2 $ NOVEMBER 29, 2024 | VOLUME 15 | ISSUE 25 YOUR PURCHASE BENEFITS THE VENDORS. PLEASE BUY ONLY FROM BADGED VENDORS. AADL commemorates Ann Arbor's bicentennial. page 5 SCHILLINGTON MORGAN #148 ASK YOUR VENDOR: HOW HAVE YOU SEEN A2 CHANGE? GROUNDCOVER NEWS AND SOLUTIONS FROM THE GROUND UP | WASHTENAW COUNTY, MICH. People in the neighborhood. page 6 THIS PAPER WAS BOUGHT FROM • Proposal: Housing-development accelerator Chris and George. Photo credit: Emily Mills • Charbonneau: Open your eyes to housing inequity. PAGE 4 @groundcovernews, include vendor name and vendor #
2 GROUNDCOVER NEWS GROUNDCOVER community EVENTS DEPOT TOWN TREE LIGHTING CELEBRATION Sunday, December 1, 5:30 p.m. Ypsilanti Depot Town, 100 Market Place The tree, near various shops and restauarants, will light up for the holiday season. This year, meet Santa in the Ypsilanti Freighthouse, and visit with Santa's Reindeer. Plus, write letters to Santa and enjoy cookies. Unicorn rides, a petting farm, and more family fun starting at 5 p.m. ANN ARBOR 200 FILM SERIES Mondays in December, 6 p.m. AADL-Downtown Meet local filmmakers and view short films that are all about Ann Arbor! As part of Ann Arbor 200 (the library’s celebration of the city’s bicentennial year), AADL commissioned 20+ short documentary films that explore topics from Ann Arbor's history. Locations will vary within the building. MIDNIGHT MARKET Friday, December 6, 5 p.m. - 12 a.m. Downtown Ann Arbor A2's beloved downtown holiday shopping event is bigger and better than ever, with festivities in State Street, Kerrytown and Main Street. YPSIWRITES: WRITING as a GIFT Saturday, December 7, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Join for a hands-on virtual writing session to learn about and create different types of writing gifts for loved ones. Register at: www.ypsiwrites.com/events A2 ART CENTER AUTHOR SERIES: OUR LOVE WILL CHANGE the WORLD Thursday, December 5, 7 - 8:30 p.m. A2AC Gallery 117 W Liberty, Ann Arbor Author reading featuring Cal Freeman, Scott Beal, Brittany Rogers, Rebecca Biber, Kelly Hoppenjans and Monica Rico. Inspired by Doug Coombe's photo exhibit. PULL OVER PREVENTION and MUTUAL AID FAIR Saturday, December 14, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Masjid Ibrahim, 315 S Ford Blvd, Ypsilanti Free car repair, food, vaccines, pet supplies and more! A200 BICENTENNIAL CLOSING CEREMONY Sunday, December 14, 5:30 p.m. Skyline High School, 2552 N Maple Rd Read more details on page 5 NOVEMBER 29, 2024 Cartoon by Izzy Hedin- Urrutia PROVIDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELF-DETERMINED INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY POVERTY, PRODUCING A STREET NEWSPAPER THAT GIVES A PLATFORM TO UNDERREPRESENTED VOICES IN WASHTENAW COUNTY, PROMOTING AN ACTION TO BUILD A JUST, CARING AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETY. Groundcover News, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in April 2010 as a means to empower lowincome persons to make the transitions from homeless to housed, and from jobless to employed. Vendors purchase each copy of our regular editions of Groundcover News at our office for 50 cents. This money goes towards production costs. Vendors work selling the paper on the street for $2, keeping all income and tips from each sale. Street papers like Groundcover News exist in cities all over the United States, as well as in more than 40 other countries, in an effort to raise awareness of the plight of homeless people and combat the increase in poverty. Our paper is a proud member of the International Network of Street Papers. STAFF Lindsay Calka — publisher Cynthia Price — editor Michelle Lardie-Guzek — intern ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS Elizabeth Bauman Beverly Boss Jim Clark Cindy Gere Alexandra Granberg Mike Jones Dan Meisler Ken Parks Cynthia Price Scoop Stevens Wayne Sparks Shawn Swoffer Felicia Wilbert GROUNDCOVER NEWS ADVERTISING RATES Size 1/8 1/6 1/4 1/2 full page Black/White $110.00 $145.00 $200.00 $375.00 $650.00 Color $150.00 $200.00 $265.00 $500.00 $900.00 Dimensions (W x H in inches) 5 X 3 or 2.5 X 6.5 5 X 4 5 X 6.25 5 X 13 or 10.25 X 6.5 10.25 X 13 CONTACT US PROOFREADERS Susan Beckett Elliot Cubit Steve Ross Anabel Sicko VOLUNTEERS Jessi Averill Sim Bose Zachary Dortzbach Luiza Duarte Caetano Jacob Fallman Glenn Gates Johnathan Glass Alexandra Granberg Emily Mills Robert Klingler Anthony McCormick Mary Wisgerhof Max Wisgerhof Melanie Wenzel Story and photo submissions: submissions@groundcovernews.com Advertising and partnerships: contact@groundcovernews.com Office: 423 S. 4th Ave., Ann Arbor Mon-Sat, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Phone: 734-263-2098 @groundcover @groundcovernews DONATE, LISTEN TO OLD ISSUES + LEARN MORE www.groundcovernews.org PACKAGE PRICING Three Months/Six Issues: 15% off Six Months/Twelve Issues: 25% off Full Year/Twenty-four Issues: 35% off Only run for two weeks/one issue: 40% off Additional 20% discount for money saving coupons
NOVEMBER 29, 2024 ON MY CORNER ASK YOUR VENDOR How have you seen Ann Arbor change over the years? It went from "Tree Town" to "Building Town." — Schillington Morgan, #148 The radicals are going deeper and the liberals are getting more disconnected. — Ken Parks, #490 I’ve seen it change 100%. Before, people would try to help other people. The shelter and churches weren’t as overcrowded. — Roberto Isla Caballero, #347 I'm newer to the Ann Arbor area and I appreciate the people I interact with during Groundcover News sales. — Amanda Gale, #573 The word would be corporate-tocracy. — Cindy Gere, #279 A lot! People are less friendly. — Mike Jones, #113 There's more interaction and events for families, townies. —Terri Demar, #322 100% — I know that. Nowadays, they're always working on something, rebuilding things. I wish they'd build me a house! — Donna McGaughy, #310 A lot. People have moved on; businesses have changed. I'm glad some have stayed like Afternoon Delight. —Felicia Wilbert, #234 MIKE JONES Groundcover vendor No. 113 The people in Ypsilanti, Michigan are awesome. Ypsi is a small city in the wilderness of North America where you can breathe the fresh air off the mighty Huron River and gaze into the sky and watch the bald eagle fly, and have the most interesting meaningful conversations with people. A year ago around this time, I decided to start selling Ypsi Awesome! Groundcover newspapers in the downtown Ypsilanti area. I also wrote an article about my transition from selling Groundcover newspapers in Ann Arbor to selling in Ypsilanti in the January 2024 edition. After a year of selling Groundcover in Ypsi and meeting and becoming friends with good people, I want to say thank you to all the businesses and people who help me keep a roof over me and my son's heads and food on the table. Right out the gate for gratitude: The people who work and shop at Ypsilanti Food Co-op are super awesome! Right across the street, the people who work and hang out at Vertex Coffee Roasters are awesome. Sweetwaters Cafe on Cross Street is awesome. A2Vintage in downtown Ypsilanti is awesome. Christmas past, Hanukkah present SCOOP STEVENS Groundcover vendor No. 638 Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple in 164 BCE. This was Israel’s second temple. The first temple, built by King Solomon, was destroyed by the Babylonians on August 9, 586 BCE. Hanukkah begins at sunset on Christmas day this year. The Israelites returned to the land of Israel after being held captive in Babylon for 70 years because over a period of 490 years they did not obey the Sabbath year command to let the land rest and forgive debts during the seventh year (2 Chronicles 36 vs 21). The Jews rebuilt the Temple. The second temple wasn’t anywhere near the greatness of Solomon’s Temple. The second temple was destroyed by the Romans on August 9, 70 CE. Since God cannot be contained in a temple, it was never his will to have one built. He knew in advance that men would build one; he allowed it as a concession and made rules governing it. The Temple was the center of all religious, economic and political life for the Jews. Its destruction was devastating but the Jews fought on and continued to wait for their Messiah to come. Judaism was never a monolithic religion. It has adapted to times and circumstances but it has always been a religion about the law. The law has been revealed to us but the We need to talk about trafficking BEVERLY BOSS Groundcover vendor No. 583 Hi everyone. I want to talk about homeless women on the street — how we need homeless shelters for women and children. Sex traffickers prey on women with no family help, or who are homeless. Traffickers stalk them, get a group of people to watch them and put them on video. Some might use drugs and then try to use the women. Put them out there using fraud and coercion. It is hard to spot and goes unreported because abusers make women fear for their lives. A lot of people can’t get out of it; a lot of people need a fresh start to get out of this abuse. From what I’ve heard and seen inside, 100% of women in jail are persons that were sexually attacked or in fear of their lives. We as women need more support to spot this trafficking. I think the community needs to get more educated about this. I think it is so important to talk. Help with women’s shelters! We need more shelters than just SafeHouse; they are too picky-choosy on who they allow to stay because they do background checks. Often people have to engage in violence to protect themselves and they shouldn’t be punished for that. If you have domestic felonies, the SafeHouse does not let you stay. Kids do not need to be in this abuse, either — kids who are trafficked and kids of women who are being trafficked. Kids and women are more prone to abuse on the street. It seems like men get more help than women and kids. I see a lot of women out there struggling with addiction and abuse with nowhere to go. Women are more likely to be sexually assaulted in co-ed shelters like Delonis; as a result they choose to live on the abusive streets and then are more likely to go to jail. If you have felonies or drug problems you can’t be eligible for mental health courts. If you look for a place to live, you cannot have felonies. You have no place to live. I’ve seen a lot on the street; I feel no hope, no hope at all. I do wish you will all take trafficking and stalking homeless women as a real danger. I want to make it clear: we have a problem and we need to start speaking about it. Thank you. I hope to get you good news next time, peace! secret things belong to God (Deut. 29 vs 29). Before there was a king in Israel, there were tribal musters where each of the twelve tribes would gather. During times of national emergency the God of Israel raised up judges, and during the emergency their power was absolute. One of the judges was Deborah. “Deborah, a prophetess, wife of Lappidoth was judging Israel" (Judges 4 vs 4). During this time of national emergency (Project 2025), we need a judge like Deborah, a prophetess and a Jew. Marianne Williamson, who helped popularize "A Course in Miracles" and emphasizes balance and love, might just be that person. Students, faculty and staff at Eastern Michigan University are awesome. Bellflower restaurant is awesome. Crawdaddy’s Creole is awesome. The good people who work at Bloom Cannabis in Ypsilanti, Bird Dog Baking and Depot Cats and Dogs are all awesome. And all the good people I meet who purchase Groundcover paper from me and other Groundcover vendors are awesome! Thank you for your support! GROUNDCOVER NEWS 3
4 GROUNDCOVER NEWS ANN ARBOR NOVEMBER 29, 2024 10 years after A2 police kill Aura Rosser: a liberal safe haven is not so safe ALEXANDRA GRANBERG Groundcover contributor On the evening of November 9, about 60 organizers, activists and community members gathered at Liberty Plaza to remember and honor the life of Aura Rain Rosser on the tenth anniversary of her murder. In the early hours of November 10, 2014, Ann Arbor police officer David Ried fatally shot Rosser in her home within seconds of his arrival. Rosser was holding a 4-inch paring knife in her hand when the police arrived. According to her sister, Rosser was cooking to calm herself after a dispute with her ex-boyfriend. Ried shot her after Mark Raab, the other officer present, had already tased her. “Why would officer Ried shoot Aura in the heart after they had already tased her and put her down on the floor?” reflected Shirley Beckley, lifelong Ann Arbor activist who has been organizing around Rosser’s case for a decade. The Michigan State Police conducted a hasty investigation into the murder. Neither of the involved officers were interviewed, and alleged threats to the officers were exaggerated in the report. Making claims of self-defense, Ried and Raab stated that Rosser “opened her eyes very wide” and “appeared to be in a deranged state.” They also described Rosser “walking” towards them. The report instead read “confronting,” and the press release stated Rosser “came at” the officers, which the Ann Arbor News then sensationalized into “charged.” The community posed three minimum demands: an apology from the city, compensation for Rosser’s funeral costs, and for Ried to be fired. None of the demands have been met in the decade since the murder. Instead, the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office exonerated Ried, who soon after was promoted to sergeant. Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor described the murder as “a tragedy of mental illness untreated.” After a sustained community campaign, the city eventually implemented an Independent Community Police Oversight Commission. However the commission has fallen short of fulfilling its purpose, with the city restricting its independence and access to information about complaints against police. The city of Ann Arbor has also rejected opportunities to build and fund non-police crisis response options which emphasize care instead of violence. Last December the city rejected a thorough proposal by Care Based Safety, the only third party to submit an application to the city’s open request for proposals. Photo credit: Emily Mills. Aura Rosser was an artist, daughter, sister and mother of three. At the vigil, Rosser’s sister Shae Ward spoke publicly for the first time since the murder, remembering her sister as a caring person. “She was my entire life and the state destroyed my life when they executed her. […] The state promised to care for us, the state taught us to respect and reverence their authority and we did.” Shirley Beckley expressed the insufficiency and lack of response from the city: “This was a brutal killing that has been ignored for ten years!” A zine detailing the flawed investigation, "People’s Retort to the Prosecutor’s Report," recognizes that Rosser’s killing and Ried’s exoneration “is part of a national pattern of disregard for Black lives” — a conservative estimate is that a Black person is killed every 28 hours. “The liberal haven of Ann Arbor is no safer for Black [people] than the rest of America,” the zine reads. Other speakers at the vigil echoed this sentiment when honoring the legacy of local activism and the continued fight for justice and dignity for all people. Among them was Donald Abdul Roberts, long-term organizer from Ann Arbor and former member of the Dodge Revolutionary Union Movement (DRUM), an organization of Black workers formed in 1968 in Chrysler’s Dodge Main assembly plant in Detroit. Michigan Abolition and Prisoner Solidarity (MAPS), U-M Safety Not Cops, and GEO Abolition Caucus organized the vigil for Aura Rosser together with family and community members. The zine "People’s Retort to the Prosecutor’s Report" is available online at radicalwashtenaw.org. The Grove at Veridian — applications open now! DAN MEISLER Avalon Housing Avalon Housing is accepting applications for residents to live at the Grove at Veridian, the new affordable housing development on Platt Road in Ann Arbor. The homes have up to four bedrooms, making the project one of the few affordable housing opportunities for families in the area. The Grove at Veridian is part of the Veridian at County Farm Park development. The Grove will consist of 50 units, 30 of which will be filled through Washtenaw County’s Community Housing Prioritization system (housingaccess.net). The other 20 units will be available for individuals or families with income lower than 60 percent of the area median income. More information and applications for tenants are available at avalonhousing.org/apply. Printed copies of the application form are available at Avalon’s offices at 1327 Jones Drive in Ann Arbor. The deadline for applications is Dec. 17, 2024. “We’re very excited to have people start moving into this amazing new community,” said Aaron Cooper, Executive Director of Avalon Housing. “The Grove at Veridian is unique for a number of reasons — its location next to County Farm Park in the heart of Ann Arbor, its inclusion in the Veridian community that includes net-zero-energy, market-rate homes, and the family-friendly units that are often very hard to find at an affordable rate.” “We expect demand to far exceed the 20 units we have available,” he continued. “Unfortunately, it’s very difficult for the Ann Arbor community — even with all the support available — to keep up with the ever-increasing need for affordable housing.” The Grove, like all Avalon Housing properties, will provide support services that help those exiting homelessness stay in their homes, including medical clinics, a food pantry, and on-site support staff. Applicants meeting the income requirements will be selected via a lottery. The household income limits for units at The Grove at Veridian are: • 1-person household: $50,220 • 2-person household: $57,360 • 3-person household: $64,560 • 4-person household: $71,770 • 5-person household: $77,460 • 6-person household: $83,220 • 7-person household: $88,920 • 8-person household: $94,680 The rents of the available units will be: • 1-bedroom: $775/month (2 units available) • 2-bedroom: $875/month (5 units) • 3-bedroom:$975/month (11 units) • 4-bedroom: units) After eligible applicants fill out the application form at avalonhousing. $1,075/month (2 org/apply, they will be contacted by an Avalon staff person in January to obtain further information. The target move-in date is April-July, 2025. The project was funded using Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, County HOME funds, City of Ann Arbor Affordable Housing Millage Funds, a State Enhancement Grant, Federal Home Loan Bank Affordable Housing Program funds and private donations. The land was granted to Avalon by Washtenaw County as a condition of allowing development partner Thrive to undertake the Veridian project. Avalon Housing’s mission is to build healthy, safe and inclusive supportive housing communities as a long-term solution to homelessness. Avalon owns and manages 29 sites in Ann Arbor, Dexter and Chelsea, and has 175 units in the pipeline in new projects in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. avalonhousing.org
NOVEMBER 29, 2024 ANN ARBOR GROUNDCOVER NEWS What’s AADL commemorates bicentennial JASMEHER SINGH U-M student contributor As a newer resident of Ann Arbor, I couldn’t tell you the first thing about who we are as a city. I would describe Ann Arbor as a diverse place that gives small-town vibes with some hustle and bustle that bigger towns provide. I might talk about the small businesses, the University and the residents who live in neighborhoods across the city. But I would never have the full picture of what the city of Ann Arbor is and what it means for the people who have lived here. The Ann Arbor District Library is providing just that. People who love the city of Ann Arbor will get an insider look into what Ann Arbor is all about. The celebration of our bicentennial, 200 years since the city of Ann Arbor was founded, not only provides us with a timeline of this city, but also tells us about the people who lived here from 1824 through the present. Through the timeline exhibit about Ann Arbor located at the AADL-downtown branch, a digital content archive with over 200 media projects that tell us about the story of Ann Arbor, and walking tours that take us to hidden and popular places across the city, the AADL has done a tremendous job answering the question “Who Are We?” as a city. The exhibit, located on the AADL-downtown’s second floor, showcases a timeline of the history of Ann Arbor. According to the Ann Arbor Bicentennial, in 1824 the city of Ann Arbor was founded by John Allen and Elisha Rumsey and it soon became a town where pioneers could settle. The city grew more in 1837 when Michigan was admitted into the Union and the University of Michigan relocated from Detroit to Ann Arbor. In the late 1800s, many institutions such as medical schools, high schools, businesses and churches formed and flourished. The early 1900s saw the University of Michigan winning national championships in football. While other cities suffered during the Great Depression, Ann Arbor somewhat thrived. The late 1960s and 70s were dominated by student activism while the 80s and 90s had students emerging in a cultural era. In the 21st century, Ann Arbor grew even more with new markets and housing expanding across the city. Ann Arbor’s rich history tells us a bit of background about what kind of city Ann Arbor continues to be. Anyone can learn about the city of Ann Arbor by going online and looking through Ann Arbor 200, a digital content archive on the AADL's website [aadl.org/annarbor200] which explores different topics through podcasts, articles, documentaries, illustrations, music recordings, animations and more. There are interviews showcasing high school teachers, owners of small businesses such as Sweetwaters and The Ark, the manager at the Michigan Theater for the last 40 years, and the Rationals aka Ann Arbor’s Beatles. Other forms of media include posters, maps, cardboard cutouts of Ann Arbor buildings and more which showcase some of the amazing talents of artists across Ann Arbor. One piece of art on the website is a map detailing all the natural spots across Ann Arbor including trails along the Huron River and native species. People can look at the art online and buy it in print through the Ann Arbor 200 website or find it at the new exhibit that opened in early November. These forms of media tell us stories about how Ann Arbor came to be and the people within it. In addition to the history exhibit and the digital content archive, the AADL has also introduced A2 SmartTours which includes 177 tours spanning all of Ann Arbor. These locations all include a narrative that describes the significance of the place along with a picture of what it looks like. These walking tours can be downloaded as an app on your phone. People who have completed the tour checklist can go to City Hall and get recognized for this endeavor. Some popular touring spots in Ann Arbor are included on the Ann Arbor highlights tour which consists of the Big House, the Michigan Theater, the Arboretum, the Campus Diag, and the Ann Arbor District Library. The best part is that all these places are free to visit to learn more about! Through this celebration, residents of Ann Arbor and visitors can gain a full understanding of who we are as the city of Ann Arbor by looking at its rich history and the people who exist within it today. Bicentennial C losing Ceremony The City's final bicentennial celebration is on Saturday, December 14 at Skyline High School. The reception and art exhibit will begin at 6 p.m. with the formal program following at 8 p.m. The event will include refreshments, an art exhibit, commemorative pictures, Aerie oral history program, interactive Tree of Hopes and Dreams, a “The next 100 years” performance by area high school musicians, stage production of “Ann Arbor then, now, next," bicentennial poem by Aaron Dworkin and a showing of CTN's happy birthday Ann Arbor video. Tickets can be purchased online at a2bicentennial.org and are $10 per person. Happening at the Ann Arbor District Library Open 10am–8pm Daily Hang out in any of our five locations across town, browsing books, magazines, newspapers, and more, or check out movies, CDs, art prints, musical instruments, and home tools— you name it! Study and meeting rooms, fast and free WiFi, and plenty of places to sit and hang out. Preschool Storytimes and Baby Playgroups Join our storytellers on weekdays inside the library for fun songs, stories, puppets, and moement! Visit aadl.org/storytimes to view a list of upcoming in-person storytimes and playgroups. You can also stream and download our recorded storytimes online at AADL.TV. Fifth Avenue Press AADL founded Fifth Avenue Press in 2017 to support the local writing community and promote the creation of original content. The imprint publishes works by authors who live in Washtenaw County. Consider sibmitting your finished manuscript to Fifth Avenue Press today at fifthave. aadl.org. FEATURED EVENT 5 Sat, December 14 • 11am–6pm Downtown Library Tiny Expo is back! The annual indie art and craft show features over 80 artists and crafters selling unique, handmade creations. Check out aadl.org/tinyexpo to get a sneek peek at this year’s vendors, FAQ’s, and more.
6 GROUNDCOVER NEWS HOMELESSNESS NOVEMBER 29, 2024 Chandra (left) dreams of opening a non-profit community theater. George and Chris (middle) would like to open a homeless shelter. Jen (right) wants to pay the debts she incurred while homeless. Photo credit: Emily Mills. People in the neighborhood Recently, the city of Ypsilanti tried to pass a resolution granting the city manager carte blanche to use whatever means necessary, including police presence, to “make the downtown core safe.” The “downtown core” includes the four blocks surrounding Michigan Ave and Washington St. in Ypsilanti. Many of the speakers in support of the resolution expressed a “not in my backyard” sentiment during public comment at City Council, also supporting incarceration for loitering. Some of them said, “those people could get off the street if they wanted to.” Yet many of the neighbors and business owners who spoke don't know anything about these people's situations, including what they are doing to help themselves. These are the stories of four people who spend time in this downtown core. Chandra Chandra is a 50-year-old woman who is a mother of four and a grandmother of five. She is currently sleeping outside. I asked her how she came to experience homelessness. Chandra replied, “I had an apartment but my boyfriend had a stroke and couldn't go to work so I was the only one in the family working. Eventually we lost our apartment. This was four years ago. Since then I’ve been staying with my daughter here and there, going back and forth from my friend's house — basically couch surfing. Last night I slept on the church steps. It's hard to be out here, I’m a mother and a grandmother. I don’t have anywhere to go.” She began to tear up. “And now the church says we've been there too long so now we had to leave. This is so stressful, at times I don't know if I'm coming or going. My mind is overwhelmed! I can’t get any JIM CLARK Groundcover vendor No. 139 rest and have no place to unwind. Getting a job in this situation is challenging, let alone keeping one.” “What would help you get to a better place?” I asked. “I need help with inspiration. We tend to let people be where they are without pushing them to do more. I need some assistance. I need a mentor. I have no older women in my life to guide me. The desire for guidance is a natural human need. We need opportunities to grow and we need our elders and teachers to guide us to that growth and through that growth. Without opportunities to stretch ourselves, we can become complacent.” “What would you do with a million dollars?” “I have great ideas, but the one I would most like to start is a non-profit theater troupe called ‘Make Ypsilanti Laugh Again — MYLA!’ We all need to smile and enjoy things, even though we all are stressed!” Jen Jen is a 42-year-old woman. She is 4 1/2 months pregnant, sleeping in a tent, and surviving active domestic violence. I asked her the same question to begin, “How did you become homeless?” Jen shared, “I had an apartment last year, but I lost it because I couldn’t pay for it. It was a one bedroom apartment in Arbor One. My rent was $1,088 a month. So we had to leave. I moved to Indiana with my son to live with my cousin. But it was bad all the way around. My cousin kept threatening to throw us out. I think she was into my boyfriend and mad that she couldn’t have him. So there were arguments everyday. She finally kicked us out. I got my tax payout so we got a rental car and came back to Michigan. We were staying in it for two months but then Enterprise took the car away.” The repossession occurred April 10th. The trip to Indiana was in February, and the temperatures were in the 20s. Jen went on. “Since the car was gone I was sleeping in the port-a-potty in a local park. I didn’t have a place to keep my clothes so I hid them in the woods but someone stole them. I was left with my winter coat, shirt and shoes for two weeks. A friend took me to a hospitality house and I was able to get some clothes, a tent, a cot and a few other things. They helped me find a safe place to pitch my tent.” I asked her, “What is keeping you homeless?” “Keeping a job.” “Are you employed now?” “No, but I’m looking.” “How long ago since your last job?” “I quit that job about a month ago.” “Why did you quit?” “My boss and I had a falling out. I understand that we are employees and the boss expects certain things, but you can’t talk to people abusively. So even though I’m homeless, I have more self-respect than to stay in a hostile work environment or an abusive relationship.” “Another thing that can keep you homeless is your credit,” Jen offered, “if you have an issue with your credit they aren’t going to accept you. Even if you have the money. I even tried second chance places but they still denied me, so here I am. It’s not like I’m not trying.” I asked, “If you could have any job you want, college tuition paid, or on-the-job training, what would it be?” Jen answered, “If I had a car, I would use it to DoorDash while I put myself through school. I liked health occupations in high school. I’m curious about phlebotomy or being a medical assistant.” “Final question: what would you do with a million dollars?” Jen said, “I would like to pay off debts and travel.” George and Chris George, 34, and Chris, 44, are life partners. Chris is recovering from a heroin addiction; George takes care of him while working as a cook for Fed Up Ministries and volunteering. They met last winter at a homeless shelter. “So what happened? How did you become homeless?” I asked him. George replied, “I was working at Tower Inn and when they changed over to Basil Babe I was laid off. I was living in Schooner Cove when my lease ended. They raised the rent on my studio apartment to $845/mo. It was just too expensive. Nowhere else would approve me because the wages I made before I was laid off wasn’t enough to cover all the fees and security deposits. So my next stop was a tent. “ “What did you do after you were laid off?” “I found a job as a waiter at IHOP. I was still homeless. But I had to leave IHOP because there was an issue with my partner at the time. He was bringing drama to my place of work, so unfortunately they let me go but I was okay with that. Then I got a management position at Marco’s Pizza in Rawsonville. But I had to leave there as well, it was just too far.” see PEOPLE page 8
NOVEMBER 29, 2024 HOMELESSNESS Ozone House expansion will mean more shelter for young people CYNTHIA PRICE Groundcover contributor At an open house November 19, Ozone House took attendees on tours of their Huron River Drive location. On entering a large upstairs room, visitors were shown a blueprint of an expanded emergency shelter for 18 to 24-yearolds. The project got underway on November 22. The festive open house focused on Ozone’s current achievements as well as its strategic plans. “Working to prevent and end youth and young adult homelessness,“ Ozone was founded in 1969, established a transitional living center in the mid-1980s and runs a drop-in center on Hamilton Street in Ypsilanti. The organization moved to their current building in 2020; there they provide residential stays, case management, mental healthcare services, and education both for eventual job placement and in life skills, such as financial literacy. The young adults who reside there pay minimal rent and receive advice on how to afford it sustainably. They have a lot of autonomy, including decorating their own spaces, which Welcoming people in at the recent Ozone House open house are: (left to right) Board President Lee Meadows, Vice-President Liz Kolb, Executive Director Kellie Rutledge and Outreach Manager Jackson Greenstone. several residents showed off proudly at the open house. Every year, Ozone House assists about 2,160 people through their crisis line and 800 people with safe refuge, and provides over 4,000 hours of professional therapy and 20,800 hours of life skills training. They do over 10,600 bed nights annually, and 45 or more young people graduate from their workforce program. When completed, the emergency shelter will have about 20 beds. Funding was provided by a grant from Washtenaw County. Ozone House is still seeking funding for staffing and operations. But once up and running, it will expand the county’s capacity where it is sorely needed. The number for the Ozone House crisis line is 734-662-2222. GROUNDCOVER NEWS 7
8 GROUNDCOVER NEWS HOMELESSNESS PEOPLE from page 6 George walked four and a half miles one way from Ypsilanti to Rawsonville, five days a week. He did this for two months. I continued, “Are you still living in a tent?” “Yup.” Through all of this, George takes time to help at community events, volunteer for the organizations that are helping him, and care for his partner, Chris. George remarked, “I never stopped working. I never sat on my ass. I never asked for a handout. Momma told me if life hands you lemons you make lemonade.” My final question for George: “If you could have any career, college or training fully funded, what would you do?” “I would run a 24-hour homeless shelter,” he replied. My first question for Chris was, “How did you become homeless?” “I was a rowdy kid. I got in some trouble and went to prison in 2005. When I got out, they had me on a tether. I was stuck at home except for 5-6 hours to work and take care of business.” But then Chris’s addiction started taking over. “Between 2005 and 2020 I went back and forth, in and out of prison,” he said. It was hard to get stable. I was hardheaded and undisciplined. It was mostly about drug use and failure to check in. I was either busted for using, or I flaked on my appointments. I didn’t follow the parole rules, you know, not taking it seriously, not doing what I was supposed to be doing. “In 2021 I finally got off the tether. I was homeless and unemployed. It was rough at first but I was able to buckle down and start picking up the pieces.” “What are you doing about the drugs? You said you had no support then, how are you managing now? What is keeping you in this situation?” I asked. Chris said, "I’ve been on methadone for about three years now. Basically not having a decent job keeps me here. No leads, no transportation, no news.” “There are lots of jobs — what’s keeping you from getting one?” I responded. “I struggle with back issues because of a car accident,” he replied. “It happened in 2008 just before I went to prison. An MRI showed I had a herniated disc. I’ve had four surgeries total since 2018. Every 5 years I get a tune up; I have to get four bolts tightened. I don’t want more down time from the surgery. That limits the amount of choices that you have.” Chris also struggles with treatment-resistant depression. “I get so down and out and depressed that sometimes I just don't care. It comes (the depression) and you’re like f–-- it!” People don't understand it and don't give you a chance to explain yourself. I have struggled with depression my whole life. It’s hard to push aside. It makes you tired even if you sleep a lot. Then you get anxious because you’re missing out on things and everything that comes along with it. Depression does not want me to succeed. “It’s pitiful what depression does to you,” he said. “So basically I push my self-esteem up when I can, I ask for help when I need it and go to any angle I can to get help on my journey.” Chris thinks he isn’t trying hard enough. He chides himself. “I’m intelligent, but that doesn’t mean I can’t make dumb choices,” he said as he laughed. “I asked him the same question as the others. “What would you do with a million dollars?” (George shoveled a huge spoonful of food in Chris’s mouth before he could answer.) “I would donate to places like Habitat for Humanity, and other organizations that make a difference.” I continued, “If you had a free ride to college or a training program, what would you want to do?” (George attempted to feed Chris again but was denied as Chris blocked the spoon. It is very clear how much they love each other.) NOVEMBER 29, 2024 “Underwater welding.” Chris replied, “I went to a welding class, so I know how to weld. But underwater welding is a whole other thing! It pays the most because it's a dangerous, deadly job. It's also an important job that needs to be done because bridges need to be built. I like jobs that have a little bit of twist and excitement to them and underwater welding is kind of an interesting niche as well. Having it be important is good too because it boosts your self esteem.” None of these people want to be homeless or in poverty. The deck is stacked against them. Each story is unique, yet common. Disaster happens. People have profound mental illnesses or debilitating injuries. People make mistakes. Some are waiting for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waitlist to open, some are waiting for an opportunity to work, and still others are working but are not able to afford an apartment. They didn’t do it on purpose. They were living their lives just like you and me. It can happen to anyone, including the neighbors and business owners near the downtown core of Ypsilanti. Homelessness is a community problem. Fixing it involves seeing, defending and nurturing people who are in need and who are disadvantaged. People like Chandra, Jen, George and Chris.
NOVEMBER 29, 2024 PUZZLES GROUNDCOVER NEWS CROSSWORD International Network of Street Papers 9 Groundcover Vendor Code While Groundcover is a non-profit, and paper vendors are self-employed contractors, we still have expectations of how vendors should conduct themselves while selling and representing the paper. The following is our Vendor Code of Conduct, which every vendor reads and signs before receiving a badge and papers. We request that if you discover a vendor violating any tenets of the Code, please contact us and provide as many details as possible. Our paper and our vendors should be positively impacting our County. • Groundcover will be distributed for a voluntary donation. I agree not to ask for more than the cover price or solicit donations by any other means. • When selling Groundcover, I will always have the current biweekly issue of Groundcover available for customer purchase. • I agree not to sell additional goods or products when selling the paper or to panhandle, including panhandling with only one paper or selling past monthly issues. • I will wear and display my badge when selling papers and refrain from wearing it or other Groundcover gear when engaged in other activities. • I will only purchase the paper from Groundcover Staff and will not sell to or buy papers from other Groundcover vendors, especially vendors who have been suspended or terminated. • I agree to treat all customers, staff, and other vendors respectfully. I will not “hard sell,” threaten, harass or pressure customers, staff, or other vendors verbally or physically. • I will not sell Groundcover under the influence of drugs or alcohol. • I understand that I am not a legal employee of Groundcover but a contracted worker responsible for my own well-being and income. • I understand that my badge is property of Groundcover and will not deface it. I will present my badge when purchasing the papers. • I agree to stay off private property when selling Groundcover. • I understand to refrain from selling on public buses, federal property or stores unless there is permission from the owner. • I agree to stay at least one block away from another vendor in downtown areas. I will also abide by the Vendor Corner Policy. • I understand that Groundcover strives to be a paper that covers topics of homelessness and poverty while providing sources of income for the homeless. I will try to help in this effort and spread the word. If you would like to report a violation of the Vendor Code please email contact@groundcovernews.com or fill out the contact form on our website. ACROSS 1. Bakery attraction 6. Snitch 10. Pod dwellers 14. Observatory observations 15. Hip bones 16. With 1-Down and 27-Down, complain at length 17. ___ list 18. Go for 19. Sette follower 20. European country that's hard to spell 23. Fit of shivering 24. "___ is ___, of course, of course" 25. College treasurer 28. Jellied garnish 30. ___ Today 31. Disinclined 36. Invitation acronym 38. Charged particle 39. Zero, on a court 40. Niece's son 45. "Cool" amount 46. Rainbow ___ 47. Festival of lights 49. Denmark's second-largest city 52. Home of the Taj Mahal 53. Femme fatale's fatal footwear? 57. Hit the bottle 58. Amble 59. Band 62. Burden 63. "I had no ___!" 64. Part of a TV feed 65. Gym set 66. "___ of the Flies" 67. Church song DOWN 1. See 16-Across 2. ___ v. Wade 3. Ellipse 4. Fads 5. African spear 6. Specialty 7. "Thanks ___!" 8. Get up 9. Siestas 10. Set of rules 11. "Purple people ___" 12. Con men? 13. Peach pit 21. Hair piece 22. FedEx, say 25. Town 26. "Back in the ___" 27. See 16-Across 28. Take in 29. Hyperbolic function 32. Place 33. "Brave New World" drug 34. Malevolent 35. Kosher ___ 37. Untrodden 41. Exact 42. Frequently pierced place 43. Advantage 44. Bug 48. Tusked mammal 49. Fur trader John Jacob 50. Make amends 51. Shred 52. Winning 54. ___ list 55. Done 56. Fizzy drink 60. Black gold 61. Little dog, for short
10 GROUNDCOVER NEWS VENDOR VOICES There's enough room at the top My message to the top: move over, there’s plenty of room! There’s enough room for all of us. We are all in this together. The more we try to deny this, the more we are drawn towards a stark reality — we are a greedy, selfish and uncaring species. I admit it, I also see these characteristics in myself. I know, I know, what do we do about it Mr. Smart Guy? Am I just going to point out our faults while you're not even sure that it’s true? "Convince me," you say? Well that’s a big order my friends! Why should you listen to me? I realize that there are so many people that do things I could never do, so many people you should be listening to, so how can I compete with that? I think my biggest asset is that I'm a good listener. Well that’s a pretty modest asset you might say. Well, you’re wrong my friends! I listen to everything! Sometimes even to things I shouldn’t. I listen to the children who don’t like the way things are and they don’t know why. I listen to the privileged who complain and have no answers. I listen to politicians who are WAYNE S. Groundcover vendor No. 615 there’s no do-overs. I believe that the elite of this only after power and wealth. I listen to the trophy wives and the mail order brides. I hear it in their voices — heaven forbid they are allowed to voice a thought. I hear ugliness every day. I recognize the tyrants of the world. They’re not hard to find. When are we going to say enough is enough? Well people you have spoken loud and clear. You’ve chosen hate over love, you’ve let a tyrant in our midst. You’ve turned the world upside down and I’m ashamed of all of you. You’ve sold your souls. When the ramifications of what you’ve done starts taking effect, you’ll realize there’s no going back … that’s right, nation caught on that there is enough room at the top; this scared the bejesus out of them. How wrong we were thinking that they felt the sting of sharing the wealth. How wrong we were that the essence of fair play had taken hold. Yes my fellow citizens, they rocked us to sleep — or did they? They exposed themselves to us and it was an ugly thing. Or was it? As we watch them slit each other’s throats and vie for greed and power, we will be watching and if history tells us anything it’s that we will be there to pick up the pieces just like we always do. So my fellow citizens, let’s keep the destruction they try and heap upon us to a minimum and know we are going to overcome. This madness we are entering into is only temporary. Good always conquers evil, love always trumps hate. We have nothing to fear folks, so lets just sit back and watch the show. If there’s one thing I know, it is that we know how to pick up the pieces. POWER TO THE PEOPLE! NOVEMBER 29, 2024 Undercover intel: Panda musings CINDY GERE Groundcover vendor No. 279 Monday is mope day Tuesday is take off day Wednesday is whine day Thursday is thirsty — we are almost there day Friday is party freak day Saturday is fatterday Sunday is one more fun day Kick it back around day to a Monday… happy happy Hope PUZZLE SOLUTIONS SHAWN SWOFFER Groundcover vendor No. 574 Let’s be positive Happy Encouraging And persevere Let’s look to the upcoming future Goals Achievements Let’s hope and pray Hope to help others out Hope for a brighter future for all My future I pray for Looks bright and shiny New and warm Fantastic and wonderful exp. 01/31/2025 As walls hit me pretty constantly I try and run sometimes I win Sometimes I don’t — I skin my knees And sometimes I’m blessed Times are hard and never improve But always hope for the best
NOVEMBER 29, 2024 VENDOR VOICES Gratefulness For the past two months, Granna has been crying in her bed every night, facing an eviction that would split the family. Granna has had six jobs in the past six months, struggling to keep the rent and light bill paid. The light bill went from $700 to $200. However, the rent was still behind. She did not want to move out of her apartment and become homeless once again. Granna knew she could not afford an eviction. She talked to the landlord and made an agreement to move out, and pay later. Granna knew it would be hard on her grandson and dog. She prayed every day, “God please make a way for us to pay this rent;” however nothing ever materialized. Depression was trying to take a hold her dog to a veterinarian and updated her shots. They also neutered her, cut her dew-claws, and gave her a flea bath. Granna has 60 days to retrieve her friend. Aware of her limited time, she FELICIA WILBERT Groundcover vendor No. 234 of her mind, knowing that she had to separate from her grandson and dog. The shelter did not allow dogs, but on the upside, they placed her dog in a foster home. She is grateful for the organization, Safe Pet Program in Shelby County Alabama, which sent Mother Nature is calling We often say the words “mother nature is calling” when our bowels begin to move. My parents, in their quest to be educated and scientific, used the words bowel movement rather than vague or possibly offensive words. Polite society does not want to hear about bodily processes except for eating. Weather, sports, children, financial news and food— especially bargains — are the subjects to stay with. If you go out of bounds you may be quickly rebuffed or ignored. Basic beliefs about reality are often untouched except in circles sharing common assumptions. Believers or secular humanists have their distinct social circles. Beliefs are basic assumptions about reality, so everyone is a believer in their quest for the assumptions that work. We want to make sense of our experience. We soon discover that outcomes are often not what we planned and sometimes the opposite of expectations. Life is full of surprises and trauma can persist in habitual patterns with deadly consequences. Every day in the world, someone is hurt or killed by unexploded ordnance as cluster bombs are discovered in the course of play and work. Toxic sites are far too numerous. There is a lot of work remaining to clean up the messes of civilization. We have not faced this work properly and continue to create new disasters. Microplastics are getting into the cells of our body. The list of toxic chemicals we have ingested is a mental and physical shock. The rising rate of cancer among young people is in the data but the bureaucracy has its own cancer. Who can help us understand our dilemma? Einstein taught us that curiosity is the KEN PARKS Groundcover vendor No. 490 most important quality of a scientist. If you explore whatever appears in your life, reality will manifest with clues to pursue. Everything becomes your teacher and those pursuing the clues with wisdom and intelligence appear. When you discover that everything is interrelated, science becomes even more meaningful. Context becomes central and the best context may require some study of the prevailing context. In my quest for the best teachers I have found Buddhist culture to have many highly awakened persons. I met Thich Nhat Hanh in 1967 and remember his words, “Whatever you can do to stop the war in VietNam!” When Martin Luther King gave his “Breaking the Silence” speech on April 4, 1967, the connection was so vivid I was impelled to be a draft resister. That was a great turn towards a radical lifestyle which we defined as going to the root of the war system. I remember the popular Shaker song, “Simple Gifts,” which is one to learn and share. Alison Krauss has a good version. Among scientists I have recently discovered is Dr. Jack Kruse, a neurosurgeon who is a quantum biologist and received the 2016 Nobel Prize in physics for his work. In summary, nature does not make mistakes. Evolution is decentralized, life unfolds as the completeness of reality comes together in a majestic concert. Empty space gives birth to infinite forms and probabilities that play out seamlessly in our creative wisdom mind. Compassion and lovingkindness mix with awareness just as rivers flow into the sea. Words cannot capture the Clear Light of the Void, but they can point towards it, just as the finger points to the moon. When dialectics embrace the unity of opposites we are in a deep harmonic. Stillness in motion creates revolutionary activity. As the Rev. Lucius Walker Jr. said, "We have the human right to take humanitarian aid to our brothers and sisters, especially the victims of U.S. foreign policy. We do not need a license.” Many peace and justice activists organized with Pastors for Peace to take caravans to Cuba which deepened the bond between the Cuban and American people. Revolutionary Love is the call of Valerie Kaur and is based on the solidarity that is our birthright as human beings. Breathe that power regularly until it is a habit. The struggle continues. An injury to one is an injury to all. We are all injured by a system so obsessed with commodification that human life is sacrificed to the arbitrary compliance of those who have advanced up the chain of command. Every bureaucracy can become cancerous. This malignancy can spread from financial bureaucracies into every nook and cranny of your life. Prevention is the key. Search “cancer as a metabolic disease” to get a view that makes better sense. Healthy bodies and a healthy society are evolving as we face our multidimensional dysfunction. When you meet the corporate state you may feel that they have all the power and that you have none. It’s true that their full spectrum warfare, especially in the theater of the mind, has had great success in promoting a war culture that is global. When sanctions confiscate whole nations’ bank accounts and prevent the export and import of essential goods and services, international law calls this an act of war. Google “FDR and sanctions on Japan.” The real story of Pearl Harbor is in the public domain. It could use some refining by sincere academics. The ongoing story of Japan, the United States, China and the USSR is a global mystery. The story of imperialist competition, the United States and Japan as well as Britain and Germany, was best explained by Lenin in “Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism.” He explains the integration of industrial and financial capital as the cause of World War I and the need for the working class to understand the dialectics of history. Today, as financial capital cannibalizes industrial capital, we begin to understand neoliberal imperialism. I think “Monthly Review” is a good resource here. The AADL had it on the periodical shelves but someone vandalized them and it has not been brought back. I have not gotten a complete response from the library but it is the modern form of book burning. “Monthly Review” is online. You can find John Bellamy Foster and others who address the current ”metabolic rift” that Marx noted as capitalism exploits nature and breaks the context of life on earth. Humans become see NATURE page 12 quickly got a job. Unfortunately, it’s still not enough money making $14 an hour, part time work. Fortunately, the hours are convenient for Granna to take her grandson to school and pick him up daily. Every dollar she makes on a job they take away from her Social Security, keeping her income under $1200/month. She has thought about all kinds of ways of how she can make money legally. Granna’s goal is to have a best seller and to make an animated movie out of "The AD-DAM FAM," her third book. This is how Granna continues to move forward. Regardless of the challenges Granna has to face and obstacles she has to overcome, God has kept her strong, and she continues to hope for the future. Everyone Granna meets she asks one question, “Do you know how to make animated films?” Thank you, Groundcover News readers and Truth Or Lies Fans. The Golden Halloween, published October 18, is FALSE. GROUNDCOVER NEWS 11
12 GROUNDCOVER NEWS FOOD Baked Italian cauliflower with mozzarella ELIZABETH BAUMAN Groundcover contributor Ingredients: 8 cups water 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1 bay leaf 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 medium cauliflower head, stem removed 1 1/2 cups tomato sauce 4 large slices fresh mozzarella 2 tablespoons fresh basil salt and pepper to taste Directions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large pot, add the water, red pepper flakes, bay leaf, garlic, powder, salt and pepper. Stir and bring to a boil. Add the cauliflower to the pot and cook for about 15 minutes. NOVEMBER 29, 2024 dish, add the tomato sauce and slices of mozzarella on top. Remove cauliflower from the pot and place in the baking dish. Bake in the oven for about 25 minutes (the last few minutes turn on the broiler to get a nice crust on the cauliflower). Remove from the oven and garnish In a small baking with fresh basil. NATURE from page 11 alienated from reality. If you remember my article “Do Students Matter?” you will see the need for vanguard students in this front of the struggle for freedom. There is plenty of work. Move the Money Coalition has an important role in organizing a better design for the use of our resources. Basic needs of all species can be met with compassionate design. Mindfulness and awareness become essential skills as our creativity evolves. We have amazing resources for educating ourselves. Groundcover is an important player in the learning game. Exert your discipline and focus as we carry this to creation and completion. Let’s work together as we learn who we are and get practical. Help Groundcover become an organizing center along with the Commons and Ann Arbor Coalition Against the War. The American people have spoken; Trump is president elect because the people want a change. What kind of change is up for discussion. Start with an article from the Robert Malone group titled “What Kennedy Must Do To Avoid Regulatory Capture?” Since both Malone and Kennedy have been deplatformed many left, liberal and progressive minds will dismiss them out of hand. Reality is often hidden in the details and we need the kind of study that examines the details of the deplatformed which would also include the work of Kruse. Can we agree on one thing we all want to change? I think the science and art of health is the place to start. From a healthy body to a healthy society may be the next step of evolution as our awareness grows into mindful decision making. Revolutionary love will guide our thinking and practice of a life well lived. Breathe the power that hears Mother Nature’s call. Delicious food for everyone. Fresh ingredients for fall comfort meals. $5 OFF NATURAL FOODS MARKET 216 N. FOURTH AVENUE ANN ARBOR, MI PHONE (734) 994 - 9174 • PEOPLESFOOD.COOP ANY PURCHASE OF $30 OR MORE One coupon per transaction. Must present coupon at the time of purchase. Coupon good for in-store only. No other discounts or coop cards apply. Not valid for gift cards, case purchases, beer or wine. OFFER EXPIRES 12/12/2024
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