׉?ׁB!בCטFFu׉׉ 7cassandra://A0N2ChP3xUYEDQPARpHsN2TchnutpsUwl5V7kHcKzSw9`׉ 7cassandra://MybrpD2VTCyL3ck_JlbMY91Le50DahO3DH4t-SUJ3IQ͐`h׉ 7cassandra://6G4S2UOBaLhMD9XUuki4PvS8Uxlw9Pq2MiJSjyyGerg1 `׉ 7cassandra://jhZG1d8pHq5ymngjJVaq_b1viTuDEje4qX_MRCoM8u8B͠4dyFז0?HU|טFu׈K0Y2׈EdyFז0?HUj׉E2 $ JULY 14, 2023 | VOLUME 14 | ISSUE 15 YOUR PURCHASE BENEFITS THE VENDORS. PLEASE BUY ONLY FROM BADGED VENDORS. New Yspi Cafe focuses on community, promotes local art, provides healthy meals Page 10 MEET YOUR VENDOR: SCHILLINGTON MORGAN PAGE 3 GROUNDCOVER NEWS AND SOLUTIONS FROM THE GROUND UP | WASHTENAW COUNTY, MICH. Public art sculpture by Terra Incognita on display at Ingall's Mall during Ann Arbor Summer Festival. This installation was one of many elements of the series “Ann Arbor is Burning — a celebration of the radical queer imagination” organized by Express Your Yes Foundation. THIS PAPER WAS BOUGHT FROM @groundcovernews, include vendor name and vendor # ׉ 7cassandra://6G4S2UOBaLhMD9XUuki4PvS8Uxlw9Pq2MiJSjyyGerg1 `dyFז0?HUkdyFז0?HUj בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://jNjrDhH5td88ySSzqVjxE7fqJF06HCzAe8Ule0AZ3bE`I׉ 7cassandra://00QqQwRuFMsTK0sC4h7AtIWOwY27_hUFykrAUsHEcsg`׉ 7cassandra://q1o5jsbDMoEkADvGp12UHH1HxS1gSiHnuMdXMZOatwAR`׉ 7cassandra://hY5mD0KUY3D2vq6Jha0ueNlb91_AOnWmLBAspXpAEa4d:̘͠ idyFז0?HUנdyFז0?HUo9ׁH http://linktr.ee/groundcovernewsׁ ׁ ЈנdyFז0?HUY9ׁHhttp://www.groundcovernews.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdyFז0?HU5 9ׁH"mailto:contact@groundcovernews.comׁ ׁ ЈנdyFז0?HU!9ׁH&mailto:submissions@groundcovernews.comׁ ׁ Ј׉E82 GROUNDCOVER NEWS GROUNDCOVER from the DIRECTOR's DESK Groundcover News’ third Community Arts Edition showcases works by Groundcover artists and creatives in the greater Washtenaw community. Through the pieces we publish we challenge the idea of what “art” is and is not. We aim to uplift art practices of all kinds — poetry, sculpture, painting, activism and more. This year, our Community Arts Edition unintentionally took up a theme: art spaces in Washtenaw County. On pages 10 and 11, we highlight Now Studios in Ann Arbor and The Deep End Cafe in Ypsilanti. Both art spaces are not only promoting marginalized artists, but also showing through practice what is possible in these environments. the meaning that is born out of knowing the people behind the product. Behind every piece of art is an artist! That is why we are hosting a LINDSAY CALKA Managing Director Groundcover News Community Art Market on the evening of Friday, July 21, 4-8 p.m. (weekend of the Ann Arbor Art Fair). If you’re heading downtown for the festival already, consider stopping by Bethlehem United Church of Christ, There are many homeless and low-income artists who do not have access to gallery spaces to sell their work, exception for limited sites on the internet where customers cannot meet the artist and connect to them as people. At Groundcover, we understand the importance of face-to-face interactions and meeting the artist vendors and purchasing their products. If you avoid the Ann Arbor Art Fair at all costs, consider making an exception and come downtown to hang with the Groundcover crew! Poster by Mira Simonton-Chao JULY 14, 2023 CREATING OPPORTUNITY AND A VOICE FOR LOW-INCOME PEOPLE WHILE TAKING ACTION TO END HOMELESSNESS AND POVERTY. 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 Layla McMurtrie — deputy editor ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS Mohammed Almustapha Teresa Basham Noah Bodie (Nobody) Luiza Duarte Caetano Christopher Ellis Cindy Gere Alexandra Granberg Mike Jones Eric Kopchia Layla McMurtrie Ron Pagereski Denise Shearer Laurie Wechter Joe Woods PROOFREADERS Susan Beckett Elliot Cubit Zachary Dortzbach Sandy Smith Anabel Sicko VOLUNTEERS Jessi Averill Luiza Duarte Caetano Glenn Gates Alexandra Granberg Harleen Kaur Robert Klingler Holden Pizzolato Alex Tarbet Melanie Wenzel Mary Wisgerhof Max Wisgerhof Navya Yagalla Emily Yao CONTACT US Story and photo submissions: submissions@groundcovernews.com Advertising and partnerships: contact@groundcovernews.com Office: 423 S. 4th Ave., Ann Arbor Mon – Sat, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Phone: 734-263-2098 @groundcover @groundcovernews DONATE, PITCH A STORY + LEARN MORE www.groundcovernews.org linktr.ee/groundcovernews GROUNDCOVER NEWS ADVERTISING RATES PACKAGE PRICING 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 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://q1o5jsbDMoEkADvGp12UHH1HxS1gSiHnuMdXMZOatwAR`dyFז0?HUl׉EmJULY 14, 2023 ON MY CORNER MEET YOUR VENDOR Butterfly art pleasant Art made of butterflies is very to see. Butterflies have beautiful, unique colors at times. There are all kinds of butterfly artwork. Sometimes it calms people to look at butterfly art and it is very comforting for me to look at butterfly art. You can use butterfly art in all seasons of the year. I like to wear clothing that Schillington Morgan, vendor No. 148 Where do you usually sell Groundcover News? Not all the same place – wherever there is an open spot. When did you start selling Groundcover? In 2012 or 2013. What is your favorite thing to do in Ann Arbor? Talk with righteous people. What is your favorite spot in Ann Arbor? The People’s Food Co-op. What is something about you that someone on the street wouldn’t know? I am not phony. What's the worst thing about selling Groundcover News? When some people do not want the truth. What are you most likely to become famous for? Inventing things. What are your hobbies? Art. I just started doing it. What would you do if you won the lottery? Buy Big Momma’s House so good people could have a place to stay. What do you wish you knew more about? How to get and stay in HEAVEN! What change would you like to see in Washtenaw County? Not to keep building and bringing in the fake, unrighteous people. What's the best way to start the day? Sing my prayers to our Lord. What's the most impressive thing you know how to do? Make things when I get good ideas. If you could do anything for a day, what would it be? Be with our Lord God forever. has butterfly art. And sometimes on Halloween, I like to use butterfly wings and be a fairy princess. Butterfly wings can be used for fairy princesses and even angels. There can also be such a thing as a Christmas butterfly — that’s going to be a different article from me sometime. Butterflies can be brown, orange, blue, yellow, a lot of different beautiful colors. It’s good to make butterfly pillows too. And you can make butterfly dolls or stuffed animals. I like to color and cut out butterflies and decorate my home with them. and comforters, butterfly pajamas and purses with butterflies on them and butterfly earrings. A song that I really enjoyed by Bob Carisle is called “Butterfly Kisses.” And Denise Williams made a song called DENISE SHEARER Groundcover vendor No. 485 “Black Butterfly.” Butterflies are very beautiful beings that God made. We can enjoy them and imagine them in a lot of beautiful ways. For Pride month, there can also be rainbow butterflies of different colors. I’m going to buy some butterfly stickers and decorate my wheelchair and some of my personal belongings with them. You can also get butterfly dishes and maybe decorate your bathroom and bedroom with butterfly stickers and pictures, too. I went to the Detroit Zoo and saw a butterfly exhibit full of real butterflies. You can make animations of butterfly people, too. I like butterfly bedsheets GROUNDCOVER NEWS 3 JOE T-Shirts JOE WOODS Groundcover vendor No. 103 Groundcover News was first founded as a street paper to help homeless people provide basic necessities for themselves while going through their transition to housing. Over the years, Groundcover has evolved in many different ways to address more than just basic necessities and a roof over your head. Groundcover News actually gives people the opportunity, resources and support to achieve dreams and goals on top of providing a decent, legal income for themselves. And I say that because of vendors within the organization — myself included — who utilize Groundcover to the fullest to start and or pursue different goals. I started a t-shirt company called JOE T-Shirts: Jesus Over Everything, LLC. I first thought of the concept because my initials are an acronym for “Jesus Over Everything,” but the main concept is Jesus, and my goal is that my T-shirts plant positive seeds all over the world as people read my messages on my shirts. Joe’s limited edition 2023 Hash Bash T-shirt design. So come by our Community Art Market at Bethlehem United Church of Christ on Friday, July 21, 4 – 8 p.m. and grab a shirt or two. You'll be getting a great product and also helping out a great cause within Groundcover News; it's people selling papers to provide the basics, to thrive in becoming entrepreneurs and actually being able to make a decent honest living to provide for themselves without any handouts or any assistance from the government for housing. I speak for myself on that part. I thank everybody that purchased the paper and who buys from me and other vendors. I thank everybody that deals with us on a daily basis — because we are human just like you are human. I want to give all praise to Jesus Christ for opportunities even when the situation may seem bad. In the long run, if you stick to your guns and stay persevering and do what you need to do, you can achieve goals that once looked impossible. dyFז0?HUmdyFז0?HUl בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://BEsSfpRAkAU_Mb4TnhYCvQ7Md7gN8WtRwWFqZ7Ne8vs`I׉ 7cassandra://ambPSAwY2Gl32ARuLoCdQQBJwR1ZGrwqUOzJT94g48k`׉ 7cassandra://ga6nRLpF-WQ-2uhA4IyIXWqMIk9KooOs_aStYzY0pXcEz`׉ 7cassandra://hh4KN4brc7hg4IDERpw8HuPiTtxkbvINq2x0BVQ8v8cb͠ idyFז0?HUנdyFז0?HU {,̹9ׁHhttp://AADL.org/eventsׁ ׁ Ј׉EB4 GROUNDCOVER NEWS OPINION Dreamcatchers: the good, the bad, the ugly Dreamcatchers are more than just a decorative and attractive accessory. They have roots in legend and folklore and are rich in revealing history. The legends and meetings associated with each dreamcatcher reveal how Native Americans relied on the Earth for their home. Modern day interpretations have altered the intentional significance of a dreamcatcher. The concept of the first dreamcatchers were created by Native American culture that believed the air at night was filled with good and bad dreams. Each creation was intentionally designed as a protective charm that was placed hanging above cradles of young children and beds of adults, the belief being the dreamcatcher would protect them from bad dreams. Dreamcatcher enthusiasts believed that their bad dreams were trapped in the web and destroyed by the light of day. TERESA BASHAM Groundcover vendor No. 570 JULY 14, 2023 Dreamcatchers are more than just round hoops with feathers and beads. Each dreamcatcher is unique, with shapes and accessories having specific meanings to the Native American. Traditional, authentic dreamcatchers are made using only organic natural materials — from the wooden hoop, to the sinew webbing (animal intestines) and handmade beads. Can you spot the differences between these two dreamcatchers? The left is a tchotchke, decorative rather than functional, and the right is a traditional dreamcatcher. Art, it's so much more Art — what is art? I had to think deeply about this question. I wanted the answer to be genuine, not some copy-pasted Google jargon. So, after a cup of coffee and a few drags of the mango vape, here's what I came up with: Art, my dear reader, is the act of transmitting an idea or a thought from one mind to another, or to humanity in general. Humans are social beings, whose complexity includes an appreciation for beauty, vibrancy and color. As we go on living, we accumulate memories and experiences, both serene and chaotic, sweet and bitter. These experiences and memories become an inspiration for creativity. The beauty in art, for me, lies in the realization and understanding of the ideas or representations of the artist's thoughts by the consumer. Something magical happens when we read a poem, enjoy a nice portrait or hear a song that resonates with us. It makes us feel happy or leads us to reminisce about past times. In a sense, art allows us to feel collectively cohesive and socially connected. It lets us feel human and say, “Hey, the artistic human who wrote the song or painted the portrait or the singer who sang it did so with so much feeling. They must have experienced a similar situation or encounter to mine,” and this, in turn, connects us together. How much effort goes into sculpting or composing a song, painting a picture or cooking a meal? Art requires a MOHAMMED ALMUSTAPHA Groundcover contributor cherished memory during a wedding dance. Meanwhile, another song can be chanted by thousands at a concert. Art is the creation and appreciation great deal of energy — both mental and physical. The accuracy and focus of a painter's hands, the subtle flicks of a guitarist's fingers, the agony, pain and heartbreak a poet feels when writing that love song — it is not easy for humans to bring beauty into the world, yet it is so easily enjoyed. We experience art every day, whether it's the songs we listen to, the logos on our T-shirts, or our favorite piece of art that resonates with us. Art is also an expression of the collective progression and sophistication of our species. Look how far we have come from Neanderthals drawing on cave walls to Michelangelo, Picasso and Tupac. Art is healing. There is a reason why music therapy, pottery and drawing therapy work. The concentration and focus required in creating art can be calming. It is relaxing and makes one feel good, contributing to our overall well-being. A beautiful song can bring two souls together in love or create a of beauty. Art is respect in the sense that we understand the hard work and effort artists put into bringing joy into the world. Art is love in its many forms, whether romantic, familial or patriotic. Art is understanding. Art is compassion. Art is life. Art is color. Art is vibration. Art is the beautiful feeling you get when your favorite song comes on. Art is the smile that lights up your face when you see a pretty picture. Art is the intense happiness of the first bite of your favorite meal because food is art too. Culinary art, in my eyes, is the most intense because it takes the chef's precise mixing of ingredients at the right timing to create a masterpiece that one enjoys not only with the palate but also with the sense of smell and sight. We humans are the greatest work of art. I started to look at all my fellow humans as beautiful art pieces created by the greatest artist of all — not speaking in terms of physical beauty but in the sheer capacity to be generators of good, laughter, happiness, joy and love. Our capacity to do things for each other, to be empathetic, and to think about how our actions will make others feel is amazing. The variations in our culture, traditions, thinking, phenotype — it makes us truly amazing. If we could all start to look at each other as pieces of art, here is what I think would happen: if we looked at women as walking living art, there would be no more domestic violence, no more sexual violence, no more sex trafficking, and no more assaults. If we looked at children as art, there would be no more child abuse and child kidnapping. If we view each other as works of art, we raise the collective appreciation of each other and can progress into a better future. All I'm saying is this: take some time out, listen to a good song, go to a flower garden, attend a poetry slam or a museum. It will invigorate your state of mind. My favorite artwork is “Napoleon Crossing the Alps” by Jacques-Louis David. It shows Napoleon in his full military regalia crossing the Alps on his Arabian mare, Marengo. The portrait shows the determination of the short little Corsican to achieve his goal and objective. It motivates me every time I look at it. My favorite song is “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles; it picks up my spirit every time. I'm still looking for a favorite poem. “Striving to be a better man today than I was yesterday, and a better man tomorrow than I am today.” ׉ 7cassandra://ga6nRLpF-WQ-2uhA4IyIXWqMIk9KooOs_aStYzY0pXcEz`dyFז0?HUn׉EJULY 14, 2023 POETRY Sleeping in the rough NOAH BODIE (NOBODY) Groundcover contributor (days and nights of absolute despair and futility) Other people, those with a permanent and safe roof over their heads, can take that as well as much else easily for granted; however, most of them will never know or understand what it is like for those who have to try sleeping in the rough, outdoors, underneath the stars, in the rain or during other severe inclement conditions, even if and when they are fortunate enough to have a tent or some other type of temporary structure, until it is vandalized or removed; sometimes by municipal authorities and anyone else who simply wants to kick them down the road, as if the person were some useless empty can. Just ask anyone who has experienced such treatment for themselves; it is really agonizingly tough, which is an understatement to be certain; truly; it's downright dehumanizing, immoral and should be against the law; yet ironically, under the law, those living unhoused (aka homeless) have little, if any, actual protection as well as little, if any, justice. Yeah, justice is definitely blind, for sure. Who gave society the right to deprive an unhoused person of their civil and human rights, merely due to the fact that they do not have a permanent abode of their own to call home and sanctuary?! Explain that one, if at all possible. Though, on second thought, don't bother; because no one is probably even listening, nor obviously caring; not to mention about how, truth be told, neither am I; not unless and until each of us open both of our hearts as well as our minds to what else might be possible and have a meaningful dialogue together and, somewhere down the road, build a better as well as different future; where everyone can attempt to live in mutual peace and harmony. Imagine that, if you can. Cemetery morning RON PAGERESKI Groundcover contributor Mourners gather to pay respects Handful of dirt each collects To toss upon the box they brought His death an end he had not sought But came for him by and by Comes for all, time we cannot buy Survivors, sad and so depressed Focusing on the soul dispossessed Wealthy dead, no longer proud Coffin draped in satin shroud A soft silent tear mingling… With the morning mist GROUNDCOVER NEWS What’s 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 science tools— you name it! Plus, we heard there are plenty of Summer Game codes hidden across all of our locations, exclusive to library visitors. Exhibits at AADL In an effort to increase the visual education and artistic experience of all visitors, the Library’s exhibits feature local, regional, and national artists as well as traveling exhibits. The Downtown Library has multiple spaces throughout the building with regularly rotating exhibits. See what’s on display at AADL by visiting AADL.org/events-feed/ exhibits. Public Computers AADL has public computers available for use by cardholders and non-cardholders at all five libraries. Each station has USB ports, headphone jacks, and some of the fastest internet in town. All buildings also feature publicly accessible WiFi in buildings as well as extending to parking lots adjacent to the buildings. FEATURED EVENT THE ANN ARBOR DISTRICT LIBRARY TINY FILM FESTIVAL July 8–August 6 The Ann Arbor District Library is once again hosting the Tiny Film Festival for movies one minute or less! Film and edit your movie and upload it from July 8 to August 6, 2023. Winners will be announced at the Summer Game Game Over Gala on August 27. 5 dyFז0?HUodyFז0?HUn בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://jhFasqw5k9un7X20uKxzElb_9P7PTHv13OMpkThi-sYO`I׉ 7cassandra://TNW2kGooGbDJ6wupMPHR7H3761i4K36sidACcVnLxMQ`׉ 7cassandra://S8l1xIIJBG4l1q7RZ5JE0LysnnRBea1CLRe-DlcbsgIS`׉ 7cassandra://vwqBIFfvBSGnYyONYhDMY4nDTmrlEBu63lPehz86ao0p͠ idyFז0?HU׉E6 GROUNDCOVER NEWS PRINT GALLERY Christopher Ellis JULY 14, 2023 GROUNDCOVER GALLERY Eric Kopchia “The Village,” Multimedia sculpture “The Universe” “Semi galaxies” ׉ 7cassandra://S8l1xIIJBG4l1q7RZ5JE0LysnnRBea1CLRe-DlcbsgIS`dyFז0?HUp׉EJULY 14, 2023 PRINT GALLERY Cindy Gere GROUNDCOVER NEWS 7 “Unity,” Acrylic on canvas, 13 x 10" “Spirits,” Acrylic on canvas, 4 x 4' Laurie Wechter For every issue of Groundcover News, Gere decorates her newspapers with stickers, tape and gems. Her papers were used to design the Community Art Market poster. “Face Value” Multimedia on paper 14 x 18" “Internal Affairs: Chapter and Verse” Acrylic on paper, 9 x 11" dyFז0?HUqdyFז0?HUp בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://zMf0Ylx95H-nNEv6wks4Bwjvf5PObvBvbrUu6t6Kb2Uu`I׉ 7cassandra://Hj7gPTBjpjbOD0hCKr_K4kS9zXBmEVnzV4A0qTr-koc`׉ 7cassandra://vRB2LfCJXjrGdy-jNEgDO5JEBRuJQgaN0SJOAJjgc3IC `׉ 7cassandra://t7K3c3PhrbpkgK0WZW71z2olVN8Bo6TnuA_lDgb16AQ˃<͠ idyFז0?HU׉E08 GROUNDCOVER NEWS PRISON ARTS Bask in the Light Art Show 2023 U-M SCHOOL OF PUBLICH HEALTH, BLACK AND PINK Bask in the Light is an art project that centers the work of people incarcerated in the state of Michigan who identify across the LGBTQ+ spectrum and/or are living with HIV/AIDS. The show opening was held on April 13, 2023 at the Michigan League on the University of Michigan Ann Arbor campus. This event represents the culmination of a year of work by Black and Pink volunteers at the School of Public Health and Michigan Medicine, and many, many letters sent back and forth through prison walls. Through their work, ten participating artists express longing for community and connection, desire for healing and repair, and resistance to incarceration and heteronormativity. The title of the show, Bask in the Light, comes from the work of artist Ladi Dä, reflecting the strength and beauty of transgender, gender non-conforming and intersex individuals trapped in the prison industrial complex. This project was funded by a DEI Innovation Grant at the University of Michigan School of Public Health and the Carceral State Project at the University of Michigan. Ladi Dä I Am Ladi Dä. My survival depends solely upon my Activism. My art is inspired by the daily experiences of the transgender, gender nonconforming, and intersex individuals trapped in the Prison Industrial Complex. It is meant to keep us inspired and remind us that everyone knows: “WE ARE THE STRONGEST INDIVIDUALS IN THE WORLD.” Take it from someone who's spent over two decades incarcerated for a crime they did not commit. This piece was drawn on an MDOC grievance form with a segregation pen while housed in Solitary confinement where I currently reside. Love you, Ladi Dä. “Bask in the Light” JULY 14, 2023 “Won’t Explain” Painted coasters ׉ 7cassandra://vRB2LfCJXjrGdy-jNEgDO5JEBRuJQgaN0SJOAJjgc3IC `dyFז0?HUr׉E BJULY 14, 2023 PRISON ARTS Transcend AARON Bask in the Light contributor Transcending the lines of a bar that was never set. How fundamental and emotional, can one person get? subliminal test broken cabinet in my chest I ache, and I crave To be unlonely If only… If only Whispers AARON Tears whisper unanswered questions. Silently shed from my eyes to the only things that seem to catch them, my shirt, or the floor. Why can’t the whispers leave me be. Artist statement: I write from my heart, and only about things as I understand them. I love myself, but do feel a lot of angst. I’m working on compiling a book of my poems entitled “Who can understand this pain I can’t seem to convey?” Thank you for reading my work. Love to all of you. They’re self reflecting and I hate that what I see is self loathing and every sin set on a reel so I may see that all the pain I’ve caused is real. DWIGHT Bask in the Light contributor Some men live for others and make their every act known Some live in seclusion, choosing to live life alone But of these men the group I’m in are the Men Behind the Wall They’ve forfeited their freedom, tossed away their rights By day they walk in darkness and sorrow fills their nights They’ve learned to hide their teardrops but still they fall At wee hours they cry and home seems gone for Men Behind the Wall Some have lost their family, most have lost their friend For them, today brings heartache that tomorrow cannot mend Where letters are not answered, when no one takes their call They cannot take the lost and what a cost it is for Men Behind the Wall Their past is forever in their future however far away Their story has been written with little left to say No one to stand beside them and catch them when they fall The debts they’ve made are never paid for Men Behind the Wall If there is one who’s righteous, then let them cast that stone And to be that has lived perfection, then let him die alone The ONE who was perfect was judged in Pilate’s mall He knows their debt and loves them despite them being Men Behind the Wall GROUNDCOVER NEWS Men Behind the Wall 9 Michael McCloud Dear Art Viewers, Hello, my name's Michael McCloud. I'm 33 years old. I'm from Jackson, Mich. I have turned to making, doing and creating art because it's peaceful to me and time distracting. Most of all I love my color schemes and how I make my colors pop off the paper, like they're just coming right at you. This piece you're looking at is called Kill COVID. I created this piece because, as the U.S.A. we have faced a tragic time as far as COVID. There's many messages in Kill COVID, it's just up to you, the art viewers, on how you look and judge my art piece. I hope you enjoyed my piece and look forward to seeing more from me. Thank you. “Kill COVID.” McCloud made an envelope out of DOC order forms to send in his artwork. dyFז0?HUsdyFז0?HUr בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://KHalWerqtUCNc6MSDN1Ge4mw0Kv4-ggCj3Wa0jqYVyM}`I׉ 7cassandra://xcQdyrzNtr4nNc_n6g_qeHqbSpyGUxOebzDEWu77nMU2`׉ 7cassandra://cn4miLUENBjt6olhzc2G6tpExGgOSoGOaHME7Kn-PCs\A`׉ 7cassandra://lsMb8A2RhSfV-zpoRm0R-NdR4Ehj4vdFWdkUMz7J_CQd͠ idyFז0?HUנdyFז0?HU ,̞9ׁHhttp://www.tdecafe.comׁ ׁ Ј׉E 10 GROUNDCOVER NEWS ART SPACE Ann Arbor is burning — arts and culture for whom? ALEXANDRA GRANBERG Groundcover contributor I met Petals Sandcastle (they/them) on the grass in the Diag-State-Hill triangle. It's familiar grounds for Petals, who studied at the University of Michigan. A stone's throw away is Now Studios, run by and homebase for the Express Your Yes Foundation. Petals is founder and guiding light. It's a 501(c)(3) creative nonprofit fusing activism with art. It's an underground art and performance venue, political playhouse and more, full of “creative disruptors and thought leaders.” It's also a safe space for people to be themselves, away from the heat of the neutral gaze — one that is “passively active, indifferent.” Last year the studio arranged over a hundred free events in the city. Most recent is an event series under the project Ann Arbor is Burning — a celebration of radical queer imagination, part of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival. Now Studios advocates for the city's abundant resources to go to the homeless, queer, Black, immigrant, disabled and other marginalized communities. “I keep coming back to this place [Ann Arbor] thinking, certainly it doesn’t want to be a soulless playground. But very few want to give money or leverage an inch of their privilege. It's a hard pill,” Sandcastle says. “This place does not want us.” Beyond art This year Ann Arbor was named the number one best place to live in the United States, based on a “10 expert list” search by StudyFinds.org. “Best for whom?” asks Petals, see STUDIOS next page  Sandcastle holding one of their paintings "Gerf" at Now Studios. JULY 14, 2023 A2 Artisan Market should be your Sunday destination about finding parking and admission is free as well. In 1991, artists and craftsmen from MIKE JONES Groundcover vendor No. 113 Ann Arbor's best kept secret is the Sunday Artisan Market. It is located in the Farmers Market pavilion from April until Christmas, from 11a.m. – 4 p.m. every Sunday. For those who don’t know, parking is free every Sunday in Ann Arbor, so you don’t have to worry the Farmer’s Market felt they needed another day when they could highlight their art because of the lack of good space at the Wednesday and Saturday Farmers Markets. Thus began the Artisan Market. This Sunday destination in the Kerrytown District is a wonderful place to bring the family to soak in the sunshine and to enjoy the many restaurants and places to shop. My friend TJ, who is a vendor at the Artisan Market (Kinetic Re-Design), has a booth that sells tie-dyed shirts and fabric. I purchased a shirt from my friend TJ and I love it. One can also find vendors that sell jewelry, wood crafts, photography and much more. Far left: Lloyd Holdwick and his display, Artistics in Wood. Left: TJ sells funky tie-dyed suits at his booth Kinetic Re-Design. Top: TJ and Mike Jones together as Jones models a Kinetic Re-Design original button-up shirt. Above: Jewelry display at the Sunday Artisan Market. ׉ 7cassandra://cn4miLUENBjt6olhzc2G6tpExGgOSoGOaHME7Kn-PCs\A`dyFז0?HUt׉EWJULY 14, 2023 ART SPACE GROUNDCOVER NEWS New Ypsi cafe focuses on community, promotes local art, provides healthy meals The Deep End Cafe & Gallery opened in Ypsilanti just three months ago, and owner Candace Cavazos hopes to use the space to benefit the community in multiple ways: to promote local artists, make healthy eating affordable and provide free meals to people in need in Washtenaw County. Being from Detroit, Cavazos never planned to open a store in Ypsilanti, but she found out about the space and thought it was a good fit for her vision. Cavazos was aided and inspired by the mission of The Squeeze Station in Detroit, making healthy eating accessible. “Their mission is to basically bring healthy eating to the community, especially in Detroit where there's a food desert,” Cavazos said. “We learned that this area in Ypsi has similar issues when it comes to getting access to affordable healthy foods.” So, The Squeeze Station helped Cavazos put together a food menu that includes a variety of breakfast items, wraps, salads, quesadillas, tacos and more. The cafe also offers coffee drinks, tea, smoothies and fresh pressed juice. Most recently, The Deep End has begun a program called “Each One Feed One” to help provide free meals to people in the community. Customers can purchase any beverage, meal or treat for someone in need and get 10% off of their order. The cafe will have a sign outside that states how many free LAYLA McMURTRIE Deputy Editor meals are currently available. Cavazos wants to do more than just provide meals and beverages though. As a poet herself, she hopes to promote other local artists. “My personal mission is to just make a space for underrepresented artists, make space for people that come from low-income backgrounds,” Cavazos said. “My goal is to just really provide a high-quality experience to people that come and engage with the underrepresented artists that come through here.” Cavazos features a new local artist each month and allows local creatives and organizations to host events in the space and sell locally created art prints, books and products inside the cafe. The name “The Deep End,” comes from the feeling throughout her own life of being in the deep end, and being successful in her creative pursuits anyway. She hopes to show other people with Founder of The Deep End, Candace Cavasos, behind the register at the cafe and gallery. Photo by Mike Jones. hardships that they can do so, too. “I come from a very low income background; my parents both struggle with addiction and it was hard for me to achieve college and achieve all these things that statistics said I was not going to achieve, so I feel like I was born under pressure,” Cavazos said. “If you feel like you have to break cycles in your family, then I think that the pressure of that can sometimes be crippling. But if you are encouraged and you're in a community where people can inspire you and encourage you and validate you, then you can become a diamond and that's kind of what the brand is for The Deep End — ‘Be where the pressure is and become a diamond under pressure and let's celebrate all the people that decide to keep fighting and keep swimming and not let the pressure fold them so that they can also become diamonds.’ ” To learn more about The Deep End Cafe & Gallery and stay up to date on specials and events, follow their Instagram @tdecafe, visit their website www.tdecafe.com, or go to the brick and mortar at 310 Perrin St. in Ypsilanti. 11  STUDIOS from last page invoking (at least for this writer) Lenin's question "Liberty for whom?" “Washtenaw is the worst county for upward mobility. This city thinks it’s liberal. It's a place for students and [property] owners.” “Others are just here to be paraded, tokenized and to tick boxes,” Petals says. “The cognitive dissonance of this place is crippling. There's a serious disconnect between the brochures and what plays out on the pavement.” During the Ann Arbor Art Fair, Now Studios activates “an entire militia” of artivists. It's an attempt to “un-Karen” hitherto ignorant people and put queerness in front of the masses. It's powerful, but also a tough process for those putting their bodies on the line, Petals says. Now Studios, in addition to hosting community arts events creates space for civic enagegment with City Council meeting watch parties, protests, Beating heart Of course there should be anger and rage, says Petals — without it, there's no push back to the status quo. “But love really is at the center of this,” they say, referring to the multiple free events the studio puts on to build community and understanding. In May, Now Studios converted Main Street into one big art and community space during the weekend’s closed streets. Crayons and big canvases, hula hoop rings and a silent disco drew families and friend groups alike. The street was packed with happy people enjoying themselves and each Selfie taken after storming the June 20 Ann Arbor City Council meeting. Individuals pictured were advocating for the passage of an ordinance that would restrict police from conducting traffic stops for minor violations. It was approved unanimously. political performance art, clubhouse mind-share and issue-based community organizing. “We don't fit into the cookie cutter box; we're human, with rotting teeth and rent and dreams, not just the town jester — put your hand on my heart, it beats.” other. It was joyous and fun, easy and free (of charge). The asphalt was covered in crayon messages of love. This writer, who was there, wonders if anyone ever stopped to ask: Who made this possible for me and why? dyFז0?HUudyFז0?HUt בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://rme0tryUKHjwqIuhgIv1OHcyfzPrbi6gUaw6GjPJxkk `I׉ 7cassandra://PPVtsM6UmQtSGNqIUgqMD2YK7ZTE3q5gcFI1ucVvjng`׉ 7cassandra://oINY__RRgI_nsWeMmuE34EUTM7zRL-o82T2W1QxSkv0P`׉ 7cassandra://l98fqIbDSarD5-J4jjBL0mlX_Zs9lH6i67TAnvtgAGAH͠ idyFז0?HUנdyFז0?HU%́9ׁHhttp://covernews.comׁ ׁ Ј׉E 12 GROUNDCOVER NEWS MONEY SAVERS 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. JULY 14, 2023 ׉ 7cassandra://oINY__RRgI_nsWeMmuE34EUTM7zRL-o82T2W1QxSkv0P`dyFז0?HUv׉EJULY 14, 2023 PUZZLES 1 14 17 19 22 25 31 34 40 43 44 45 50 53 59 62 64 65 PUZZLE SOLUTIONS ACROSS Across 1. Area 7. Falling flakes 11. Software program, briefly 14. Irritate 15. Great Plains nation 17. Downright 18. Misers' sins 19. Deception 20. Breakup 22. Soft throw 23. Greek god of love 24. Campaigner, for short 25. Words on a Grecian urn 26. Romanian money 27. Saliva 31. Cunning 33. Circumference 34. Where all must go? 40. Dweeb 41. Marry a woman 43. Opposed to 46. Put in stitches 49. "Geez!" 50. Baby seal 51. Creole vegetable 52. Appear 53. Some cosmetic surgeries 58. Agcy. 59. Kind of mapping 60. Pierre's boat 62. Oily fish in the Atlantic 63. Depth charge targets during WWII 64. Rotten 65. Chuck 66. Seal 54 55 56 57 60 63 66 DOWN 1. Gulp 2. Regular 3. Delicate blue perennial 4. Victorian, for one 5. Lyrical poem 6. Whole 7. Picket line crossers 8. ___ Scotia 9. Arab League member 10. Charge 11. Honor 12. Carbolic acid 13. Mortar and ___ 16. Takeaway game 21. Former French coin 27. Editor's "It wasn't me!" 28. "Before," when before 29. "___ alive!" 30. Become friendlier 32. Abominable Snowman 33. Meas. of a country's economy 35. Plant bristle 36. Legal thing 37. Skill 38. Legume in many soups 39. Get out of 42. Hand over with confidence 43. Poise 44. Kind of hen or pig 45. Add 46. Hit the slopes 47. Greek god of darkness 48. Sushi condiment 51. "Good ___" (Pratchett and Gaiman novel) 54. Anglo-Saxon letter 55. Checked item 56. ___ list 57. Aces, sometimes 61. Deck (out) 61 51 46 47 48 32 35 36 37 41 49 52 58 20 23 26 33 38 39 42 27 28 29 30 21 24 2 3 4 5 7 9 GROUNDCOVER NEWS f CROSSWORD 8 10 15 18 16 13 rom the International Network of Street Papers 6 11 12 13 S P H E R E S N O W A P P W E A R O N C O M A N C H E A R R A N T A V A R I C E S L I E D I S B A N D M E N T L O B O D E E R O S W I L Y P O L L E U S P I T T L E G I R T H C L E A R A N C E S A L E T W E R P A G A I N S T P U P O K R A L I P E C T O M I E S O N E T O O N E W I V E S E W M A N A C T B U R B A T E A U M E N H A D E N U B O A T S B A D T O S S S I G N E T dyFז0?HUwdyFז0?HUv בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://Q1d4ZMZinGOA-wy2r91SnMUxAN73_zSwZye7P5CnNy0y`I׉ 7cassandra://BFJipqewy0sXCo8FXUFWCc8tqTk-471WPmsdBSd5oME)`׉ 7cassandra://-gluzD1oZghcLEJqOuGBPgC6faIN5-_vnAm17GYIg5AR`׉ 7cassandra://ULX6jL_mzNP7yiQI_1W81CabM55QstroqKQ8JtOze-o8͠ idyFז0?HU׉E314 GROUNDCOVER NEWS INSP JULY 14, 2023 Shediart: The history, process and techniques of Shedia’s upcycling project TONY INGLIS International Network of Street Papers Editor When INSP visited Greek street paper Shedia in Athens, we visited the home of its various social projects, including its long in fruition, and now operating, upcycling project Shediart. Here, former vendors, and otherwise socially marginalised people involved at Shedia, were trained in reconstituting old, unsold Shedia magazines into beautiful, artistic, functional products. In the workshop, as items were being made, one of the people behind the idea, Katrin Kretschmer, explained how it came to be and what was going on. INSP: How was the Shediart concept born? Katrin Kretschmer: There were so many old magazines in storage and no one really knew what to do with them. If you bring them to a recycling plant, you get very little in return for them — maybe around 50 euros — and it is quite a job to transport them. So, while it's the ideal disposal method, it's difficult for us in terms of time and effort. And recycling — okay, it's better than burning them of course, but there's no real benefit for any person (other than the overall environmental aspect), which is what they were printed for in the first place. So we thought, is there an alternative? What else can we do? And I started to try different things, just experimenting using the paper — what could it do? Could you use a tool to turn the paper into a pulp and mold with it? Or perhaps weave it like a textile? I tried different techniques, making some jewellery, and I said, ok it’s possible to produce good and different things out of this paper we use. And when we had nailed down the techniques, we started to have workshops. We invited the Shedia vendors to come to upcycling workshops. They were open — anyone who was interested could come just to see if they took an interest in handicrafts and being creative. But we didn't say anything about creating jobs in the beginning, mainly because we wanted the people who were really interested, and not just those interested in money but also in the art form. No one was excluded. We had a lot of workshops to begin with. Some people said it was a bit difficult — maybe they weren't so dexterous, or their eyes weren't so good. And there were a few people who said they'd like to do it but just didn't find that they were particularly good at it. It’s not the simplest thing to do right away. But if you can do things with your hands, and you really like it, you can learn. Some needed a few months to improve and produce really beautiful things. And some others, from the start, just were talented at it and it was second nature to them. And as we work as a team, we learn from each other, come up with more ideas and learn how to make the techniques better, to make the whole process more efficient and make the end products more beautiful. So it's an ongoing process. INSP: When you make a specific kind of product, is there, for example, a checklist, a set process — how does each piece come together in a practical sense? KK: Our thought from the beginning was we didn't want to create useless stuff. I suppose jewellery could be called useless but people like to have it! But we didn’t initially want to produce art that is stationary, like a sculpture that just sits in your living room. Perhaps we will at some point. For now, our checklist is: Is it useful? Is it beautiful? Is it more or less practical to produce? And do we have someone who can produce it? Because we also have a few ideas, though nobody skilled in doing it yet, that would require proper sewing. There are many things that we could do if we had people who were really qualified. But we have already trained as much as we can at this point. And we need to create an income from the project so that we can bring more people on board. We really want to pay people for their work. We really want to have another work opportunity for those who were former vendors, if possible. It's not easy, and if you want to adopt this, to copy and paste it to other street papers, there may be fluctuations in the difficulty of doing that. We can't say ‘this is how it is,’ but we can show you how we do it, and maybe it will be a fit. If there are only two to four people in a street paper who might be interested or able after some lessons — and for us it really took about two years, we even had lessons about how to host a workshop — it was not that we said we know everything now. We asked for help — how to speak to different age groups, how to run things. We care that we do it properly. The training, for those involved, even for a short time, has such a big impact that it’s worth it. INSP: And in the workshops, how many of the techniques used were planned out and were trial and error? see SHEDIA next page  ׉ 7cassandra://-gluzD1oZghcLEJqOuGBPgC6faIN5-_vnAm17GYIg5AR`dyFז0?HUx׉E)JULY 14, 2023 INSP  SHEDIA from last page KK: We started with the simplest things. With the easier techniques. You feel and you see if it’s working or not. Initially we used this technique where we roll the paper into straws. These need to be straight and rigid. For those who found that difficult, we tried other things. Some didn’t take to any of those, but fortunately the ones who did make it can do all of the techniques extremely well. Katrin then talked through some of the common techniques they use. Here we have some strips of the magazine paper, and we take wooden or metal sticks (like a cocktail or kebab stick) and you roll any size strip of paper around the stick. It has to be tight around the stick. Glue the end and it becomes a straw. Then you use these [firm but malleable] straws to weave. Another is we shred the paper and blend it into a pulp. We mix it in a bucket like a smoothie! Then we dry it [using essentially a large sieve] and drain it. Then, using molds of shapes, of whatever you like really, you can use it to create things. That’s how we make bowls, clocks and even lampshades. Sometimes we use the pre-pulped strips, from the shredder, to create products. On some products, we like to show a bit more of the magazines, so you can see where this beautiful product really came from. Inside the mold, we put in strips of paper, then the pulp. So, even though the final product looks very nice and intricate, it is simple. If you have decent use of your hands, it can be done. Exactly. If you have the knowledge, and some help from say a shredder or a mixer, then you can do it. It’s not a mystic thing! We teach this — we go to schools; we have companies come here to learn. INSP: Not only is Shediart becomin turn increasing its ing a success in terms of its products, sustainability, but those involved are also earning even more of an income — and, crucially, other skills and self-esteem building — when leading workshops and classes on how to make these products. At the moment, two women (over the age of 50, as is the case with the majority of individuals involved in Shedia social projects), Christiane and Vanessa, are employed at Shediart. Christiane, now 61, has experienced drug addiction, prison time and has been otherwise socially excluded or unable to find employment. Watching her work and talking to her at Shediart, it is clear that she is not only happy with the income she is now receiving (she used to sell the street paper) but absolutely loves the work. “No matter how difficult an item is to make, I come to the work with love,” she says. INSP was lucky enough to sit in on a workshop held by Vanessa and Christiane at the original Shediart workshop (located in a small unit in a city centre arcade that lets out shops to local social projects). The attendees were refugee children, who were brought along by charity Caritas. The joy on both their and Christiane and Vanessa’s faces was evident throughout. KK: We even have the kids work with the pulp at an early stage — they will make bowls, pins and badges, and keychains by working the pulp into ice cube trays, letting them dry and then painting and designing them. Our idea ties together many things. There’s the obvious benefit of the income generated for those who do the work. In Greece, there is a big trash and environmental problem. So there is a sustainability aspect. The thoughts and impetus behind that part of it, we also want to spread. It is still a problem here, even if it is getting better. It shows that not only is Shedia an organization with a social conscience in terms of the actual paper, but generally throughout our projects. People come to our workshops and ask ‘what kind of paper can and should we use?’. We say absolutely anything — even pizza delivery advertisements you get through your letterbox. That’s why any street paper could do it too. Just try and use it. INSP: How about in terms of start-up costs, and what is the sustainability of the project now? KK: There was not much of a cost in the beginning. I was taking the workshops just until we had those with the knowledge to take them themselves. In the beginning there was no money involved. We had some funding to pay our employees until we started selling. But now since the production, there is no need for this support. We originally trained eight people fully to do this, and two are currently employed, but we have high hopes this will increase. Demand for the products and the workshops is high, but it’s still the beginning. Courtesy of the International Network of Street Papers GROUNDCOVER NEWS 15 dyFז0?HUydyFז0?HUx בCטFu׉׉ 7cassandra://CBs4uF3kIf57zF593LmnUyi0OTzznWw4lc2OF0LoJJA.)`׉ 7cassandra://aJOnkLDAATBr9nppZQxhYI1J15CVuO8uXGbNYE_VCQo͏`h׉ 7cassandra://iR1vIIO1vMvsEfLC7aIx5NFxtS1PRtCGP273b1j5BSI0`׉ 7cassandra://K_o35BQN1XQRIDVyp9FaEL-NW5m8rJZmRuGhhIiFIjcRQ͠4dyFז0?HUנdyFז0?HUd 9ׁHhttp://PEOPLESFOOD.COOPׁ ׁ Ј׉EI16 GROUNDCOVER NEWS FOOD Homemade granola LUIZA DUARTE CAETANO Groundcover contributor Ingredients: 2 cups of oats 1 cup of nuts and/or seeds ½ cup fat (such as melted butter or vegetable oil) ¼ cup of sweetener (such as maple syrup, honey or sugar) 1 tsp of spices (cinnamon, cloves, allspice, etc.) 1 pinch of salt 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional) ½ cup of extra toppings (such as dried fruit or chocolate chips) Directions: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking pan with parchment paper. In a large bowl, mix together the oats with the nuts and seeds, salt and spices. Add the vanilla (if using), melted fat and sweetener and mix thoroughly. JULY 14, 2023 Spread over the baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Take out, rearrange granola on the baking pan with a flipping motion. Bake another 25 min. Once the granola cools, add the extra toppings (if using) and store in an airtight container for up to four weeks. IT’S SUMMER, LET’S GET GRILLIN’! $2 OFF NATURAL FOODS MARKET & DELI 216 N. FOURTH AVENUE ANN ARBOR, MI PHONE (734) 994 - 9174 • PEOPLESFOOD.COOP ANY PURCHASE OF $15 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 8/15/2023 ׉ 7cassandra://iR1vIIO1vMvsEfLC7aIx5NFxtS1PRtCGP273b1j5BSI0`dyFז0?HUz׈EdyFז0?HU{dyFז0?HUz ,July 14, 2023dy ?UŎ|