׉?ׁB!בCטFFu׉׉ 7cassandra://IDQnjERhhe5VBWDIepsGYVeARPjY57tc4RybJjanT10`׉ 7cassandra://d05a7q5dbb2oG9obDAhlKIUOEVqCXW8_nyJrmh6jgFw͋J`h׉ 7cassandra://INhbCtJxkQ1t1XbrwN98mmJR2StJIEDUdPHVIyXxPc01C`h:ob ^`טFu׈];׈Eh:ob ^I׉E2 $ SEPTEMBER 19, 2025 | VOLUME 16 | ISSUE 20 YOUR PURCHASE BENEFITS THE VENDORS. PLEASE BUY ONLY FROM BADGED VENDORS. Raise your flag: What makes a real American? page 15 MEET YOUR VENDOR: GLEN PAGE PAGE 3 15 YEARS OF NEWS AND SOLUTIONS FROM THE GROUND UP | WASHTENAW COUNTY, MICH. Representatives from Groundcover News, Curbside Chronicle, The Contributor, Streetwise, Cleveland Street Chronicle, Denver VOICE, INSP and Invisible People gathered in Denver Sept. 12-13. Photo by Alex Santil Recap from the INSP North American Summit in Denver, Colo. page 12 THIS PAPER WAS BOUGHT FROM • Proposal: Housing-development accelerator • Charbonneau: Open your eyes to housing inequity. PAGE 4 @groundcovernews, include vendor name and vendor # ׉ 7cassandra://INhbCtJxkQ1t1XbrwN98mmJR2StJIEDUdPHVIyXxPc01C`h:ob ^Jh:ob ^I בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://S6wbrLef8PuwQaejixunQHINTAun2sTkve2FeK7AmBwu`I׉ 7cassandra://h7xKVKkNzqmZDY_gdhLHIdVEBoeUIXPHFsSX3LgeMJQ$#`׉ 7cassandra://0oORawO0k_P6CSEKgRsgX3wkqTFxO07We9x2wDuVVwkS `h:pb ^dנh:ob ^c؁9׉H!http://www.groundcovernews.org%20Gׁ ׁ rנh:pb ^i ,9ׁHhttp://groundcovernews.comׁ ׁ Ј׉E 2 GROUNDCOVER NEWS GROUNDCOVER15 SEPTEMBER 19, 2025 PROVIDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELFDETERMINED INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY POVERTY, PRODUCING A STREET NEWSPAPER THAT GIVES A PLATFORM TO UNDERREPRESENTED VOICES IN WASHTENAW COUNTY, PROMOTING AN ACTION TO BUILD A JUST, CARING AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETY. Groundcover News, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in April 2010 as a means to empower lowincome persons to make the transitions from homeless to housed, and from jobless to employed. Vendors purchase each copy of our regular editions of Groundcover News at our office for 50 cents. This money goes towards production costs. Vendors work selling the paper on the street for $2, keeping all income and tips from each sale. Vendors are the main contributors to the paper, and are compensated to write and report. Street papers like Groundcover News exist in cities all over the United States, as well as in more than 40 other countries, in an effort to raise awareness of the plight of homeless people and combat the increase in poverty. Our paper is a proud member of the International Network of Street Papers. STAFF Lindsay Calka — publisher Cynthia Price — editor Lila Kelly — intern Gray Connor — intern PROOFREADERS Susan Beckett Steve Ross Anabel Sicko ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS Elizabeth Bauman Emeri Jade Bey Pedro Campos Jason Michael Church La Shawn Courtwright Jim Clark Giles Classen Shelley DeNeve Lit Kurtz Mike Jones Mae Nausser Will Shakespeare Denise Shearer Steven Felicia Wilbert Joe Woods VOLUNTEERS Jessi Averill Sim Bose Jud Branam Libby Chambers Stephanie Dong Jacob Fallman Glenn Gates Robert Klingler Margaret Patston Mary Wisgerhof Max Wisgerhof Emilie Ziebarth BOARD of DIRECTORS Anna Gersh Greg Hoffman Jessi Averill Jacob Fallman Jack Edelstein Glenn Gates 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 Mike Jones Hailu Shitaye Shelley DeNeve Steve Borgsdorf CONTACT US Story and photo submissions: submissions@groundcovernews.com Advertising and partnerships: contact@groundcovernews.com Office: 423 S. 4th Ave., Ann Arbor Mon-Sat, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Phone: 734-263-2098 @groundcover @groundcovernews DONATE, LISTEN TO OLD ISSUES + LEARN MORE www.groundcovernews.org WAYS TO SUPPORT 1. Buy the paper, read the paper. 2. Get the word out — We rely on grassroots marketing. Talk to people about Groundcover and share us with your network. 3. Volunteer — You'll learn a lot about our vendors, the newspaper and your community. Interested in volunteering regularly? Fill out the form on our website. 4. Advertise your company, organization, event or resource — see rates below. 5. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram — promote our posts and share your favorite articles and vendor interactions. 6. Donate items — A seasonally appropiate list of items most needed at our office and on the street is available on our website. Drop off anytime we're open. 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 ׉ 7cassandra://0oORawO0k_P6CSEKgRsgX3wkqTFxO07We9x2wDuVVwkS `h:ob ^L׉ESEPTEMBER 19, 2025 ON MY CORNER MEET YOUR VENDOR Glen Page, vendor No. 407 In one sentence, who are you? The world's first fully functional Black superhero — at your service. Where do you usually sell Groundcover? My main spot is at Fleet Feet, the corner of 4th and Liberty. Why did you start selling Groundcover? 'Cause I was broke and I was bored! What's your life motto? Treat others as you want to be treated. What advice would you give to your younger self? Keep your head up, and stay smiling. What is your comfort food? Fried potatoes and onions. If you were stranded on a desert island and could only bring three things, what would they be? A boat, Trump's bank account and a satellite. If there was a theme song for your life, what would it be? "What's Going On" by Marvin Gaye. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? Hawaii or Japan. What is the weirdest food combo you swear by? Garlic and bologna sandwich. What change would you like to see in Washtenaw County? That the whole function goes back to the way it was in the 70s. What's one question you wish you were asked more? What's your phone number? 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 GROUNDCOVER NEWS 3 Songs that make you smile, relax and work better I love to listen to different kinds of relaxing, soothing, happy music. It helps me with my mental and physical health. It helps calm my anxiety. I like mostly folk music and country music, but I enjoy spiritual music as well. I like to do artwork and write sometimes while I’m listening to music. I like instrumental music that's soft, that helps me concentrate when I am writing or doing work that's not physical. It helps me concentrate when doing Some of my favorites are the Christmas songs “Joy To DENISE SHEARER Groundcover vendor No. 485 The World,” “Silver Bells” and “Santa Baby.” “What A Friend We Have In Jesus” is another song I enjoy and “What The World Needs Now Is Love, Sweet Love” too. “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” and “True Colors” by Cindy Lauper are also good ones. Those are a few songs that are my favorphysical work, too. I like to cook and clean when I am listening to good, soothing music. ites and they are happy, soothing songs. Help to get back on the road LA SHAWN COURTWRIGHT Groundcover writer Hello all. I was injured not too long ago, and am still slowly recovering. I have physical issues that really limit my ability to be fully productive. Although I am grateful for public transportation, it is time consuming to take the bus to complete some daily tasks. My vehicle has some damage that I need help to get the repairs made so that I can get back on track. I was forced to wear a device against medical advice by the court. With this information along with photographs that had been made available to my assigned public defender at that time (that obviously supported to ask for more than the cover price or solicit donations by any other means. • When selling Groundcover, I will always have the current biweekly issue of Groundcover available for customer purchase. • I agree not to sell additional goods or products when selling the paper or to panhandle, including panhandling with only one paper or selling an issue more than 4 weeks old. • I will wear and display my badge when selling papers and refrain from wearing it or other Groundcover gear when engaged in other activities. • I will only purchase the paper from Groundcover Staff and will not sell to or buy papers from other Groundcover vendors, especially the physical torture that I was forced to endure) could have created a potential life threatening blood clot. Having this knowledge, by providing once again the physical pain and torture that I endured by the lack of this particular assistant prosecutor, I was further subjected to wearing a device that, even upon seeking emergency medical treatment, that would have relieved my body of the physical malady that had been caused, even medical doctors refused to remove this device from my body while being evidenced could result in potential death. I was denied necessary relief because according the medical professionals choice to allow me to be subject to a life threatening abuse because the 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 medical staff did not attempt to contact the actors and enforcers of such conditions put upon me simply based on allegations or otherwise charges of a crime. After going to two urgent facilities, I was denied medically necessary relief because the medical staff stated that they could not and will not cut the device off of my body. I was already on medication regime to improve my body’ s ability to absorb the nutrients that was actively treating me to address this issue of circulatory malady. As a result, I suffered a severe cramping episode of both of my legs as I was driving my vehicle that resulted in me being in an accident. Thankfully no one was see HELP page 7  selling on public buses, federal property or stores unless there is permission from the owner. • I agree to stay at least one block away from another vendor in downtown areas. I will also abide by the Vendor Corner Policy. • I understand that Groundcover strives to be a paper that covers topics of homelessness and poverty while providing sources of income for the homeless. I will try to help in this effort and spread the word. If you would like to report a violation of the Vendor Code or leave positive review of a Vendor experience please email contact@ groundcovernews.com or fill out the contact form on our website. h:ob ^Mh:ob ^L בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://PUMvCTBAEb2BZz5fgzQVbmc-1ZwEygf_rNYcE9wZblA `I׉ 7cassandra://I2eT7aXjO-MT_wEnWCIWNX8aEuO9ZjAew5Z-981Omvw.`׉ 7cassandra://wJ9pvmyoxoimsp_0AcxniG0HVWihw1MoR5J1B_iZfa4Pp`h:pb ^j׉E4 GROUNDCOVER NEWS SHELTER Nicole Adelman on new E.D. role JIM CLARK Groundcover vendor No. 139 On Monday, Sept. 8, Nicole Adelman took over for Dan Kelly as Executive Director of the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County, located in the Robert J Delonis Center, the county’s homeless shelter. I interviewed her on her third day. A “transplant townie,” Nicole was born in Philadelphia and moved to Ann Arbor at the age of 12. Nicole says this about her younger years: “I graduated from Ann Arbor Huron High School in 1988 and went to undergrad and grad school at the University of Michigan. I grew up wanting to serve people who are underrepresented in our system. So I got my master's in public health and behavioral health education and have been here ever since.” Since graduating from U-M in 1995, Nicole has worked for the Corner Health Center as a health educator and director and was the director of Alpha House for several years. “My work in HIV was at an agency then called The HIV/AIDS Resource Center,” she said. She spent the last seven years working on substance use policy and funding. “You're highly motivated to do human service work,” I said. “What is driving that?” Nicole answered, “My desire is to make sure that everybody has access to a healthy life and supportive communities. Serving the people who need it the most is the essence of who I am. My core values are that we are all equal and all deserve basic human rights and our needs, including housing, to be met. Just as a human being, I believe this is the right thing to do.” “What drew you to becoming the executive director of the Delonis Center?” I asked. Nicole answered, “Every job I've had comes back to housing and homelessness. If we don't have a healthy community, we can't have healthy people. And our towns can't exist in a healthy way if people are not able to have reliable housing.” “What is your main goal coming in as a new director?” I asked She answered, “To make sure that we have the capacity to meet people’s immediate needs, not just at Delonis and the rotating shelters, but across the whole county. I think the community plays a huge role in housing. I don't think that's the only answer, there has to be other systems in place, but we absolutely can't do it without the community. “Reconnecting with my partners is very important. I’ve worked with the County Commissioners. I’ve known Sheri Wander and Peggy Lynch from MISSION for a long time. And I worked with the community of faith when I was at Alpha House. Building capacity means reengaging everybody. We still have that connection with each other; it just needs to build its strength back up.” Nicole continued, “We also need to expand into Ypsilanti. There needs to be a presence in Ypsi where it doesn't exist. It never has, with the exception of the past couple years where I think it's been building. I feel like people look to the Shelter Association as a leader in this cause.” Nicole mentioned that she wants to include grassroots groups such as Washtenaw Camp Outreach, and social justice and housing activists, such as Shelter Now, in the conversation about building capacity. Nicole mentioned law enforcement may have a role as a community partner. I asked her if she knew Alyshia Dyer, the Washtenaw County Sheriff. She did not but did have this to say: “Alyshia ran on a great platform and I think she seems to really care. So I look forward to meeting with her. I haven't interacted with her at all but I don't think she wants our county to be a police state. I think she is invested in the social service model and supporting people. Whether that's coming to fruition or not, I don't know. I haven't spoken to her at all, so I can't really speak to that.” Winter is a busy time for the network of people that help the homeless. Being stuck outside in the brutal cold during the day is dangerous, sleeping outside can be deadly. There was a cold-related death in Detroit earlier in 2025 and a Washtenaw County medical official connected eight deaths to the cold since 2022. The activist community in the area is beginning to gear up. “How are you preparing the shelter for winter?” I asked. “I have to go back to the day-three disclaimer,” she said. “I don't mean it to be an excuse,” she continued, “but I am just now meeting all the staff and doing the on-boarding paperwork. However, I just told Dan Kelly, the former director, that I'm really looking forward to getting involved in the conversations that haven't happened yet with me. So planning for the winter - that's to come, and very soon. Planning for the shelter started a while ago, and should be happening all year.” Nicole Adelman: a natural fit for Executive Director of the Shelter Association. I wanted to know Nicole’s opinion on capitalism so I asked her to comment on this statement: “Once in poverty, getting out is nearly impossible. Income disparity is responsible for a lot of homelessness. What is often overlooked is that because we live in an economic system that relies on competition, there have to be losers. The losers can’t make rent and so the losers become homeless.” Here is Nicole's reaction: “People are the responsibility of the community no matter what economic model is being followed. But unfortunately the way our system is set up, it has allowed the government to pass off responsibility to the nonprofits. Not locally though. Washtenaw County does a great job addressing its population in need, but in general it feels like the government has given up on social services. The attitude seems to be we’ll help here and there but it isn’t our problem. Some people have even criminalized homelessness, but the people experiencing it are suffering because the system isn’t working. The homeless are not criminals, they are our neighbors.” For Denver VOICE vendor Halvin Jones, survival means walking all night GILES CLASSEN Denver VOICE Each night, as most of Denver sleeps, Halvin Jones wanders the streets, always moving. “I just walk the streets,” he said. “It’s dangerous to close your eyes out here.” Jones, a Denver VOICE vendor, has been experiencing unsheltered homelessness since losing his Section 8 housing voucher. “They terminated my apartment because my paperwork wasn’t completed correctly,” he said. “I thought I had it right. My caseworker helped me. We completed it multiple times. But they still said it was incomplete.” Jones gets Supplemental Social Security Income due to a developmental disability. He said that doing paperwork is difficult, and he asked for help, but instead, he lost his housing. “I’ve been special ed my whole life,” he said. “I’ve never had a license. I won’t give up; I just keep trying. But it isn’t easy, and no one wants to give you a break.” Since then, Jones has been caught in the draining cycle that traps many experiencing homelessness: too exhausted to function during the day, but too afraid to sleep at night. “You’re always on edge,” he said. “I don’t sleep much at night when I try. You have to sleep with one eye open; you always feel on alert. So, I often sleep during the day when it can be a little safer and walk all night.” Some nights, Jones tries to grab a few hours of sleep on a city bus or in tucked-away corners. But even that comes with risk. “I got robbed in my sleep one night,” he said. “I woke up with nothing but my pants.” Shelters haven’t been a viable alternative for Jones. He traverses the see WALKING next page  SEPTEMBER 19, 2025 ׉ 7cassandra://wJ9pvmyoxoimsp_0AcxniG0HVWihw1MoR5J1B_iZfa4Pp`h:ob ^N׉E!8SEPTEMBER 19, 2025 YPSILANTI Ending the blockade on Cuba Blockade, sanctions or embargo? Blockade according to Google is an act or means of sealing off places to prevent goods or people from entering or leaving. Blockade, sanctions, embargos are all the same — measures put in place to penalize a country or nation, from a more powerful country or nation. These words we hear quite often on the news, but do we really know the effects of these actions designed to ultimately cause despair? The question is, why do powerful nations like the United States impose blockades? It’s simple: to impose their will. The United States currently has Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria under blockade. Over the last 75 years, the nation of Israel has had a blockade that has worsened throughout the decades on the Palestinian people in Gaza. Russia’s Black Sea port blockade on Ukraine is an attempt to hurt Ukraine’s trade and economy. Global food shortage is an example of the unintended outcomes of blockades. These blockades hurt bystander countries/nations who trade or do business with these countries. Russia backed off some of the Ukraine blockade when there was an outcry from developing nations who depend on Ukraine’s wheat to stave off famine. Less than 100 miles south of the U.S. mainland, Cuba officially became a socialist communist state on April 19, 1961. Fidel Castro declared revolutionary socialism, following the defeat of the Bay of Pigs invasion. The blockade on Cuba caught my attention, because of the devastating results to a people and nation that most people don’t hear or talk about. The people of Cuba have been under this blockade since 1959. In 2009 President Barack Obama lifted the travel ban, and in 2014 announced the United States would resume relations with Cuba, thereby removing Cuba from the State Sponsors of Terrorism (SSOT) list. When  WALKING from last page city, looking for the best places to sell Denver VOICE, but trying to make shelter curfews can hinder his ability to work. “Shelters, they stop taking people in at 8, and shelters are dirty,” he said. “I’ve gotten sick in shelters. They don’t feel safer than the street.” Even when he’s made the effort to get in, shelter space isn’t guaranteed. “Sometimes, I wait in line and don’t get in,” he said. “Sometimes I get sent to Holly Street, but if I miss the bus or have trouble with transportation, I limit financial transactions between the United States and Cuba, including restrictions on remittances and "U-Turn" transactions. Restrictions on Cuban Companies: The United States restricts transactions with Cuban companies, particularly those managed by the armed forces. Human Rights Sanctions: The United MIKE JONES Groundcover vendor No. 113 Donald Trump assumed office in 2017, he overturned the progressive actions of the Obama administration, and eventually reinstated stringent sanctions. During the final days of his term, President Joe Biden initiated the process to remove Cuba from the SSOT list, but again Trump reversed the process immediately upon taking office for his second term in January 2025. The United States maintains comprehensive economic sanctions against Cuba, including restrictions on trade, travel and financial transactions. These sanctions, which have been in place for decades, aim to influence political and economic changes in Cuba. While some exceptions exist for humanitarian purposes and other specific activities, the overall effect is a significant limitation on economic engagement between the two countries. Key aspects of the sanctions Trade Embargo: The United States maintains a broad trade embargo against Cuba, restricting most forms of trade and commercial activity between the two countries. Travel Restrictions: Travel to Cuba citizens and residents by U.S. is restricted, with limited exceptions for family visits, official business, journalistic activities and other specific purposes. Financial Restrictions: Sanctions don’t get in, and I get stuck out there. It can take half of the day to try to get into a shelter, and there are no promises.” Walking the streets also leads to another problem: hunger. Jones says that he walks so much that he is always looking for food. But surviving the streets has taken a toll. “I feel like every week out here ages you a year,” he said. The hardest part, he says, is the relentless toil of it all; the way each day is consumed with just preparing for the night. “I either try to find a place that is safe, and I can hide through the Local efforts to end the blockade At the Ypsilanti Human Relations Commission (HRC) Meeting on night, or I try to prepare myself to be awake all night. Neither is any good, and it wears on you.” Sometimes, when the exhaustion is too much, Jones turns to alcohol to force sleep. He doesn’t like turning to alcohol, and he avoids harder drugs, but without access to safe housing and medical care, he doesn’t have other options. “Sometimes, you feel so sick from not sleeping, you have no choice. You go to the liquor store so you can pass out all night. But that ain’t any good either,” he said. “That ain’t any kind of sleep.” From time to time, Jones saves enough money to spend a night or two at a motel, but as Denver changes, there are fewer and fewer low-cost hotels that he can turn to. Still, each day, Jones shows up. He continues selling papers. “I just keep trying, and I’m not going to quit. I hope if I work hard enough, something will break my way.” Courtesy of Denver VOICE / INSP. ngo States has imposed sanctions on individuals and entities responsible for human rights abuses in Cuba. IThe sanctions have had a significant impact on the Cuban economy and quality of life, limiting access to goods, services and financial resources. Cuban citizens have faced challenges in accessing essential goods, including medicines and medical supplies, due to the restrictions on trade. The sanctions have also impacted the Cuban government's ability to engage in international commerce and development. There is ongoing debate about the effectiveness and humanitarian consequences of the sanctions. Cuba relief efforts involve both international and national organizations providing aid in the form of food, water, medical supplies, and shelter, particularly following natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes. Key actors include United Nations agencies like UNICEF, international NGOs such as Catholic Relief Services and Handicap International, and religious groups like Send Relief and the International Republican Institute. These efforts focus on disaster response, health, sanitation and strengthening local capacity to respond to future crises. People in Michigan are working on relief efforts for our brothers and sisters in Cuba. August 21, 2025, the Michigan Action for Cuba Committee presented their case to end the blockade, to have Cuba removed from the State Sponsors of Terrorism List, and to return Guantanamo Bay to Cuba. HRC passed a reccomendation to have the resolution put on Ypsi City Council's agenda. The intended resolution, if passed, will hopefully move through the Michigan State legislators to the U.S. Congress and finally the Oval Office for the President’s signature. The City Clerk Tracey Boudreau failed to put the resolution on the agenda for the September 9, 2025 Ypsilanti City Council meeting. Tuesday September 23, is the next City council meeting, and we will see whether or not the Cube resolution has been put on the agenda. Michigan Action for Cuba Committee is a part of The National Network On Cuba which is a U.S.-based umbrella organization composed of more than 60 organizations advocating for an end to Washington’s hostility towards Cuba, especially the inhumane U.S. economic blockade against Cuba. There is a precedence of similar legislation in Michigan. Resolutions have been passed by the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners, Wayne County Board of Commissioners, Detroit City Council, Meridian Township and the State of Michigan Senate. This blockade has been in place for over six decades. The Michigan Action For Cuba Committee and National Network On Cuba continue to advocate the end of this blockade, so Cuba, the United States, and other nations can benefit from one another's goods and innovations. Join MACC at Ypsi City Council Tuesday, September 23 at 7 p.m.! 1 South Huron, Ypsilanti. End the blockade! GROUNDCOVER NEWS 5 h:ob ^Oh:ob ^N בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://Vz1005JWC7nznp0T0sVKB4Q1A1VzhA6YKAbeIjK8awk`I׉ 7cassandra://xxv5Fildo11L4uNIEAUX_0fdfpOp7wOUC37uDbfjkBUC`׉ 7cassandra://D0hFClDjAvXstY1QYTv9zCP5P6WmVcb182eNTipHR_YQ`h:qb ^pנh:pb ^lC[̎9׉Hhttp://www.MichRenFest.comGׁ ׁ rנh:pb ^mṯ9׉Hhttps://lu.ma/sfte5x8t%20Gׁ ׁ rנh:pb ^n̟9׉Hhttp://a2gov.org/greenfairGׁ ׁ rנh:pb ^o;9׉Hhttp://breadandpuppet.org/tourGׁ ׁ rנh:qb ^wv9ׁHhttp://foundation.orgׁ ׁ Јנh:qb ^v?9ׁHhttp://breadandpuppet.org/tourׁ ׁ Јנh:qb ^u̟9ׁHhttp://a2gov.org/greenfairׁ ׁ Јנh:qb ^tw̭9ׁHhttps://lu.ma/sfte5x8tׁ ׁ Ј׉E!6 GROUNDCOVER NEWS THINGS TO DO Visit a new realm in the Renaissance Fair September in Michigan is full of fun activities to do with family and friends, such as visiting an apple orchard, coffee/lunch in the park and late-night shows. But the event that stands out to me the most this year is the Michigan Renaissance Festival in Holly, Michigan. I remember that the schools I went to would book field trips there. I, unfortunately, have never had a chance to experience it but find myself even more excited about it as an adult. The Michigan Renaissance Festival is the opportunity to experience an entirely different realm of time from today; a break from the mundane dayto-day routine. A chance to get dressed up and indulge in an inner character lying dormant within. The Renaissance Festival is it! You can take part in this exciting event each Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. until September 28, 2025, with an additional special ‘Festival Fridays’ date on September 26. The location? 12600 Dixie Hwy, Holly, Mi. My advice is to experience this year, so grab your tickets today! ADVANCE ADMISSION (plus fees): Adult: $24.95 Child: (5-12): $15.95 Senior: $22.95 Children four and under are free! Visit the website MichRenFest.com EMERI JADE BEY Groundcover vendor No. 660 to see the many deals and discounts offered and to purchase your tickets. There are discount opportunities like everything you can while in attendance. Try the food during a culinary adventure at the Feast of Fantasy, sip on medieval ale during a pub crawl, unleash your inner birdwatcher at the Birds of Prey show, shop for new trinkets and clothing at the artisan market, and watch as the talented entertainers dazzle you with jolly good shows during the weekend’s themed daily entertainment schedule. It seems there are so many magical and unforgettable opportunities to experience at the Renaissance Festival bringing your report card showing A’s and B’s and be granted free admission, awesome military and first responder discounts, as well as many more discount opportunities worth viewing. Also, if you would like to get more involved in the celebration, see the festival's website for: donating/becoming a sponsor, the many employment opportunities, becoming a festival vendor, booking a class field trip and even auditioning to take part in next year's show! So go forth and embark on a thrilling renaissance quest full of adventure and merriment! I’m sure you won’t regret it! SEPTEMBER 19, 2025 Groundcover contributor Robbie February was called on stage to help with a show at the 2024 Ren Fest. Detroit Zoo: A great time for outdoor recreation! We have had a very hot summer this year. I have been enjoying every bit of it. However, there have been some days that were too hot to do anything other than just sit somewhere cool and keep hydrated. September is still hot, but temperatures begin to lower. I can't think of a better way to take advantage of the opportunity of a nice, warm, September day than to spend it at the Detroit Zoo. Especially living in the city where you mostly see the elements of what I call a concrete jungle, taking time out to experience recreation through the zoological society's lens at the Detroit Zoo is exactly what we need. You can escape to this safe place to explore the creatures of a real jungle for a day, or as often as you choose, because the Detroit Zoo is only closed three days out of the year. I like the idea of making memories at the Detroit Zoo because all ages are welcome. There is fun for everyone. One of the things that I love is the train ride. It's like taking a ride through the jungle where you get to see the animals in a habitat like their natural home. There is the carousel that many find fun. I have seen some that are a little reluctant, usually toddlers and young elementary school aged children. Some even cry. We don't want that, but LA SHAWN COURTWRIGHT Groundcover writer day. There are plenty of choices to make for food. The ticket prices range from $24 to $27, but are $3 lower when purchased online. There may be additional discounts on special offers and/or promotions offered at times by the Zoo only. So have a wonderful time and make some great memories! The Detroit Zoo is located at 8450 W. 10 Mile Rd., Royal Oak, Michigan 48067. Their phone number is (248) 541-5717. new things can be a bit intimidating for some. There is the dragon trail for the more adventurous spectators. The dragon trail displays mythical creatures, robots and dinosaurs. Of course they are not real creatures. These are for us to use our imaginations and get a glimpse of how the prehistoric dinosaurs would have looked. Be ready to be awed. There are water bottle refill stations throughout the whole Zoo. So, remember to bring your water containers so that you can keep hydrated. You will be doing plenty of walking. Even if you are using a mobility device such as a cane, walker or wheelchair, you will get thirsty. Oh yeah! We did not forget about the energy that you will be using while exploring all of the amusement for the Pictured right: Detroit Zoo Water Tower 2025 rebrand. ׉ 7cassandra://D0hFClDjAvXstY1QYTv9zCP5P6WmVcb182eNTipHR_YQ`h:ob ^T׉ESEPTEMBER 19, 2025 COMMUNITY EVENTS community EVENTS GREEN FAIR: CIRCULARITY STREET AND CLOTHING SWAP FESTIVAL Friday, Sept. 19, 5- 8 p.m. Main Street, downtown Ann Arbor An annual street fair celebrating sustainability, community and climate action! Swap participants can take clothing without bringing anything or bring clothing without taking anything. Bring up to five items of clothing if you are donating at Green Fair — or donate at our pre-event drop off on September 17 for a chance to receive a prize. Please only bring clean clothing in good to great wearable condition. This is a completely free event. Accessories welcome! RSVP: https://lu.ma/sfte5x8t For more information about Green Fair, visit a2gov.org/greenfair POETRY + JAZZ AT MAKESHIFT GALLERY Sunday, September 21, 12 - 1 p.m. Makeshift Gallery, 407 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor Event featuring artists: Karen Holman, Sara Hughes, Brian Jacobs and Elvin Sharp Quartet. Coffee, tea and croissants served. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE Sunday, September 21, 9 a.m. to sunset Library Lane, Ann Arbor Annual gathering of music, talks, conversation with the peace community. Set up, smudging 9-11 a.m. Mix of presentations, open mic and music which goes til dancers and musicians wear out as the sun sets. Performances from Mary and Huz Band, Shekinah Errington, Steve Somers and Band, Deisha Myles, Megan Sims, Michael Joseph and Randy Tessier.  HELP from page 3 injured and no other vehicles were struck. I am left with the repair costs. I am trying to raise $4,500.00 additional dollars to get my car on the road before the extreme cold comes. One of those expenses being the replacement of the driver's seatbelt. There was no need for the police officer to cut my seatbelt. I did not disengage my seatbelt for fear of my life because after the door was opened by one police officer the other officer had gloves on and presented a posture to openly fire his arm/gun. I insisted that the AROUND THE KITCHEN TABLE WITH PEACE HOUSE Sun., September 21, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Marketplace Hall, 16 S. Washington St. Ypsilanti Monthly free brunch and community building event. Free to everyone — we always have omni, vegan and gluten-free options. TOTALLY AWESOME FEST XXI September 25-28 Dreamland Theater, 26 N Washington St. Free event, open to all ages and all species. All music genres, workshops, theater, DIY. A2 JAZZFEST Saturday and Sunday September 27 and 28, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. First Congregational Church of Ann Arbor, 608 E William St. until 8:30 p.m., Ravens Club after 8 p.m. Weekend-long jazz music festival featuring live performances and student workshops. FREE! BREAD AND PUPPET 2025 CIRCUS TOUR Sunday, September 28, 6 p.m. Riverside Park, 2 East Cross Street, Ypsilanti Our domestic resurrection, Revolution in progress, Circus! $20 suggested donation: No one turned away for lack of funds. No ticket needed. breadandpuppet.org/tour "RAIDING THE HEARTLAND" BOOK DISCUSSION Thursday October 2, 6:30 p.m. Literati Bookstore, 124 E. Washington St. Ann Arbor Literati is thrilled to welcome William D. Lopez to celebrate the other officer release my seatbelt in fear that had I made the effort to release it myself that I would have been mortally wounded. There was no need to cut my seatbelt in order for me to safely exit my car. That is going to cost $400.00 to have reinstalled not including labor costs. I was in initial shock and believed that my car was about to blow up because of the heat sensation that I felt when my car ended up at the crash site. I do not want to list the other repairs in detail in this article, but am willing to present the legal and true documentation that affirm my claim and ask for help with release of Raiding the Heartland: An American Story of Deportation and Resistance. He'll be joined in conversation by Ashley Cureton. The book chronicles the devastating impacts of immigration raids — and the enduring resistance of immigrant communities in the aftermath PILAR’S FOUNDATION FALL INTO ACTION Sunday, October 19, 4-6:30 p.m. Zion Lutheran Church, 1501 W Liberty St. Ann Arbor Fundraising open house with food, live music and silent auction. Uniting our community to benefit immigrant families in need of assistance. Donation ticket prices: Adults ($50), teens and students with IDs ($35), children under six ($20) Purchase tickets online at pilarsfoundation.org or in person at Pilar’s Tamales, 2261 W Liberty St. Ann Arbor. PUBLIC WORKS AND SOLID WASTE OPEN HOUSE Sat., October 25, 10 a.m. -1 p.m. Public Works Unit, 4251 Stone School Road, Ann Arbor A free, family-friendly event exploring the world of public works and solid waste. Enjoy hands-on activities to learn about utility infrastructure, city forestry, street maintenance, solid waste, recyling and compost programs; such as touching City trucks, fixing a water main break, painting a plow, and more! Submit an event to be featured in the next edition: submissions@groundcovernews. com donations. I am also the mother of a minor child who needs rides to and from school everyday that ensure their safe arrival and departure from school. Thank you! If you want to make a donation towards my cause you may contact me at (734) 686-9383 or do so through my personal Venmo account: @LaShawn-Courtwright not through the Venmo code on the front of this Groundcover newspaper. They are separate. Feel free to donate a check, cash, or a money order made out to me to P.O. Box 8126 Ann Arbor, Michigan 48107. Thank you! GROUNDCOVER NEWS 7 h:ob ^Uh:ob ^T בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://g14KvUepYQi7oeOlhjWY6nxGL7o1LC05SgqVSr-vtSQ0`I׉ 7cassandra://aO_LhPYvxrqyHwmkCzdBTICMDbsoBBvhaRbjS1LrgHoQ`׉ 7cassandra://uMUjKkHOiVTZM6NkSCuKvmca_k_He5J3_weVShaRxagR`h:qb ^xנh:qb ^z'̞9ׁHhttp://TrashTalkTour.Orgׁ ׁ Ј׉E8 GROUNDCOVER NEWS TRAVELS WITH DREAMER STEVEN Groundcover vendor No. 668 Located at 800 Decatur St., New Orleans, LA, since 1862 (originally a coffee stand long since brick and mortar), offering dark roasted Coffee and Chicory, served black or Au lait, fresh-squeezed orange juice, white and chocolate milk, and Beignets, Cafe du Monde reigns over its section of the Mississippi and its piece of the French Quarter. It is an incredible place with old-timey charm. A building that would be at home in Paris. An Au Lait is coffee and chicory mixed half and half with hot milk. The coffee and chicory is crazy good, and as Guinness is to beer for me, the coffee and chicory is to coffee, sparking a lifelong obsession with coffee. I didn’t like beer before my first draught Guinness, and didn’t care so much for coffee before Cafe du Monde. than a polite nod. It's like the green room for Bourbon St. It was the green room for so much more than that. Calling beignets doughnuts is akin to calling the Mississippi River a drainage ditch. I can still taste them. Experience them is a better word. As a cook, I wonder if they change the oil after every batch? (Of course not.) The powdered sugar was so heavy as to become layers of mouth mirth. You get a good tooth feel with the deep-fried golden outer crust just below the now crunchy sugar. Then your tooth feel would get lost in an airy lack of feel yet somehow still decadent and sweet as if your teeth had taste buds. These things for sure are more air than dough when they get to you. Air of the kind of value an astronaut might get behind. But wait, slow down. There is the Cafe Au Lait and benignet. Photo credits: Jeff Parness New Orleans is a special kind of place, a place of countless firsts. The hero of the menu is unquestionably the Beignets. Described on their website, in a bottomless understatement, as “square French-style doughnuts lavishly covered with powdered sugar.” Yeah doughnuts. I mean, I did already like doughnuts, but I liked doughnuts, not these generational love letters. Served hot, fresh out of the fryer, paired perfectly with the coffee and chicory, they are a singular way to while away some time out of the frequent Gulf Coast rain. Sitting in the ambiance of this cafe is a call back to the turn-of-the-century literary cafe scene in Paris. You almost expect to see James Joyce stumble in and call a table of friends “arse faces," shoot an espresso, then careen back out into the exquisite chaos of The French Quarter. Is that blond guy over there, Lestat? Oh shit though, really is that Ann Rice? If it were them, the chillness of this hip spot would preclude anything more tooth feel with the powdered sugar, the sneaky powdered sugar. The b’s are hot when they dump a Tony Montana amount of sugar on them, so the first layer of sugar caramelizes on the hot, clean, oily dough. As you go in for a bite, hold your breath, the top layer of sugar will either go into your unprepared face or onto your friend if you don’t breathe just right. The Girl in the Shiny Green Dress got me good in our first round. She breathed out as she took a bite and blasted me in the face a little, then guffawed a huge blast right after. I blinked and looked super cool, wiping white powder from my face. Below that top sneaky trifling powdered layer is the glory that is melted powdered sugar, like a frosting all its own, then the pastry, more air than dough, then the smug satisfaction you made a good decision buying these. Now the bit before the climax. You sit back, very pleased with yourself on your choice of snacks, and have a sip of coffee to wash it down. That was it, that was the climax. Sweet satisfaction and good coffee with friends. It doesn’t get much better. I’ve done hallucinogens in my time before, since and while in N.O. but my mind was most blown by the combo of historic pastry, sugar, caramelized sugar, strong coffee, ambiance and company. I speak with authority on mind-blowingness. It helped shape me as a chef and just a good dude. Dreamer, who I’d come here with through trials and tribulations, couldn't give a shit. The Girl in the Shiny Green Dress was usually with me, she loved them too. I liked them so much that if we didn’t have enough cash between the two of us I’d go without her and she would understand because, beignets. “Meh, expensive doughnuts, whatever man,” Dreamer would say. Meanwhile, we’re panhandling to get our hands on some. If ever we had 5 or 10 bucks after getting my nicotine and a couple of deuce deuces or a few drinks in me, I’d have to get an order. Yes, ”I’d,” I said, I was selfish about these things. The trio of these fluffy, airy dream pastries would seem to whisper to me down the tunnels of antiquity out of Titania’s whimsies, Puck’s hijinks, and King Solaman’s wisdom. From their possible origin within the boiling vats of animal fat in The iconic Cafe Du Monde on Decatur Street. SEPTEMBER 19, 2025 Travels with Dreamer: It's not a donut, dude that speaks to Dreamer being alright in my book. He was a cretin, but a cretin who liked good pastries. TGITSGD was not a cretin. We all laughed and joked, and told tall tales. After a few coffees, we outlined our dissertations on the fundamentals of the cosmos and how it relates to being really cool you know, and how if we all just did mushrooms, everything would be like way better. Still waiting to hear from the Universee DREAMER page 12  ancient Rome, north to the kitchens of French cooks who evolved them into fritters à la Beignets. Then in 18th century colonial Louisiana, where the Creole further developed them using ingredients at hand with the culinary traditions of the New World. If you’ve kept up with Dreamer’s adventures from earlier stories, you may have picked up on Dreamer’s charming lack of depth. Were I to tell him, the least bit convincingly, they sometimes sneak a psilocybin in a French fritter new world upgrade, I could get him to take a bite, then he’d be pissed and I’d feel like a shit heel bully. No, no. Funny joke for my inside voice. Good enough. This was for The Girl and me. Also, just me. These things, this experience got into the folds of my gray matter as nothing before. Dreamer wasn’t opposed to the Bs per se. We did snack on them together a few times. I got to know Ol’ Dreamer a bit more in this time. We weren't in survival mode, we were in late 19th-century parlor games mode with an accidental eye toward salon hangouts. The old-timey trendy exercise of sitting around having a snack, and being smart and witty. I tease Dreamer in these stories, and he could be truly maddening, as could I, but he was a hell of a guy and was a blast to hang out with. The Girl was very shy but open and fun with him and me, and October 5th Learn about zero waste in Ann Arbor at these free, family-friendly events! Zero Waste Fall Festival Tour Recycle Ann Arbor 12:00-3:00pm 9:30am & 11:00am See how your recycling gets a second life and get answers to all your questions Michigan Stadium Tour 8:30-9:30am Get a behind-the-scenes look at Big House zero waste operations Bike Tour 7:45am-1:00pm Ride from Common Cycle to Recycle Ann Arbor and back with stops along the way Learn More and Sign Up: TrashTalkTour.Org Made Possible By: Games, doughnuts, prizes, shopping, and live music at Kiwanis Thrift Sale ׉ 7cassandra://uMUjKkHOiVTZM6NkSCuKvmca_k_He5J3_weVShaRxagR`h:ob ^V׉E4SEPTEMBER 19, 2025 ADVERTISEMENT GROUNDCOVER NEWS 9 h:ob ^Wh:ob ^V בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://bS8cjvUSWTHS5HZpo4VuV4WJEQC_bshujYvD9spOD7c`I׉ 7cassandra://KTZ2_1etQWDpALULJLuQq1-e3g_WKrefVePpdK_RLaYU`׉ 7cassandra://YpOKqYEiAD6DanWp2_xb6pdUpdJ_R9isb9lwSqaGV-oJ|`h:rb ^{׉E10 GROUNDCOVER NEWS PUZZLES BY DEFINITION by Peter Collins SEPTEMBER 19, 2025 WORD SEARCH by Emeri Jade Bey ACROSS 1. Broccoli ___ 5. Applicant's goal 8. Provolone alternative 13. "___ for All Seasons" 14. "As I see it," in texts 15. Start of a typical workday 17. MARS 19. City 235 miles north of Ann Arbor 20. Murphy of "You People" 21. MARS 23. Airport near Puget Sound 25. Family member 26. Shock with a stun gun 27. Annoy 28. ___-mo replay 30. Caribbean island 32. River of France and Belgium 34. Yoko ___ 36. Suffix for some sugars 37. MARS 41. New England cape 42. Enthusiastic affirmative 43. Advice from a pro 46. Baseball bat application 50. Internet 52. Drink like a cat 53. Take ___ (rest) 54. Catch 56. City ten miles south of Ann Arbor 58. MARS 61. Burglary, for short 62. Republic of China capital 63. MARS 65. Televangelist Joel 66. Historic period 67. Common Market money 68. Good start? 69. The Rangers, on a scoreboard 70. Relaxing spots DOWN 1. Passes quickly 2. 1984 Mozart-themed Best Picture winner 3. First aid kit supply 4. Advice to a friend in a bad relationship 5. Triangular sail 6. Epps of TV's "House" 7. Bad conversationalists 8. Some short-lived online sliceof-life postings 9. Dead giveaway? 10. Kind of hospital treatment 11. Observed attending 12. Most rational 16. Ends a chess match 18. Thumbs-ups 22. Defame 24. Cutting the rug in heavysoled shoes 29. See 38-Down 31. The Wildcats of the N.C.A.A. 33. Delicate spring roll wrapping 35. Chicago airport code 38. With 29-Down, none 39. What's often taken after a performance 40. Preparing for a bodybuilding competition, in a way 44. Box opener of myth 45. Racer's swimwear 46. Meal, in Italy 47.Way to pay 48. Tokyo airport 49. Stadium cheer 51. Rum-soaked cake 55. Military headgear 57. Strike sites? 59. Prepared to drive 60. In a bad mood 64. Upper limit PUZZLE SOLUTIONS September 5, 2025 edition D E C A F A L B O P E R A P A S T O R G A M E T E S M O N K S O P C O S T A A B H O R R O O S T S U R A H T O O E R A S E G E N E R A L L Y W E F T S S E T A E L D E R S T A T E S M A N G E O D E T I N Y S N A R L U P T R E F A B O A R D I N G S C H O O L S M O O T H S O P H S R E S P O L O C U S P I D E A L O G U E E L M O I L E R P R I S M L A I C S A F E S I R E ׉ 7cassandra://YpOKqYEiAD6DanWp2_xb6pdUpdJ_R9isb9lwSqaGV-oJ|`h:ob ^X׉E1SEPTEMBER 19, 2025 RESOURCES GROUNDCOVER NEWS 11 h:ob ^Yh:ob ^X בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://3wZAeZpDgp3kVRzSmQZ5lOXvE_FGtYCzRdsm3P-OSqc `I׉ 7cassandra://tkwMdfz8NH0W_Qihl5SL9GdaJShtRkt3qEQzkiib_1w4`׉ 7cassandra://Batg8bI0jQpziGluI19h-2wzqIf2PKcG9m6Ytxzc5OoW`h:rb ^}׉E12 GROUNDCOVER NEWS INSP CONFERENCE Recap from INSP North American Summit in Denver, Colo. FELICIA WILBERT Groundcover vendor No. 234 SHELLEY DENEVE Groundcover vendor No. 22 Two vendors on a mission, learning and meeting other street papers. This can only happen at the INSP (International Network of Street Papers) Summit, which we (Shelley and Felicia) were fortunate enough to attend the weekend of September 12-14. We had a great time learning the different aspects of street papers. A few things we better grasped this weekend: fundraising, street paper journalism, street paper branding, and vendor engagement. We then participated in an open forum among the different street news representatives. Felicia’s birthday was on the Saturday of the conference. The warm wishes, and the chocolate birthday cake made an ideal celebration! We would not trade this time for nothing. Street newspapers often struggle due to the lack of readers. Please don’t forget to “keep the paper alive!” Pick one up today from a friendly local vendor. Above: Shelley DeNeve, Felicia Wilbert, Shawn Lesley and Linda Bailey from "The Contributor" (Nashville, Tenn. street paper) during the vendor engagement panel. Photo by Alex Santil. 12/31/2025 Left: DeNeve and Wilbert exploring Broadway Street in Denver. SEPTEMBER 19, 2025  DREAMER from page 8 sity on this. Of all the buzzes I grabbed in my baby The Big Easy, this one is my favorite. Me, Dreamer and the Girl, high on sugar, caffeine, and stupid, glorious, goofy youth. Laughing till our sides hurt, making a scene we didn’t notice. Hugging and laughing some more, over that, we were just laughing. Catching our breaths, almost, but then catching eyes and losing it all over again. Dreamer, embarrassed, would mutter something about they’re just doughnuts and leave, crimson around his collar. Saying see ya later was way too much for us to get out before we fell all over ourselves and each other in gales of ridiculous mirth. Best coffee date ever. Until it wasn’t. We were lucky in that I had dragged my verdant-clad friend along with me to get some fancy donuts. Cafe du Monde, being as it is in the deep south, has a very large covered outdoor section. We were at one of those tables when the fracas occurred. It's been over 30 years, but it's safe to assume she was laughing at some charming witticism I had just made when the pandemonium assailed us. So what, it's a big city? The sounds came from like, right over there at the stairs. The stairs we always hang out at, so we were curious. We could see from our table that there was a man, a cowboy type man, dressed head to toe in black, and I call him cowboy because he was dressed head to toe as a cowboy. If you can picture a poorly rendered old school black hat western villain, you’re close to this guy. This man got out of a car in front of the stairs. The stairs, full of street kids and buskers, in broad daylight, and he began an eerily calm yet maniacal rant. He ranted with diction and good vocabulary, but the subject of his rant was unhinged. He was in fact challenging all comers to a fight. This guy dressed like a Disney cowboy villain rolled up in front of the steps, got out of a car, and called everyone who wouldn't fight him there on the spot a pussy. Well, nobody did shit for a good while. What was to be done? Beat up a crazy guy. This guy raged on. The Girl and I, doing our fancy pants sounds of coffee and doughnuts thing, didn't register this until the kids on the steps did. For a good minute, he was straight ignored as the maniac douche he was, but at some point, one of the older guys on the stairs, a guy you wouldn't call a street kid, but a scuzzy young homeless dude, rose to the asinine challenge. He raged up and was immediately firmly and politely assaulted by young friends, grabbing on to him to keep him out of it. We hear our friends absolutely losing their shit. So hey, it's New Orleans, right? Crazy shit happens all the time. This was different. It was weird, and it ended as soon as it started. He got in the car and left. Weird right? It's a little weirder if you consider a few hours earlier, some guy being chill and cool and coming around giving out free acid, LSD. He was honest in saying this was a new batch and the chemist wanted it tested. Sooo consider the preceding, but now suss that everyone was tripping absolute balls, the girl and I included. We finished our snacks, retook our place on the stairs with the rest, and went about our day. Well, no, not really, we were tripping balls. Best coffee date ever. ׉ 7cassandra://Batg8bI0jQpziGluI19h-2wzqIf2PKcG9m6Ytxzc5OoW`h:ob ^Z׉ESEPTEMBER 19, 2025 FROM THE ARCHIVES GROUNDCOVER NEWS 13 Groundcover visits Toledo Streets Groundcover News had the opportunity to take a road trip and have a workshop with Toledo Streets, another nonprofit street paper, in Toledo, Ohio. I was one of the vendors who attended this workshop along with Jay, Derek, Justen, Lit, Ken, Hal and Snap. The trip was great; the fact that we were able to work fresh territory and in a different environment really really motivated all of us. As soon as we got there they welcomed us with open arms. The vendors and the staff were very heart-warming with the greetings. It was really cool because normally when you travel like this and go visit another organization, people are standoffish, but not in Toledo. At Toledo Streets as soon as we walked in, people greeted us. They rolled out the red carpet for us. The lunch was awesome — something that none of us had ever had before called a “walking taco.” It’s a taco inside of a bag of chips; add everything you want to it, mix it up and eat it either with a fork or with your hands. It was JOE WOODS Groundcover vendor No. 103 really, really cool. During lunch we talked about the organizations and they asked us questions — it was a beautiful thing. We got a chance to meet some top sales people, learn some different sales techniques. One vendor from Toledo, whose name was also Joe, made a “pitch-poem.” When he would make a sale, he would rhyme or rap what he was saying to engage customers. Another vendor would hold a Toledo Streets sign and clip all his papers to the back, flipping in between the sign and the papers. We also learned the different products that they sell; similar to how Groundcover News vendors sell $10 special editions (something they picked up from Groundcover News a while back). Toledo Street vendors sell $10 calendars. The photos in the calendar were actually taken by the vendors themselves. They also have an auction for the artwork and portraits that they make. So, Ann Arbor, don’t be surprised if vendors start selling Groundcover News calendars ... but ours are going to be $20 if I have anything to say about it. Believe it or not, Toledo Streets allowed us to sell their product there. The executive director and the whole staff was awesome; they gave Groundcover vendors free calendars to sell. So you know what? We did. Derek sold five or six, I sold about four, Jay and Justen capitalized on donations which was a beautiful thing. Then they messed around and found out that the buses were free. Anybody who knows me knows I love to shop ... so we caught the bus to the mall and I bought shoes. I want to thank Lindsay, our executive director, Ben, the vendor manager of Toledo Streets, and everybody involved that helped get this going. And, of course the customers, because without you, the customer, we wouldn’t be in existence. Looking forward to more road trips to Seattle, Chicago, Portland and the International Street Paper Summit in Milan, Italy in September. I just want to say first, thank God for opportunities, “new cheese,” and you the customers — because without you there’s no me. Originally published in the April 1, 2022 edition of Groundcover News. Street newspaper conference benefits vendors, volunteers SHELLEY DENEVE Groundcover vendor No. 22 Five representatives from Groundcover attended the 2011 North American Street Newspaper Association (NASNA) conference held in Nashville, Tenn. October 13-16. NASNA is an organization that supports and cultivates effective self-sustaining street newspapers which promote power and opportunity for people living in poverty. NASNA is strongly committed to empowering local street newspapers to develop leadership among poor people, while cultivating journalistic integrity and sustainable street papers. NASNA’s annual conference was hosted by Nashville’s own street newspaper, The Contributor. Have you heard of that street newspaper before? Or maybe you heard of StreetWise from Chicago or Real Change from Seattle. There were approximately 60 registrants and a total of 14 street newspapers from around the United States and Canada attending the conference. There were also two newly established papers and four prospective new newspapers. The conference started with the attendees having the pleasure of meeting and greeting noted journalist, writer and political figure John Seigenthaler for whom the conference location, the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University, is named. He is known as a prominent defender of freedom of expression. He also wrote for The Tennessean and was the founding editorial director of USA Today. The conference consisted of three workshop tracks. Each person chose one of the following tracks per session: • Vendor Track (Vendor Behavior, Vendor Forum) • Editorial Track (Editorial Collaboration, Editorial Basics) • Fundraising Track (Surviving and Thriving in a Small Shop, Finding the Money) Each day there were two to three workshops for each track. Friday evening, conference attendees were invited to the Street Newspaper Awards dinner held at an old bank in downtown Nashville that was converted into a home owned by a fellow named Wan Choi. Speakers included Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, and keynote speaker Lee Stringer. Stringer is the author of two books — "Sleepaway" and "Grand Central Winter" — based on the 12 years he lived homeless and addicted under New York City’s Grand Central Station. Mr. Stringer was a former editor and columnist for the New York street newspaper, Street News. He also has written essays that have appeared in various notable publications such as The Nation, The New York Times and Newsday. After the workshops on Saturday, attendees road a bus to downtown Nashville to tour The Contributor office, housed in a Presbyterian church. At the end of the tour, the annual meeting was held in the sanctuary of the church to elect four new board members. Afterward, attendees were able to go check out the sights and sounds of Nashville. Luckily, the Americana Music Festival was going on and top-flight entertainment of all types was available through the night at different establishments. Originially published in the November 2011 edition of Groundcover. h:ob ^[h:ob ^Z בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://DqUPkYmAe7DCKCmGxuQCPQ5pezuLxKknof6p0VvjYco `I׉ 7cassandra://ySS5OctKcOVsemua5N7DjE5Ch-0ONn43--kjPKrIwrU1`׉ 7cassandra://yszFA4TJTHsNlEiIy-AKrKO5U3uzG_YX0jwTSjd-jpoS`h:sb ^נh:sb ^`9ׁHhttp://History.comׁ ׁ Јנh:sb ^̡a9ׁHhttp://History.comׁ ׁ Ј׉Ep14 GROUNDCOVER NEWS 15TH ANNIVERSARY On September 4, Groundcover News celebrated its 15th anniversary. It was moving to hear from founder Susan Beckett, current director Lindsay Calka, and longtime vendor Joe Woods. As someone who has been a vendor for 12 years, I felt pride in our shared history — but also disappointment. Over the years, vendors have made LIT KURTZ Groundcover vendor No. 159 remarkable accomplishments that were not mentioned that evening. Both Jim Clark and I earned placements at the International Street Paper Conference competition, recognition on a global stage. Other vendors have authored books, founded organizations, and built programs to support those experiencing housing insecurity. These achievements are part of Groundcover’s true legacy. When plaques were given for longevity, I chose not to accept mine. Not because I didn’t care, but because our real accomplishments — and those of many others — go beyond years of service. They deserve to be recognized in a fuller way. Today, I am building a digital magazine entitled "The Fringe" — work SEPTEMBER 19, 2025 Groundcover legacy deserves fuller recognition made possible only because of the foundation Groundcover News gave me. As "The Fringe" takes shape, I carry with me the lessons of resilience and creativity nurtured through Groundcover. This is not just my story — it is our collective voice, continuing to push boundaries and reimagine what is possible. Groundcover vendors are not just survivors; we are creators and innovators, and our voices belong at the center — at the heart of every telling and celebration of its legacy. Community conversation and education for a sustainable homeless solution On September 4, Groundcover News held a 15 year anniversary celebration at the First Congregational Church of Ann Arbor. It was a huge celebration which attracted many members of the Washtenaw County community and the University of Michigan campus. There were many speeches and presentations. However, the speech which caught my attention the most was given by the Groundcover News Board President, Anna Gersh. In addition to the praiseworthy comments she offered about the current Groundcover publisher and managing director and the founding publisher, she said that this newspaper has become a platform for encouraging more community conversations and dialogues on homelessness and a broad range of topics. She also observed that the paper has become a source of news, information and education where community members and Groundcover writers can offer their opinions on matters of local, regional and national interest. The month of November is our “Homelessness Awareness Month.” However, in my interactions with many of our customers — students and non-students — it has become important to share knowledge and encourage formal and informal conversations on the topic of homelessness year-round. For example: What are the local, state and federal governments strategies for solving homelessness? Does Washtenaw have an integrated strategy for ending homelessness? What are the innovative homeless solution strategies in the county and across the nation? Articles on History.com have shown that homelessness occurred in periods of economic crisis, high WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE Groundcover vendor No. 258 unemployment, high inequality, adverse government policies on affordable housing, high healthcare costs and, generally, job loss. Understanding the causes and consequences of homelessness helps frame the discussion. Causes of homelessness Economic factors: Poverty, lack of income, high housing costs, unemployment, and unexpected financial crises like job loss or medical bills contribute to homelessness. Lack of affordable housing: A significant shortage of low-cost housing options means that many people, especially those on low incomes, cannot afford rent. Health issues: Mental illnesses, substance use disorders, and chronic physical health problems can make it difficult to maintain housing and stable employment. Domestic violence and trauma: Violence in the home, particularly intimate partner violence, is a major cause of homelessness for many individuals and families. Social and systemic factors: Inadequate social support systems, lack of social safety nets, and historical oppression contribute to disproportionate rates of homelessness among certain groups. Acute stressors: Life events such as the death of a loved one, a relationship breakdown, or being in the justice system can be triggering events. Consequences of homelessness Poor physical health: Homeless individuals have increased risks for infectious diseases like Hepatitis, Tuberculosis, and HIV, as well as other chronic conditions like diabetes. Worsening mental health: The constant stress of living without stable housing can exacerbate existing mental health issues and lead to new ones, such as chronic stress, anxiety and depression. Impact on children: Homeless children face developmental delays, emotional and behavioral problems, increased risk of hunger, and difficulties with social and cognitive growth. Increased substance abuse: Some individuals use alcohol or drugs to "self-medicate" because of the stress and trauma of homelessness, potentially worsening their substance use disorders. Social stigma and isolation: Homelessness carries a significant social stigma, and people may experience social isolation, leading to feelings of low self-esteem. Community strain: Homelessness creates challenges for communities, including increased demand on social services and healthcare resources. Recent history History.com informs that “the Great Society” was an ambitious series of policy initiatives, legislation and Dr. Anna Gersh, Board President, addresses attendees at Groundcover's 15th anniversary celebration, endorsing the paper as a pillar of vital community dialogue. Photo credit: Matthew Orwig programs spearheaded by President Lyndon B. Johnson with the main goals of ending poverty, reducing crimes, abolishing inequality and improving the environment. Waging a war on poverty was the central focus of the Great Society program which was announced on the University of Michigan campus during the spring graduation commencement speech in 1964. Gradual progress was achieved in the late 1960s and the decade of the 1970s. The federal government was in the business of building affordable low-income housing in urban counties across the nation. Homelessness at a large scale was almost non-existent during those periods. The economic crisis of the 1980s, along with the severe budget cuts of anti-poverty programs made the Great Society key goals somewhat elusive. The “Great Recession” of 2008 to 2010 see DIALOGUE next page  ׉ 7cassandra://yszFA4TJTHsNlEiIy-AKrKO5U3uzG_YX0jwTSjd-jpoS`h:ob ^\׉E!CSEPTEMBER 19, 2025 VENDOR VOICES Is a “real American” simply someone born on American soil? Or is it about holding a green card, having citizenship papers, or speaking English fluently? These are the surface-level answers often given, but the truth is far more complex. Being a real American goes well beyond legal status or geography — it’s a profound engagement with history, society, culture, politics and shared responsibility. The United States is, at its core, a nation of immigrants. From the Statue of Liberty — a gift from France welcoming those “yearning to breathe free”— to the diverse faces in every city and town, America’s identity is shaped by waves of people bringing different languages, cultures and dreams to our shores. But being American isn’t just about who arrives here or when. It’s about understanding the struggles, the triumphs, and the ongoing challenges that have defined the country’s evolution. This means grappling with the legacies of colonialism, slavery, warfare, the Cold War and economic upheavals, all the way through to today’s new “wars” around technology and artificial intelligence. Throughout history, competition has driven innovation and survival. Yet as the philosopher Peter Kropotkin wisely said, “Competition is the law of the jungle, but cooperation is the law of civilization.” If America wants to continue advancing, it must champion cooperation — not only internally but on the global stage. Citizenship: more than rights, a covenant of duties Too often, the conversation around citizenship focuses solely on rights: freedom of speech, the right to vote, protection under the law. These are essential, but equally critical are the duties that citizenship entails. Paying taxes, following laws, contributing to public health, engaging in community life, and showing respect for others are the glue that holds society together. Respecting the law is not merely One of America’s defining features is its astonishing diversity. This diversity goes beyond ethnicity and nationality. It includes religion, language, culture, socioeconomic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, and even favorite sports teams or lifestyles. From Irish and Polish immigrants to Japanese, Chinese, Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Dominicans and Native Americans, this melting pot has created something uniquely beautiful and complex. The religious landscape — from Catholics and Protestants to Muslims, Jews, Buddhists and atheists — reflects a broader American ideal: coexistence amid difference. As we move into the future, the old idea of nationality itself becomes less relevant. Borders blur in a globalized world governed by international declarations like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. True citizenship transcends mere paperwork — it demands an active, informed and empathetic participation in both national and global communities. American politics today is deeply PEDRO CAMPOS Groundcover vendor No. 652 obedience; it is respect for your fellow human beings and, ultimately, for yourself. Citizenship is a two-way street: the privileges come hand-inhand with responsibilities. Without this balance, democracy weakens and social cohesion frays. Our republic is a res publica — a public thing that belongs to everyone. Its wealth, power and wellbeing must be shared, not hoarded. This demands political engagement from citizens, whether by voting, participating in referendums, writing petitions or running for office. Fabric of diversity: America’s strength and challenge polarized, often simplified as a tug-ofwar between Republicans, who prioritize liberty (especially property rights), and Democrats, who emphasize equality. Both values are essential to a functioning society, and neither should dominate unchecked. Liberty without equality risks creating a society of haves and have-nots. Equality without liberty can slip into authoritarianism. The challenge — and the opportunity — for America is to strike a delicate balance, ensuring everyone has the freedom to thrive while guaranteeing fair treatment and opportunity for all. America’s global role: empire or partner? America is more than a nation; it is a project with international reach through organizations such as the United Nations, UNICEF, the World Health Organization and the World Trade Organization. This role demands diplomacy based on respect for other countries’ sovereignty, honest agreements and cultural exchange. It’s important to honestly recognize America’s imperialist tendencies. Every major power exerts influence, sometimes aggressively, on the world stage. America’s vast wealth and consumption come, in part, from resources and labor acquired abroad. This raises ethical questions about fairness and responsibility. Acknowledging these truths is not a sign of weakness but of maturity. The future lies in fairer economic relationships, cooperation and shared stewardship of the planet’s resources. Despite its ideals, America today functions more like an aristocracy marked by corporatism and plutocracy. Savage capitalism enriches a few while many struggle. Waste and inequality are rampant. Millions go GROUNDCOVER NEWS Raise your flag: What makes a real American? hungry while tons of food are discarded. This reality is a stark contrast to the founding ideals of democracy and justice. Americans must confront this gap honestly and work toward an economy and society that serve everyone’s wellbeing. Traditions, change and the path ahead Preserving tradition is vital — but it must be dynamic, open to change. No empire can justify endless greed. The old saying holds true: “The greater the empire, the harder the fall.” America must respect other nations’ sovereignty, promote peace and engage in honest, equitable partnerships. Intermixing cultures, ideas, values, and even bloodlines — without theft, violence, or racism — enriches all of us. True power lies not in domination but in cooperation and mutual respect. Finally, the most crucial point is this: to be a real American means to be human. Some Americans wrongly see foreigners as “second-class” or assume their own citizenship grants them superiority. This arrogance betrays ignorance of America’s history and what citizenship and America truly mean. Citizenship is about embracing a shared destiny, respecting all people equally, fulfilling both rights and duties and committing to the common good. America’s true strength lies in its willingness to be humble, to learn from its mistakes, to cooperate rather than compete destructively, and to uphold the universal values that connect us all as human beings. Only by embracing these truths can America live up to its highest ideals and serve as a beacon of democracy and humanity in an ever-changing world. Equality and liberty are foundational and cannot persist without one another. Still there's something missing. We learn fraternity from the French revolutionary flag as well as from the words of Jesus and John Lennon: we need Love. 15  DIALOGUE from last page also devastated the economic fortunes of most metropolitan cities, including Detroit. Soup kitchens helped feed the recently unemployed and members of their families. For southeastern Michigan counties, including Washtenaw County, a new challenge had emerged: how to shelter and feed the homeless in their communities. SAWC, the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County, was created in 1984 to deal with the challenges. They succeeded in raising funds to build an integrated full service center called the Robert J. Delonis Center. Public and private partnerships made it possible. What do you think? Let the community conversations begin. Feel free to access YouTube videos on homelessness on the streets of America and Canada. The image of homeless people stricken with drugs and substance abuse falling over the streets, and other homeless individuals engaged in traumatic face-to-face confrontations on the streets could be upsetting. What should a community do? Should a community show more empathy, sympathy and compassion? Should community members contact the county's Community Mental Health to come to the rescue? Should treatment agencies do a wrap-around survival program which would provide shelter, food and clinical services for the homeless community? Should society do a better job of providing job opportunities for job-seekers and housing insecure members of the community? Let's discuss! h:ob ^]h:ob ^\ בCטFu׉׉ 7cassandra://Bjeuo1S3uiHPk_x0tc7IFEvur0s9Qw6WKar60um3NJ8`׉ 7cassandra://rl-BE5x67VWobzNHRWCzutOp-42JS7KBGH_HTq2xJY0̈́`h׉ 7cassandra://yA4a6JHGxggBbGHHFuF0QNo3gAQ2XvvyZmiCUnY54Ns+`h:sb ^׉E16 GROUNDCOVER NEWS FOOD Cheese and garlic roasted cauliflower ELIZABETH BAUMAN Groundcover contributor Ingredients: 1 medium head cauliflower (8 cups) , cut evenly into florets 4 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1 1/2 tsp. paprika 3/4 tsp. kosher salt 1/2 tsp. cracked black pepper 3 garlic cloves, minced 3 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese Juice of 1/2 lemon 2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh parsley Directions: Place a large rimmed baking sheet on the center rack of the oven; preheat the oven to 450F. Cut the cauliflower into small florets and add to a large bowl. Toss with olive oil, paprika, salt and black pepper. Empty cauliflower out onto the preheated baking sheet. Arrange florets in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, tossing once midway through, until lightly charred and tender. Sprinkle parmesan cheese and garlic over cauliflower and place back in the oven for five more minutes. Spritz lemon juice over the top and garnish with fresh parsley; toss and serve. Strange MAE NAUSSER Groundcover contributor I feel it wash over me Mania confusion weight Riding me with a spur I want to forget where and when it started Strange dayz Myself totally take A little remote viewing to locate to california A couple imagined cars A couple stills witnessed I don't forget SEPTEMBER 19, 2025 Wax JASON MICHAEL CHURCH Groundcover contributor Not only is it legal, It is really cheap people. So thank Jesus Christ and put it in your life. Get off the crack. Stay cool, calm, relaxed By smoking the marijuana wax 10/02/25 ׉ 7cassandra://yA4a6JHGxggBbGHHFuF0QNo3gAQ2XvvyZmiCUnY54Ns+`h:ob ^^׈Eh:ob ^_h:ob ^^ ,September 19, 2025h:m];