2010 2010-2012 Your donation directly benefits the vendors. Please buy only from badged$10 vendors

INSIDE OLD How we got here –p. 2 Letting light in – p. 3

Street-paper conference – p.4 ICPJ promotes tolerance – p. 5 FAVORITES Rock steady, Jerry Mack – p. 6

Haiti nurses – p. 6 Underground economy – p. 7 COLLECTION By the Pound – p. 7 Dumpster diving – p. 8 Camp Take Notice eviction – p. 9

Lambchop’s street art – p. 12 Explaining to kids – p. B1 Cycling in Ann Arbor – p. B2

Nick Tobier creates – p. B2 Bills that bind – p. B3

Community forum – p. B4

D’s T~Time – p. B5 Professor’s past – p. B6

Drawn to disasters – p. B7

Rissa’s journey – p. B9 Teacher humor – B10

Poetry – B12

www.Groundcovernews.com 2 OPINION Welcome to Best of Groundcover Culling through past issues, I found Lounsbury, Lee Alexander and Andrew The support of our steady advertisers so many pieces I wanted to share with Nixon have been indispensable in gives us the financing we need to get you – way too many to include here. producing Groundcover each month the editing and layout services we need by Susan Beckett I encourage you to peruse old issues with limited resources. Regular office to produce a high-quality publication Publisher on our website by selecting News then volunteers Sandy Schmoker, David on a regular basis. I especially want to Archives from the main menu. Thank Helmbold, Marquise Williams, Corliss thank the People’s Food Co-op, By the you to all the people who contribute Irrer, Greg Hoffman, Erica (Blom) Pound, Kiwanis Thrift Store, Pizza Pino articles, poems, puzzles, cartoons and Morell, Lucy Miller, Lisa Sonnenberg, and First Baptist, First Presbyterian You are reading the first expansion of photographs to us, and thank you to Amber Keyes and Lee Alexander and Trinity Lutheran churches for their the Groundcover product line beyond those of you who took the time to vote have made it possible for vendors to long-term and significant advertising our regular monthly issues. This is but on the selections and help us decide restock their papers throughout the commitments to us. one aspect of growth since our first what to include in this anthology. day and have also provided coffee and edition hit the streets in July of 2010. companionship when vendors take The religious community has been Our monthly circulation has tripled The start-up funding and support of breaks. wonderful about allowing Groundcover since our first year and so has the 1Matters was critical to getting us off to be sold in and around their facilities, number of people selling Groundcover the ground. Office space provided by Our social work volunteers, Shoshana welcoming our vendors as valued each month. In addition to selling the Bethlehem United Church of Christ Mandel, Greg Pratt and Barbara Blom, members of the community. And of paper, many of our vendors now also provided the stability and foundation along with the U-M School of Social course, all of you – our readers – who write for the paper and sell advertising we needed for steady growth, as well Work interns they supervise and have become friends to some of those in it. Many have taken courses from us as a supportive community that we members of our Social Support team, who sell you Groundcover each month. and in college to improve their skills treasure. connect our vendors with needed Our relationship with you is what keeps and enhance their employability. Many resources in the community. Many us going. This is truly a community who used to sell Groundcover are now Countless hours of volunteer time more volunteers write grant requests, project. Thank you! employed elsewhere. from our main editorial staff, Laurie bake for special celebrations, design ads, and do outreach projects. Real Change, microcredit and Groundcover by Susan Beckett After a couple of years of lending “Real Change! Real Change!” exclaimed slums in Nairobi. By the end of 2007, money to the very poor so they could the man on the Seattle sidewalk as they had 170,000 savers and 60,000 GROUNDCOVER start their own small businesses, Jamii I passed through the supermarket borrowers. Bora experimented with offering MISSION: doors. I was confused. Did he think beggars small items like ribbons that I’d be giving him slugs? Upon learning Microcredit offers the poorest of they could sell instead of begging. It he was homeless and offering to sell the poor a chance at economic self- Groundcover News was immediately apparent that most me a newspaper, I eagerly traded my sufficiency. For many it is a path people preferred selling to begging exists to create opportunity dollar for his paper and had an aha of redemption; an opportunity to and many of them went on to become and a voice for low-income moment: this was a brilliant application overcome poor choices made or successful entrepreneurs. people while taking action of microenterprise here in the United circumstances thrust upon them earlier States! in their lives. They have a saying at to end homelessness and Joyce Wairimu eventually opened six Jamii Bora: “We have fast climbers out businesses and now employs many of poverty. Twenty years of working on solutions of poverty and we have slow climbers, her former colleagues. Wilson Maina, to global poverty familiarized me with but everyone is a climber.” That’s my Susan Beckett, Publisher once a thief, now owns four businesses. microcredit projects of many forms. wish for Groundcover – that it provides [email protected] He scours the streets for boys like him The Grameen bank became famous an economic toe-hold for our vendors and has convinced hundreds to get when it and Mohammed Yunus won to use in their climb, and the wisdom Lee Alexander, Editor started in a business instead of stealing. the Nobel Peace Prize, yet it was a and awareness we as a community need [email protected] Jamii Bora started in 1999 by making Kenyan micro-lender, Jamii Bora, that to nurture their efforts. loans to 50 beggars in one of the worst Andrew Nixon, Associate Editor sprang to my mind. Contributors Destiny Brown Martha Brunell Ethical Egoism – the curse we share La Shawn Courtwright by James Manning Our country is in an economic Shelley DeNeve Groundcover Vendor Ethical egoism is the idea that the depression. People are in dire need Rissa Haynes pursuit of wealth and power by any William Lopez of jobs, but rather than prioritizing Laurie Lounsbury Have you ever heard the saying money means necessary is justified. It is an the creation of jobs, our government Carolyn Lusch is the root of all evil? When you give it epithet for the dark side of humanity. opts to bail out multi-billion-dollar Danielle Mack some thought, you can’t help but come Throughout history, the impoverished James Manning corporations who for the most Shawn Story to the conclusion that it most certainly have been victimized by those with part go ahead and lay off workers Karen L. Totten is. The human species is not mature wealth and power. Every day we see anyway. There are times when I get to James Varani enough to handle currency and power, examples of hatred towards the poor Clayton Williams wondering, “Who is really running this evidenced by the abuses we witness and the glorification of the rich. If country?” and “Are things ever gonna Letters to the Editor: every day. We might think that we are you take one who is homeless and [email protected] improve while all this greed is around on the right track since technology compare them to a drug dealer in terms us?” Story or Photo Submissions: is rapidly evolving, but the sad truth of respect from common people, the [email protected] is that we are as savage as ever, and dealer receives better treatment, all Humanity has been on a downhill immoral acts are connected to money because of the money that he or she moral decline ever since the concept Advertising: in one way or another. Whenever we makes. Being a vendor for this paper, [email protected] of value spawned the accumulation of can’t explain our actions, we rationalize, I see this philosophy in practice every wealth. Clearly the world has to change. www.groundcovernews.com and today the excuses for the pursuit day in the actions of the people who I despair that will never happen. We facebook.com/groundcover of wealth and power have become the ignore and even laugh at the cause we don’t think about the world around 423 S. 4th Ave, Ann Arbor widely-practiced philosophy of “ethical stand for. If the tables turn, then it’s a 734-972-0926 egoism.” different story. see CURSE, page 3

www.groundcovernews.com RELIGION 3 It’s the cracks that let the light in Although the hacienda has been cracked adobe illuminated by the full for, sell, and pray over Groundcover. restored with love and care in recent moon as it set. The cracked abode and Cohen’s words ask us to reconsider how by Rev. Dr. years, it is still prone to cracks as the moonlight reminded me of a quote I we view our cracks. Do we attempt Martha Brunell desert land around it shifts. I have been tucked in my journal and brought with to hide them or mask them with our Pastor, Bethlehem there twice this year. Both weeks have me on retreat. These words are credited shame? Or do we remember the light United Church of featured a brilliant full moon. My visits to Canadian singer-songwriter Leonard we may see when we look at them with Christ have been so well-timed. Nights are Cohen: There is a crack in everything; gentle eyes? What is broken can often very dark at the ranch, which makes the That’s how the light gets in. be broken open into something greater. soft moonlight even more prominent. I was recently on retreat at Casa Del In a culture that prizes perfection and In this time of year when many faith Sol, House of the Sun. I treasure each I have a habit of rising early in the self-sufficiency or the appearance of and wisdom traditions in northern of my days there. This retreat house is morning there to take pictures as the them, not much value is placed upon climates have celebrations around light, located at Ghost Ranch, a Presbyterian sun is rising. The light wash of dawn is what is cracked. But in truth, everyone I suggest we lift up the healing light that conference and retreat center in the a surprising and beautiful visual gift for and everything has its share of cracks. shines along the pathways of our cracks. high desert mountains of New Mexico, us early risers. One morning before the If Cohen is to be believed, there is the May that light be guidance and blessing about 70 miles from Santa Fe. The Casa sun was up over the horizon, the moon potential of wondrous illumination in for each of us and for others through is an old adobe hacienda. It is located was setting to the west slightly above the cracked places. us. Thank you for the cracks you reveal several miles from the main ranch area, a portion of the hacienda. That adobe that the light might shine upon us all. up a breathtakingly beautiful road. This wall sports a noticeable crack just No doubt there are plenty of cracks in is where Georgia O’Keefe did much of beneath the roofline. One of my favorite the lives, experiences, and efforts of her painting. photos from the week features that those of us who value and tend, write Keeping Our Hearts Open and SNEEZE incessantly outside MY don’t like – the driver who cut you off over, the opportunities to expand our window? Maybe he shouldn’t be inhaling on the morning commute, the stranger views denied, the chances to express all those paint fumes. Maybe I should go with the funny hairdo on the elevator, ourselves suppressed. We will seal Andrew Nixon out there and offer him a Claritin. This your own insistence on needing to win ourselves off from the vast possibilities Associate Editor last thought, mind you, had nothing to an argument – and you proceed to do of experience; in short, we will stop do with compassion. everything within your power to deny growing. or complain about it. Ironically, our And then, around sneeze number 217, reactions often create more suffering Fortunately, it is never too late to an interesting thing happened. No, than the things we are reacting rediscover open engagement with a the man did not stop sneezing – recall forgotten aspect of life. For to discover I awoke this morning to the sound of a negatively to. In such moments, often that he had at least twenty-six more to something is really to dis-cover, or sneeze. the relevant question is not, Who or go. What happened was a sudden shift what can I blame or criticize for this uncover, something that never was Sneezes, actually. If I had to put a within my own psyche: one moment, I unpleasantness I feel? or How can I truly lost. Kindness, generosity, number on it, I’d guess about 243 of was telling myself that I had just about make it go away? Instead, we can simply empathy, forgiveness, self-acceptance, them... A painting contractor evidently had it with Sir Sneezealot, and the next ask ourselves, Does my response to this open-mindedness, wonder, curiosity, had a job on my apartment property, moment, I was feeling genuinely sorry situation serve me? exuberance – these traits are essential to and was in the midst of a sneezing for the poor fellow. All my irritation our very nature; they cannot be tainted, attack that surely must qualify for dissolved in that instant. In short, Whenever we operate unconsciously diluted, or erased. In contrast, the hard- some kind of record. Naturally, he was I cheerfully resumed my morning from habit or shrink back from reality heartedness keeping us from engaging standing right outside my bedroom routine, the ambient acoustics blending in repulsion or fear, it means our hearts life fully is like the white noise on a window. seamlessly with the Bach – and the are not fully open. It is easy to see why poorly-tuned radio, obscuring the clear only thing that had changed was my we so often behave this way. Lifeis signal. The radio signal itself remains As I eased my way into my morning perspective. painful, precisely because it is beautiful; unaffected by our inexpert tuning – it’s routine of Bach and breakfast, I found and the more we care, the more it can just “waiting” to be plucked out of the myself feeling quite irritated by this I trust you have had a similar hurt. We all have been wounded by life air by a properly-adjusted receiver. sonic intrusion into my peaceful bubble experience – if you’re like me, this kind in various ways and to varying degrees. of privacy. I thought to myself, Who IS of thing happens daily. You encounter When we hurt, our instinct is to protect So how do we learn, or relearn, to this guy? Who does he think he is that something in your sphere of experience ourselves from further pain. To do this, “tune in” to the wonder, the beauty, he can feel entitled to just stand there that, for one reason or another, you we shut part of ourselves down – we the teachings of each fresh moment? close our hearts to a shade or a species I recommend baby steps, beginning of experience – so that more pain with opening up to yourself: gently The curse of self-interest doesn’t get in. We shut down to protect observe your reactions, your prejudices and predispositions. Let go of any continued from page 2 it. I think about this a lot and I try to ourselves, but in so doing we also shut find solutions to this greatest of all out much that nourishes our being. judgments you may have about them – often it is these self-judgments alone us much, but just the same, there problems. I keep coming to the same Of course, we cannot remain that keep our hearts and minds from are horrors in the world that would conclusion and that is to abolish all indiscriminately open to everything, naturally expanding to embrace a turn you a paler color. I consider the currency. If we are very lucky, we might always; sometimes life asks us to put fuller reality. Recognize that you are underground sex slave industry and find true equality in that seemingly our foot down, draw the line, say no, not alone in this – we all have wounds the West African diamond trade to impossible reality. express our disapproval, even fight and are on the same basic journey be among the most horrible practices back. However, if we keep our defenses toward wholeness. Learn to take deep sustained by wealth and power. There is some good in this world and we have to hold on to what there is. At up habitually, chances are good that breaths during difficult moments, we will wake up one day late in life and forgiving yourself for your limitations, So am I saying every last one of us is least we can preserve goodness from realize to our horror how much more and allowing yourself to enjoy fully pure evil? Not at all, just that the allure being swallowed up in evil so long as richly we could have truly lived. We the pleasure of simply being alive. And of wealth and power has snared a great there are those of us who follow our may then reflect sadly on the countless make a choice, renewing it whenever many of us. Even to the impoverished hearts ahead of our financial interests. moments of beauty unappreciated, the you catch yourself, to open your heart a money is practically needed like oxygen Those who do are always the better unlikely friendships overlooked, the little wider every day. since we have become dependent on human beings. spontaneous acts of generosity passed

www.groundcovernews.com 4 NETWORKING 4 Street newspaper conference benefits vendors, volunteers by Shelley DeNeve location, the First Amendment Center Groundcover Vendor at Vanderbilt University, is named. He is known as a prominent defendant Five representatives from Groundcover of freedom of expression. He also attended the 2011 North American wrote for The Tennessean and was the Street Newspaper Association founding editorial director of USA (NASNA) conference held in Nashville, Today. TN on October 13-16. NASNA is an organization that supports and The conference consisted of three cultivates effective self-sustaining street workshop tracks. Each person chose newspapers which promote power among the offerings each session from and opportunity for people living in among: poverty. NASNA is strongly committed to empowering local street newspapers •Vendor Track (Vendor to develop leadership among poor Behavior, Vendor Forum) • Editorial Track (Editorial people, while cultivating journalistic TOP: (from left) Collaboration, Editorial Basics) integrity and sustainable street papers. Groundcover representatives • Fundraising Track (Surviving Shelley DeNeve, NASNA’s annual conference was hosted and Thriving in a Small Shop, La Shawn Courtwright, Lee Alexander, by Nashville’s own street newspaper, Finding the Money) Rissa Haynes and Susan Beckett The Contributor. Have you heard at the national street of that street newspaper before? Or Each day there were two to three newspaper conference in maybe you heard of Streetwise from workshops for each track. Friday Nashville, Tenn. Chicago or Real Change from Seattle, evening, conference attendees were invited to the Street Newspaper LEFT: Rissa Haynes at Washington. There were approximately breakfast with attendees 60 registrants and a total of 14 street Awards dinner held at an old bank in from all over the United newspapers from around the United downtown Nashville that was converted States and Canada States and Canada attending the into a home owned by a fellow named street newspaper, Street News. He also church. At the end of the tour, the conference. There were also two newly- Wan Choi. Speakers included Nashville has written essays that have appeared annual meeting was held in the established papers and four prospective Mayor Karl Dean, and keynote speaker in various notable publications such as sanctuary of the church to elect four new newspapers. Lee Stringer. Stringer is the author of two books, Sleepaway and Grand The Nation, The New York Times and new board members. Afterward, The conference started with the Central Winter, the latter based on the Newsday. attendees were able to go check out the sights and sounds of Nashville. Luckily, attendees having the pleasure of 12 years he lived homeless and addicted After the workshops on Saturday, meeting and greeting noted journalist, under New York City’s Grand Central the Americana Music Festival was attendees road a bus to downtown going on and top-flight entertainment writer, and political figure John Station. Mr. Stringer was a former Nashville to tour The Contributor’s Seigenthaler for whom the conference editor and columnist for the New York of all types was available through the office, housed in the Presbyterian night at different establishments. What Groundcover attendees brought home from the conference Lee Alexander: and snacks. In the workshops I felt I financial and in-kind gift donors who conference. While at the conference, I was able to voice my opinion and ask afforded me the opportunity for a great was impacted and impressed mostly by The street newspaper tribe is a small questions without feeling unimportant experience at the NASNA conference. the passionate people with a poignant family spread across a large area. or brushed off like in the corporate I enjoyed the excitement expressed purpose, whom I met personally. Having a meeting like this is a big deal world. I felt a great deal of camaraderie by people from every imaginable and As I left Nashville, I left with the for us. It isn’t often that you meet such with people I have never met before. I unimaginable background. These encouragement to continue that a large group of people that you have felt we all had something in common: people were enthusiastic about the legacy of empowerment, impact and so much in common with. We speak to sell a great street newspaper that opportunity to voice their emotions and inspiration. Again, thanks to everyone the same language. Some of these everyone wants to read. I thought to empowered by the press to both earn an who made this wonderful experience organizations have been around for myself, “Wow, there is really something honest income and educate the public possible. a decade or more. We’re so young by to this street newspaper business.” from a perspective that is rarely heard. comparison. They are great mentors I’m hoping that GCN will grow in LaShawn: for us and it’s exciting that they’re popularity to the point where we can I met and heard from President John so willing and interested in helping have some paid staff. I would like to be F. Kennedy’s administrative assistant, I was honored to hear and speak Groundcover grow. a part of that staff at some point. John Seigenthaler. He was one of the with authors Lee Stringer and Chris founders of the First Amendment Scott F. These men have a miraculous For me, the highlight of the trip was I would also like to incorporate some building, where we had many of our ability to make people feel like Alice the awards dinner. It was a chance for new material that I have seen in nutritious and delicious meals along in Wonderland, because even if you NASNA to celebrate our collective the other street newspapers that we with insightful seminars and forums. haven’t been there, you will almost be successes. I was moved by the currently don’t put in our paper. New I met an inspirational former vendor able to say you have when they describe professionalism of our membership. I types of writing would make our paper who secretly shopped and encouraged it. I learned some key principles that think we all left feeling like winners that even more irresistible to read. I want new vendors as her “mission.” I was will assist me in developing my writing night. to thank all who contributed to our personally escorted by a real estate style. I was honored to be presented scholarship fund. If it weren’t for you, investor who turned a downtown bank writings from the two as well: Lee Shelley: we would not have been able to partake into his private home and shared this Stringer’s Grand Central Winter: Stories from the Street, which he autographed The scenery was grand. The weather in this opportunity to grow personally private home with NASNA for the and wrote a simple message for me was terrific. We stayed in dorm rooms and professionally. Awards Banquet. to keep in mind, and Chris Scott F’s at Vanderbilt University. While at Rissa: I went to the conference with a grateful writings for The Contributor. Chris the workshops, we enjoyed delicious heart to the donors who made it see NASNA, page 5 and nutritious breakfasts, lunches Many thanks and deep gratitude to the possible for me to attend the NASNA

www.groundcovernews.com AGENCY SPOTLIGHT 5 5 The Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice my values fundraising event called the CROP by Lee Alexander and make One of the Hunger Walk (Community Response to Editor sure there is a ICPJ’s tools Overcome Poverty). Ann Arbor’s CROP religious voice against cuts Walk is part of a nationwide effort The 1960s were an interesting time for justice and was a sign- to address global food security and in the history of Ann Arbor. As one inclusion and on letter that support nutrition programs here and gravitational center for American peace peace – it’s garnered abroad. Last year’s local Walk raised activists opposing military involvement been a great fit broad nearly $52,000. Twenty-five percent of in Southeast Asia, the city sprung for m e .” support the funds went to about a dozen local countless organizations dedicated to within both programs that tackle hunger within our political reform. Few had the staying When our the faith area. The remainder is pooled together power of the Interfaith Council for nation’s community and used globally. Peace and Justice (ICPJ). economy and the larger began to business “The areas that I’m personally By the end of 1965 America was slump a few community. passionate about happen to coincide steadily being pulled deeper into the years ago, local Nearly 100 with one of the areas that I work on Vietnam conflict. It was during this governments prominent here,” Alt said. “These issues of hunger period of escalation that a small group were hit hard. local leaders and food justice and how we raise food, from the local Jewish, Christian, and They looked agreed to how we develop food, and how people Unitarian communities in Ann Arbor for places come out in have access to food. Also by thinking met to explore ideas for collaboration to reduce support of holistically about how all of our food in opposition to the war. Their original budgets. continuing choices, in the way that we produce mission was “to combat the twin evils Human human our food, affect people – not just here of war and hunger.” Nearly five decades services, often services locally, but also around the world.” on, ICPJ’s work continues. politically funding. The weak, are an letter, in part, Faith in Food Gardens was a program ICPJ focuses broadly on six target CROP Walk gathering in the 1980s in front of the easy target for read: ICPJ organized three years ago. The areas, one-third of which specifically space shared by St. Clare’s Episcopal Church and cuts. When this idea is to encourage places of worship address issues related to poverty Temple Beth Emeth. reality began to to dedicate space on their properties to and homelessness. The group leads emerge at the tail-end of last year, ICPJ Maintaining the social safety cultivating vegetable gardens. The idea a task force on hunger as well as helped lead a push back encouraging net is good policy. We are is increasingly popular. one on racial and economic justice. the Washtenaw County Board of fortunate to have community The organization’s work reflects an Commissioners to rethink its proposed leaders who understand that “Here are these communities,” Alt international outlook but it very drop in funding. maintaining human services said, “and some of them have a lot much approaches policy from a local funding is not just an ethical of property. They have land that’s perspective. “When the City and the County were response to increasing need, it oftentimes devoted to grass, that’s just facing budget troubles,” Warpehoski is also sound public policy… big lawns. The thought is, ‘could the Chuck Warpehoski has been ICPJ’s said, “one of the first places they looked faith community, could these churches director for nearly 10 years. His to cut was services for people who We recognize that you face and congregations come together background cultivated valuable skills are vulnerable. I think when our local difficult budget decisions, and devote some of their property to that he applies to his current work. community has so many people are in and we are grateful for your raise food for the hungry, the most “I had experience in community crisis, that’s the last place we should be initial decision to avoid the vulnerable in our communities?’ Three organizing,” Warpehoski said. “I had cutting. devastating effects that could years ago we partnered with Food experience with faith communities. I’m come from cutting funds Gatherers to start this initiative, where a member of the Ann Arbor Friends “We organized people to speak out to the most crucial support we would encourage the congregations Meeting, a Quaker group. at City Council, to speak out at the programs, such as those for in Washtenaw County to do just that County Commission, to sign this sign- children, people with mental – to start a garden, whatever size that “My faith, it teaches me to be a peace- on letter, and show that there’s broad illnesses, and the poor. they want.” maker. It teaches me to work for justice support for maintaining our social and I get really angry when people use safety net. And it worked. The City and Hunger and poverty typically go hand Warpehoski added, “This is local, religion to promote intolerance, war, the County both went back and said, in hand. Food security and scarcity is fresh, healthy food, which is some of and oppression. The ability to both live ‘We are going to continue to fund this.’” not just a problem that impacts Third the hardest food for the food banks to World economies. It is difficult for acquire.” most of us to accept the troubling fact NASNA conference that our own neighbors might not have The Interfaith Council for Peace and continued from page 4 enough to eat. It is even harder when Justice is an organization born of the burden falls on children, a situation an era of idealistic optimism. The shares a love for writing poetry just as County, one of the wealthiest counties which happens all too often. We are turmoil of the Vietnam era created I do. in the United States, over the right to fortunate to be part of a community a generation that not only witnessed sell newspapers there. The ACLU is that works hard to push back against war and violence but believed in the I picked up on some other significant representing NASNA in what many the reality of persistent hunger. transformative power of cooperation, things on fundraising, article consider to be a landmark case. ICPJ works closely with other area collaboration and the power of collaborations, expectations and organizations to see that everybody gets community built on shared values. responsibilities of Board Members. I I was awarded a NASNA scholarship enough to eat. Today, with most of ICPJ’s original learned about other movements that to attend this conference and was peers no longer operating, it is help support the NASNA mission such also accepted as a member of the The organization’s new program refreshing to see a seasoned group as the “Housing First” program. One Membership Committee for NASNA. director, Bill Alt, puts a great deal of carry forward this vision and to see its of the most important things that I THANK YOU for such a wonderful effort and energy into heading their leadership develop, taken up by a new learned was about First Amendment opportunity and experience. Hunger Task Force. Every fall, for generation. Freedom of Speech rights and battle 38 years, ICPJ has organized a local between NASNA and Williamson

www.groundcovernews.com 6 CREATING Rock steady art inspires peace, harmony and patience

Laurie Lounsbury Founding Editor

When you see the phrase, “Jerry Mack rocks,” in print, you might logically think it’s a reference to Jerry Mack and the Terraplanes, a rocking rhythm and blues band that’s a perennial favorite in Ann Arbor.

But you’d be wrong. “Jerry Mack rocks” also refers to the rocks Jerry Mack balances in artistic formations along the banks of the Huron River. rests on three balance points and the Mack also finds pleasure in the Building the balanced rock formations Rock Steady is the name of Mack’s rock below supports the rock above the balancing process. “Peace and serenity is just the first step in the mixed artistic venue, and his work can often middle rock,” Mack explained. “It’s all come later; during the building process media art process Mack pursues. be seen along the river’s edge at Barton about mass and gravity.” it’s about overcoming the challenge of a After spending hours getting multiple Pond, where he carefully stacks rocks difficult situation.” arrangements of rocks to balance, as high as six feet into the air. Typically, Mack started balancing rocks in he then picks up his camera and each rock formation has six rocks in northern Michigan, when he would When mass and gravity are part of photographs his work before a strong it and they are balanced according to collect interesting rocks during the days an artistic process, the artist has to be wind or storm knocks the sculptures to their weight and shape. along Lake Michigan and then spend ready for the inevitable act of gravity the ground. the evenings sitting at a picnic table and when perfect balance isn’t achieved. “I usually try to make it six levels, trying to balance them. Mack does outdoor photography for which is the number of Bodhi levels “The unsteadiness of the formation his large pieces, and takes smaller you go through to reach enlightenment “The real satisfaction to me is that I’m when it’s not in balance makes me feel rocks indoors to be photographed near in Buddhism,” Mack said. creating something out of the ordinary like I’m working with a wild animal windows where the sunlight adds to the and it challenges people’s perception of that’s sedated,” Mack said. “It moves natural allure of the arrangements. Not one to take the path of least rocks,” Mack said. “Mostly, people see slowly, but you can get hurt if you don’t resistance, Mack studies the rocks he’s rocks lying on the ground, part of the get out of the way pretty quickly.” The A full slideshow of Mack’s work can be using to find the perfect balance points. typical landscape, and then it changes.” risk factor is ever-present, but not a found at: www.terraformaproductions. “It’s what I call rock steady, when it deterrent for Mack. com The butterfly effect – a stirring in Ann Arbor makes a big change in Haiti by Laurie Lounsbury in a later state. Hence the name, which refers No matter how many news videos to a butterfly flapping its you’ve watched about Haiti – no wings in one place and matter how many photos you’ve seen – creating a hurricane in nothing can prepare you for the reality another place at a later that is Haiti. time.

It is a country with lush scenery and I traveled to Haiti stunning ocean views contrasted with two intrepid Ann with crushing poverty and crumbled Arbor women whose buildings. A country of poor people determination and suffering from crippling yet curable untiring efforts have diseases; a country of proud people resulted in high-quality dressed in crisp, ironed clothes nursing education in emerging from homes the size of a U.S. Haiti. They are among bathroom and made of corrugated tin the group of 16 dedicated people from country in the Western and canvas. A country of the world’s around the United States who comprise Hemisphere, I doubted if greatest mangoes, coffee and rum, yet the Haiti Nursing Foundation board. these goals were attainable. a country whose infrastructure doesn’t support an export economy to share In light of the problems Haiti Luckily, no one ever those products with the rest of the perpetually faces, it seemed to me a suggested as much to world. Herculean task, if not an impossible Ruth Barnard and Margie dream, for someone to accomplish VanMeter. In the midst of such chaos, I had the anything truly meaningful in Haiti honor of seeing “the butterfly effect” which would make a difference in the Ruth Barnard, retired nursing in motion. The butterfly effect is lives of Haitians. professor emeritus from the Above, new nurses celebrate graduation from the the sensitive dependence on initial University of Michigan, and Faculty of Nursing Science. Below, a scene from the conditions, where a small change at Create quality careers for Haitians? streets. one place can result in large differences Improve health care? In the poorest see HAITI, page 11

www.Groundcovernews.comwww.groundcovernews.com BUSINESSFeature 7 Cash by the dime employers are disinclined to hire such people, returning cans is the obvious James Manning alternative. Vendor Ever hear the expression, “Nothing in life is free”? How could anyone expect to survive with absolutely no income? Can-collecting, also known as canning The answer is simple – you can’t. We all, or can-dogging, has been an alternative as humans, have an instinct of survival for making cash for the impoverished and can-collecting to get by is one of in Michigan for as long as bottle many demonstrations of that will. returns have existed. With our current lack of employment, it has grown to a This practice will continue for as long widespread practice. No matter what as bottle returns are accepted. Even situation a person finds themselves in, donations have been organized through money is always a necessity, whether or can-collecting. Washtenaw County not it is available. Canning may not be Project Outreach Team or (PORT) the perfect solution for financial strife, has conducted can drives to fund their street soccer team. but it is still a form of income that, to Joe Green is a junior at U-M. During rewards of the labor, this also spreads many, can’t be passed up. December 2010’S Big Chill hockey homeless awareness. It seems that And, all-in-all, despite the humiliation face-off at the Big House against the society itself is open to the homeless In some situations it is quite profitable. collectors go through, the scrutinizing Spartans, Green struggled under the during these days, giving a chance to The ever-popular tradition of tailgating glares of those who would never weight of three overstuffed black trash socialize and for a few hours leave the during game days has had a significant consider such labor and never stop bags filled with beer cans. burden of street life behind them. This impact on those who turn to bottle to think that this is another cycle of is very important because, too often, returns for income. One could make life, it’s a cycle for the best. Recycling “I know they all look down their noses those who live such lives seem to be over a hundred dollars during a home helps the environment by preserving at me for picking up cans,” Green said, locked out, so to speak, from the rest of game if they take the initiative! And resources and removing litter. It isn’t about the other students. “But it doesn’t mainstream society. that’s appealing to more than the often that people stop to think that can- mean a thing to me because I left more collectors are aiding this cause. Can- homeless community. People have been than a thousand dollars worth lying on It’s not only on game day that canning known to can on game days just to pay collectors should be proud of what they the ground back there. I just couldn’t is profitable. Some do this task are doing, because they are contributing off rent, insurance, car payments, you c ar r y m ore .” every day. I have always admired the name it. If you could make a hundred more than some realize. This practice persistence with which these people negates the term “worthless.” Worthless dollars in less then twelve hours would I have canned on these glorious days of labor for the reward of simple comforts. cannot possibly define what can- you take up the offer? profit myself and have discovered it is Do what you gotta do to get by, seems collectors are. totally worth the effort. On top of the to be the code of street life. Since most From around the world to By the Pound worked as a phone clerk on the Pacific by Susan Beckett Stock Exchange and soon yearned to Behind the placid friendly face of Glenn be a trader. He bartered golf lessons Bourland, owner of By The Pound, is for training and financial backing as a man whose wildly shifting life belies an options trader-broker. Six months the stability evident in his bulk foods later he was on the floor trading. Three store. Perhaps his adventures attuned lucrative years he was ready for another him to listening closely. It’s tricky in a change and set off to bicycle around the place like By the Pound where there world. is only one register and customers are He and his friend Glen (with one accustomed to breezing though. Still, ‘n’) set out for the East coast. As they Glenn tries hard to listen to customers, passed through Death Valley, they especially about what he should stock. found a Japanese tourist stretched out “I have almost 200 spices now and at the side of the road, overcome with people love the spices. They’re fresh and thirst. He had set out with insufficient they’re inexpensive,” Glenn crowed. water, unaware of the extreme heat His selection of teas is also very and aridity. They rehydrated him and popular and he sells a lot of bulk coffee, escorted him to a town, then continued on their dusty way. including Ann Arbor’s Roos Roast. Glenn Bourland has owned By the Pound for more than 18 of the 30 years it has been a Customers claim the red popcorn from locally owned Ann Arbor destination. Near dusk they stumbled on what Ann Arbor’s Bur Oaks Farm is the best appeared to be a ranger’s house in the they have ever tasted. It is the terrific one of the few places in town where the But how did a boy who grew up in vicinity of the campground for which selection of bulk Callebaut chocolate ingredients for a nourishing meal for the Santa Cruz area and attended they had ridden uphill five very hot that often draws this writer to the store. one can be purchased for a dollar. the University of Hawaii on a golf scholarship come to be the proprietor miles. Lured by a hose with water, they Whenever possible, Glenn buys local. The economic downturn has actually of such a store in Ann Arbor, started cleaning themselves off, but He credits the popularity of the nuts he spurred business. “Liquor, fast food Michigan? It’s the tale of a man finding within minutes they were naked and sells to their exquisite freshness, roasted and By the Pound do better in a bad himself again and again, and it began dancing like children in a sprinkler. weekly by Rocky Peanut of Detroit. economy,” Glenn quipped. He’s learned when he dropped out of college after They gratefully set up camp on the Customers frequently tell him that By that people are doing more cooking and three years because he didn’t know scrubby lawn and fell into a deep sleep, the Pound is their favorite store because baking for themselves and for others as where he was going. from which they were violently aroused of the quality and the opportunity to gifts, and they come to him purchase at midnight by an indignant assistant buy exactly how much they want. It is their basic ingredients in bulk. He returned to California where he see BY THE POUND, page 10 www.Groundcovernews.com www.Groundcovernews.comwww.groundcovernews.com 8 AROUND TOWN Dumpster diving – finding good food in bad places by Karen L. Totten discarded merchandise any longer or are making way for new product. Loaves of whole wheat bread and Locally, many stores participate in Food frozen pizzas. Cartons of unbroken Gatherers as a way to handle excess eggs. Packages of cheddar cheese. food. Nonetheless, plenty still ends up Crowns of broccoli. Packs of chewing in dumpsters. gum. High protein bars. Bags of limes and lemons. Salmon. Brisket. It is Forrest advises a check to ensure boxes surprising what can be found discarded are not open and packages are not as waste in a grocery store dumpster on torn, places where bacteria could enter. a typical night of food reclamation in Often, stores will purge items that are Ann Arbor. at their sell-by date, but if one had been in the store earlier that day, would have For some, such reclaimed food is been able to take home and use several ambrosia. It means supper. For others, days later, still fresh. it is economic necessity–making the grocery dollars stretch and securing And there is the tingle test for meat. enough to feed a family. And every Forrest is a vegetarian but his friends rescued box of salvaged food is another have told him that, if when touching chunk of refuse that doesn’t wind the tip of one’s tongue on a piece of up in a landfill. In fact, nationwide a dumpster meat the tongue tingles, the whole lifestyle has emerged around meat is likely not safe to eat. Other the “freegan” philosophy, a group kinds of spoilage are more obvious which looks to offset the impact of – bloated cartons and cans or that food waste. And they have plenty of guy one night pulling out items for his from Santa.” Inside were the wooden recognizable, distinctive sour milk pickings. According to some accounts, daughter’s school lunch. “Hey, I found pegs and metal fittings one would find smell. cheese sticks!” he called out excitedly. in an accessory package to a piece of in countries like the United States, 40 “You just don’t take those things,” Lukas, another diver from Ann Arbor, assemble-it-yourself furniture, as from to 50 percent of food is thrown away. Forrest noted. He has a pair of gloves who has been “dumpstering” 50 or Ikea. The rest of the gift and the rest of he usually wears to keep his hands These are a few of the reasons that more times its story are left off possible pieces of broken glass or 18-year-old Ann Arbor high school over the last to speculation. anything truly gross, but finds that graduate Forrest provides for why, year-and-a-half, other special equipment is not needed. in the middle of the night, he hoists said that on one Lukas has had For others, it is economic similar luck himself into the provenance found recent night he Dumpstering is usually done at night. finding useable in those big metal dumpsters found encountered 15 Most divers go after stores have closed necessity – making the throwaways – a behind most stores and businesses. people just at and employees have locked up, to quality shoulder one bin. “You avoid confrontations and to protect It’s clear, however, that dumpster grocery dollars stretch and bag in good had to wait in the employees from getting in trouble diving, also called “binning” – or condition, line,” he said. securing enough to feed a if – as in the case of some stores – they “skipping” in the United Kingdom and a tie, for are sympathetic to the process but – isn’t a lark that this young adult is Organized more formal family. And every rescued box unwilling to flat out condone it. Forrest doing for kicks. Forrest has been called groups exist occasions. His has been asked to leave a few times, Santa Claus for his distributing food in many favorite find, of salvaged food is another or come back later, but neither he nor out of the back of his car to unhoused large cities though, was Lukas has ever encountered the police. people around the city. “You go where nationwide, and a whole cake, chunk of refuse that doesn’t Of the one situation Forrest has heard people hang out, throw open the trunk the Michigan untouched, of where friends met the police, the and let them choose what they want,” Daily ran a ready to eat. wind up in a landfill. group was left to their activity after the he said. piece about a police established they were not making year ago on one To establish how drug deals or trying to break into the According to those who work with student co-op much perfectly store. unhoused populations, approximately in town which prepares all their meals good stuff is thrown away each day in several thousand persons are currently America – estimates are about 4 1/2 from reclaimed food. In I Love Trash, archeologist Dr. without permanent homes in the Ann pounds per person, per day – some Timothy Jones states that dumpster Arbor area. Of the organized food Although food is a primary dumpster of Forrest’s friends from California diving is a modern manifestation of service providers, at least two provide recovery commodity, on occasion outfitted an entire empty apartment in work that has gone on for centuries— daily meals: St. Andrew’s Church one finds other treasures in food bins. under three months with items they the rag pickers and metal collectors on Division provides a breakfast for People will throw away just about rescued from dumpsters – including who derived reasonable incomes from anyone who needs, and Food Gatherers anything nameable, Forrest said. On furniture, dishes, clothing, food and these activities. Others see the practice Community Kitchen within the one occasion, he found a perfectly good even art supplies. Here is a link to the as unclean, with inherent risks for Delonis Center prepares a lunch and folding camping chair, another time an movie they made of their experience: disease. One only has to remember the nightly meal. Between them, these atomic clock, still ticking, and still in its www.snagfilms.com/films/title/I_love_ mountains of trash upon which the organizations can feed hundreds people original packaging. Places around the trash children played in the movie Slumdog on a daily basis. However, there are university are good for furniture and Millionaire, to feel that scavenging as a many people in need who slip through dry goods, he noted, especially in the Of course, for some people, dumpster way of life is not the most desirable. the cracks, for various reasons. spring on move-out days. diving is not an option because they can’t get past the queasiness invoked by Environmentally friendly act? Forrest knows a loose group, not Perhaps one of the oddest things eating something thrown into a trash Necessity for many who are hungry? organized, of about 10-15 people who showed up in one of Forrest’s dives bin. But according to both Forrest and Usable goods for practically nothing? regularly dumpster dive, and there a few weeks before Christmas: two Lukas, some food pulled out of the Dumpster diving is many things, but are plenty of divers around from small cardboard boxes, still wrapped in bins is perfectly good. For a variety of not easily dismissed. differing backgrounds. He ran into a holiday paper and addressed “To Trisha reasons, stores either cannot sell the

www.groundcovernews.com YOU HEARD IT HERE 9 Camp Take Notice given notice as they were actively seeking other locations, began making inquiries into the growing size of the camp. In response to one of these inquiries, by Carlyn Lusch MISSION’s board, with camper input, wrote a letter stating the camp’s intent to remain at that site permanently. The weeks leading up to June 22 were Some MISSION members believe that a busy time for the residents of Camp it was this letter that prompted MDOT Take Notice and for the members of officials to begin making plans to evict MISSION, the nonprofit organization the camp. A formal eviction notice was that supports CTN. Having learned on served on May 29, stating that it would May 29 that CTN residents would be be illegal to be on the property after 12 evicted from the Michigan Department a.m. on Friday, June 22. of Transportation (MDOT) land on which the camp had existed for two A representative of the Michigan State years, both campers and organizers Housing Development Authority began preparing for their response and (MSHDA), which responded to their individual futures. Caleb Poirer, CTN founder and homelessness activist, briefs community members on MDOT’s plan to evict campers. Large numbers of the area faith-community came out inquiries made to the MDOT office, strongly in support of the camp. said that “safety issues” and concerns of One of the camp’s founders, Caleb “surrounding neighbors” played a part Poirer, compared their situation to a in the eviction decision. A press release into a wooded area, and after a short bus going up a hill that had run out of by MSHDA also cited public safety For campers without subsidies, the distance begin to see clusters of tents gas. “We can effect a change if we’re and health concerns as reasons for the immediate future is uncertain. Some, among the pine trees. The rumblings in pushing mode,” he said. He was eviction. one of many to encourage the group like Sharon Bridgewater, plan on of the freeway recede, replaced by staying with family members. Others muted conversations and bird songs. at the all-camp meeting on Sunday, Representatives of the ACLU declined don’t have that option. “I really don’t David, one of the campers, said that he June 17. Although the campers met to comment at the all-camp meeting, know,” responded camper Herberto appreciated how beautiful and removed every week to discuss and vote on saying that they were still discussing when questioned about his plans. “I the spot was, and would sometimes camp matters, this last meeting before options. However, during the meeting don’t have any family in this country.” sit and meditate. Many of the other eviction day was especially tense. It one representative explained that Herberto, a U.S. citizen and native of campers expressed attachment to the was also unusually well-attended, with their case for reversing the eviction Puerto Rico, said that he was denied current campsite. “I would rather stay not only campers but also members decision, if a case were to be made, a housing subsidy because he found a here than get housing,” stated one of the media and representatives of would rest on those people who were part-time job three weeks before. “I still camper. the American Civil Liberties Union involuntarily homeless and did not have think it’s not fair. I’m willing to pay a (ACLU) looking on. a place to go after the eviction – thus percentage.” Another camper, Dule, agreed. “I wish making potential arrests tantamount to they wouldn’t close this place,” he said, Where to go criminalization of status. However, the Some campers have begun searching looking around the camp while giving a Some campers, like Jackie, who has ACLU was struggling to find suitable for new sites to set up camp. A member tour to visitors. “Isn’t it nice out here?” lived in CTN for a year, were prepared candidates for plaintiffs. for acts of civil disobedience. “Lock me of Webster United Church of Christ in Dexter volunteered to arrange rides For many, community support was up, take me away,” she declared when Community responses for the relocating campers, some to a fundamental element of Camp asked about her plans for Friday. In the last few weeks before the clandestine locations. Campers traded Take Notice that would not be easily eviction, sections of the community leads and advice, weighing the risks recreated elsewhere. David described Most of the campers, however, were came out in force to express their of being found on private property by CTN as a place where people “can preoccupied with the search for support for CTN and the campers, the police. One exclaimed, “If we get come and feel safe, get their life back housing or new camping sites. On and to demand that attention be paid arrested, what do we do?” together.” Sharon expressed similar May 29, the Michigan State Housing to the issue of homelessness. On June feelings. “I feel really safe down here,” Development Authority (MSHDA) 14, members of at least 30 faith-based Why CTN? she said. The governing structure of and Michigan Campaign To End organizations came together at St. The uniqueness of the MDOT property the camp was cited by the Rev. Curt Homelessness announced that they Mary’s Student Parish in downtown that CTN has called its home since DeMars-Johnson of Webster United would work in partnership with Ann Arbor for an interfaith prayer vigil. May 2010 is a large part of why CTN Church of Christ as a reason he became state and local authorities to provide One of those presiding was Rev. Ian residents want to stay, according to involved. He saw the camp’s weekly housing to the residents of Camp Take Cross of Holy Faith Church in Saline, Poirer. It is also close to a bus stop, meetings, in which campers make Notice. Funds were made available who later declared his intention to be which is critical for allowing campers decisions through a one-person, one- for 40 year-long housing subsidies, arrested on the eviction day, “because to access resources and search for vote system, as “manifesting the best a figure based on the number of I think that homelessness is being jobs, and is not directly adjacent to a practice of democracy.” campers staying at CTN when the criminalized and swept under the rug. residential neighborhood or a business eviction notice was issued. However, It needs to be visible, seen, dealt with.” the previous week boasted a CTN district. The camp has been located at Being noticed five other sites around the Ann Arbor Camp Take Notice started living up population of 68, and as of this story’s Other community members at the area, but has always been evicted within to its name in October of 2011, when publication only 33 campers have event expressed support for CTN’s a year or two. Because the current land filmmaker Tavis Smiley and Princeton been offered a housing subsidy – with presence. “We would all want this is owned by MDOT, the Ann Arbor professor Cornel West filmed footage of others having been denied subsidies camp to be closed – the right way,” said Police do not have authority; instead, Camp Take Notice as part of their five- based on reasons such as veteran status, Daniel Fernandes, an employee at GM the camp has been in dialogue with part PBS special, “The Poverty Tour: income, and immigrant status. Those and part-time student at UM. He had MDOT officials and the Michigan State A Call to Conscience.” Members of individuals offered subsidies would joined other attendees of the prayer Police. MISSION and other camp supporters have a temporary place to stay at the vigil in procession from the church to believe that this publicity may be why Delonis Center beginning June 21, Liberty Plaza. Looking around at the until they found housing with the help Those entering the camp step over a MDOT, which until then had been of case workers. guardrail, walk down a mulched path tolerant of the camp’s presence so long see CAMP, page 11

www.groundcovernews.com 10 LOCAL FOLK By the Pound continued from page 7 England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, but needed a base training like meeting and traveling with people chiropractic. He opted to train at the park ranger, incensed that they were from numerous nations. His fondest Five Branches Institute and graduated camping on the head ranger’s lawn. memories are the times he spent with with a degree in Acupuncture. During He threw their things in his truck and the Australians and New Zealanders that time he also met and married his relocated them to the gravel parking at the Octoberfest in Germany. “Those wife who hailed from Michigan. lot that passed for a campground in guys and girls really knew how to have that area. Once he left, the Glens burst fun.” He practiced acupuncture for three out laughing, thinking, “What would years in California in the early 90s. he have done if he had seen them a few A tall, pale man, Glenn really stood Some of his patients were dying of hours earlier?!” out in China, especially while he was AIDS. “It is hard mentally working with accompanied by a former girlfriend, sick people, especially in alternative Later in the trip, a violent lightning a 5’10” Junior Olympic swimmer and medicine with people who have storm engulfed them while they tried swimsuit model. This was 1985, and exhausted all other possibilities and are to reach a small New Mexico mesa China had only been open to tourists terribly sick,” Glenn remarked. town. Riding feverishly against the for a few years. They were okay as long driving rain, the Glens watched a cactus as they didn’t stop. Once, Glenn paused His wife was visiting family in Ann explode from a lightning hit a mere to watch a street musician playing and Arbor with their young son and a 100 yards away. After ten minutes of within a minute there were 50 to 100 job opportunity presented itself for hell, they rode into an old abandoned Owner Glenn Bourland's travels took him people watching Glenn watch the flute her here. They relocated and Glenn mining town. There was only one public to many of the places of origin of By the player. considered practicing acupuncture space and that was a tough-looking Pound's nearly 200 spices. here. He was dissuaded from doing cowboy bar. In they sauntered, clad in Chinese customer service was eye- so by another acupuncturist who wet, form-fitting biker shorts. With all abandoned house with broken window opening. The counters were four deep had recently been prosecuted for eyes upon on them, they retreated to glass on the floor that proved a more with people waiting to be served and practicing in Michigan where it was the men’s room to dry off and change comfortable place for them to crash and if you didn’t push forward, you never illegal for anyone but MDs to practice into dry clothes and were soon barked wait out the storm. got a turn. He went once to a 15-story acupuncture. (The practitioner at: “Hey, cut it short in there!” hotel, with 30 rooms to a floor, and escaped conviction by claiming that By the time they reached the East asked for a room. The clerk told him it acupuncture did nothing, so he was not After quietly finding a few places at the Coast, Glen missed Rosie too much to was full. As he headed out through the actually practicing medicine!) end of the bar, the other Glen went to continue. Glenn biked solo along the lobby, an Aussie called to him, “You call his San Francisco girlfriend, on the east coast but found that, although he just have to wait him out. This place is Glenn did some construction work pay phone. Slowly the conversation in loved seeing the country by bicycle nearly empty. I’m the only one on my then commuted to Chicago four days the bar died and everyone could hear and talking with people along the way, floor.” Glenn returned to the desk every a week to work as a trader on the Glen moaning, “Oh Rosie, I love you, it lost its luster without a companion 15 minutes and was told, “All full,” until options floor of the Chicago Board of Rosie. You know I miss you Rosie,” and with whom to share such observations. an hour and a half later when the clerk Exchange. The grueling commute and so on. When Glen hung up, the room He shipped his bike home and took off remarked, “A room opened up.” Glenn absence from his growing family did went completely silent. Then the bar backpacking through Europe and Asia. was the only occupant on that floor. not suit him. His wife spotted an ad filled with a cacophony of “Oh Rosie, in the newspaper that By The Pound I love you, Rosie. I miss you, Rosie!” In Europe, Glenn visited Spain, He reflected that at that time, all was for sale and, despite a total lack of The Glens hustled out and found an France, Germany, Austria, Holland, Chinese teens took a test at age 17 experience in retail, they bought it July that determined their futures. They 1, 1995. were told what job they would have for life based on those test results. Glenn found running a store to be Groundcover Vendor Code Some women were assigned the job hard work, especially at first. Luckily, of sweeping the freeways, a terrifying he found Michael, a likeable British tea While Groundcover News is a nonprofit er News vendors, especially vendors who prospect in a city like Beijing where enthusiast and talented amateur cook organization and newspaper vendors have been suspended or terminated. there were 30,000 car accidents each with a great memory. He has been a are considered contracted self-employers, • I agree to treat all customers, staff year. Glenn surmised that the clerk who very valuable and trusted employee we still have expectations of how vendors and other vendors respectfully. I will had given him the runaround had not for many years. A couple of friendly, should conduct themselves while selling and not“hard sell,” threaten, harass or pres- dependable part-time employees also representing the paper. sure customers, staff, or other vendors wanted the job he was assigned and was verbally or physically. desperate to assert his personal power. help at the store, and between the The following list is our Vendor Code of • I will not sell Groundcover News under four of them they’re able to staff the Conduct, which every vendor reads the influence of drugs or alcohol. Similarly, on a bus trip to the Great extensive hours of Monday through and signs before receiving a badge and pa- • I understand that I am not a legal Wall, Glenn disembarked with the Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00, p.m., Saturday pers. We request that if you discover employee of Groundcover News but a other passengers when ordered to do so 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sunday, a vendor violating any tenets of the Code, contracted worker responsible for my please contact us and provide as many details own well-being and income. by the driver. When he returned, all the 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. as possible. Our paper and our vendors • I understand that my badge is property other passengers were already seated should be posively impacting our County. of Groundcover News and will not and ready to go. As he reached for the “I enjoy talking with my customers. deface it. I will present my badge when door to ascend the steps, the bus drivers They’re really interesting, and I think All vendors must agree to the following code of purchasing the papers. shouted at him and raced forward they like the fact that the owner of the conduct: • I agree to stay off private property when 50 feet. He walked to the bus and the store is thy guy behind the counter. selling Groundcover News. They also like buying local, staying • Groundcover News will be distributed • I understand to refrain from selling on scenario was repeated several times for a voluntary donation of $1. I agree public buses, federal property or stores before the driver allowed him back on green, and saving on packaging,” not to ask for more than a dollar or unless there is permission from the the bus. Glenn mused. What he’s doing must solicit donations by any other means. owner. work, since each of his 16 years has • I will only sell current issues of Ground- • I agree to stay at least one block away Finally, his brother flew to New Zealand been better than the previous one. He’s cover News. from another vendor. I will also abide by been approached about expanding and • I agree not to sell additional goods or the Vendor corner policy. with both their bikes and he finished products when selling the paper or to his journey back in the saddle, riding opening stores in other locations but panhandle, including panhandling with If you see any Groundcover News vendors the entire island north to south. after all his peregrinations, Glenn is only one paper. not abiding by the code of conduct, please satisfied exactly how things are. How • I will wear and display my badge when report the activity to: Upon returning to California, he green is that, recognizing and choosing selling papers. [email protected] developed golf and calendar products sufficiency! • I will only purchase the paper from 734-972-0926 for a while. Then he set his sights on the Groundcover News Staff and will not sell to or buy papers from other Groundcov- health field, specifically homeopathy,

www.groundcovernews.com LOCAL FOLK WORD ON THE STREET 11 Camp Take Notice eviction continued from page 4

assembly, he observed that community support had grown considerably over the past year.

Some individuals and organizations see this as an opportunity to find better long-term solutions to homelessness in Washtenaw County. Chuck Warpehoski, director of the Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice and 2012 Ann Arbor City Council hopeful (now elect), would like the attention focused on CTN to be shifted to “the deeper problem of the lack of adequate, affordable, and supportive housing.”

The Washtenaw Housing Alliance (WHA), made up of several organizations in the county who share the goal of ending homelessness in the region, has been working with MSHDA and state agencies to provide housing to the evicted campers. In a statement made in response to the CTN situation, WHA executive director Julie Steiner said, “We work together to ensure that residents at CTN have access to physical and mental health services, substance abuse treatment, Residents and supporters of Camp Take Notice meet to discuss a possible response to their impending eviction by employment support, shelter and, Michigan Department of Transportation. ultimately, housing.” would include volunteers from church still have been hoping to influence of CTN saw the public outpouring of Beyond eviction day organizations. Governor Rick Snyder, the only support and the willingness of decision Demonstrations in support of CTN’s elected official with the power to makers to discuss options as a victory plight continued in the camp’s final Brian Durrance of MISSION expressed reverse MDOT’s decision, and are for the plight of the homeless. As Peggy days, with significant attendance and gratitude to Sweeney and MDOT for continuing discussions with all levels Lynch, a MISSION member and CTN media coverage. Though the eviction this extension and for allowing them to of government. Also, according to camper who walked into the prayer was scheduled for June 22, the date stay on the land for two years. He also Durrance, MISSION has been in vigil event and saw the large crowd was extended thanks to conversations spoke of the way in which CTN had contact with local churches and gathered, declared: “We have already between MISSION and Mark Sweeney, educated people on the depth of the lawyers, looking at the possibility won.” No matter what ultimately regional manager for MDOT. The problem of homelessness in the area. of improving the current site or becomes of the site and MISSION’s camp was given the weekend to finish “Lawmakers were unaware that there purchasing new land for a permanent vision, one thing is sure: this camp was moving campers to new sites and to was such a need,” said Durrance. Camp Take Notice. noticed. hold a community cleanup effort, which Moving forward, MISSION members Perhaps most significantly, supporters Haiti trip continued from page 6 Marge VanMeter, retired public health impeccable in their all-white outfits working primarily with earthquake resting on its laurels after helping nurse, played integral roles in founding and nursing caps. That evening, we victims in need of physical therapy. establish the four-year nursing school. the Faculté des Sciences Infirmières attended the commencement ceremony The group is now working with Rutgers de l’Université Episcopale d’Haïti in where the students were decked out “Before I graduated, I knew I wanted to University in New Jersey to establish an Léogâne (FSIL) Faculty of Nursing in caps and gowns. In spite of the help people and be a nurse, but I didn’t online master’s program for promising Science of the Episcopal University of sweltering heat, the ceremony was know exactly what I wanted to do,” graduates who want to further their Haiti. After the school was built, they beautiful. Speeches by the valedictorian Dana said. “Then I came here and can education. That training will enable went on to create the Haiti Nursing and salutatorian resonated with the help the people who lost arms, legs in students to become leaders and Foundation with other supporters students’ desires to improve health care the earthquake. I love what I’m doing.” educators in the future. It is, indeed, to fund the improvement of nursing in their native country. “Nous sommes Dana is not alone. All 50 graduates of the wonderful butterfly effect of a small education in Haiti. la différence,” they said, which means, FSIL nursing school are working in group of people in Ann Arbor today “We are the difference.” Haiti, making a difference that grows having a profound effect on the lives We traveled first to Les Cayes, on the exponentially. They are well-educated of thousands of Haitians today and southwest shore of Haiti’s peninsula, And they are the difference. With and providing excellent health care... tomorrow. where commencement ceremonies BSN degrees from the only four-year they earn money to support themselves for the third graduation class of the nursing school in Haiti, the graduates and their families... they buy goods For more information about the Haiti FSIL nursing school were held. In immediately started making a and pay for services which stimulate Nursing Foundation, visit: www. spite of terrible losses from the 2010 difference in health care for Haitians. the Haitian economy... and they inspire haitinursing.org, or email: info@ earthquake, the students persevered One new graduate, Dana St. Fleur, others to do the same. haitinursing.org. and earned their Bachelor of Nursing had already gotten a job at Johanniter degrees. The students looked International Clinic, where she was The Haiti Nursing Foundation isn’t

www.groundcovernews.com STREET BUZZ 12 Putting words on the fences: an interview with Lambchop, fence artist by Carolyn Lusch

If you’ve walked, biked, or driven through Ann Arbor recently, you may have noticed certain things popping up on the fences. It may be a construction site, an abandoned lot, or a railroad barrier, and suddenly it has something to say. “Look around,” “remember this,” “play regardless,” “proceed” – these are only some of the words that an artist, known on the streets as Lambchop, has “get there” is at Hoover Ave., between Division St. & Greene St., next to the train tracks. “remember this” spent its short life at the corner of Maiden Lane painstakingly and Plymouth Rd. Photos by Lambchop. woven into the fence links. response to these kinds of words. down about two days after. Which, at first, I was kind of like, oh man, that’s Q: Are there other things that are I was fortunate enough to have an Q: Land in cities is a huge issue of a bummer. But then I was like, no, this going to happen in this project? interview with Lambchop, whom I power, and these are abandoned lots totally fits. You know, remember this encountered putting up some art. I that are probably owned by someone, and then it’s gone! I thought that was A: Yes, indeed. This is just the was curious to discover what exactly is but no one really knows who, and really interesting, too, that someone beginning, this is something that just behind this outbreak of words, and to they’re private. Can you talk a little bit could take it down, that it was able to kind of happened. It’s one of those share it with our Groundcover readers. about how you’re addressing power? be removed. Someone was either upset things that you start doing and then or bothered, or felt like their space had you’re like, oh, this is actually kind Q: So, tell me about your project and A: I mean it wasn’t entirely intentional been invaded, so they took the time to of cool. And then you keep doing it. the inspiration for your project. to think about who’s owning this remove it. So, I’m interested in experimenting land. This kind of falls into the power with different materials. I actually just A: I’m really interested in what structure that’s evident in graffiti. I Q: What’s the one you put up on bought about a thousand feet of caution relationships happen between people mean there are tons of variations on Hoover Avenue? tape, which I’m really excited to use, and graphics and people and objects. what graffiti is about, what tagging because caution tape has such a strong I’ve kind of been working on themes of is about: is it hostility at the city that A: That one says “get there.” And social affiliation of like, do not go, do power, and how objects empower their has been hostile to them; what is that it’s quite nice because it’s on the not cross, this is dangerous… users. power dynamic? And for me it wasn’t intersection where the train tracks meet like, you know, “screw the man.” Wheat Hoover, so there’s this dynamic, because So I’m right now not really sure where I was thinking about typography pasting is cool, and spray paint is cool, cars have to stop when the train is it’s going to go, you know. It’s going and thinking about pixels and non- and those are all really interesting going. And I thought “get there” was to go somewhere. And I’m interested spaces, because fences create spaces methods of saying what you need to kind of nice because “get there” is both in: how does the community react? but they aren’t really spaces in and of say in a public place. But I really didn’t – it’s kind of affirmative, and positive, Could the community be involved? themselves, and so I was thinking about want to ruin someone else’s property. I but then, where is someone getting to? What materials affect the relationship how do you change that, and what really wanted it to be present, but not Sometimes you ask yourself that, and between the people and the fences? So kinds of repercussions does that have, necessarily permanent. I respect that you decide, I don’t have a clue! What it’s really up in the air right now; I’m or what questions do people ask. this might be someone else’s property, am I becoming, where am I going? not really sure, but I’m really excited but what of the space, what of this about it. Q: And then, what happened? What interaction? They don’t own that. That And there is something interesting sorts of questions did people ask, interaction belongs to the people who about the fact that it has a front and a Q: Is there anything else you’d like to or what happened when people are part of the interaction. back. You can see it from behind, and say? interacted with it? it’s backwards text, which is a little Q: It’s interesting that what makes different because you don’t normally A: I just want to thank people for being A: You know, actually, it kind of it non-destructive is that it’s not see backwards text. And I kind of liked curious, and to tell them to look for took off in a direction I wasn’t really permanent, and we saw that with it facing inwards, towards the empty lot, more. Because it is coming. It’s going to expecting. Because at first I thought the one that was taken down very almost as a way to say: this is an empty happen. it was going to be these really lovely promptly – it’s kind of sad, but I lot, this is a contaminated space – kind of phrases. And then I started guess that’s sort of the point – that it’s apparently there used to be a gas station doing kind of ambiguous phrases, and temporary. there – but okay, so, “play regardless.” Is I started with “play regardless,” and it about, we’re going to have fun in this people would stop me and ask, play A: Yeah. I kind of like that it has this space that isn’t supposed to be habitable regardless of what? And so I became transient quality to it. There are a few or fun? So I liked the idea of putting it more interested in the questions that that are up, and have been up, and in there, because it kind of reflected on people were left with, you know, in “remember this” was up and then taken the space itself.

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