JANUARY 23, 2026 VENDOR WEEK dear GROUNDCOVER VENDORS, To all vendors: Carry on! You inform, add to, engage, enliven, the communities in which you work — from the ground up. Namaste, Ken :) Thank you for all the ways you remind me to carry hope in my heart and to live with gratitude. I learn something new every time I talk to you. Felicia, your abundant creativity is impressive and your love and work ethic shine in your many endeavors! presence is a pleasure to see at the office on Mondays. Wayne, you remind us to think about the bigger picture and ask more questions. Cindy, thank you for sharing your creative gifts and great conversations with me. Brian, thank you for taking the time to let the people around you know how much you appreciate them. Denise, you're a good listener. I love to hear you laugh. Stephanie (Dent), it is always a joy to cross paths with your sweet self! I'm not surprised you have found success selling Groundcover. The weekends are better because Lonnie is selling Groundcover! My favorite time of day is running into you in town — on the street or in a store — it's always nice to see Pony. Schillington, I appreciate your generosity. B-Man, my favorite t-shirt of all time has your face on it lol! Terri, I am always glad to see you when you are around the office and I am consistently impressed by your determination and commitment. We can't wait for summer karaoke! Jim, thank you for writing your "People In the Neighborhood" articles and feature people in our community we all should get to know better. La Shawn, you are always close to my heart. Shelley, we appreciate your willingness to take on new roles at Groundcover. Hailu, you're the wind beneath our wings! You keep us centered on our paper's purpose. Your articles are getting richer and more interesting all the time, Mike. Welcome back to selling with Groundcover, Peggy! I admire your confidence on stage, Amanda — whenever I hear you sing I can see your joy. Stephanie (Duncan), your calming 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 an issue more than 4 weeks old. • 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 Marius, I admire your positive outlook and motivation to "find or try something new" when making a plan. Shawn (Swoffer), the hard work you've put in to become the vendor you are today shows. I see you showing up and making it work — keep going! Larzell, I hope you're achieving what you're reaching for — you got this! Pedro, I hope you get a book deal someday soon. You are an impressive writer and poet! love, YOUR CUSTOMERS 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 or leave positive review of a Vendor experience please email contact@ groundcovernews.com or fill out the contact form on our website. Joe, you have a good heart and sense of humor. Glen, you're one of my favorite people to reminisce about past pop culture with. Great TV and music recommendations too! Will, thank you for sharing both your impressive written and spoken voice with the community through Groundcover. I'm grateful to benefit from your wisdom and your friendship. Wayne, you're a guy I'm happy to call my friend. Your generous heart and the way you keep focused on making things better for the future are admirable. Tony, we are so happy you're up and at 'em again! You were missed at Old Town and in the office. David — youre positive attitude and warm spirit always brighten the room! GROUNDCOVER NEWS 9
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