2 $ JUNE 28, 2024 | VOLUME 15 | ISSUE 14 YOUR PURCHASE BENEFITS THE VENDORS. PLEASE BUY ONLY FROM BADGED VENDORS. Should Americans celebrate Independence Day? Page 4 SHAWN SWOFFER #574 ASK YOUR VENDOR: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE BODY OF WATER? GROUNDCOVER NEWS AND SOLUTIONS FROM THE GROUND UP | WASHTENAW COUNTY, MICH. Sonic Lunch Summer Concerts open A2's free summer music scene page 10 Versatile guitarist Laith Al-Saadi and bass player David Stearns, (partially blocked). Drummer Mike Shea is in the background. Photo by Jane Reilly. 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 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!
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
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!
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
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
12 GROUNDCOVER NEWS FOOD Black bean and cauliflower tacos ELIZABETH BAUMAN Groundcover contributor Ingriedients: 1 Tablespoon chili powder 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon garlic powder Scant 1/4 teaspoon cayenne powder 1 1/8 teaspoon cumin 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 Tablespoon fresh lime juice 1 Tablespoon water 1 Tablespoon olive oil 1 can black beans (15 ounces), drained and rinsed 1 large head cauliflower, washed and cut in bite-size florets 1/2 large yellow onion, chopped 8 six-inch flour tortillas (whole-wheat work great!) 1 cup finely chopped red cabbage 8 ounces Queso fresco (Mexican cheese), crumbled Directions: In a large bowl whisk together the first 10 ingredients. Stir in the black beans, cauliflower and onion. Place on a greased baking sheet and roast for 30 to 35 minutes (until cauliflower is tender). Stir occasionally. Follow directions on the package to heat tortillas. Fill tortillas and then top with cabbage and cheese. Finish off with a small dollop of sour cream or your favorite crema. Keep it healthy and skip the cheese and sour cream and use a low-fat crema. Such an easy, delicious meal! JUNE 28, 2024
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