׉?ׁB!בCטFFu׉׉ 7cassandra://CjLeEvmHluJ6Auzfl-4vW-AMreGLOQ9QVkyuoT3HKK8`׉ 7cassandra://fjKoMGsIg4XniLI3Y2cIGMDFhz9Rom6BLnoz4AZWJRI͍`h׉ 7cassandra://nPpG9FHhk8n4V1AUo0UTln9YFAbclnAaIWpa88-zZik0`ek9vV]mטFu׈ÂeRN׈Eek9vV]]׉EA2 $ MARCH 22, 2024 | VOLUME 15 | ISSUE 7 YOUR PURCHASE BENEFITS THE VENDORS. PLEASE BUY ONLY FROM BADGED VENDORS. Alpha House expands capacity by eight families. page 4 MEET YOUR VENDOR: LONNIE BAKER PAGE 3 GROUNDCOVER NEWS AND SOLUTIONS FROM THE GROUND UP | WASHTENAW COUNTY, MICH. VICTORY! Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners approves resolution to extend winter shelters until May 1. • County Commissioners are listening. page 6 • It feels like déjà vu. page 7 Shelter Now supporters rally outside of the Washtenaw County Administration building on March 20 before the Board of Commissioners meeting begins. Photo by Alexandra Granberg THIS PAPER WAS BOUGHT FROM • Proposal: Housing-development accelerator • Charbonneau: Open your eyes to housing inequity. PAGE 4 @groundcovernews, include vendor name and vendor # ׉ 7cassandra://nPpG9FHhk8n4V1AUo0UTln9YFAbclnAaIWpa88-zZik0`ek9vV]^ek9vV]] בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://SHtIR39ooFlYiSvRPqFllByPRD0R03t-HehPSXS51FMx`I׉ 7cassandra://jIHpQaKWLhMHk1XBrRfsUYzc1vGKNfkvE4KxSQFWJgY `׉ 7cassandra://C6YK5q-O5SczXSDP0vfRdpfEt8QeNoh9iHctms6CEhoP`ek9vV]rנek9vV]pǁ9׉Hhttp://www.groundcovernews.orgGׁ ׁ rנek9vV]q܁9׉H http://linktr.ee/groundcovernewsGׁ ׁ rנek9vV]x9ׁH http://linktr.ee/groundcovernewsׁ ׁ Јנek9vV]wʁ9ׁHhttp://www.groundcovernews.orgׁ ׁ Јנek9vV]v 9ׁH"mailto:contact@groundcovernews.comׁ ׁ Јנek9vV]uN!9ׁH&mailto:submissions@groundcovernews.comׁ ׁ Ј׉E 2 GROUNDCOVER NEWS OPINION community EVENTS THIS IS PARKDALE MOVIE SCREENING Saturday, March 23, 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Growing Hope Marketplace Hall (16 S. Washington St., Ypsilanti) "This is Parkdale" is a short film documenting a successful rent strike organized in Toronto, Ontario. The documentary is 35 minutes long, and a discussion on the film will follow. Masks required. 50th ANNUAL DANCE for MOTHER EARTH POWWOW Details pictured right. 28th ANNUAL EXHIBITION of ARTISTS in MICHIGAN PRISONS March 19 - April 2, gallery times vary by day James and Anne Duderstadt Center Gallery (2281 Bonisteel Blvd, Ann Arbor) A project of the Prison Creative Arts Project at the University of Michigan that showcases the work of artists incarcerated in Michigan prisons. FOOLMOON 2024: FOOLBLOOM Friday, April 5, 8-10 p.m. Washtington St., in between Ashley and Main St. Downtown festival of light-filled art, creative experiences and Foolish fun! FESTIFOOLS PARADE Friday, April 7, 4-5 p.m. Main Street in downtown Ann Arbor MARCH 22, 2024 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 Simone Masing — intern ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS Elizabeth Bauman Austin Cash Jim Clark La Shawn Courtwright David KE Dodge Heather Feather Mike Jones Lit Kurtz Ahmad Sakallah Wayne Sparks Shawn Swoffer David Winey GROUNDCOVER NEWS ADVERTISING RATES Size 1/8 1/6 1/4 1/2 full page Black/White $110.00 $145.00 $200.00 $375.00 $650.00 Color $150.00 $200.00 $265.00 $500.00 $900.00 Dimensions (W x H in inches) 5 X 3 or 2.5 X 6.5 5 X 4 5 X 6.25 5 X 13 or 10.25 X 6.5 10.25 X 13 CONTACT US PROOFREADERS Susan Beckett Elliot Cubit Anabel Sicko VOLUNTEERS Jane Atkins Jessi Averill Zachary Dortzbach Glenn Gates Alexandra Granberg Robert Klingler Emily Paras Liem Swanson Melanie Wenzel Mary Wisgerhof Max Wisgerhof Emily Yao 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 linktr.ee/groundcovernews PACKAGE PRICING Three Months/Six Issues: 15% off Six Months/Twelve Issues: 25% off Full Year/Twenty-four Issues: 35% off Only run for two weeks/one issue: 40% off Additional 20% discount for money saving coupons ׉ 7cassandra://C6YK5q-O5SczXSDP0vfRdpfEt8QeNoh9iHctms6CEhoP`ek9vV]a׉E2MARCH 22, 2024 ON MY CORNER MEET YOUR VENDOR GROUNDCOVER NEWS Obama Phones for low-income and unhoused people Barack Obama was elected Lonnie Baker, vendor No. 99 In one sentence, who are you? "A man of God." Where do you usually sell Groundcover News? 12 - 2 p.m. on Saturday at 4th and Catherine, and 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. on Sundays at Thompson and William. When and why did you start selling Groundcover News? In 2013 I had no job and no money. I was unemployed and broke. I needed food and shelter. What is your favorite thing to do in Ann Arbor? Meet and greet the community while selling Groundcover. What words do you live by? Do unto others as you want others to do unto you. What is something about you that someone on the street wouldn’t know? I have a dog. She is a boxer and pit mixed Brindle; her name is "Eden." She will be five in June. What motivates you to work selling Groundcover News? The income that I receive from selling Groundcover News is needed to keep my household afloat. If you could do anything for a day, what would it be? Blessing people that needed to be blessed. If you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Chicken, baked potato, broccoli, corn, black eyed peas and cornbread! What’s the most interesting thing that has happened to you while selling Groundcover News? I have had a customer buy all of the papers that I had on me on more than one occasion. What was your first job? Selling "Ebony” magazine, Jet magazine, and the Michigan Chronicle newspaper, which was all one package. I was 12. What changes would you like to see in Washtenaw County? More affordable housing in Washtenaw County. I'm talking about housing affordable to a person working at McDonald's, Taco Bell, Meijer, Walmart or Groundcover. What would you do if you won the lottery? My first investment would be in my brand. My second investment would be a house. What song do you have completely memorized? I know the song "Amazing Grace" through and through. What’s the best way to start the day? I like to start my day in the spirit of Thanksgiving, giving thanks. What would you become famous for? My reparations project and empowering the native Black American who are the descendants of the slaves who built this country. President of the United States of America in January 2009 and served two terms as President until 2017. Nowadays more than 6.9 million Americans have an Obama phone, as free government phones are now often called. Many people don't know the first president to start the Lifeline Program for affordable phone service was Ronald Reagan. Lifeline Program is a Federal Communications Commission’s program, established in 1985, intended to make communications services more affordable for low-income consumers. Lifeline provides subscribers a discount on monthly telephone and broadband service purchased from participating providers in the marketplace. Safelink Wireless offered the first free cell phone service in Tennessee in 2008. That means that the first free government cell phone was distributed during the Bush administration. But still, two administrations after the presidency of Barack receive SNAP benefits and/or Medicaid, you qualify. For the last two years, I used MIKE JONES Groundcover vendor No. 113 Obama, they are still referred to as Obama phones. Low-income households qualify for free or low-cost cell phone service under the Lifeline program. Lifeline is offered by major carriers such as Assurance, Safelink, and Access Wireless. In addition to the free smartphone, Lifeline provides voice, text and monthly minutes. How do you see if an individual or head of household qualifies? You simply go on any of the major carriers' websites and fill out an application, or you might encounter individual contractors on street corners distributing free cell phones and tablets. It is an easy and short process. If you an Obama phone. I used the phone carrier Q-link Wireless, and service was good until around a year later when my phone service cut off. As a result, I went without phone service for about two months because I needed to reapply for a new phone service. Then I started getting emails from all the different phone carriers who provide Lifeline service. I came to the conclusion that Lifeline phone service is good if you have no means to pay for phone service. Phone service helps people communicate and move forward toward employment or other means to be able to afford a monthly phone bill. Lifeline phone carriers often give customers unreliable and poorly made devices. I would advise those with Obama phones who can afford it to upgrade to a paid monthly service if you want to avoid phone service interruption and to be able to use your phone to its greatest potential. 3 Elder I’m trying to say what’s never been said before. I’m not a mentor. Call me an elder if you must. I’ve a story to tell that’s not been told before. I know things that are hidden that I know are true and I want soon to share them with you. As time goes by as the end is near I must unlock my thoughts. I owe the world a story and maybe someday I’ll have a chance to tell it. I have to tell you the most hurtful things and things that WAYNE S. Groundcover vendor No. 615 are full of joy; as the story goes on it’s about love and humanity. When I get to the end it's all I want to see. I won’t get a second chance to say it so gather round and let an elder tell his story full of joy and sorrow because there will be no tomorrow. These might be promises unfulfilled. But when I feel like I’m feeling now, I feel like I can rule the world. Be ready to hear my tale whenever it’s told. ek9vV]bek9vV]a בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://nrrkRJcUAHcOG_BBbufrQs1TtIhCY-fdtHdG0_BcQLo `I׉ 7cassandra://qCcfbe8csCaZXDglrQj4jWNIfcyIH5K1_aWYXQNzmJY.`׉ 7cassandra://9RtimYwnruhwEg8uN9wny94ohAsFW9T1YJA3-PRXo6cRU`ek9vV]yנek9vV]{ Zt̐9ׁHhttp://aadl.org/gameconׁ ׁ Ј׉EV4 GROUNDCOVER NEWS FAMILY SHELTER I recently visited Alpha House, the family shelter located in Ann Arbor, and was welcomed like a family member attending a family reunion. I arrived with the intention to discover what Alpha House is all about and learn the details of their current expansion project, but first let me describe how it was founded. History of Alpha House Initially there were 12 religious congregations in Washtenaw County, mostly in Ann Arbor, that came together in 2001 to operate a weekly rotating shelter for homeless families. They later became the Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN). They found that these rotations were negatively impacting the school age children. Some children’s ability to get to and from school became problematic as was having to change schools in the middle of the school year, and/or prohibiting the freedom of desired choice. It was an unstable environment. The IHN needed a permanent location. St. Joseph’s Hospital had a rehab facility located at 4290 Jackson Rd. in Ann Arbor that was shut down, so they let IHN use it as a permanent shelter for only $1 a year rent. That is how it became IHN at Alpha House, better known as Alpha House. How about that for miracles? I reckon that the people of the IHN would probably just simply state that the Lord works in mysterious ways! Before I go any further, let me introduce four amazing members of the staff for IHN at Alpha House and an outstanding volunteer: Executive Director Shonagh Taruza, Director of Operations Brad White, Volunteer Coordinator Patty Page, Programs Director Denise Diggs-Taylor, and volunteer Greg Humbel. Words aren't enough to describe these beautiful souls, but further along in this article I will comment on their assets that I appreciate. Shelter experience I will now share some information and criteria for obtaining the services that Alpha House offers. Being homeless is number one and the city of origin doesn't matter, as long as potential clients are U.S. citizens or have a green card or legal rights to reside in the United States. If potential clients do not have proper required identifications, Alpha House staff are able to assist with obtaining these documents within legal parameters. Clients must also be pregnant, or have a child or children. If communication barriers present, someone on staff will reach out to interpreters. Upon arriving at Alpha House clients are immediately welcomed then assigned a case manager. The case manager conducts an assessment in order to better assist them with their needs while taking action with cooperation of the clients to make positive gainful progress possible. Clients can stay at the shelter for 60 days. I am not aware of policy for extensions at this time. Clients are provided with job assistance and encouraged to participate in their existing employment program entitled Career Scope. Within the vestibule of Alpha House is an area for pursuing job leads that includes a table, chairs, a phone, and a bulletin board that lists jobs and educational opportunities, as well as community events that may be partaken in. Yes, childcare is an essential priority to me! Alpha House volunteers and staff work closely with the Childcare Network to address any childcare needs. This broadens time availability for parents which increases employment opportunities. To add to that, the wonderful McKinney-Vento Hearth Act law requires all homeless school-age children residing in LA SHAWN COURTWRIGHT Groundcover vendor No. 56 shelters to be provided funded transportation for the benefit of being able to continue attending the school they are presently enrolled in, or the school of their choice within the Ann Arbor school district. For example, some children are bussed, cabbed or driven to school in unmarked vehicles with assigned staff members; this way no child is singled out for living in a shelter. The guardian of a child that has a personal vehicle is given a gas card for gas for the purpose of taking and picking the children up from school. It is tantamount that children receive all of the academic education that they can get in an ever-changing, technological society. There are volunteers who provide on-site childcare for non school-age children of their clients. This is another way the more fragile youths can remain in an environment that is safer healthwise; it decreases exposure to dangerous health hazards for a child who is not yet fully vaccinated. As most of us who have encountered toddlers know, they love to stick things in their mouths. We all pretty much know that credit scores can have a negative impact on our quality of life and the ability to apply for and/or obtain suitable housing or other things we may apply for. So this is why at Alpha House the clients are encouraged to obtain a credit score report for awareness and the opportunity to address any issues that may have lowered their score. Criminal background checks are performed to intently address any issues that would hinder or prevent clients from accessing gainful employment and suitable housing, but other barriers may exist or arrive because of MARCH 22, 2024 Alpha House expands capacity by eight families Shonagh Taruza, Alpha House Executive Director, Patty Page, Volunteer Coordinator, and Brad White, Director of Operations, pictured left to right. an unknown charge or warrant. So please do not be offended by this part of the process. Now let me describe what it is like inside of the Alpha House shelter, and report about the rooms being renovated for the expansion to serve more clients. As it operates now, Alpha House has six rooms that may accommodate six families ranging from one pregnant woman per room or a family of four that consists of at least one child. They have two congregate family rooms. One has two computers and printers, video games and a library; clients may keep books they like. There is a cafeteria area that has a view of the outside, and an adjoining patio for sitting or smoking. No drugs are allowed including medical or recreational marijuana. Clients may cook any food in the pantry, refrigerator or freezer, as long as it is made clear by staff that it's okay. The children have a large area in the basement stocked with all sorts of toys, games, crafts and play related activities, and a fully functioning playground that has a couple of bikes and scooters. The children are appropriately and safely monitored at all times. Increasing need inspires rennovation Last winter, because of higher rent rates, a lot of families became homeless and IHN at Alpha House wanted to do more. The IHN at Alpha House members and staff realized that a rotating shelter would be essential to see FAMILY next page  fully ׉ 7cassandra://9RtimYwnruhwEg8uN9wny94ohAsFW9T1YJA3-PRXo6cRU`ek9vV]c׉EuMARCH 22, 2024 FAMILY SHELTER  FAMILY from last page provide immediate shelter relief, however, injury to the childrens’ overall well-being could not be avoided in this way. It was discovered that the Ann Arbor City Council sold the Dental School on N. Ashley Street in Ann Arbor to the Ann Arbor Housing Commission for $1 with a plan to transform the property into affordable housing units. The groundbreaking for the affordable housing units wouldn't occur for two more years and the Ann Arbor Housing Commission did not want it to sit empty, so they asked Shonagh and Brad of Alpha House if they wanted to rent it and they did. There were not enough bathrooms so they opted to utilize the empty building for their offices, and renovate the now empty former offices at Alpha House into eight more rooms for families, another storage, and full bathroom. Two more washers and dryers will be added as well within the Alpha House facility during the renovations. The kitchen is being renovated, too. Volunteer Coordinator Patty Page shared that she was recently injured and it has totally impacted her abilities. She expressed how it made her feel like she couldn't be of any assistance. She had a spark of inspiration when asked to aid in the interior designing of the rooms being renovated. She refers to herself in a jocose manner as the interior design reference person. Patty has always put her decorative skills to use throughout Alpha House. Patty is very vocally energetic and full of enthusiasm. I couldn't tell that she was going through a setback. She wants the shelter to feel like a transitional home because she wants the clients to maintain the hope of having a home of their own to decorate as they please. I love the building trades, particularly carpentry, so meeting volunteer Greg Humbel who is renovating the kitchen at Alpha House was an added bonus. Greg stated that he loves what he is doing for Alpha House. He is also a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ann Arbor. We need lots more people of your integrity, Greg; keep being you. You build up more than buildings. Your work builds lives too! I enjoy talking to a person instead of an automated answering service; this is how I met Program Director Denise Diggs-Taylor. I needed to get a couple of answers about Alpha House and was unable to reach a live person earlier that day and left a message and my phone number. To my surprise, not even an hour later I received a call back from none other than Denise. I introduced myself again, asked my questions and got answers and the opportunity to talk briefly with Denise. She was very helpful, pleasant and patient with me. It takes me back to when I worked the switchboard and had a lot of pleasant, unique and brief talks with people for the first time. We have to keep live communications alive. We can now get to the highlight of this article: the renovation of the existing wing at Alpha House, that will provide more shelter for eight more families. The renovations began the second week of February and are expected to be complete by April 2. The Interfaith Hospitality Network at Alpha House invites everyone to drop by their open house to tour the new residential wing on Thursday, April 4, 2024 from 2-7 p.m. at 4290 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor. I personally am suggesting that you bring a donation if you can, but no worries if you can't. Do keep in mind that Alpha House only accepts brand new items. Conclusion I am very pleased and impressed by everyone I encountered there. I want to thank you all for receiving me with open arms and eyes. Brad is the kind of person that made me question one of my own fears. That is approaching people for any kind of interview. With him, being so willingly helpful to me, it erased that. It boosted my confidence level that day and made me smile inside. I was made aware that Brad considered a child client that needed help with homework and personally undertook the task of getting a tutor on board at Alpha House. The children are our future. Anyone who takes care of the babies is alright with me. I call all children under 18 babies, though I know they’re not. It is pretty difficult for me to put into such a few words the way that I felt when I met Shonagh. She made me feel like I was her sister and we'd talked many times before. I admire you for your faith and volition to empower, encourage, and help others. You are a take action person and I like that. Patty, if you aren't at 100% now, I can't wait until you are fully recovered. I was so filled with hope listening to how much you have to offer just being you. I thought of a project I can do to make something for Alpha House. Thank you all once again. Just a useful tidbit for anyone that I have experienced and witnessed, is that volunteering where you are or at other places can or may more likely result in landing a stable employment position where you are. The benefits are innumerable both personally and professionally. After all, there is nothing like hands-on experience! 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. Book Clubs To Go Book Clubs To Go is a service available at each AADL location that provides the convenience of complete kits for book discussions. Inside, you’ll find 10 copies of the featured book, one movie DVD, and a resource folder. Request a kit today through the online catalog or by calling (734) 327-4200. FEATURED EVENT AADL GAME CON 2024 exp. 01/31/2025 Saturday, April 13 • 11:00am–5pm Downtown Library Game Con is a free, super-charged gaming extravaganza featuring gaming sessions, presentations, and a Vendor Hall to find the perfect accessory for your next game night! Gaming sessions will run all day long, with a schedule of presentations on topics related to RPGs and game design for attendees to participate in. Check out aadl.org/gamecon for a list of gaming sessions and additional Game Con details. Outdoor family play area at Alpha House. 5 ek9vV]dek9vV]c בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://NHk9yMduhHvGKcYmbsfmDG1qfy43p3-2asYdTBeyQI4`I׉ 7cassandra://uvwmn_xApvqwdasWSm1aBS9MkOBHvs0fBo2hFTE6S2k#`׉ 7cassandra://XEZVTUD4s4AUomd_TYPMyBLIXpQKtI1TcjoVLRqe8sAP`ek9vV]|נek9vV])p9ׁHhttp://A2Mission.orgׁ ׁ Ј׉E6 GROUNDCOVER NEWS WINTER SHELTER County Commissioners are listening Late in the summer last year, a small group of people camping out under the awning at the Growing Hope farmers market in downtown Ypsilanti were evicted by the police. This incident on August 27, 2023 and the movement it sparked ignited a wave of action among homelessness advocates, peace and justice activists and radicals. Since then, we have been coming to the Washtenaw County and City of Ypsilanti meetings with three demands: 1) Create and fund a dignified 24/7 shelter in Ypsilanti before spring 2024 2) Open a temporary shelter immediately. Fund and do not interfere with unofficial and temporary shelter spaces. End street sweeps and camp sweeps. 3) Ensure that the houseless and housing-insecure communities have decision-making and veto power in all Ypsilanti shelter spaces, and in their creation. So far, none have been met. However, at the Washtenaw County Commissioners meeting on February 21, 2024, I heard in their bureaucratic chatter the words the homeless advocates have been shouting: stop the sweeps, acknowledge the weather is always a safety hazard, and provide wraparound care to support the homeless and the recently housed. My younger comrades are skeptical. They have heard this song and dance before. So have I — I've seen the dog and pony show, and the circus with all the monkeys. We won’t be convinced until we see action, and we won’t stop until we see change. But now the commissioners seem like they may be ready to make a difference. I interviewed Commissioner Annie Somerville (District 6, Ypsilanti) about the status of efforts to alleviate homelessness in our County. We spoke of would be safer. Each year the Delonis Center emerJIM CLARK Groundcover vendor No. 139 money, where it comes from, how it’s meant to be spent and how to get it. The American Rescue Plan Act distributed $2.5 million to help struggling Americans. Included in the local package was $150,000 for short-term emergency motel stays, $710,000 for eviction prevention and $250,000 to support shelters including the Delonis Center. The money is distributed through the Office of Economic and Community Development, which also oversees the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County. Interesting factoid, according to Somerville: The Delonis Center is underutilized. She says: “We have space at the shelter, it isn’t used because some people do not like congregate sleeping arrangements.” What she may not know is that people are avoiding Delonis because of the drugs, violence, theft and corruption of the staff. Last year, Mission’s Weather Amnesty (an overnight program sponsored by A2Mission.org to help people during lethal weather) took in people who were trespassed from Delonis for violating the shelter's safety rules. This year the program offers respite shelter to the general homeless population. The guests who stay there have almost all been to Delonis and have for the most part decided sleeping outside gency weather program and associated shelters (night and day shelters) close at the end of March. Anyone from Michigan knows that April and even parts of May are still capable of dangerous weather. There is talk of extending the overnight sheltering program to May 1. When I asked Somerville if there were any programs in place for the summer, she said there weren’t. Something Somerville wants the activists to understand is that the programs that have been shut down are not due to lack of funding, but to lack of staffing. “We don’t have the capacity for a second shelter,” says Somerville. “Without staffing and infrastructure, our hands are tied.” We didn’t talk about how much staff members get paid, but apparently not enough. Volunteers are even harder to get. In fact, the February issue of the “Eastern Echo” (the Eastern Michigan University paper) reports a decline in health and human services enrollment. From Philanthropy News Digest: “As demand for nonprofit services has increased, the number of Americans who volunteer has continued to decline, leaving many nonprofits across the country straining to provide services, the Washington Post reports.” Although Somerville and I did not talk about camp evictions or “sweeps,” the Sheriff’s Department did at the County Commission meeting Feb. 21. A sweep is when law enforcement uses force to remove people from encampments, often causing them to lose what little property they have. At the meeting, the Sheriff's Department claimed they do not conduct sweeps; however they do conduct a “civil standby” while private security companies do the eviction when an eviction is court ordered. Commissioner Caroline Sanders (District 4) spoke of “wraparound” care which is a commonly-used term for services such as mental health treatment, medical treatment, food and clothing assistance, and help accomplishing necessary tasks. These things would be provided by the County after a solution to the lack of shelter is found. The irony is that often the lack of wraparound care contributes to recidivist homelessness — especially when it comes to mental health crises. Moving into spring will make it more difficult for homelessness advocates. Warmer weather dulls the public's awareness of homelessness. Because it’s warmer, people tend to think the homeless need less support. The County Commissioners will soon be swamped with requests to fix potholes and boost tourism. Homelessness is a year-round phenomenon. For it to be alleviated, solutions must be found that go deeper than what casual observation might suggest: to just build more housing. What is needed is deep systemic change. To get to that, the County needs to listen to those experiencing homelessness. The demands at the beginning of the article were derived from the voices of unsheltered people in Ypsilanti. These demands are not all that is needed, but are a foundation that must be laid in order for any real changes to be made. Update: On Wednesday, March 20, the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners voted to approve "a resolution to extend winter sheltering activities through April 30, 2024," meeting another demand of Shelter Now. The Board waived the second reading which would have otherwise occured on April 3. MARCH 22, 2024 ׉ 7cassandra://XEZVTUD4s4AUomd_TYPMyBLIXpQKtI1TcjoVLRqe8sAP`ek9vV]e׉EiMARCH 22, 2024 WINTER SHELTER It feels like déjà vu To be frank, it felt like a serious case of déjà vu and in reality it was. Those were the words that I used when given an opportunity to address the Board of Commissioners during the Washtenaw County’s Board of Commissioners and Working Session Meeting held on March 6. Those who were gathered at the meeting expressed a variety of concerns during public input, but most centered around the lack of millage funding for critical needs facing both the unhoused and those who live with mental illness in the County. The intersection of the two was obvious and it became clear that there was a need for increased funding for both to reach the critical needs of the people they are designated to serve. Mental health advocates’ voices ranged from anger to disbelief that a majority of funds from the voter-funded Community Mental Health and Public Safety millage used by the County Sheriff’s office were crippling the efforts of those working on the levels of community engagement services. Those on the frontlines of the homeless crisis know that anything other than year round shelter is only a thin bandaid; they have been imploring the Washtenaw Commissioners for years to open up its coffers so that no one is vulnerable to the elements in any season. The seasonal timeline of the winter warming center dates are LIT KURTZ Groundcover vendor No. 159 meeting before the Commissioners walked away. An article that I penned that ran in the 2014 June issue of Groundcover News states, “…Our delegation listened in dismay as the commissioners closed the door on any further discussion, announcing that they were pleased with the current role that Delonis has played to provide shelter to the homeless community.” Undoubtedly, it was that abrupt dismissal of further communication ten artificial and do not reflect the frequent fluctuating temperatures in cold climates. But for some of us, March 6 was a replay of a similar meeting held a decade earlier on April 2, 2014, when what MLive referred to as a delegation representing the Delonis Center Warming Center approached the Board of Commissioners. During the meeting a decade earlier we requested that Warming Center hours not only be extended for another month from to the end of April, but that year round shelter be in place. So in 2014 after bickering and debating well past normal meeting hours, the Commissioners agreed to keep the shelter open that year by funding another 30 days. They also agreed to meet with our delegation throughout that year to develop a plan for year round shelter. There was only one years ago with those of us who were then experiencing this crisis that has allowed the problems at Delonis to fester and brings forth a new set of people grappling with the same fundamental issues of safety and year-round shelter. Nathan Bagget who is currently sheltering at the Delonis Warming Center gave insight into the conditions now. He said that since the Center removed drug testing, there has been a noticeable increase in crime. As has always been the case, shower access is limited and it is virtually impossible to do laundry based on the limited slots. The proverbial band-aid can no longer offer the solutions needed for those in need. Unless the commissioners commit to listening to those embroiled in this crisis, there will be no solutions. It is my hope that it will not take another decade to do so. APPROVED: A resolution extending winter sheltering activities through April 30, 2024 What does this mean? At the time of publication, logistics of what winter sheltering activities will be extended through April 30 have not been worked out or announced publicly. Many winter sheltering services utilize seasonal locations and employees that may not be available after March 31. Stay tuned on Groundcover News Facebook and Instagram for details on these service extensions. GROUNDCOVER NEWS 7 ek9vV]fek9vV]e בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://-8d6Yr9PNJ9eoeKBxsSjnX_OKfbj-6VuRtFqalDjpQA`I׉ 7cassandra://IsxHl1ymkWUP3XDe6mWhutbumbKL96ZB0eTDXOPxpSE{`׉ 7cassandra://kLpQw8QNjQtLTWQ7T6NyB1mCi7ZtkY1HPXJ6EhP6XIQT,`ek9vV]נek9vV]9ׁHmailto:tact@groundcovernews.comׁ ׁ Ј׉E8 GROUNDCOVER NEWS IN REVIEW A book report on "Healing Collective Trauma" DAVID KE DODGE Groundcover contributor I do not remember why, how or when I came into possession of “Healing Collective Trauma — a process for integrating our intergenerational and cultural wound” by spiritual teacher Thomas Hubl and ghostwriter Julie Jordan Avritt — but most likely I was prompted to purchase the book shortly after it was published, by an interview with the author which I viewed on Public Television. After I secured my copy, I set it aside to read after I finished a book I was then currently reading. But by the time I finished the then current book, other books had been purchased, and Hubl’s work had been relegated to a low place among my trove of books waiting to be even started. It was only after the events of October 7, 2023 and the following weeks in Israel, that I said to myself, “Those are two traumatized Peoples at each other’s throats. If only they could see that on their current course, only Satan stood to be the winner, like he was the winner of World War II; Hitler might conceivably be a loser of that war, but Satan won.” It was then that I recalled the existence of Hubl’s work, and decided it was overdue for a reading. I set aside the book I was then currently reading, and began reading Hubl. My feelings about Hubl’s work are mixed. Hubl is a self-described mystic, and I’ve always found the writings characteristic of mystics to be dense — incomprehensible. I often finished entire paragraphs without comprehending a word, and such paragraphs would sometimes merge into entire chapters. It may be that some other work on collective trauma would have been more beneficial to me, had I known of such a work, and procured and read it instead. But Hubl was worth reading. Among the “facts” I gleaned from it: • The impact of trauma on individual humans extends beyond the individual; when a group of people is traumatized, the entire culture is affected; the entire group of individuals express and reinforce the symptoms of their trauma to each other, to all other members of their society, and to members of other societies with which they have intercourse; • The impact of trauma on individual humans extends beyond the generation suffering the original blow of trauma; the impact is passed onto their children, and their children’s children, and so on. The impact is passed on by both of two processes: • By how the society of traumatized adults treat their immediate children and the children of their society in general, and • By a process which seems insidious to me, but which Hubl convinced me takes place; Hubl refers to the process as “epigenetics” — the change of the the common society’s individual’s genes, so the children and/or grandchildren of the originally traumatized are genetically predisposed to express maladjusted behavior, to their personal children, and the entire society’s children, the trauma of generations long ago passed. • There’s hope in all this: Hubl describes processes by which the cultural damage can be undone. I won’t attempt to describe the processes; that’s what Hubl’s work does. I will say that the processes involve group therapies, and that I have apprehension as to whether the therapies outlined and performed by Hubl and his colleagues are as effective as a group approach led by professionals certified by the state to do such work. One challenge faced by humanity is convincing the Peoples of the world who express historic trauma through their culture of their need for therapy. Another challenge is finding the leaders of such groups who are able to guide the participants toward an end both constructive, and intended. The harvest is great; the workers are few. Which is why I want to believe that Hubl and the folks who work alongside him know what they’re doing. From Hubl’s description, they do. In their current course, the Jews and Palestinians of Israel are simply planting the seeds, in each other’s children and in their own, of a plethora of future October sevenths. If a route to peace is ever to be followed by that country, it will not be forged by generals, Prime ministers, diplomats, or hack politicians. It will require the ministrations of capable humanitarians — psychotherapists. "Healing Collective Trauma" had a cover price of $25.99 when I purchased it. One copy is available from Ann Arbor District Library — downtown branch. Your favorite local brick and mortar bookstore needs your support. Buy it. Read it. Keep it. Healing Collective Trauma — a process for integrating our intergenerational and cultural wound” by Thomas Hubl C. 2020. Sounds True, publisher. MARCH 22, 2024 ׉ 7cassandra://kLpQw8QNjQtLTWQ7T6NyB1mCi7ZtkY1HPXJ6EhP6XIQT,`ek9vV]g׉EMARCH 22, 2024 PUZZLES GROUNDCOVER NEWS CROSSWORD from the International Network of Street Papers 9 Groundcover Vendor Code While Groundcover is a non-profit, and paper vendors are self-employed contractors, we still have expectations of how vendors should conduct themselves while selling and representing the paper. The following is our Vendor Code of Conduct, which every vendor reads and signs before receiving a badge and papers. We request that if you discover a vendor violating any tenets of the Code, please contact us and provide as many details as possible. Our paper and our vendors should be positively impacting our County. • Groundcover will be distributed for a voluntary donation. I agree not to ask for more than the cover price or solicit donations by any other means. • When selling Groundcover, I will always have the current biweekly issue of Groundcover available for customer purchase. • I agree not to sell additional goods or products when selling the paper or to panhandle, including panhandling with only one paper or selling past monthly issues. • I will wear and display my badge when selling papers and refrain from wearing it or other Groundcover gear when engaged in other activities. • I will only purchase the paper from Groundcover Staff and will not sell to or buy papers from other Groundcover vendors, especially vendors who have been suspended or terminated. • I agree to treat all customers, staff, and other vendors respectfully. I will not “hard sell,” threaten, harass or pressure customers, staff, or other vendors verbally or physically. • I will not sell Groundcover under the influence of drugs or alcohol. • I understand that I am not a legal employee of Groundcover but a contracted worker responsible for my own well-being and income. • I understand that my badge is property of Groundcover and will not deface it. I will present my badge when purchasing the papers. • I agree to stay off private property when selling Groundcover. • I understand to refrain from selling on public buses, federal property or stores unless there is permission from the owner. • I agree to stay at least one block away from another vendor in downtown areas. I will also abide by the Vendor Corner Policy. • I understand that Groundcover strives to be a paper that covers topics of homelessness and poverty while providing sources of income for the homeless. I will try to help in this effort and spread the word. If you would like to report a violation of the Vendor Code please email contact@groundcovernews.com or fill out the contact form on our website. ACROSS 1. Ancient Briton 5. Alpine transport 9. Platters 14. Trendy South American berry often thought of as a good source of antioxidants 15. Ashtabula's lake 16. English race place 17. "___ we forget" 18. The Sun acting out 20. Mariner's aid 22. Thoroughly cleanse 23. "Gladiator" setting 24. Crystalline compound found in urine 26. Seed 27. Carl Bernstein, e.g. 31. "The Da Vinci Code" author Brown 32. Court ploy 33. Small fish often living in fresh, running water 36. Involving more than one country 41. Antares, for one 42. ___-tac-toe 43. Bird's beak 45. An operation to remove all or parts of the uterus 50. Indian lentil dish 53. All alternative 54. Magical wish granter 55. Descriptive nickname 58. Link 59. Sealed cylinder lacking air, used in electronics 62. Wood sorrels 64. Cake topper 65. Barely managed, with "out" 66. Destiny 67. "Take your hands off me!" 68. 1990 World Series champs 69. Beat it DOWN 1. Amigo 2. Cold treats for a hot day 3. Kidney-shaped nut 4. Giants of myth 5. It may be oral or written 6. "My man!" 7. Afflict 8. You, right now 9. Batty 10. "Cast Away" setting 11. Line of cliffs 12. Literally, "dwarf dog" 13. Prepare, as tea 19. Enlarge, as a hole 21. 50 Cent piece 23. "Go on ..." 24. "Once ___ a time..." 25. Paid back 28. "Aladdin" prince 29. "Much ___ About Nothing" 30. Indian bread 34. Like some great literary works 35. Remove 37. "Well, ___-di-dah!" 38. "Don't give up!" 39. Radial, e.g. 40. Rocks 44. "Ciao!" 46. Restrain 47. Self-conscious laugh 48. How to make a human look like a monster 49. Irritate 50. Man with horns 51. Posthaste 52. Allowed 56. ___ oil, used in varnish 57. Justice Black 58. "Bill & ___ Excellent Adventure" 60. Arthur Godfrey played it 61. Four-poster, e.g. 63. "Comprende?" ek9vV]hek9vV]g בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://t0lDx3sJ2aaDiYZbcHSgCMtkEXZM8snzyUlME9wPscU ֡`I׉ 7cassandra://s56KSJ0t9_3n3o5p3y5O6DqNgxr4E71wZg8jq3jzLVY/U`׉ 7cassandra://g6gGZo2DDr5rx_80aDt9T_ZHCHSPRqNu8m_F7zCxA6QU(`ek9vV]נek9vV]rs9ׁHhttp://ImageFlip.comׁ ׁ Ј׉E[10 GROUNDCOVER NEWS HOMELESSNESS The not-so-great American essay Hello, readers! First time writer, and fresh reader here. Having personally experienced homelessness from coast to coast in recent years, and never having been homeless before the coronavirus panic, I feel like I bring a fairly fresh perspective upon the matter. I learned various tricks-of-the-trade quickly from “veterans” of the street, some of whom have had 30+ years experience on the matter. Ironically, most of that knowledge became obsolete overnight during periods of the changing socioeconomic landscape of these last several years, (such as public bathrooms and water faucets being locked down). Also, I experienced for myself both tyrannical enforcement by security forces (anti-warmth patrols concerning very public private property such as wide outside places or immovable objects) and bureaucratic xenophobia by social services. Apparently, need is often an exclusive club for identity stereotypes. But the last time I checked, need can happen to anyone, anytime. It was often other homeless people who were more willing to help than the pachinko-machine-of-a-system that we call public and private subdivisions of the Department of State and Department of Health and Human Services. (Pachinko is a Japanese roulette gambling machine. The additional rationale for the metaphor is the fact that gambling businesses don’t gamble — they all operate on statistics.) Not to When not homeless myself, I would AUSTIN CASH Groundcover vendor No. 627 say there aren’t heroic figures who go above and beyond to do their jobs at times, because there are. But if given enough time to tweak the system’s settings, authorities may abuse the ability to bottleneck within such top-heavy bureaucracies, due to such motivations as ego or polarized herd mentality. I’ve noticed within my short time here in Ann Arbor that Groundcover News gives a perfect excuse for the local mainstream society to safely approach homeless people (when they actually know about the paper). I think a decent chunk of people across the country would like to help people in general, but either can’t or don’t trust the average homeless person’s situation — be it a potential drug use problem or an unstable personality, or the unobservable, largely ineffective system. Although they still may “blind dump/give” into it occasionally hoping it will work out for the best. work around this issue by almost never giving money away, but would rather, when I had a moment, physically go to a place and buy a tangible object to hand off to an individual. Yahweh, the creator, commanded us to give 10% of our blessings in life to the causes important to Him, which is called a tithe, and frankly even someone making a mere $1,000 a month would have $100 to give by that standard. Now imagine if everyone walking down the street right now suddenly had $100, monthly, to give for meals, clothing or even communal housing for the less fortunate (no matter who they are)! People talk about social change more and more; they’re even getting closer to the grassroots design started around two millennia ago by the early “Christian” congregations, but the solution has been staring us right in the face as a society all along. We’re often too “sophisticated” for it now, but human issues are quite cyclical — we just tend to forget. The sin of Sodom (sin being a distortion of the divine perfect), after all, was documented as abundance plus pride while not giving to the poor (Ezekiel 16:49). But it seems familiarity has bred contempt for us in our recent generations. Also, sometimes people are just downright ignorant from not being taught in this day and age of disassociated social media groups, streaming, and algorithmic-induced endorphin rushes (that, too, preceded by the TV and radio). I grew up as a latchkey kid raised by the public grade school and the TV within postmodern American suburbia in a nominally Christian family, with really nothing more than Sunday school under my belt from kindergarten, and was eventually systemically put on a self-destructive path right before puberty — not even going to high-school. I did obtain a G.E.D. while working retail on the weekends during my later teenage years. Yet during my first 15 years of life I knew little to nothing about the foundational faith which I would personally profess later, and mostly was supplemented growing up by ideas of the humanism, new age and futurism that hovered around the coming of the new millennium. A family friend is the one who taught me about Yahshua of Nazareth, the Messiah (who western society calls Jesus Christ) more in depth. She even bought me my first Bible and began to counter the situation of me not attending high school via personal tutoring. Later, having been put off by the very homogenized, corporate herd culture that is the “Christianese” culture located in and around the Bible Belt of America, I started to consider myself personally “a believer in The Way” and not specifically a Christian (John 14:6, John 6:29). That being said, I struggled see ESSAY next page  MARCH 22, 2024 Memes sourced from ImageFlip.com ׉ 7cassandra://g6gGZo2DDr5rx_80aDt9T_ZHCHSPRqNu8m_F7zCxA6QU(`ek9vV]i׉EMARCH 22, 2024 OPINION "This is a music article" ANONYMOUS It’s not incredibly comfortable to face reality at times, but some people just won’t hear the facts until it’s the end — too late. The problem is society often takes too much time and effort to discern the truth before it is able to apply intervention on ugly realities. The realities have been pretty ugly in the Middle East. In Palestine, the oppression is often met with dismissive attitudes instead of reflection. In other words, perhaps, a more intricate look at the finances of Zionism would prepare society to adapt for a new ending. A better one. Perhaps we should examine corruption from a different lens through linking participation in the Zionist movement with the music business. If we understood the business practices of these players, then we would be better able to adapt before the negative outcomes occur, even today. In the early 20th Century the copyright laws were in their nascent stages, but it was the player piano — the piano playing off perforated scrolls — that caused a conflict within influence on society but what people may not know is that Pannonica was born to the family responsible for creating the problems in the Middle East today —the Rothschild Banking Family. Her influence on the music industry is significant because her family’s wealth was responsible for renaissance-level accomplishments and corruption — ranging from biological organisms bearing their family name (e.g. Ornithoptera rothschildi) to war profiteering to the music business formation of the 20th century. It was not until 1954 when Prestige Records signed Mr. Monk, but in those 40 years Pannonica had been alive, her family was busy destabilizing governments and musicians alike. In order to understand a problem, the creative world: who earned the coins off the piano? The saloon owner? The person who composed the sheet music that went into the piano? Thus the royalty rates were born through the Copyright Act of 1909 and the establishment of American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) in 1914. The jazz era was beginning and the relationships that came about in this era give us a rare look at the finances of the vanguards Zionism. Kathleen Annie Pannonica Koenigwarter was born four years before her jazz counterpart Thelonious Monk. The two shared a mutually fond relationship that funded the Jazz Bebop movement — she was largely liked by jazz people like Monk and Charlie Parker. They were infants when Zionism was beginning its of thorough research should be done inside and outside the context of the problem and its historical circumstances. In other words, to address the corruption surrounding Palestine, let us examine the money trail of this family in and outside of Palestine. In 1917, the Balfour Declaration was made: A letter from British politician Arthur Balfour to Walter Rothschild Jr. was the seed to establishing a colonial Jewish state in Palestine. This was Pannonica’s Uncle Walter, Charles Rothschild’s brother. Her father (Charles), her uncle Walter, her brother Victor, and her recently-deceased nephew Jacob, at different times, represented the banking dynasty, holding the title of Baron de Rothschild. As of February 26, 2024, her great-nephew, Jacob’s son Nat, became the new baron. These people are the most significant players in the creation of modern Zionism. They built the Israeli legislative house, the Knesset, and streets in Israel are named after them, which should indicate their major influence on the state, even today. Now it’s important that we investigate their contributions to the music business. If you played a soccer match and GROUNDCOVER NEWS 11 Thelonius Monk and Baroness Kathleen Annie Pannonica de Koenigswarter. Image from American Roots Music you lost, that imprints a memory, yes? The following match against the same opponent, what occurs? The following match you will try to adapt to eliminate the reasons you lost. Reality is if we have to wait till the end to learn the lessons, there will be a weaker grasp than if the learning commenced at the beginning. Today we stand in a world dominated by a money trail that can be almost impossible to track; however, with this information we have now, could we delve into Pannonica and her positive influences? Did Pannonica represent the same ideology? Being tied into the direct financiers of the State of Israel would highly suggest this is the case. How does her family’s involvement affect the music business today? Well, it entails the understanding of why we went from mechanical publishing to streaming. The era of digital copyright opened the floodgates to piracy that made it difficult for the corporations to manage their revenue streams, but what the lawsuits revealed were the heads of the music business and their ties to Zionism are quite prominent. Charles Bronfman Jr,. the former CEO of Warner Music Group and Seagrams heir, was the founder of Birthright Israel, the Zionist colonist project. It demonstrates the fact that if Zionist money has been and still is indeed the same money controlling Israel and the higher echelons of the music business perhaps the practices in Gaza and Music come from a similar place. I scoffed at the recent ironic legislation that Rashida Tlaib introduced to implement a rate of 1 cent a stream for the artists. The original rate was two cents and it got moved up to 8.1 cents by 1977. Imagine a business where someone collects your money for you — all of the money, before you see it. So you don’t know how much money was even earned in the first place. Then someone gives you an envelope and says “Here’s your take, be happy with it.” This article refelcts the opinion of the author, not Groundcover News. Logo of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.  ESSAY from last page coming of age through worldly deceptions caused by blinding social pain (betrayals happening like falling dominoes, mixed with soul-destroying verbal abuse, from the ages of 18 to 23), and started to not live fully for Yahweh after having already committed myself to Him. This fact was brought to my attention via a very rude awakening in my early thirties, which led me for the first time in over a decade to crack open the word of the Creator which is in the book collection we call the Bible. Having run the gamut, so to speak, I can relate to those who have lived for nothing but themselves while being subjected to the flow of causality that is called the zeitgeist; to becoming one who has personally applied faith in Messiah Yahshua (often considered an anachronism now); to one who has known what it means to struggle, even the reconciling of oneself; from life just breaking down amidst such opposing foundational backgrounds. It is within that picture of struggle, even potential reconciliation if dared, that society seems to find itself currently crescendoing in regards to the topics of homelessness and charity (let alone many of the other serious, parallel issues happening across the board in our current cultural consciousness). So, wherever you come from, whoever you are, and whatever your experiences thus far in life, I hope to have conveyed here a synopsis of not only my own personal life experiences plus travels as a street homeless person, but also to encourage you all, the readers, to reflect upon your own selves and situations in relation to these matters, along with the rest of these troubling times that we all communally share. ek9vV]jek9vV]i בCטFu׉׉ 7cassandra://hteaWfRU5Ed1-LGy_Rcc-gvBLxxKm_8fqJmO8-y2BPIm`׉ 7cassandra://iyi15ufbGtDwcRKrpg9XSBt2TQLRTmLINp4WXBz2JvM͌h`h׉ 7cassandra://uyyPPIMReMahDwQIbl6QjwOh0FYTeprYZK4vneAtCjc.a`ek9vV]׉E12 GROUNDCOVER NEWS FOOD + FUN Russian comfort tonic HEATHER FEATHER Groundcover vendor No. 54 This Russian Comfort Tonic is a soothing and revitalizing drink that combines the calming properties of chamomile tea with antioxidant-rich cranberry juice and the warming spices of ginger and cinnamon. It's designed to promote a sense of safety and well-being while providing a boost of brainpower and mental clarity. Enjoy this healing elixir whenever you need a comforting embrace for both body and mind. Ingredients: 1 cup brewed chamomile tea, cooled 1/2 cup cranberry juice (unsweetened) 1/4 cup honey (adjust to taste) 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon grated ginger A pinch of cinnamon A few sprigs of fresh mint, for garnish Ice cubes (optional) Directions: Brew chamomile tea and let it cool to room temperature. PUZZLE SOLUTIONS Where's Panda? DAVID WINEY Groundcover contributor MARCH 22, 2024 In a pitcher or large mixing bowl, combine the cooled chamomile tea, cranberry juice, honey, lemon juice, grated ginger and cinnamon. Stir until well combined. Taste the mixture and adjust sweetness or tartness by adding more honey or lemon juice if desired. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Once chilled, serve the Russian Comfort Tonic in glasses over ice cubes, if desired. Garnish each glass with a sprig of fresh mint for a refreshing touch. DENISE SHEARER Groundcover vendor No. 485 offer expires 04/05/2024 ׉ 7cassandra://uyyPPIMReMahDwQIbl6QjwOh0FYTeprYZK4vneAtCjc.a`ek9vV]k׈Eek9vV]lek9vV]k ,March 22, 2024ekÂeRN_