up and missing pieces. There was only a makeshift kind of ramp covering the broken sidewalk so she could roll into the house — the house that is not handicap-equipped for her chair or her. After meeting Winter, I could only feel sorrow and shame. Is the world we live in so greedy and uncaring that people really have to live like this? GROUNDCOVER NEWS 3 Six years since my world was shattered TABITHA LUDWIG Groundcover vendor No. 360 How am I doing just six short/ long years after my sister's murder? I can honestly say I am handling it a lot better. But am I completely better? No, of course not. I know I will never be completely over it. I think about my sister every single day. I sit and find myself wondering, what would she be doing right now if she was still here? I completely believe her ghost is always with me. I still hate Carla Cole for taking my sister, my best friend, my mom, my protector, away from me. I hate that my sister is gone. But I have a necklace with her ashes inside of it, so I will always have a piece of her. I was able to go to her grave site and see her this year on her birthday. So even though the days are getting better (to be able to cope) that don't mean I don't think of my beautiful sister every day. I try my best not to dwell over what happened because she can't rest in peace if I'm constantly dwelling over what happend. I only listen to songs for her once in a while. And only allow myself to cry about it once in a while. I know I can't change what happened even though I would in a heartbeat if I could. I can't, so I do my best to let my big sister rest in peace. Even though I am technically older now, Crystal, you will always be my big sister. I wish I could see her just one more time. Talk to her again and hear her voice. But I can't. So here is a letter to my sister: To Crystal, I miss you so much, big sissy. I wish you was here. I want so bad to talk to you and hear your voice again. I really hope there is really a heaven. And that you are so happy up there with Grandpa and Grandma and Auntie and Katie B. And everyone else. Please keep dancing in the sky and don't ever stop. Keep an eye over me. Don't get mad at me when I make mistakes and know that I am always thinking of you. I would give anything just to spend another day with you. Know that I love you with all my heart. You was taken way too soon. But I Crystal and Tabitha know that you're not in pain anymore. And you're now able to look over all of us that you love and care about and be our angel. And I just know that is what you're doing. You was the best big sissy I could have ever asked for. I don't want to ever think of what I would have been without you. Thank you for always being there for me when I needed you the most. I love you and I miss you so much. I know you're looking down and very proud of me right now. You will forever be missed. Please rest in peace, I miss your whole face. Love, Your little sister, Tabitha.
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4 GROUNDCOVER NEWS COMMUNITY CARE Nonpolice rapid response On one of the chat apps there is a group called "Non-police Rapid Response.'' The 41 members of the chat are neighbors, community activists and radicals who attempt to respond to community emergencies in a manner somewhat reminiscent of a volunteer fire department. What the NPRR seeks to accomplish is to respond to 911-level crises for the street community. The crises could be violent conflicts, campers who are being evicted by police, or first aid and mental health emergencies. In its infancy, NPRR did not have the capacity to respond to emergencies until recently. Many of the members are involved in homelessness solidarity activism where there is a lot of need for camping assistance, propane, clothing and other basic life needs. These kinds of calls are routine. A call was made to Pastor Anna Taylor-McCants of FedUp Ministries on Saturday May 4 by a local business owner. Someone experiencing homelessness was on her doorstep threatening suicide. Here is the chat app conversation: Anna: Anyone available to rapid respond to a business owner in Ypsi who just called me with a suicidal man in her shop? I'm at least 15 minutes away. Blue*: where's the business? Anna: A2 Vintage, Michigan and Washington. Red: I'm available, feel free to DM. Orange: Same. Anna: How close are y'all? If you can go there, that would be amazing. Will DM. Yellow: I can be there in 15 minutes. Blue: I think I'm too far away at the moment, looking at the map. I'm also about 15 minutes away, and I have to wait here for a second. Orange: I could be there in the next 10. Anna: you're all so amazing! Red, please call for backup, and Orange or I will join you. Green: Wow, this is beautiful. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered. This is exactly what I hoped would happen with this group chat. Sending y'all and the person in question lots of warmth and good vibes. Anna: I'm on my way too. Was waiting for someone to pick up bikes at my house. Thanks for going, and for all y'all who are willing to go. Backstory on this particular business owner. They seem to be good people who care about those in our marginalized street community who they have a relationship with anyway. This was the first time someone from JIM CLARK Groundcover vendor No. 139 the general community reached out to the NPRR chat to call in an emergency. The members represent community organizing groups like FedUp, Growing Hope and Care-Based Safety to name a few. The NPRR hopes to be an alternative for the community’s vulnerable population, calling for compassion and peer-based care instead of calling the police. Anna tells the group, “They [the local business owners] feel pretty abandoned by all the powers that be in the community. Pastorally, I hear that and feel it deeply with all the businesses. The City of Ypsi has failed so many people lately.” She adds that while we are aware that our folks on the street have issues and challenges, we also know that our community is better when everyone is thriving. “We're here to support everyone and reduce harm everywhere.” Here are the last communications on the chat: Anna: The owner just texted me that [Red] got there, and I'm so thankful. There will be so much more of this throughout the summer. So it's nice to know our team will have a place to turn when we need reinforcements. It's going to be a beautiful summer! Yellow: standing by in case another person would help. FYI. Red: Things are definitely under control. Thanks, y'all. Kelly Callison has been the proprietor of a2vintage for over 10 years. Earlier that Saturday a man came into the store and struck up a conversation with Kelly. They talked about music and culture for a few minutes then he said goodbye. A few minutes after he left, it started to rain. The man came back, Kelly assumed because of the rain. He approached her and asked if she knew of any mental health resources. He began tearing up and said he was contemplating suicide. Kelly offered him space to cry, vent, and process. She invited him into her sitting room and gave him water, company and reassurance. “I didn’t know what else to do at that point, so I called Pastor Anna of FedUp. A few minutes later a member of the chat showed up and together we JUNE 14, 2024 Posted on MPD150.com talked, laughed and played games,” said Kelly. “The man somehow came here from another city where all his personal possessions were being held by the police. Anna was able to take him to the places he needed to go to collect his things.” Kelly says she was happy to help. People come into her store all the time to talk and hang out. She stressed how important it is to watch out for each other in the neighborhood. “I am all about community, I do my part. I would like to see the other business owners step up.” Kelly said. A few days later another member of the chat was approached by a woman stranded in Ypsilanti. “Mary” was dropped off at St. Joseph's Hospital from Indiana, where she is from. She never explained how she got there, but her ride abandoned her. She was slightly disoriented and needed a bus ticket to get home. The problem was that she had no cash. The call went out on the NPRR chat at 10 a.m. By 4 p.m., an hour before the bus was due to depart, the members of the chat pooled $125, bought the ticket and sent Mary home. Local activists find that some members of the street community, people who are actively or formerly homelessness, have had negative interactions with the police. Some have been incarcerated or are currently in the legal system. Often people on probation or parole do not want to be around police simply because their presence is triggering. Even though these people are not doing anything wrong, their fear keeps them from calling the police for help. Situations escalate, neighbors or bystanders call the police, people on the street seen as the problem regardless of their involvement or motives. Someone who is defending themself from another individual experiencing a mental illness episode may get arrested for fighting. It is this breakdown in our community safety system the NPRR is trying to patch. The group is still trying to decide how organized they should be and what kinds of emergencies they can respond to. At the core though, they agree the police/carceral system is obsolete. The reality is police and prisons disrupt the synergy of a community by dividing it as opposed to organizing it. It’s time to stop the revolving door. Not just by replacing the door, but by tearing down the building to which it is attached. There are successful models of community-based safety collectives. One example is the MPD150. Don’t let the name fool you, the Minneapolis Police Department 150 is an activist group made up of a cross section of the demographics in Minneapolis. The primary purpose of the group is to push the police-free-communities discussion from reform to systemic change. The name of the group is based on a report titled “Enough is Enough: A 150-Year Performance Review of the Minneapolis Police Department." The group is not affiliated with the police department. Here are some suggestions they make about community-based safety: 1. An easy one: STOP calling the police when it’s clearly unnecessary. 2. Get trained in first aid, crisis de-escalation and restorative justice. 3. Build community all the time, not just in times of trouble. 4. If you DO need police, go to them instead of calling them to you. 5. With mental health crises, remember to center the person in crisis. 6. Make a list of local services/ hotlines you can call instead of the police. 7. Support organizations that really do keep our communities healthy. 8. Zoom in and find solutions where you are. 9. Engage in policy work that can prevent, rather than just punish, crime. 10. Dream bigger: there was a time see RESPONSE next page  JUNE 14, 2024 COMMUNITY CARE FedUp Ministries grand reopening From Ann Arbor to Ypsilanti, FedUp Ministries has been feeding low-income and homeless people, not only food to sustain life, but also food for thought and spiritual growth, while also providing employment and volunteering opportunities in our community. Servicing the Washtenaw Community for four years, FedUp has now opened their ministries of presence in the heart of downtown Ypsilanti. Their first day of operation was June 3. In the month of April, FedUp Ministries announced they had made an agreement with Growing Hope to rent the front space in the old bank at 16 S. Washington Street (now called Black Lives Matter Boulevard) which Growing Hope is using as a farmers’ market and incubator kitchen. The agreement is that FedUp Ministries will rent the building to provide services for those in need of food, clothing, showers, laundry, bathroom, and more. FedUp will rent space for the summer on a trial basis to see how things turn out. On June 3, 2024, FedUp Ministries opened its doors for free services that include (see schedule on next page): • Church service • Prepared hot meals: breakfast and lunch • Showers • Laundry • Bathrooms • Fun activities and more! I got to speak to my friend Pastor Anna, and I asked her how she feels about serving the community in the heart of downtown Ypsilanti. She said, ”It is exciting and there is a need for a ‘third space’ — your first space is your home, your second space is your work, and third is where you can come (without the expectation to have to pay money) in order to have a social space to https://fedupministries.org/give, please donate because these provided services are needed in our community." As I continued to mosey around, MIKE JONES Groundcover vendor No. 113 belong; most people we serve can’t afford to patronize local restaurants and bars to socialize. We want to create a space where people can get their basic needs met and have a community environment where all people feel welcome to come and be social and find a sense of belonging, which they might struggle to find elsewhere.” I asked her, how do you feel, and plan to adjust to serving the community five days a week versus 2-3 times a week, basically going from a parttime to a full-time operation? “ We do usually work five to six day work weeks with our catering services, that helps with providing our free services to those in need, so we are used to working a full-time schedule, and I’m hoping this provides better scheduling structure for staff by having a base, and a daily routine, as we also continue to serve in a mobile capacity as well.” I wrapped up by asking: Is there anything else you would like the public to know? “I would like for people to know they can donate to our organization on our website: I ran into kitchen team lead Caelan Saunders and one of the cooks, Todd Crawley, at FedUp Ministries. I asked both of them how the first day has been so far. Saunders said “... exciting to see all the people come by and enjoy themselves and get the food they need because I believe these services should be happening year round, so I’m really happy to be a part of getting this all set up for a fun hot summer.” Crawley said, “This is the best job I ever had because I love to cook and serve the community.” I then asked Crawley, “What is your favorite dish to dish out?” “Chicken wings," he said; “they are better than Buffalo Wild Wings.” So, there you have it folks. Free food, showers, laundry, bathrooms, Sunday worship, and other services and activities right there in downtown Ypsi. FedUp Ministries Summer 2024 Schedule: Sunday: Church Service 10 a.m. and food truck 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Growing Hope location, portable showers and bathrooms available. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday: Breakfast from 9-11a.m. Lunch from 12-3 p.m. Portable showers and bathrooms available. Every Wednesday: food truck will serve free lunch at Liberty Plaza at 12 p.m. in Ann Arbor and at the Ypsilanti Transit Center at 1:30-2:30 p.m. GROUNDCOVER NEWS What’s Happening at the Ann Arbor District Library Open 10am–8pm Daily Hang out in any of our five locations across town, browsing books, magazines, newspapers, and more, or check out movies, CDs, art prints, musical instruments, and home tools— you name it! Study and meeting rooms, fast and free WiFi, and plenty of places to sit and hang out. The Summer Game If you’re reading this, the 2024 Summer Game has officially commenced! Use your Library this summer to find codes, solve puzzles, attend events, and earn points toward awesome AADL prizes. Visit aadl.org/play to learn more and get started! Michigan Activity Pass With a valid library card from any Michigan public library, you can print a pass to participating organizations, including museums and state parks, through the Michigan Activity Pass website. Some partners offer complimentary or reduced-price admission; others, discounts in their gift shop or other exclusive offers. FEATURED EVENT AADL AT  RESPONSE from last page before police, and there will be a time after. Community-based safety has been around in other forms: volunteer fire departments, neighborhood watch programs that include “safe zones” which are trusted neighbors whom kids can turn to for help. I remember being in the safety patrol in elementary school. Our primary goal was to make sure our peers were not hit by cars on the way home. We had structure, training, guidelines and leadership. Our purpose was simple and our method based on community response. Each volunteer was posted near their own home and would stand on the corner blocking students if there were cars in the intersection. We wore orange sashes to indicate our role. We had no authority, we were simply taking turns keeping each other safe. There are many community-based safety organizations popping up around the country. Hopefully, with them will come the shift in consciousness necessary to replace our current justice system with something that works better — a system based on compassion and care as opposed to policing, control and oppression. *Names have been changed. June 14–30 at Ann Arbor Summer Fest: Top of the Park AADL is thrilled to partner with the Ann Arbor Summer Festival to host a medley of performances and events for 2024, including family-friendly Kids Rock performances and Top of the Park editions of World Famous Trivia and Nerd Nite! Check out the full schedule of AADL events at A2SF at aadl.org/a2sf. 5
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6 GROUNDCOVER NEWS LGBTQ+ A tale of two shelters ROBBIE FEBRUARY Groundcover contributor Imagine being in a situation where you have no home, no place to feel safe, and on top of that, you're facing challenges just because of who you are. This is the reality for many transgender couples experiencing homelessness. We’ll compare how two shelters, the Delonis Center in Ann Arbor and the Salvation Army Safety Dorms in Las Vegas, Nevada, support transgender couples. The Delonis Center: Ann Arbor The Delonis Center is like a big safety net for people without homes in Ann Arbor. It’s run by the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County and offers meals, medical care and help finding permanent housing. They do their best to welcome everyone, but let’s see how they handle the specific needs of transgender couples. Inclusivity and Sensitivity: The Delonis Center aims to be welcoming to all, but imagine being in a place where people don’t quite get your unique struggles. Transgender couples sometimes face discrimination or lack of understanding from staff and other residents. Housing Accommodations: Here’s the tricky part. The Delonis Center has separate sleeping areas for men and women. This can be a big problem for transgender couples because it might mean they have to sleep apart, which isn’t great for their emotional health. Privacy and Safety: Everyone needs to feel safe, especially those who might be more vulnerable to harassment. The Shelter Association tries to provide private rooms for families, but there aren’t always enough to go around. Support Services: While there are case management and medical care, transgender individuals might need more specific help — like counseling for gender dysphoria or hormone therapy. These services are often not available or in short supply. Salvation Army Safety Dorms: Las Vegas, Nevada Now, let’s travel to Las Vegas. The Salvation Army has set up special Safety Dorms for LGBTQ+ individuals, including transgender people. They’ve created a space specifically designed to be safe and supportive for this Lynnie and Sean community. Inclusivity and Sensitivity: The Safety Dorms are all about inclusivity. The staff here are trained to understand the unique challenges faced by transgender individuals and couples. This creates a much more welcoming environment. Housing Accommodations: Unlike the binary setup at the Delonis Center, the Safety Dorms offer flexible housing arrangements. This means transgender couples can stay together, which is super important for their well-being. Privacy and Safety: Privacy and safety are top priorities here. With private rooms and secure facilities, transgender residents can feel protected from harassment and violence. Support Services: The Safety Dorms go above and beyond with specialized support services. They offer medical care, counseling, and even legal assistance tailored to the needs of transindividuals. This kind of gender comprehensive support is crucial for helping them rebuild their lives. Lynnie and Sean: a transgender couple at the Delonis Center Meet Lynnie and Sean, a couple who found themselves at the Delonis Center in November 2023. Because of the gender-segregated sleeping areas, see SHELTER page 8  JUNE 14, 2024 Vote for your favorite photo and view submissions to the other three media categories online at linktr.ee/ groundcovernews Voting closes August 5! Mike Jones Cindy Gere Joe Woods Norma Jean Cisneros Hosea Hill JUNE 14, 2024 SPORTS GROUNDCOVER NEWS Association Football Club shows Ann Arbor that everyone belongs in "the beautiful game" Creating history is hard. Eliminating bigotry is difficult. The Association Football Club - Ann Arbor is proving both are possible, even exciting, wonderful and especially fun. Jamey Amrine, one of the AFC-AA founders, said it is a community-based soccer club, focused on equity, justice and anti-racism. The men's team started in 2014, the women's in 2018. Both teams play in the Great Lakes Division of the United Soccer League, a national pre-professional league. The women play in USL W and the men, USL League Two. The USL wants to increase gender equity and provide opportunities to play, coach, officiate and work in soccer in a safe, inclusive manner, according to its website. “As a white guy, I know about undue power and bias," Amrine said. "We try to challenge bias and figure out how to change things." Some changes are unusual, such as risking a league fine for not playing the National Anthem because Francis Scott Key was a slave owner, or allowing Claire Cahalan to wear the captain's "C" on her right pride sock instead of her arm. AFC-AA midfielder Thiago Dos Santos wears his pride stripe on his left arm and a USL fourth official wears his on the right cuff of his red jacket. Some innovations are major, like helping found the Anti-Racist Soccer Clubs Coalition in 2020 and Community Leadership Revolution Academy of Ypsilanti in 2021. Some changes are local, like partnering with Food Gatherers, the University of Michigan Adaptive Sports and Fitness Program and the Humane Society on Father's Day June 16 for the women's match vs. the Michiana JANE REILLY Groundcover vendor No. 611 7 Lions. Or hosting a food and household goods drive for SOS Community Services, June 30, at the women's final home game against Detroit City FC. United Way for Books will also participate. AFC-AA players and staff also are volunteering for cleanup and landscaping projects at all five of SOS Community Services' Ypsilanti locations, according to AFC-AA Facebook. Some promote thoughtfulness such as donating six trees to the City of Ann Arbor for each Mighty Oak goal this season in honor of Ann Arbor's bicentennial celebration May 25. AFC-AA also acknowledged the Anishinaabe people of the Three Fires Confederacy — the Ojibwe, Ottawa, Potawatomi and the Wyandot before the game and dressed in "Tree Canopy Kits," tree green uniforms. Some changes are about different styles of protest. In a chippy 0-0 tie on June 1 against Michiana, the referee gave a yellow card (a behavior warning) to the AFC-AA men's bench saying, "It's about respect." As the game progressed, the referee said to AFC-AA coach Rod Asllani, "I'm just trying to explain the logic of the rule, about why I made that call." Asllani replied, "I don't understand that logic." Top: Orion McHugh taking a corner kick in AFC-AA'S 1-0 victory over Oakland County FC. Bottom: (L-R) Ami Komori, Chiara Premoli (standing), Yuliana Herrera, Lina Berrah, Emily Eitzman, Holli Brown (GK), Sydney Osgood, Sandra Pedersen. Players from both AFC-AA teams meet with fans after every home game, weather permitting. Photo courtesy of the Eitzman Family. Both coaches spoke in calm, neutral tones until the 90th minute, when both teams were striving for the winning goal. The fourth official said, "Be quiet, be quiet, be quiet," also neutral and calm. There were no physical fights or tantrums and rarely cursing in a game that featured some dangerous play on a field slick with light rain. There were eight yellow cards, four per side, and one red card to AFC-AA. Surprisingly, it was the AFC-AA fans that cursed a call during the women's first loss, 1-0 to Midwest United, June 2. Through June 3, the men are 2-1-2 and the women 3-1-1. Some changes are financial, like free admission every game for 13-under and a $2 ticket discount at the gate for fans who donate to AFC-AA community partners. AFC-AA donates $2 for every ticket purchased online. Some changes are historic. AFC-AA right defensive back Emily Eitzman, the Outreach Coordinator for the U-M Adaptive Sports Student Group, was honored on Women and Girls in Sports and Community Day for starting the first amputee soccer program in Michigan in November 2023. The U-M Amputee Soccer team played a halftime exhibition at the AFC-AA Interest women's home opener, a 1-0 victory over Kalamazoo FC, May 19 at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School's Hollway Field. There was free admission for all who identify as women, girls and non-binary. The USL accepts transgender athletes. Midfielder/Forward Bridget Kopmeyer, 14, became the youngest player in Mighty Oak history to score a goal, May 29, a 3-1 victory over Michiana. Kopmeyer, a Pioneer sophomore in 2024-25, plays U-15 for Internationals Girls Soccer of Medina, OH, an Elite Clubs National League regional team. The previous youngest player was Eitzman, 17, in 2019. "She's been selected to a national pool for her age group," AFC-AA coach Kevin Taylor said about Kopmeyer, who is very fast. "She's willing to do whatever needs to be done to be part of the team. When you come to a team like this, when everyone's a top player, the goal is to just come together as a team as fast as possible." Taylor, Asllani and opposing coaches are available to fans after each game, win or lose. Jenna Trubiano, the U-M Women's Ice Hockey Club Coach, and see SOCCER page 11 
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8 GROUNDCOVER NEWS LGBTQ+  SHELTER from page 6 they had to sleep apart. This separation added to their stress and made it harder for them to access the support they needed. Despite the center’s efforts, the lack of specialized services and understanding from some staff members made their stay challenging. Lynnie felt forced to misidentify to a gender that was not her own in order to stay with Sean. Safety was also an issue. Sean stated, “There were many times while staying at the Delonis Center where we felt unsafe. It felt that the staff were not listening to our concerns when we were often threatened by other guests.” Lynnie continued this thought by saying, “When we were staying there, we couldn’t sleep. We were unable to exist without harassment for who we were. I was physically assaulted many times before I felt forced to fight back. My assailants were not punished, but when we stood up for ourselves; we were banned from Delonis.” Lynnie and Sean took to the streets from there. They are very thankful for MISSION helping them with daily tasks, food, showers, etc. They are hoping that past projects like the “Lavender Project” return so that they can find temporary housing without social stigma and fear of violence. Now, let’s time-travel back to 2022 and meet Lynnie and Sean again at the Safety Dorms in Las Vegas. They found a welcoming and understanding environment where they could stay together. The flexible housing and specialized support services helped them feel safe and supported. With access to medical care, counseling, and legal assistance, they were able to start taking steps towards independence. Lynnie had some good experiences there. She felt comfortable expressing herself and was able to find community in the dorms. Sean stated, “I felt comfortable in the safety dorms. I felt the staff were looking out for us. I was able to get identification and get a job with their help.” Policy recommendations So, what can be done to improve shelter options for transgender individuals and couples? Here are a few ideas: Flexible Housing Arrangements: Shelters should adopt housing arrangements that respect the identities and relationships of transgender individuals. This means more private rooms and non-binary accommodations. Specialized Training for Staff: Staff should receive training to better understand and support transgender residents. This includes learning about gender identity and the unique challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community. Comprehensive Support Services: Shelters need to offer services tailored to the needs of transgender individuals. This includes medical care, counseling, and legal assistance. Inclusive Policies and Practices: Implementing inclusive policies can help create a safer and more supportive environment. This means having anti-discrimination policies and measures to prevent harassment and violence. Community Partnerships: Shelters should partner with local LGBTQ+ organizations to enhance their support services. These partnerships can provide valuable resources and expertise. The Delonis Center in Ann Arbor and the Salvation Army Safety Dorms in Las Vegas both aim to help people experiencing homelessness, but their approaches to supporting transgender JUNE 14, 2024 individuals and couples are quite different. The Safety Dorms’ focus on inclusivity, flexible housing, and specialized support services provides a more effective model. By learning from these examples, other shelters can improve their services for transgender individuals and couples. Flexible housing arrangements, specialized training for staff, comprehensive support services, inclusive policies, and community partnerships are key to creating a more supportive environment. Let’s work towards a future where all individuals, regardless of their gender identity, can find a safe and welcoming place. JUNE 14, 2024 PUZZLES GROUNDCOVER NEWS CROSSWORD from the International Network of Street Papers 9 Groundcover Vendor Code While Groundcover is a non-profit, and paper vendors are self-employed contractors, we still have expectations of how vendors should conduct themselves while selling and representing the paper. The following is our Vendor Code of Conduct, which every vendor reads and signs before receiving a badge and papers. We request that if you discover a vendor violating any tenets of the Code, please contact us and provide as many details as possible. Our paper and our vendors should be positively impacting our County. • Groundcover will be distributed for a voluntary donation. I agree not to ask for more than the cover price or solicit donations by any other means. • When selling Groundcover, I will always have the current biweekly issue of Groundcover available for customer purchase. • I agree not to sell additional goods or products when selling the paper or to panhandle, including panhandling with only one paper or selling past monthly issues. • I will wear and display my badge when selling papers and refrain from wearing it or other Groundcover gear when engaged in other activities. • I will only purchase the paper from Groundcover Staff and will not sell to or buy papers from other Groundcover vendors, especially vendors who have been suspended or terminated. • I agree to treat all customers, staff, and other vendors respectfully. I will not “hard sell,” threaten, harass or pressure customers, staff, or other vendors verbally or physically. • I will not sell Groundcover under the influence of drugs or alcohol. • I understand that I am not a legal employee of Groundcover but a contracted worker responsible for my own well-being and income. • I understand that my badge is property of Groundcover and will not deface it. I will present my badge when purchasing the papers. • I agree to stay off private property when selling Groundcover. • I understand to refrain from selling on public buses, federal property or stores unless there is permission from the owner. • I agree to stay at least one block away from another vendor in downtown areas. I will also abide by the Vendor Corner Policy. • I understand that Groundcover strives to be a paper that covers topics of homelessness and poverty while providing sources of income for the homeless. I will try to help in this effort and spread the word. If you would like to report a violation of the Vendor Code please email contact@groundcovernews.com or fill out the contact form on our website. ACROSS 1. Happening 6. Accommodate 11. Barbie's beau 14. Wilkes-___, Pa. 15. Biblical gift 16. Anger 17. To shorten a word 19. Adage 20. Correct, as text 21. Puddinglike dessert 23. Become attached 26. A type of gun dog 27. Arm ___ 28. Jump in 29. Choice food 30. Nonsensical 31. "___ lost!" 34. Enormous birds of myth 35. In a fitting way 36. ___ fruit 37. ___ Wednesday 38. Gray 39. Jack 40. Fancy trim 42. Hang around 43. "Joe ___" 45. Vacuum cleaners 46. Russian chess master 47. Cheese 48. Victorian, for one 49. Oil revenue 54. "___ alive!" 55. Dickens's ___ Heep 56. Convex molding 57. Born, in bios 58. ___ bear 59. Australian slang for "Yank" DOWN 1. "The ___ Daba Honeymoon" 2. Marvelous, in slang 3. Sun, e.g. 4. Solar system art 5. Pours metal 6. Nitrogen compound 7. Pair 8. "A jealous mistress": Emerson 9. Immediately 10. Husky voice 11. Keeps livestock in 12. Clear, as a disk 13. Supports a winding staircase 18. Docs for dachshunds 22. Commercial prefix with vision 23. African capital 24. Pandemonium 25. An advertising slogan 26. Disgrace 28. Used for securing mooring lines 30. Arguments 32. Young eel 33. Layers 35. Burn treatment 36. Another name for gastropod 38. To spoon ice cream 39. African antelope 41. Babysitter's handful 42. Forte 43. Coil of yarn 44. Bill of fare 45. Ado 47. Alum 50. Bolivian export 51. Chop (off) 52. Matterhorn, e.g. 53. "Winnie-the-Pooh" baby
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10 GROUNDCOVER NEWS THINK ABOUT IT Human rights are not universally inherent Humanity and its history of attempted peaceful coexistence can be reasonably described as a series of epic failures. Our history, pockmarked with countless wars and conflicts, provides compelling evidence that getting along with each other is not a priority among us. So though we may view our present-day world as one that is civilized and considerate of all people, reality seems at odds with this optimistically polished self-assessment. There are many people out there whose lives are a living hell and very unlikely to improve despite whatever actions they take towards a better life. Unfortunately, all the talk we hear of equality and human rights can't even be called naive promises for the simple fact they are distant dreams. Many people truly believe and wish for a world where everybody gets a fair shot at a happy life, and there may come a time where that may be a possibility, but for the foreseeable future the systems we have in place not only undermine universal human rights, but actually reject them. That is unless you are born into privilege. If not, your public image can develop social stigmas that can truly make everything you set out to do devoid of any significant value based on the fact that you only can be whatever stereotype is assigned to such stigma. Furthermore, should you make any meaningful progress despite society's utter contempt, there certainly are people so invested in their intolerance for you that they would not stand by and allow such undeserved victories to ever be present in your life. Sadly, as I mentioned, what you're born into will probably play a substantial role in the direction your life takes and whether you receive support or face constant trials. Now some would argue the whole overcoming adversity and finding success in some rags to riches motivational story. I have my own brand of skepticism of such accounts. Especially when I suspect the reason there never seems to be any statistics attached to these accounts is because such occurrences are actually extremely rare, and the motivation of these stories is manipulation. Perhaps they keep you in line by distracting you from the odds you actually face, and therefore make you unlikely to take a more drastic approach towards your dream of happiness and contentment. That may sound extremely negative, pessimistic and —for lack of a better word — evil. But if you consider what humans are capable of doing to each more than just being handed all the money I could ever desire would award me happiness. All I want is that chance I was promised. But that time has passed and this JAMES MANNING Groundcover vendor No. 16 other along with our tragically flawed history — it goes from possible to predictable. Then there is the influence of my own life experiences which does nothing to help my outlook either. I was certainly not born into ideal circumstances, not to mention the damage and difficulty spawned by the associating psychological traumas and abuses! The reason I can easily call the very notion of human rights naive and immature is obvious: I lived a good deal of my life without them. This is thanks to that social stigma I mentioned. Thanks to the convenient stereotype that without doubt my situation is of my own design and definitely well deserved because the truth — well, screw the truth! — because the here and now views me as a second-class citizen, regardless of what happened, and I deserve every disadvantage and hardship I face. And if I got cheated out of the chance I was told everyone in our perfect world received? If I hit adulthood five years earlier than the standards applied to everybody? Well, the day my life went from suspecting betrayal to confirmed betrayal, I lost any rights as a person when I was discarded like trash by those who raised me. The moment I faced poverty completely alone, I was no longer an underage teen or worthy of investment. I was undesirable, only useful for exploitation. And I haven't mattered since. So I consider the notion of human rights laughable because if this is acceptable, then we as a species have a very long way to go before we have the right to even think about achieving equality. If you're an uncompassionate, “hang them-all and let God sort them” type wondering why I'm not suing people left and right, it's because at times going through hell can make a better person out of you, and contrary to popular belief, I don't care about petty revenge because that is not what I truly desire and it would serve no useful purpose to me. No world will never ever willingly see me granted one. Because the past and what was done doesn't change the worthless non-entity I am now perceived as. If I'm given any thought at all, the nature of my life story will be labeled a fabricated pity generator to justify doing stereotypical bum things. Unreflecting people seem to think my life situation is as a result of character flaws. So I don't have an abundance of hope for anything because my goals will be fought against every step of the way in a rigged system that will passively receive my organs but will award me no lenience in my unwelcome life. So back to the question: do human rights exist? In a broad and general sense, no they do not, and they won't for quite some time. I wish I could reassure those who are concerned about this assessment that I have some optimism, but then I would feel like I lied. I'm very familiar with the disappointment of putting stock into something as many people do in human rights, and would not wish it on others despite whatever is wished on me. I find it amusing in some sick-joke kind of way that one strategy that may work at escaping financial hardship is to adopt the acceptable character trait of normality that is never applied to the less fortunate. You have to be “wanted” in some way in order to get some of these privileges. Otherwise, people are happy to just consign you to oblivion. It would require dishonesty, deception and lying to create so much distance from the stigmatizing label that you become completely unrecognizable. So if one wanted any hope at some kind of life that doesn't end in a labor camp, they just have to be the kind of sell-out jerk you promised to never be, and somewhere in the back of your mind consider it one more insulting defeat. Additionally, there is no guarantee I am speaking for others in similar positions due to the diversity found among the homeless. Despite the generalized characteristics assumed for uncaring, simplistic sake. In my particular case, I find myself facing a messed-up dilemma made more complex by my unique view of things and the weird morality, born out of rebellion against my self-appointed overlords, - that I assign a good deal of importance to. Of course that grates against the only method I believe to be effective for my pursuit of better days. And so that about sums up my thoughts on the issue of human rights and their implementation or exclusion in America. Whatever you believe, and hopefully somebody finds this informative instead of depressing, because it's not my intent to promote defeatism but rather attempt to underscore the humanity of the world's abused and doubtless unwanted. The parting wisdom I wish to leave you is my suggestion that if you don't approve of the visible reminders of how inadequate and imperfect the system that blesses you actually is, then perhaps try approaching the issue more open-mindedly and create avenues of escape for these folks rather than entrap them in stagnating hopelessness that leans towards the solution of sterilization rather than healing. I mean how can anyone seriously expect somebody who spends every day fighting without end to just concede to a life of discontent as the system seems to want? Expecting people to do that is worthy of ridicule! JUNE 14, 2024 exp. 01/31/2025 JUNE 14, 2024 POETRY Finding Clarence LA SHAWN COURTWRIGHT Groundcover vendor No. 56 Lion's roar EARL PULLEN Groundcover contributor They said that they cared for Clarence but they don’t Haven’t seen my baby Since he was three days old Been trying to locate him for seven years now The date he was born 11-21-1998 He’s almost 26 years old They want me to pay to find my baby They gave away Social services are a messed up thing All they brought to my life was other disasters and continuous pain I just pray to God almighty to see My baby Clarence again As a lion roars He’s a majestic beast Does he get his roar From the west or the east? Some people wonder about this thing Called a beast He’s got his pride Or so it seems He has no plot And he has no scheme Just a magical dream Or so it seems. GROUNDCOVER NEWS 11  SOCCER from page 7 International Football Association to environmental activist Isabel (Izzy) Sutton, a Pioneer junior in 2024-2025, were also honored before the women's home opener as Sports and Community Role Models. Sutton, who convinced AFC-AA to switch from single-use plastic, is nationally recognized for helping Ann Arbor nonprofits, including those for wildlife, education and the homeless, according to the Ann Arbor Public School District News and MLive. Eitzman, a 2024 U-M graduate in Neuroscience, wants the amputee soccer program to become an official club in the U-M ASF Program. ASF has four official club programs, adaptive track and field, wheelchair basketball, tennis and rugby. ASF also began the Adaptive Sports and Inclusive Recreation Initiative in 2021 which today has adaptive sports in all middle school grades in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, according to the ASIRI web site. Eastern Michigan University also has an adaptive sports club. The Ann Arbor YMCA integrates everyone into the same classes. Along with the Y, Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti Parks and Recreation offers swimming and other sports to athletes with disabilities. LaQuinta Haynes, a U-M Amputee Soccer player, and Eitzman were roommates when the United States Amputee Football Federation (USAFF) was invited by the Federation promote amputee soccer at the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Eitzman is USAFF Director of Collegiate Development, Technical Director and on the Board of Directors. Haynes, a right defensive back for the United States National Amputee Women's Soccer team, will compete in the inaugural World Amputee Football Federation Women's Amputee Soccer World Cup, Nov. 2-11, 2024 in Barranquilla, Columbia. The U.S. National Amputee Women's Team is in its second year. "I didn't play sports," said Haynes, who lost her right leg from cancer. "It's about mastery. I kept doing everything. Now what can I master?" "If you really want to do something in this sport, U-M opens the door for you," William Mullen said, "but you have to want to do it." Mullen and Haynes, who played in the halftime exhibition, travel from Columbus, Ohio to work out with the ASF program. Both U-M Amputee Soccer and the ASF Program are open to everyone in the community including non-students and non-limb deficient athletes. U-M Amputee Soccer began five weeks of practice every Tuesday June 4-July 2 at Hubbard or Mitchell fields. Contact emily@amputeesoccer.com for more information. "We want to be inclusive," Eitzman and her friend Danae Moriarty agreed. "We don't want to close it off to anyone." Moriarty, born without her left arm, and Eitzman grew up together playing at the Saline Soccer Association for Coach Mackenzie Gilmore, who today is the President of the USAFF. The USAFF, founded in January 2023 according to its website, encompasses all ages and genders. It believes "through soccer all can be elevated, empowered and respected." "We're very forward thinking," said Nick Lacy, in charge of AFC-AA’s sponsorship and community outreach. "We love Ann Arbor and appreciate [its] support. We like to be a place where families can come out and have a great time watching some sports. We like to be a place where everyone can come together regardless of who they are. That's one of the things about ‘the beautiful game.’ It brings people together from all walks of life."

May 31, 2024


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2 GROUNDCOVER NEWS GROUNDCOVER Why street newspapers? Street newspapers are produced, purchased, and sold by the homeless and those facing poverty. These newspapers provide a source of income and a platform to interact and build relationships in the community. Street newspapers mainly focus on topics concerning homelessness, poverty, local issues and events. Publications such as these provide communities with a unique perspective for readers on topics and issues of being unhoused and/or facing financial hardship. Street newspapers are non-profits; the community itself can be involved through volunteering their time and services. Students from various colleges and universities also do their internships at these publications. The homeless and the community at large provide the community with a wide perspective for the reader's enjoyment. Like any other publication, street newspapers provide advertising opportunities for local businesses and organizations. These publications are a part of a MIKE JONES Groundcover vendor No. 113 street newspaper syndicate called International Network of Street Papers. INSP supports a network of 92 street papers, in 35 countries, published in 25 languages. • 3.2 million readers worldwide. • 904 volunteers worldwide supporting our network • Over 390,000 people in poverty supported since the first street paper was published in 1989 • 5,730 vendors sell street papers at any one time • 13.15 million street papers were sold across the world in 2021 • 1,350 towns and cities had a street paper presence in 2021 I would like to talk about my experience as a street newspaper vendor and writer. There is an old saying, "Life is what you make it.” This is true when working for a street paper. In the beginning, I was oblivious to the true meaning and purpose of a street newspaper, and the possibilities this occupation would lead me to. Before becoming a full time vendor at Groundcover News, I was a cab driver for over ten years in Ann Arbor. Being a driver and selling newspapers are a lot alike; you communicate with the public daily. That is what I like most about these two jobs. It took me some time to find my voice as a street paper vendor. After jumping in the water and getting my feet wet, I finally got my pitch down pat. Once you learn how to vibe and communicate with the public, one should have no problem making money and new friends. Just like any other job or occupation there are a lot of ups and downs. At times it can be like riding an emotional rollercoaster. Some days are great and others MAY 31, 2024 not so great; the same with cab driving. When things are good I go home and reflect on the good day. When things don't go so well, I make my way home to meditate and write. Bad weather doesn't help the cause of street newspaper vendors; the best time to sell is when the sun is shining and the weather is nice, at least tolerable. There are other financial opportunities within these publications structures through means of: writings, recordings, workshops, and through different public engagements. I find this very helpful in two ways: first, it helps make ends meet, and second allows vendors to explore their creative inner self. I like to write and street newspapers allow all voices to be heard; that’s one of the many special things about these publications. By becoming a street newspaper vendor and participant you won’t get rich anytime soon, but you will find yourself engaged in a way with your fellow vendors and community that surpasses any purchase, monetary donation or gift. By becoming a street paper vendor, I landed on the greatest ship that ever sailed: friendship! PROVIDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELF-DETERMINED INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY POVERTY, PRODUCING A STREET NEWSPAPER THAT GIVES A PLATFORM TO UNDERREPRESENTED VOICES IN WASHTENAW COUNTY, PROMOTING AN ACTION TO BUILD A JUST, CARING AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETY. Groundcover News, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in April 2010 as a means to empower lowincome persons to make the transitions from homeless to housed, and from jobless to employed. Vendors purchase each copy of our regular editions of Groundcover News at our office for 50 cents. This money goes towards production costs. Vendors work selling the paper on the street for $2, keeping all income and tips from each sale. Street papers like Groundcover News exist in cities all over the United States, as well as in more than 40 other countries, in an effort to raise awareness of the plight of homeless people and combat the increase in poverty. Our paper is a proud member of the International Network of Street Papers. STAFF Lindsay Calka — publisher Cynthia Price — editor Hanan Husein — intern ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS Teresa Basham Roberto Isla Caballero Jim Clark Ian Earl Cindy Gere Hosea Hill Mike Jones Tabitha Ludwig Jane Reilly Ken Parks Wayne Sparks GROUNDCOVER NEWS ADVERTISING RATES Size 1/8 1/6 1/4 1/2 full page Black/White $110.00 $145.00 $200.00 $375.00 $650.00 Color $150.00 $200.00 $265.00 $500.00 $900.00 Dimensions (W x H in inches) 5 X 3 or 2.5 X 6.5 5 X 4 5 X 6.25 5 X 13 or 10.25 X 6.5 10.25 X 13 CONTACT US PROOFREADERS Susan Beckett Elliot Cubit Zachary Dortzbach Anabel Sicko VOLUNTEERS Jessi Averill Glenn Gates Alexandra Granberg Robert Klingler Simone Masing Emily Paras Caelan Saunders Melanie Wenzel Mary Wisgerhof Max Wisgerhof Emily Yao Story and photo submissions: submissions@groundcovernews.com Advertising and partnerships: contact@groundcovernews.com Office: 423 S. 4th Ave., Ann Arbor Mon-Sat, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Phone: 734-263-2098 @groundcover @groundcovernews DONATE, LISTEN TO OLD ISSUES + LEARN MORE www.groundcovernews.org linktr.ee/groundcovernews PACKAGE PRICING Three Months/Six Issues: 15% off Six Months/Twelve Issues: 25% off Full Year/Twenty-four Issues: 35% off Only run for two weeks/one issue: 40% off Additional 20% discount for money saving coupons MAY 31, 2024 ON MY CORNER ASK YOUR VENDOR How do you cool off on a hot day? Sweet lemonade. — Tony Schohl, #9 Pour water over my head. — Jane Reilly, #611 Go swimming. — Derek Allen, #177 Go to sleep. — Roberto Isla Caballero, #347 Stay inside and take a cool shower. — Hosea Hill, #532 Suck on a popsicle. — Wayne Sparks, #615 I rest in the shade and drink water. — Ken Parks, #490 Go to a sink, turn the cold water on, run it over the inside of your wrists. Do that for 15 minutes and your body temperature will drop. Another option is to hold ice packs on the inside of your thighs. — Cindy Gere, #279 Chew ice cubes and drink hot coffee. — Jim Clark, #139 Go jump in the pool! — Mike Jones, #113 Wear my sun hat. — Juliano Sanchez, #174 Get in the shade! — Mary Vanover, #636 Stay in the A/C. — Mark Gigax, #620 Go to the Huron River, the pool, Lake Michigan — I need a vacation! — Terri Demar, #322 I keep a cool, wet towel around my neck and/or over my head. — Joe Woods, #103 Ice lemonade. — Keith Wilson, #637 The heat doesn't bother me. — Teresa Basham, #570 La vida del submarino When I was born, my mother gave me to my grandma. She took care of me. My grandma took me to see my father and my brothers. My father would not speak to me because of what my mother did. The first time I was married I was 13. My wife was 12. My grandma wrote a letter to my mother and she came to the marriage. Everyone said we were too young, including the judge. Many people do not know my real name is Ramón Roberto Isla Caballero. The “Isla” represents the island of Cuba. In the 1970s, the world did not ROBERTO ISLA CABALLERO Groundcover vendor No. 360 know the true depths of the sea. I saw a submarine in Cuba for the first time; it was from the Soviet Union. It was like the Titanic. En Español: En los años 1970 el mundo no conocía la verdadera historía del mar. Un hombre de la edad en avanzada como primer ministro de un barco como el Titani dego a vordo un niño sin escuela y le poso solamente el nombre Ramón al conocer un significado de la Isla no supo que aker con la madre sin cariño al cual avandono. Las abuelas no supierón que hacer solamente callarón y al miran un padre no comprendieron que solante miro y callo. TABITHA LUDWIG Groundcover vendor No. 360 HOSEA HILL Groundcover vendor No. 532 Michigan Women’s Tennis May 11, Michigan versus Miami, Michigan was victorious 4-0. Player highlight: Jaedan Brown and Kari Miller played women’s doubles and they won 6-1. May 17, Michigan versus Pepperdine, Michigan came up short and lost 1-4. Player highlight: Kari Miller played well to start but fell off and lost both sets. On the other hand, Miller will be participating in the GROUNDCOVER NEWS Michigan tennis update and Eastern Michigan baseball NCAA Singles Championship! Let’s wish her luck, go Kari Miller! Listen to Head Coach Ronni Bernstein here: mgoblue.com/ podcasts/conqu-ring-heroes133-ronni-bernstein/1204 Men’s Eastern Mich. Baseball May 10, I attended the EMU baseball game at Oestrike Stadium versus Bowling Green. Eastern won 10-9, Go Eagles! I noticed something in the outfield, some sort of memorial. Later, I found that it was dedicated to former player Michael Sacha. Eastern will never forget him and they pay tribute to him with this image. He was a player in 2007-08 and after graduating, he was Kid Rock’s personal assistant. He passed away in 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee due to an ATV accident. Let’s give a moment of silence to Michael … Thank you, Groundcover readers, and have a good day! Lena's first birthday My baby's first birthday is finally coming. I'm asking for everyone to please help my baby girl be able to have a birthday. I can accept donations at Groundcover’s Venmo account — just put in the note: "Happy Birthday Lena #360." Also sending money to the CashApp $flyhighsis is an option. Just put in the note: "Happy birthday Lena." I also have a wishlist on Amazon. My Amazon is Tabbyron99@gmail.com I would love to be able to do a “Sweet One” strawberry theme for her birthday. However, anything you can donate would be greatly appreciated, either Venmo or Cash App to be able to get the cake and food or even just Amazon to get a gift sent to my house. I would greatly appreciate it. Sincerely, Tabitha. EMU baseball field Michael Sacha 3
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4 GROUNDCOVER NEWS GAZA U-M TAHRIR meets resistance to demands Days that live in infamy: Oct. 7, 2023, the Islamic Resistance Movement attacks Israel, the Israel-Hamas war begins; May 15, 1948, the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, known as the war of Independence in Israel and The Catastrophe ('nakba' in Arabic) in Palestine, begins; June 5, 1967 the Six-day War between Israel and the Arab states surrounding it leaving Israel in control of the Gaza Strip, West Bank, Sinai Peninsula and Jeruslaem; Sept. 11, 2001, Al-Qaeda attacks America, starting the Global War on Terrorism. "Maybe we shouldn't have gone to war after Sept 11," said Avi Tachna-Fram, a member of Jewish Voice for Peace, one of over 81 organizations that are part of the University of Michigan TAHRIR Coalition. TAHRIR, Arabic for liberation, was part of the U-M Gaza Solidarity Encampment on the Diag April 22-May 21 protesting the Israel-Hamas war. The acronym is Transparency, Accountability, Humanity, Reparations, Investment and Resistance. "A lot of Jewish people in America have come to the understanding that war and genocide anywhere, ultimately, is a crime against people everywhere," said Tachna-Fram, a 2022 U-M Bachelor of Science honors graduate in math and computer science. Tachna-Fram is a media liaison for JVP and TAHRIR. Palestinian and Israeli civilians want statehood and self-determination. Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar says his daily. It also controls humanitarian aid into Gaza. The United Kingdom, America and the United Nations are providing aid by land, air and the Mediterranean Sea. "My family is not looking to ‘escape’," JANE REILLY Groundcover vendor No. 611 said Mariam Odeh, a fifth-year student at the U-M Ford School for Public Policy. Odeh's uncle, aunt, cousins and grandparents live in the West Bank. It is home. Odeh is also a TAHRIR spokesperson. TAHRIR said it protested outside the sole mission is to destroy Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who vehemently rejects Palestine statehood, wants to destroy Hamas, considered a terrorist group by the United States and Israel but not by the United Nations Security Council. “Hamas protects us,” said a group of men singing “From the River to the Sea,” along S. University Ave. after May 21. Hamas gets its weapons from Iran, Russia, China, North Korea and Bulgaria. For America to be an ally, both Palestine and Israel need to choose separate democracies. Egypt's border is controlled by Hamas and one Egyptian government-controlled company. All other borders in the vicinity are closed. The company charges a fee to enter. The current rate is $5,000 per adult and $2,500 per child, plus documentation, passports and visas. Egypt is taking about $1.3 million University Board of Regents’ homes, May 15, because the Regents refuse to listen to its demands and meet. The Coalition posts on social media that it is being harassed by the police. TAHRIR posted a video of members peacefully protesting outside the U-M Museum of Art, May 3, while the state police peacefully rode bicycles. The next segment shows protesters with police bicycles. Then, the police handcuffed one protester, police pushed everyone else back with metal barriers, one protester pushed to the ground by the barrier and one police officer spraying chemicals on protesters. Volunteers at the Encampment said eight protesters were ticketed for trespassing. More than 40 protesters from the U-M Students Allied for Freedom and Equality (SAFE) were cited for trespassing, Nov. 17, 2023, for being inside the Ruthven Administration Building MAY 31, 2024 Poster on display in the Diag during the encampent. after hours. Four are facing felony charges of allegedly assaulting or attempting to disarm the police. The University police are a daily presence all year. The Encampment was cited for fire hazards May 17. U-M President Santa Ono ordered evacuation by police at 5 a.m. May 21 for non-compliance. The protesters said the “hazard” was “blocking the Diag.” The protesters' demand for the divestment from Israel of U-M's $17.9 billion endowment has been turned down. The Regents say less than one tenth of see TAHRIR page 11  Then and now — reflections on Diag encampment WAYNE S. Groundcover vendor No. 615 Life has a way to make you listen to lies, to believe those lies and act upon them. How, you say, is this possible!? Well folks, the way I see it, as we forge forward we tend to be blinded by a faulty memory. I remember, or no, it happened like this, or he remembers it like that. So is it just that we remember things differently or is it much more? I believe that it is much much more about where we met, how we met, what we were doing when we met. How could we get it so wrong? I want so much out of others so I start believing things that are not true just to be with them. Breaking down things that would not break, speaking about our leaders, their leaders and world opinion. It was 2014 and I had a menial job at the local car wash. Every morning on my way to work I would stop and have my coffee at our local gas station, one of the few places open at six in the morning, and have my morning coffee with Amir. We would talk, and this developed into a true friendship and one morning Amir asked if I would come work for him at the station. I was immediately accepted and from that moment on I felt like a true member of the family. His sister Malik made me feel like a family member which I so desperately needed at that point in my life. I remember being trusted and, yes, also loved. To be taken in made a profound impact on me. I watched my life begin to change — all because of my life with my new friends. Then came COVID which changed my life drastically but that’s a different story. That is just the background for my opinions today. Ann Arbor, the hub of liberalism, is the place where social change is in our DNA. And rising up in times of political upheaval is in our very existence. I see it on the streets everyday. But I also see other things as well. Our spirit is being crushed and manipulated by what I call the status quo, and I see a group of bad businessmen banding together and supporting it with vigor. Because we all see it. Now what does this have to do with the student protests in a world that is getting turned upside down? The homeless and the poor could identify with these young people. These visitors to the camp might not know the issue very well but they know big hearts when they see them — and let me tell you, they saw plenty of them. And knowing the people, they took time to try and know the issues. I wandered into the camp and I was taken back in time to my foray into political activisim on this very campus. The issues were different but the love and the fellowship was the same. I saw townies gravitate towards this place and the admiration I saw and heard was amazing. What I learned is that just like then (back in the day), love is the most powerful tool we have in our toolbag. And it also gave the townies a chance to get the protestors’ side of the story. So the most I can take away from this experience is that I had a chance to meet people who were kind and loving and who would be an asset to any community. I for one am glad I had the opportunity to learn that love is the answer to a lot of the world’s problems, and I found an abundance of it at camp at the University of Michigan with people who are heroes — not enemies. I found the people at the encampment to be a ray of sunshine in a world of turmoil. What’s going to happen next, I have no idea! I know with young people like this, the future is a little bit brighter. MAY 31, 2024 GAZA The war in Gaza comes to Ann Arbor Understanding Zionism is the key to understanding the war on Palestine today. The call for a homeland for Jews has roots in the 19th century European anti-semitism with its many pogroms over the centuries. Targeted as the murderers of Christ and blamed for the bubonic plague and whatever problems of the time, Jews were especially at risk “beyond the Pale,” the common phrase for beyond the ghetto. Zionism was more popular with European elites than among European Jews. Zionist Israel was promoted as the solution to the Jewish problem in Europe and the WWII Holocaust was the excuse to implement the Balfour Declarations of support for a Jewish state in Palestine. The first Balfour declaration is of WWI vintage as the British led the way in the partitioning of the Ottoman Empire. The British left Palestine in 1948 and set up Zionist Israel to take their place. It is another settler colonial project. South Africa knows a lot about apartheid settler colonialism. Look at their presentation to the International Criminal Court to understand the current genocide. Israel and its allies, especially the United States, dispute the court’s opinion. The United States does not want the court to look at its war crimes and is now putting sanctions on the court. The world is the final judge. Study Edward Said for a better understanding. The context of every war is financial and ideological. The ideology of supremacism is part of the imperialist era as it superseded the colonial model of supremacism. Imperialism’s financial sophistication organizes the cash flow to the ruling class which uses that wealth to buy political power, organize coup d'états, civil wars — anything to promote wealth supremacism. It has been very lucrative. The great gap of wealth and power concentration is built on endless war on the working class, especially in the Third World. Today Palestine is the front line of this war as all settler colonial states unite around Israel. Many young people see the writing on the wall and know that a better future requires organized participation which begins with divestment from genocide. The many actions around the world to support Palestine include numerous camps on U.S. college campuses. The Diag at the University Michigan became one of these liberated zones on Earth Day April 22, 2024. Our People’s Peace Bank meeting was postponed so we could all go to the camp. It was immediately clear that this was a well-planned and organized given to leave the camp which was immediately trashed. Did the prayer flags end up in the dumpster? The Nuremberg Code is not considered. The Israeli-Palestinian ConfederKEN PARKS Groundcover vendor No. 490 ation is planning sessions on questions such as “Is anti-Zionism anti-Semitic?” Since Arabs are Semites, I consider Zionism to be anti-Semitic. If you are Palestinian you know about Zionist supremacism and the deadly results. Liberal Ann Arbor tolerated the phenomenon. There were tents for everything —medics, literature, wonderful and plentiful food, educational presentations and meetings. Prayer was part of the camp. The Diag had become sacred space. More than once I sat down and was in communion with one or more people as we shared the struggle for freedom from our lived experience. I got some Tibetan prayer flags which were displayed at the volunteers tent. The global war machine is built on wealth supremacism and donors to politicians went on the offensive to demand that they shut down the camps on campuses. The chain of command responded with orders which were followed by campus, state and municipal police who hold the legal monopoly on violence. The war on Gaza came to the Diag early Tuesday morning, May 21. Orders were camp on the Diag for one month before the dogs of war were unleashed. People are recuperating and court dates are pending. Search TAHRIR Coalition to learn more. There are 81 U-M groups in the coalition. Follow up and follow through. I met a number of wonderful people whom I hope to meet again. Stay with the prayers that deepen our solidarity with primordial life. Breathe power. The struggle continues. The last weekend of May had a People’s Conference on Palestine in Detroit. Organized by the Palestinian Youth Movement, over 3,500 people registered for a high energy summit. Surround the White House on June 8 and demand an immediate ceasefire, an immediate end to the siege on Gaza, the freedom for all Palestinian prisoners, and an end to the occupation of Palestine. GROUNDCOVER NEWS 5 Michigan State Police and U-M Campus Police issued a 10 minute evacuation notice to the encampment at 5 a.m., May 21.
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6 GROUNDCOVER NEWS INJUSTICE MAY 31, 2024 Activists, community supporters and families of inmates protest outside the Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility on Mother's Day, May 14. Abolitionists and activisits rally for moms in jail on Mother's Day On a warm, spring afternoon at Huron Valley Correctional Facility in Ypsilanti, there was a gathering of activists, neighbors and family members of inmates. About 100 people formed a demonstration line along Bemis Road across from the prison. It was Mother’s Day and Krystal Clark, a mother of four, is one of the inmates. I spoke to four individuals — Tyronda, Kat, Andrew and Lark — who represented a cross-section of people who are not caught up in the prison system, but who are greatly affected by it. Tyronda Clark I met Tyronda Clark with her eightmonth-old son Prince and three cousins. GCN: What brought you to the event? JIM CLARK Groundcover vendor No. 139 TC: Today, they're having a Mother's Day rally for the women who are incarcerated, who are not receiving proper health care or proper treatment behind bars. One of the inmates that is in there, who has been speaking out, and that has been getting retaliated against, is my sister, Krystal Clark. Fourteen years ago, Krystal picked up a family member who had asked for a ride. What Krystal didn’t know was that the family member had committed a crime and was fleeing the scene. Krystal was arrested for being an accessory to the crime. She was pregnant at the time. Her child was born in prison. Tyronda and her family have been raising and caring for the child ever since. GCN: How much longer will Krystal be in prison? TC: Right now, I think it's still like three plus more years that she has to do. And honestly, the way her health has been declining, we don't know if she has that much time. Anytime she tells them that something is going on with her, they just totally disregard it. GCN: How did you get involved with the people who staged the event? TC: My sister reached out to me and told me that she has been receiving numerous supports from different people from all over the world and they were putting together an event and she wanted me to drive down from North Carolina to meet some of the people. I don't know much about them, but I know that they have to have a big heart to come and support someone they don't know. To hear her story and to hear what she's going through and then to take time away from their day, you know, away from their mother or away from their children and coming and supporting someone you don't know says a lot about you. That's powerful. GCN: What are they trying to accomplish? TC: I think personally the goal is for everyone to be treated as human beings, to be treated with dignity, to be treated with respect, regardless of what walk you have in life, regardless as to what mistakes that you make in life, to still be treated like a human. A lot of women there have not taken anyone's lives or anything. My sister didn't. My sister has been here for 14 years, and her health has steadily deteriorated. We get numerous calls. My sister doesn't even look like herself. My sister has mold growing out of her body, and nobody feels like that's important. They [the prison] get money from them [the prisoners] being there. We pay for them being there, you know, so give them the proper health care that they need. I asked if there was anything she wanted to add. Tyronda replied: “I just want to say thank you to everyone who has been supporting her and who continues to support her.” For more information on how to support Krystal Clark, see the February 9, 2024 edition of Groundcover News. see MOTHERS next page  Officer Grouchy Pants does NOT want you on his lawn! MAY 31, 2024 INJUSTICE  MOTHERS from last page Kat Layton Kat Layton, who is running for County Commissioner in District 6, said this about turning out for the rally. “Today, I am here in solidarity with the many parents, loved ones and mothers of people who are incarcerated in the Women's Huron Valley prison. I appreciate seeing people here today standing together and standing for what is right and what is just, and that is freeing people from these systems of harm and freeing these people from systems of oppression. “The conditions of the prison are historically not [good], and people are dying at disproportionate rates.” Layton believes it is time to use government funds for building healthy communities as opposed to maintaining a broken system." We were interrupted by people chanting: “End Mass Incarceration!” and “Free Krystal Clark!” “I did the Day of Empathy a few years ago, where we talked to different legislators about ending the practice of leaving people in shackles when giving birth and of having their child ripped away from their hands the moment that they do give birth. It's very traumatic,” Layton added. She speaks from authority as she graduated with a degree in Human Development. She continued, “Having a child born in prison is traumatic to the mother, the child and the community. It damages family connections and it damages community connections … It's all interrelated, it's all interconnected.” A common question people have about abolition is, “If we abolish prisons, what will we do with all the criminals?” Layton challenged the assumption. According to her, we don't often think of abolition as something we build as opposed to something we destroy. She believes it is imperative to think through what we can build that is new so that one day we can start relying less on those systems of oppression. Abolition doesn't happen overnight, but it starts with the basics — respite centers, housing, education opportunities, access to medical care. Layton concluded, “It's all of the things that are truly investing in the community. We will have less people perpetrating harm because there's no harm being perpetrated on them.” A sense of community also leads to crime prevention because to be part of a healthy community is to have Lark from Lansing General Defense Committee people who love and support you and also put you in check if you behave counter to cultural expectations, According to Layton: “Accountability is community.“ To learn more about Day of Empathy, visit https://dream.org/day-of-empathy/ see MOTHERS page 11  GROUNDCOVER NEWS 7
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8 GROUNDCOVER NEWS POETRY Pen to Paper The Copycat WAYNE S. WAYNE S. Groundcover vendor No. 574 As I went to get pen and paper to write some profound thought, I got distracted by another. I’m trying to figure out why I do this, and I can’t remember it’s frustrating you see when you put pen to paper. I worry about the written word am I really describing what I see? Or am I living in one world by describing another? Is it easy to rhyme? It must be I hear it done better than me, all the time. Constantly thinking is what I do hoping no one does the same. Any better! I started my poem with Mary and Sue, who am I kidding it’s been done a thousand times before. It’s a copycat I am there’s no other way to put it. Mixing and mashing and using different spellings, it’s all been said before, I’m trying to figure a way to say what’s never been said in history. It’s a copycat I am let’s not forget it. I’m sure I’m not the only one – I imagine there’s copycats galore. So if these words sound familiar don’t be mad because I admit it. It’s a copycat I am for now and ever more. I know love izn’t eazy, I know you’ll alwayz be, My sweet baby, I’ll alwayz be your lady, I also know, I’m not sleazy, I don’t hustle for money, Nor do I hustle fo a man, Don’t need a hand out, Thatz without doubt, I’m not like thoze, Otherz you’re use to, I’m a different breed, That came from another seed. TERESA BASHAM Groundcover vendor No. 570 Not MAY 31, 2024 MAY 31, 2024 PUZZLES GROUNDCOVER NEWS BRIEF REPLIES Peter A. Collins 9 Groundcover Vendor Code While Groundcover is a non-profit, and paper vendors are self-employed contractors, we still have expectations of how vendors should conduct themselves while selling and representing the paper. The following is our Vendor Code of Conduct, which every vendor reads and signs before receiving a badge and papers. We request that if you discover a vendor violating any tenets of the Code, please contact us and provide as many details as possible. Our paper and our vendors should be positively impacting our County. • Groundcover will be a voluntary purchase. I agree not to ask for more than the cover price or solicit donations by any other means. • When selling Groundcover, I will always have the current biweekly issue of Groundcover available for customer purchase. • I agree not to sell additional goods or products when selling the paper or to panhandle, including panhandling with only one paper or selling past monthly issues. • I will wear and display my badge when selling papers and refrain from wearing it or other Groundcover gear when engaged in other activities. • I will only purchase the paper from Groundcover Staff and will not sell to or buy papers from other Groundcover vendors, especially vendors who have been suspended or terminated. • I agree to treat all customers, staff, and other vendors respectfully. 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If you would like to report a violation of the Vendor Code please email contact@groundcovernews. com or fill out the contact form on our website. ACROSS 1. "The Kiss" painter 6. Expresses disdain 10. "Shane" star Alan 14. Pet store purchase 15. Composer Satie erik 16. Small Chevrolet 17. Event promoted by Eunice Kennedy Shriver 20. One-time Edison employee 21. Piano parts 22. Equipment for emergency medical care 26. Mai ___ 27. Neighbor of Wash. 28. Rod's partner 29. Ripped 30. University in Chicago 34. Museum worker, at times 36. Founder of an eponymous coffee and doughnut chain 38. Afternoon shows 41. Rises 45. Greek god of war 46. Drops in a puddle? 48. Slippery swimmer 49. ISP choice 50. Pet store purchase 54. Kind of issues aggravated by gluten 56. Interoffice communications 57. Knee-jerk reaction (and a hint to each group of circled letters?) 62. Muffin pans 63. Without rocks 64. Big name in online financial services 65. Body-bending exercise 66. Succumbs to gravity 67. Schoolyard retort DOWN 1. Canadian hwy. distances 2. Pass on the track 3. Freezer container 4. Knight clubs? 5. Degree-of-difficulty enhancer 6. The Fresh Prince's TV home 7. Guadalajara gold 8. Address a squeak, maybe 9. Army chaplains 10. Friday's employer, for short? 11. Amelia Earhart, for one 12. Make known 13. Spies file 18. Like 19. Intersected 22. Chick-___-A 23. Altar response 24. Bank account addition 25. She played "I" in "The King and I" 29. Carrie Underwood might carry one 31. Elevator maker 32. "Hamilton" creator ___-Manuel Miranda 33. Yanks 35. Milk dispenser? 37. Cops 38. Wisconsin's capital, slangily 39. Hall of fame? 40. Indicative 42. "What do you say we give it a miss" 43. Director Spike or Ang 44. Camera type 47. S.F. Giants' foes, at times 50. Chiang ___-Shek 51. "___ Miserables" 52. Louvre pyramid architect 53. Saws and such 55. "___ Small World" 58. Bucolic expanse 59. Duster 60 ___ Paulo 61. Former Roxy Music member Brian
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10 GROUNDCOVER NEWS ART INTEL Undercover art intel: Ypsilanti pottery creations On a crisp fall day, I walked into this small but quaint store filled with pre-made ceramic molds. I was fascinated with the many varieties and kinds of molds. There were plates, bowls and cups but also vases and Christmas ornaments. What made me go “wow!” were the animals — including my favorite, a peacock, and many mythical enchanted unicorns and fairies. As I walked around the store, Glaze Studio, I was looking at the molds, and I saw Christian and Jewish molds, as well as molds for other religions. Holidays were represented as well, such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, Easter and Christmas. Hanukkah was also shown. It felt so inviting to see such a representation of what this nation truly is about. Two young women happened to show up and both picked out two items; one was a vase and the other a plate. I watched as they picked out the glaze colors for their items. One talked about doing Japanese spring cherry blossoms on her vase with pink and green. I myself picked out a small cute owl. I named him Hooty. As I painted him, I found the paint to be very thick. This was to make sure the glaze was going to truly stay on and shine. I gave the item back to Tobi, the owner of Glaze Studio, to fire it for many hours at 2,000 degrees and then let it cool for 14 hours and dry before pickup ten days later. The store appeals to people of all ages, though children have to clearly be accompanied and supervised by an adult. Another surprising thing is the variety of get togethers at Glaze, such as AA groups for sobriety, baby showers and women's groups. The space is for people across all spectrums to come and experience a new, but old, form of art. Each person picks out four to five paint colors. Glaze has sparkling colors with glass and plain colors as well, and other kinds with muted or plain colors. There are 50 available total. Tobi’s Glaze store is located at 54 N. Huron St. in downtown Ypsilanti. This was my first time getting to know Glaze as it is a fairly new business. What drew me here was very clear: all the white clay pre-slip molds that dry solid and ready for painting. How did this all start? Well, it began in the 1970s during the heyday of the hippy era and creating molds. Mainly artists had kilns in their backyards, and this was about free love and sharing art in large groups. What Tobi told me was people would just come together and do art in large exp. 01/31/2025 - CINDY GERE Groundcover vendor No. 279 Glaze Studio has a ceramic creations for everyone and everything! groups and family events — it was a very different age! What I discovered was a whole past of pre-made molds created in the 1970s. This world started out with people who owned and operated kilns out of the love of the process and end result. Then they started getting family and friends together in parties and gatherings for the love of taking a solid item home that could be placed on one's mantle to show off to the world. Tobi loved collecting the molds made with plaster of paris. She realized this dying art form was yet another perfect opportunity. Tobi had an inspired vision to bring back old art into a new age of public consciousness. This all happened with the encouragement of her kids. They told her, “Think of it, mom, paint your own pottery shop for other kids like us!” Tobi transitioned from being in the corporate world of web design and computer graphics to open the Glaze store in January and February of 2023. ”When I first opened my doors,” Tobi told me, “The community support and outpouring was extreme.” There truly is an art community in Ypsilanti that rivals Ann Arbor. There are many ways to express art and, to me, with people who feel they have no talent in art this is the most open inviting and exploration in art there is. I myself plan on taking my own family to experience this wonderful shop. So take a small day trip to the Glaze shop and discover a wonderful new form of old art. My next endeavor will be a real dragon for the year of the dragon we are in. — Kung Fu Panda MAY 31, 2024 MAY 31, 2024 THINK ABOUT IT  MOTHERS page 7 Andrew A young father named Andrew was there with his wife and six-month-old son. When asked about his connection to the gathering, he replied that his wife was a member of the hosting organization, Michigan General Defense Committee. Andrew is a big fan of GDC’s advocacy and outreach to the homeless in our county. That work drew him to this event. I asked him how he felt about abolition. “It needs to be done,” he said, “it needs to be done immediately. The conditions that are in our prisons are inhumane to say the least. There’s got to be another way.” I asked, “How do you think we should go about abolishing prisons?” and Andrew replied, “It is going to take something big, some cataclysmic style of events, that turns public opinion against prisons. Because I think right now the general popular opinion is that prisons are something that can be reformed and changed and kind of shifted when in reality it’s the idea of prison that has to go.” Lark As I meandered through the crowd, I saw a sign that contained a piece of the abolition puzzle. Lark from Lansing General Defense Committee had a beautifully made cardboard sign. An artist who tried cardboard as canvas for the first time, Lark usually does collages and other styles of art for personal fulfillment. They are a member of GDC and came out to support the GDC abolitionist working group. According to abolitionists, prisons and incarceration are harmful to the community. If incarceration happens because there is a breakdown of community, then the alternative to incarceration is to build stronger communities. To end the prison system, humans must have a safe, stable and supportive environment where ALL of their needs are met. Basic needs of food and shelter are essential, but do not end there. Humans need opportunities to grow, to express themselves, to be heard, to be important to the community, and be accountable to their peers. Making sure those needs are met, the entire spectrum, may be the way to end the need for incarceration. To get a picture of the Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility’s sign, I had to walk across Bemis Rd to get closer. As soon as my foot met the lawn, the guard challenged me. “Get off the property!” the guard yelled. It reminded me of when I was a kid; the angry old man next door shouting “Get off my lawn.” I asked if he would answer some questions. He said no. On my way home, I thought about my own mother. I imagined her getting arrested and sentenced to 14 plus years in prison. In 1972 I was five years old. My dad was in the Army and we had to move across the country. Even at five years I knew this meant never seeing my friends again. A five-yearold is capable of understanding that GROUNDCOVER NEWS 11 their mother will be locked up such that they will never see her again. To a child, fourteen years isn’t just forever, it’s unfathomable. I remember wailing and sobbing for hours as we drove from Michigan to New York. I remember feeling homesick for my grandmother for weeks. What if the thing that was taken from me wasn’t just a childhood home but my mother? I would wail and sob. My development as a human being would suffer. It is well-known that physical contact between mother and child is essential for life. If my mother had been imprisoned, I would never know her touch or affection as a child. I would never have her soft body to soothe my wounds, her hugs and kisses to celebrate my successes, or her hand to show me tough love. Then I realized that is exactly what is happening to Krystal Clark’s children, and to every other son and daughter whose mother is incarcerated. I leave the task of drawing personal connections to the reader.  TAHRIR from page 4 one percent of the endowment is invested indirectly in Israeli companies. That is $17.9 million. Since 2017, Michigan is one of 38 states that have a law that is interpreted to forbid state contracts with anyone who supports divestment from Israel. The word “Israel” doesn’t appear in Act 526 of 2016 as published. However, according to the Brandeis Center, these measures condemn national origin discrimination by the anti-Israel boycott, divestment and sanctions movement (BDS). According to the Act, the provisions don't apply if the boycott is based on bona fide business or economic reasons, or to a boycott "against a public entity of a foreign state when the boycott is applied in a nondiscriminatory manner." According to the Act, the provisions don't apply if the boycott is based on bona fide business or economic reasons, or to a boycott "against a public entity of a foreign state when the boycott is applied in a nondiscriminatory manner." U-M has 501(c)(3) non-profit tax exempt status. U-M can turn down donations. In 1978, the Regents created a policy to create an ad hoc committee of the University Senate, students, administration and alumni when issues involving serious moral or ethical questions might require deviation from the normal investment policy. All Regents meetings include time for public comment. There are five Regents meetings remaining in 2024: June 20, July 18, Sept. 19 and Dec 5 in Ann Arbor and Oct. 17 in Flint. There is also an email option. Many students, faculty, employees and staff have asked for oversight of the endowment at least since 2014 as reported by the Detroit Free Press. The Encampment calls it "a people's audit.” U-M Finance posts a Consolidated Annual Report. There is no individual endowment investment listing. TAHRIR obtained part of the endowment investment listing through a Freedom of Information Act. An oversight of the Investment Advisory Committee was created because of the Free Press investigation. The Encampment also demands a boycott of Israeli academic institutions and abolishing campus policing. President Ono and the Regents have endorsed an unarmed, non-police emergency response. After May 15, the Regents said they would "not defund the police." Both can exist. TAHRIR adds: conduct a formal inquiry into anti-Palestinian, antiArab and Islamophobic racism and harassment and release a formal statement that clearly defines the massacre in Gaza as a genocidal ethnic cleansing campaign led by Israel and aided by the United States. “This struggle is not just solely and entirely a struggle to achieve something for Palestine, although it very much is,” Tachna-Fram said. “It is also a struggle that brings all of us together in Southeast Michigan and a much broader area in the globe that really care about justice.” PUZZLE SOLUTIONS K 1 14 17 M S 22 27 30 L 38 45 49 54 57 62 T 65 Y O M A D C I F I 2 L A P 23 I D O 39 A R S E N I 3 I C E 20 T R A Y 40 T E L L I N G Peter A Collins 4 M A C E S 31 O 36 T I S 50 55 I T S A K A I 5 T W I S T 32 L I N 18 A L A 33 A M E 46 R I 63 66 C A N S 37 H E A T 58 L E A 6 B 15 E L A I 28 R 7 O R O 24 D E 34 P O S I T 59 R A G 8 O I L 25 K E R R 47 N Y 56 M E T S 51 L E S 52 I 64 67 M P E I 53 T O O L S 9 10 S K Y 21 P I 41 L O T S L 16 19 M E T 35 C O W A P D 29 T U N E 11 A V I A 26 T O R 42 L 48 E T S N O T 12 D E C L A R E 43 L E E 60 S A O 13 D O S S I E R 44 S L R 61 E N O

May 17, 2024


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2 GROUNDCOVER NEWS GROUNDCOVER a note of APPRECIATION GROUNDCOVER NEWS BOARD of DIRECTORS Groundcover has always thrived due to the contributions of volunteers. Every vendor and volunteer who has walked through our door in the basement of Bethlehem United Church of Christ makes a unique impact on our organization. There is an infinite list of individuals and groups to thank, but every now and then we like to recognize those who go above and beyond. Veronica Sanitate In the beginning of this year, our last founding board member, Veronica Sanitate, stepped down from the Groundcover News Board of Directors. She had served in this role for 13 years — since the start of Groundcover News in 2010. She helped the organization through many major transitions over the years and always provided a thoughtful, caring perspective that centered the Groundcover News vendors through every change. She has contributed greatly to the newspaper itself both directly as a writer, and through her ongoing guidance as a board member with expertise in marketing and branding, holding multiple executive officer positions in her tenure with the organization. Thank you, Veronica. Groundcover would not have made it this far without you! Simone Masing Simone started as an undergraduate social work intern in the fall of 2023. Her original projects were related to building connections in the Ypsilanti area and strengthening vendor policies. She did that and more! Simone used her creative eye to revamp our insignia, design merchandise for our vendors and supporters, and fill our space with decorations and communications. Simone’s final deliverable was a Vendor Handbook that puts Veronica Sanitate everything you need to know as a Groundcover vendor in one, accessible, visually pleasing easy-to-carryaround booklet. Simone, although your internship is over, we are so glad you are sticking around to help with Vendor Meetings and Groundcover Speaks recording on Fridays! You both will always have a home with Groundcover News! Simone Masing MAY 17, 2024 PROVIDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELFDETERMINED INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY POVERTY, PRODUCING A STREET NEWSPAPER THAT GIVES A PLATFORM TO UNDERREPRESENTED VOICES IN WASHTENAW COUNTY, PROMOTING AN ACTION TO BUILD A JUST, CARING AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETY. Groundcover News, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in April 2010 as a means to empower lowincome persons to make the transitions from homeless to housed, and from jobless to employed. Vendors purchase each copy of our regular editions of Groundcover News at our office for 50 cents. This money goes toward production costs. Vendors work selling the paper on the street for $2, keeping all income and tips from each sale. Street papers like Groundcover News exist in cities all over the United States, as well as in more than 40 other countries, in an effort to raise awareness of the plight of homeless people and combat the increase in poverty. Our paper is a proud member of the International Network of Street Papers. STAFF Lindsay Calka — publisher Cynthia Price — editor ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS Elizabeth Bauman Jim Clark La Shawn Courtwright Robbie February Hosea Hill Tabitha Ludwig J. Paine Ken Parks Earl Pullen Will Shakespeare PROOFREADERS Susan Beckett Elliot Cubit Anabel Sicko VOLUNTEERS Jane Atkins Jessi Averill Zachary Dortzbach Glenn Gates Alexandra Granberg Robert Klingler Simone Masing Emily Paras Caelin Saunders Melanie Wenzel Mary Wisgerhof Max Wisgerhof Emily Yao GROUNDCOVER NEWS ADVERTISING RATES Size 1/8 1/6 1/4 1/2 full page Black/White $110.00 $145.00 $200.00 $375.00 $650.00 Color $150.00 $200.00 $265.00 $500.00 $900.00 Dimensions (W x H in inches) 5 X 3 or 2.5 X 6.5 5 X 4 5 X 6.25 5 X 13 or 10.25 X 6.5 10.25 X 13 CONTACT US Story and photo submissions: submissions@groundcovernews.com Advertising and partnerships: contact@groundcovernews.com Office: 423 S. 4th Ave., Ann Arbor Mon-Sat, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Phone: 734-263-2098 @groundcover @groundcovernews DONATE, LISTEN TO A STORY + LEARN MORE www.groundcovernews.org linktr.ee/groundcovernews PACKAGE PRICING Three Months/Six Issues: 15% off Six Months/Twelve Issues: 25% off Full Year/Twenty-four Issues: 35% off Only run for two weeks/one issue: 40% off Additional 20% discount for money saving coupons MAY 17, 2024 ON MY CORNER MEET YOUR VENDOR Sofina's birth story TABITHA LUDWIG Groundcover vendor No. 360 January 4, 2015, I was 37 weeks pregnant. I woke up, went to the bathroom and I was bleeding. It was also my daughter Angel's fourth birthday but since I was bleeding, I called my dad and told him it was time to go to the hospital. I was having contractions and it was just time to go. So my dad came and got me, my Pony Bush, vendor No. 305 Where do you usually sell Groundcover News? 4th Ave and Liberty Street. When and why did you start selling Groundcover News? In 2016. I needed money. What is your favorite thing to do in Ann Arbor? Sell Groundcover News and make money. What words do you live by? Don’t do something in 50 seconds that will get you 50 years. What motivates you to work hard selling Groundcover News? The struggle. If you could do anything for a day, what would it be? Travel the world. If you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? A beef rib. What is your superpower? Dressing fresh. What was your first job? Groundcover. What are your hobbies? Biking. What changes would you like to see in Washtenaw County? More places for the homeless to stay at. More low-income housing. Put a shelter in Ypsi! What would be the first thing you’d do if you won the lottery? I’d build a place for the homeless. What is your pet peeve? When Groundcover vendors or panhandlers try to take my corner. Sports recap: Michigan Wolverines Women’s Tennis May 4 and 5 HOSEA HILL Groundcover vendor No. 532 I attended the free admission NCAA first and second rounds women’s tennis matches at Varsity Tennis Center. It was a joy to be in the relaxed environment of VTC and I loved watching these women compete on the courts. During my observation, I learned that Michigan produced a reasonably good team. The University of Michigan women’s tennis team had their highest NCAA tournament seed (No. 3 seed) in program history, and Michigan and Chicago State made history due to this being the first time they were meeting each other. Player Highlight: University of Michigan tennis player Kari Miller (senior) from Ann Arbor has tied the consecutive win matches (2) and the win she had versus Notre Dame on May 5 marked her 95th career victory which puts Miller in the top ten in Michigan program history. I will be attending the May 11 game versus Miami Hurricanes and I’ll do an update from that match. son and my children's dad and we went to the hospital. My dad kept my son and dropped me and their dad off at the hospital. We was there for a couple of hours. Then my contractions slowed down so they told me I’d most likely be having the baby that night, at the latest the next day and then sent me home. So my dad came and picked us up and took us home. My son went to my daughter's birthday party and I stayed home having contractions. The last thing I ate was jalapeno poppers and that night I was looking at old pics and the contractions kept getting worse. The baby's father got tired of me crying and screaming in pain because he was trying to watch a movie and told me to shut up or go back to the hospital. So I got up and went to the bathroom. I was crying; I was in so much pain. They was coming back-toback so I called my dad again to come and get me. By the time my dad came and got me, I could hardly move. My children's father got our son in the car and sat in the car while my dad helped me once I got down my stairs and made it to my dad's car. I had another contraction and my water broke. Yes, this was my third child. But the first and only time that my water ever broke on its own. So I got scared because my children before her came not long after my water broke. So my dad finally got me into the car. With me freaking out and not knowing what to do, and the first really bad snowstorm of the year, we made it about 10 minutes down the street. And my baby started to come out. I kept yelling saying she was coming out and my dad was already stressed. He kept yelling at me and telling me to just breathe because it is just a contraction and I have had kids before. I was scared because I had pants, underwear and a pad on so once I felt her head pop out, I did not know if she would be able to breathe. My dad was not believing me. So to protect my child, I pulled my pants and underwear down. My dad finally pulled over and my daughter was born in a parking lot at CVS on Michigan Ave in Ypsilanti. My dad actually cried when he realized I was not lying and she was being born. He called 911 and by the time they got to us, she was in my arms. Her father came into the back seat, seen her dangling out of me, got nervous and just pulled her out himself instead of letting me finish pushing her out. But problems started arising because the placenta had not been delivered. So once we all got to the hospital, the doctors all surrounded me instead of the baby and my 7-yearold son was very confused at why all the doctors was around me instead of his baby sister. She was born at six pounds. The doctors were finally able to get me to deliver the placenta. And everything was just fine afterwards. She was very beautiful. Mommy loves you Sofina! GROUNDCOVER NEWS 3 Left: Sofina and Tabitha. Right: Sofina on her birth day. Hosea Hill and Kari Miller
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4 GROUNDCOVER NEWS HOUSING MAY 17, 2024 Ann Arbor Tenants Union and POTUS push back on junk fees Formed in 1968 to push back against unfair rental policy and practices, the Ann Arbor Tenants Union fought for tenants' rights such as fair and affordable rent, addressing code violations, and in general keeping landlords in check. After losing funding in 2004, the AATU faded. Recently though, the rental landscape in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti has gotten out of control. Now led by Julia Goode and Zackarian Farah, the revived AATU has returned to the battlefield. On April 27, The Ann Arbor Tenants Union put together a rally outside of Ann Arbor City Hall to protest the exorbitant fees landlords are charging Ann Arbor renters. These “junk fees” are riders that are charged along with the usual security deposit and rent. Usually these fees are charged after the lease is signed, but some of them are applied before there is even a guarantee a unit will be available. Navigating the fees makes apartment hunting a harrowing experience. Shopping is difficult because the high application and move-in costs limit the number of places a renter can apply. The fees are not generally disclosed before signing the lease, so the apartment you thought you could afford at the time of signing is now out of your range. For someone of modest means, this can spell eviction. JIM CLARK Groundcover vendor No. 139 The AATU is not alone. In a press release from July of 2023, the Biden-Harris administration announced it is taking a stand on junk fees as well. The action stems from the fact that millions of families pay more than rent and utilities when leasing a dwelling. The most common is a non-refundable application fee. Background and credit check costs are also transferred to the potential renter, also non-refundable. As detailed in the National Consumer Law Center Report "TOO DAMN HIGH, How Junk Fees Add to Skyrocketing Rents," there is even something called a “January Fee” which is imposed during January, because it’s January. The most expensive junk fee is a place-holding fee. A place-holding fee is a charge to be put on a waitlist for a unit. Place-holding fees can be as high as $6,000, are also non-refundable, and do not always guarantee a spot. Biden’s plan to manage junk fees includes compelling rental platforms such as Zillow to be transparent about extra fees. Unfortunately, a Texas judge issued an injunction on May 10 blocking implementation of the Consumer Protection Financial Bureau's move to cap credit card fees at eight dollars per month. "Every month that the credit card late fee rule is blocked will cost Americans over $800 million," the White House said following the ruling. In the HUD publication “Policy & Practice,” aimed at municipalities, other strategies being rolled out are capping or eliminating application fees, allowing renters to provide their own screening reports, allowing a single application fee to cover multiple applications, limiting allowable fees on deposits at the time of move-in or lease signing, and clearly identifying bottom-line amounts that tenants will pay for move-in and monthly rent. Individual states are also making changes to rental policy. Rhode Island does not allow an application fee to cost more than a background and credit check, and that’s only if the prospective renter does not provide their own reports. Connecticut prohibits application fees and caps background checks at $50. The state also requires all fees and monthly rent on advertisements and the first page of a lease agreement, and prohibits move-in/move-out fees. As for Michigan, the Michigan Law Policy Program made, a presentation to the Michigan House Housing Subcommittee in February 2024. In the section titled “Possible Rental Housing Policy Responses,” these are listed as potential strategies: • protecting source of income • expunging or sealing eviction convictions • creating a standard rental application process • rethinking traditional housing policy such as allowing Accessory Dwelling Units • limiting or prohibiting junk fees. In a March article from CBS, Ann Arbor councilmember Erica Briggs said, “The Renters Commission is currently working on drafting legislation that would change our ordinances so that this (junk fees) would no longer be allowed in the city," The Ann Arbor Renters Commission was established by City Council to be an advisory board consisting of a demographic cross section of renters. What's missing in the debate on housing? J. PAINE Groundcover contributor It seems like common sense these days that the cost of housing is too high. Following on the heels of this observation is a chorus of problem solvers who, consulting “Basic Economics,” are quick to remind us that it is because “supply is too low.” The answer is therefore, simply, to “build more supply” (buildings). For the rest of us, the solution is to wait for this to happen, and hope that it solves the problem some amount of years or decades down the line. At the same time, these problem solvers leave so much unsaid: • Social housing such as that in Vienna, Austria, is cheaper and more desirable by residents than purely market-rate housing. • Co-op housing is cheaper for residents for the same type of housing, while it builds equity for those residents and offers more direct control over one’s home and community. • Monthly rental payments often cost more than mortgage payments would, while tenants are denied mortgage loans of the same amount they are already paying every month for rent! • Five million millionaires and 500+ new billionaires were created during the Covid19 pandemic, and existing billionaires got richer, just as corporate profits soared under the guise of “inflation” and a “labor shortage.” • Half a trillion dollars or more was injected into the banking system after the financial crash of 2008, given as corporate bailouts, and a similar plan was enacted during the Covid19 pandemic. Perhaps the predatory system of financial speculation and corporate irresponsibility has something to do with the high interest rates and “inflation” that have raised the cost of housing and everything else – though these problems are rarely mentioned as being a cause of the “housing crisis.” • According to Propublica, corporate real estate firms have been colluding and fixing prices, using proprietary software to jack up rents and costs for home-buyers. • Rent strikes, tenant unions, and more political actions have lowered housing costs for residents throughout history, and could do so again, without any change in the supply of housing. • Real estate developers and investors have an incentive to keep profits high, not reduce the cost of housing for everyone else. These incentives more than overwhelm the facile models of supply and demand that are supposed to bring down costs by increasing supply. • Finally, and ultimately to blame, is a system of housing as a system of investment, rather than a system geared around providing a basic human necessity. The cost of housing will hardly go down over time when it is good and economically-important for those who own current housing for the price to go up! It is a wonder why the proponents of basic economics and common sense are leaving out such critical analyses and range of solutions to the current crisis. Nevertheless, we need a new economics and new common sense for the housing crisis – one that looks at all the factors and parties responsible, and explores all available options. Ultimately, there must be a transfer of power of economic decision-making from the wealthy and large financial institutions — who approach housing as a commodity and an investment — to regular people who need homes for basic living. Only then can more significant changes be implemented that would meaningfully tackle the crisis for most of us. MAY 17, 2024 HOUSING Tenant Talk: Fool me twice, shame on monopoly landlords — still! AJ STANDISH Groundcover contributor Ypsilanti is a city where around 70% of the population rent a place to live. It’s also a city where the rental market has been monopolized by one rental company in particular that is notorious in the community for being exploitative and lazy about all maintenance and care. The company, which I won’t name here, buys older houses and buildings but refuses to maintain them, forcing tenants to put up with terrible conditions with little to no maintenance or response. I spoke to one tenant, who I’ll call Crawford, about their experiences with renting from this company. Crawford has lived in two of the company’s apartments. The first thing they noticed in their first apartment was that the walls were shaped very abnormally. “On the day that I moved in, [the walls] were probably bulging out from the wall about two inches at the max length, like, it was substantial, it was a huge breakage, it was probably six feet by four feet tall, and it was right up in the bedroom,” Crawford said. “And I made note of it, and I sent pictures to my landlord. And [it was] total radio silence, they didn't tell me if the service request had been even received.” Crawford’s apartment was directly above the building's laundry room. They said that mold was a huge concern along with the sagging walls, and that the entire unit, floor to ceiling, was wet to the touch. During their time there, they lived in fear that something would happen within the walls, a burst pipe, or the walls finally giving way to the bowing. Already overwhelmed with these concerns, Crawford started to notice scurrying and crawling noises. “I found out that there were mice all over the apartment. And there was actually a hole below the radiator that they had been coming in. And out of that was just a place that was missing a slot. And I had made note of it and sent in a service request and did not receive any communication back.” As the year went on, Crawford was having a really dark time. One ray of light for them was adopting a cat who lived outdoors with a cat colony, who they named Jane. Crawford says that Jane adopted them, not the other way around. Taking care of Jane and developing their bond was a distraction from the day to day stressors of living in their apartment. For example, when winter came, things got very cold. “December is about when I found out that my radiator didn't even turn on. It was there, it wouldn't work. And my bedroom had no heat source. It looked like there used to be a radiator, you could feel the stubs where they cut it and welded it off. But there was no heat source in my room,” Crawford said. I’m only scratching the surface of the issues Crawford faced in their first apartment in this article. Their next one, about a year and a new cat later, was managed by the same rental company. It contained a whole new variety of issues. First, their entire kitchen floor was covered in mold. It became a daily routine, scrubbing mold off the floor with bleach after working long hours everyday while trying to repair other things in the apartment. At the sane time, Crawford was taking care of a new sick cat and trying to look after the first one, who was getting sicker, having contracted an illness from the new cat. Despite their efforts keeping the two apart, and doing their best with the mold, Jane got very sick, to the point where Crawford was afraid she would need to be put down. These worries were intensified when, in response to a roach issue, the rental company put poison all over the floors. “She was especially fragile because she had gotten to a point where I almost had to euthanize her and I ended up having to spend $3,500 just to keep her. And the leasing company was aware, they were aware she was immunocompromised.” Crawford had sent an email to the company informing them of Jane’s condition, but they didn’t listen. “These little white tablets that I still find and it has been half of a year. These little white tablets that are roach poison, and these little roach traps. And I was talking to the people who live in a different apartment. And they're like, yeah, our dog ate some. And I found [my cats] playing with them. And this is the, you know, this is something, this is a poison, that it's toxic. Like it will make them sick.” Around the time their cat was very sick, Crawford decided to pursue veterinary medicine, stating this horrible experience as a “driving force.” “Actually it was part of what got me into veterinary medicine was her getting sick and being like, I respect the people that are saving my cat’s life right now.” Another glaring health hazard in the second apartment is the presence of several squirrels’ nests in the roof, right above Crawford’s bed. Every night they fall asleep to the echo of scurrying squirrels. “Squirrels live in that insulation, and they've been building nests over top of my bed and the slats there are shifting. And now there's a gap where squirrel feces and bedding is falling into my bed.” Finally, the rental company responded to Crawford and the slats were patched up with caulk in a way that was ineffective. The cherry on top of the squirrel horror story happened when one of the squirrels fell through the slats, and ended up stuck in the wall. Due to the lack of response from the rental company, Crawford was forced to listen to the squirrel struggle to climb back up for days and days, until it eventually died. As it decomposed in the wall, Crawford’s apartment smelled like rotting meat. Again, there was no response from the rental company. Crawford works 50+ hours a week as a vet tech, for only 16 dollars an hour. Both of these apartments cost them about $1,000 monthly, so they had to work constantly just to afford moldy, cold, poisonous, rodent-infested and broken living quarters. Trying to bring some brightness to the situation, Crawford planted several plants outside, all of which were weedwacked by the rental company. Crawford’s story is one of very, very many in the Ypsilanti area. This rental company is risking people’s lives, gambling with severe health concerns, dangerous maintenance negligence, and complete disregard for the health and safety of tenants who rent from them. People shouldn’t have to battle water damage, rodents, dying squirrels, and parts of squirrel nest in their bed. Nobody should have to contemplate euthanizing their cat, their best friend, because of health concerns created by the people in charge of their housing. GROUNDCOVER NEWS What’s Happening at the Ann Arbor District Library Open 10am–8pm Daily Hang out in any of our five locations across town, browsing books, magazines, newspapers, and more, or check out movies, CDs, art prints, musical instruments, and home tools— you name it! Study and meeting rooms, fast and free WiFi, and plenty of places to sit and hang out. Unusual Stuff to Borrow There’s more to borrow at AADL than books, music, and movies. To name a few, there are games, telescopes, stories-to-go kits, and home tools. Check out these unusual yet handy items during your next library visit. Book Clubs To Go Book Clubs To Go is a service available at each AADL location that provides the convenience of complete kits for book discussions. Inside, you’ll find 10 copies of the featured book, one movie DVD, and a resource folder. Request a kit today through the online catalog or by calling (734) 327-4200. FEATURED EVENT Saturday, June 15 & Sunday, June 16 • 10am–6pm Downtown Library A2CAF (Ann Arbor Comic Arts Festival) is a two-day extravaganza for comic lovers of all ages; featuring workshops, art activities, and one-on-one interactions between comics readers and makers. Join us at the Downtown Library to explore a packed artist alley, hear from renowned authors and illustrators, and get creative with quick drawing sessions, face painting, and so much more! Check out the full schedule of A2CAF events at aadl.org/a2caf. 5
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6 GROUNDCOVER NEWS WASHTENAW COUNTY MAY 17, 2024 Mental health advocates call for transparency, reduced funding for Washtenaw County Sheriff in Community Mental Health Public Safety Millage On Wednesday May 15, the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners held a first reading of the proposal to restore and renew the Mental Health and Public Safety Millage on the November 5, 2024 General Election Ballot. This proposal, originally scheduled for earlier in April, was pushed back a month after mental health advocates and others mobilized against its renewal. Advocacy throughout the months of April and May spurred the updating of an ordinance that governs the millage. The May 15 meeting also included a public hearing on the ordinance and first reading on the millage renewal. 2017 Community Mental Health and Public Safety Preservation Millage A millage is a tax levied against taxable property; it is a common way for municipalities to raise money to fund specific projects or address certain issues. In November 2017, Washtenaw County residents voted two-toone in favor of an eight-year millage that would generate $15 - $18 million per year for mental health and public safety. Per the ballot language, “38% [of the funding] shall be allocated to Washtenaw County’s Community Mental Health Department for mental health services, stabilization, and prevention and to meet mental health needs in an appropriate setting thus reducing the burden in the jail and improving care; 38% shall be allocated to the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office to ensure continued operations and increased collaboration with the mental health community; and 24% shall be allocated to jurisdictions in the County which maintain their own police force.” As written and implemented, the 38% allocated to CMH is guided by a Millage Advisory Committee. This 13-member advisory committee is a subcommittee of the Washtenaw County Community Mental Health Board and reports to the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners as required. Although they meet during the workday and have low public attendance, MAC meetings are open to the public and include a forum for public comments. Many Washtenaw residents are familiar with this millage from the local “It takes a millage” marketing a great need for mental health services, but call for two main alternatives: split or slow down. The call to “split” suggests that the LINDSAY CALKA Publisher campaign, which has highlighted services funded and expanded by the CMH Public Safety millage. A 2022 Impact Report issued by WCCMH displays financial, demographic and human-centered testimonials of the impact of the dollars — and can be readily viewed online with a quick Google search. Yet, the CMH spending is only a minority of the millage expenditures. Neither the 38% allocated to WCSO nor the 24% to municipal police forces — totalling 62% of the millage budget allocation — have advisory / oversight councils or impact reports. Information about the expenditures of the Sheriff’s budget in 2024 had to be ordered via private FOIA (which cost $938) and will not be received until June 7, two days after the proposed second reading and vote to put the millage on the ballot. (53% of the County’s general four-year budget is already allocated to the Sheriff.) Mental health advocates spark public debate In County Commissioner meetings throughout the months of March and April, mental health advocates — representing people receiving community mental health services, community mental health workers, activists and formerly incarcerated and homeless people — spoke for and against the current millage, greatly calling into question the future of the millage if sent to ballot for renewal “as-is.” Supporters of the renewal spoke in favor of the programs the millage funded in and out of the Sheriff's department — such as SURE Moms and Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion and Deflection (LEADD) — citing the great need for maintained funding for mental health services. Those who oppose moving forward “as-is” are in agreement that there is Commissioners scrap this millage and run two new millages on the November 5, 2024 ballot: one for mental health and one for public safety. Even if both of these millages fail, the Commissioners could place the renewal of the 2017 Mental Health and Public Safety Millage on a ballot in 2025. If passed, no programs or services would lapse in funding. (Since the eight year millage began collection in 2018, the funding is able to be spent through December 2026.) The call to “slow down” is one for increased transparency and public communications around the budgeting, governance and expenditures of the millage from 2017-present. More time would allow design and execution of community-based processes to gather and utilize public opinion on the millage, and even grant the flexibility to rewrite the millage or an ordinance that improves millage spending priorities and guidelines. Many times commenters called on the BOC to be creative and not rush through a decision that will cement policy until 2033. Ordinance adds oversight not budget changes The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners moved forward with a third option: ordinance guidance. The “Community Mental Health and Public Safety Preservation Millage Expenditure Policy Ordinance” was draft-updated to impose regulations on the “public safety” portion of the millage funds. One notable (draft) suggestion was writing in limitations on how the 38-38-24 breakdowns would be spent. The ordinance draft read, “50% of annual millage funding [allocated to the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office] will be used in a proactive manner to provide services to help individuals with needs related to: Mental and Behavioral Health Services (20%), Housing and Homelessness Support Services (15%) and Community Violence Interruption (15%).” The ordinance also establishes a Public Safety Millage Advisory Committee, which would be a 16-member body and under this ordinance three (3) of the seats will be occupied by members of the Board of Commissioners. After both public comment held at the beginning of the meeting, and a public hearing later in the May 15 meeting, where commenters generally disapproved of the ordinance for entrenching social service access in the carceral system, the Commissioners debated on whether or not to further limit the Sheriff’s allocation in any way. Only Commissioners Yousef Rabhi, Annie Somerville, and Katie Scott voted in favor of keeping these sub-percentage limits. The majority voted to scrap the 20-15-15% sub-breakdown. This May 15 vote served as a reminder that ordinances can be repealed or amended at any time, and that placing budget protections in such a fickle type of policy is not a viable solution to ensure funding for social services. Take action Advocacy mobilizations at the Board of Commissioners meetings in 2024 have been defined by Shelter Now, Community Mental Health workers’ contract bargaining and now this millage: all of which call for a County budget that is better reflective of the needs of the community. Community members, coalitions and grassroots organizations have spoken passionately about the life and death impacts of these policies. At the time of publication, the vote determining whether the millage renewal will appear on the November 5 ballot and how the updated ordinance will govern it will be held on June 5 — during the next Board of Commissioners meeting (220 N Main Street, Ann Arbor and on Zoom https://washtenaw.me/BOCZoom). Call or email your District’s elected Commissioner and let them know what mental health and public safety looks like to you. MAY 17, 2024 WASHTENAW COUNTY Washtenaw County ID for you and me In many ways, identification cards serve as gateways to various services and opportunities. Washtenaw County, nestled in the rusty heart of Michigan, recognizes the significance of accessible identification for its residents. The Washtenaw County ID program is not merely a piece of plastic; it embodies inclusivity, safety and community support. Let’s delve into the essential aspects of this initiative, focusing on its role in accessibility and safety. The Washtenaw County ID program was established to ensure that every resident, regardless of their background or circumstances, has access to a valid form of identification. This initiative is particularly beneficial for individuals who may face barriers in obtaining traditional forms of ID, such as driver's licenses or state IDs. These individuals are often the most vulnerable in our society and obtaining a valid ID can assist them in gaining the next steps toward independent lives. Accessibility lies at the core of the program. By providing an alternative to conventional identification methods, the County aims to reach marginalized communities, including undocumented immigrants, homeless individuals, and those experiencing financial hardship. The process of obtaining an ID is designed to be straightforward and accommodating, ensuring that everyone has the chance to obtain this vital document. I spoke to Ryan Heisler, the website developer for the Washtenaw County ID Project. He stated “We wanted to make the website available for any user. We followed the WCAG (web content accessible guidelines) to ensure that everyone, on any device could comfortably use the site.” Inclusivity goes beyond the act of issuing IDs; it encompasses the multiple avenues for obtaining and utilizing IDs. Mobile outreach initiatives may ROBBIE FEBRUARY Groundcover contributor recognition and validation of individuals' identities and circumstances. The Washtenaw County ID includes features that cater to diverse needs, such as an alert system indicating that the cardholder may have a medical condition. This alert serves as a safeguard, ensuring that relevant information is readily available in case of emergencies, and promoting a safer community for all residents. The inclusion of many residents in the Washtenaw County ID program reflects the county's commitment to fostering a sense of community and solidarity among its residents. It not only enhances individual safety but also strengthens the collective resilience of the community. The journey towards accessibility involves more than just providing a service; it requires a concerted effort to understand and address the diverse needs of the community. Ryan Heisler spoke to this as well. He said “It’s been such an important project for me. There are thousands of people in the community who struggle with the requirements of traditional state issued identification. Washtenaw ID provides a path for them to receive services locally.” The Washtenaw County ID program exemplifies this approach by offering bring ID services directly to communities, removing transportation barriers and reaching individuals who may face difficulties accessing traditional government offices. Additionally, partnerships with local organizations and service providers extend the reach of the program, ensuring that information and support are readily available to those in need. Furthermore, the Washtenaw County ID is accepted at various institutions and businesses within the County, affirming its validity and utility as a form of identification. From healthcare facilities to financial institutions, the ID opens doors to essential services and resources, empowering residents to fully participate in community life. In Washtenaw County, the ID card symbolizes inclusivity, safety and community solidarity. By serving as proof of identity and residency, the Washtenaw County ID program prioritizes accessibility and safety for all residents. As we navigate the complexities of the modern world, initiatives like the Washtenaw County ID remind us of the importance of removing barriers and fostering inclusivity. By working together to support and empower every member of the community, we can create a safer, more accessible environment where all individuals have the opportunity to thrive. Scan the QR code pictured right to visit the Washtenaw ID website, https://washtenaw. local-gov.id, where you can now report businesses that reject use of the ID and learn more about getting one yourself! GROUNDCOVER NEWS 7
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8 GROUNDCOVER NEWS POETRY Woman LA SHAWN COURTWRIGHT Groundcover vendor No. 56 A day in the life of Earl EARL PULLEN Groundcover contributor A woman is a beautiful being A woman who is truthful and honest is an asset to us as well as our communities She cares about her duties towards those who on her lean To do otherwise is cruel and mean So be a truthful and honest woman One who builds, not destroys dreams Before one’s nature Can get in the way It’s how you live from day To day the dreams you have And the story is told it’s How you mind and how you Hold the memories you have And the story is told Only time can tell of The days of old. In the Days and nights of time Recollect — its all you can Do to get respect A night in the life of Earl EARL PULLEN Hither hither Thither thither A morning light Is neither neither What you say is nether Or light but all your dreams Come at night And the hither or the thither is never Right so the Story is told For a day and a night And a night MAY 17, 2024 MAY 17, 2024 PUZZLES 1 13 16 18 23 28 31 34 37 44 47 50 56 61 63 Groundcover Vendor Code While Groundcover is a non-profit, and paper vendors are self-employed contractors, we still have expectations of how vendors should conduct themselves while selling and representing the paper. The following is our Vendor Code of Conduct, which every vendor reads and signs before receiving a badge and papers. We request that if you discover a vendor violating any tenets of the Code, please contact us and provide as many details as possible. Our paper and our vendors should be positively impacting our County. • Groundcover will be distributed for a voluntary donation. I agree not to ask for more than the cover price or solicit donations by any other means. • When selling Groundcover, I will always have the current biweekly issue of Groundcover available for customer purchase. • I agree not to sell additional goods or products when selling the paper or to panhandle, including panhandling with only one paper or selling past monthly issues. • I will wear and display my badge when selling papers and refrain from wearing it or other Groundcover gear when engaged in other activities. • I will only purchase the paper from Groundcover Staff and will not sell to or buy papers from other Groundcover vendors, especially vendors who have been suspended or terminated. • I agree to treat all customers, staff, and other vendors respectfully. I will not “hard sell,” threaten, harass or pressure customers, staff, or other vendors verbally or physically. • I will not sell Groundcover under the influence of drugs or alcohol. • I understand that I am not a legal employee of Groundcover but a contracted worker responsible for my own well-being and income. • I understand that my badge is property of Groundcover and will not deface it. I will present my badge when purchasing the papers. • I agree to stay off private property when selling Groundcover. • I understand to refrain from selling on public buses, federal property or stores unless there is permission from the owner. • I agree to stay at least one block away from another vendor in downtown areas. I will also abide by the Vendor Corner Policy. • I understand that Groundcover strives to be a paper that covers topics of homelessness and poverty while providing sources of income for the homeless. I will try to help in this effort and spread the word. If you would like to report a violation of the Vendor Code please email contact@groundcovernews.com or fill out the contact form on our website. ACROSS 1. Corner store 7. Cite as evidence 13. Made square 14. Congenial 16. Led 17. Ornamental purple flower 18. Make a mistake 19. Part of GPS (Abbr.) 21. ___ Havre, French seaport 22. Neck accessory 23. "Smart" one 25. Confined, with "up" 27. Defensive spray 28. Gossip, slang 29. 007 30. Cast a ballot 31. "La Scala di ___" (Rossini opera) 32. Not at home 33. ___ Rapids, Iowa 34. Viking weapon 37. Of dairy cows 39. What might come before the chicken 40. Barber's motion 44. "Don't bet ___!" 45. Part of TLC 46. Ditty 47. "What are the ____?" 48. Information unit 49. Swerves at sea 50. Something old, something ___ 51. Yes, in Spanish 52. Disliked, in a text (Abbr.) 55. After expenses 56. Upholster's heavy, floral friend 59. Scalawag 61. One working at a copy shop, maybe 62. Ace place? 63. "___ Roots" 64. Looked after, with "to" 57 51 58 48 52 53 59 62 64 DOWN 1. Decapitates 2. Cover 3. Honey 4. Armageddon 5. Orders to plow horses 6. Mark of "Game of Thrones" 7. Austrian river 8. Gave out, as cards 9. "Truth or ____" 10. "Born in the ___" 11. Choral composition 12. Siren 14. Shiny shoe material 15. Old-fashioned "you" 20. Shoot off one's mouth 24. White Burgundy wine 26. Bismarck st. 27. Demureness 29. The two of them 30. Annoy 33. Hamster's home 35. Division of a play 36. "Snowy" bird 37. Contemporary people 38. Lived inside, as a spirit 41. Multifaceted 42. Incorporate something into a fabric 43. Crushed into a powder 45. Famous baseball pitcher Young 47. "___ bitten, twice shy" 48. Pig out 51. Achy 53. At one time, at one time 54. Valley 57. Toni Morrison's "___ Baby" 58. Nothin' but ___! 60. Merkley or Wyden, e.g. (Abbr.) 54 60 38 45 35 39 24 29 32 36 40 46 49 55 41 42 43 33 19 20 25 26 30 3 4 5 6 7 8 GROUNDCOVER NEWS CROSSWORD from the International Network of Street Papers 2 9 14 17 21 27 22 10 11 12 15 9
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10 GROUNDCOVER NEWS LITERARY ARTS Rediscovering Zora Neale Hurston’s literary achievements The story of Zora Neale Hurston represents the third volume of our attempts to bring to our readers the narrative of early Black writers and artists who have left their monumental footprints on the “sands of time.” A few things are notable about Zora Neale Hurston, author of “Their Eyes Were Watching God.” First, Hurston and some of the other early Black writers and aritsts were once famous for their writing, and subsequently, they were forgotten. Second, Zora Neale Hurston’s work and contribution to the canon of Black literary tradition had to be rediscovered by newer generations of African American writers. Third, Hurston lived through poverty and died in a Florida welfare home for the elderly poor. There was no gravestone on her gravesite. In 1973, Writer Alice Walker traveled to Florida to see where she was buried. She discovered that she was put in an unmarked grave. Walker quickly arranged to have a stone marker installed. It said, “ZORA NEALE HURSTON: GENIUS OF THE SOUTH.” It is fair to single out Walker and Henry Louis Gates, Jr., as people who played significant roles in the rediscovery of Zora Neale Hurston. Many writers in the literary community credit Alice Walker for her 1975 article titled, “Where is Zora Neale Hurston?” This question got many answers, including a 1979 article by Henry Louis Gates Jr. which lauded Hurston’s literary and scholarly achievements. Professor Gates pointed out that her distinctive style of writing should not be condemned, but celebrated as a cultural and historical aesthetic. More recently, a went to a high school at Morgan College in Baltimore. Subsequently, she entered Howard University in Washington D.C., where she studied writing, Latin, Greek and public speaking. After two years, she received an Associate Degree. Barnard College offered her a scholWILL SHAKESPEARE Groundcover vendor No. 258 2022 book titled, “Zora Neale Hurston: You Don’t Know Us Negroes and Other Essays” was edited by Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Genevieve West. In one review of Hurston’s “Dust Tracks on a Road,” Gates said, “How was Hurston — the recipient of two Guggenheim fellowships and the author of four novels, a dozen short essays, two musicals, two books on Black mythology, dozens of essays and a prize-winning author biography — lost from all but her most loyal followers for two full decades?” Gates continued, “There is no easy answer to this question. It is clear however, that the enthusiastic responses that Hurston’s work engenders today were not shared by several of her black male contemporaries.” Does it go back to this thought? Zora Neale Hurston (18911960) Zora Neale Hurston was born in Alabama in January 1891. She died in January 1960. When she was three years old, her family moved to Florida. She was raised in a predominantly Black town in Florida called Eatonville. She arship to study anthropology at their New York City campus. She accepted. She had an opportunity to learn from the distinguished cultural anthropologist, Franz Boas, and the well-known anthropologist Margaret Mead was one of her classmates. Hurston received her B.A. in Anthropology in 1925 at the age of 28. She continued her education at Columbia University graduate school. Boas, her research adviser, helped her secure several research grants and fellowships. During her stay at Barnard College and Columbia University, Hurston lived in a Harlem apartment which became a meeting place for young poets and writers such as Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Bennett and Countee Cullen. They were able to get dozens of poems and stories published in “Fire” and “Opportunity” magazines during the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and 1930s. Zora Neale Hurston’s stories and Langston Hughes’s poems appeared in the iconic anthology book of Alain Locke titled, “The New Negro.” Hurston wrote four books and more than 50 stories. She traveled to Jamaica and Haiti to do folklore anthropological research. Many of her research materials are now being dug up and published posthumously. Hurston’s 1927 interview of Cudjo Lewis who was in the last ship that brought African slaves to the shores of Mobile, Alabama, was finally published posthumously in 2018. The highly acclaimed book is called, “The Barracoon” (more below). Of all the great books written by Zora Neale Hurston, the greatest is, “Their Eyes Were Watching God.” Newer editions have been republished by the University of Illinois Press. The Illinois Press also published new editions of Robert Hemingway’s “Zora Neale Hurston: A Literary Biography” and Jennifer L. Freeman’s “Ain’t I an Anthropologist?” - Conclusion Professor Gates called out the three main critics of Zora Neale Hurston’s body of work. They were Richard Wright, Sterling A. Brown and Ralph Ellison. Their reviews of Hurston’s writings during the 1930s through the 1950s were brutal. The attacks on Hurston’s writing style and literary perspectives were merciless. The harsh reviews probably forced Hurston to hide away. About the harsh criticism, Henry Louis Gates said, “In reviews of ‘Mules and Men’ (1935), ‘Their Eyes Were Watching God’ (1937) and ‘Moses: Man of the Mountain’ (1939), Sterling A. Brown, Richard Wright and Ralph Ellison condemned her work as “socially unconscious” and derided her “minstrel technique” in ‘Moses.’ Ellison concluded, ‘For Negro fiction, it did nothing.’” Gates continued, “Hurston’s mythic realism, lush and dense with a lyrical black idiom, was regarded as counter revolutionary by the proponents of social realism …” Hurston competed with her Black male contemporaries “for the right to determine the ideal fictional mode for representing Negro life.” Gates also made one final prophetic remark about the controversy. He said, “She lost the battle, but may yet win the war.” Alice Walker, who won the Pulitzer Prize for “The Color Purple,” helped to get Zora Neale Hurston’s unpublished manuscript published. The manuscript was based on a 1927 interview of the last surviving slave who was brought to the port of Mobile, Alabama in 1865. Hurston interviewed 87-year old Cudjo Lewis in Afrika Town, near Mobile, Alabama in 1927. Lewis answered Hurston’s questions in a unique Black Southern vernacular and folklore English language reminiscent of the 19th century style by Black Poet Paul Lawrence Dunber. It was and it is still called, “Black English.” The book, by Hurston titled, “Barracoon: The Story of the last Black Cargo” was published in 2018. It received great reviews from the New York Times, Time Magazine, PBS, etc. Nobel Prize winner Toni Morrison said, “One of the greatest writers of our time.” Alice Walker said, “Zora Neale Hurston’s genius has once again produced a masterpiece.” Finally the world knows that Hurston has inspired many writers to use their inner courage to write and, of course, share their private feelings in public places. That is what poets and fiction/non-fiction writers do. Zora Neale Hurston’s legacy and impacts are staggering. Several award-winning writers including Walker, Morrison and Maya Angelou give effusive gratitude to Miss Hurston for their writing success, fame and recognition. MAY 17, 2024 MAY 17, 2024 ECONOMY The first meeting of the People’s Peace Bank on Earth Day this year was canceled so we could attend the rally and camp for Palestine on the Diag. Money and war are so fixed in the global political economy that the struggle for peace may be ready for a breakthrough in theory and practice. Using the word “people’s” does not mean public. The Bank of North Dakota is the only publicly-owned state bank in the United States. In my view they are one kind of people’s bank.The Michigan legislature is considering one. The People’s Peace Bank I propose would be local. The mission would be to invest in peace. Anything that promoted a simple and true lifestyle would be worthy of investment. From concerts to conferences, simplifying households, promoting local agriculture, to seeing that basic needs in education and health care are addressed. The financial context would be a balanced flow of energy open to anything but war. We will not contribute to genocide. Most of my Groundcover articles are full of references to “We hold these truths to be self-evident.” We need consensus on reality. For example, I reject the machine model of reality and embrace reality as a living organic presence which gives us guidance when we respect and study what is happening in the life of this world. Therefore the first meeting of PPB will look at the work of Richard Werner, the German economist who spent enough time in Japan to understand the role of central banks, then wrote a bestseller in Japanese. The English title is “Princes of the Yen.” It is also in podcast form. Basic science begins with the laws of thermodynamics. I want to focus on the conservation of energy. This law of thermodynamics states that mass-energy cannot be created or destroyed but changes form. It refers to a closed system. I assume that our KEN PARKS Groundcover vendor No. 490 priority project. Using the resources we have at hand, let’s look at the different forms of money and how to use them. I think that Gerald Celente is helpful here. From fiat currency to gold and blockchain technologies, how do we best put our energy to work? What projects are worthy of support? I propose that we meet on May 25 universe is a closed system, so from the Big Bang until now we have the same energy mass in our universe that is in constant motion amid transformation. If you search for the number of universes the answer tends to infinity. I will skip the quantum mechanics and relativity variations on the theme and go to Richard Werner’s empirical experiment which showed that loans create money out of nothing. I believe that loans are an expression of existing reality as it changes form. The legal expression “ex nihilo” (out of nothing) would then refer to a new expression of existing mass-energy. For completeness in theory we will accept the reality that atoms and molecules are mostly empty space which is an energy field. A focused breath will help us foster a sane state of mind with the complexity of life. Simple and complex is the dialectic at work that can help us experience and create transformations; when you discover the unity of opposites you open the door to unconditional love. It is possible to miss the obvious because we are so distracted by thinking and miss the primordial awareness which is the source of thinking. I hope I am making enough sense that we can go to work. We can focus on the practical by looking at what needs to be done. Compost war and grow peace is a during the 200th anniversary of Ann Arbor celebration on the Ann Arbor community commons. Starting at 11 a.m. there will be discussion with Conscious Cafe on development and use of community resources. I recommend that you prepare by listening to Richard Werner’s presentation at the Dubai Capital Club on central bank digital currencies. This podcast could be shown at our first meeting. The VALHALLA Network is a decentralized autonomous organization to establish and own a global network of community banks. Let’s explore work with them and look at the time banking and local currencies that have been percolating in Ann Arbor for some decades. We may create a process for loans among ourselves that show promise of long term benefit. Bringing two households together to form one household could maximize best use of resources and create a surplus of healthy food and time for creative work. One household could save money and more easily repay the loan. This is an example of things that could be done. exp. 01/31/2025 Invest in peace and quality of life. No money for genocide. Of course I am triple booked that weekend and plan to do GROUNDCOVER NEWS People's Peace Bank is an idea whose time has come Friday night in Detroit at the Swords into Plowshares forum on Palestine, Saturday in Ann Arbor at the commons then back to Detroit on Sunday for the final day of the solidarity with Palestine and our global context. Monday is Memorial Day. Will Veterans For Peace do the Arlington Michigan cross display at Grand Circus Park? There is no shortage of things to do — pick one and carry on. 11
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12 GROUNDCOVER NEWS FOOD Coconut macadamia nut bars ELIZABETH BAUMAN Groundcover contributor Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 1 1/2 sticks butter 2/3 cup granulated sugar 2 eggs 1 tsp vanilla 1 3/4 cups milk chocolate chips 2 cups shredded sweetened coconut 1 cup chopped roasted macadamia nuts Directions: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Prepare a 9 x 13 glass pan by buttering it or spraying well with non-stick spray. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl. Set aside. In an electric mixer on medium speed, combine the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Slow down the mixer and add the Where's Panda? DAVID WINEY Groundcover vendor No. 634 MAY 17, 2024 eggs, one at a time, and then the vanilla. Gradually add the flour mixture to the batter just until combined. Spread half of the batter into the pan. Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the top of the batter layer. Stir the coconut and macadamia nuts into the remaining batter, then spread it over the chocolate chips. Bake for 35 minutes, until the top is golden brown. The bars may still be slightly soft in the center, but they will set up as they cool. Allow the bars to cool completely, then cut into rectangles and serve. PUZZLE SOLUTIONS B O D E G A A D D U C E E V E N E D P L E A S A N T H E A D E D A M A R A N T H E R R S Y S T A L E C L E T I E P E N T M A C E D I S H B O N D V O T E S E T A O U T C E D A R B A T T L E A X E O D D S M I L C H E G G S N I P O N I T C A R E B Y T E N E W S I H T E D N E T C R E T O N N E R A S C A L E N L A R G E R S L E E V E S T R E E T T E N D E D T U N E Y A W S

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2 GROUNDCOVER NEWS GROUNDCOVER MAY 3, 2024 PROVIDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELF-DETERMINED INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY POVERTY, PRODUCING A STREET NEWSPAPER THAT GIVES A PLATFORM TO UNDERREPRESENTED VOICES IN WASHTENAW COUNTY, PROMOTING AN ACTION TO BUILD A JUST, CARING AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETY. Groundcover News, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in April 2010 as a means to empower lowincome persons to make the transitions from homeless to housed, and from jobless to employed. Vendors purchase each copy of our regular editions of Groundcover News at our office for 50 cents. This money goes towards production costs. Vendors work selling the paper on the street for $2, keeping all income and tips from each sale. Street papers like Groundcover News exist in cities all over the United States, as well as in more than 40 other countries, in an effort to raise awareness of the plight of homeless people and combat the increase in poverty. Our paper is a proud member of the International Network of Street Papers. STAFF Lindsay Calka — publisher Cynthia Price — editor Simone Masing — intern ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS Jim Clark Christopher Ellis Cindy Gere Izzy Hedin-Urrutia Kaylie Karsch Ken Parks Elizabeth Reidy Scoop Stevens Erin Turn Wei Zhou PROOFREADERS Susan Beckett Elliot Cubit Anabel Sicko VOLUNTEERS Jessi Averill Jane Atkins Zachary Dortzbach Glenn Gates Alexandra Granberg Robert Klingler Emily Paras Holden Pizzolato Liem Swanson Melanie Wenzel Mary Wisgerhof Max Wisgerhof Emily Yao CONTACT US Story and photo submissions: submissions@groundcovernews.com Advertising and partnerships: contact@groundcovernews.com Office: 423 S. 4th Ave., Ann Arbor Mon-Sat, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Phone: 734-263-2098 @groundcover @groundcovernews DONATE, LISTEN TO OLD ISSUES + LEARN MORE www.groundcovernews.org linktr.ee/groundcovernews GROUNDCOVER NEWS ADVERTISING RATES Size 1/8 1/6 1/4 1/2 full page Black/White $110.00 $145.00 $200.00 $375.00 $650.00 Color $150.00 $200.00 $265.00 $500.00 $900.00 Dimensions (W x H in inches) 5 X 3 or 2.5 X 6.5 5 X 4 5 X 6.25 5 X 13 or 10.25 X 6.5 10.25 X 13 PACKAGE PRICING Three Months/Six Issues: 15% off Six Months/Twelve Issues: 25% off Full Year/Twenty-four Issues: 35% off Only run for two weeks/one issue: 40% off Additional 20% discount for money saving coupons MAY 3, 2024 ON MY CORNER ASK YOUR VENDOR What would you bring to a cookout? Lentils, rice, hummus and organic garlic bread. — Juliano Sanchez, #174 Charcoal or a soccer ball. Or both. — Jim Clark, #139 Water. — Roberto Isla Caballero, #347 Ribs. — Shawn Swoffer, #574 Potato salad. — Wayne Sparks, #615 Probably some beef ribs and watermelon! — Pony Bush, #305 Barbecue ribs, mac 'n' cheese and corn. — Derek Allen, #177 An appetite! — Ken Parks, #490 Barbecue sauce — good for vegans, vegetarians and meat eaters! — Monte Smith, #487 Whatever is needed. Soda, chips, potato salad, hot dogs and buns are the classics. — Hosea' Hill, #532 Vienna sausages and crackers. — Denise Shearer, #485 Macaroni and cheese. — Joe Woods, #103 On a hot day? Cold water! — Mike Jones, #113 People. Me, myself and I. — Tony Schohl, #9 I love every year walking through the wonderful W.E. Upjohn Peony CINDY GERE Groundcover vendor No. 279 Visit the Peony Gardens for some fun in the sun! Garden at the Nichols Arboretum (what I like to call Peonies Park)! I start in the woods on the Washington Heights entrance. With my love for dogs, I am often happy to run into many on their daily walks. As we make our way through the bushes, we come out onto a vista overlooking the rest of the Arboretum. As I wander through the woods, I come out onto the back end of the peony park where I often see wedding parties taking pictures of the brides walking down between the flowers in their big fluffy wedding dresses. Professional and amateur photographers are often there as well, taking many pictures. But what I find so much fun is the number of people who come to admire the peonies for the brief time they are in full bloom. So between April and May this is a fun event for friends and family — a day in the park and fun in the sun! GROUNDCOVER NEWS 3 People’s Food Co-op annual meeting discusses A2 development goals SCOOP STEVENS Groundcover contributor On April 16 the People's Food Co-op had its annual meeting at the Downtown Ann Arbor Public Library and it started with a 45-minute panel discussion. PFC Vice President Conner Levy started the discussion by stating that the primary objective of the PFC downtown development plan was food justice and food accessibility. Ann Arbor City officials who participated in the panel discussion were Lisa Disch (City Council member), Maura Thompson (Executive Director of the Downtown Development Authority) and Jane Dixon (City planning consultant). At the end of the discussion these officials were asked about their shopping credentials at PFC. All of them shopped extensively at PFC; Dixon mentioned that while she was a graduate student she didn't shop there because the prices were too high. Even though PFC is the only grocery store in downtown Ann Arbor, many people do not shop there because of those high prices. Right now, they are far from accomplishing food justice and food accessibility. Before the COVID-19 pandemic shocked the world into submission with its draconian lockdowns, mandatory mask wearing and social distancing reminders, there were already shopping and workplace changes happening. The pandemic only accelerated the pace of these new trends, like working from home at least part of the time and, as they stated in the panel discussion, social spaces outside of business establishments (mostly restaurants, I assumed). A PFC downtown development plan taking these trends into consideration could create a vibrant social life and new type of prosperity. This would make food tap into a different view of what makes for prosperity (that is, outside of the Gross National Product mindset) and possibly even bring down prices if it generated enough business of a social nature.
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4 GROUNDCOVER NEWS GAZA U-M Tarihr Coaltion joins nationwide student movement for university divestment from Israel There are tents on the Diag, but they are not occupied by people experiencing homelessness. The encampment is the “Popular University for Gaza at U-M,” and is composed of University of Michigan students, faculty, staff and community supporters of university divestment from Israel. On Monday, April 22, at 6 a.m., over 60 student members of the Tahrir Coalition joined the national call from Students for Justice in Palestine to “occupy college campuses and demand that their institutions end their complicity in the ongoing genocide in Palestine.” This Diag occupation began four days after Students for Justice in Palestine at Columbia University began occupation of the East Butler Lawn in New York City, escalating this nationwide student-led movement for divestment from Israel. Hundreds of student activists at Columbia have been arrested or suspended, but the repression has only led to more and more support. The U-M Tahrir Coalition was formed in November 2023 in response to Central Student Government ballot initiatives AR 13-025 and counter-initiative AR 13-026, calling on U-M to LINDSAY CALKA Publisher formal inquiry into anti-palestinian, anti-Arab, and islamophobic racism and harassment. 3. Support and reaffirm the faculty and staff members who are being vilified for their support of Palestine. 4. Release a formal statement that clearly defines the massacre in Gaza as a genocidal ethnic cleansing campaign led by Israel and aided by the United States.” The encampment intends to occupy condemn the state of Israel, and Hamas, respectively. The coalition is composed of more than 80 U-M student organizations that are “united for the liberation of Palestine at the University of Michigan.” To join the coalition, an individual or organization affiliated with U-M must sign on to the following demands to the University of Michigan President Santo Ono and the Board of Regents: “1. Divest from any and all companies that presently, or in the future, profit off of the human rights violations committed by Israel, and aid in the apartheid system maintained against Palestinians. 2. Conduct a the Diag — disrupting business as usual — until they achieve divestment from Israel at the U-M. Dozens of other universities across the country are organizing similar direct actions, with near-identical demands. What business does an academic institution have investing in another country, and what does “divest from Israel” really mean? The University of Michigan maintains an endowment of $17.9 billion that is invested in multiple companies in order to grow funds. There are staff persons that manage everyday decisions about the endowment, but at the end of the day, the University President and the statewide-elected Board of Regents make the final call about where funds are allocated. “Divestment from Israel” is a condensed phrase that draws the connections between large multinational companies that receive investments from the endowment that directly fund Israeli military activity in Gaza. The University has over $6 billion invested in funds that profit from Israeli companies or military contractors. This includes Hewlett-Packard, which supplies the electronic identification systems used to immobilize Palestinians at Israeli military checkpoints; Lockheed Martin, which has supplied Israel with billions of dollars worth of military equipment and training since 2001; and the Boeing Company, which expedited delivery of 1,000 bombs to aid Israeli airstrikes on Gaza. Other investments include drone manufacturer Skydio, military contractors Cobham and Ultra Electronics, Israeli spyware firm Oosto, and Israeli prisoner surveillance company Attenti. In a public letter, the Tahrir Coalition stated, “As long as U-M invests in these companies, we are paying tuition to a university that profits from apartheid, see TAHRIR page 7  MAY 3, 2024 Who's in charge? If you have been on a picket line or march for peace and justice, you likely heard the police asking, “Who’s in charge?” The usual response is “Everybody” or “No one.” I think a better response would be, “I am in charge of what I do, are you in charge of what you do, or do you have orders?” Chain of command thinking begins early. Two-year-olds have learned the word “NO” and use it often enough to have a reputation … THE TERRIBLE TWOS. As adults we are more likely to hear, ”You can’t do that here.” Your assembly may be declared illegal or more commonly, ”You can’t sleep here!” Camping on the commons, on any unused land, is usually a big “NO!” You can discreetly disappear into the bush but if you are discovered, you may lose all your possessions and be issued a ticket to appear in court where you will be fined and/or jailed. The hypocrisy of property rights becomes obvious as your body becomes the property of the state. We have yet to abolish slavery in prisons. Those who have eyes to see and a KEN PARKS Groundcover vendor No. 490 heart that feels will be inspired to continue the struggle for freedom. “An injury to one is an injury to all” is a quote on the letterhead of some unions. It is a poignant expression of universal truth. Hillsdale College talks of transcendental truth and the constitution as if it is the domain of conservatives. We need some deep debate here. Nial Ferguson presents the conservative view in his “Treason of the Intellectuals.” As the Rev. James K. Parks said, “A little bit of truth is a dangerous thing.” How to be in charge of your life My 77 years of post-kindergarten graduate studies continue: life is an experiment, and I have discovered that I am a true son of Western civilization, that is Judaeo-Christian, Marxist and Einsteinian culture. It was the Vietnamese, then the Tibetans, who helped me weave all those Western threads into a workable fabric. Some Western threads need critical reflection, in particular the Enlightenment ideology and its bourgeois expressions of capitalism and rocket science. Relativity and quantum theory stand on the shoulders of Isaac Newton just as Marx stands on the shoulders of Hegel. The conceptual world of thinking and how we understand reality is a dialectical process that requires exploration of whatever limits, obstacles or insights arise. Rene Descartes, whose work became the Cartesian worldview, is author of the famous quote “I think, therefore I am.” This puts being in the context of thinking as understood by reason. The rational mind decides what is real. Any experience outside compliance with this model is dismissed as “illusion.” What if the appearances of the material world are so complex and interrelated that they only make sense in the light of a holistic view, before thinking imposes its prejudice of being the judge? If you observe your mind you will see that “Who is the thinker and who is the observer?” is the question we all face. Google gave me a wonderful essay on the difference between Descartes and Newton written by a philosophy student, Stephen Trochimchuk, actually a review of Thomas Kuhn’s “The Structure of Scientific Revolutions.” I got lost trying to follow Descartes, largely because I disagree with his assumptions, in particular dualism as best illustrated by the mind/body split which plagues us to this day. Descartes can only be understood by accepting his assumption that the world is a machine. Isaac Newton focused on the mechanics of the machine and gave us rocket science. Are the thinker and observer aspects of one mind, or is this see CHARGE page 8  MAY 3, 2024 GAZA A HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR MIGHT MUZE GAZA Where is the pogrom here, we were the real survivors, the ghetto were at our backs, not this small GALILEE; (WE DON’T COMPARE) Night trains stole away, against moonless dark skies our ghost-like shadowy forms, toward BUCHENWALD We were butchered in the heart, our children pierced in the streets, not this Delilah missile dropped on dusty sandled schoolboys at soccer: (WE DON’T COMPARE) THEN, a frenzied black-booted, dictator circled the terrified, barbwired the psyche in ovens, killed, and killed. not small fire pouring from Jehoavuh’s sky (WE DON’T COMPARE) We were skulls, bones, soulless skeletons, praying for our death, not the feeble wails of Galilee mothers, this: (WE DON’T COMPARE) Go down Moses, GO down there, can you see the sea is it red Moses is it red Moses IS IT CHRISTOPHER ELLIS Groundcover vendor No. 483 GROUNDCOVER NEWS 5 RED. Author’s note: I trust that this poem will be received in the spirit, conscience and humanity in which it was composed. There is no attempt to ostracize any part of our collective humanness. It is solely an artistic endeavor to speak about our oneness, with a view toward unification and the betterment of all peoples and races. exp. 01/31/2025
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6 GROUNDCOVER NEWS HOMELESSNESS Cartoon by Izzy Hedin-Urrutia Is being homeless a criminal act? SCOTUS to decide MAY 3, 2024 come in and say as to that, [you can], but as to that, you can't do that?” Kagan continued, “For a person who has no place to go, sleeping in public is kind of like breathing in public. Your statute says that a person cannot take himself and himself only and take a blanket and sleep some place without it being a crime. It just seems like you're criminalizing a status." "If every city, every village, every town lacks compassion and passes a law identical to this? Where are they supposed to sleep?" asked Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said it seems, "... both cruel and unusual to punish people for acts that constitute basic human needs. We're talking about sleeping. That is universal, that is a basic function." One of the striking things about the In Grants Pass, Ore., there is a conflict between the City Council and locals experiencing homelessness. The case Johnson v. Grants Pass began in 2018 with lower level courts and has escalated to become a U.S. Supreme Court case. The main argument is whether or not punishing people with fines and incarceration for sleeping outside violates the eighth amendment, which prohibits cruel or unusual punishment. The plaintiffs Gloria Johnson and John Logan are being represented by the Oregon Law Center. Both Johnson and Logan are residents of Grants Pass who lost their housing. They have been sleeping in their vehicles since and have been given many citations for sleeping in public. They are involuntarily homeless as are many of the 600 people who are currently experiencing homelessness in Grants Pass. The city has expensive housing and has no homeless shelter, so anyone who loses their housing may end up sleeping on the street but Grants Pass has made that illegal. There is absolutely no place for them to survive. The Grants Pass City Council does not want homeless people to sleep in public parks. The ordinance makes outdoor camping a criminal offense punishable by a $1,250 fine and up to 30 days in jail. The City Council president, Lily Morgan, said at a council meeting, “The point is to make it uncomfortable enough for them [the homeless] in our city so they will want to move on down the road.” On April 22, SCOTUS heard oral arguments for Grants Pass v. Johnson. “Grants Pass says civil and criminal punishments are necessary for enforcing laws banning homeless individuals from public spaces. Lawyers representing a class of homeless residents argue to address root causes of homelessness and only exacerbates the crisis.” Another advocate for the homeless JIM CLARK Groundcover vendor No. 139 in Grants Pass is The National Homelessness Law Center, a team of human rights attorneys and advocates fighting to solve homelessness by challenging criminalization and protecting the rights of homeless people across the United States. The National Homeless Law Center penalizing people who have nowhere else to go constitutes cruel and unusual punishment — a violation of the Eighth Amendment,” Jeremiah Hayden reported in Portland, Ore. street newspaper “Street Roots.” An April 2023 press release by the National Low-Income Housing Coalition stated, “The court will soon decide whether localities that have failed to address the affordable housing and shelter needs of their community can issue fines or arrest people experiencing homelessness for sleeping outside even when there is no adequate housing or shelter.” An amicus brief is a court document submitted by someone not directly involved in a legal case; it provides information, expertise, or insight relevant to the case. These briefs aim to inform the court about the consequences of a ruling. One entity that submitted an amicus brief in the case was the National Low-Income Housing Coalition, “dedicated to achieving racially and socially equitable public policy that ensures people with the lowest incomes have quality homes that are accessible and affordable in communities of their choice.” The NLIHC brief argued that "criminalization fails recently entered the arena by delivering “over 42 friend of the court briefs in the landmark case. These [amicus] briefs reflect support from more than 1,100 groups and public figures who join us in calling for protection under the U.S. Constitution of the rights of over 260,000 Americans who sleep outside every night,” stated a newsletter from Jesse Rabinowitz, Campaign & Communications Director. During the two hour hearing on Monday, April 22, the justices made these comments: "How do we draw these difficult lines as to whether the Eighth Amendment would prohibit a municipality from punishing other acts like public urination if there are no facilities available or trespassing,” asked Justice Amy Coney Barrett. "Many people have mentioned this is a serious policy problem, and it's a policy problem because the solution of course is to build shelter, to provide shelter for those who are otherwise harmless," Justice John Roberts said. "But municipalities have competing priorities. What if there are lead pipes in the water? Which one do you prioritize?” Justice Elena Kagan asked Deputy Solicitor General Edwin Kneedler, "Where is the line where the city can say our legitimate municipal interests can case is that some of the judges don’t believe they should weigh in on the matter at all. The arguments were already heard by a district court and the 9th circuit court who determined the unconstitutionality of the ordinances. In 2020, the district court in Medford ruled that the city's ordinances regulating homelessness were unconstitutional. Grants Pass appealed that decision to the 9th Circuit Court, based in San Francisco, which upheld it in a three-judge decision. Arguments in favor of keeping the laws and ordinances come from the belief that state and local authorities are closer to the problem so have a better perspective on addressing it. Also, since the impact of homelessness and the solutions for it directly impact the community they are in, the local government should have the final say. Those who support the imposing of fines and penalties argue that these things are commonly used to address criminal activity and are not cruel or unusual. The case also brought a discussion about “where to draw the line.” For instance, is someone who lays out a blanket at night to watch the stars and ends up falling asleep guilty of camping in public? What if someone urinates in public because there are no public toilets? What is the difference between camping for survival and camping for recreation? Should they both be prohibited? As of the time of publication, the decision is waiting to be made. If the Supreme Court upholds the 9th circuit court’s decision, what will be the ramifications for people who are camping for survival? How would that impact Washtenaw County? If they decide to overturn the ruling, allowing municipalities to draft laws targeting the homeless, will Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and the rest of Washtenaw County adopt tougher laws and ordinances against their homeless citizens? MAY 3, 2024 DIVESTMENT  TAHRIR from page 4 genocide and mass ethnic cleansing.” According to an article published by the University Record on March 28, “The Board of Regents has announced it will not divest from companies linked to Israel, reaffirming its longstanding policy to shield the endowment from political pressures and base investment decisions on financial factors such as risk and return. ‘The Board of Regents has heard multiple calls for divestment from our endowment of companies linked to Israel. We have listened carefully,’ Regent Sarah Hubbard said at the board’s March 28 meeting. “We are not moving to make any divestment of any kind.’” The Regents nor President Santa Ono have made a public statement since the beginning of the encampment, although a University spokesperson issued a statement to the Michigan Daily that it supports the right to peaceful protest. Interviews from “It’s Hot in Here with Silver Lining” Students and community members have been giving updates and reports about the encampment through social media, messaging apps and freeform radio. WCBN DJ “Silver Lining” interviewed campers and played live interviews over the radio during their show on April 24. The first student they interviewed is Palestinian and has relatives who survived the 1948 Nakba. “There is a sense of urgency … I am grateful for that … we need to recenter ourselves and remember the reason we’re out here… is for Gaza and for the people who are facing the worst of it. "We get to use new tents that we set up with no threat of bombardment. While people are sleeping in makeshift tents, among the rubble, [with] multiple family members lost, missing and deceased … We are definitely privileged … we should be using that privilege any way we can to fight for them and to get the university to stop funding genocide.” They continued, “The University pushed us to this point. We didn’t just wake up and decide ‘Oh this is what we’re gonna do.’ We got to this point from the disruptive action policy proposal, where the University was trying to suppress student protestors through arrests of peaceful protest, refusal to meet with us, refusal to listen to what we have to say, ignoring it when we do say it. “We’re forcing the University to listen to our demands and listen to what we have to say.” A sign flies above the camp reading “Liberated Zone.” To another interviewee, this simply means that participants “have control over what is happening [at the camp].” This second camper said, “[The police] are aware this movement on campus is popular. They saw that when the [New York Police Department] arrested 150 students at Columbia, over 200 took their place. So, we hope that the administration knows they can’t successfully repress this movement … If the university tries to repress this encampment, the community will come out and will respond … What it will look like in the next few days, no one knows. We fully intend to grow; we anticipate having a lot of community support. We’re only growing stronger.” “It’s Hot in Here with Silver Lining” airs on WCBN (88.3 FM-Ann Arbor) Wednesdays at 2 p.m. You can also listen to the archived show on Spotify by searching “It’s Hot in Here with Silver Lining.” Legacy of student movements for divestment In the spring of 1977 the U-M Southern African Liberation Committee and the African Students’ Association began a campaign for divestment from South African apartheid. Through similar actions led by student organizers — protests at Regents meetings, campus pickets, building a “shanty” GROUNDCOVER NEWS 7 on the Diag and occupying it 24/7 — divestment from South Africa was achieved. On April 14, 1983 the Board of Regents passed a historic “90% Resolution” that directed administration to divest “from all American corporations with operations in South Africa except for those with notable economic presence in Michigan.” Before that, from 1965-1972, the anti-Vietnam War movement led by the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and Students for a Democratic Society organized anti-war actions that disrupted the university’s involvement in the Vietnam War. Notably, the U-M Central Student Government originated from these student protests. A detailed history of these student movements can be found at michiganintheworld.history.lsa.umich.edu/ antiapartheid/ The Tahrir Coalition carries this torch. Activities at the Popular University for Gaza at U-M include rallies, teach-ins, movies, art builds, Passover ceremonies, traditional prayers and more — and are led and attended by the many, increasing encampment participants. Amidst it all, you can still find students working on finals and end-of-semester assignments. At the time of publication, the encampment stands: alive, well and growing. 6 24/7 mental health and substance use support 734-544-3050 LEARN MORE about programs funded by the community mental health and public safety preservation millage
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8 GROUNDCOVER NEWS CONTINUED  CHARGE from page 4 dualism permanent? We can only resolve this dilemma by choosing the assumption that speaks to us and living it out. We tend toward dualism or holism based on our current understanding and stay with it because it works or change it because it is not working. Mindfulness training usually begins with mindfulness of the breath. Mindfulness can be used with all the senses and go from tranquility to insight meditation. A teacher will help you navigate the stages of the path and master them a step at a time. We are fortunate to have Khenpo Choephel at the Karuna Buddhist Center, located in Bethlehem United Church of Christ. Khenpo is an honorific for those who have taken Dharma vows and mastered years of study and practice. Dharma is a Sanskrit word meaning reality, particularly the sacred reality that is full and complete enlightenment, that is awakening to the buddha nature inherent in all sentient beings. Ignorance, with its many habitual patterns, becomes an addiction to illusion. Splitting reality into its constituent parts in search of something substantial becomes an obsession. Dualism becomes a habit as we look for the missing part. The most common dualism is self and other. This egocentric view is powerful and promotes a very competitive lifestyle. It makes some people rich and powerful. Wealth is a social marker of success in bourgeois society. The disparities in wealth and the destruction of nature by wealth extraction has brought us to the point where we must look at our assumptions and choose what works best. You may be a bit crazy as you leave bourgeois compliance culture and embrace the struggle for something more authentic. This choice is becoming more popular during my lifetime. Many aspire to a more cooperative and compassionate life and are beginning the shift. We are in a period when there is a growing sense that something is wrong, that our lives are out of control. We are not able to stop the war machine and its declared purpose of full spectrum domination which may lose one war after the other but continues vigorously in the financial and ideological fronts. These two fronts continue into space as the colonization of Mars is the next step towards the sole superpower of the universe which will storm the gates of heaven in its quest for dominance. "The Great Taking” by David Rogers Webb and “The Trading Game” by Gary Stephenson clarify our current situation of centralization of power. Lynette Zang is important in this analysis and I believe summarizes a growing collective view that the only solution to our growing crisis is to build community. We can start by growing our own food in community. Willow Run Acres and the Argus Farm Stop ethic that “The Future Is Local” will thrive when we come together as human beings who are children of the earth. Remember “The Earth Is My Witness” in the March 8, 2024 edition of Groundcover News. Our relationship to Earth Day and annarborcommunitycommons.org is an excellent opportunity to focus on a felt sense of the body and accept the wisdom of the body as the best advisor on the proper direction for the MAY 3, 2024 next step and inspire us to step onto and stay on Freedom Road. May Day celebrates the solidarity that keeps us together. May 27 is Memorial Day. Veterans For Peace celebrates this day with the Arlington Midwest display of crosses all day at Grand Circus Park in Detroit. It’s a collaboration of southwest Michigan veterans. They need a truck to move the many crosses in the display. I will use mindfulness of the breath as a step to mindfulness of the body — and eventually mindfulness of the mind as we mature on the stages of the path. The completion stage awaits us as our ego dissolves into the all good expanse of primordial purity. MAY 3, 2024 PUZZLES Either Way by Tracy Bennett and Victor Fleming 1234 5678 13 17 20 21 24 25 28 30 36 41 42 46 47 49 50 52 54 62 65 55 56 57 63 66 Groundcover Vendor Code While Groundcover is a non-profit, and paper vendors are self-employed contractors, we still have expectations of how vendors should conduct themselves while selling and representing the paper. The following is our Vendor Code of Conduct, which every vendor reads and signs before receiving a badge and papers. We request that if you discover a vendor violating any tenets of the Code, please contact us and provide as many details as possible. Our paper and our vendors should be positively impacting our County. • Groundcover will be a voluntary purchase. I agree not to ask for more than the cover price or solicit donations by any other means. • When selling Groundcover, I will always have the current biweekly issue of Groundcover available for customer purchase. • I agree not to sell additional goods or products when selling the paper or to panhandle, including panhandling with only one paper or selling past monthly issues. • I will wear and display my badge when selling papers and refrain from wearing it or other Groundcover gear when engaged in other activities. • I will only purchase the paper from Groundcover Staff and will not sell to or buy papers from other Groundcover vendors, especially vendors who have been suspended or terminated. • I agree to treat all customers, staff, and other vendors respectfully. I will not “hard sell,” threaten, harass or pressure customers, staff, or other vendors verbally or physically. • I will not sell Groundcover under the influence of drugs or alcohol. • I understand that I am not a legal employee of Groundcover but a contracted worker responsible for my own well-being and income. • I understand that my badge is property of Groundcover and will not deface it. I will present my badge when purchasing the papers. • I agree to stay off private property when selling Groundcover. • I understand to refrain from selling on public buses, federal property or stores unless there is permission from the owner. • I agree to stay at least one block away from another vendor in downtown areas. I will also abide by the Vendor Corner Policy. • I understand that Groundcover strives to be a paper that covers topics of homelessness and poverty while providing sources of income for the homeless. I will try to help in this effort and spread the word. If you would like to report a violation of the Vendor Code please email contact@groundcovernews. com or fill out the contact form on our website. ACROSS 1 "Getting closer," in a guessing game 5 Soy-based broth 9 Inflict serious injury on 13 Vicinity 14 Take in or take on 16 Defeat, barely 17 "Mean Girls" song about being "hot" in silly Halloween costumes 18 Follower of an Afro-Jamaican religion 19 ___ as dishwater 20 Rubber duckie locale 22 It's cast at the polls 24 Start of a humorous quip about decision-making 28 "Yes, captain!" 29 Like thick fog, figuratively 30 Fang output 31 Deliver, as a pitch 32 Loafer or flip-flop 36 Abbr. after a comma 37 Part 2 of the quip 40 DuVernay who directed "Selma" 41 Actress Seehorn or Perlman 43 Cuts off, as branches 44 Toddler's booboos 46 "Another Saturday Night" singer Sam 48 ___ in motion (gracefulness) 49 End of the quip 52 Caught in a downpour, perhaps 53 Peril 54 "Beloved" author Morrison 55 Encourage persistently 58 Caught in a drizzle, perhaps 62 British prep school of note 63 Coffee break snack 64 Some are golden 65 19th-century Democrat opponent 66 "No ifs, ands or ___" 67 Baseball great Berra known for humorous quips like the one in this puzzle 51 53 58 59 60 61 64 67 DOWN 1 Existed 2 "Butterflies ___ Free" (1972 romcom) 3 Latin word for "king" 4 "It's possible" 5 Joan of Arc, for one 6 Pocatello's state 7 Distress signal 8 Get off the fence, say 9 Relatives of "mashups," in music 10 Former minor 11 Domed home 12 Become liquid 15 Side order at Haifa Falafel 21 Jungian principle 23 Band's sound booster 24 "Christina's World" artist Andrew 25 "It follows that ..." 26 Illegally seized 27 Party poppers 28 Declare 31 Pipe type 33 Port-au-Prince's land 34 Conspicuous 35 "No sweat" 38 Deluged 39 Alcoves 42 Loser to a pair of deuces 45 Timeslot for many soaps and talk shows 47 Assayer's material 48 Art supplies 49 Fang 50 Capital northeast of Bangkok 51 Fish in the Au Sable 52 All-in-one meal 56 Uncertain amount 57 African antelope 59 In times past 60 Oldest daughter in "Little Women" 61 Tire gauge reading: Abbr. 37 38 43 48 31 39 44 45 26 27 29 32 33 34 35 40 14 18 22 23 15 9 16 19 10 11 12 GROUNDCOVER NEWS 9
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10 GROUNDCOVER NEWS STUDENT SOLUTIONS Street medicine: bridging the gap of accessibility ELIZABETH REIDY U-M student contributor I recently spent a Saturday morning serving potatoes and scrambled eggs at a house of hospitality in Ann Arbor. As I left the house, I noticed a group of volunteers standing on the back porch, clad in their Michigan merch, casually sipping on coffee from their thermoses. As I emerged from the crowded kitchen, carrying the scent of grease and charred potatoes with me, I wondered what these volunteers were doing relaxing on the back porch. I would’ve remained naively judgemental of them had they not been approached by a breakfast-goer at the house. I watched as they leaned over the man, intently examining his arm. It wasn’t until one of them pulled out a little red kit with a white cross on it that I realized what they were there for: it was the Wolverine Street Medicine group providing medical care. In hindsight, I felt very foolish for not realizing that sooner. This was my first time ever seeing medical services being provided at a gathering center. I was surprised to see that this was being provided, and even more surprised to find that there is a term for this type of medical care. “Street medicine” is the practice of providing medical care to unhoused populations. The street medicine movement was first established in 1992 by a Pittsburgh physician, Dr. Jim Withers, who later founded the Street Medicine Institute, a national nonprofit organization and membership community that promotes accessible healthcare for the homeless. According to the SMI, there are an estimated 50 independent street medicine programs operating across the United States today, and Wolverine is one of them. These organizations are funded in a variety of ways; some programs are run by students and volunteers, some are independent nonprofit organizations and some are facilitated by hospitals. Street medicine has been revolutionary in promoting accessible healthcare for low-income communities. Through organizations like SMI, healthcare is tailored to address the unique needs of those on the streets. Street medicine is even advancing towards becoming its own health care discipline. Despite its undeniable value, the existence of the street medicine movement in the United States is somewhat ironic. The United States is one of the richest nations in the world, and yet — according to a September 2023 report from the Census Bureau — 26 million people remain uninsured. In such an affluent country, how is it that 7.9% of the nation’s population are denied healthcare? MAY 3, 2024 Wolverine Street Medicine volunteers retrieve medical supplies from their van in downtown Detroit. Photo courtesy of Michigan Medicine. Street medicine is an invaluable service for many, but its existence indicates a glaring flaw in the current U.S. healthcare system. Rather than select hospitals, nonprofits, or even student organizations providing this service, accessible healthcare should be regulated across all healthcare providers. Accessible healthcare shouldn’t be a practice provided out of the kindness of one's heart. Healthcare is a right, but it is treated as a privilege in the United States. While it is daunting to consider the deeply-rooted, systemic issue of inaccessibility pertaining to healthcare in the United States, it is comforting to know that there are initiatives that prioritize marginalized communities. In Ann Arbor and across the world, street medicine is taking steps to provide assertive, coordinated and collaborative care management to those who need it most. Student organizations and initiatives striving to alleviate homelessness WEI ZHOU U-M student contributor One of the greatest challenges that homeless and low-income people face is the accessibility of free or lowcost goods and services within a community. This is especially true in Washtenaw County, home to the University of Michigan which prides itself as being one of the wealthiest school systems in the world. The University offers free and low-cost services (such as healthcare and food pantries) to those who are a part of the school system; to others, these services are locked behind the University of Michigan paywall. Recently, however, student organizations and other student-led initiatives have begun to take notice and strive for change, paving a path for addressing the needs of the homeless people in Washtenaw County. Michigan Health Aid is a student-run organization that focuses on providing health checkups and other related services for the homeless. They typically operate biweekly on the second floor of the Delonis Center on West Huron Street, where certified and trained volunteers take and interpret health metrics (such as blood pressure, blood sugar level) and provide insights on how to manage these health symptoms. Paul Silaghi, the president of MHA, describes MHA as “striving to provide basic health information to temperature andpeople who may not have the opportunity to know it otherwise.” He also describes MHA’s goals for expansion, which was guided by their surveying effort after collecting over 50+ responses on what resources the responders would need. They recently started pushing for an increased rate of checkups as well as funding from the University to provide over the counter medicines. After asking Paul if he thinks he - made a difference, he responded: “I hope so. We heard great things from the resource partners coordinator from the Delonis Center, who we have been working with very closely to implement this. We’ve had great testimonials from people who both had great things to say and also have offered some feedback on maybe where they would want certain tests they would want, or certain services that they want in addition to what we have, and we’ve been doing our best to implement those, especially if we see patterns in what people want that they may not have access to right see STUDENTS next page  MAY 3, 2024 STUDENT SOLUTIONS Meet and greet with Michigan Movement ERIN TURNER U-M student contributor You might sometimes wonder what the students at the University of Michigan care about. Here’s one of the thousands of answers to that question: homelessness. Students care about combating homelessness and they care about the people experiencing it. This is evident in the multiple organizations founded by students that work to address this very pressing issue. I did a deep dive on one of these clubs, Michigan Movement (MIM), to highlight the efforts of this specific club and bring awareness to those who want to get involved in the fight against homelessness. In order to get a better understanding of this club and its inner workings I interviewed one of its presidents, Liem Swanson. He explained to me some of their ongoing projects and what he hopes for the future of the club. Founded in 2015, Michigan Movement’s mission is to provide aid to those experiencing homelessness and poverty in Ann Arbor, increase community involvement and reduce the harmful stigma surrounding homelessness. They do this by providing basic necessities, promoting the idea of self-governance through education, health and wellness and having a passion for community engagement and activism. They have one focus: empower those struggling by working WITH them. It’s a great launching pad for those who want to get involved but are new to the scene. Right now, the club’s main efforts go towards clothing and food drives, group volunteering at the Delonis Center and Mercy House, and educational club meetings. One of their biggest projects, which occurs a few times over the school year, is Project Connect. This is a one-day event where students in MIM distribute care packages, known as MIM Kits, that contain food, masks, clothing, hygiene products and more, to people experiencing homelessness. They also provide testing strips for drug and overdose prevention, menstrual products, blankets, ponchos and whatever else is appropriate for the time of year. They get doctors, dentists and barbers involved so those stopping by can get vaccinated and screened, update their documentation, or get a dental exam, a fresh haircut or any of a broad list of benefits. Students also distribute a meal during the event as well as have music playing in the background. This event usually aids anywhere from 25 to 50 individuals. This is made possible by partnerships with Mercy House, the Delonis Center, the University of Michigan School of Dentistry and others. A club of 20 plus active members, MIM is intending to put their effort into new activities that will get more students involved, according to Swanson. He hopes that the club will continue to grow its numbers and expand its influence within the university and City of Ann Arbor. He told me that there is currently an idea of creating a club social media account GROUNDCOVER NEWS 11 Project Connect at Mercy House on April 13. Photo credit: Liem Swanson. that posts interviews of Groundcover News vendors for the general public to get to know the people and their stories. Another idea for the future is hosting homework help and resume workshops for people trying to find jobs or go back to school. The Michigan Movement is a great starting place to get involved in this noble cause. This club allows community-oriented students to make a difference and grow their own perspective. They make meaningful connections within the club and outside the university community. If you are a student and want to join the fight against homelessness, join the Michigan Movement! Project Connect at Liberty Plaza on October 29, 2023. Photo courtesy of Michigan Movement.  STUDENTS from last page now”. He concluded by saying: “It’s always our goal to do our best for the people we serve, and we have gotten a lot of great feedback and were always willing to improve as well.” Another service that the students provide is the returnable shelves initiative, which is part of the University-wide sustainability effort. Recently, the initiative started installing returnable shelves on trash cans around central campus in which passing people can deposit their “returnables.” Returnables, in this context, are bottles and cans that are recyclable and have a cash value (deposit value), which is paid once the returnable is brought back to the store that sold or carries it. Not all bottles and cans are returnables. Despite their cash value, these cans and bottles typically end up in landfills, so this initiative strives to not only prevent them from ending up in the landfills, but also benefit those in need with a small additional income. I recently had the opportunity to interview Josh Davis, who brainstormed this project idea after being inspired by similar shelves in Copenhagen where he studied abroad. I asked, what is the goal of the project? He responded, “The goal of this project aims to enhance recycling efforts and support community members in reclaiming bottle and can deposits. This not only promotes environmental sustainability, but also economic benefit through a simple yet accessible innovation.” He hopes that this initiative will provide a “tangible solution to the challenge of recycling public spaces” through offering a designated spot for people to leave their recyclable cans and bottles. He hopes it can help the homeless through “simplifying the process for those who collect these items for the 10-cent deposit return, reducing the need to search through the trash bins.” On campus, the overall attitude towards homelessness has been shifting, especially with the rise of student organizations that actively strive to create a solution to the homelessness problem within Washtenaw County. PUZZLE SOLUTIONS W A R M 1 13 17 A R E A S B 24 28 30 36 41 A V E R Y E S I R E N O M T C 37 A H E A 42 46 49 T 52 54 62 65 W H I G S O A K E D 55 T O N I T O N 63 E 56 57 E G G O N D O N U T B U T S 66 50 H 47 C O O K E E R O A D T 51 53 R 38 F 43 L O P S 48 P O E T R Y A K E I T I S K 58 64 67 59 60 61 D A M P A G E S Y O G I 31 25 W H E X Y 20 2 3 4 5 14 18 21 A R A S T A 22 T H E N Y O U 26 29 S O U P Y 32 H U R L O R K I N 39 44 45 O W I E S 33 A 34 35 S H O E 40 V A 27 C O M E T O B 23 A 6 M I A 7 8 9 S O D O P T 15 16 19 E D G E D U L L L L O T 10 M A 11 12 I M

April 19, 2024


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2 GROUNDCOVER NEWS GROUNDCOVER CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS TALK TO THE EXPERTS EDITION This special edition magazine of Groundcover News aims to put expert perspectives on social issues in conversation: "citizen experts" and "expert citizens." In other words, on topics of the carceral system, addiction, housing policy, sheltering and food insecurity, we will be comparing the solutions and ideas of both people who have expertise through experience, and those who are traditional, “institutional” experts. Writers are encouraged to write creative, personal narratives about their experience with incarceration, addiction, housing policy, shelters, and food insecurity. How do these issues intersect with, and perpetuate, homelessness? What should be done to make these systems easier to navigate? What changes should be made in Washtenaw County to address these issues? Alternatively, writers can interview traditional experts and ask their thoughts on the same questions above. DEADLINE: MAY 3RD, 12PM EMAIL TO SUBMISSIONS@GROUNDCOVERNEWS.COM PROVIDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELFDETERMINED INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY POVERTY, PRODUCING A STREET NEWSPAPER THAT GIVES A PLATFORM TO UNDERREPRESENTED VOICES IN WASHTENAW COUNTY, PROMOTING AN ACTION TO BUILD A JUST, CARING AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETY. Groundcover News, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in April 2010 as a means to empower lowincome persons to make the transitions from homeless to housed, and from jobless to employed. Vendors purchase each copy of our regular editions of Groundcover News at our office for 50 cents. This money goes toward production costs. Vendors work selling the paper on the street for $2, keeping all income and tips from each sale. Street papers like Groundcover News exist in cities all over the United States, as well as in more than 40 other countries, in an effort to raise awareness of the plight of homeless people and combat the increase in poverty. Our paper is a proud member of the International Network of Street Papers. STAFF Lindsay Calka — publisher Cynthia Price — editor Simone Masing — intern ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS Elizabeth Bauman Roberto Isla Caballero Jim Clark La Shawn Courtwright Cindy Gere Mike Jones Loren Markona Love James Manning Eric Protein Mosely Denise Shearer Tony Smith Wayne Sparks GROUNDCOVER NEWS ADVERTISING RATES Size 1/8 1/6 1/4 1/2 full page Black/White $110.00 $145.00 $200.00 $375.00 $650.00 Color $150.00 $200.00 $265.00 $500.00 $900.00 Dimensions (W x H in inches) 5 X 3 or 2.5 X 6.5 5 X 4 5 X 6.25 5 X 13 or 10.25 X 6.5 10.25 X 13 CONTACT US PROOFREADERS Susan Beckett Elliot Cubit Anabel Sicko VOLUNTEERS Jane Atkins Jessi Averill Zachary Dortzbach Glenn Gates Alexandra Granberg Robert Klingler Emily Paras Liem Swanson Melanie Wenzel Mary Wisgerhof Max Wisgerhof Emily Yao Story and photo submissions: submissions@groundcovernews.com Advertising and partnerships: contact@groundcovernews.com Office: 423 S. 4th Ave., Ann Arbor Mon-Sat, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Phone: 734-263-2098 @groundcover @groundcovernews DONATE, LISTEN TO A STORY + LEARN MORE www.groundcovernews.org linktr.ee/groundcovernews PACKAGE PRICING Three Months/Six Issues: 15% off Six Months/Twelve Issues: 25% off Full Year/Twenty-four Issues: 35% off Only run for two weeks/one issue: 40% off Additional 20% discount for money saving coupons APRIL 19, 2024 APRIL 19, 2024 ON MY CORNER MEET YOUR VENDOR GROUNDCOVER NEWS End of an era: rest in peace to my mentor, John Sinclair! Michael Brown, vendor No. 306 In one sentence, who are you? Michael Ray Brown. What is your favorite spot in Ann Arbor? The tennis shoe store. What is your favorite thing to do in Ann Arbor? Sell my papers. What words do you live by? The Truth. What is something about you that someone on the street wouldn’t know? I am 62 years old. What motivates you to work selling Groundcover News? It’s a job! If you had a warning label, what would it say? Don’t be sorry. What are your hobbies? Football. What do you wish you knew more about? Cars. What was your first job? Cleaning up. What song do you have completely memorized? Sugarhill Rappers Delight. ROBERTO ISLA CABALLERO Groundcover vendor No. 347 Solar eclipse In 1970, in Havana, Cuba at the age of 10 or 11, I saw the solar eclipse for the first time in Cuban history. At that time, in order to see the solar eclipse, we all made glasses out of dark plastic trash bags because we did not have glasses. 55 years ago, my teacher in Cuba told me and the other students to use plastic bags to see the eclipse. Around the same time, I saw the Soviets put a man on the moon. I was able to see the solar eclipse again yesterday. It was glowing orange and later the shadow of the moon covered the entire street. While watching the eclipse, I began to think of many things across Cuban history. The conquistadors travelling across the sea, of nature, of marriage. I thought of the old man, and the boy and the mother of destruction with a cross between their hands. I thought of fathers and the nuns and those converted in the spirit. They say everything must come to an end. But with the end also comes a new beginning. As with people, ideas manifest themselves as good or evil. My first exposure to someone who could supply information to help me determine whether people and ideas are good or evil, and guide me through decision-making of this magnitude, came in my long conversations with John Sinclair starting when I was 14. Similarly, he was a mentor to a whole generation of confusing, finding-your-ownway, life-altering decisions that we could not do alone. Thank you begins. As we honor one, the search begins for another. We will be watching for him or her to appear — or maybe they're already here. I could tell the heroes I have WAYNE S. Groundcover vendor No. 615 known. At the top John stands alone with his army of one. John Sinclair born October 2, 1941, in Flint Michigan. Spouse: Leni (from 1965-1977) Died April 2, 2024 in Detroit John for all you did while you were here — and what I know you'll do through your legacy. Another lost soldier, another downed hero, another search Receiving Hospital from congestive heart failure, following an illness. I know what John would say: “POWER TO THE PEOPLE AND KICK OUT THE JAMS!” 3 "The Princess and the Frog" can teach us about beauty I remember when "The Princess and the Frog" Disney movie came out at the theater. Me and my boyfriend Richard went to see it together. We went to see it at the Dollar Theater when they had it at Briarwood Mall. I would talk about how I miss dollar theaters … but that's a subject for another story. Anyway, I love the fact that the Princess and the Frog movie finally had a Black fairy princess. It's a good thing to talk about for Black history. "The Princess and the Frog" is not only a good moment in Black history but a beautiful movie. In "The Princess and the Frog," the depend on anyone else to do her hard work for her. Tiana has a good friend and her family helps her, too, with what she needs and wants. Tiana comes from a loving, DENISE SHEARER Groundcover vendor No. 485 princess, Tiana, is a very hard worker. She is determined to get what she needs and wants out of life. She works hard and does not depend on, or try to hard-working family. She was raised on the fact that it takes hard work and faith to do anything and get anything in life. Her dad was a great chef and he made great gumbo. Her goal was to open up her own restaurant. When Tiana was a little girl she met her prince, the frog, in her window and kissed him. And even though she was a frog throughout the whole movie, she was beautiful, and it was a beautiful movie. I think frogs have their own beauty too. Frogs come in all colors and shapes. They can make a pond or yard beautiful. The Princess was not looking for her future prince to provide her with her restaurant and things. She ended up getting a restaurant by a lot of hard work and effort and creativity and faith in herself. Her and her prince ended up becoming human beings again and being happy in the moment. It was a very beautiful, colorful, interesting movie and I recommend it to anybody of any age.
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4 GROUNDCOVER NEWS WASHTENAW COUNTY In conversation with Commissioner Labarre Washtenaw County Commissioner Andy Labarre (District 7) and I spoke for about a half an hour on March 20. We talked about money; we talked about barriers and red tape; we talked about sweeps and we talked about a community-run shelter. Most importantly, we talked about human lives. Labarre is acutely aware people are sleeping outside and informed enough to know the number of people fluctuates and is difficult to track. He said he vaguely understood what is meant by a “sweep,” which is a camp eviction carried out by the police. He did not know about the showdown at the downtown Farmers Market in Ypsi on August 27 of last year, when community activists defended a homeless encampment against law enforcement. This event gave rise to the Shelter Now Action Group (SNAG). Labarre explained the money part. Lots of different funds, lots of different acronyms, lots and lots of money. I asked him specifically about a unanimous vote of approval last April to open two vacant County buildings for two extra shelters and the approval of three million dollars over two years to get them running. He said that the allocated money was diverted into other programs when the American Rescue Plan Act brought federal emergency situations, or “putting out fires” as the saying goes. The concern is that there are no plans to get from the emergency state to a long-term viable housing situation. A County funding source Labarre told me about that may help in a very broad sense is the New Human JIM CLARK Groundcover vendor No. 139 Services Partnership. From the Washtenaw County Office funding to Washtenaw County. In other words, it didn't actually go anywhere, it just got absorbed into the other programs. We stopped talking about it here. The plan for those vacant buildings was never mentioned again. However, Labarre did mention his idea for using the Learning Resource Center and parts of the Towner campus (home to Ypsilanti Community Mental Health) as places for day shelters. These are needed in addition to what ARPA offers to cover. In terms of short versus long-term solutions, Labarre said, “County response is not strategic, it’s play by play.” Labarre is concerned about the lack of options for solutions. He feels we spend a lot of time on “long-term solutions” which just means building more apartments, and short term of Community and Economic Development website: “The New Human Services Partnership Mini-Grant funding round will occur annually to award 10 grants of up to $40,000 for one year to human service organizations. The main goal of this funding round is to provide smaller organizations that are addressing poverty, racism and trauma as a root cause of institutional inequity in Washtenaw County an opportunity to receive funding. The total funding allocation is currently $407,707. Organizations with overall budgets of $1 million or less are eligible to apply. The goal for grantees is to have 60% with leaders with underrepresented identities.” This funding opportunity for 2024 has already passed. We talked about the community-run shelter that SNAG is advocating for, and what it would take to make it happen. Labarre is not sure how a community-run shelter would look. APRIL 19, 2024 Commissioner Andy Labarre represents the eastern half of Ann Arbor (District 7). His concerns are autonomy and self-regulation — would it be able to operate safely? Is the homeless community network equipped for this? Do they have the skills? Who will be accountable? The money is there, but the infrastructure for a community-run shelter is not. It seems to me that Labarre is sympathetic towards the homeless community and their advocates. His hands are tied by bureaucratic procedures, but at the end of the day, Andy Labarre is not turning a blind eye to the homeless in our community. Prioritizing homelessness: take action for change ERIC PROTEIN MOSELY Homeless activist With the rise of social media and the increasing accessibility of information, discussions about politics have become more prevalent. People are more engaged and interested in political matters than ever before, as the decisions made by politicians directly impact their lives. Political issues, policies and debates have infiltrated society, from social gatherings to workplace discussions. The polarization of political ideologies has further fueled the intensity of these conversations. As a result, politics has become a dominant and unavoidable subject in both personal and public spheres, shaping how we think, interact and make decisions — but not everyone agendas. agrees on the The main concerns on Michigan voters' minds In a recent set of reports tracking public opinion on the economy and Trump-era tax policy, voters in swing districts demonstrated a deep concern about the state of the economy, giving both Democrats and Republicans dismal ratings on their economic performance. In July 2023, progressive pollster Navigator Research conducted interviews with 1,500 likely voters in 61 battleground districts nationwide and released the results in an online briefing. Voters from Michigan's 3rd Congressional District (represented by Rep. Hillary Scholten, D-Grand Rapids), 18th Congressional District (controlled by Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint), and 10th Congressional District (represented by Rep. John James, R-Shelby Twp.) were included in the polls. One of the reports stated that 40% of same voters across the battleground identified inflation as their top concern. What rounded out the top three priorities of Michigan voters varied depending on which party they represented. Homelessness was nowhere to be found within the top five of the majority of surveys conducted and not even mentioned in others as a concern from either party. Do politicians care about the unhoused? A politician is a public servant who is voted into office to fulfill the duties of those who elect them to do so. In reality, they most likely structure their campaign on what the people determine to be a problem and not so much on what is problematic. It is not their fault when the underlying problem stems from the lack of concern of the voters to make a particular situation more highlighted than others — in this situation we are talking about homelessness. see CHANGE page 11  APRIL 19, 2024 WASHTENAW COUNTY Undercover art intel: Gilbert Sam Struggling veterans on the street need help too. Gilbert Sam is a U.S. Army veteran who discovered that he had real art talent at the age of 23 when he met a homeless man who created macrame art. This man used very thin yarn and created intricate designs. When he learned this new art form, the man taught Gilbert a few ideas and how to make patterns. They had a lot of fun creating necklaces, bracelets, anklets and chokers. He then passed on the art form to Gilbert. Then, one day, he got up and told Gilbert, “Look buddy you got this now,” and with that he went on his way. This art form helped Gilbert out of a lot of bad spots. He used this macrame style for some time in the 2000s. Later he discovered paracord (the lines attached to parachutes) and he works in this style to this day — from dark black, to neon yellow and all colors in between. Traveling on his motorcycle all over the western United States, he visited many places in California and Nevada. Each year he would travel back to Ann Arbor for Hash Bash to sell the artwork he made during winter. As soon as the last Michigan football game took place, he would hit the road with his CINDY GERE Groundcover vendor No. 279 100-pound backpack. He came back to Michigan more permanently in the late 1980s. Revenue from selling his art helped with basic needs such as shampoo, conditioner, clothes and other necessities. Considering the massive economic and wage difference in goods and services as well as food and snacks, Gilbert feels that art helps him get back on his feet at the end of the month. He sells around 10 items a day. This puts money directly in his hands so he can get extras that very day. Gilbert got into paracord for therapy. One day when Gilbert was out and about with his artwork, this gentleman surprised him by buying out all his items that very day. He made around $80 so he could chill for the rest of the day. Gilbert Sam's paracord bracelets. Gilbert makes kids’ bracelets as well, and kids love the bright colors. It makes them happy! So come get a paracord bracelet or keychain at his location next to the Knight's restaurant across from the Michigan Theater. He is usually there on Mondays and Fridays in the morning around eight or nine until 11. He loves talking to customers and passersby about his military service and riding his motorcycle across the nation. GROUNDCOVER NEWS What’s Happening at the Ann Arbor District Library The Friends of the Ann Arbor District Library is a non-profit organization that sells gently used books and other items at low prices with proceeds going to support Ann Arbor District Library services and programs like the Summer Game! Anyone can become a member and receive a quarterly e-newsletter, an invitation to an appreciation luncheon, and more! Visit faadl.org for more details. Save the Date for the Friends Spring Bag Sale Saturday, May 18 • 10am–4pm Sunday, May 19 • 1pm–4pm Downtown Library The Friends will hold a huge bag sale in preparation for their upcoming move to Parkland Plaza! Fill a bag for $5! exp. 01/31/2025 Thousands of books in many subjects, including hundreds of kids’ books available. Come early for the best selection! 5
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6 GROUNDCOVER NEWS YPSILANTI APRIL 19, 2024 Left: Kat Layton, Pastor Anna, Monique Taylor-McCants and Justin Banks taking a break during the clean-up day on April 7. Right: Volunteers cleaning windows of the building upfront of the Growing Hope MarketPlace Hall, FedUp's new home base! “A ministry of presence:” With a new downtown location, FedUp continues to grow hope in Ypsi I want to start by giving a big shoutout to Growing Hope for sharing their Farmers Marketplace (16 S. Washington St.) with the community. I myself have visited FedUp church service and food truck several times this past year and have always enjoyed my time spent there. I say, thank you to Growing Hope! After some time looking around Ypsilanti for a building to provide needed services to the downtown Ypsi area, FedUp Ministries made an agreement with Growing Hope. They decided to rent the front space, the old bank on Washington Street (now called Black Lives Matter Boulevard). The agreement outlines that FedUp Ministries will rent the building to continue to provide services for those in need of food, clothing, showers, laundry, bathroom access and more. FedUp will rent space for the summer on a trial basis to see how things go. I got a chance to talk to the founder of FedUp Ministries, Rev. Anna Then I asked her when FedUp MinMIKE JONES Groundcover vendor No. 113 istries plans to officially open up for service in the new space. She said, “We will start our weekly Sunday church service in May. In June, we plan to have portable showers, laundry and bathrooms, and to serve breakfast and lunch two to three times a week because unlike Ann Arbor, the downtown area of Ypsi has limited bathrooms available due to the temporary downtown library closure. "Also, the Ypsilanti community does Taylor-McCants, after Sunday service April 7. The first question I asked her was, “How did the first day of clean-up go after church service Sunday?” She replied, “It was really good. We had a dozen or more people come out to support and volunteer. It was a beautiful thing, people from all around the community, people from different backgrounds came to help clean and now we are about to enter our painting phase.” not have a breakfast program, and if a person who can’t afford bus fare won’t be able to get to Ann Arbor for the St. Andrew’s breakfast program, [they won’t be able to access food early in the morning]. On the weekend the bus starts at 8 a.m., thus leaving the Ypsilanti community without the most important meal of the day. Ypsilanti mainly has dinner programs like the Hope Clinic that serves dinner every evening, and other churches also have less frequent dinner programs. We plan to fill the gap for our community. Our services will be just like we've been running our services, everybody can eat free, and if you can afford it you can donate.” I also interviewed Sheri Wander of Peace House, a supporter and friend of the FedUp Ministries community, about her thoughts on the new space for worship and survival services. She said, “I think it is great because a lot of people gravitate to that area, being right downtown, even though people and business owners had their grievances and some legitimate concerns about the area and the unhoused community. Last summer people from the neighborhood and local business owners had a problem with the unhoused community sleeping in that area and took action to remove the unhoused and attempted to put up a fence around the area…” “[In August 2023 there was] a mini-protest and confrontation between the unhoused and advocates vs. neighbors and local business. Since that time to this present moment, FedUp has continued their presence there and throughout the Washtenaw County area providing free meals and showers for those in need. “So now that there is no more daytime warming center and the Ypsilanti nighttime shelter program [has closed], FedUp’s presence will be needed for hot meals, clothing and showers throughout the week. “‘A ministry of presence’ Pastor Anna calls it. A lot got done [at the clean-up day] and a really diverse group of people came out in support and to help, like people from Growing Hope, people who are unhoused and formerly unhoused and people from all walks of life who made connections through volunteering working side by side. It was a beautiful day, we were playing Motown music, and everybody was working and having fun. “There will be food, drinks, showers, laundry, bathrooms, church service, other services and activities. Peace House will be in full support.” FedUp Ministries summertime schedule starting in May: Church service 10 a.m. and food truck 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Growing Hope every Sunday. Showers and bathrooms available. Every Wednesday food truck will be at Liberty Plaza in Ann Arbor at noon and will be at the Ypsilanti Transit Center at 1:30-2:30 p.m. Starting in June: Breakfast, lunch, showers, laundry, bathrooms and other services to be continued multiple times a week throughout the summer. APRIL 19, 2024 ANN ARBOR TONY SMITH Groundcover contributor On April 3 there was an opportunity for residents of the Delonis Center to participate in what was called “a client advisory / action meeting” (a community meeting where a sample of residents were sought for input). The meeting was held on the third floor after lunch with special guest Dr. Barry Bateman. Bateman is a member of the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County Board of Directors and head of program development for the Delonis organization. Barry is a U-M graduate who spent most of his professional career as a primary care physician in New York City. When he retired from medicine he returned home and became involved in philanthropy. Accompanying him at the meeting were staff members and a ton of Girl Scout cookies. Bateman is a likable guy and after he discussed his background, he had us look at a list of themes for what I would describe as kind of a Delphi meeting (defined as “a structured communication technique or method, originally developed as a systematic, interactive forecasting method that relies on a panel of experts en .w ik ip e di a . or g /w ik i/ Delphi_method) The meeting proceeded this way: 1. Overwhelming general praise for services and staff 2. Case management and housing service issues 3. Clients who feel neglected 4. Concerns about client behavior 5.Concerns about residential programs 6. Concerns about staff behavior. Behavior is inconsistent. (My comment: This is an area I'm not sure about because it kind of depends on the individual's perception.) 7. A newsletter would be helpful addressing housing/shelter/jobs 8. Valued resources external to the Shelter Association and other services for the homeless. These points are typed as they appeared on the sheet that was given. Between bites of Girl Scout cookies we Board member Dr. Barry Bateman and Program Director Kate D'Alessio were among those listening to those sheltering at Delonis. attempted to make it down the list. The “clients” being served (Bateman views it as a service industry) had not been briefed very long before the meeting took place so it was not very organized. However it will likely lead to more focus groups in the coming weeks; reports are to be made to the board about possible improvements. I think that much of what I see that needs improvement is bad manners; impoliteness and jive turkeys with a chip on their shoulder. LOL. I absolutely hate listening to people yell at someone on the phone in the cafeteria or get into it with each other. A bit of discretion with heated personal matters would be nice. A bad attitude and a sense of entitlement are not helpful. Some had said they felt members of the staff might be racist. I think this is a load of bunk, I think everyone I’ve met see CLIENT page 10  GROUNDCOVER NEWS Reportback from Delonis' client advisory meeting 7 Tenant Talk: Loren's dryer testimonial LOREN Ann Arbor Tenants Union So, I have to admit that I don't feel like the issue I want to discuss today is the biggest issue facing renters, and I understand and know there are larger problems facing renters every day. That being said — why is the dryer always broken? Almost every month since I started renting my current apartment, one of the dryers, or a washer — sometimes both! — have been broken. Dryers running without heat, washers not running or filled with water, money being deducted but not starting — and it’s been this way for all three years. One of my earliest memories at my apartment was finding my clothes still wet in the dryer I used; when I discovered them one of my neighbors came in saw me in frustration, and then told me it’s always broken. He had, at the time, been renting there for a few years himself. When I spoke with McKinley Inc., my landlord, I was informed that they didn’t own the machines, so the request would have to go to the thirdparty company that owns them. Weeks went by, and at some point that dryer was finally fixed, but the other one had started acting up. My frustration grew over time, and I started taking the bus or a car service to the laundromat — spending more money and time on the issue because it was better than losing money to the machines. Eventually, I realized this was unsustainable, so I went back to using the machines. One day when I was so annoyed that both dryers were running without heat, I filed a complaint with the third-party company, and weeks later received a paper check for $7 to refund the money I lost. I haven’t requested a refund since; it just didn’t seem worth the time and postage. There seems to be this confusion with landlords about who is responsible for laundry machines. Even if they don't own them, I certainly don't own them, and it’s one of the amenities that they offer — one of the only ones I genuinely care about — so why am I unable to confidently go to the laundry room and complete this basic process from start to finish? The sharing aspect doesn’t really work when tenants have varying laundry needs — students, families with kids and newborns, overnight shifts, differently abled and elders — all using two washers and two dryers multiple days a week. Of course, they break often. Try being used by 20+ renters week in and week out. I wish I could afford a place with machines in the unit, but in this current rental market that simply isn’t a luxury I can afford. So, at least once a month, a chore that should take maybe a couple of hours can take five or six. Whole days lost doing laundry. Or worse, not doing laundry at all, only exacerbating the problem for next week. I feel so silly even complaining about this, but as you can see it takes up so much of my free time. And I think, simply put, for the amount we pay in rent we deserve so much better than having to strategize doing the laundry in 2024, as if it’s an impossible task. Tired of broken laundry machines? Join the Ann Arbor Tenants Union and demand better. You’re invited to our next general meeting: Sunday, May 19, 2-4 p.m. — ICC Education Center, 1522 Hill St.
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8 GROUNDCOVER NEWS MENTAL HEALTH The homeless carousel has a pricey ticket MARKONA LOVE Groundcover vendor No. 590 I’m sure that I miss my Ann Arborites more than they missed me. Maybe we could change that with a return to the page, with me writing about my new homeless adventures, re-starting our conversation. I bragged and boasted about the greatest little city on Earth as well as the most incredible homeless population … SHBs (Special Human Beings). Just a reminder about who Ann Arbor’s SHBs are: newspaper vendors, community volunteers and humanitarians lifting Ann Arbor from the bottom up. I am proud to say I was one. Ann Arbor was and always will be my home. I was born in Ann Arbor, lived in Scio, then Barton Hills, where my father was Man of the Year in Ann Arbor and in the Hall of Champions at Barton Hills Golf Club. Now I have taken my stories to the hard, conservative Boise, Idaho, … where being homeless is literally a crime. There are others in Boise who wish me to help start a street newspaper here. I came to Boise to visit my oldest son Anthony Martin (28) and my oldest daughter Asia Llana (30). Both spent a couple rounds in the pen, now out and trying to put their lives together — God willing. This is a whole other fight. I’m learning as I’m trying to teach. Father to son and daughter still with the stereotypical story, “Who knows best?” Through time and experience I have seen a hidden struggle of homeless people in Boise. SHBs here are in a mental health crisis in which they have been forced to choose between abusive, private behavioral health institutions or prison. I am now in the former and am witnessing these terrifying, heartbreaking stories of law-abiding, intelligent human beings being used to fuel a private and state mental industry to extract money from the federal government. This sickens me. I am in solidarity with our brothers and sisters, while the ACLU has filed their second federal lawsuit. I beg of our nation to step up their awareness, realize that this is a frontline to a national battle and please support and enlist in this national health crisis that has become a civil war. Are we all waiting for someone to be physically standing on our doormats? The Beatles said “HELP!” Why aren’t we? Why are we selling out our nation’s soul? Come on! Where is the love? Have we really emptied our hearts? Will we let the machine pound us all into a fine dust until we just finally blow away in a heated gust? Time to water the crops, not just the garden. Uncle Sam has forsaken its people; so enlist in our people’s revolution for our wellbeing. Why do we wait for this fight to endanger the next generation? “Love one another.” Please pay attention to how much profit is being made by private institutions to incarcerate citizens into a carousel that circulates homeless people from prisons to mental health facilities and back to the street … hoping to survive the ride. This horrifying carousel ride is making huge profits while suckling at society's very marrow — driving us into a final disrepair. One of these private behavioral health institutions is charging $3,000 per night, per person, to Medicare or Medicaid. These charges are paid with no therapy to the patients. I have witnessed this directly. I left one world to find another … left me pondering which one I truly belonged … one born, one loved. One step from beyond the abyss. We need a new world. All my Love in Solidarity to our special human beings. Please send comments or feedback to lovemarkona39@gmail.com APRIL 19, 2024 APRIL 19, 2024 PUZZLES GROUNDCOVER NEWS CROSSWORD from the International Network of Street Papers 9 Groundcover Vendor Code While Groundcover is a non-profit, and paper vendors are self-employed contractors, we still have expectations of how vendors should conduct themselves while selling and representing the paper. The following is our Vendor Code of Conduct, which every vendor reads and signs before receiving a badge and papers. We request that if you discover a vendor violating any tenets of the Code, please contact us and provide as many details as possible. Our paper and our vendors should be positively impacting our County. • Groundcover will be distributed for a voluntary donation. I agree not to ask for more than the cover price or solicit donations by any other means. • When selling Groundcover, I will always have the current biweekly issue of Groundcover available for customer purchase. • I agree not to sell additional goods or products when selling the paper or to panhandle, including panhandling with only one paper or selling past monthly issues. • I will wear and display my badge when selling papers and refrain from wearing it or other Groundcover gear when engaged in other activities. • I will only purchase the paper from Groundcover Staff and will not sell to or buy papers from other Groundcover vendors, especially vendors who have been suspended or terminated. • I agree to treat all customers, staff, and other vendors respectfully. I will not “hard sell,” threaten, harass or pressure customers, staff, or other vendors verbally or physically. • I will not sell Groundcover under the influence of drugs or alcohol. • I understand that I am not a legal employee of Groundcover but a contracted worker responsible for my own well-being and income. • I understand that my badge is property of Groundcover and will not deface it. I will present my badge when purchasing the papers. • I agree to stay off private property when selling Groundcover. • I understand to refrain from selling on public buses, federal property or stores unless there is permission from the owner. • I agree to stay at least one block away from another vendor in downtown areas. I will also abide by the Vendor Corner Policy. • I understand that Groundcover strives to be a paper that covers topics of homelessness and poverty while providing sources of income for the homeless. I will try to help in this effort and spread the word. If you would like to report a violation of the Vendor Code please email contact@groundcovernews.com or fill out the contact form on our website. ACROSS 1. ___ one's hands in exasperation 8. Thatched 15. Narrow margin 16. On the fritz 17. Secret ___ 18. One from a high-altitude, landlocked African country 19. Chamber groups 20. Bone dry 22. "Eh" 23. Charged particles 24. Basket material 25. 1999 Pulitzer Prize-winning play 26. Kind of pie made by children 27. Master of descending stairs 28. Characteristic carrier 29. Attempting 31. Cities with fortifications to keep outsiders away 32. Smooch an English person 33. Upper part of the earth's crust 35. Montezuma, e.g. 38. Shaped like a sword 42. "Buona ___" (Italian greeting) 43. Horrify 45. Born, in bios 46. Mary ___ Cosmetics 47. Jiffy 48. Full house, e.g. 49. "The Sound of Music" backdrop 51. "Darn it!" 52. Weighed the container of 53. Writes in the margins 55. Nocturnal rodent hunter on a farm 57. Fancy food 58. Circles of differently colored skin 59. Transfer of land ownership to "the man" upon death 60. A dutiful server's neverending task DOWN 1. 4:00, for some 2. Containing water 3. Refreshes the memory of 4. Hodgepodges 5. "Star ___" 6. Take advantage of 7. Wording 8. Yell 9. Chintzy 10. A Scandinavian weave 11. Barley beards 12. Man who survived his spouse 13. Destroying 14. Indicates 21. Cabal 24. Assortment 27. Harmony 28. Chasm 30. Fishing, perhaps 31. Get-out-of-jail money 33. Cineplex feature 34. "Cast Away" setting 35. Sideways 36. Devoted 37. Small intestine enzyme 38. "Beowulf," e.g. 39. Hot, in Vegas 40. It's often a euphemism for gentrification 41. Interferes 43. Acropolis figure 44. Arranged in advance 48. Vietnamese capital 50. Obi, e.g. 52. Not kosher 54. 20-20, e.g. 56. "___ we having fun yet?"
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10 GROUNDCOVER NEWS THINK ABOUT IT Humanity did not happen to blink into existence yesterday. It wasn’t marooned on this planet by some childish god unwilling to shoulder the responsibility of creating us. Yes, we are a fledgling species that has existed for merely a blink compared to the fullness of time. However, the place we find ourselves in was reached by a lengthy road of trial and error, speculations and confirmations, wars and peace times. We have ventured from literally rubbing sticks together to manipulating atomic structures. We have learned and experienced a great deal. Ultimately we have reached a general consensus of what is right and what is wrong. So why then do we continue to be influenced by dark impulses that one knows better than to indulge in? Why do and how can we act so superior, yet embrace nihilism and its ultimate self destruction? Should our race cease to exist because of the actions of our worst representations? Well, yeah, definitely if we were to be labeled and stereotyped. These practices conveniently provide the excuse to wipe out the entire group for its offenders. I would love to believe that an external witness of humanity would have the impression that we are collectively a prospering and productive peace-loving species. Unfortunately I can’t say I confidently believe that is how we could be described. And if any such potential judges happen to be prone to the type of stereotyping and labeling that we employ, then we would have no justifiable right to hope for a positive outcome. Yet we continue to subject others to these methods we instinctively know are wrong. While we passively feign ignorance of such knowledge to satisfy some deep-seated dislike or hatred. This is anything but fair to its countless victims considering all one requires for such poor treatment is some false assumption backed by any kind of JAMES MANNING Groundcover vendor No. 16 existing statistic to affirm the attacker’s course of reception and at the extreme spectrum, action. Now what is truly tragic about this behavior is the fact the person who is judged happens to not be the mindless tool or trash you take them for and now are left with this experience, and it’s going to affect them in various ways, one way or another. And now with the practice of stereotyping, this unpleasant experience transcends from being an event to an element of their life and a withering assault. Not just that but I use the description withering because it’s a presumed assault on one’s character. So if you actually took the time to think about it, what do you suppose that would do to somebody? It’s no surprise that since this harmful trait is so common among people, everybody seems to be suffering from depression these days. Now going back to how this aspect of social behavior is indeed tragic, it should be obvious because it certainly does impact a person’s mental health and overall self-image and I imagine in cases severe enough would start to impact their actual life. This risks becoming a reality for them, as the consequences of assumptions develop into real events. For example, if you’re perceived as worthless (incorporating other people’s unwarranted opinions of you) then you may not be able to get a job. If a person’s treated as if they’re a bum, there’s the risk that could make  CLIENT from page 7 on the staff is very nice, mostly. I did run into a few in the past that I thought were misguided and they were probably pro-Black. Whoopdy dooo! The issue is, can someone differentiate between differences of opinion and institutional racism? (Reference trending conversations about “per capita” violence and criminal tendencies and specifically FBI statistics.) I'm not so sure some can — let's see if they can imagine not eating breakfast first. There may be people who are not capable of certain considerations. (There are some people who have aphantasia, in which people are unable to visualize from their imagination.) Another issue I had besides folks being loud or at times aggressive, is stinky people. I proposed a stink squad that might find stinky people and encourage them to bathe; deodorant is cheap! WE HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY!!! It may embarrass some people a bit. I think it's important, sheeeit some of the scurvy dogs got LICE!!!! I knew a few people that caught it. I think this will be reduced now that the warming center season is over. However, a stink squad could in the future help with this as it's a matter of public health, AND getting cleaned up can boost someone's self esteem. People who don't stink are not stigmatized and marginalized the same way stinky ones are. We didn't get to this too much at the - advisory meeting, but agenda item number seven (listed above) with the newsletter idea, seemed a bit redundant. Aren't I doing the newslettering now? LOL. Number eight on the other hand was interesting — lists whatever accusation, however untrue, a reality. But that’s not because they were what you assumed them to be, unremorsefully insisting that they belonged in such a punishing situation. Sticks and stones, people. You think this continues because people often choose the easiest, simplest route given any circumstance. And it’s always easier to label groups of people off some common trait and treat the whole accordingly. It’s wrong! You know it’s wrong! So why repeat the same shortcoming? Many would debate that it’s difficult to be compassionate. Yet it is as simple as asking yourself how you would feel if treated the same. No really, I’m not joking, that is the only question one needs to ask to avoid subjective ruin. Like I mentioned, how do you expect a person who looks down on a person to proceed? Well, luckily my money’s on the fact that any living race with a social system that continued such destructive habits wouldn’t last long enough to arrive at a point technology-wise to ever leave their solar system and contact other civilizations. How can we have faith in that when we do not have it in ourselves? Unfortunately APRIL 19, 2024 Humanity needs to reconsider its judgmentalism until we choose to discard such terrible and immature points of view and even worse approaches to them, we may well have no future compared to the bleak one we are trajected for. If we continue to behave this way, what will happen if we face catastrophe and our behaviors have separated us so we can’t form a united front to meet the challenge? So again, no magic answers, only my best realistic insight to a problem that plagues the masses. And I certainly implore you to take a half second of thought to consider the feelings of others likely to be affected by how you decide to treat them or at least consider that every cold shoulder, every insult and every condescending scowl for the supposed idiot before you can kill a little piece of them, yourself, and our collective race. There is no acceptable excuse for empathy to be considered a difficult behavior to employ. And you definitely should not dish out such judgment, knowing or rather not knowing the facts. All I’m really trying to say is we have a conscience for a reason and it would do some good if we listened to it more often. of resources are good, websites are cheap these days. Here is an interesting one: https://squattheplanet.com/ I look forward to many more of these client advisory meetings. Due to the nature of the “Delphi” meeting, I think the themes will evolve over time. If you the reader have any questions or concerns, bring them to my attention by emailing me at hirethisguy139@gmail. com. I’ll compile them on a list and bring them up at future meetings. APRIL 19, 2024 TRUTH OR LIES Truth or lies: Roary and the blind dog The nameless stray dog was born Beach. His in a cave on the island of Tasmania, Australia, on Cole's mother quickly abandoned him after five weeks. The red haired golden retriever grew up not knowing he was blind. He had a keen sense of smell and walked with such confidence you never would have known he was blind. Every evening after scrounging around for food he would always find his way back to his cove on the beach. Byron, who was 10 years old, and his brothers Noah (12) and Roary (13) were all at Cole's Beach building sand castles. Roary said to his brothers, “Please let’s go swimming now. It’s hot out here.” Roary was a natural-born swimmer, even though he could not see. His two brothers would often swim with him and guide him. This was his favorite thing to do, considering he loved the challenge. It made him feel as though he could see. Byron and Noah kept racing each other building sand castles. Noah said to Roary, “OK — in a minute. Soon as we finish, we’ll go take you swimming. Just wait a minute.” “Help! Help! (splash) Help, help (splash)! (splash) Help!” Roary was hollering. He had wandered into the water without his brothers. He was impatient and frustrated because of the heat. Roary figured if he swam before, he could do it again! But when the bottom went from under him, Roary panicked, realizing he did not know the direction of the shore. The unnamed dog was in the water cooling off. He sensed that Roary was in a panic, fighting the water. He swam over to Roary, barking. He then swooped under him, placing The boys explained what happened at the beach slowly. “Mom, can we keep him please?” “Are you all right, son? Do I need to take you to the doctor?” “I’m all right, no Mom,” said Roary. The dog was bumping into everyFELICIA WILBERT Groundcover vendor No. 234 thing; he had never been in a house. Their mom turned around and looked at the dog running into everything. She said, “Looks like that dog can’t see.” “Yes, he can!” Roary hollered out. Roary on his back, still keeping his head above the water. Roary's two brothers were calling to the dog, “Here boy, here boy, over here boy!” and raced towards him. The unnamed dog was swimming towards the boys and the shore as though he could see. When they reached the shore, the brothers thanked the dog petting him, hugging him, loving all over him. Roary said, “It would be nice if we could keep him.” “Do you think Mom and Dad would let us keep him?” Byron asked. Noah said, “Well, let’s go see. Let’s take him home with us. We have to. He just saved your life! There’s no one else out here — so whose dog is it?” “He has no collar,” said Byron. They were so excited they forgot to scold their brother. Byron, Noah and Roary were so excited when they arrived home. Seeing their mom, they blurted everything out. “Roary went out into the water on his own! He almost drowned and the dog saved his life!” said Noah and Byron, talking at the same time. Mom said, “Wait a minute, what happened? Slow down!” Is "Roary and the bling dog" TRUTH or LIES? Samuel and Martha Waymeans, published March 8, was TRUE. “He saved me from drowning today. How could he find me in the water; and take me to the shore?” “I don’t know, but that dog surely can’t see, watch this! Here boy, come here boy,” she said to the dog. The dog moved in the direction of her voice. However, he still was bumping into things. She waved her hand in front of his eyes. She asked Noah to go get one of his small balls. Mom took the ball and waved it in front of the dog's eyes and his face. He did not respond. She took the ball again and repeated the same steps. Then she threw the ball. “Go get it boy.” He did not move or turn his head. Mom said, “He is blind. Don’t worry, we'll take him to the vet. Have him checked out and make sure he’s healthy. You can keep him. If he is blind, you have to be extra careful with him, like your brother. I’ll smooth the dog idea over with your dad. Right now we need to get him some food and give him a bath then he can stay.” The next day they took the dog to the vet. The veterinarian confirmed that the dog was blind. However, he was a healthy 10-month-old golden retriever. He also informed them that it would be difficult to train him, suggesting they send him to obedience school. The boys had a fuss with each other all evening, trying to decide the dog's name. They decided whoever the dog chose as his master should name him. He let the boys bathe him, however, he stuck under Roary. That evening at dinner, Roary decided to name him, announcing his name as Colander. As time passed, Roary and Colander became inseparable. He trusted his dog and his dog trusted him. Roary would tie a rope around Colander’s collar, then attach it to himself to swim with him. Even though Colander could not see, he was a great lead dog. He always knew how to return to the shore. Colander lived to be 21 years old, passing away on the 21st anniversary of their meeting. Roary never forgot how Colander had saved his life. He had a plaque made that said “My Superhero Colander.” GROUNDCOVER NEWS 11  CHANGE from page 4 Homeless statistics in Michigan Since the housing market has tightened and government aid programs have dried up, more people in Michigan are facing a crisis of the unhoused. According to the most recent report from Michigan's Campaign to End Homelessness, the number of homeless individuals in Michigan increased by 8% in 2022, from 30,113 to 32,589 persons. While other regions like West Michigan, mid-Michigan and the Detroit area also experienced double-digit increases, the western half of the Upper Peninsula witnessed a 47% increase — and Northern Michigan saw a 56% increase. In the meantime, the northeastern region of the state and southwest Michigan saw a population decline. Who is doing what? State Representative Emily Dievendorf (D-Lansing) reintroduced a "Bill of Rights for the Homeless" in July 2023. This bill would have protected homeless individuals from discrimination in the workplace due to their lack of a permanent address, ensure that they are treated equally by all government agencies, and allow them to vote and receive the documentation required to prove their identity. According to House Bill 4919, an individual's rights, privileges or access to public services cannot be taken away from them or restricted just because they are homeless or thought to be homeless. Homeless people in the state of Michigan are entitled to the same rights and benefits as any other citizen. But much more needs to be done. This bill is currently in limbo, as it was referred to the Committee on Economic Development and Small Business, but has not moved past introduction. Regarding the lack of concern about homelessness becoming a top priority for Michigan voters and those around the world, I have spearheaded a "Let us always remember that our true wealth lies not in the abundance of our possessions but in the compassion we show towards the poor and vulnerable." ~EPM worldwide campaign called Mandate Future Political Leaders to Prioritize Homelessness on Change.org to bring the issue to the forefront. And I hope that Republicans and Democrats alike come together and realize that homeless issues should become among the top concerns of the voters' minds along with the economy, abortion rights, immigration and more.

April 5, 2024


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2 GROUNDCOVER NEWS GROUNDCOVER national poetry month EVENTS YPSI WRITES POETRY OPEN MIC Thursday, April 18, 7-9 p.m. Corner Brewery, 20 Norris Street, Ypsilanti Join YpsiWrites in celebrating National Poetry Month by sharing your work at an open mic night at Corner Brewery. Writers are encouraged to share their work, in whatever stage it is currently in, with supportive members of the YpsiWrites community. All are welcome to come, read, listen and encourage the poets. POETRY at LITERATI: ALISON SWAN, FLEDA BROWN, and FRIENDS Friday, April 19, 6:30 p.m Literati Bookstore, 124 E Washington Street, Ann Arbor Michigan poets Fleda Brown, Teresa Scollon, Ellen Stone and Alison Swan read from and discuss their work. GROUNDCOVER NEWS POETRY OPEN MIC see details pictured right NIGHT of the LIVING WORD: EXPERIMENTAL POETRY Tuesday, April 30, 6 p.m. AADL Downtown Secret Lab, 343 S. 5th Avenue, Ann Arbor Poetry workshop with stations to create blackout poetry, Dadaist cutups, concrete poetry and other forms of experimental poetry. APRIL 5, 2024 PROVIDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELF-DETERMINED INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY POVERTY, PRODUCING A STREET NEWSPAPER THAT GIVES A PLATFORM TO UNDERREPRESENTED VOICES IN WASHTENAW COUNTY, PROMOTING AN ACTION TO BUILD A JUST, CARING AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETY. Groundcover News, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in April 2010 as a means to empower lowincome persons to make the transitions from homeless to housed, and from jobless to employed. Vendors purchase each copy of our regular editions of Groundcover News at our office for 50 cents. This money goes towards production costs. Vendors work selling the paper on the street for $2, keeping all income and tips from each sale. Street papers like Groundcover News exist in cities all over the United States, as well as in more than 40 other countries, in an effort to raise awareness of the plight of homeless people and combat the increase in poverty. Our paper is a proud member of the International Network of Street Papers. STAFF Lindsay Calka — publisher Cynthia Price — editor Simone Masing — intern ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS Teresa Basham Elizabeth Bauman Blue Moon Tailor Roberto Isla Caballero Jamie Cameron La Shawn Courtwright Sarah Darby-White Day Dreamer Eternity Believer Shelley DeNeve Diana Fead Robbie February Sasha Grindall Lorraine Lamey Markona Love Eva Moore Ken Parks Ron Pagereski Earl Pullen GROUNDCOVER NEWS ADVERTISING RATES Size 1/8 1/6 1/4 1/2 full page Black/White $110.00 $145.00 $200.00 $375.00 $650.00 Color $150.00 $200.00 $265.00 $500.00 $900.00 Dimensions (W x H in inches) 5 X 3 or 2.5 X 6.5 5 X 4 5 X 6.25 5 X 13 or 10.25 X 6.5 10.25 X 13 Julie Scheier Will Shakespeare Wayne Sparks Scoop Stevens Shawn Swoffer Karen Totten PROOFREADERS Susan Beckett Elliot Cubit Anabel Sicko VOLUNTEERS Jessi Averill Jane Atkins Zachary Dortzbach Glenn Gates Alexandra Granberg Robert Klingler Emily Paras Holden Pizzolato Liem Swanson Melanie Wenzel Mary Wisgerhof Max Wisgerhof Emily Yao CONTACT US Story and photo submissions: submissions@groundcovernews.com Advertising and partnerships: contact@groundcovernews.com Office: 423 S. 4th Ave., Ann Arbor Mon-Sat, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Phone: 734-263-2098 @groundcover @groundcovernews DONATE, LISTEN TO OLD ISSUES + LEARN MORE www.groundcovernews.org linktr.ee/groundcovernews PACKAGE PRICING Three Months/Six Issues: 15% off Six Months/Twelve Issues: 25% off Full Year/Twenty-four Issues: 35% off Only run for two weeks/one issue: 40% off Additional 20% discount for money saving coupons APRIL 5, 2024 ON MY CORNER ASK YOUR VENDOR What inspires you? People doing great things and poeple who work hard to help others. — Ashley Powell, #595 For my cartoons, Super Raton (Mighty Mouse) from Havana, Cuba in the 1970s. — Roberto Isla Caballero, #347 Science fiction, anime, cyberpunk, steam punk — storytelling in fictional worlds overall. — James Manning, #16 Everything — music, animals, camping, swimming. I really do love life and I'm centered with creation! — Terri Demar, #322 Money! — Pony Bush, #305 A good smile. — Tony Schohl, #9 I think everything inspires me. — Glen Page, #407 GOD and HIS Word; the HOLY SPIRIT and singing praises in the HIGHEST to HIM WHO alone is WORTHY; other Christians through the ages who have REALLY walked with JESUS; The Nylons version of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" — it reminds me of "my Place," and Of ALL Of GOD'S GOODNESS Even So, In a VERY! Fallen World; the land and its animals and plants remind me of the GOD WHO created them and us; and of the original perfection, and one day the surpassing of that; of CARE and RELIEF we MUST be part of, for "The Here and Now." — Amanda Gale, #573 You do. — Ken Parks, #490 Agape, justice and hope. And good stories! — Austin Cash, #627 People who don't waste their time. — Wayne Sparks, #615 WAYNE S. Groundcover vendor No. 615 ROBERTO ISLA CABALLERO Groundcover vendor No. 347 GROUNDCOVER NEWS The last dinner of Groundcover News The laboratory of ignorance needs love. They do not discriminate, love does not need perdition. Evil is reality. The injustice is the bane of America. Poverty and selflessness and wisdom is the mentality of the wealthy. The poor person is happier than the one who works the land. The social service workers are the future of America. 3 ToGetHer DAY DREAMER ETERNITY BELIEVER Groundcover contributor To one I’ve never met, but have known all along. For whom I have longed. Your old friend’s gentle, silver-lined reminder edging across the storm clouds of life. Yet none of it lived. The bellow of your souls echoed longing across both time and space. Innately embraced. I never knew the truth of both the perfect heights and unspeakable horrors of what was real. Your old is my new. You dreamed during the night, and I the day. Each of each other. In between, the nightmare called reality separated us. Forced by bitter men. Apparently we both never stopped searching for one another. What will be, will be. Yet what was forced became the reality. Separate here we are. If love is the highest standard, the strongest reason, and the purest hope then this consortium diablos ultimately failed the moment they challenged The Creator of such. I bet all on Yah. YAHWEH, the God of Romance. He reveals in His time. Be it merely a fool’s errand here or the very foundational essence of life itself interlaced and perpetuating throughout all of creation. I will have no shame. Without err, within the correct confines, I love you both. We three are what they fear. The thousands of miles I have traveled to the millions of minutes you have waited. Together, but not. When I stopped breathing When the door clanged shut I stopped breathing. When I walked through the gate And knew I wasn’t leaving I stopped breathing The day you left me I stopped breathing I walk through days wondering When I can take a breath again Trying to figure out why I stopped Breathing
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4 GROUNDCOVER NEWS VENDOR VOICES Muz TERESA BASHAM Groundcover vendor No. 570 We love you so, Glad you’re in our life, Never gonna do you wrong, We love you wit all of our heartz, We’re never gonna let you part, You’re our baby, We’ll never let anythang happen ta you, We’ll never let you go, You’ve waited for love too long, We’re not gonna let you go, You’re perfect in our eyez. Muz 2 TERESA BASHAM I love your way, Alwayz being so gentle wit me, You’re alwayz wit me every day, I’m so glad you can see, What you do, What you mean to me, & you know I love you, You have a good home, We let you do your own, Thang all thee time, You’re alwayz on our minds. SHELLEY DENEVE Groundcover vendor No. 22 First signs of spring APRIL 5, 2024 When the weather can't make up its mind Warm, Cold, Warm, Cold Then at night time I can hear baby frogs chirping Then the days and nights steadily get warmer And next thing ya know You're sweating at doing nothing Back in the days SHELLEY DENEVE In days of old, life was slow In days of new, life is fast Gloomy days If I don't find my way JAMIE CAMERON Groundcover vendor No. 612 Gloom and doom is all we hear, Trigger-happy dictators with nukes; Voting for one so dear became a fluke. One more solution, this current head; Only to sell us nothing and leave us for dead. Computer world JAMIE CAMERON The glee I had using ancient computers, nothing can compare; Times making reset buttons for PCI boards, computers I hoarded, a set so fair; Worthless they find and say, only to sell my set on EBay. JAMIE CAMERON Aside from friends and family, nothing to live for, Every day I contemplate my reasons for existence. “You’re loved” I hear from one percent, Yet non-existent to society’s rest, So what is my life for, why not cease to be? In days of new, life whizzes by I wish of old days And to know what I know now Streets to halls MARKONA LOVE Groundcover vendor No. 590 My feet once pounding the streets and sidewalks now my feet dragging only across plastic formica. Once previously writing homeless, from the streets now rambling from corrupt halls. Institutional profit over patient progress cosmic rays burst thru the dark of night. Healing Light of Love insists to fill me obliged me to spread to last accepting souls. May we all awake to the Light of Love shining from within and back to a morning sun. APRIL 5, 2024 POETRY He's gotta tell himself, whoa! She is so beautiful, from the swells of Her mind, to the valleys of Her depths. Her beauty will knock you off of your feet, and please believe me, you will be swept Just by the breadth of Her conversations, to the manner in which She performs Her duties, to ensure She is well kept She is rounded, His idea of a woman who's whole, and something marvelous to behold As He sees, takes a deeper look into Her, even now, hopefully forever more Anticipating the moment He may be able to experience Her touch His senses are pleasantly driven Outta control He just can't help himself Every time He sees Her He's gotta tell Himself, Whoa!! For women's history month GROUNDCOVER NEWS 5 LA SHAWN COURTWRIGHT Groundcover vendor No. 56 The smile on a clown EARL PULLEN Groundcover contributor To each his own of one of many sometimes we’re up sometimes we’re down but nothing can compare to the smile of a clown the love within a magical place it's all we can do to state our case. Shine in the night and glow with Grace and then you’ll know why the smile is on the clown’s face Riddle or rhyme EARL PULLEN To each his own I say one you Say two what do You think when I say I love you? Do you think it's A riddle or do you Think its a rhyme Or do you think I am a man out of Time? I’m not broke Down and I’m not From another time Earl Pullen and Roberto Isla Caballero wearing a clown nose. I’m just a man with Riddle and a rhyme Come to say I love You till the end Of time story of A man with a riddle And a rhyme Existence SCOOP STEVENS Groundcover contributor The rain is coming and this I fear; now I must go and buy beer Under the Wayne Road Bridge again; my homelessness never seems to end Lived on Mark Twain the first year of life; then my parents took part in White Flight Grew up in NIL the most racist town; if you were born black it meant you were a Clown Conformed to the religion of my youth; until I learned Jesus was not the truth Blasphemy! Blasphemy! It cannot be; but I knew Reason was the way for me A new age of consciousness is soon to begin; She will be President to usher US in
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6 GROUNDCOVER NEWS BLACK HISTORY Early Black literary movement: the poetry of Langston Hughes and Claude McKay It would be an error of omission if we talk about the early Black literary movement without making a reference of gratitude to writers and poets such as Phillis Wheatley, Fredrick Douglass, Ida B. Wells, Countee Cullen, Gwendolyn Bennett, John Davis, Aaron Davis, James Weldon Johnson, W.E.B. Du Bois and Alain Locke. We also want to recognize the editor of “Fire” monthly magazine, John Wallace Thurman, and the editor of "Opportunity" monthly magazine, Charles Johnson. Their contributions are profound and enduring. All were active participants in the creation of a new African American literature, culture and artistic representation. In fact, they helped to build a tapestry of resistance against marginalization, stereotyping, racism, inequality and discrimination. Du Bois and Locke became the philosophical architects and inspiration for the literary movement known as the “Harlem Renaissance.” On March 19, 1968, about two weeks before his assassination, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said the Greeks may have Plato and Aristotle as great philosophers, but America has its own intellectual giants in W.E.B. Du Bois and Alaine Locke. Two literary giants and poets who have influenced new generations of African American writers since the early 20th century are presented in this article. They are Langston Hughes and Claude McKay. We will present a brief biography of the poets, along with their poetry. WILL SHAKESPEARE Groundcover vendor No. 258 and poetry from his older brother who was a teacher. He moved from Sunnyvale to Brown’s Town when he was 17. Eventually, he moved to the capital city of Kingston. He wrote that he experienced racism, discrimination and marginalization while in Kingston. The rampant bigotry he experienced in the capital city of Jamaica led him to write what Poets. org called “impressions of Black life in Jamaica in dialect.” Poets.org continued, “His publication of the work earned him a grant from the Jamaican Institute of Arts and Sciences.” McKay traveled to the United States and arrived in Charleston, South Carolina, in the late summer of 1912. He then enrolled at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. McKay moved from Tuskegee to Kansas State College, and he eventually arrived in New York City where he did several jobs, while trying to work in literary journals, including “Pearson’s Magazine" and the socialist magazine, “The Liberator.” In 1917, he published two sonnets: “The Harlem Dancer” and “Invocation” and later used the former to write about social and political concerns from his perspective as a Black man in the United States. In 1922, he published his third book collection titled, “Harlem Shadows.” The University of Illinois Press posthumously published, “The Passion of Claude McKay: Selected Poetry and Prose” in 2004. Langston Hughes (19011967) Langston Hughes was the most Claude McKay (1889-1948) The Academy of American Poets said in their summary of Poet Claude McKay that he was born Festus Claudius McKay in Sunnyvale, Jamaica on September 15, 1889. He died in Chicago, Illinois on May 25, 1948. He learned a lot about reading, writing prolific poet associated with the early Black literary movement and the Harlem Renaissance. He started writing poems and short stories when he was 17. James Mercer Langston Hughes was born on February 1, 1901 in Joplin, Missouri. He died on May 22, 1967, in New York City. The Academy of American Poets website stated that After graduating from high school, he spent a year in Mexico followed by a year at Columbia University. During this time, he worked as an assistant cook, a launderer and a busboy. He also traveled to Africa, working as a seaman. In November 1924, he moved to Washington, D.C. Hughes' first book of poetry, “The Weary Blues,” was published (by Alfred Knoff, 1926) with an introduction by Harlem Renaissance arts patron Carl Van Vechten. He finished his college education at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania three years later. Hughes published his first novel, “Not Without Laughter” in 1930. When he was asked to name writers who had influenced his work, he cited Paul Lawrence Dunbar, Carl Sandburg and Walt Whitman. Poets. org noted that Langston Hughes' “life and work were enormously important in shaping the artistic contributions of the Harlem Renaissance of the1920s. Unlike other notable poets of the period, such as Claude Mckay, Jean Toomer and Countee Cullen, Hughes refused to differentiate between his personal experience and the common experience of Black America. He wanted to tell the stories of his people in ways that reflected their actual culture, including their love of music, laughter and language, alongside their suffering.” Hughes was a giant in America’s literary circles. His first poem, written the summer after his high school graduation, was published by “Crisis” Magazine in 1921, entitled “The Negro Speaks of Rivers.” "Fire" magazine said that he explored Harlem when he came to Columbia University, “forming a permanent attachment to what he called ‘The Great Dark City.’” There are some poems from Langston Hughes collections on the next page. Conclusion The common denominator for most African American poets and literary giants of the early 20th century is civil rights activism. By circumstance of birth and cultural inclination, Dr. King drew inspiration from the written words and voices of America’s literary giants, especially African American writers. He never stopped praising the work of Black creators who were also civil rights activists. One of the early Black literary movement pioneers who received universal praises from Blacks and whites was James Weldon Johnson (18711938). Johnson was a co-founder of the NAACP, a native of the Bahamas, a central figure in the Harlem Renaissance, and publisher of “The Book of American Negro Poetry.” He was also a filmmaker, a diplomat, a theater playwright and a musician. Moreover, Johnson was the composer of a poem titled, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” This poem was written in the late 19th century, and James Weldon Johnson’s brother J. Rosamond Johnson converted the poem into an African American hymn which evoked the Biblical exodus from slavery to the freedom of the promised land. “Lift Every Voice and Sing” is very popular and it’s now considered the Black National Anthem. Feel free to read and sing the poem below. Lift every voice and sing by James Weldon Johnson Lift every voice and sing Till earth and heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of Liberty; Let our rejoicing rise High as the listening skies, Let it resound loud as the rolling sea. Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us, Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us. Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, Let us march on till victory is won. APRIL 5, 2024 APRIL 5, 2024 BLACK HISTORY Harlem LANGSTON HUGHES What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore — And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over — like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load. Or does it explode? Dreams LANGSTON HUGHES Hold fast to dreams For if dreams die Life is a broken-winged bird That cannot fly. Hold fast to dreams For when dreams go Life is a barren field Frozen with snow. A machine out of gear, aye, tired, Yet forced to go on—for I’m hired. Just forced to go on through fear, For every day I must eat And find ugly clothes to wear, And bad shoes to hurt my feet And a shelter for work-drugged sleep! A mere drudge! but what can one do? A man that’s a man cannot weep! Suicide? A quitter? Oh, no! But a slave should never grow tired, Whom the masters have kindly hired. The Negro Speaks of Rivers LANGSTON HUGHES I’ve known rivers: I’ve known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins. My soul has grown deep like the rivers. I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young. I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep. I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it. I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln went down to New Orleans, and I’ve seen its muddy bosom turn all golden in the sunset. I’ve known rivers: Ancient, dusky rivers. My soul has grown deep like the rivers. But oh! for the woods, the flowers Of natural, sweet perfume, The heartening, summer showers And the smiling shrubs in bloom, Dust-free, dew-tinted at morn, The fresh and life-giving air, The billowing waves of corn And the birds’ notes rich and clear:— For a man-machine toil-tired May crave beauty too—though he’s hired. CLAUDE MCKAY There is joy in the woods just now, The leaves are whispers of song, And the birds make mirth on the bough And music the whole day long, And God! to dwell in the town In these springlike summer days, On my brow an unfading frown And hate in my heart always— GROUNDCOVER NEWS Joy in the woods 7 Poetry CLAUDE MCKAY If we must die CLAUDE MCKAY If we must die, let it not be like hogs Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot, While round us bark the mad and hungry dogs, Making their mock at our accursèd lot. If we must die, O let us nobly die, So that our precious blood may not be shed In vain; then even the monsters we defy Shall be constrained to honor us though dead! O kinsmen! we must meet the common foe! Though far outnumbered let us show us brave, And for their thousand blows deal one death-blow! What though before us lies the open grave? Like men we’ll face the murderous, cowardly pack, Pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back! Sometimes I tremble like a storm-swept flower, And seek to hide my tortured soul from thee, Bowing my head in deep humility Before the silent thunder of thy power. Sometimes I flee before thy blazing light, As from the specter of pursuing death; Intimidated lest thy mighty breath, Windways, will sweep me into utter night. For oh, I fear they will be swallowed up— The loves which are to me of vital worth, My passion and my pleasure in the earth— And lost forever in thy magic cup! I fear, I fear my truly human heart Will perish on the altar-stone of art!
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8 GROUNDCOVER NEWS AROUND TOWN A2P2 phase two public power progress The power is out again where I live. This happens many times throughout the year. Around town, for the last few months, a few signs have caught my attention. “Ann Arbor for Public Power” is brightly displayed upon them with a few notes about the current status of energy use in Ann Arbor. I investigated the organization (A2P2) and found it to be very enlightening. There is a struggle between corporate profits and renewable energy implementation in Michigan. There are consistent major power outages in our region and many corporate-owned power grids fall below municipal-owned power plants’ reliability averages. Currently, Ann Arbor is served by Detroit Edison (DTE), a corporate entity (although state-regulated) pursuing profits for investors instead of reliable renewable energy. A2P2 is advocating for a public-owned democratically-governed electric utility system called a Municipal Energy Utility or MEU, an idea that may be new to Ann Arbor but is the way many Michigan cities get their energy, including Lansing and Chelsea. One of the first things A2P2 did was to ask the City to conduct a phase one study to investigate municipal ownership. Ann Arbor complied, and the results came out in September 2023. One of that study’s recommendations was that the City ROBBIE FEBRUARY Groundcover contributor pursue a phase two study to support the MEU, intended to find out what it would cost to take over the local energy assets from DTE. A2P2, of course, strongly supported that second study but whether the City would approve it was uncertain. But A2P2 people were pleased when, on February 21, Ann Arbor Mayor Chris Taylor threw his support behind the study. As Mayor Taylor said at the time, “(A)n MEU … continues to intrigue, a chance to ensure that the utility is there for the people ... no shareholders or dividends, or campaign contributions. A utility run for the public good. To that end staff have identified the steps needed for us to continue to explore the cost and practicality of an MEU, and I support those steps.” Since that time, a line item for the study has appeared in the not-yetapproved budget. APRIL 5, 2024 I spoke to Greg Woodring, President of A2P2, about local benefits and the next steps for municipal power. He stated, “Public power utilities consistently outperform private utilities in terms of cost and reliability, because they are directly accountable to their customers, not shareholders.” There is a larger three-eyed fish to fry here. Power reliability is one thing, but protecting the environment is more important. Steps taken in green energy see A2P2 page 15  APRIL 5, 2024 AROUND TOWN “Putting poetry in places people don’t expect it” is the stated goal of Cameron Finch with their Poet Tree Town project. The goal is to take poems from the margins of people’s attention and surprise them into reading or listening to some so that the barriers – intimidation, suspicions that poetry is irrelevant — break down. Indeed, that relates very well to the goals of this issue of Groundcover News, so well in fact that Poet Tree Town and Groundcover will co-host an Open Mic on April 26 at Argus Farm Stop. As last year, the way Poet Tree Town will do this is to place a sheet of paper with the creator’s poem in the windows of many downtown and nearby businesses, as well as offer a QR code to hear the piece read in the poet’s own voice. The genres are diverse, the poems original. There are 87 poets represented this year and venues include Booksweet, both Argus Farm CYNTHIA PRICE Editor Stop locations, the Blake Transit Center, Found, Literati Bookstore, Teahaus (where Finch's own poem resides), Third Mind Books, West Side Book Shop, and many others. Poet Tree Town challenges people to make a trip to see all of the venues, which can be found at www.facebook.com/ PoetTreeTownA2/ These activities and many others spring from the designation of April as National Poetry Month. The creation of the Academy of American Poets, which also publishes “American Poets Magazine,” the celebration began in 1996. It is currently the largest literary celebration in existence, attracting tens of millions of readers and participants across the nation. For a list of 30 things you can do to celebrate National Poetry Month, visit poets.org/ national-poetry-month. Since last year, Finch has arranged for the “Ann Arbor Observer” to publish some of the original poems as a blog. These can be found at https:// annarborobserver.com/blog-title/ poet-tree-town/ They would love to partner with more people for more events, and are also looking for more volunteers, especially “at the leadership, production-side level,” they say. To contact Finch, email poettreetown@gmail.com Two poems are displayed in the window of Argus Farm Stop on Liberty — the venue for the joint Poet Tree Town/Groundcover Open Mic on April 26. GROUNDCOVER NEWS Again in 2024, project paints the town poetry 9 Crazy with the wisdom that matters KEN PARKS Groundcover vendor No. 490 I once worked as a journeyman painter for Patton Painting, a union shop based in Ypsilanti. The core of the shop was Kentucky boys from the mountain country of eastern Kentucky. Among the first questions I was asked was, “Do you like country and western music?” I responded with, “Willie Nelson and Freddy Fender!” Willie and Waylon Jennings were outlaws in country music with such songs as “I’ve Always Been Crazy [but it’s kept me from going insane],” words that come naturally from my mouth. I was a natural to work with Aura Glaser to open Crazy Wisdom Bookstore in 1981. She found a location on Ann Street that needed a lot of plaster and paint work before they could open. Both of us had discovered Tibetan Buddhism as a door to a deeper experience of reality. The term “crazy wisdom” was in the air from the work of Choegyam Trungpa Rinpoche, one of the first Tibetan masters who came to Scotland with Akong Rinpoche, then settled in Boulder, Colorado. He founded Naropa University and what became Shambala publications. Zen Buddhism paved the way for Buddhism in the West, and there are many options now. Crazy Wisdom Bookstore in Ann Arbor has seen several incarnations and is once again alive. It is currently open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The upstairs is being remodeled. The tea room will not reopen but the event space will reopen in May. They have hosted many wonderful events over the years. Think of them for a workshop or presentation with the wide range of diverse and interesting events they are known for. The "Crazy Wisdom Community Journal" had an important article on the Community Farm of Ann Arbor in a back issue maybe one and half years ago. The role of biodynamic agriculture and the shift to new management could use an update as we shift from money-obsessed culture and go back to the basics. I hope we have an event on the second floor of the bookstore during the summer. I would like to see a collaboration between Willow Run Acres and the Community Farm of Ann Arbor as we build the networks of work that matters. I believe the Ann Arbor Community Commons is part of this work. Food not lawns is a good way to be with the earth. Crazy wisdom will point you to a more complete context. You will enjoy learning from those with whom you differ, in particular, your enemies. Eventually you will discover that ego-clinging is the main enemy. Everytime that ego distracts you can be a reminder to remember a fully present breath and tune in to a deeper felt sense. Focusing-oriented therapy does this and Joya d’Cruz, who was mentored by Eugene Gendlin, has helped me rediscover my inner child and play with the adult who protects and guides. We need each other. If you Google search her you will find she is fully booked now. I hope we can get her to do a presentation at the Crazy Wisdom Bookstore event room. That’s where I met her. It is revolutionary to see yourself in others. This does not mean that others should think like you think but rather that we can meet in common mind and give birth to the creativity that benefits all beings without exception. This assumption of one seamless reality of unconditional love works best for me. My mistakes can inspire me to remember that a natural breath paves the way to more authentic decision making. We can change direction at any time. I choose the holistic road despite the slips and falls that ordinary beings encounter every step on the path. Students and workers will matter when the unity of theory and practice comes together in the dialectical play that comes from the unity of opposites. When I graduated from college my informal graduate studies began. I declined an offer for a master’s in history and volunteered for Brethren Volunteer Service. I served two and a half years in Austria and Germany. I connected deeply with my European heritage as I was mentored by my Parks in front of Crazy Wisdom Bookstore, which reopened December 1, 2023. His shirt reads, "Water is mean to connect, not divide. — Juan B. Mancias" 6 supervisors, Horst Symanowski in particular, who was a veteran of the resistance to fascism during the Third Reich. I extended my service to do a six month seminar with him. I learned that better fascists than Hitler won World War II. If you read the autobiography of General Reinhard Gehlen you will learn how the best fascists were not prosecuted but were hired for Cold War One and to run the National Aeronautic and Space Administration. “Letter to the American Church” looks at the similarities see WISDOM page 14 
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Ypsi recall election puts all eyes on Dez 10 GROUNDCOVER NEWS POLITICS Ypsilanti City Council woman Desiraé Simmons faces a recall election. Ypsilanti Forward, as known as Love Ypsi, started a petition in Ypsilanti’s third ward to get enough signatures to have a recall election to have Council Member Desiraé Simmons removed from Ypsilanti City Council. The recall group got enough signatures to force a recall election, and Rod Johnson has filed to run for the Ward 3 council seat and attempt to unseat Council Member Simmons. Love Ypsi initially targeted three members of council; Mayor Nicole Brown, Council Member Jennifer Symanns of Ward 2 and Simmons because of their votes in November 2023 to approve the purchase of a $3.7 million industrial building to replace the old site for the Department of Public Services, among a list of other grievances. Brown has since had a change of mind on the approval of the purchase of the building, and during a re-vote on the purchase on December 5, 2023, voted against it. Simmons abstained. Jennifer Symmans had already announced her resignation. As a result, the recall group withdrew their campaign against Brown on Dec 6, leaving all eyes on Simmons. I got a chance to interview Council Member Desiraé Simmons and I had two questions: 1. What do you think is Ypsilanti Forward’s main misunderstanding with you? 2. Why should you be re-elected in the recall election? She responded, “I think their main misunderstanding of me is that they believe I do not consider a full picture, and an understanding of interest that includes them, too. In other words, they feel left out, and [feel] that I don’t consider their interests in my decision making. But I believe the decisions I make benefit them as well and my goal is for everybody to benefit as opposed to some people getting to benefit. I see them as part of everybody, and I don’t think they should be the only people able to benefit while other people don’t.” To the second question, she MIKE JONES Groundcover vendor No. 113 responded, “There are two things I want to say. One, I want to make clear that the voters don’t have to re-elect me; they can just stop my removal. I’m still in office, they just have to say no to the recall to allow me to continue the term they elected in the first place. And why I should be allowed to continue is because my record and the roles I played on council speaks [sic] for itself. You can tune in to any meeting and see my involvement in the community; you can ask for a meeting one on one, or even call me. I am bringing forward the values I hold which are community engagement and collaborative leadership. I believe the government can be used to address real needs, like: housing, safety and thinking about the ways we are in public space together and how to make decisions. So, I have been able to make some progress around these areas and just getting started setting ground-work on these issues that APRIL 5, 2024 needs [sic] more time and attention than one year in office. And I believe that I will be able to continue to deliver for the residents of Ward 3 and for the fullness of Ypsilanti and the surrounding area.” Then I asked her if there was anything else she would like to add. She said, “Yes, I think local elections matter a lot. These local elections impact people's everyday lives. So, I encourage people who might not yet be registered to vote to know that Michigan’s laws allow you to register when you go to vote. That is, the day of the election at the City Clerk's office. If you care about issues like affordable housing and public safety get involved and vote for me on May 7.” The election will be held on Tuesday, May 7, and absentee ballots start in April; the winner will serve the remainder of the term through 2026. Rod Johnson declined an interview with Groundcover News. Ypsilanti Forward could not be reached for comment. APRIL 5, 2024 PUZZLES GROUNDCOVER NEWS 11 Groundcover Vendor Code While Groundcover is a non-profit, and paper vendors are self-employed contractors, we still have expectations of how vendors should conduct themselves while selling and representing the paper. The following is our Vendor Code of Conduct, which every vendor reads and signs before receiving a badge and papers. We request that if you discover a vendor violating any tenets of the Code, please contact us and provide as many details as possible. Our paper and our vendors should be positively impacting our County. • Groundcover will be a voluntary purchase. I agree not to ask for more than the cover price or solicit donations by any other means. • When selling Groundcover, I will always have the current biweekly issue of Groundcover available for customer purchase. • I agree not to sell additional goods or products when selling the paper or to panhandle, including panhandling with only one paper or selling past monthly issues. • I will wear and display my badge when selling papers and refrain from wearing it or other Groundcover gear when engaged in other activities. • I will only purchase the paper from Groundcover Staff and will not sell to or buy papers from other Groundcover vendors, especially vendors who have been suspended or terminated. • I agree to treat all customers, staff, and other vendors respectfully. I will not “hard sell,” threaten, harass or pressure customers, staff, or other vendors verbally or physically. • I will not sell Groundcover under the influence of drugs or alcohol. • I understand that I am not a legal employee of Groundcover but a contracted worker responsible for my own well-being and income. • I understand that my badge is property of Groundcover and will not deface it. I will present my badge when purchasing the papers. • I agree to stay off private property when selling Groundcover. • I understand to refrain from selling on public buses, federal property or stores unless there is permission from the owner. • I agree to stay at least one block away from another vendor in downtown areas. I will also abide by the Vendor Corner Policy. • I understand that Groundcover strives to be a paper that covers topics of homelessness and poverty while providing sources of income for the homeless. I will try to help in this effort and spread the word. If you would like to report a violation of the Vendor Code please email contact@groundcovernews. com or fill out the contact form on our website.
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12 GROUNDCOVER NEWS POETRY Answers KAREN TOTTEN Groundcover contributor “My heart hurts,” you, age five say one morning before school, and place your hand on the left side of your body, as if to take an oath. Your frantic parents whisk you to E.R. where doctors and nurses tap and jab, looking for lurking blood clots or infection in the criss-cross vein map of your chest, only to find, with relief, the usual inhabitants of strong, beating muscles. What you really mean is that the nightly war body count on tv is too loud and you can hear it in your sleep. What you really feel is the blunt edge of your dad’s shotgun pressed up against the wood ledge of the front porch those nights of the neighborhood troubles. You want his protection but you have friends out there. What is really happening is that you don’t know yet that you are supposed to act as if heartbreak isn’t real—ignore the nerves of your body standing on end, all the tears in your throat threatening to spill like water from a broken pipe. Voices of the lonely, the sad and hurting, the war sirens, finding their way to your tender young life. How could you know the answers? No one does. Our bodies all bleed red. Our hearts all hurt. Originally published in the Spring Peninsula Poets edition 2023 Viola's visitor KAREN TOTTEN It was Jesus Christ of Nazareth at the kitchen door last Tuesday, or so my Grandmother Viola was asked to call a thin, long-haired man in coveralls who wandered around her side yard in the steady rain, knocked quietly after lunch, chose her door along that stretch of highway. Years back, Viola owned tourist cabins behind her house, lodging for tired pilgrims dusty from the muddy roads, travelers heading up north to the vacation lakes each summer or south to Miami out of winter’s spindly grasp. Was this man looking for shelter from the storm? Had he heard of her hospitality in years before, the home-cooked breads and chowders, the warm lilac-scented blankets on the beds? Or did he long for affirmation, a nod from someone who just might recognize his divine face? True story. Golden hour is cast over the Michigan fields ADRIANA ALCALA Groundcover contributor And though I haven’t seen it I don’t need eyes to know in my heart that the sun is shining down on a blanket of moss in the backyard of the trailer park I called home. Faux dewed fruits in braided baskets, dirt covered shed, cobblestone path; This place casts a spell over me. Shadow lines crossing the median Deer legs dancing ghosts along the highway. Sun setting, remembering those fields of pink passing all of my homes. Ward off the darkness forever. Drive on and never return My grandmother was very Catholic, crosses and paintings of holy figures in her home, lots of religious iconography. Devout. Enamored of John F. Kennedy. A note: the name Viola was invented by Shakespeare for his play Twelfth Night. APRIL 5, 2024 HOPE DIANA FEAD Groundcover contributor I awake in the sun's shadows. Listening, I hear no sounds. Searching for hope in the darkness, Did you leave or are you around? I'm alone, where do I go now, Searching for your burning flame? If you're not alive within me, Do you go by some other name? Can feelings surprise and ring true, Or a song speak just the right words? A memory stirs in my daydream, Your voice crying out to be heard. Shout my name, you say, come together, Trust me to give us a chance. Follow my voice, and I'll hear you Singing that hope's still alive. APRIL 5, 2024 POETRY estranged to your danger BLUE MOON TAILOR Groundcover contributor the year came the year that marked the year to increase stranger danger a lack of presence for that which was done impressions of steamy haunts ghosts formed of Catholic guilt sensations remained only a little less foggy than my amount of groggy roots buried under your weight a burden they'd be if I didn't pull them clean I'd never be clear a year past the year the year that came that marked my increased capacity for stranger danger this year from when we began your excitableness bursting at the seams fog self-inflicted this time our own means 404 error no memory computed dread bleeding the pit of my stomach bursting cysts of betrayal all settled there pit large as an underworld poisonous peach pit rare quicksand fear nothing could compare RaGE a naming of pain fingers pointed stiff denial on your end stiff as my backbone would be for years for years on my end I couldn't name stiff twice what I couldn't reconvene no "custody" battle joy for my whiskered critter nothing can erase the danger you estranged me from Is this all that I have left to give you? Just a facade of the person I was? I lie next to you as if we’re connecting, but truly my passions are gone. Hollow and damaged, that’s all that I know. This daily routine getting tired. I am running in circles attempting to hide it, my soul shrinking like it’s on fire. Wandering round, wandering til the end. There is no light at the end of my tunnel. People say they are there to help me if needed, but are deaf to my crying for comfort. Listen to the whispers that knock at my door, those cruel and continuous words. They speak ugly truths, but I caused them myself, I have damaged their viewing, their regard. Can I fix this? Am I able? Oh where to begin? Digging deeply into the depths. I am fragile, gritty, raw, and hardened. Craving for more than I expect. I continue, I move forward, this cycle goes on. I seek after what’s better, improved. I can not know what will come to me next, But I can face it head on, with my smile. GROUNDCOVER NEWS Untitled JULIE SCHEIER Groundcover contributor Today I will not hear your voice. Grief pounds my heart today. You held me to myself. Your Presence, far away And by my side Palpable, Breathing, Soft, Quiet Hearing your Beautiful Vision Inside me Part of me Fragmented EVA MOORE Groundcover contributor My rhythm for life is fading. My highlights are fewer it seems. The zest for life I used to have, is a crumbling manic machine. Since breaking me down I’ve grown louder. Just to drown out the noise in my head. I’m still listening to lies, I tell myself daily. Now the lies are all truths that I bled. Forever. I wrote this the day I learned my brother’s partner died. For Trish and Carl. 13 exp. 01/31/2025
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14 GROUNDCOVER NEWS POETRY Confusion SARAH DARBY-WHITE Groundcover contributor Tell me, what’s normal? It’s time that I know. I must know what’s normal, Cuz, I’m weird and it shows. It’s really not funny, This odd kind of thing. I’m a hamster just spinning Getting nowhere it seems. Skipping stones SARAH DARBY-WHITE Thought these feelings would pass, But they’re stronger than ever. Despair that’s just there That I never can sever. Confusion, delusions Of what I could be. Confusion intrusions Won’t let me be free. I have mastered skipping stones Upon the stillness of the early morning lake. It takes perfected skill and a flick of the wrist. A glassy surface and the water breaks. The lake speaks. A massive heartbeat. Telling stories of a life within. Of lessons learned, but what has changed? What is to come? Where have I been? So many questions unanswered. Each skipping stone begins a new chapter In this life that deceives. This life that lies. I’m anticipating what comes after. The waters are turbulent now. Not Calm and tranquil with the rising sun. As evening approaches, I’m out of stones, Out of chapters; All but one. My last chance to make it right, To salvage all that I treasure. Whether I get it right or get it wrong Skipping stones has been a pleasure. RONALD PAGERESKI Standing all alone in the cold on my deck, lookin kinda hungry, lookin like a wreck. Kitty showed up looking for a friend, with me, it has become a trend. Homeless kitties, their future unclear they all know me well, far and near. They all come by to see a friendly soul, knowing the cat chow will overflow the bowl. Eating their fill, then off they go, they'll be back soon, next day or so. Looking for this soul, hopin' I will fill the bowl. So come to me kitty,I won't give a fright. But stay safe young kitties, alone in the night. Late night visitor Cloudy day RONALD PAGERESKI Groundcover contributor Dark clouds build above me. I need someone to love me. The one I had has gone away, made my world so dark and gray. What turned her so hard and mean? I'll always miss the Lady Marlene. I have to make my way alone, my heart is heavy, feels like stone. But, many folks are in the same boat, tears in the eyes, lump in the throat. We have to face the lonely night, all alone in our dismal plight. But, tomorrow brings a brand new day. Let's not let sorrow stand in our way. If we feel like we've been hit by a bus, remember many have it much worse than us.  WISDOM from page 9 If pursuit of the truth is your goal, between the German church of the 1930s and the American church today. At Easter we have another image of “you can kill the revolutionary but you can’t kill the revolution.” What reality do you believe in and what is the role of faith today? Visualize reality as a radiant diamond with infinite facets. Every appearance including you and me is in this view. To experience the interrelatedness of the facets in the context of the whole diamond is the breakthrough moment that the masters among our ancestors have taught us from beginningless time. Jesus, Buddha and a host of holy beings have taught that compassion, loving kindness and wisdom are the foundational truths of reality. If we surrender our ego fixations to this truth we can walk the path of freedom and learn to “Keep your eyes on the prize.” It’s the most worthy of goals. there are many ‘practical’ people who will consider you crazy for neglecting the most obvious rule of compliance culture, “The bottom line is the dollar sign,” and its corollary, “Follow the money.” It is true that if your financial life is in chaos you will find yourself too busy to do anything else. You may be overworked and have nothing to show for it. It can be so frustrating you may take your last dollar and go party. The distractions are everywhere, comfort food is a big one. The food industry is a pioneer in addictive engineering; feel good for a minute and be sick for life, similar to hard drugs but legal and a choice that is always in your face. Personal choice is an illusion for many as the need to survive this moment blocks the view of a long and happy life. It’s the trap of civilization and the hard struggle of decolonization. Remember “Peace of mind does not come from absence of struggle, it comes from absence of confusion and uncertainty.” If you look for what we share in common as human beings your discovery will likely look crazy to followers of compliance culture. We need the time and space to look at new approaches in our struggle for good health and a happy life. Let’s meet at Crazy Wisdom on Main between Washington and Huron. The Ann Arbor Community Commons is growing! Let us move forward with growing awareness until we are crazy with the wisdom that matters. Let’s meet on Earth Day, April 22, at - 4 p.m. at the Groundcover office (in the basement of Bethlehem United Church of Christ at 423 S. 4th Ave) for a People's Peace Bank study and working group. We will view Werner's conversation at the Capital Club Dubai on Central Bank Digital Currencies and more. Earth Days celebrations are happening all weekend: April 20, 21 and 22. Go to annarborcommunitycommons.org for more details! POETRY GROUNDCOVER NEWS Home Grove LORRAINE LAMEY Groundcover contributor In the stand of pines the roots hold snugly to the eroding esker. The roots sing Hang in there! or Hang on! but mostly I’ve got you!, a weaving chorus of I got you!s. They crisscross each other like embroidery — tender, intricate, and whole. “Home Sweet Home” on a cliff edge. The trees are sewn together by and with each other defying gravity with their epic height praising to the sky We’ll grow and die together! You know it’s not true — the uniformity of action and experience, that is. But it sounds and feels right even as one by one they germinate, grow, disease, die, and decay in this one grove. Wind whisper, cardinal cheer, hunting hawk silence, gray squirrel scurry, breeze blown bole groan, Canada geese hronk overhead. I am stitched into this grove. A ladle of blood SASHA JADE Groundcover contributor A ladle of blood Sticky and thick, an iron taste to sear the tongue. It fills my throat, I want to scream but nothing comes. Nothing but a ladle of blood Gurgling and gagging, I heave with effort as I drown. It bubbles and pools as it drips to my chest, smothering me in crimson color. Painted in desire, viewed with desire, forced to desire. Forced to drink a ladle of blood Expected to drink a ladle of blood Just to create more ladles of blood Countless hearts. Endless hearts. All of them, just ladles of blood Perhaps one day, the gore will go down. Perhaps one day it will fill me with vigor and nothing but joy. Settle in my stomach and make my skin warm. Steal my perceived broken ladle. Be captured by one with ichor. But till that day comes, I’ll be here. Choking on ladles of blood 15  A2P2 from page 8 policy have not stemmed the environmental degradation which has continued for the last 30 years. Ann Arbor citizens and the city government itself have demonstrated a desire to move to 100% renewable energy for many years now. DTE has dragged their oil-stained feet all over the lush green carpet on these local renewable initiatives while continuing to invest in coal and gas energy sources. A2P2 offers a plan to provide 100% renewable energy by 2030, which would also lead to increased reliability. I, like many other members of my generation, spent many halcyon hours watching Saturday morning cartoons on my family's 16 inch television. We were empowered to reduce, reuse and recycle around four times per hour by singing raisins, Darkwing Duck, and the Crash Test Dummies. Many times, the children of the nineties were portrayed as the instructors for doddering fortyish parents in what trash goes where. Now I am the doddering fortyish parent and I am part of the problem. Steps taken by organizations like A2P2 are of critical importance if we are going to maintain a livable Earth for future generations. From the A2P2 website: “We believe a municipal utility is the only way Ann Arbor can reach its renewable energy goals. Municipal utilities across the country are almost always cheaper than investor-owned utilities (IOUs) and often more reliable. Additionally, a muni would create strong local union jobs and keep utility money within the community. Rather than relying on DTE and its shareholders to make decisions for us, the Ann Arbor community would have control over our power and create a pathway for other communities to break free from DTE as well.” An A2P2 press release continues, “The main objective of this phase two study should be to arrive at a technically sound and legally defensible valuation of DTE’s local distribution assets.” That is the next important step in the process. A2P2 continues to provide consumer education about their energy options at meetings and events throughout the city. On April 20 from 6-9 p.m., at Cobblestone Farms located at 2781 Packard Road, organizers will talk about the campaign to replace DTE with a municipal electric utility powered by 100% renewable energy for Ann Arbor. Bill McKibben, nationally-known environmental activist, author, and founder of 350.org will be providing the keynote via the Internet. Joining in person, Christy McGillivray, political and legislative director for the Sierra Club Michigan, will share her thoughts. Greg Woodring, A2P2 President, and advisory board members Yousef Rabhi, Mikal Goodman and Michelle Deatrick will also be present. Tickets cost $30 and a plant-based meal will be provided. Captain Planet is not scheduled at this time, but he would certainly approve.

March 22, 2024


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2 GROUNDCOVER NEWS OPINION community EVENTS THIS IS PARKDALE MOVIE SCREENING Saturday, March 23, 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Growing Hope Marketplace Hall (16 S. Washington St., Ypsilanti) "This is Parkdale" is a short film documenting a successful rent strike organized in Toronto, Ontario. The documentary is 35 minutes long, and a discussion on the film will follow. Masks required. 50th ANNUAL DANCE for MOTHER EARTH POWWOW Details pictured right. 28th ANNUAL EXHIBITION of ARTISTS in MICHIGAN PRISONS March 19 - April 2, gallery times vary by day James and Anne Duderstadt Center Gallery (2281 Bonisteel Blvd, Ann Arbor) A project of the Prison Creative Arts Project at the University of Michigan that showcases the work of artists incarcerated in Michigan prisons. FOOLMOON 2024: FOOLBLOOM Friday, April 5, 8-10 p.m. Washtington St., in between Ashley and Main St. Downtown festival of light-filled art, creative experiences and Foolish fun! FESTIFOOLS PARADE Friday, April 7, 4-5 p.m. Main Street in downtown Ann Arbor MARCH 22, 2024 PROVIDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELFDETERMINED INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY POVERTY, PRODUCING A STREET NEWSPAPER THAT GIVES A PLATFORM TO UNDERREPRESENTED VOICES IN WASHTENAW COUNTY, PROMOTING AN ACTION TO BUILD A JUST, CARING AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETY. Groundcover News, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in April 2010 as a means to empower lowincome persons to make the transitions from homeless to housed, and from jobless to employed. Vendors purchase each copy of our regular editions of Groundcover News at our office for 50 cents. This money goes toward production costs. Vendors work selling the paper on the street for $2, keeping all income and tips from each sale. Street papers like Groundcover News exist in cities all over the United States, as well as in more than 40 other countries, in an effort to raise awareness of the plight of homeless people and combat the increase in poverty. Our paper is a proud member of the International Network of Street Papers. STAFF Lindsay Calka — publisher Cynthia Price — editor Simone Masing — intern ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS Elizabeth Bauman Austin Cash Jim Clark La Shawn Courtwright David KE Dodge Heather Feather Mike Jones Lit Kurtz Ahmad Sakallah Wayne Sparks Shawn Swoffer David Winey GROUNDCOVER NEWS ADVERTISING RATES Size 1/8 1/6 1/4 1/2 full page Black/White $110.00 $145.00 $200.00 $375.00 $650.00 Color $150.00 $200.00 $265.00 $500.00 $900.00 Dimensions (W x H in inches) 5 X 3 or 2.5 X 6.5 5 X 4 5 X 6.25 5 X 13 or 10.25 X 6.5 10.25 X 13 CONTACT US PROOFREADERS Susan Beckett Elliot Cubit Anabel Sicko VOLUNTEERS Jane Atkins Jessi Averill Zachary Dortzbach Glenn Gates Alexandra Granberg Robert Klingler Emily Paras Liem Swanson Melanie Wenzel Mary Wisgerhof Max Wisgerhof Emily Yao Story and photo submissions: submissions@groundcovernews.com Advertising and partnerships: contact@groundcovernews.com Office: 423 S. 4th Ave., Ann Arbor Mon-Sat, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Phone: 734-263-2098 @groundcover @groundcovernews DONATE, LISTEN TO A STORY + LEARN MORE www.groundcovernews.org linktr.ee/groundcovernews PACKAGE PRICING Three Months/Six Issues: 15% off Six Months/Twelve Issues: 25% off Full Year/Twenty-four Issues: 35% off Only run for two weeks/one issue: 40% off Additional 20% discount for money saving coupons MARCH 22, 2024 ON MY CORNER MEET YOUR VENDOR GROUNDCOVER NEWS Obama Phones for low-income and unhoused people Barack Obama was elected Lonnie Baker, vendor No. 99 In one sentence, who are you? "A man of God." Where do you usually sell Groundcover News? 12 - 2 p.m. on Saturday at 4th and Catherine, and 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. on Sundays at Thompson and William. When and why did you start selling Groundcover News? In 2013 I had no job and no money. I was unemployed and broke. I needed food and shelter. What is your favorite thing to do in Ann Arbor? Meet and greet the community while selling Groundcover. What words do you live by? Do unto others as you want others to do unto you. What is something about you that someone on the street wouldn’t know? I have a dog. She is a boxer and pit mixed Brindle; her name is "Eden." She will be five in June. What motivates you to work selling Groundcover News? The income that I receive from selling Groundcover News is needed to keep my household a