Fall 2008 15820 East Warren Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48224 Tel. (313) 881-4704 East Warren Farmers Market Help the Local Economy While Enjoying Good Food Once upon a time, it was easy to find tomatoes that actually tasted like tomatoes. They were soft and juicy, with a hint of sweetness. And they didn’t have those annoying little cor- porate logo stickers on them either. If you’re over 50, you probably have fond memories of such tomatoes. Fortunately there’s a growing movement to reverse the trend toward corporate-grown fruits and vegetables in favor of locally grown foods, and our community has reaped the bene- fits. Every Satur- day through the end of October, from 10 a.m. to est 3 p.m., a farm- ers’ market at Jim W Warren and All produce at the East Warren Farmers Market is grown in Michigan. Bishop offers MorningSide amount of food The farmers’ market program was and East English grown in Detroit organized by a partnership of several Village residents is pretty surpris- non-profits including the Warren- Michigan-grown ing, but we also Conner Development Corporation, produce—corn, attract farmers Wayne Metro Community Action peaches, toma- from all over Agency, Michigan State University toes, zucchini, southeast continued on page 2 blueberries— Michigan.” whatever is in Each week 6- season. 12 area vendors MorningSide Meetings The purpose bring their pro- of the farmers’ duce to market. 2nd Tuesday of each month market is two- Since they’re 7 p.m. fold, according selling directly to Ryan Hertz, the project coordinator to customers, Hertz says, they see Peace Lutheran Church of GROW (Growing and Retailing about 90-95 cents on the dollar. (Warren at Chatsworth) Opportunities in Wayne County). “You don’t have to sell as much to “Our main goal is to increase retail make a profit because you don’t “Working together to opportunities for farmers, especially have a whole string of middle strengthen our community” urban farmers,” says Hertz. “The managers.” Change is Coming Farmers Market continued from page 1 In the past few months our city and our nation have e’ve seen some rocky Extension, the Garden Resource Program, and Rebuilding gone through some turmoil. W Communities, with funding from the USDA (US Department of days, and our faith is being tested, but like the song- Agriculture). writer says “ When I look around and I think things over, all of my good days outweigh my bad days, and “Response to the market has been great,” says Hertz. He I won’t complain.” estimates that about 1700 people have patronized the Warren- MorningSide is experiencing some weary times in Bishop market over the course of the summer and hopes for this hour. The foreclosure rate in zip code 48224 is more as word of the market spreads. “People really appreciate among the highest in the country. We’ve seen an having it.” increase in crime, rented property, failing public You won’t find any bananas at this market, however, because schools districts, and we have reached only Michigan-grown produce is allowed. The reason an all time low in property value. The for that goes to the heart of GROW’s second goal— negative media attention the city has promoting environmental sustainability. “We want to been receiving over the past few educate people on the value of eating seasonally and months has not helped. knowing how much energy you save when you eat All of these depressing facts can things that are locally grown,” Hertz continues. “The leave one wanting and needing hope amount of fossil fuels you use is much less when you and in this time of despair, but a depend on local agriculture.” CHANGE is on its way. Now is not the time to complain but to take What’s next for GROW? “We’d like to increase action. With all of our downfalls I still opportunities for local gardeners,” Hertz says, “maybe believe that America is a great coun- by developing connections with local restaurants or try and that Detroit is the heart, soul, opening up more farmers’ markets next summer around and backbone of America. the city.” Now is the time for this blue collar, manufacturing For now, MorningSide and East English Village residents city of the world, home of the greatest sports fans in can support the local economy, reduce our “carbon footprint,” our nation, the city that is known for it classic and find a good tomato in our own backyard—and not a corpo- Motown Sound, trend setting style, the true interna- rate logo sticker in sight. Now that’s a good deal. tional city of America to stand tall and show this —Susan Newell nation that our sincerity does not come in our words, Secretary, MorningSide Board but it comes in our actions. Now is the time to embrace change! We must start to work with our city government and not just com- plain. This means that we must become more involved by attending community meetings and lend- ing a helping hand to the cause. We must become bet- ter acquainted with the voting booth and start electing officials based on intelligence, experience, and most importantly, willingness to serve the public, and not name recognition. We must let our voice be heard loud and clear that we want people in office who will bring integrity and leadership with them, not ego. It will take the people of this city to elect new lead- ership and to work with this leadership to create CHANGE. Let’s get out Detroit and embrace change 16353 E. Warren, Detroit (313) 885-3349 by voting on November 4th . If you are not registered to vote get registered by October 6th.. If you would like to volunteer your time in registering new voters in MorningSide then give Marcelus Brice a call at (313) 989-7421. To Mayor Ken Cockrel Jr., congratulations! We wish you great success in your endeavors to move our city forward. MorningSide welcomes and encourages you and your staff to become more involved in our community. Morning Side meets regularly every sec- ond Tuesday of each month at Peace Lutheran Church located on East Warren and Balfour at 7pm. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY HEAVEN CONTIN- UE TO SMILE UPON YOU! —Marcelus Brice President of MorningSide How Other Detroit Neighborhoods Are Dealing with the Foreclosure Crisis by Candice Williams tling against thefts. The east side tors aren’t willing to do. You have to Hundreds of homes across Detroit neighborhood is comprised of three somehow inspire the neighbors to keep have been abandoned due to the fore- streets: Burns, Iroquois and Seminole things looking presentable.” closure crisis and the impact is affect- between Jefferson and Mack avenues. Blight is also a problem in the ing neighbors. Now neighborhood Of the more than 350 homes in the Palmer Woods Historic District, said associations are calling on those neigh- neighborhood 50 of them sit empty Julie Hurwitz, a member of its associa- bors to help fight the problems of theft from a combination of foreclosures tion. The west side neighborhood is and blight. and outright mortgage fraud, said bounded by Woodward, Seven Mile, Some associations have reported Michaline Larson, member of the Evergreen Cemetery, Strathcona Drive that empty houses are lures for vandals Indian Village Association. and Argyle Crescent. There are several seeking scrap metal and architectural empty houses within a half block from treasures. The houses are desirable Whenever a house is her home and about 20 in the area. shelter for squatters while other houses foreclosed the association “They’re not only empty, but in bad are left unattended creating blight with updates neighbors so they shape,” Hurwitz said. “Even this decaying structures, overgrown lawns can keep an eye out on the neighborhood is getting bad. It’s the and stagnant swimming pools. property. last place you would have thought.” In East English Village, Bob Drury, One home is in such disrepair there a vice president of the association, said “The houses are just not reselling is a large hole in the roof. the neighborhood has a task force and fast enough to protect the property,” To combat the issues of theft in the block captains to combat theft and she said. “We do what we can do, but area the Palmer Woods began a trial blight. we’d like to see people move into run in July of creating a sort of gated There are 130-150 empty homes out them.” area community by cutting off the of 2,100 houses in the neighborhood To keep an eye out for vandals, majority of the streets with large cinder which is bordered by Cadieux, Outer Indian Village has its historical area blocks. They hope that it will decrease Drive/Whittier, Harper and Mack. security patrol, to which members vol- unnecessary traffic through the area. Whenever a house is foreclosed the untarily contribute. Neighbors also So far they’ve closed off all but two association updates neighbors so they volunteer to monitor nearby empty entrances to Woodward and all but two can keep an eye out on the property. homes. One neighbor witnessed a man to Seven Mile. “We’re trying to get the residents coming out of a home with a door in a “We’re gathering data to see if this take ownership of the houses next door wheelbarrow, Larson said. The neigh- is going to have an effect on the crime to them,” Drury said. “We talk with borhood has since placed alarms in rate in the area,” Hurwitz said.