SEPTEMBER 2010 VOLUME ONE, ISSUE TWO
vendors. Please buy only from badged vendors. Your donation directly benefits the John Mellencamp fights $1 against homelessness with INSIDE words of truth and Groundcover News Taking Root p. 2 songs of reality — page 3 Exclusive Street Newspaper interview with John Mellencamp p. 3
Violinist plays on streets to raise awareness of homeless plight p. 4
Tax credits can mean the difference between housed or homeless p. 5
“On the Corner” with Groundcover Vendor Tony p. 6
A community breakfast celebrates 28 years p. 7
Ann Arbor City Map p. 8
Street Buzz - Reducing carbon footprints the hard way p. 12
www.groundcovernews.com 2 OPINIO N
GROUNDCOVER NEWS Groundcover News takes root in Ann Arbor MISSION: Groundcover had found the apartment but it was his job opportunities to our vendors and volun- Groundcover News exists to create some great successes selling papers that enabled him to meet teers. Volunteers are needed to help opportunity and a voice for low- this month. Many of the income requirement. His shelter bed with writing, editing, artwork, fundrais- income people while taking action you read the terrific is now available for someone else who ing, marketing, business administration, to end homelessness and poverty. article about has been living on the street. vendor support and events. We are also Groundcover in the seeking mentors. Community meetings Ann Arbor, Michigan September issue of Several other vendors have found a re- to fill out our organization are scheduled the Ann Arbor Ob- newed sense of purpose and camaraderie for 7:00 pm on September 28 and No- S usan Beckett, Publisher Susan Beckett server and some of through their work and are striving to vember 2. Both will be in the lower Laurie Lounsbury, E ditor Publisher you heard radio inter- improve their situations and prepare for lounge at the First Baptist Church, lo- views about us on the future. Twenty eight people have re- cated on Washington between State and Michigan Radio. Most exciting is the ceived training to sell Groundcover and Division. Please join us if you see a vol- C ontributors: impact we have had on the lives of our sixteen of them are actively selling. unteer job that appeals to you. David KE Dodge vendors. Karen L. Totten Our goals for next month include adding Please email: Marquise Williams Tony, featured in this issue and the Ob- more volunteers to all aspects of our op- [email protected] and Danielle Mack server story, has moved from the shelter eration, securing office space, and offer- indicate your interest so you can be into his own apartment. His caseworker ing mini-classes and socializing kept abreast of new developments. www.groundcovernews.com John Mellencamp walks the walk of people, not money By Ken Leslie suit of "more" goes on as usual. Com- that commitment; wouldn't you? could get to escape. Oh, but ain't this McMerica, you and me mittees come together to create "pop songs," short for "popular songs," which For the cynical – I don't know about That may not be your reason, but no Ain't this McMerica, sidewalks to see baby are then recorded and overdubbed on you, but if I wanted publicity, I would matter the reason, it is hard, hard work 'Cause ain't this McMerica, home of the 100 plus audio tracks. have picked one of the established main- to achieve financial and domestic auton- FEE. stream publications, rather than a bunch omy in McMerica for anyone, housed or Little pink SHELTERS for you and me. Ignoring the critics (people who don't of street papers the masses never see. But unhoused. like what YOU do with YOUR time, Mellencamp isn't about publicity. When America has become an insatiable nation YOUR money, and YOUR effort); there he came to our Homeless Awareness John Mellencamp did this interview here of "more." But "more" is never quite is a small cadre of musicians who don’t Project Tent City in 2007, his visit was for you hoping it just might help you enough. How much money does a com- write those formulaic songs. explicitly preconditioned on no advance achieve both. pany need to make next quarter? More! publicity. Period. He did this interview here because YOU Always "more!" These musicians write about truth, and sometimes the truth about the other side No, Mellencamp doesn't give a rip about do matter. Extrapolate that. Where will it end? of McMerica is really in darkness. Cer- publicity; never has, never will. THIS is our country, because every 1 tainly, this dark truth is the last thing McBusiness has abandoned all moral de- He chose this interview in this venue Matters, don't they? cency, ravaging the American Dream, all McBusiness wants the masses to hear, due to the risk of it becoming "popular." JUST so those of you selling this street in the search for "more." The mentality paper would be able to make enough jin- of McBusiness in the last two decades Throughout John Mellencamp’s entire gle in your front pocket to make some would have sounded something like this, career, he has written about the "injustice folding money for your back pocket. if they had ever dared to say it out loud: for all" wherever he saw it. "Hey boss, I have an idea. Let's give the He did this here so just maybe people masses a ton of money they don't need But this man has not just written about will find the fight inside of them to do and probably cannot repay. We will just injustice, no; he has worked to fight in- the hard work necessary to get into fi- tell them to take our money and buy justice. He has put his time, money and nancial and domestic autonomy. something really nice that they can't af- WORK toward helping those in need. Yes, it's hard work, very hard work; I ford with it. They will have to pay us a He has been doing this since the begin- know all too well. I was one of those monthly fee to use the money. Check ning, from age 13 or 14 with his first who was living in my car because I was a this part out, boss: then we can sell their band, to today. October 3rd will be make "victim" of
www.groundcovernews.com F E ATURE 3
John Mellencamp talks to Street Newspaper organizations about homelessness By Ken Leslie We first met two years ago or so when KL: How’d you respond? street papers which are carrying your you made an un-promoted stop at the words right now. What are your words of To most people the “homeless” are noth- annual Tent City, Project Homeless Con- JM: Well, there were times that there hope to all of our brothers and sisters ing more than vague faces of poverty re- nect in Toledo. You just wanted them to were fist fights. I remember in a little who are living on the streets of our coun- flected in the mirror of a society afraid to know they matter. Bob Merlis (Mellen- town in Indiana there was a fist fight in try? even look, much less help. camp’s publicist) told me you were between one of our breaks because of his touched by the experience. How so? race. So, ya know. I’m Sisyphus myself; JM: Well, I’ve always, ah, I’ve always had Over a career spanning 25 albums John I’m always the guy who’s rolling the rock a bunch of dumb cliché things that my Mellencamp has written about who he is. John Mellencamp: When you see what up the hill. Ya know, and every time I get family taught me that my grandfather Then, more importantly, John Mellen- progress can produce, and also what too close to the top I either let it roll passed them on to me and they’ve always camp has always walked his talk. This is progress can discard, it makes a feller back down on purpose or it just rolls provided some sort of hope in my life. called integrity. wonder… calling it progress does not back, catches on fire and rolls down at make it right. In this someone. So I know They’re not very eloquent, but the great- Thrust into superstar status by the music country right now what it’s like to have to est advice I ever got in my life and, it’s machine in the 80’s, he got a taste of the there is no middle “The problem is most work at something. My not very eloquent, but “If you’re gonna’ soulless part of the music business. So he class, no place for struggle is obviously hit a c*ck-s*cker, kill him.” And what my said “Whoa, screw that! That’s not who I people give up too middle class. You are different than some grandfather meant when he said that was am, ‘Cougar’ out!” either really rich or early and I’m not folks’ struggle, but, if you’re actually going to do something, don’t talk about it, don’t brag about it, Rejecting this money-making machine, you are really down talking about just the nevertheless, we all just go do it and do it to the best that his walk tells us he cares more about peo- and out. It’s hard have our problems. people on the street, you can possibly do. And that’s what he ple than money. He has always worked times in this coun- KL: How would you was saying, don’t be threatening, don’t be for those without a voice. Everyone mat- try right now. I’m just talking about define your struggle? talking, don’t be bragging. I think that as ters! That’s why John did this interview. KL: When you were people in general. They un-eloquently as it was said, it was prob- JM: Um, well I’ll an- There were no conditions for this inter- on stage at Tent give up on relation- ably one of the most important things swer it like this: A man view, nor the public service announce- City, you sponta- said to me in my life. ships too early, they writes to what he ments for 1Matters and World Homeless neously decided to strives to be, not what KL: Which is a perfect thing to say to Day, October 10th. None. He literally invite everybody give up on themselves he is. the people on the streets, because if said, “I will do what ever you need.” there to your con- cert, all of the un- too early, they give up you’re gonna get off the streets, you can. Complete unconditional trust. KL: The crucible that housed people. on life too early.” caused me to get in- JM: You can, you need to! See the prob- Why here instead of the mainstream volved in this move- lem is most people give up too early and press which would have garnered much JM: Right. ment in 1990 was I’m not talking about just the people on more publicity? His single and absolute — John Mellencamp KL: 60 – 70 people seeing more and more the street, I’m just talking about people intent here is to talk to those in the mid- went and I under- people on the streets. It in general. They give up on relationships dle of the struggle directly. His hope is stand you talked to them from the stage was the statistic that 60% of them were too early, they give up on themselves too vendors of street papers worldwide, hav- about hope. As you know, one of the families with children that forced me to early, they give up on life too early. I ing an exclusive interview no one else guests came back from the show and said act and do something. For you, with think that’s a problem, and I think that’s has, will achieve financial and domestic “Ken, John talked to us from the stage – Farm Aid, tell me about that one mo- a problem our country has. Over the autonomy. I guess I really do matter.” That was the ment that caused you to be a part 25 decades it was allowed to happen by the His hope is each one of the 640,000 peo- founding moment of 1Matters and actu- years ago and to maintain it even today. work ethic and through capitalism, a lot ple on the streets of the United States ally that’s why we’re here today. Your of things that affect this country that JM: I had written a song with a friend of and in its shelters on any given night whole career, you’ve had the compassion allow people to think that way, that the mine called Rain on the Scarecrow and I never give up. He hopes they do what- for and worked for those with little or no world owes them a living. And as soon as had just made an album about what I ever hard work necessary to overcome voice. What is the root of that compas- you start thinking that somebody owes had seen. Ya know, what prosperity had any and all obstacles between themselves sion in John Mellencamp, where does it you something, forget it man, you’re done to the small towns. How they had and domestic autonomy. come from? Was there something in your done. And as soon as you start thinking childhood maybe that started this feeling leveled them out and devastated small you’re right and everybody else is His hope is all reading this interview will of compassion? town America. So we made this record wrong… It’s like the guy who was mar- support your local street paper with your called Scarecrow and then when Willie ried six or seven times, hell, I think it time and dollars. If there are none in JM: Well for me, it started with race. I called, there was like, it took me about a might be me – I think this could be me, your city, you can direct your support to was in a band when I was 13-14 years second to decide I wanted to be a part of I’m starting to think this is my problem. old and it was the mid-60’s and it was a Farm Aid. When Willie called up, he had the North American Street Newspaper “Save some time to dream, racially mixed band. I was the lead singer like a vague notion of what Farm Aid Association (NASNA). Your support Cause your dream could save us all, today allows us, those currently and for- and this black kid was a singer he was a was gonna be. It was no more than just a merly on the streets, to encourage each couple years older than me, really good. vague notion and we really had no idea it Oh yeah, other and share the hope of our successes We’d play every weekend at fraternities was gonna last. We have our 25th an- Your dream might save us all.” in one collective voice. and in hotels and stuff like that. It was a niversary coming up October 2nd. soul band. And I saw the way people - Save Some Time to Dream - Ken Leslie: On behalf of 1Matters, treated him. Ya know, it was like wow, KL: Each night there are 640,000 un- Toledo Streets and the street paper move- really? Wait a minute, you loved him on housed Americans who have lost domes- Ken Leslie has been throwing starfish ment, and everyone who has lost domes- stage, but now he’s gotta go wait outside? tic autonomy and are living on the back in the ocean since 1990 and can be tic or financial autonomy in our country, And so I think that made quite an im- streets and in shelters, 15% are veterans. contacted at 1Matters.org. thank you for your time today. pression on me as a young guy. Some of those will be selling the very Copyright 1Matters.org. All rights reserved.
www.groundcovernews.com 4 MAKING CHAN G E
Why does that woman always play the violin on the streets?
By Lily Au Y are still sleeping on the streets. On the tally-ill patients, other hand, due to limited funds, the disabled and people Why does that woman always play violin shelter has no choice but to set a two with chronic dis- on the streets? The posters on the wall week limit stay for local homeless people eases. There are also tell you the answer: “Delonis Shelter is at the warming center. unemployed peo- full. Homeless Camp has been busted ple, working poor three times within a year. Sanctioned In addition to the warming center, there and those fleeing land is asked on humanitarian grounds." are places which can house people for domestic violence three month stays. The reality is that the and sexual assault Homeless people are arrested. Do you Lily Au, playing her violin on the streets of Ann Arbor to raise awareness real demand for shelter is over ten times among them. Of of homelessness issues. know that it is illegal to be homeless? what the facility can provide. course, substance each year for Emergency and Affordable See "Criminalization of the Homeless- abuse is also an issue for about 20-25% Housing?” She replied, “Yes, you can if ness" by the National Law School. We have several tent cities in Ann Arbor. of homeless people. Some are by the highway, under the you can get the community on board!” I was shocked when I first heard that bridge. Some are in the wooded areas. When I played violin on the streets, So, next time, when you see me play vi- people have been sleeping out in the "Camp Take Notice," now has over 25 people talked to me, and then they knew olin on the street, please pick up and cold. I was furious knowing that for homeless campers hiding there. We call that the state had shut down many med- sign the petition. Your signature can help years some of the homeless slept on them the “Invisible Community.” ical facilities for the mentally-ill and put free many people from the threat of hy- chairs in the shelter. I didn't know how They're still living without lighting, elec- patients on the street. That's why I advo- pothermia and frostbite and keep them to respond when the homeless man cate for "Emergency Housing.” If we tricity, running water or any facilities. dry on rainy nights. If you'd like to reach showed his leg, swollen from deep vein don't lend a hand to the most vulnera- Visit www.tentcity.org to read more sto- the bottom to help the needy, thrombosis. ble, they will end up chronically home- ries about them. www.tentcitymichigan.org can offer you less. People might say, “Housing is the the channel. Your donation will go buy MISSION* members went to address People might ask, ‘Lily, you've lots of job of Department of Housing & Urban tents, tarps, bus-token, food, garbage the City Council many times. In re- free time to help out the homeless issue?’ Development,” as they hold the federal bags (rain gear) for them. I love Isaiah 58 sponse, in December 2009 the chairs in No, I'm the mom of two young sons. funds." Some might say, "That's the job very much. That's the chapter which the warming center were replaced with I'm struggling to balance the time. Being of the City, as the City Government is in strengthens our faith community to sleeping cots. Still, sleeping in a crowded a mom, it sharpens our feelings of seeing charge of the city development, planning work more for the vulnerable. I'm hon- room that is quiet from 10:00 pm to people cold, wet, hungry, sick and and facilities.” I'd like to say that's every- ored to be one of them, and you? 6:00 am does not afford the kind of rest painful. one's job. In Romans 13:8 “Owe no one that leaves a person ready to interview. anything except to love one another, for *MISSION is a not for profit partner- "Hey, they're bums. That's the lifestyle he who loves another has fulfilled the ship between homeless and homeful The root of the problem is, ‘Where is they choose!" People tell me. I respond, law.” Washtenaw county residents to support our affordable housing?’ Several years "The longer you're with them, the more the efforts of Camp Take Notice to build ago, the city government demolished you will know the truth!" Based on re- Last month, I met Michigan Governor and strengthen a homeless tent commu- over 100 low-income housing units (the search data from Washtenaw County, Jennifer Granholm by chance. I asked, nity through self-governance and ac- old YMCA), and they have not been re- 20-25% of the homeless population are “Is it possible to make it a law to allocate countability. placed. Some of the tenants from the old veterans and another 30-35% are men- a certain percentage of the City budget Groundcover News is grateful to those Groundcover Wish List who have supported its endeavors • Office space within walking distance of We at Groundcover deeply appreciate our Advertising income has been crucial for support we from individuals and local funding our second issue. You will soon downtown. Even a 6 x 6 space would suffice businesses, agencies and places of worship, find links to our advertisers websites on especially in this early phase while we are • Cell phone and calling plan getting established. Some gave us money our website, www.groundcovernews.com or equipment we needed, while others and our Facebook page, Groundcover • Digital cameras, or cell phones with helped us with outreach or set up oppor- News. Please patronize our advertisers tunities for our vendors to sell on their cameras, and cords for uploading and mention you saw their ad in Ground- premises. • Handcarts, rolling coolers or rolling 1Matters cover. Our heartfelt thanks go out to: suitcases for newspaper transport Back Door Food Pantry Ed and Ellie Davidson Complete Chiropractic and Bodywork • Waterproof bags Therapies Elmo’s T-Shirts People’s Food Coop • Office supplies like receipt books First Baptist Church of Ann Arbor and laminating pouches. St. Andrew’s Breakfast Program Roos Roast • Jobs for hard workers St. Francis Catholic Church Vendor Managed Technologies Zion Lutheran Church If you have something to donate, please let us know. And thanks to the thousands of you who took a chance on us and bought a paper. email [email protected] Tom Abdelnour
www.groundcovernews.com THINK ABOUT I T 5
Tax credits can mean the difference between home-sweet-home or on the street
By Lester Wyborny Studies show that tax cuts for the lowest Another stimulus is the Child Tax Credit stimulates the economy, it helps them earners result in more than a $1.50 or CTC. The CTC provides a maxi- hold onto their residences. It is much Bethany Reed cried when she realized stimulus for every dollar returned to the mum child tax credit of $1000 per child more cost effective and less disruptive to extra cash from expanded tax credits for poor – thus a very good economic stimu- which phases out at $75,000 for single keep people in their homes than to pro- families would help keep a roof over her lus. However, tax cuts for the rich parents and at $110,000 for married par- vide services and find alternative shelter 9-year-old’s head. “We are all just one amounts to less than 50 cents of eco- ents, but there was no CTC those earn- once they have been evicted. Those accident, cut job or pay away from being nomic stimulus on each tax dollar re- ing less than $13,000. Under the making $3,00 - $13,000 per year are al- in trouble,” said Reed, 30, a part-time as- turned to the rich – a stimulus bill, the CTC increased ready coping with working multiple sistant property manager pursuing a poor stimulus. and it was extended for those part-time jobs that lack benefits, fre- communications degree. “I would prob- earning between $3,000 One of the tax cuts quently on off-shifts that make finding ably be in foreclosure without that addi- and $13,000 per year – for lower earners is child care a challenge. Informal child tional money to help make my house which makes a lot of an expansion of the care arrangements among neighbors and payments and other bills.” sense since children of Earned Income Tax these families are the families must often be relied on and be- But the clock is ticking on the additional Credit or EITC. most vulnerable. If the come impractical when a family has to aid, which expires at the end of this year. The EITC was increases expire, a work- move. started in 1975 and The US economy is sluggish and many ing parent raising two it was designed to re- Congress will be acting on the tax cuts people are still out of work, particularly kids could see his or her ward those with low this month. Michigan representatives here in Michigan, which was particularly child credit cut from incomes for working by hold some key positions on the commit- hard-hit by the recession. The middle $2,000 to $547.50. tees that oversee tax policy. Anyone can and upper class tax cuts which were en- providing a tax credit which could even acted under Bush back in 2001, and tax exceed the taxed amount. In 2009, the “This (extension) is needed desperately call their representative and share their cuts and credits for the lowest earners EITC lifted 6.6 million people out of in Michigan and around the country,” views, toll free, by calling the Congres- which were enacted in the Recovery Bill poverty – over 3 million of them were said Sharon Parks, president and chief sional Switch Board, 800-220-0044 and for 2009 and 2010 under Obama, are set children, according to the Center for executive officer of the Michigan League asking for their Member of Congress by to expire at the end of 2010. Increasing Budget and Policy Priorities. The EITC for Human Services. Without the exten- name. Representatives from Washtenaw taxes in 2011 could slow an economic re- was also increased for married couples, sion 584,000 Michigan families with County are John Dingell (Ann Arbor covery, while extending them will add to ending the “marriage penalty”, and in- children will see their child tax credits re- and Ypsilanti), Mark Schauer (Scio the deficit which will drain our economy creased the amount of the EITC benefit duced or eliminated.Putting money in Township and west), and Mike Rogers, in the future. for families with 3 or more children. the hands of the working poor not only Whitmore Lake.
Groundcover Vendors Code of Conduct
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www.groundcovernews.com 6 O N MY CORNER
Groundcover vendor Tony sees better days ahead By Susan Beckett program in 1978 as a last chance to stay Publisher out of prison.
Chances are you’ve already met Tony, es- Tony stayed sober for 25 years. He pecially if you got your copy of Ground- worked at the Ypsi paper mill for several cover News while heading to your years before relocating and enjoying the downtown office or strolling to your fa- economic boom in Texas. There he vorite Main St. restaurant or coffee shop. found employment as a rod man on a He and his display cart are downtown surveying team then moved into con- fixtures as he greets people and delivers struction, chimney framing, brick and the weather report or chats about latest cement work, and landscaping, learning Tigers or Lions game. After receiving and working his way up until he started many requests for directions, he sug- his own landscaping business. He re- gested putting a map in the paper so he calls dumping the day’s grass clippings in could better direct visitors. (See page 8) the meadow of his cow-raising friend. “It got so they’d see my truck pull up Tony knew he could sell newspapers – he and 15 or 20 cows would come running started hawking the Shopping News right to me.” when he was 11 and by 13 won a trip to Washington, D.C. as a top seller of the On a visit to Michigan, he met his future Detroit News. His earnings afforded wife who eventually convinced him to him a new stereo and bicycle and a bank move back north to be close to family. There he started Tony’s Handyman and “It’s good to be clean. utilized the skills he’d learned in Texas. His wife eventually left, relieving him It’s a great feeling. It’s from the constant temptation of drink- ing with her. better to be looked up He held various jobs, stocking shelves, at than to be looked loading steel and even as a UAW ma- chine operator for a Big 3 parts manu- down at!” facturer but got laid off when the plant was automated. During this time he — Tony the vendor bought a house in Eastpoint and remar- ried into an instant family of three chil- dren who he still considers his own. The Groundcover vendor Tony, selling papers at the corner of Liberty and Main account as well as the chance to buy cat he rescued from a dumpster loyally presents for his Mom, the classic picture brought offerings to his door each day, The Delonis Center afforded him three payment from his business failure and he of dogs sitting around a poker table play- including the memorable day she pre- more months of shelter and a sleeping spent six months in the Macomb ing cards being the one he remembers sented seven perfectly preserved rats, bag to use when he left. Tony’s ditty County jail, saving him from the most most fondly. head to toe in a straight line. from this time goes, brutal part of winter. Released with nothing but his bike, he went to the Always a hard worker, his first encounter The dark period of his life included buy- “You don’t know you’re homeless nearest Salvation Army and stayed a few with the police came during a blizzard ing a second house up north and taking days. He found his stepson nearby and Until you realize that the roof over your when he was 10 and went out to shovel out a loan so his wife could return to stayed with him for a month during head snow for neighbors. They found him school. The economy soured, loan pay- which time he attended AA meetings, ments soared and though he worked two still shoveling 24 hours later. He was a Is the stars and the moon... felt depressed and kept hearing Jesus on high-spirited boy determined to lead in jobs, he could not keep up with the pay- TV. His son helped him get back to De- everything, which sometimes got him in ments and eventually lost everything. And you pet the raccoon.” lonis where he got a blanket and re- trouble. The 10th of 14 children and Despair and drinking led to his wife di- turned to his old tent which Bandit had the 7th son of a 7th son, he managed to vorcing him. A neighbor in his rental While sleeping in fields and under shredded in his absence. Luckily, he channel most of his energy into rescuing apartment introduced him to crack at a bridges he made friends with Bandit the soon got a room at Delonis and substan- animals, earning him the nickname time when he was desperate to feel good. raccoon, a woodchuck and a skunk. tial help from his caseworker, Cameron. “Bird.” After a Detroit area treatment facility re- During the early winter he acquired a He regularly attends mass, AA meetings leased him, he was attacked in Detroit second sleeping bag from the lieutenant and a “12 Steps to God” program and Tony was 12 when one of his brothers while attempting to score more crack. at the Salvation Army where he had been his depression has lifted. who had survived a tour in Vietnam was attending Bible Study classes and AA shot and killed in Detroit, and Tony He returned to the Washtenaw County meetings. He prided himself on being Cameron helped him secure temporary started to drink. When his father died program where he had sobered up as a the best bottle collector in Ann Arbor work at the Art Fair and that 45 hours four years later, he drank a lot and got in teen and was greeted like an old friend. and was able to buy personal items with helped him get on his feet. He heard some serious trouble. He completed his He was directed to a three-quarter house the proceeds. about Groundcover and got started sell- GED in a juvenile detention center and where he could live for three months in a ing papers as soon as the Art Fair ended. upon his release tried returning to high substance-free environment. He slept a On his bike one night looking for bot- Along with saving most of his money for school at Sacred Heart but relapsed into lot and did little but it was not until his tles, he was stopped by police for not a down payment on the apartment he heavy drinking. A farsighted judge sent three months were nearly over that he fi- having a light on his bike. They arrested just moved into, he bought some small him to a Washtenaw County recovery nally went to the hospital and learned he him on an outstanding warrant for non- had emphysema and pneumonia. see Selling Groundcover, page 9 www.groundcovernews.com COMMUNITY 7 AGENCY SPOTLIGHT Serving with a smile St. Andrews celebrates 28 years of serving a daily community breakfast camaraderie of the volun- the breakfast. When someone is having created with racism or ostracizing teers and guests keep Gray a hard time getting along, other guests groups," Gray said. “It has been a reli- going. separate them and work to calm them gious experience getting to know guests down. Occasionally a volunteer asks and volunteers. I see God in everyone. “The great spirit of people someone to move to the far side of the Or I should!" who walk a difficult path room. energizes me,” Gray said. St. Andrew’s has opened its space to She is a task master with- related organizations that provide “If you get to know out being stern to the vol- services to the guests and all appreciate people on a face to face unteers. She sees to it that the safe space St. Andrews has become. the place is spotless and The Writers Group meets Tuesdays from basis, rather than as a runs 8:30–10:00 a.m. during the school year. group of homeless efficiently. Following A diverse group drawn from the commu- Gray’s initiative, nity at large, breakfast guests and U-M people, you realize that volunteers are very kind in volunteer facilitators, share their work people are people. We talking and dealing with and offer each other suggestions. the guests. Project Outreach Team for the County all have our own Fittingly, vendor Kay sold the first copy of Groundcover during the (PORT) conducts various groups after community breakfast at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church to a volunteer “In four years I have never problems, and some breakfast several days each week, and observed one guest com- This past August, the St. Andrew‘s Groundcover News distributes papers to have been dealt more, plain about how they are treated at St. Breakfast program celebrated 28 consec- vendors toward the end of breakfast on Andrew’s,” said Martin Stolzenberg. utive years of serving a community Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. but people are basically breakfast every morning, without fail. “They are invariably polite and apprecia- the same.” “We’re all in this together and there are From the 35 people who attended the tive. They say that the St. Andrew‘s more ways we’re alike than different – first breakfast, they have grown to 150 Breakfast is the best meal in Ann Arbor. — Deacon Svea Gray guests today. When there was a black- and we don't need the barriers we've out, they served outside with candles, “I notice that the guests often tend to and there have always been people to linger, sometimes to avoid the weather serve. outside, but I think often to just chat with friends. I suspect many of them are For the volunteers preparing and serving isolated during the day. The Breakfast is the meal, it is a life changing experience. a place that they can renew contacts and “If you get to know people on a face-to- maintain a sense of humanity.” face basis, rather than as a group of “There is a kind of community that has homeless people, you realize that people emerged among the volunteers in our are people. We all have our own Thursday morning group,” Stolzenberg problems, and some have been dealt continued. “We discuss sports, the more, but people are basically the same,” economy, politics and our kids. We also said Deacon Svea Gray, who has socialize with outings and parties. The directed the program for 25 years. Breakfast Program makes us appreciate Sunday through Thursday, Gray how we have been blessed with much.” arrives at 6:00 am and prepares for the The Breakfast Program is about bringing 7:15 arrival of the kitchen volunteers people together and building relation- and 7:30 arrival of the guests. The pro- ships . gram runs on a shoestring budget and only the janitorial staff is paid. Guests “It is about the friends at St. Andrew’s pitch in washing tables and stacking and the generous community that have chairs at the end of the meal and some come together through these 28 years to fill in serving on those rare occasions support us with wonderful volunteers when there are not enough volunteers. and generous donations,” said Gray. Generous people and organizations respond to the New guests and volunteers from the fundraising letters sent out in May and community at large are welcomed November. Last year a benefit concert warmly. Celebrating the birthdays of helped replace withdrawn city funding volunteers and guests as well as special and the Ann Arbor Thrift Shop gave breakfasts on holidays contribute to the them a grant for a new stove. Memorial feeling of extended family. donations and bequests also supply critical funding. The Breakfast family dynamic extends to solving problems. In all 28 years, they Friendship with the community and the have never had to exclude anyone from
www.groundcovernews.com 8 PUZZLES
ACROSS 12345 6789 1011 12 13 1. A Study in Scarlet author 6. Pertaining to the ear 14 15 16 10. Believability; reputation (slang) 14. _____ Peninsula 17 18 19 15. _____ the Explorer 16. Les Miserables author 20 21 22 23 17. Former U.S. president and general 19. River of Spain 24 25 26 20. Japanese manufacturer of car parts 21. Cremation receptacle 27 28 29 30 31 22. Less empty 24. Former Colorado governor 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 26. Dusk 27. Beverage 39 40 41 42 43 29. Type of software engineering (abbr.) 31. Downwind, nautically 44 45 46 47 32. Allen or Rumsey 33. NBA's Shaq 48 49 50 51 52 35. High cards 39. Land parcel 53 54 55 56 40. Fabric 43. Gibbon, for example 57 58 59 60 61 62 44. Egyptian goddess 46. Belief 63 64 65 66 47. Soak flax 48. Sea level change 67 68 69 51. Website featuring environmental news 52. Legume 70 71 72 53. Phone accessory 55. Portal 57. Anne _____, photographer 6. Fragrance 38. Bristle; hair 58. Christopher Carson's nickname 7. Village 41. Measurement of a sort 60. 1960s pop singer 8. Anger 42. Mountain of Italy 63. Armenian village 9. Vehicle packed with people 45. Sports venue 64. _____ United Football Club 10. Former First Daughter 49. Grosse _____ 67. Cheese variety 11. 100 kopecs 50. Mole, native to Europe Cryptoquotes 68. Tropical plant 12. Wading bird 53. Ms. Reese 69. Site 13. Portal 54. Lazy person Figure out the encryption code to 70. Beer foam 18. Compassionate 56. Sample food 71. Fishing equipment 23. One, in French 57. Singer Barry, Robin, Maurice or Andy solve the puzzle 72. Brief 25. Debatable 58. Gordian _____ 26. Salt solution 59. Frozen treats WDEBOYQ DMYBS HBWOCEBU F ZFS DM FJJ DOWN 27. Anklebones 61. Birds of New Zealand 1. Two-part harmony 28. Grandson of Adam and Eve 62. Group of anti-Sandinistas (abbr.) UWCOCY FSH ECOYVB; CY CU IFOH MDO FS 2. Sheriff Taylor's son 30. _____ Manley, former NFL star 65. Beer BZWYQ AFX YD UYFSH VWOCXIY.” 3. Demetrius _____ 34. Consumed 66. Time zone (abbr.) 4. _____ Chandavarkar, Bollywood actress 36. Woodworker — ABSKFZCS MOFSPJCS 5. Eagle 37. Fencing sword Puzzle by Jeff Richmond
UKVFV BJH MVNVF J BJF RM TRNVFUE. CJEAV UKVFV BJH J HYOFCOHK RM TRNV- Ann Arbor City Map FUE. — JMXFVB LZRCR solu ons on page 11
www.groundcovernews.com FOOD 9
Roasting coffee and meeting people... a good blend for John Roos Alicia Beckett interviewed John Roos, local JR: In Portland I hung out with my who’s drinking it. You entrepreneur and artist. He can be spotted friend who roasted coffee a lot. So I should try to make peo- at his store on Rosewood, Farmer’s Market learned the basics from her, but I learned ple happy. I can say booth or trike on State Street serving Pour a lot just by doing it myself. Trial and that’s bad coffee but Over Honk for Service coffee. error, just experimenting. someone else might love it. And that’s what you AB: How did Roos Roast first come into AB: How did you find a good source of learn when you start existence? coffee? serving coffee to people in places like a farmers JR: I had moved back to Michigan and I JR: I bought a gas roaster after 2 little market and your audi- couldn’t find any good coffee. I had just junkie electrical roasters, and the guy ence is a large audience. by chance taken a job selling cars at who built the gas roaster turned me on Dunning Subaru… and the coffee there to some people who sold coffee, so I AB: What’s your favorite was terrible. In my spare time I had started going to them. It’s pretty easy to roast? started roasting coffee a little bit. So I find good coffee now- there’s a lot of started bringing my own coffee, then I good stuff out there and a lot of people JR: I’m drinking this was bringing in my own espresso ma- who sell coffee. Once you start roasting Papau New Guinea right John Roos, with a roaster on his left and his artwork on the wall chine. And also the reason I wanted to coffee and delivering coffee to people you now, which I love-really leaves in the smoke and the chaste that sell coffee was because I quickly realized can’t just say ‘Oh I’m going to quit doing good, and I’m making espresso out of it. comes out of it. So lighter roasts have to be a good car salesman you needed to this.’ Coffee’s very important to them I like to take this single origin coffee and more caffeine. have a catch, like there was a guy who right? put it through my espresso machine. lived in Alaska so everyone was like That’s how I like to make coffee. AB: Do you see yourself opening another “Where’s Jerry from Alaska” So I was AB: And you roast very good coffee! store or expanding into a chain? like, ‘I need to have some other back- AB: Espresso or Coffee? JR: Oh, thank you! You have to remain ground.’ So I did really well at selling JR: Well I don’t think expanding into a humble; you can’t just say I’m the best. JR: I prefer espresso, but I drink it long cars but in the mean time the coffee chain is in the future. Maybe open an- So I try to remain humble, and keep like a cup of coffee. business was growing really fast. After other store; we might do that, you never roasting every day, keep after it. know. I think in order to make a lot of like 4 years of selling cars and roasting AB: What is something that people don’t coffee together I had to choose one or money you need to have a place that AB: What’s the most difficult thing know about coffee? serves coffee by the cup. the other so I chose coffee. about getting coffee just right? JR: A lot of people don’t know that dark AB: Are you glad you chose coffee? One of the ideas I played around with is JR: All the aspects of it: Grind it right, roast has less caffeine than light roast. doing a café employed with homeless brew it right, water has to be right, ma- JR: Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, I love coffee! I people. That’s one of those things they chine has to be clean; there are a lot of AB: Why is that? think coffee’s amazing! The thing about do in Portland, Oregon. It’s pretty suc- different parts like that. Coffee is like coffee is it’s a real people business. JR: Because as you roast the coffee you cessful [and] could be a really good beer, or some other drink. It’s very sub- take the caffeine out of it. The caffeine thing. AB: How did you learn to roast coffee? jective; it depends on who the person is
Simple Summer Harvest beans in a large skillet and toss with a lit- Garden Panini ered with olive oil (I use a mister filled tle olive oil and garlic powder & ground For each sandwich, thinly slice two with olive oil) on the stove top. Press Recipes black pepper to taste. pieces of good bread (an Italian or coun- down hard with a large spatula to com- try loaf, white or wheat). Spread one side press the sandwich and cook until the From Saline gourmand, Kathy Moberg Sautee, stirring frequently, over medium thinly with a soft cheese like Allouette first side is nicely browned. Flip sand- high heat until beans are cooked but still Garden Beans and Peppers (the light version is fine since there are so wich over and repeat, pressing down crisp and peppers and onions have soft- Trim enough beans for the number of many flavors in this sandwich). Layer every now and then. ened. While beans are cooking, chop sev- people you’ll have at dinner. A combina- with whole basil leaves, sliced tomatoes, eral fresh basil leaves. Remove from heat, Ham, prosciutto, smoked turkey may be tion of green, yellow and purple beans rings of thinly sliced red onion and/or place in serving bowl and toss with the added as well. The trick is to keep the looks pretty, but whatever you have on bell pepper (sweet or hot!), finishing fresh basil. Serve immediately. sandwich thin. Too many ingredients, hand will be fine. with some finely grated mozzarella. Place and it won’t hold together. You also want Alternately, you may fashion a cooking second slice of bread on top. Core and slice one or two sweet peppers the fresh tomato and basil flavors to re- tray out of heavy aluminum foil or use a into thin strips. Separate 3 or 4 thin Press sandwich in a panini maker OR ally shine through! grill basket, and grill the beans for 8 to slices of red onion into rounds. Add to place on flat, hot skillet, very lightly cov- 10 minutes. Selling Groundcover helps Tony find hope and housing Help the homeless make the transi on to “home-more.” continued from page 6 A minor setback befell him recently. He’s looking forward to saving enough presents for his granddaughter and sent Tony’s wallet fell from his pocket one hot money so he can finance karate lessons SUPPORT some money to help with expenses. Sunday morning as he was dragging his to enhance his granddaughter’s cart up Washtenaw on his way to an area self-discipline, get his ex-wife’s car fixed, GROUNDCOVER Tony is so pleased to be substance free church. (Buses don’t run until later in and repay an outstanding loan from his NEWS and productive. “I lost my wife who I the day on Sunday.) He resigned himself father-in-law. Become a sponsor, or buy an ad in the love very much and I have only myself to to losing the money that was in his wal- newspaper. Groundcover News gives “I’m happy,” Tony said recently. “ I’ve blame. I know I must move on, but be let but fervently hopes to get his driver’s homeless persons the chance to lost 12 pounds since I started selling the there for kids and the granddaughter license and personal papers back. If become independent vendors and earn paper. I like what I’m doing; meeting who loves her Grand Pap and the baby whoever has it drops the wallet in a mail- money, while making the transi on to people, showing them what a gentleman grandson I have now! It’s good to be box or brings it to the Ann Arbor Police regular employment and housing. clean. It’s a great feeling. It’s better to be Department, it will make its way back to I am. I love saying, ‘Good morning’ to looked up at than to be looked down at! Tony. people.” [email protected]
www.groundcovernews.com 10 R ESOURCES Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Area Low Income Food Pantries
Eat well, spend less By Rose Delores Whitmore
This world is a funny place. At times I have been em- ployed, receiving a paycheck and the benefits that hav- ing money brings. At this point in my life I have not been able to find work so the paycheck is pretty much a memory. I have been staying at the shelter in Ann Arbor for about 3 months.
During this time I have learned that for people who have a small amount of money there are actually quite a few inexpensive choices for food. In this article, my first, I will share some of the low cost food values I have found here in Ann Arbor.
One of my favorite places to go get a good breakfast 24/7 is the Fleetwood Diner. Located at 300 South Ash- ley, the small restaurant serves a wide variety of really good food. I usually get three eggs and toast and it comes to $3.67 Of course coffee is extra so I usually get water instead. The experts say that the most important meal of the day is breakfast. I am lucky that it is also the least expensive.
If you have transportation you can go to other good in- expensive places that serve breakfast like the Flim Flam Restaurant and Mark’s Coney Island. Both are located on Plymouth Rd.
The dollar menu at McDonalds is a good way to stretch your money. How you place your order can actually save you some money. If you order an Egg McMuffin without the meat they will charge you full price for the item, but if you order an English muffin with egg and cheese, it is about a dollar less. Vendor Managed Another really good value I have found is the white rice from No Thai. A small box of fresh hot steamed rice is Technologies 50 cents. The soy sauce, which is a must for me, is free and so is the hot sauce if you go that way. A truly great A local software company supporting deal! our friends and neighbors. see Food, p. 11
www. groundcovernews.com BUSINESS 11 Ann Arbor’s Elmo — From barrio to businessman
Success should be his middle name. including James Duval. Elmo credits the Michigan Film Grant program with Or maybe passion, or creativity, or drive; making possible this independent film, Elmo Morales has them all. The propri- shot primarily in Ann Arbor with many etor of Elmo’s T-Shirts also owns and op- local cast and crew members. erates Body in Balance Fitness, the first Ann Arbor bicycle spinning fitness facil- Elmo’s newest venture, Elmo’s Hideaway, ity, and Elmo’s Hideaway, a music club. took root during his senior year in high But many in Ann Arbor know him as a school, listening to up-and-coming per- race organizer and the founder of the formers in Greenwich Village. He was Dexter-Ann Arbor run. And Commu- lucky enough to hear the young Bob nity High students from the 1970’s Dylan and Peter, Paul and Mary, among through the 1990’s remember him as others, and thought to himself, ‘Some- their physical education instructor. day I’ll have a club.’ Located below the T-shirt shop, Elmo’s Hideaway seats 55 How has he managed to do so much and concert style and is used by local musi- still look so young? Family and living a cians to showcase their talents, as well as balanced life, he’ll tell you. He started for special functions. Elmo’s T-Shirts back in his race organiz- ing days, while he was still teaching full Always creating, Elmo envisions a com- time. His mother, wife and children ran Elmo Morales, in front of his Main St. T-shirt shop. pany where he will produce shows and the store until he could get there at the manage performers. He is also seriously end of his teaching day. Working hard the dinner table and started young Elmo that he’d be provided for clinched the considering reviving some of the com- has been part of his life since he was thinking that maybe it should be part of deal. munity races he used to organize, like the seven or eight, when he started carrying his future. He spent considerable time Turkey Trot and Jinglebell Run. These groceries. at the “tar beach,” the roof of his apart- A desire to give back led him to a degree are low-cost runs that build a sense of ment building, studying for the Regent’s in physical education. Along with community and any extra revenue is do- Raised in the better of two New York Exam in 9th grade. He was one of only studying and training, he worked as a nated to the St. Andrew’s Breakfast Pro- City barrios in Manhattan, he was a eight children in his borough to attain a waiter at the posh downtown restaurant, gram and Peace Neighborhood Center. really good kid who loved everything perfect score in Algebra, and he was the Room at the Top. He sent home $35 per about school; the classes, the free lunch Having benefitted from many Social first Puerto Rican to do so. Under the week to help his family with rent. After he got, field trips and athletics. His Service and community outreach pro- specter of racism, he was accused of graduation, he married and brought his world widened when he delivered dry grams as a child, Elmo appreciates their cheating. His grade was unfairly lowered mother, grandmother, brother and sister cleaning to Russian immigrants who value. He looks for opportunities to but it spurred him to work even harder. to Ann Arbor. His wife, Susan Scott lived in the better neighborhood across Morales is a spinning instructor and help others escape poverty and achieve Broadway from his own. They invited He ran track in high school and was one partner in Bodies in Balance Fitness. the sense of satisfaction that accompanies the boy into their homes where he was of a very talented group of runners that She’s also an author whose second novel, productive work. Elmo’s T-Shirts got exposed to fine art and the antiques they set the national record for the mile relay. A Barroom View of Love, was just re- started because the guy he ordered t- brought with them from the old country. Elmo was heavily recruited but his future leased. shirts from for all his runs casually com- coach at U-M, Don Canham (later the mented, “With all the t-shirts you buy His horizons broadened considerably athletic director), was the most straight- The couple’s daughter, Christina Morales from me, you should start your own t- when he was 11 and spent two weeks in forward. He called and said, “Hey kid, Hemenway , expresses her creativity as a shirt company.” a suburban home in Westport, Conn. as you want to go to school here? Sign on screenwriter and director. Her second part of the Fresh Air Camp, a non-profit Elmo has lots of start-up business ideas the dotted line. We’ll give you every- film, “Naked Angel,” will premiere at the that sent poor city kids to the country he’d like to mention to the right set of thing.” Elmo knew nothing about Michigan Theater on September 24, pre- for part of the summer. The family he ears. The possibilities are endless! Michigan or the university, but knowing ceded by a gala affair with the film’s stars, joined repeatedly talked about college at Puzzle solutions DOYLE OTIC CRED UPPER DORA HUGO “Poverty often deprives a man of all spirit and virtue; it is EISENHOWER EBRO hard for an empty bag to stand upright.” TEIN URN FULLER –— Benjamin Franklin LAMM SUNSET “There was never a war on poverty. Maybe there was a TEA OAD ALEE skirmish on poverty.” ANN ONEAL ACES — Andrew Cuomo LOT TEXTILE APE ISIS TENET RET Food, from page 10 TIDE ENN PEA By the Pound, located on Main St. Near Madison, is in DIALER GATE a small strip mall. This place has bulk items that you GEDDES KIT ANKA can literally purchase buy the pound or any fraction thereof. Items include candy and sweets, my favorites, ILLI MANCHESTER and they have dried fruit, nuts, trail mix, granola, pas- BLEU ALOE STEAD tas, and all sorts of baking ingredients and spices. If you BARM NETS TERSE have less than a dollar to work with and you are looking for a snack you will love this place.
www.groundcovernews.com 12 S treet Buzz
Reducing my carbon footprint And increasing my debt, all in one summer stroll
A sizeable group tired! “MARTINI!” anytime I saw someone happened.” Then she gave me an ‘Early- of us here in about to hit a ball in my direction. I Bird-Gets-The-Worm’ smirk that made I knew that what lay between me and my Michigan are knew there’s some other word you’re me want to pull out my pocket-sized car – as the crow flies – was the Univer- embracing the supposed to yell when someone might Deep Woods Off and give her a quick sity of Michigan golf course. concept of get clobbered with a golf ball, but I squirt in the face. reducing our Yes! I could just cut across the golf course forgot what it was and figured “martini” I walked nine blocks west to the towing carbon footprint and shave at least a half-mile off my would get their attention. company, where I discovered I needed to with open arms walk. In the many, many times I have driven pay $225 to retrieve my car. Forty dollars and empty wallets For reasons I can’t explain, it’s very easy past the U of M golf course, I somehow of that fee was a “paper processing fee.” Laurie Lounsbury – namely, those to saunter right onto the golf course at never noticed it has a VERY tall fence Note to self: look into freelance paper Editor of us who took the southeast corner. All I had to do surrounding it. processing because apparently it is quite a salary cut, are from there was wend my way to the lucrative. underemployed or laid off. I was trapped like a Titleist in the ball northwest corner. Lo and behold, right washer. The towing guy graciously gave my Talk about great timing! Walking or at my feet was a golf cart path that battery a jump and off I went. Upon my riding a bike came into vogue just when appeared to curve in the general Rather than retracing my footsteps back safe arrival back home, the battery died the economy tanked and some of us direction I was going, so I struck out on to the point of origin, I hugged the fence within 1.6 nanoseconds. could longer afford to drive a car. It’s the cart path at a perky pace, occasion- line even though it meant trudging synchronicity at its best! ally doing a little Wizard of Oz skip and through prairie grass and stinging nettle Tally of my carbon footprint reduction a hop. the height of your average Eberwhite experience: I am one of those Michiganders who Elementary fourth grader. Thirty-five recently had a perfect opportunity to Thirty yards later, the cart path came to • Spared the planet 6.8 miles of car- minutes later, I was back where I started. demonstrate my enthusiasm for reducing an abrupt halt. Huh? driving pollution (if you include the golf my carbon footprint. After all, I had Thirty more minutes later, I was almost course stroll, which probably isn’t fair I hadn’t played golf in 25 years, so I had been laid off, couldn’t figure out how to to the parking lot where I left my dead because I wouldn’t have been wandering forgotten a lot about the sport. I thought pay the mortgage and also buy food, so I car. Imagine my surprise when I rounded around a golf course in a Pontiac); cart paths wandered through the entire was keen on any opportunity to save a the corner and found the parking lot full course like a Candyland path on a game • Saved $90 by not calling a towing buck or two. of festive white tents setting up for a board. Apparently, this is not the case. company as soon as I assessed the car craft fair. It looked like the Bedouins My car battery died Friday evening in a problem Friday evening; It seemed I was on the edge of a fairway, were in town and they had cast an downtown Ann Arbor parking lot. A which I safely traversed. Then I found ancient spell to make my car disappear. • Spent $310 on tickets, paper friend gave me a ride home and told me myself nearing a green. Four golfers were processing and towing; not to worry, parking was free on I went to the police station to report a taking turns putting in. I trotted past, Saturdays, so my car was in no danger of missing vehicle, and ended up paying a • Gained a muscle spasm in between my socket wrenches chiming merrily in my being ticketed or towed. (I am currently $60 “paper processing fee.” Then I shoulders from lugging around a backpack. Sheesh, they glared at me as if re-evaluating our friendship status, given received directions to the towing yard Backpack o’ tools; I was singing In-a-gadda-da-vida off-key. how very ill-informed this friend was.) and a $25 ticket for parking at a bagged In my best ESPN golf announcer voice, I • Gained the invaluable knowledge that I meter. “But it wasn’t bagged when I The next day I cheerfully loaded up my whispered a quick apology and can walk over seven miles without parked there,” I whined. saucy little leather backpack with socket scampered away. pulling a groin muscle. wrenches, pliers, flat and Phillips screw- “It shows that the meters were bagged at Wherever there is a putting green, there Lesson learned about leaving a car in a drivers, a vice grip, hammer, and a roll of 7 a.m.,” the police woman told me. “If will be a teeing-off place nearby. downtown parking lot overnight? I’d like duct tape. My plan was to walk to town, you’d gotten up early and taken care of Suddenly I was in a shimmering, lime to say “Priceless,” but that would be a lie. pick up a car battery at the nearby party your battery issue, this wouldn’t have green and pink plaid school of golfers. store or maybe Treasure Mart and figure The whine of electric golf carts was out how to fix the car myself, saving coming from behind while other golfers oodles of money and four miles’ worth of sashayed in front of me. automotive pollution. At that point I decided the golf course As I set out I was feeling quite plucky; I had too many players and too few cart was a cheery optimist who was finding paths, so I made a bee line for my something positive in a bad situation. I destination, the northwest edge of the was getting exercise! I was saving the course, racing across fairways and yelling planet! Uh-oh! I was already getting Calendar of Events Starting next month, we will have a calendar of events covering the second week in October through the first week of November. Please send your event information by September 23 to: [email protected]
“Sunflowers” by Karen Totten
www.groundcovernews.com