2 $ JULY 10, 2026 | VOLUME 17| ISSUE 15 YOUR PURCHASE BENEFITS THE VENDORS. PLEASE BUY ONLY FROM BADGED VENDORS. Echoes of honor: murals at Dunbar Tower revive history, community in Kerrytown. page 8 VENDOR NO. 615 MEET YOUR VENDOR: WAYNE SPARKS PAGE 3 15 YEARS OF NEWS AND SOLUTIONS FROM THE GROUND UP | WASHTENAW COUNTY, MICH. community ARTS edition 2026 THIS PAPER WAS BOUGHT FROM • Proposal: Housing-development accelerator • Charbonneau: Open your eyes to housing inequity. PAGE 4 @groundcovernews, include vendor name and vendor #
2 GROUNDCOVER NEWS GROUNDCOVER15 JULY 10, 2026 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 towards production costs. Vendors work selling the paper on the street for $2, keeping all income and tips from each sale. Vendors are the main contributors to the paper, and are compensated to write and report. 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. This is the last edition of our year long 15th anniversary campaign! STAFF Lindsay Calka — publisher Cynthia Price — editor ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS Elizabeth Bauman Emeri Jade Bey Pedro Campos Jim Clark Cindy Gere Mike Jones Aenea Kanaan Elizabeth "Lit" Kurtz Cisse Love James Manning Anja Mihic Kelli Lee Mitchell Tygar Moore Ken Parks Will Shakespeare Denise Shearer PROOFREADERS Susan Beckett June Miller Anabel Sicko VOLUNTEERS Jane Atkins Jessi Averill Libby Chambers Stephanie Dong Ben Foster Glenn Gates Jacob Fallman Robert Klingler Aklesia Maereg Margaret Patston Mary Wisgerhof Max Wisgerhof BOARD of DIRECTORS Anna Gersh Greg Hoffman Jessi Averill Jacob Fallman Jack Edelstein Glenn Gates Mike Jones Hailu Shitaye Shelley DeNeve Steve Borgsdorf 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 WAYS TO SUPPORT 1. Buy the paper, read the paper. 2. Get the word out — We rely on grassroots marketing. Talk to people about Groundcover and share us with your network. 3. Volunteer — You'll learn a lot about our vendors, the newspaper and your community. Interested in volunteering regularly? Fill out the form on our website. 4. Advertise your company, organization, event or resource — see rates below. 5. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram — promote our posts and share your favorite articles and vendor interactions. 6. Donate items — A seasonally appropiate list of items most needed at our office and on the street is available on our website. Drop off anytime we're open.
JULY 10, 2026 ON MY CORNER MEET YOUR VENDOR Out on a limb “Out on a limb” refers to risk-takers, but also those going after the fruit. Once the low-hanging fruit is gone, you have to go out on a limb to harvest. Egocentric living takes Wayne Sparks, vendor No. 615 In one sentence, who are you? The grandfather of what was, the keeper of plenty of secrets in Ann Arbor about the streets. Where do you usually sell Groundcover? All over town! I like mingling with a wide variety of customers — the staff at Zingerman’s, on campus, and just on the streets! When and why did you start selling Groundcover? The first time I sold a street paper was in the 60s. This is my second go around. I know, it's kind of confusing, right? What is one place in Ann Arbor that feels like your own personal sanctuary? The Arb. What’s your life motto? Power to the People. What advice would you give to your younger self? Everything that glitters is not gold. What is your comfort food? Ice cream. If you were stranded on a desert island and could only bring three things, what would they be? Writing material, plenty of videos, and all my favorite food and drink. If there was a theme song for your life, what would it be? Cat Stevens, "Wild World." If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? Katmandu. What is the weirdest food combo you swear by? Peanut butter and cheese. What change would you like to see in Washtenaw County? Build a new transit system. What’s one question you wished you were asked more often? How do we end homelessness? you far out on a limb every day. Ego makes plans as if it is the master of the universe no matter how many times this illusion is exposed. For those of us on the path of healing, it may seem dangerous to fully detach from ego fixation. Ego got us this far and to live ego-free really feels like going out on a limb. As the branch bends and sways, the fruit may drop to the ground and you can be stuck trying to find your way down. Squirrels easily jump from branch to branch, but human life is a bit more risky especially if you are on an emotional branch far from the trunk. Our emotional habits and addiction to sensation often lead us on a wild goose chase as we seek to find happiness in the chaos of samsara, Sanskrit for the cycle of birth and death.The ego assumption that we are masters of reality is never proven, as unexpected consequences are more the rule than the exception of life. As the sole responsible person for a contracting company after my dad died, I once worked up to one hundred hours a week for some months, too busy to take a good look at accounts receivable and accounts payable. Eventually I discovered that I was up to $40,000 in the hole. It was a Courtyard by Marriott project and I was making payroll but behind on withholding to the IRS, not to mention suppliers. The last bill I paid off was $10,000 for wallpaper paste. I was honorbound to that supplier. The IRS was the biggest debt — interest and penalties can dwarf the original bill — and negotiations get wicked. In an interview with Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, a trusted spiritual friend and Abbot of the Karma Kagyu monastery in Woodstock, New York, I said, “You would think that if you worked hard, at least some of your expectations would be met.” He looked at me and said calmly, “Of all the causes of events, your expectations are a drop in the ocean.” The truth is always obvious, but that does not mean we will see it. We need those who can point the way. Social media is full of opportunities to go out on a limb. The lure of intimate happiness is so tempting, especially in detailed chats, juicy or not, that look like a convergence of values and plans to follow up. So I went out on a limb and accepted an invitation to Manhattan in early June. I was so looking forward to our planned trip to the monastery in Woodstock, New York. When I got to La Guardia Airport, the chat had stopped and she did not show up to get me. She knew that my Avalon Housing check for rent overpayment did not come in time, another chapter in the book, so I was arriving with little money. No return ticket. I may never know what happened, but the limb bent and swayed. My core community warned me that my chat KEN PARKS Groundcover vendor No. 490 looked like a scam, but I did not want to waste my ticket and hoped we had a workable relationship. Groundcover friends grabbed the bull by the horns and got me a return ticket for 7:15 the next morning. My experience of being broke and homeless in New York was short. Sleeping on an airport floor is not sweet. I found a column with an outlet where I could rest and charge my phone. It had charged when it was time to go through TSA, who brought out the dogs to sniff us in a special line, but I forgot my charger which was brand new at a $40 cost. I hope someone in need got it! In the 1950s, I loved to climb trees because they welcomed me and I felt safer up high than among humans. Bullying is so deep in the culture that we take it for granted. The subtle forms of one-upmanship may do more damage than the violent expressions. When you realize you have low status, you may go out on many limbs to prove your worth. It is not a fun way to live. Your worth cannot be proven, but it can be accepted. It is our birthright, often lost in childhood as we are socialized into compliance culture which is based on a chain of command structure. I never read “Catch 22,” but the phrase is in the language and refers to the bureaucratic dilemma of our time.The fact that you applied is the basis for denial of the request. The culture puts you out on a limb regularly and you cannot be surprised if you are suddenly homeless or ill and your life appears to be over. There is the possibility of finally getting grounded when you hit bottom and you learn to quit digging a deeper hole. No matter who and where you are, we are always surrounded by reality as mentioned in the June 12 Groundcover News article “Facing Reality” on page 10. The error of dualism is so common that we easily forget the truth. Dualism is a way of thinking that divides reality into two parts, the most common being self and other. The error of this view becomes apparent when we glimpse even the shortest experience of the primordial expanse, best described as the all good expanse of primordial purity or the Clear Light of the Void — the phrase I first saw in The Tibetan Book of the Dead. This is a limb worth going out on. Assumptions matter, so look for the best one. The mystery of death can be an adventure. Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on, as in the great song of the civil rights movement. The freedom that benefits all beings without exception is the best branch to go out on. Every mistake can be abandoned and the turn to freedom will bless you on your path. Listen to Maddy Ringo as she sings, “Going Up The Mountain.” About the cover: This year's Community Arts Edition cover was once again collaboratively painted by Groundcover News vendors, organized by Cindy Gere, vendor No. 279! GROUNDCOVER NEWS 3
4 GROUNDCOVER NEWS HOMELESSNESS On Tuesday, June 16, 2026, the Ypsilanti City Council held its biweekly meeting. On the agenda was “Resolution 2026-142,” a resolution that would initiate a homeless encampment eviction, also known as a “sweep.” The camp in question is located on a former city dump south of the BellKramer neighborhood. It has been occupied by people experiencing homelessness for more than a year, with a rotating stream of inhabitants. Currently, there are five people seeking shelter there. Here is “Resolution No. 2026-142 Authorizing the Removal of the Encampment at Kramer Street and Bell Street" truncated for space: “Whereas the encampment located near Kramer Street and Bell Street has generated significant concerns from nearby homeowners ... “And whereas the city recognizes that homeowners and long-term residents are taxpayers who rely upon the city to protect community well-being and uphold municipal ordinances ... “And whereas the city also acknowledges that individuals residing in the encampment are experiencing housing instability, economic hardship, and vulnerable circumstances, and that these residents deserve to be treated with dignity, compassion, and respect ... “Whereas the ongoing conditions at the encampment present health and safety risks both to the individuals living there and to the surrounding neighborhood ... “And whereas the city has coordinated with community partners, outreach teams, and service agencies to ensure that the residents of the encampment are offered appropriate resources, including shelter options, transportation, available connections to housing support services, and referral to mental health, addiction treatment, and other relevant providers ... “And whereas the City Council seeks to balance the rights and needs of homeowners with the urgent humanitarian needs of residents experiencing homelessness ... “Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Ypsilanti that city staff, in coordination with social service partners, are hereby authorized to proceed with the removal of the encampment at Kramer and Bell Street in a manner that is: 1. Lawful and in full compliance with local ordinances, state law, and constitutional requirements. 2. Respectful, ensuring that all individuals residing in the encampment execution plan. It does not state when the removal should occur, nor does it establish a timeline for partnering with community agencies. In fact, had the resolution been JIM CLARK Groundcover vendor No. 139 are informed, treated with dignity, and given reasonable time to gather their belongings. 3. Compassionate, requesting that service providers be present prior to and during the clearing process to offer shelter placement, outreach support, case management connections, and transportation when appropriate. 4. Accountable, ensuring that all actions taken are documented and that the property is restored to a clean, safe, and accessible condition following the removal. 5. Collaborative, encouraging continued partnership with housing agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community members to address the broader issue of homelessness in a sustainable and humane manner. “Be it further resolved that the City Council reaffirms its commitment to long-term strategies aimed at expanding affordable housing, supporting homelessness prevention programs, and strengthening outreach and crisis response systems within the City of Ypsilanti.” While the language of the resolution contains elements of both compassion and accountability, it is still an order to remove an encampment. It acknowledges the neighbors’ need for safety from illegal activities and recognizes that the inhabitants of the Bell-Kramer encampment also have rights, that they are seeking housing and employment, and in order to get those things, they need support. Simply put, it boils down to “remove the encampment” and “set them up for success before it is removed.” Removal can literally happen overnight, whereas the support will take weeks or months to properly secure. Council Member Me’Chelle King strongly supported approving and activating the resolution that night. Even though she did not write the resolution, it was her idea after visiting Bell-Kramer homeowner Michelle Simmons, accompanied by Mayor Nicole Brown. Mayor Pro Tem Steve Wilcoxen was the first to notice that the resolution was more like a statement of intent as opposed to an approved, the only thing that could have happened next would have been for the police to clear out the camp. Council Member Amber Fellows tried to table the resolution until a plan could be put in place. King pushed back, saying the neighborhood wanted immediate action and something had to be determined that night. Ultimately, the resolution was tabled until July 21 in order to give City Manager Andrew Hellenga time to accomplish tasks that would set the encampment residents up for success. Here are some of the relevant minutes: Council Member King moved to approve the resolution authorizing the removal of the encampment. Council Member Roland Tooson seconded the motion. Council Member Fellows moved, supported by Council Member Desirae Simmons, to table it to the next meeting on July 21 in order to make a plan that is consistent with the intentions of the resolution. The motion to table failed upon a roll call vote as follows: Yes: (2) Desirae Simmons, Amber Fellows No: (5) Me'Chelle King, Roland Tooson, Steve Wilcoxen, Nicole Brown, Patrick McLean Council Member Fellows moved, supported by Council Member Simmons, to amend the resolution to have the city manager meet with certain parties. Upon discussion, the motion was withdrawn. Mayor Pro Tem Wilcoxen moved to table the resolution. Council Member Patrick McLean seconded the motion. Yes: (5) Steve Wilcoxen, Nicole Brown, Patrick McLean, Amber Fellows, Desirae Simmons No: (2) Me'Chelle King, Roland Tooson One community member who spoke during public comments was Ben Foster from the homeless solidarity and mutual aid group Washtenaw Camp Outreach. Foster is a resident of Ypsilanti who spends a great deal of time interacting and supporting neighbors experiencing homelessness. For many years he has been watching City Council, neighbors, landlords, the police, business owners, activists and unsheltered citizens battle over property rights versus human rights. As a community leader, Foster keeps an eye on the government and non-profit claims, efforts, and efficacy. JULY 10, 2026 Notice This: Ypsi Bell-Kramer homeless encampment eviction “Andrew Hellenga was given some homework. Do you know if he has made any progress?” I asked. “Yes and no,” Foster replied. “One homework assignment was to arrange a meeting with the Bell-Kramer neighborhood, the camp residents, WCO, LEAF, PATH, and Home of New Vision.” LEAF, which stands for Liberation, Empathy, Advocacy and Future, is a state-sanctioned harm reduction program and facility. The Home of New Vision is a substance-abuse resource program, and PATH, Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness, is a Community Mental Health program that reaches out to homeless populations with mental health services and resources. “Do you know when that meeting’s gonna happen?” “Yeah, so that is the piece of the puzzle that has not been figured out [at the time of this interview]. As far as, like, what has been accomplished so far, there’s been a 20-yard dumpster delivered and a commitment from the city that the dumpster will be emptied as needed, and that they’ve reached out to SHINE (Supportive Hands in Neighborhood Enhancement, a city post-incarceration transition program), which has been contracting with the city to clean up the trash at other encampments.” “Someone said PATH was going out there at least once a week. Is that true?” I asked. “I think they’ve increased their frequency. I don’t know if it’s true or not, as far as whether the folks who live at the camp have confirmed that or not. But, yeah, I don’t know,” Foster replied. Foster explained, “The resources that PATH can offer people are to assist you with identification paperwork, help you access drug treatment resources or mental health treatment resources, get you on a path towards permanent supportive housing, and they can get the ball rolling on these bureaucratic processes that take a really long time to bear fruit.” Foster continued, “Specifically, there are people at the camp that have been trying to get jobs because they say, ‘Even if we get housing, how are we going to pay for utilities? How are we gonna pay whatever portion of our rent we have to pay? How are we gonna pay for food? How are we going to afford the expenses that come with living in an apartment as opposed to living in a tent?’ Which are valid questions, because the main barrier to some of them getting jobs is their criminal backgrounds.” see EVICTION page 6
JULY 10, 2026 COMMUNITY EVENTS letter to the EDITOR I’m lucky I live in the downtown core of Ypsilanti. Were it necessary for me to drive or bus into town I would have taken a pass on the 4th of July parade. I’m glad I was able to attend. It was an example of true Americana. No snark or vitriol, no saber rattling. Throngs of families, the high school marching bands, the classic cars Ypsi is famous for. Candy everywhere — I had teased my partner I was going to go full NFL to get candy. I didn't. This parade was an actual wholesome example of the United States so many of us wish for. So many of us grew up believing in. The USA we were taught in school. The USA we said The Pledge of Allegiance to every morning for years. Politics were present in the presence of different politically active organizations but they just gave out candy, waved and smiled. It was easy to forget amongst the ready politeness and shared smiles with strangers the fractures in our nation. Our deep community EVENTS 30TH ANNUAL ROLLING SCULPTURE CAR SHOW Friday, July 10, 2-10 p.m. downtown Ann Arbor. The Rolling Sculpture Car Show is a celebration of timeless design, unparalleled craftsmanship and the passion for classic cars. From sleek muscle cars to elegant vintage models, The Rolling Sculpture Car Show showcases over 300 automobiles spanning decades of automotive innovation. MILAN LAVENDER HARVEST FESTIVAL Saturday-Sunday, July 11-12, (Sat. 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sun 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.). Lavender Farm, 12040 Plank Rd. Milan. Stroll through 10,000 lavender plants in full bloom; take free photos in our fields with many photo props (cellphone only); purchase hardy purple and white lavender plants for your yard; participate in "U-PICK" lavender — and many more family friendly activities! $10 cash admission. Kids 12 and under are free! SUMMER GAME SPECTACULAR Saturday, July 11, 1-4 p.m. Veterans Park, 2150 Jackson Ave. Ann Arbor. All invited to try some of the outdoor games in the AADL collection. Also, performances by local aerial and circus artists, bubbles, food trucks and more. PAINT THE TOWN BLOCK PARTY Tuesday, July 14, 5-9 p.m. downtown Ann Arbor. Formerly the Townie Street Party, this popular pre-Art Fair community event now includes activities and live music throughout downtown with events along Liberty and Main. Features participator art projects, chalk art demos (5 and 7 p.m.) by David Zinn, an instrument petting zoo (5-8 p.m.) led by members of the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, pickleball courts, live music by the local classic rock band Ain’t Dead Yet, dancing to music spun by DJ Batz, a silent disco dance party with tunes transmitted to dancer’s headphones (provided), and more. Food trucks. Also “Dart for Art” (6 p.m.) a 1-mile walk/run through downtown ($30 in advance at dartforart.org). For a complete schedule of events see theannarborartfair.com/ kickoff-events THE ANN ARBOR ART FAIR Thursday-Saturday, July 16-18, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. (Thursday, Friday), 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. (Saturday), downtown Ann Arbor. Perennial multiday art fair houses more than 1,000 artists from Michigan and around the nation in three separate fairs. theannarborartfair.com YPSI PRIDE Saturday, July 18, 2-10 p.m. Depot Town, Ypsilanti. Join for full day and evening of LGBTQIA+ focused events, sales and performances. All ages welcome. Join in celebrating the beauty of differences, the power of unity, and the incredible stories that bring people together. Ypsi Pride is more than a celebration — it’s a declaration that the richness of the community lies in the stories shared, and in return, we all find strength and resilience. JAZZ IN THE PARKING LOT Saturday, July 18, 6-9 p.m. YCS Shadford Field, 2095 Packard Road, Ypsilanti. Bring a chair and enjoy the sounds of the Sean Dobbins Trio! Hustle lessons by StarLisa Henderson from Detroit begin at 6 p.m. — live music starts at 7 p.m. Food trucks and community resource vendors will be onsite! Kids 18 and under eat free with Meet Up Eat Up! This is a free event. Submit an event to be featured in the next edition: submissions@groundcovernews.com political divides didn’t seem so important for a couple hours. I can be verbose in my criticisms of 'Merica but I didn't feel any of that today. I felt part of a town with a long rich history. Rosie the Riveter was repped, one classic car kept stalling and of course each time, Michigan men stepped in without a thought for a push, as we do. We watched the parade but we watched the people around us more and I was proud of our town. I wonder what the 500th Fourth will look like. — Steven S. GROUNDCOVER NEWS What’s Happening at the Ann Arbor District Library Open 10am–8pm Daily Visit any of our five locations across town to browse books, magazines, newspapers, and more. Check out movies, CDs, art prints, musical instruments, or even home tools—you name it! Enjoy fast and free WiFi, study and meeting rooms, and plenty of comfortable spaces to relax or hang out. 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! Exhibitions at AADL In an effort to increase the visual education & artistic experience of all visitors, the Library’s exhibition program features local, regional, & national artists as well as traveling exhibits. Potential exhibitors can submit an application along with images of the actual works to be considered for review by the Library Exhibits Committee. Summer Game Code: ITSCOVERED FEATURED EVENT 5 LEGO Contest • Sunday, August 2 • Sheraton Hotel Enter your best LEGO project in AADL’s 21st annual LEGO Contest, held at the Sheraton Hotel. Learn more and explore the contest guidelines at aadl.org/LEGO!
6 GROUNDCOVER NEWS MUSEUMS University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA) is a museum on State Street with artwork that reels in people’s attention as soon as it’s spotted. I went into this museum and interviewed Stella Moore, who was working at the front desk. Tygar: What is your all-time favorite exhibit? Stella: American Sampler because it covers U.S. history of activism and protest from the 50s to the 70s. TYGAR MOORE Groundcover vendor No. 664 the museum — did you study the art or just browse? Stella: Browsing on the first go but over time I studied the artifacts. Tygar: How would you get tourists to come visit? Stella: They notice the sculpture "Behind the Walls" and it draws the attention of the tourists. Tygar: On a scale from 1-10, how would you rate the museum? Stella:10! Tygar: What’s the audience’s favorPainting by Romare Bearden, currently on exhibit as part of American Sampler: Activating the Archive. Tygar: Have any of the artifacts reeled you in to traveling to the actual landmark? Stella: Nigerian table manners made me want to try Nigerian cultural foods. Tygar: What are some details that you can remember about a culture that is in the exhibit? Stella: Felix Gonzalez Torres (two light bulbs that glow and burn out) in American Sampler. Tygar: How was your first go around ite exhibit? Stella: "Love is What You Want" by Tracey Emin on the third floor. My interview with Stella made me wonder about how you would attract tourists to a museum without artworks in front of the exhibit, which led me to the Kelsey Museum of Archeology, also on State St., and my interview with Jordan, the front desk coordinator. Tygar: What is your all-time favorite exhibit? Jordan: Cat mummies. Tygar: Have any of the artifacts reeled you in to traveling to the actual landmark? Jordan: An arrowhead — it got me Left: Orion (2008) by Mark di Suvero. Right: Behind the Walls (2018) by Jaume Plensa, both found outside the UMMA on State Street. to travel to Sylvania, Ohio for the stone dig. Tygar: What are some details that you can remember about a culture that is in the exhibit? Jordan: Cat mummies tells the story about the mummification of the cats. Tygar: How was your first go around the museum? Did you study the exhibits or just browse? Jordan: Browsed. Tygar: How would you get tourists to come visit? Jordan: Flyers and posters on what to look for. Tygar: On a scale from 1-10, how would you rate the museum? Jordan: 9. Tygar: What’s the patrons’ favorite exhibit? Jordan: The villa exhibit with interactive artifacts. From my visits to both museums, I really enjoyed the interviewers and looking at the pieces of art to see what really intrigues people and what reels them in. University of Michigan Museum of Art is located at 525 S. State St. Tue– Thu: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m; Friday 11 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sat–Sun 10 a.m.–5 p.m. closed on Mondays. Kelsey Museum of Archaeology is located at 434 S State St. Tue– Friday: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.* Sat–Sun 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Closed Mondays and University holidays. *Open late (until 7:30 p.m.) on the third Thursday of each month! Both museums are free to the public. JULY 10, 2026 U-M campus museums lure visitors with visuals EVICTION from page 4 As far as the rest of Hellenga’s homework, here is the full list of tasks and his status report (in quotes) as of June 29: Call and arrange a meeting with BellKramer residents, the camp residents, WCO, LEAF, PATH, and Home of New Vision. “Scheduled for July 8.” Check on if the opioid settlement funds can be used by checking with the Attorney General’s Office. “Yes, if the focus is on harm reduction, the funds can be used.” Increase Ypsilanti Police Department patrols in the area. “Yes, patrols have been increased.” Place trash cans and sharps containers at the edge of the encampment. “Sharps containers were provided by LEAF, and a 20-yard dumpster has been placed there. Currently, the site is being cleaned by the SHINE Team and should be completed the week of July 6.” Overall, there seems to be some attempt at cooperation between advocates for the resolution and advocates for the people sheltering in the encampment. When asked about the climate of the June 16 city council meeting, Foster said, “It felt like the ‘window of positive growth’ was moving forward. There were a lot of people at that City Council meeting who lived in that neighborhood, BellKramer, and were there to advocate for the resolution.” Foster summarized, “Whether people there were in favor of or in opposition to the resolution, they had constructive conversations eventually. They had conversations that started out tense and sort of oppositional, and they reached a point where they could talk.” The resolution echoes best practices from the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty which were read aloud at the June 16 city council meeting by Council Member Simmons. There are six: All people need a safe, accessible, legal place to be, both at night and during the day, and a place to securely store belongings until permanent housing is found. Delivery of services must respect the experience, human dignity, and human rights of those receiving them. Any move or removal of an encampment must follow clear procedures that protect residents. Where new temporary legalized encampments are used as part of a continuum of shelter and housing, ensure it is as close as possible to fully adequate housing. Adequate alternative housing must be a decent alternative. Law enforcement should serve and all members of the protect community. Update: On July 8, parties (City of Ypsilanti staff and council members, a camper and a homeowner fromBell-Kramer, CMH, LEAF and WCO) met via an online call to continue solutions-oriented conversations. Information was shared regarding the dire state of our state’s housing resources. City Manager Andrew Hellenga committed to supporting campers with employment. An informal task force was formed to draft proposal language to create a safe tenting site, for proposal at the July 21 Ypsi City Council meeting.
JULY 10, 2026 GALLERIES GROUNDCOVER NEWS Local Ypsi advocate facing misdemeanor for checking on elderly man FROM LOCAL REPORTS On January 18, 2026 an Ypsilanti community advocate (uses they/them pronouns) was worried about a cognitively impaired elderly Black man who was being detained by police outside the Ypsilanti Transit Center. The advocate knows the man well, having acted as a caretaker for him in the past, and they were worried about a violent outcome to the ongoing arrest. They heckled the police and took a photo of what was happening while the police detained the man, eventually sending him to the hospital. Six months later, the advocate is now facing a misdemeanor charge for “interfering with a police investigation.” They received paperwork in the mail on Monday, July 5, with notification about a Zoom pre-trial arraignment scheduled for 9 a.m. on Monday, July 22 at the 14-2A District Court. Charges are being brought by City Attorney Randolph "Randy" Barker on behalf of the Ypsilanti Police Department. Contact Barker and demand he drop the charges on Kaitlin Pedri! Email barker@cmplaw.com or call 734-997-2156. 7 Jelena Damnjanovic: "I want people to see my art" ANJA MIHIC Liceulice, street paper in Serbia I recently started selling Liceulice. I’m involved in art, but I was unemployed. I went to a special education school in Novi Sad, Serbia and trained as a bookbinder. Before that, I was in a regular elementary school, but it wasn’t going very well for me. I had a problem with that environment. My mother thought I should change it, so we did. In the new school, I was the top student of my year. I had a beautiful and happy childhood. I grew up in a good family. I could relax when I was a child. I played and spent time with friends. Life was healthier back then. People were more sociable; we spent more time together. Today, playgrounds are half empty; I suppose the internet has distanced us from one another. School was a bit of a problem for me, but that happened and passed. In the end, I managed to find my own path and do what I love. I started drawing and painting when I was still a child. I drew and scribbled wherever I could. I also worked with clay and plasticine. My mother taught me all of that. I did a lot of creative things and showed talent. My mother then enrolled me in an educational program at the School of Design in Novi Sad. I was also active in several humanitarian organizations, where I mostly learned creative things, such as decoupage [covering objects with paper or fabric]. And here I am, still involved in art so many years later. I’m interested in icon painting and church art, but I also draw still lifes, animals, people, children and characters from films and series. I draw anything I like or anything that touches me. I also find inspiration in cartoons, anime series, fairy tales and fables. I love it when animation is creepy, Gothic and twisted. I think it’s great when cartoons are a little scary. That’s why I’m a big fan of Tim Burton. I also do graphic design, illustration and digital art. I mostly like working with acrylic paints, tempera, and markers, but I also use drawing programs and Photoshop. I use whatever I can get my hands on. I know how to work with charcoal and almost every other drawing material. I have taken part in many exhibitions. I sold paintings in cooperation with the special school I attended. The years when I couldn’t work because of Covid were difficult. Everything changed after that. I managed to go to art colonies. I took part in various events and festivals, and traveled quite a lot outside Serbia. Then, in 2022 and 2023, I worked at Inkluzivno mesto, the work center of my school’s daycare center. There I held exhibitions and sold paintings. Last year, I had a sales exhibition at the Stevan Sremac Library in Novi Sad. When I draw, I feel good. My wish is to have my own studio: to paint icons, works of art and portraits; to have my own little place where I can work. My uncle introduced me to icon painting. Still, I learned the most from my mother, who sadly died of cancer in 2017. I also learned a lot at art colonies and at the daycare center from my mentor Ivana. At the colonies, there is good company and a nice atmosphere. The people are good, there is nature and a person can relax. I want to visit more of those art colonies around Serbia, to see everything that is organized and happening. I would also like to go to Belgrade for an exhibition, to see that too. I also want people to see and feel my art. I have had good experiences with the Patrija association, through which I sell Liceulice. They organize workshops where I met many colleagues: Ružica, Ištvan, David, Zoran, Mira, Jelena is a Liceulice vendor who enjoys painting and illustrating. Photo by Anja Mihic. Radmila. We have a nice time together. Now that I have started selling the magazine, I don’t have as much free time anymore. I paint as much as I can and whenever I manage to. I try. I also get a little tired from all the walking involved in selling. I sell in various places in Novi Sad, wherever there are a lot of people. Sales are going well for me, and they make me happy. It helps me not sit at home so much. I move around, I walk. It relaxes me to go from one location to another. Last summer, I sold quite a lot. I live well from it, I can earn money. I also read the magazine myself. I like the texts about feminism and environmental protection, about how to make our planet cleaner and better. I like that the texts in the magazine often talk about how we should help one another in difficult times. I recommend those kinds of texts to customers too. The only thing I would add is more texts about animation and anime cartoons; that Illustrations by Jelena Damnjanovic would be interesting. Translated from Serbian by Rade Zivanovic. Courtesy of Liceulice / INSP.ngo really
8 GROUNDCOVER NEWS DUNBAR TOWER JULY 10, 2026 Echoes of honor: murals at Dunbar Tower revive history, community in Kerrytown CISSE LOVE Groundcover contributor The next time you visit the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, be sure to view the amazing murals adorning Dunbar Tower at 121 Catherine Street in historic Kerrytown. Artist selection began with a Request For Qualifications where artists described their interest, references, and video and pictures of prior artwork for consideration. Now we can live with such a dynamic and beautifully cultivated collection worthy of the name Dunbar. There you will encounter the work of the live painter and muralist Curtis Wallace, whose work reflects elders holding space for their Grands and imagining a future where anything is possible. The visual images of a child’s imagination of other-worldly beings is creatively painted by Robin Speth on the rear entrance of suite L. Freelance artist and muralist T’onna Clemons graced the EV charging spaces with her signature cartoons that reward us with vibrant reminders and offer instruction. Residents can enjoy an activity space framed with T’onna’s mural of the archetypical black family dressed in boldness, with a colorful contrast that accentuates the church as its cornerstone. Painter Chadwick Smith provides a contemporary mural found in the lobby area of the building welcoming to residents with beauty and diversity. Dustin Hunt, the creative and founder of Muralmatics, specializes in socially-engaged, community-based, commissioned art-work. I hope you are as impressed with his graffiti style application as I am. The subject of his work is the historic Dunbar Center (1923-1960 at various locations) now known as the Ann Arbor Community Center located at 625 N. Main Street in Ann Arbor. The parking garage showcases what Dustin explained resulted in this series of vignettes; his process for discovery included the insightful staff at the downtown AADL. Reviewing interviews and other first person narratives, Dustin learned the Dunbar Center was used for community organizing, boyscouts, homework help, social dances, and other people-building activities in the black community. Dustin found connectivity with his subjects and focused his artistic expression on how the community bonded together. You can imagine it to be a history lesson beautifully displaying and gloriously honoring the Kerrytown residents who lived here a century ago. Don’t miss the young man depicted reading, who can hold a lighter load because of those who came before him. In a brief interview, Dustin expressed his desire to depict a supportive group of people, community building activities, and humanitarian efforts of BIPOCs (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) in their age. In his words, “The kiddo that’s on the left side of the composition is wearing a sweater. Inside his sweater, there is going to be one red thread that wraps back into the history to say that he is protected by and kept warm by his history and all the connectivity found in those activities.” What an excellent job creating vignettes depicting the rich history of Ann Arbor when prominent black neighborhoods worked through pivotal parts of our country's history. All of the murals bring the past into the present by inspiring us today. Dustin's contribution is a great addition alongside those of fellow artisans. I hope all of the A2-Townies visit the Dunbar Tower parking structure to view this amazing masterpiece. I was happy to catch T’onna Clemons putting some finishing touches on the parking spaces and enjoyed her interview thoroughly. This artist is ancestrally a product of Kerrytown and a whole creative vibe. T'onna has been a professional artist for close to twelve years and states she feels like she has been one her entire life. T’onna graciously expresses, “My inspiration is waking up everyday and being myself. Because, doing art is just me — it’s just part of my life in general even when I am not working.” A true Ann Arbor-Indigenous, Ms. Clemons' family has lived in Ann Arbor for seven generations and she attended Pioneer High School. T’onna decided to become an artist over the family-expected, standard career paths and chose not to lean on the mind-set of a starving artist. She continued to make art, be creative, and grow in her craft, deciding to build her acumen as a painter. During the pandemic, T’onna would bring her supplies, business cards and a desire to paint something large to West Park. Weekly she would bring a ten foot canvas to the park, drape it about the baseball diamond, and go to work. According to T’onna, “That’s how it started, a painting in the park and a couple of free murals.” Her encouragement to young artists, “Always bet on yourself, and never doubt yourself. Never let anyone doubt you, and know that as long as you try and give effort to something, it will always work out.” Thank you for being the creative you are. See more of Ms. Clemons paintings, comics, murals and prints at www.tlcart.gallery and Dunbar Tower. Murals embody the artistic expression of the building's namesake, Paul Laurence Dunbar: rich in character, expression and diversity. I hope the reader will join me in visiting the Murals in the parking structure and through-way between Dunbar Tower and Mocha House on Catherine Street.
JULY 10, 2026 DUNBAR TOWER MIKE JONES Groundcover vendor No. 113 Imagine you find yourself unhoused. Imagine trying to create when displaced and constantly on the move. Imagine having all these artistic visions in your head but not being able to manifest them because you are too occupied with basic survival.This often happens to people who find themselves unhoused; their artistic talents go unused, not allowing that individual to thrive, but only to survive. The Dunbar Towers is located at 121 Catherine on the northwest corner of 4th Avenue and Catherine Street in Ann Arbor, and has 63 living units, with half the apartments for people experiencing homelessness and half geared toward low-income artists and other creative types. It is now the new home for former unhoused and low-income individuals to create and thrive, and to honor the city’s Black Cindy Gere Both stores where my art is displayed are in the Ypsi area. This, That & the ODDer Shop is in Depot Town at 50 E Cross St. Twisted Things is in the downtown area at 40 N. Huron St. Please come and see Kung Fu Panda’s artwork! history. Founded in 1923, the Dunbar Community Center was named after the renowned African-American poet and novelist Paul Laurence Dunbar. The Center initially provided housing for Black railroad workers and students before becoming a vital social and cultural hub for the city's Black community. The Dunbar Towers were built on the former location of the Center to honor that history. The Old Fourth Ward and Ann St./Fourth Ave. Historic Districts was a predominantly Black neighborhood centered around several Black-owned businesses for most of the twentieth century. The Kayser Block building, just GROUNDCOVER NEWS Local low-income artists thrive at Dunbar Tower! 9 Artists TJ (left) and Andrew Patton (right) recently moved into Dunbar Tower. I grew up in this neighborhood and south of the site, was home to the Colored Welfare League which housed Black-owned businesses and community organizations such as the early Dunbar Community Center. sell Groundcover newspapers in this area, so I thought it would be nice to see DUNBAR ARTISTS page 11 James Manning Denise Shearer Eamonn Ofoighill
10 GROUNDCOVER NEWS POETRY The Beat Generation STEVEN Groundcover contributor The first time I heard the term Beatnik it was used disparagingly to describe the character Maynard G. Krebs on the 50s sitcom The Many Lives of Dobie Gillis. My ten-ish-yearold mind was blown. To see Gilligan in black and white and not being Gilligan. This must have been before he became a sailor. I reckoned and thought not much else about him or Beatniks for a few years but then I found "On The Road" by Jack Kerouac and my life changed. In the 90s there was a bit of a revival of Beat culture. Many of us GenXers embraced the hippies and weed and free love but many also rejected hippies for as many reasons as there are people. For some of us, myself and many of my friends, we had embraced some punk rock ideals. AIDS made free love problematic and frankly hippies were many of our parents and we rejected Boomers outright. But the Beats now, our Grandparents’ generation, check. Smoked pot and loved jazz, check, check. Outcasts who rejected authority, embraced Black culture and broke the rules of the elite literary establishment, inspiring a whole generation and creating a lasting legacy of critical thought and doing all this with style and panache. Done. We were hooked. There were and still are dozens of Beat authors and poets and artists but the unquestioned big three influencers were headlined by Allen Ginsberg, who wrote the famous epic poem "Howl," a groundbreaking poem considered by many to be a modern masterpiece. I was lucky enough to see him read an excerpt from "Howl" at Hill Auditorium in the 90s. Hearing him read it — I had read it — but hearing him read it still gives me goosebumps as I think about it now. He and many of the Beats were also heavily engaged with eastern thought and religion, Ginsberg being a Buddhist and involved with Ann Arbor's local Buddhist monastery. William S. Burroughs was older than the rest and thought of as an elder statesman of sorts. He was one of the few early Beats who didn’t attend Columbia University, but was connected to people who did. He met the other big two through a crazy series of events including murder, hate crimes, cover-ups, homosexuality (illegal at Hal Chase, Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, William S. Burroughs. Near Columbia University. the time), drugs and god knows what. They lived counterculture. Jack Kerouac, considered the Father of the Beat Generation, a moniker he was never comfortable with, was arguably the most mainstream famous, making TV appearances and publishing several books to much acclaim. He wrote "On the Road," a stream of consciousness prose written as if he were using words as his instrument to noodle jazz. He died at 47 due to years of alcohol abuse. He was known as an enthusiastic listener at clubs and readings, hooting, hollering and banging an empty gallon wine jug on the floor the first time his friend read "Howl" in public. These three and many more — Gregory Corso, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Amiri Baraka, Diane di Prima, to name a very few — were more than writers and poets and artists. They were free thinkers in a world beat down by war and institutionalized racism, political disillusionment, enforced patriotism, homophobia, sexism and religious persecution. It's easy to see why so many people still relate to them now. They didn’t let The Man get them down though, they changed the world. JULY 10, 2026 City Walking KELLI LEE MITCHELL Groundcover contributor Backpack, check. Ratty umbrella, check. Two pairs of shoes, check, check. I’ve logged a million miles in this city, and I’m the only one who knows it. I could pretend that little Robin over there noticed me, but he’s just another bird. I might find a penny, or a cap, or a can. If I get lucky, someone will ask, “Uhh, how do you do, ma’am?” I’ll definitely get asked for money, to which I’ll respond I have none. Soon spend the day being followed by a grudge from someone’s bitter son. I’ll visit every museum, except for on Mondays. Have sunshine and book dates while I contemplate the wind. I’ll peek in every shop and wish I dressed the windows. I’ll pass by all the playgrounds and miss the laughter of my kiddos. I’ll walk until the sun sets and then lie awake all night. Tomorrow I will watch the sun rise while I slowly drink coffee and cry. Then I’ll go walking again. Elements therapy KELLI LEE MITCHELL Hard Rain. The element is rain and it pours down. Easily recognizable, I hear rain. Let’s move back. I move away from the rain. I picture my body as a cave. I see my nose, become earth, and I push back……..far back. I only see stone behind me. When I look down, I see my surroundings. The front door is my nose. I see light pour in from both sides. I look down again and see bone. I think I am now the staircase.
JULY 10, 2026 POETRY The specter of imperialism AENEA KANAAN Groundcover contributor i don’t know about you, but genocides are a specter in my mind running in the background haunting me all the time my family wasn’t perfect, like most i knew strife what i didn’t have to contend with however, were daily bombs falling from the sky their detonators cowards who can't look their prey in the eye but through the lens of a drone yet they take millions of lives the bones keep piling up they’re rotting in the sky. but back at home, in the land where freedom rings you only see blue children of gaza, of congo, sudan, and sadly too many to name see only an ashy hue they can’t say the same as you; their lives are evasion, starvation, survival they make toys out of tank tires while yours are safe on plastic at the kindercare. see the irony there? the thought that doesn’t leave, the one that always lingers; are they not kids, just like yours? just like you were? kids should be kids, you say kids deserve to be kids, i’d say no matter the shade, from which land they came, from where they call home — they all want the same, to play and have fun to learn about their world to love! only theirs is staring down the barrel of a gun. despite it all... they darn those rose colored glasses i also wore to cope the roses have become their eyes, their blooming life lines because seeing the light keeps them alive. GROUNDCOVER NEWS 11 Reiki Entanglement Two hands almost touching. The space between them is not empty. Something moves. PEDRO CAMPOS Groundcover vendor No. 652 Not magic. Not mystery alone. Not something to sell. Just relation. Summer Breeze EMERI JADE BEY Groundcover vendor No. 660 Golden mornings spill like gold, Across the fields where laughter's told. Barefoot races through the grass, Watching slow white clouds drift past. Fireflies wake as daylight fades, Dancing through the twilight glades. Ice cream melts on smiling hands, Tiny castles crown the sands. Bicycles hum on winding streets, To the rhythm summer beats. Picnics spread beneath the trees, Carried there by gentle breeze. Skies are painted pink and blue, Every sunset fresh and new. Summer whispers, "Stay awhile," Wrapping every day in smiles. When autumn calls with cooler air, The memories remain to share— A season stitched with sun and play, Bright enough to light gray days. DUNBAR ARTISTS from page 9 stop by and take a look inside and talk to a few residents. I ran into an old friend who is an artist and lives at the Dunbar Towers, Andrew Patton. For the last two years he asked me to write an article featuring him and his art. We did an interview right there on the spot. Jones: What type of art do you do? Patton: I make designer clothes, paint pictures, I do tattoos, I do it all. Jones: How long have you been doing art? Patton: All my life. Jones: How do you like living at the Dunbar Towers? Patton: I've been unhoused for four years, I’m happy to have my own. Jones: What are your plans going forward while living at the Dunbar Towers? Patton: I plan to hold workshops here and collaborate with other artists who are my neighbors here. I saw another old friend named Joseph, who also grew up in this neighborhood. When asked how he likes living there, Joseph said, "It’s like being at home." TJ Rice is also a resident at Dunbar Towers. He is a friend of mine I met at the Sunday Artisan Market. The Artisan Market is an open-air artist-run bazaar in Kerrytown; TJ's been selling art there for eight years. Jones: What type of art do you do? TJ: I do abstract art, I’m the tie-dye guy. I take ordinary clothes and turn them into something different. Jones: How long have you been doing abstract art? TJ: Since I was six years old, and have been doing it ever since. Jones: What do you like most about the market? TJ: The good people I meet and it A calm mind can calm another. A steady heart can steady another. A word spoken with love changes the body. Breath slows. Tension softens. Hope returns. We affect each other continuously. Through touch. Through presence. Through silence. Perhaps healing is not energy transferred from one person to another. Perhaps healing is coherence. Two beings, one field. Not possession, but resonance. Not control, but alignment. Perhaps Reiki is simply this: Love becoming coherent. Namaste. I bow to the divine in you. provides income during April to the end of December. The Housing Commission is now working on the ground floor space for arts-related programming like workshops and a show gallery where artists can display and sell their art to the public, starting in September.
12 GROUNDCOVER NEWS LIVING ARCHIVE JULY 10, 2026 Is the Art Fair? Now that the Ann Arbor Art Fair is just around the corner, many vendors are becoming anxious about whether or not they will maintain their sales levels during this busy week. Despite the fact that this is a venue where visitors from all over the world gather to observe works of art, the Groundcover News vendors must curtail their sales because the Art Fair encompasses much of the area where vendors are often stationed. Under current city rules, our only presence is the nonprofit booth where Art Fair attendees can stop by, make a purchase or just learn about the street paper. This, however, still restricts the sales of vendors because our time at the booth is limited to two-hour slots. The painful reality is that while the general public relishes this event for its own pleasure, for vendors it is a time for reduced sales and increased stress because an error in judgement over boundary restrictions could result in a fine which would take a toll on alreadystrained incomes. Even though vendors are able to sell elsewhere during this week, we are not allowed where all the activities are But the wary public dodges the issue of poverty and homelessness and it is not a stretch to think that city policies are contributing to this dilemma. The language on our permits is specific: “All peddler/solicitor permits are INVALID during Ann Arbor Art Fair.” The chilling reality is that the laws ELIZABETH "LIT" KURTZ Groundcover vendor No. 159 taking place inside the fair. Instead we must greet already-wary customers on the far peripheries, hoping to somehow gain their attention as they enter and exit the event. Groundcover should be welcomed at every event — not just on the merit of the paper, but because it represents the acceptance of those who are marginalized. While we are facing the crisis of homelessness, nothing in society should be business as usual, and it seems unfair that some have the luxury of enjoying the superfluities of life at the expense of others who can barely survive. that govern Groundcover sales within the Art Fair have not been revised in over three decades. When this permit went into effect, there had been no cuts to the federal housing budget. But since that time, the second-greatest recession in our nation’s history has left its aftermath of homelessness and extreme poverty. No city event should be a place for the public to forget that these problems exist, but rather should offer an opportunity to engage the Groundcover community further. To comprehend that vendors are not beggars, but are selling a product designed to eliminate the economic barriers and those of misunderstanding that exist between the haves and the have-nots. No venue should be off-limits for Groundcover to present this simple, yet powerful message. Originally published in the July 2016 edition of Groundcover Since their inception in the 1980s, street papers have transformed many lives with their simple win-win concept. I am convinced that once we are allowed a presence in the Art Fair, the lives of the thousands of visitors who make the annual trek to Ann Arbor Art Fair will be enriched by everything Groundcover News has to offer. Gratitude to Chuck Warpehoski – ban lifted! ELIZABETH "LIT" KURTZ It seems rare when two entities sync and create positive change. It happened last month when Groundcover News, designed to link us to the larger community, and the City of Ann Arbor solved a perplexing issue that had dogged the Groundcover since its inception. In a previous July 2016 article entitled “Is the Art Fair?” I bemoaned that the lack of Groundcover News representation at the July Art Fair seemed unfair. The article mentioned the dilemma faced by Groundcover vendors during Art Fair of being confined to only one booth. Almost before the ink set, Councilman Chuck Warpehoski was contacted about the problem by Groundcover editor Lee Alexander and he set about finding solutions to the dilemma. Without hesitation, Warpehoski went to work untangling the conundrum. It turned out there is an existing clause that allows vendors to sell under a Charitable Solicitation Permit. This recognizes us as being members of a community of people who are marginalized, and therefore have the right to ask for a donation. This by no means suggests that vendors are not entrepreneurs, as we are. But as with all street papers, our work is done under the umbrella of a nonprofit, which allows us to ask for donations. Thanks to Chuck’s MacGyver-like efforts, within a week of the article being published, another councilman approached me outside of the YMCA where I was selling and asked if I had heard the news. Councilman Chip Smith informed me that we would be allowed to sell within the Art Fairs. I was ecstatic. We are indeed fortunate that we are among the cities that have a street paper, which allows the general public an opportunity to connect to us in a meaningful, safe manner. We are even more fortunate to have a caring, proactive Councilman who works on our behalf. For that, we are more than grateful. Originally published in the August 2016 edition of Groundcover. Because of Kurtz' 2016 advoacy, Groundcover vendors have been selling newspapers during the Art Fair for 10 years— confidently — knowing they are protected by their Chartitable Solicitation permit. Support a Groundcover vendor if you visit the 2026 Art Fair for yourself!
JULY 10, 2026 ANN ARBOR ART FAIR WILL SHAKESPEARE Groundcover vendor No. 258 The Ann Arbor Art Fair is one of the largest art fairs in America. It has consistently ranked as one of the best in the nation. It is the largest juried art fair in the United States. From 1994 to 2024, USA Today ranked the Ann Arbor Art Fair as the second-best art fair in the nation. There are actually three fairs: The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Original; The Guild’s Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair; and the Ann Arbor State Street District Art Fair. The Ann Arbor Art Fair started around 1960. It is one of the oldest summer street art fairs in America. This outdoor street festival spans about 30 city blocks within downtown and the University of Michigan’s Ann Arbor campus. In May 2024, Ms. Karen Delhey, Executive Director of the Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair, told Detroit News reporter Ms. Samin Hassan, “I’ve been with the Ann Arbor Art Fair for 18 years now, and each year it just keeps getting bigger and better.” With visitors from Michigan, Canada, Europe and several states in the nation, there are estimates of more than 500,000 people in attendance. Between July 16 (Thursday) and July 18 (Saturday) this year, we should expect about 1,000 juried artists to participate in the Summer Street Art Fair. My past experiences I have attended and participated in several summer art fairs in Ann Arbor. I have accumulated so many memories that can last a lifetime. I have done volunteering for homeless advocacy and the Groundcover newspaper between Liberty and Division Streets. That section between Division Street and Fifth Street across Liberty Street is for Washtenaw-based nonprofit organizations. I have done lots of street walking, chatting with artists and art fair visitors while attempting to sell Groundcover newspapers. I have done large scale publicity in order to introduce faraway visitors and many Washtenaw County residents to our community engagement news and information. Those efforts have captured the interest of Art Fair visitors and their willingness to buy newspapers. I have been able to meet with Summer Art Fair visitors from France, Belgium, Germany and Canada. Our conversations sparked instant affection and a desire for friendships. In my earlier experiences, I visited hundreds of booths and attempted to describe some of the artwork including photography in my own words. In one display booth in front of Rackham Building, I saw photographs from France, Italy, Spain and Greece on display. Based on my experiences in western and southern Europe, I started to talk about the displays inside and outside the booth. Several art-lovers walked by and stopped to hear my vocal and passionate descriptions. Some of them clapped their hands when I stopped and was about to walk away. I did not know that the artist who rented the booth (who comes from Chicago) and his wife listened to me and clapped. So when I left and was heading to the fountain at Ingalls Mall, the photographer/artist’s wife ran after me. She stopped me, almost out of breath from the summer heat. She said, “My husband is the photographer. He asked me to run after you and bring you back to the photographic booth.” When the two of us finally saw her husband, he thanked me for attracting a lot of visitors to their booth. He also wanted me to do a recording of my voice describing the photographs from Europe. I did, and was ready to walk away when the wife gave me their business cards and invited me to their art and photographic studio on the south side of Chicago. She also gave me a copy of her book titled, “Colorism,” which was published by the University of Chicago press. My second memorable experience during the Summer Street Art Fair was my decision to volunteer and help the owner of Ann Arbor’s Anthony’s Gourmet Pizza to increase the volume of traffic and subsequently the volume of sales at the food truck on the corner of Liberty Street, between Main and Ashley Streets. The owner, a Greek-American businessman known as Theo, offered to pay me in cash or pizza. That was an easy decision! My choice was to be paid with Anthony’s Gourmet Pizza. When my shift ended, Theo generously handed me a couple of pizza boxes. The boxes contained Chicago-style deep dish pizza. I only worked for one afternoon on a Saturday. When I got back home in central campus, my housemates were jumping up and down because they had been looking forward to eating lots of Anthony’s deep dish pizza. Many people in Ann Arbor believe that Anthony’s makes the most delicious pizza though it is high-priced. It could make anyone’s taste buds explode with delight. It can make the palate and tongues linger memories reminiscent of a great Schillington Morgan selling Groundcover during the Art Fair. Giordano’s Chicago deep dish pizza. OOO LALA!!! Conclusion After attending and participating in the Ann Arbor Summer Street Art Fair for so many years, I do wonder what some famous connoisseurs of artistic beauty, love and freedom of expression might think — such as playwright William Shakespeare and poet John Keats. Shakespeare might take us back to his Sonnet #18: “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? / Thou art more lovely and more temperate … And summer’s lease hath all too short a date; / Sometimes too hot the eye of heaven shines, / And often is his gold complexion dimm’d …” The phenomenal 20-something English poet John Keats might want us to remember his famous poem known as “Endymion.” The poem says, “A thing of beauty is a joy forever …” Enjoy Summer Art Fair 2026! GROUNDCOVER NEWS Observing, participating in Ann Arbor Art Fair 13 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 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.
14 GROUNDCOVER NEWS PUZZLES Flower Power Peter Collins JULY 10, 2026 Cartoon by Libby Chambers ACROSS 1. Doesn't take anything in? 6. One of a pair on a table 10. Jarred sauce brand 14. Accustom 15. Bridge support 16. Musk of Tesla Motors 17. "Fancy" rapper 19. Beatles movie or song title 20. Added on, botanically 21. Cooling-off period? 23. "Wedding Bell Blues"' composer Laura 24. Porky's girlfriend 27. ___ Magnon 29. About to get 30. Barnyard sound 32. L.A. suburb mentioned in Tom Petty's "Free Fallin'" 35. Smirnoff rival 39. Best Supporting Actor nominee for "Bang the Drum Slowly" and "Moonstruck" 42. "Not guilty," for one 43. Bubbled up 44. Yoko of music 45. Unit of heat 47. "Much appreciated," in a text 49. Grammy nominated country/folk singer 54. On any occasion 57. 1932 Ford auto 58. Magnificent 60. Trick 61. "Grace and Frankie" star 64. French fashion magazine 65. "Pardon the Interruption" network 66. "Twilight" protagonist ___ Swan 67. Setback 68. Frisbee 69. Cutlery material DOWN 1. Pretend 2. Peeved 3. Moose tracks holder, maybe 4. Strive to get 5. Straphanger's lack 6. Gardener's tool 7. Have a cold, say 8. Director Spike or Ang 9. Cost for riding Amtrak 10. Practice, theatrically 11. Take ___ of faith 12. ___ body (cell part) 13. Remove, as a currency from a fixed rate 18. Led ___ (British rock band, for short) 22. AFL-___ 25. No-win situation? 26. Allow to flow again 28. Mine extraction 30. Top star, initially 31. Crude matter? 33. Debilitated 34. Bit of bad weather 36. Tennessee's third largest city 37. Yang's counterpart 38. Former NBA great ___ Ming 40. Some marbles 41. Banned insecticide for short 46. Good cholesterol, briefly 48. Knight cap? 49. Drive 50. Comics friend of Nancy 51. Personal heroes 52. Boy band of the '90s 53. Noise of disapproval 55. French novelist ___ Zola 56. Pertaining to kidneys 59. Fishing floats 62. "It ___" ("Who's there?" reply) 63. What DJs spin PUZZLE SOLUTIONS June 26, 2026 edition Originally published in the April 2019 edition of Groundcover
JULY 10, 2026 RESOURCES Easy strawberry dessert ELIZABETH BAUMAN Groundcover contributor Ingredients: 3 cups strawberries 1/2 cup heavy cream 2 tablespoons brown sugar Directions: Remove stems and wash and cut the strawberries into marble-sized pieces. Use a fork to crush and mash the strawberries (rough, chunky texture with plenty of juice rather than a smooth puree). Place in the fridge for 1 hour. Remove from the fridge and sprinkle the brown sugar over the strawberries. Pour the cream over the mixture and crush slightly then stir to combine. Serve immediately in small dessert dishes. Absentee voting started June 25. Optional early voting started July 6. Mandatory early voting starts July 25. Election day is Tuesday, August 4 (7 a.m. to 8 p.m.)! WHO CAN VOTE? Voters must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old, and must have lived in the city/township in which they registered for 30 days. Voters cannot be serving a sentence in jail or prison at the time of registering or voting. REGISTRATION If you have a Michigan driver's license or state ID, you can regsiter to vote online. Start the process at Michigan.gov/Vote. You can register any time up through Election Day by going to your city or township clerk's office; bring your proof of residency. Ann Arbor: 301 E. Huron St. Pittsfield Township: 6201 W Michigan Ave, Ann Arbor Ypsilanti: 1 S. Huron St. Ypsilanti Township: 7200 S. Huron River Drive, Ypsilanti GROUNDCOVER NEWS voting INFORMATION FOR PERSONALIZED VOTING INFO vote411.org www.washtenaw.org/ information-for-voters View the official list of candidates for the Democratic and Republican party, as well as the official list of proposals at: www.washtenaw.org/4448/ Current-Election-Information WHERE TO VOTE? Find your polling place or early voting sites (different locations) at mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index Request an absentee ballot at: Michigan.gov/Vote Miss the June 26, 2026 Groundcover News "Michigan Primary Edition?" Read online at www. groundcovernews.org, under Street News-Digital Issues. ELECTION DAY PROBLEMS? Report an election issue by calling: 1-866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) Call or text 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (en Español) 15
16 GROUNDCOVER NEWS ART FAIR JULY 10, 2026 PHONE (734) 994 - 9174 • PEOPLESFOOD.COOP NATURAL FOODS MARKET & DELI 216 N. FOURTH AVENUE ANN ARBOR, MI MAKE MEALS YOU LOVE! Fresh ingredients to $5 OFF 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 5/30/2026 08/07/2026
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