׉?ׁB!בCטFFu׉׉ 7cassandra://vYZiWzBBjjMRv6kyBF2ChH_mTUiv54a_5T2PL2g6V_02`׉ 7cassandra://A9cIQaTYs6_kBl7y4Rv81uwxRxaDODOZ-di2D86GYVÄ́`h׉ 7cassandra://HBlLQBTZDP7SHo8_aePHeddmBNTGr6j7ZP1ojmrTNKU.h`fι~1zטFu׈}\׈Efι~1zp׉E2 $ SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 | VOLUME 15 | ISSUE 19 YOUR PURCHASE BENEFITS THE VENDORS. PLEASE BUY ONLY FROM BADGED VENDORS. Six things every college student should know about Groundcover News. page 11 MEET YOUR VENDOR: STEPHANIE DENT PAGE 3 GROUNDCOVER NEWS AND SOLUTIONS FROM THE GROUND UP | WASHTENAW COUNTY, MICH. The game of . page 6 THIS PAPER WAS BOUGHT FROM Throne bathroom at Liberty Plaza. @groundcovernews, include vendor name and vendor # ׉ 7cassandra://HBlLQBTZDP7SHo8_aePHeddmBNTGr6j7ZP1ojmrTNKU.h`fι~1zqfι~1zp בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://9sE3QRnDlO89klfKrpDC7jy0W_TRO9AV9DhgntKfMg0|`I׉ 7cassandra://WMKcH3gBdwoqMjZAVuwY6wxNAnAs63AjB3AfQzXiTcc`׉ 7cassandra://adz-M5CdRTm4oueyCzPb4MYjbCazmA_soctDqwE97jAQ`fκ~1zנfι~1zǁ9׉H!http://www.groundcovernews.org%20Gׁ ׁ rנfκ~1zʁ9ׁHhttp://www.groundcovernews.orgׁ ׁ Јנfκ~1z 9ׁH"mailto:contact@groundcovernews.comׁ ׁ Јנfκ~1zf!9ׁH&mailto:submissions@groundcovernews.comׁ ׁ Ј׉E 2 GROUNDCOVER NEWS GROUNDCOVER in this ISSUE COC WINTER TASK FORCE PRESENTS PLAN FOCUSED on FAMILIES, EVICTION PREVENTION Lindsay Calka, page 4 UNDERCOVER ART INTEL: STEPHON PATE and HOW ART CAN CHANGE LIVES Cindy Gere, page 5 OUR WEDDING DAY Tabitha Almond, page 7 POETRY Wayne S. and Ramón Roberto Isla Caballero, page 8 TAKE BACK BIKES is REDEFINING "BIKE SHARE" Indira Sankaran, page 11 PUZZLES page 9 DO STUDENTS MATTER? Ken Parks, page 10 content CORRECTION On page six of the August 23, 2024 edition of Groundcover News, the article "Justice InDeed is uncovering the hidden histories of racial discrimination in Washtenaw County" was attributed to the wrong author. 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 toward production costs. Vendors work selling the paper on the street for $2, keeping all income and tips from each sale. Street papers like Groundcover News exist in cities all over the United States, as well as in more than 40 other countries, in an effort to raise awareness of the plight of homeless people and combat the increase in poverty. Our paper is a proud member of the International Network of Street Papers. STAFF Lindsay Calka — publisher Cynthia Price — editor Michelle Lardie-Guzek — intern ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS Tabitha Almond Jane Atkins Ramón Roberto Isla Caballero Jim Clark Luiza Duarte Caetano Cindy Gere Ken Parks Indira Sankaran Denise Shearer Wayne Sparks Shawn Swoffer Felicia Wilbert GROUNDCOVER NEWS ADVERTISING RATES Size 1/8 1/6 1/4 1/2 full page Black/White $110.00 $145.00 $200.00 $375.00 $650.00 Color $150.00 $200.00 $265.00 $500.00 $900.00 Dimensions (W x H in inches) 5 X 3 or 2.5 X 6.5 5 X 4 5 X 6.25 5 X 13 or 10.25 X 6.5 10.25 X 13 PROOFREADERS Susan Beckett Elliot Cubit Anabel Sicko VOLUNTEERS Jane Atkins Jessi Averill Sim Bose Zachary Dortzbach Luiza Duarte Caetano Glenn Gates Alexandra Granberg Jacob Fallman Robert Klingler Melanie Wenzel Mary Wisgerhof Max Wisgerhof CONTACT US Story and photo submissions: submissions@groundcovernews.com Advertising and partnerships: contact@groundcovernews.com Office: 423 S. 4th Ave., Ann Arbor Mon-Sat, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Phone: 734-263-2098 @groundcover @groundcovernews DONATE, LISTEN TO A STORY + LEARN MORE www.groundcovernews.org PACKAGE PRICING Three Months/Six Issues: 15% off Six Months/Twelve Issues: 25% off Full Year/Twenty-four Issues: 35% off Only run for two weeks/one issue: 40% off Additional 20% discount for money saving coupons exp. 01/31/2025 SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 ׉ 7cassandra://adz-M5CdRTm4oueyCzPb4MYjbCazmA_soctDqwE97jAQ`fι~1zs׉EkSEPTEMBER 6, 2024 ON MY CORNER MEET YOUR VENDOR Bettering yourself Self reflecting is something as important as meditation. You should look in the mirror every day and say something nice to yourself when others put you down or say something against you. Once you get the hang of it most of your doubts about yourself melt away. You should have a mantra that Stephanie Dent, vendor No. 84 In one sentence, who are you? Nice. Where do you usually sell Groundcover? By the Co-op in Ann Arbor. When and why did you start selling Groundcover? I started again a couple of weeks ago. I started selling to do anything I can do to help the homeless community while I’m here. What is your favorite thing to do in Ann Arbor? I like to go to my AA meetings and work for Groundcover News. It’s a good place to stay sober. What words do you live by? Easy does it. What is something about you that someone on the street wouldn't know? I’m generous. If you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Chinese food. What are your hobbies? I like to draw. What was your first job? Subway at the Michigan Union. What change would you like to see in Washtenaw County? More services to help homeless people, especially in the summer. What song do you have compltely memorized? “7 Years” by Lukas Graham. What's the most impressive thing you know how to do? Ride a bike. What is your pet peeve? Liars. What would you do if you won the lottery? Start my own business and give to the poor. Hi Groundcover News readers, this is Felicia who writes the Truth or Lies Mystery Lane column. Check out my new hilarious comedy mystery: THE AD-DAM FAM. It has a fascinating cast of FELICIA WILBERT Groundcover vendor No. 234 Order The Ad-Dam Fam today! characters. Who is Wenbone the Parrot? What is Lester the Wallet Molester B.K.A. "the Butler" up to? Will Cruddexter the Foot tap out a message to save his family? Journey into an extraordinary comedy mystery by ordering my newest book off of Amazon today. Just search “Felicia Wilbert” in the search and my three publications, “Billy Don’t Kill Us,” “3333Mommy,” and “The Ad-Dam Fam” will come up! Come out and celebrate my new book and my birthday. Let’s have a reading good time! At Cinnaholic, 121 E Liberty Street, on September 12 and 13, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. you repeat in your head; you don't need to say it out loud to cause a scene, or end up in some kind of argument or physical confrontation. You are bettering yourself, not bettering others. It is on them if they can't see through it on their own. People can be real f***** up in their head, so they throw it on you. These are people who think they're better than you. These are people SHAWN SWOFFER Groundcover vendor No. 574 and I do believe in blessings, and if they harm another person they should get nothing in return or it should backfire in their face. Just remember that you are a good soul and as long as you do the right things, it will come back to you. There's not a timetable nor is there a way to know how it will exactly come back. It is for people who are bouncing who stab you in your back. These are people you cannot trust. These are people who may have a hard time getting out of their own heads, people who this exercise and great lesson is for. Maybe someday they will get where you are but I do not believe so because I do believe in karma Dumbo and elephants I think “Dumbo” is an excellent movie. I like the cartoon version and the live action version. I think Dumbo is a beautiful, unique elephant. He makes a great pet for anybody. Dumbo has big, pretty ears that he can fly with and he is a very loving elephant to kids, adults and other animals. I think he does better in his natural life than the circus life. I think elephants and all living things do better when they’re not under pressure to do things. Elephants are beautiful animals when you treat them with care and love. I don’t think elephants or any other animals should be abused and under pressure to do things. DENISE SHEARER Groundcover vendor No. 485 tail holders of elephants and elephant designs printed on T-shirts. I also like stuffed animals that are elephants. There are sculptures of elephants that are very beautiful. There are also wood carvings of elephants and furniture that is elephant-shaped. They make a room look very attractive. Baby toys made of elephants are Elephants are beautiful in artwork and movies like “Dumbo.” I like to see paintings and pictures of elephants. People make jewelry of elephant art, too, like earrings and necklaces and bracelets that are very beautiful. There are also pony fun. It's good to have elephants as service animals as long as you’re not abusing them and not putting pressure on them. They are very interesting animals and I would recommend both "Dumbo" movies for anyone to watch. back and getting situated again, but it really can help everyone. You get up in the morning and make it part of your routine that you say something positive about yourself in the mirror. Sometimes you could say something negative that should give you a chance to better yourself on things that you may feel are not your strong suit. GROUNDCOVER NEWS 3 fι~1ztfι~1zs בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://-rAP-ozAzTZFh0z3D2PSxvcwW99bLmzQWrQqsHvsU9w`I׉ 7cassandra://Kln2xsVZ3MeMPNSn33DZCLZSoROL2gIhSHHSfq70WYIs`׉ 7cassandra://mJyOD5Z0TO1TAlR4YiRGqW2i-TLPJAwbSmdZJ7EWKq4O4`fκ~1z׉E4 GROUNDCOVER NEWS SHELTER CoC Winter Shelter Task Force presents plan focused on families, eviction prevention LINDSAY CALKA Publisher On September 4, Dan Kelly and Shonagh Taruza spoke before the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners with a plan and an ask for $1.3M. Dan Kelly is the Executive Director of the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County; Taruza is the Executive Director of the Interfaith Hospitality Network at Alpha House. Both are members of the Winter Shelter Task Force, a working group of the Washtenaw County Continuum of Care which formed after record levels of homelessness — particularly, family homelessness — during the winter of 2022-2023. Other members of the working group represent CoC agencies conducting or funding winter sheltering activities such as SOS Community Services and the Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development. The purpose of the task force is to 1) help analyze existing data and programs for winter shelter, 2) research best practices for providing winter shelter in Michigan climate, 3) develop strategies and recommendations and 4) identify funding and support necessary to provide winter shelter for all populations. Since the formation of the task force, Washtenaw County has continued to track higher and higher levels of homelessness. Kelly and Taruza reported to the Commissioners that the winter sheltering season of 2023-2024 had increased mental health and substance abuse challenges, increased percentages of older adults and people reporting a disability, a record number of individuals served on a given night, and over 100 homeless families in need of shelter over the winter months. They presented a key structural challenge from 2023-2024: requests for additional funding and support for expanded programs were unavailable for most of last winter. “[The funding] just didn’t get out fast enough,” Kelly remarked. Kelly and Taruza presented specific recommendations for funding in areas of eviction prevention, diversion, hotel stays with supports, rapid rehousing for families, overflow family shelter, and expanded individual shelter. In an interview with Groundcover News, Kelly noted, “Over half of the money [$700K] is for eviction prevention and a large amount is flowing to families ... we're trying to be proactive so the shelters aren't inundated." Alpha House has renovated their basement space (which was formerly used for furniture storage for newly housed families) to accommodate the daytime and nighttime family shelter, adding three bathrooms and a washing machine. The $100,000 funding request is for staffing this 24/7 overflow space. Alpha House will continue to run their emergency shelter for families throughout the winter on nights with extreme weather, although no funding requests for this program were made. Struggle for sites The six sites across the County providing individual shelter include the Delonis Center, the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti Daytime Warming Centers, the men’s rotating overnight shelter, the Ypsilanti offsite overnight shelter, and the Recuperative Care program, all of which were open in the 20232024 season. Last year, all but two of these shelter options were hosted at local churches. “We still do not have the actual locations figured out ... How do we stop having a hamster cage experience every winter? Can't we have a site that's permanent?" Kelly asked during the interview. Next steps The Winter Shelter Task Force plan presented at the September 4 working group meeting was just that: a presentation. The presentation will be made again at the Continuum of Care Board Meeting on September 18, and then will be voted on by the Board of Commissioners later that night at 7 p.m. The task force will continue to meet and refine the plan for this winter in the coming months. “Our goal is to hit the ground running with everything we need on day one. We don’t want to miss a day of winter,” said Kelly. “There is still community support needed; advocacy never hurts,” Kelly emphasized. “We need to come up with a structural fix. We need a solid plan that isn’t a hodgepodge.” Taruza concluded, “We are trying to get ahead of some of the anticipated problems this winter. We are concerned given the termination of the Housing Choice Voucher waitlist ... What we really need is more housing, more supportive services, mental health care and increased wages. Given that we don’t have all of that yet, we are trying to figure out how we can triage for this winter, while continuing to work on long-term solutions.” CITY OF ANN ARBOR THRONE BATHROOM LOCATIONS SEE ARTICLE PAGE 6 1000 Canal 6 M 2150 Jackson 7 8 100 block 1 312 W. Huron E. Washington 2 Family Friendly ADA Accessible 4 310 S. Division F 215 Chapin 5 315 Detroit 3 SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 1. 100 block of East Washington Street (east of Main Street on the north side of the street) 2. Robert J. Delonis Center, 312 W. Huron Street 3. Ann Arbor Farmers Market, 315 Detroit Street 4. Liberty Plaza Park, 310 South Division Street 5. West Park, 215 Chapin Street 6. Riverside Park, 1000 Canal Street (near the Border-to-Border Trail) 7. and 8. Veterans Memorial Park, 2150 Jackson Avenue A N D A A L L C E O I P Y I I N T F Y A L M D R ׉ 7cassandra://mJyOD5Z0TO1TAlR4YiRGqW2i-TLPJAwbSmdZJ7EWKq4O4`fι~1zu׉E8SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 DISABILITY JUSTICE Undercover art intel: Stephon Pate and how art can save lives Stephon David Pate: “Growing up in a military family is not simple. There were three things that really affected me. First was the constant moving from base to base. This led to insecurity issues. The second issue was the lack of family — the higher the rank the less time one sees family on a regular basis. And last but not least, the uncertainty of what the war will bring and how it would affect me and my family.” Pate’s family traveled around the world and within the United States, living on many bases and near the Pentagon. As a child he suffered from ADD and ADHD as well as other issues that have created many personal pains for years. The one thing that was a true help in all the frustrations was the creation and use of his artistic talents. “I discovered I had real talent at the very young age of four. It was my dad who saw my ability to draw. He sat me down one day and told me to draw for him. So I did and created an image that totally impressed him to support my artwork. As I got older he would always have pen and paper to help me to calm down because of my ADHD. He had the ability to see how art would give me time to think and slow down. I remember in highschool as a freshman this kid needed help drawing in art class, so I took him under my wing and by the time he graduated, he used what I showed him over many years to go on and become an architect in real life. “What I love about my artwork is the thrill of others when they see my talent. I am what people call a perfectionist when it comes to my artworks. I love the detailed work I do to create soft images of swans, trees, flowers as well as edging. Making stationary and postcards as well as being addressed — no oversight or regulation to check the truth on many disabled people's diagnoses. It is also my own personal reality. When I was homeless Pate told CINDY GERE Groundcover vendor No. 279 magnets for fun helps me to slow down and think. Keeps me calm.” Mindfulness is a therapy for disabled people that has increased over the past ten years and Pate in his own way discovered how to do mindfulness with the use of art therapy. This can change lives and it did for Pate. I asked him how this helped him — he told me, “If it was not for drawing as a kid with my dad, I know I would have been more out of control. It was the use of art that helped me keep myself under control with rage and impulsivity. I'm discovering what it takes to calm down. This is a lifelong process that I deal with all the time.” Stephon is not under any drug influence and so he uses art as a real ongoing non-drug therapy. I fully believe in non-drug actions for disabled people. Too often in our society we go directly to the drug rather than see any kind of alternative for low income and disabled people. Disabilities are a revolving door for big pharma to make millions and the more disabled people that are labeled, or what I called stamped, the more they are pushed into taking drugs and then suffer from life threatening long term effects that are not watched, the more they die from the drugs rather than the disability. To me this is a real issue not me to check out the truth of the marriage of homelessness and disability with the drug pushers within the system. What I found was very sad. The doc asked me to take Lithium for my fetal alcohol syndrome. If I took such a hard drug this could have led me to suffer its side effects and maybe to take heroin or crack. This all happened back in 2014. The system has changed since then. But not by much. When people take control over their disabilities they find freedom and truth. Pate took charge of his own life with the use of art therapy, and he told me this is a lifelong process he will live with, but art changed his life. Most of the art he chooses to do is in fact given away as gifts. Every artist uses their art for many different reasons; some use it for profit and others for personal well-being, still others as gifts. 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 home tools— you name it! Study and meeting rooms, fast and free WiFi, and plenty of places to sit and hang out. Unusual Stuff to Borrow There’s more to borrow at AADL than books, music, and movies. To name a few, there are games, telescopes, stories-to-go kits, and home tools. Check out these unusual yet handy items during your next library visit. Michigan Activity Pass With a valid library card from any Michigan public library, you can print a pass to participating organizations, including museums and state parks, through the Michigan Activity Pass website. Some partners offer complimentary or reduced-price admission; others, discounts in their gift shop or other exclusive offers. FEATURED EVENT 5 Saturday, October 5 • 10am–5pm Downtown Library Join us in October for A2CAF: Small + Indie Press, where you can explore the world of independent comic publishing. Meet artists, discover unique art, and get your favorite books signed by the creators themselves! This event is perfect for teens and adults who are passionate about comics. Pencil sketches by Stephon David Pate. fι~1zvfι~1zu בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://twUFAsgCmnDOZEYdCnIrcT0xL0Gn_CFwEaYvzGuP7Mk`I׉ 7cassandra://pai6MfNUffG_yYLDvBCGZclVrIy2zUp1vVsrU-B3wN8x`׉ 7cassandra://FoPTBACo1_60pthOgGNzwWmGj-hhmH8nR7scUwUgfbgR`fλ~1zנfμ~1z9ׁHhttp://TrashTalkTour.Orgׁ ׁ Ј׉E6 GROUNDCOVER NEWS HUMAN RIGHTS The Game of Throne From the mire of the Dark Ages, the mold-injected, formaldehyde-infused, construction-worker-butt porta-johns comes the Renaissance of outdoor public toilets. Ann Arbor’s Parks and Recreation Department proudly brings us the “Throne.” The Throne is a “smart toilet” that sends a link to your phone to gain access and monitors how long you are in it. Like a knight in shining armor, the Throne monitors for cleanliness and preventative maintenance. The Throne can also summon management and law enforcement if you are in it too long. I used the Throne this summer at Sonic Lunch. The attendant, Rebecca, taught me how to get in. “Scan the QR code and the Throne will send you a link,” Rebecca instructed. “When it's your turn, click the link and the door will open. Do not click the link before the current occupant leaves and the ‘available’ sign comes on. Otherwise you will have to start over.” Rebecca continued, “The link sends an unlock code to the door; it's like getting buzzed in, so the timing has to be right.” Rebecca talked about working for Throne Labs, the makers of the Throne. “They’re a good company doing a good thing,” she said, referring to the company’s mission and vision to provide the public with clean, safe and accommodating commodes. “People are appreciative,” she added. Rebecca facilitates the guests of the facility and helps to keep it clean. Thrones are remotely monitored. A sensor tracks how long you take. There is a ten minute time limit with warnings. After fifteen minutes, the door opens a crack, then it gives another warning before it opens all the way. Then a notification goes to the Throne manager on duty. If they determine there is a safety issue, they may notify JIM CLARK Groundcover vendor No. 139 first responders. I asked Scott Spooner, Deputy Manager for Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation, why the stall was installed in Liberty Plaza. “There were two reasons: one is that there are no public bathrooms in the area. Secondly, people who frequent the park use it [Liberty Park] as a bathroom which ends up being the city’s responsibility to clean it up.” Derek Delecourt is the Ann Arbor Community Service Administrator, who oversees Parks and Recreation. Delecourt is on a mission to provide better public services — especially bathroom facilities. I asked him how the Throne solves Ann Arbor's public potty problem. “The Throne is a oneyear pilot program, which began in June 2024. It was funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, the University of Michigan, and Ann Arbor’s Downtown Development Authority.” When asked about his role, he replied, “I was tasked with improving our public restroom system. At the time we were using regular port-a-johns. The toilets are too hard to maintain. Some companies quit doing business with Ann Arbor because of their misuse. We are considering permanent structures, but they are expensive and have their own problems. After doing some research, I discovered Throne Labs. Although Ramón Roberto Isla Caballero, vendor No. 347, smiles outside the Throne closest to his corner on Washington Street. Last summer Caballero received a ticket for urinating in public even though there were no nearby public restrooms available at the time of arrest. they are more expensive, the added features prevent the maintenance and safety problems presented by them.” But why worry about toilets at all? Delecourt says, “All citizens are entitled to a clean usable facility. It’s for the public good. I want to add that Ann Arbor works for better quality public services in general. This includes our homeless population.” Anthony M., Ann Arbor denizen and regular at Liberty Plaza, has been using toilets his entire life. I asked him about his experience with the Throne. GCN: Is it unlike any bathroom you’ve ever used? AM: Yeah, it is unlike any bathroom I've ever used. GCN: How so? AM: Because it is internet capable. He pointed out that the internet connection would make it easy to summon someone if there was a horrible mess. Anthony originally said “because it’s run by AI.” We agreed that would be giving it too much credit. And a little creepy. GCN: What was your favorite feature? AM: It is a port-a-potty that has running water and is always clean. GCN: Anything else? AM: It would be cool if it told people about any cool events happening in town. Anthony agrees with the mission of Throne Labs. He says, “Dignity is important to people and elimination is basically part of digestion, so shouldn't a clean safe toilet be as important as food and water?” There are eight Throne stalls installed in Ann Arbor — at Washington and Main Street, the Farmers Market, Liberty Plaza, the Delonis Center, West Park, Riverside Park, and two in Veterans Park. The Throne is wheelchair-accessible and you can get a pass card from City Hall or the Delonis Center if you do not have a smartphone. See page 11 for a map of all Ann Arbor Throne bathrooms. SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 ׉ 7cassandra://FoPTBACo1_60pthOgGNzwWmGj-hhmH8nR7scUwUgfbgR`fι~1zw׉E SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 VENDOR VOICES Our wedding day TABITHA ALMOND Groundcover vendor No. 360 I'm so happy to be able to say I am now Mrs. Sean Almond. Me and the love of my life got married August 11, 2024. Even though we did not have the money to have my dream wedding, it was still the most amazing day I could have asked for. We planned the entire thing in just three days and in the end it turned out perfect. There was nine people there besides me and my husband. I was lucky enough to find a beautiful dress for only three dollars and a veil for ten dollars. After getting married, we had a barbecue with some amazing food. I'm so blessed I'm clean and sober because my dad is back in my life. And I could have never imagined getting married without my dad there. My dad and my 16-year-old son walked me down the aisle. It was so special to me to have them give me away to the love of my life. We plan on having a big wedding on one of our anniversaries. I can also say God was on our side, because, literally, we was not able to find someone to do the ceremony until 30 minutes before the wedding. So we was very blessed about that. My husband's son was also able to come. And we are very thankful about that and it feels so good that my family actually likes my husband. I will never forget what my stepmom said to me right after the ceremony; she pulled me to the side and told me that I better treat him good because Sean is a good man and she knows a good man when she sees one. Me and Sean have been through a lot in our relationship and we are excited for this chapter together. I couldn't be happier. I finally found a man that truly loves me and wants to spend the rest of our lives together. It's both mine and his first and only marriage. He means everything to me. And it feels so good to be able to call Sean Almond, my husband. I'm so happy we made it. I wouldn't want to spend my life with anyone else. He truly is my soulmate. We had an amazing night. And I can't wait to see what the rest of our lives together have in store for us. TRASH TALK TOUR GROUNDCOVER NEWS 7 Above left: My dad (Lewis), me and my son (Thomas) walking me down the aisle. Above right: Mr. and Mrs. Almond. Below: "You may kiss the bride!" September 29th from 12-3 pm GAMES | PRIZES | LIVE MUSIC Free, Family-Friendly event KIWANIS THRIFT SALE (BEHIND THE SCENES TOURS!) 100 N STAEBLER RD SUITE C, ANN ARBOR, MI 48103 Made Possible By: SIGN UP FREE! TrashTalkTour.Org fι~1zxfι~1zw בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://P3fPMbuAQ13Fd7T8E4F89pPt2hbvQEBcU8kWRf_2LJo{`I׉ 7cassandra://DFW-1BbFkMP1hVvkEcK9dkPQa6JzhamEaFOyH62kSGo`׉ 7cassandra://Y6DuMOjmOZe-RiXg5coRGsZAh1CCDyIwrbUIpNJKcbkL`fμ~1zנfμ~1zb9ׁHhttp://1.Baׁ ׁ Јנfμ~1z9ׁHmailto:tact@groundcovernews.comׁ ׁ Ј׉E8 GROUNDCOVER NEWS POETRY Where do we go from here? WAYNE S. Groundcover vendor No. 615 It’s ending. Can’t you see what it’s done to me? That’s right — it’s ending you’ve had enough. You’ve seen all you want to see It’s over, you said so yourself, it’s ending I can still hear the words You think of me in a different light Yes that’s right I thought we were so much alike You were all I wanted then something happened I don’t know what? I don’t know when But it was ending and I couldn’t question why. I know it couldn’t be what you said it was. And so do you! Where do we go from here? No matter what no matter when I hope you’ll always be my friend I need that more than ever at this point in my life take the pain away that’s all I ask Where do we go from here? RAMON ROBERTO ISLA CABALLERO Groundcover vendor No. 347 Las santas escrituras escritas para ayudar, más la manifestación de la vida, y la destrucción del universo, las estrellas y los luceros no tienen el sueño ni el pensamiento para cambiar la humanidad. ¿Qué estás esperando para ayudar y cambiar la vida? Gracias. Poem of the Universe The holy scriptures were written to help foster the protests of life, against the destruction of the universe, the stars and moon have neither the vision nor the thought to change humanity. What are you waiting for to help and change life? Thank you. SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 El poema del universo ׉ 7cassandra://Y6DuMOjmOZe-RiXg5coRGsZAh1CCDyIwrbUIpNJKcbkL`fι~1zy׉E SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 PUZZLES GROUNDCOVER NEWS REGRETS Peter A. Collins 9 Groundcover Vendor Code While Groundcover is a non-profit, and paper vendors are self-employed contractors, we still have expectations of how vendors should conduct themselves while selling and representing the paper. The following is our Vendor Code of Conduct, which every vendor reads and signs before receiving a badge and papers. We request that if you discover a vendor violating any tenets of the Code, please contact us and provide as many details as possible. Our paper and our vendors should be positively impacting our County. • Groundcover will be distributed for a voluntary donation. I agree not to ask for more than the cover price or solicit donations by any other means. • When selling Groundcover, I will always have the current biweekly issue of Groundcover available for customer purchase. • I agree not to sell additional goods or products when selling the paper or to panhandle, including panhandling with only one paper or selling past monthly issues. • I will wear and display my badge when selling papers and refrain from wearing it or other Groundcover gear when engaged in other activities. • I will only purchase the paper from Groundcover Staff and will not sell to or buy papers from other Groundcover vendors, especially vendors who have been suspended or terminated. • I agree to treat all customers, staff, and other vendors respectfully. I will not “hard sell,” threaten, harass or pressure customers, staff, or other vendors verbally or physically. • I will not sell Groundcover under the influence of drugs or alcohol. • I understand that I am not a legal employee of Groundcover but a contracted worker responsible for my own well-being and income. • I understand that my badge is property of Groundcover and will not deface it. I will present my badge when purchasing the papers. • I agree to stay off private property when selling Groundcover. • I understand to refrain from selling on public buses, federal property or stores unless there is permission from the owner. • I agree to stay at least one block away from another vendor in downtown areas. I will also abide by the Vendor Corner Policy. • I understand that Groundcover strives to be a paper that covers topics of homelessness and poverty while providing sources of income for the homeless. I will try to help in this effort and spread the word. If you would like to report a violation of the Vendor Code please email contact@groundcovernews.com or fill out the contact form on our website. ACROSS 1 Performed without a sound 6. Administrative aide: Abbr. 10. Open a little 14. Amtrak express train 15. Cash for Phoenix, for example 16. Adidas rival 17. Zipped past 18. XXX film 20. First part of a quip 22. Cease 23. Shipping lanes 24. That guy 26. Former AT&T rival 27. Places to store some winter gear 32. Frighten 35. "To Kill a Mockingbird" recluse 36. Choice for Hamlet 37. Quip, part 2 38. "The Magic Mountain" author Thomas 39. Yosemite landmark 41. "The Divine Comedy" poet 42. Segments of books 43. Cribbage board marker 44. Air-quality org. 45. Seafood fish 49. Questionnaire datum 52. End of the quip 55. As it were 57. City in Italy (and Michigan) 58. Henry VIII's wife Boleyn 59. Not prerecorded 60. Hole-___ (golf feat) 61. Still life subject, maybe 62. Pizazz 63. Heads of France? DOWN 1.Ballplayer who was the subject of the film "61*” 2. Start of Caesar's boast 3. Brainy bunch 4. Vigorous effort 5. Motel fee 6. "We Have The Meats" fast food chain 7. Concerto highlights 8. Urban blight 9. Concert souvenir 10. A year in the Yucatan 11. Nonsense 12. Similar (to) 13. Saxophonist's accessory 19. ___ Kelly of "Fire Walk With Me" 21. Deli choice 25. "Spy vs. Spy" publication 27. They can make a case for drinking? 28. Zen riddle 29. Extended family 30. Grand Rapids' county 31. Word in a New Year's Eve song 32. Put one's foot down? 33. Bubbly drink 34. Basic skills 35. Diminish 37. New York City nickname, with "the" 40. Half a 1960s quartet 41. Set the boundaries of 43. Chinese zodiac beast 45. Monopoly piece 46. Television series tryout 47. Vapid 48. Saint often depicted with a lamb 49. Right away, initially 50. Departed 51. Volcano in Sicily 53. Trompe l'___ (optical illusion) 54. Output from 51-Down 56. "Jingle Bells" contraction fι~1zzfι~1zy בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://ihWU_KSAv_oaQXpoKMzjivAosMbSUH60lNgQb8EGlYA p`I׉ 7cassandra://lGc9b7sYMfKubdPcV_eV6xJfbkxVO01EmGaGOynab2A2Z`׉ 7cassandra://69_cci9DoO9gkebik4_RKCmcFlvGqspSdchAHf9jjO8S`fν~1zנfμ~1z9׉H#http://annarborcommunitycommons.orgGׁ ׁ rנfμ~1z ̮́9׉Hhttp://groundcovernews.org%20Gׁ ׁ rנfμ~1z[*̻9׉Hhttp://givebutter.com/kb4qff.Gׁ ׁ rנfξ~1z +j̏9ׁHmailto:bikes@proton.meׁ ׁ Јנfξ~1z[-̻9ׁHhttp://givebutter.com/kb4qff.ׁ ׁ Јנfξ~1z ρ̮9ׁHhttp://groundcovernews.orgׁ ׁ Ј׉E10 GROUNDCOVER NEWS STUDENTS Do students matter? There are many kinds of students. Learning begins in the womb and continues until we are fully enlightened. That is a bold statement which requires some study and experience. Even if it is possible to be fully enlightened in this lifetime, how many of us are prepared for that? Theory and practice, that dialectic becomes lifelong learning. To go from mindfulness of breath to mindfulness of mind, let alone to fully enlightened mindfulness, is a journey into timeless time. Consider the first law of thermodynamics. Matter and energy cannot be created or destroyed in any closed system but can change from one form to another. Is consciousness a unity of matter and energy? When evolutionary scientists look at intuition and its role in evolution many end up stuck on the brain as the origin of consciousness. They may not understand the laws of nature and the possibility of consciousness as inherent in nature, able to evolve from simple to complex life forms. Whatever you study you need a context that helps you work with the parts of the puzzle. This is particularly important when you see there are parts that don’t fit in the puzzle. The amount of data available can be overwhelming and the challenge to sift out relevant information is a test of mindful attention and understanding of priorities. The truth is what matters. Understanding of the truth changes as you explore the mystery of your life and begin to face reality. So which reality awaits you? If you hear the ticking of the doomsday clock you may notice our central planners with trillions to play with are preparing for high-tech nuclear war. NATO is placing nuclear weapons on the Russian border and turning a deaf ear to appeals for a treaty that respects every country’s security needs. Especially nuclear disarmament. We have the elephant in the room regardless of what you are studying. KEN PARKS Groundcover vendor No. 490 Basic research about our fundamental assumptions and subsequent theories is always good. Quantum mechanics has yet to fully replace Newtonian assumptions about cause and effect, especially the machine view of reality. Quantum probability becomes the best context to discover the truth. I loaned out my copy of Niels Bohr's “The Limits of Human Knowledge.” “Copenhagen” is a brilliant play by Michael Frayn about a conversation between Bohr and Heisenberg in 1941 when Heisenberg, a student of Bohr, was in charge of Hitler’s atomic bomb project. Study Dr. Pierre Kory. He has been decertified due to his advocacy of ivermectin for Covid 19. Big pharma and compliance culture targeted him and others to give emergency approval and mandates for a vaccine that was not fully tested. The story behind the pandemic may be as difficult to unravel as the JFK assassination. Once again we come to our own conclusions based on the narratives and information that we embrace. The middle class inclines to believe the authority of official experts with the attitude of “go along to get along.” There are times when this is good advice. We need analytic mindfulness to question the experts who may be following orders and making too much money to tell the truth. I wrote “Spring Forwards, Feel Your Toes” a few months after I took the Johnson and Johnson vaccine and my right leg gave out. Every phenomena has more than one cause and I had prepared for the vaccine with extra doses of vitamin C and antioxidants. I met a nurse who broke into tears when I said Johnson and Johnson. “That’s the one that caused so many amputations.” she cried out. My leg healed but I now have more arthritis, which cleared up temporarily during my month in Cuba during May 2023. It was mango season and there’s a tree near my room. The family was a healing presence so I was in paradise. I still eat from the tree of knowledge so am afflicted with the common dualism and various forms of ignorance that arose with Paradise Lost. Remember Eve and the serpent. A book of essays about Ursula LeGuin has a quote that comes to mind, “Those who do not learn the language of dragons are doomed to live out the nightmares of politicians.” The fixation on a permanent separate self is the deep ignorance also called egocentricity. My favorite teacher of science now is Dr. Jack Kruse, a neurosurgeon who is a quantum biologist and was awarded the Nobel Prize in physics in 2016. Check him out. He is a proponent of decentralized medicine, has been deplatformed by centralized medicine but continues the work. His conversations with Dr. Andrew Huberman, the Stanford neuroscientist, and Rick Rubin, the music man, are masterpieces in the art and science of reality. Knowledge that leads to wisdom and compassionate activity is what matters; students who pursue the interrelatedness of their specialty in the context of nature and the laws of nature matter very much. Buddha and Jesus are among those who inspire us to have mercy for ourselves and others and step on the path of unconditional love. May you cross the finish line of this path, the great going beyond which leaves nothing behind. SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 Everything matters, especially you, but nothing is permanent. Enjoy this moment as a presence that cannot be measured but becomes an awareness that experiences past, present and future in the context of timeless time. Whitney Webb, who does Unlimited Hangout as a website and YouTube, shows her investigative journalism of artificial intelligence/ globalism and central planners in, “The End of the World As We Know It.” Also Richard Werner's writings on the Deep State. Become an engaged student and look for what matters. I hope we meet at the International Day of Peace celebration September 21. See the details below and search annarborcommunitycommons.org INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE Saturday, September 21 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Ann Arbor Community Commons (Fifth Avenue and Library Lane) Music stage, songs, dance, open microphone, discussions of the wars of the world, paths to uncover the peace always ready. Bring Your Knowledge, All Questions on the Peace Table, the Commons and the Culture of Peace and the wars at home, in Native America and in our own town, work places, and often families. YOU ARE INVITED! contact: megiddo@umich.edu - ׉ 7cassandra://69_cci9DoO9gkebik4_RKCmcFlvGqspSdchAHf9jjO8S`fι~1z~׉ESEPTEMBER 6, 2024 STUDENTS GROUNDCOVER NEWS Six things every college student should know about Groundcover News JANE ATKINS Groundcover contributor I heard about Groundcover News through an English class I had taken during my freshman year at University of Michigan, but I wasn’t really sure what the newspaper was about beyond its mission statement. Now, as a sophomore, Groundcover has been one of the most positive experiences of my freshman year, and I never knew back then how involved I would be now. If I could go back in time, here are five things I wish I knew about Groundcover News as a freshman: 1. Every Groundcover vendor is a person experiencing homelessness or poverty. Each vendor keeps the profits they earn from selling the newspaper, which means that the money you spend on a newspaper goes directly into the pockets of the vendor you bought it from! 2. It's easier than you think to find a vendor selling the paper. Many of them wear blue vests and they always have a Groundcover News badge on. You can find vendors all over Ann Arbor, and some even like to stay around the same area every day, which makes it very easy to buy the paper regularly. 3. Groundcover News is a nonprofit organization that is mostly run by volunteers, and they value their work greatly. Every day in the office is a fun one, and volunteers are what make the newspaper happen. Groundcover is always looking for people to volunteer who want to make a difference in the Ann Arbor community and care about housing justice. 4. You can buy the street paper with Venmo! I didn’t know this at first, but it makes it much easier to buy the paper since I don’t think most people carry cash around these days. Each issue has a Venmo QR code you can scan on the front cover, and in the comments you write the name and vendor number so you know the money is going directly to your vendor, all for a cost less than a cup of coffee. You can watch a "how-to" video on the Groundcover News Instagram page. Some vendors use their own Venmo accounts, too. 5. Groundcover is more than a street newspaper. They host fundraisers, art fairs, poetry slams — they even have their own audio version of the newspaper called Groundcover Speaks, which you can listen to on their website through the Ann Arbor District Library. They also host workshops for vendors to practice their writing skills, salesmanship and more. 6. Groundcover News publishes a variety of writers and voices. While they place an importance on stories written by their vendors, there are also stories written by volunteers (like the one you are reading now!) or U-M students who are in English classes partnering with Groundcover. It is a newspaper filled with diverse perspectives and topics. Like snowflakes, no issue is the same as the one before! I hope this article has been informative and calls you to volunteer, start reading the paper regularly, or at the core, makes you more aware of the community that exists around you. If you are interested in getting involved, visit groundcovernews.org and fill out the Volunteer Interest Form! 11 Take Back Bikes is redefining "bike share" INDIRA SANKARAN Take Back Bikes The story of Take Back Bikes begins not in Michigan, nor in the United States, but in Palestine — where there is an ongoing genocide and decadeslong occupation by the zionist entity. After months of pressure on the University of Michigan administration to divest the $6B tied up in companies that contribute to or profit off of the genocide, students, staff and community members of the Tahrir Coalition erected the Gaza Solidarity Encampment to escalate their demands. The encampment, which lasted a month before U-M Police Department violently raided it, was a space of freely shared ideas and food, the creation of communal art and music, and, above all, was a community insistent on taking radical action towards collective liberation. The encampment was also where upwards of 20 bikes were donated by community members eager to support the folks camping out; it was there the idea of Take Back Bikes was conceived. In Washtenaw County, many who rely on the bus know it's easy to get stranded if it's too late at night, too early in the morning, or too far from a bus route. The activists who started TBB hope to contribute to free transportation accessibility, while keeping the genocide in Gaza at the forefront of the visual landscape. "No one should be able to go about their day without the reminder that our tax dollars are going towards genocide, and basic services like transportation, healthcare, and housing remain neglected in our communities," said one TBB organizer. All bikes are decorated with themes of Palestinian liberation in mind. TBB has distributed four bikes in Ann Arbor, with another four soon to follow in Ypsilanti. These bikes were either recovered from the encampment or donated by the community. Each bike is repaired, tested, decorated and inspected for safety. To use a bike, find the code to the lock on the bike, ride where you need, and lock it back up in a heavily trafficked or downtown location. In its first few weeks TBB has received a warm and hopeful welcome from the community. A TBB organizer said, "The other day [a bike user] needed to get back to his camp with his bags before the rain hit. He found a TBB bike and was able to make it back home to his tent just in time before it started pouring." TBB has already begun experiencing repression from the police. In August, one bike was tagged by the Ann Arbor police with a notice saying the bike would be impounded if not removed within 48 hours. This appears to be selective enforcement of a city ordinance, as many bikes around the city PUZZLE SOLUTIONS are left on racks for months with no issue. Time and again, pro-Palestinian protestors have been repressed through arrests, charges, brutality and changes to law and policy. While a bike notice is insignificant in comparison to the felony charges that some activists are facing, it shows how the law flexes to specifically repress the Palestinian liberation movement at every level. What can you do to support TBB? The biggest request is to ride the bikes! If you are interested in getting more involved, you can attend the next TBB workday. Details will be posted on their instagram @takebackbikes. Take Back Bikes also needs money for parts, tools and decorations, which can be donated to givebutter.com/kb4qff. Questions can be emailed to takebackbikes@proton.me. By providing a free community service meant to challenge for-profit, exploitative business practices and oppressive university policies, TBB is one of the many ways people in our community strive to build healthy communities and work towards the world they wish to live in. Ride on and Free Palestine. fι~1zfι~1z~ בCטFu׉׉ 7cassandra://Rq13j3PZOLRtv-zydLF938Us-uUa1eXufabG7e6UI5Yo`׉ 7cassandra://qN5qQPEE2y8Os49IiSLfDcSk5BTJnDgt8ksSw31SdFk͞`h׉ 7cassandra://OBDuHkb_c5oiCRPcX4cQ3oKze4ehEuOx_z1X1eOzkPI3v`fξ~1zנfξ~1zd 9ׁHhttp://PEOPLESFOOD.COOPׁ ׁ Ј׉E12 GROUNDCOVER NEWS FOOD Fool-proof hummus LUIZA DUARTE CAETANO Groundcover contributor Ingredients: 2 - 16 oz cans of chickpeas, or 1 lb dry chickpeas, see below 1/2 cup tahini 1/2 cup lemon juice 3 garlic cloves, peeled 1/4 cup olive oil 2 tsp salt 2 tsp cumin 1/4 cup water Directions: Combine all ingredients except water in food processor or blender. Process for 2 minutes or until fully combined. Add water and process until desired consistency. Add additional salt to taste. If using dried chickpeas, boil for 45 minutes with 1 tsp of baking soda. Cool completely before processing with other ingredients. (You can use the water used to boil when thinning the hummus to add flavor and nutrients.) Run cold water over the cooked chickpeas to speed up this process. Serve hummus with vegetables, bread, or crackers for dipping. I like to add a dollop on top of meals for extra flavor, texture and protein! SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 $5 OFF NATURAL FOODS MARKET 216 N. FOURTH AVENUE ANN ARBOR, MI PHONE (734) 994 - 9174 • PEOPLESFOOD.COOP ANY PURCHASE OF $30 OR MORE One coupon per transaction. Must present coupon at the time of purchase. Coupon good for in-store only. No other discounts or coop cards apply. Not valid for gift cards, case purchases, beer or wine. OFFER EXPIRES 9/20/2024 ׉ 7cassandra://OBDuHkb_c5oiCRPcX4cQ3oKze4ehEuOx_z1X1eOzkPI3v`fι~1z׈Efι~1zfι~1z ,September 6, 2024fθ}\"f