SEPTEMBER 18, 2026 COMMUNITY letter to the EDITOR Dear Groundcover, I had the pleasure of meeting one of your writers and distributors, Ken Parks, at a coffee shop in Ann Arbor. We had a pleasant chat about Ann Arbor's history of racism and segregation as well as a writer by the name of James A. Michener. He mentioned to me the firsthand accounts that Michener recalls in his novel stories about WWII in the Pacific and also some of the nuances of this historic time. I also was able to read Mr. Parks' piece "Democracy at Work." One line struck me as I was reading, Parks wrote, "now is the time to face reality and live a fully engaged life. Our true nature will manifest as we engage in all levels of struggle." As a Social Welfare graduate student here in Ann Arbor, there is so much that interconnects with conversations we have with clients and our own identity. It can feel overwhelming at the idea that all the good that is done in the world is overlooked and overshadowed by the harm and violence of today's world. Reading Parks' piece gave me hope and also reinforced what I already know to be true — that there is no separation between our morals or community EVENTS SOFA STORIES: STORIES ON STAGE AND SCREEN Friday, September 18, 7:30 p.m. Ypsilanti Freighthouse, 100 Market Pl. Performances of original monologues and screenings of short films from the Detroit-based Sofa Stories Project about the experiences of young people impacted by housing insecurity. Age 14 & up. Tickets $5 in advance at ums.org/ season/2026-27-season or at the door. Sunday, September 20, 4 p.m. Ypsi Freighthouse. All invited to join the artists behind Sofa Stories in an interactive storytelling session designed to help participants craft, shape, and then perform their own personal stories on the theme of “home.” YPSI FALL RIVER DAY Sunday, September 20, 12-3 p.m. Frog Island and Riverside Park, Ypsilanti. Free kayak trips, arts and crafts for kids, games, a live animal exhibit, river-themed exhibits and education, a shuttle for paddlers and more. Walk-up registration only for paddling. cityofypsilanti. com/fallriverday INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE: MUSIC UNITES THE WORLD Sunday, September 20, Liberty Plaza, on the corner of Liberty and S. Division Streets. 1-5 p.m. The theme for the 2026 International Day of Peace is Invest in Peace — For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day. The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly to strengthen the ideals of peace within and among all nations. For some, peace means the absence of violence. To others, peace means freedom from fear. Ending cycles of conflict. Building peace that lasts. But what does it mean to you? Jewish Yom Kippur Day of Atonement begins on Sunday evening sundown. NAVIGATING FROM CRISIS TO RECOVERY Monday, September 21, AADL Pittsfield branch. 6:30-7:45 p.m. Presentation by members of the NAMI advocacy committee about how it’s possible to move from crisis to stability and recovery in a time of instability in mental health funding and services. PENNY STAMPS SERIES: OLAYAMI DABLS Tuesday, September 22, 5:30 p.m. Rackham Auditorium, 915 E. Washington St. Ann Arbor. For decades, Detroit artist Olayami Dabls has explored the intersections of art, history, identity, community and healing through sculpture, storytelling and material culture. Founder of the MBAD African Bead Museum, Dabls presents commentary on the past, present and future from African and African American perspectives, drawing upon traditions in which materials convey identity and serve as messages for healing and protection. In 2022, he received the prestigious Kresge Artist Award for his innovative practice and enduring legacy within his community and beyond. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. A2 JAZZ FEST Saturday, September 26, Rabbit Hole, 210 S. 1st St. Ann Arbor. 5:30 p.m. Noah Hogan Quartet. 7 p.m. Tariq Gardner & Evening Star. 8 p.m. Sean Dobbins Organ Trio. Sunday, September 27, Ravens Club, 207 S. Main St. Ann Arbor. 6 p.m. Elvin Sharp Quartet. 7:30 p.m. Alex Hoberty Quintet. 9 p.m. Junk Jazz. All events free. See back page. YPSI TASTY GRUB CRAWL Tuesday, September 29, 4-8 p.m. Depot Town, Downtown Ypsilanti. A chance for food lovers to enjoy the best food, beverages and unique shops that Ypsilanti has to offer. $25 adults, $15 students, $10 kids. Tickets can be purchased online at a2chamber.org/events. Presented by the A2Y Chamber of Commerce. BREAD & PUPPET: THE UPSIDE DOWN WORLD CIRCUS Wednesday, September 30, 7 p.m. Riverside Park, 2 E. Cross St. Ypsilanti. The one and only Bread & Puppet Circus is back to confront our upside-down situation! With stilt dancers, paper maché beasts of all sizes and a riotous brass band, The Upside Down World Circus is an urgent spectacle of protest and celebration. After each show Bread & Puppet will serve its famous sourdough rye bread with aioli, and “Cheap Art” — books, posters, postcards, pamphlets and banners from the Bread & Puppet Press — will be for sale. Submit an event to be featured in the next edition: submissions@groundcovernews. com values and our purpose in life. We must fully immerse ourselves in collaborating with others and working together to build a future of tomorrow, and this extends across age, race, gender expression and socioeconomic status. I really appreciated meeting Mr. Parks and being able to see someone else in the world who hopes to make a difference. Thank you for everything you all do, and thank you, Mr. Parks, I hope this message finds you. With respect, Trinity GROUNDCOVER NEWS 5
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