07.19.2023

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STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG @ STREETSENSEDC VOL. 20 ISSUE 34 JULY 19 - AUG. 1, 2023
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Everyone at Street Sense Media works together to support and uplift our vendor community.

THE TEAM

VENDORS

Abel Putu, Aida Peery, Al Edmonson, Akindele

Akerejah, Amia Walker, Amina Washington, Andre Brinson, Andrew Anderson, Angie Whitehurst, Anthony

Carney, Antoinette Calloway, Archie Thomas, Beverly

Sutton, Brianna Butler, Burton Wells, Carlos

Carolina, Carol Motley, Carlton Johnson, Charles

Armstrong, Charles Woods, Chon Gotti, Chris Cole, Conrad Cheek, Corey

ARTISTIC WORKSHOPS

In 2017, we began hosting a number of different workshops aimed at helping our vendors develop skills beyond writing for our newspaper. On any given day, our vendors are illustrating, painting, recording podcasts, taking photos, rehearsing plays, organizing advocacy groups and coming together as a community.

Sanders, Daniel Ball, Darlesha Joyner, David Snyder, Debora Brantley, Degnon (Gigi) Dovonou, Dominique Anthony, Don Gardner, Donté Turner, Doris Robinson, Earl Parker, Dwayne Butler, Eric Glover, Eric Thompson-Bey, Erica Downing, Evelyn Nnam, Floyd Carter, Franklin Sterling, Frederic John, Freedom, Gerald Anderson, Greta Christian, Harriet Fields, Henrieese Roberts, Henry Johnson, Ivory Wilson,

Jacqueline “Jackie” Turner, Jacquelyn Portee, James Davis, James Hughes, Jeanette Richardson, Jeff Taylor, Jeffery McNeil, Jeffrey Carter, Jemel Fleming, Jennifer McLaughlin, Jermale McKnight, Jet Flegette, Jewel Lewis, John Alley, John Littlejohn, Josie Brown, Juliene Kengnie, Kenneth Middleton, Khadijah Chapman, Kym Parker, Laticia Brock, Laura Smith, Lawrence Autry, Levester Green, Lu Potter, L. Morrow,

Mango Redbook, Marc Grier, Marcus McCall, Mars, Martin Walker, Mary Sellman, Maurice Spears, Melody Byrd, Michael Warner, Michele Modica, Michele Rochon, Morgan Jones, Nikila Smith, Patricia Donaldson, Patty Smith, Phillip Black, Queenie Featherstone, Rashawn Bowser, Reginald Black, Reginald C. Denny, Ricardo Meriedy, Richard “Mooney”

Hart, Rita Sauls, Robert Warren, Rochelle Walker,

COVER DESIGN BY CASEY BACOT

Ron Dudley, Sasha Williams, Shuhratjon Ahmadjonov, Sybil Taylor, Tonya Williams

Vennie Hill, Warren Stevens, Wendell Williams, William Mack

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mary Coller Albert, Blake

Androff, Nana-Sentuo

Bonsu, Jonquilyn Hill, Stanley Keeve, Clare

Krupin, Ashley McMaster, Matt Perra, Michael Phillips, Daniel Webber, Shari

Wilson, Corrine Yu

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Brian Carome

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS

Doris Warrell

DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS

Darick Brown

DIRECTOR OF VENDOR

EMPLOYMENT

Thomas Ratliff

OUR
2 // STREET SENSE MEDIA // JULY 19 - AUG. 1, 2023
STORY

NEWS IN BRIEF

A note to our readers

Since the spring of 2021, Street Sense has published a new issue weekly. We had intended that to be permanent. However, due to current budgetary constraints, we are resuming biweekly publication of the newspaper starting with this issue.

Two encampments cleared in NoMa neighborhood

JESSICA RICH

Editorial Intern

By 10 a.m. on July 13, two encampments in the NoMa neighborhood dissipated, leaving remnants of the lives of those who resided there.

As per the D.C. Office of the Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services (DMHHS), the encampments were assessed and on June 29, given 14 days notice that the sites would be cleared.

An encampment located at 111 K St. NE was marked by a singular red tent, wedged between the overpass and the building to its right. The encampment clearing was completed by 9:50 a.m. on July 13, and was scheduled to include a full clean up and a biohazard removal, according to the DMHHS website. This clearing was conducted in accordance with D.C.’s “no camping” ordinance.

The second encampment located between 1st and C St. NW and 2nd and D St. NW was cleared out by 9:30 a.m. on the morning of July 13. No tents or individuals were present,

yet there were clothes, shoes and other items left behind. This encampment clearing was also scheduled to include a full clean up and biohazard removal.

According to DMHHS, encampment protocol engagements are a cross-agency effort. This means once DMHHS receives reports of encampments, they conduct outreach and complete assessments where they decide whether or not some place qualifies as an encampment.

D.C. ‘s encampment protocol dictates that the encampment receive 14 days written notice that the clearing will take place. It is understood that during this time, residents will be connected with necessary and appropriate services which might provide aid for periods of transition. Such services can include connecting individuals with the Department of Behavioral Health, Department of Human Services or with other non-governmental organizations like local shelters.

EVENTS AT SSM

ANNOUNCEMENTS

□ The July vendor meeting will be Friday, July 28, at 2 p.m. Come for pizza, drinks and fellowship!

□ The theater workshop performance of No Place to Call Home is on Thursday, July 27, at 4:30 p.m. at Planet Word.

□ Wondering if the office is closed today? Curious about the workshop schedule? Keep up with the latest vendor information at streetsensemedia.org/vendor-info.

□ Receive extra newspapers for referring someone you know to new vendor Orientation. Every Tuesday and Thursday at 2 p.m.

BIRTHDAYS

Eric Glover

July 23

ARTIST/VENDOR

Freedom

July 25

ARTIST/VENDOR

VENDOR CODE OF CONDUCT

Read this democratically elected code of conduct, by vendors, for vendors!

1. I will support Street Sense Media’s mission statement and in so doing will work to support the Street Sense Media community and uphold its values of honesty, respect, support, and opportunity.

2. I will treat all others, including customers, staff, volunteers, and fellow vendors, respectfully at all times. I will refrain from threatening others, pressuring customers into making donations, or engaging in behavior that condones racism, sexism, classism, or other prejudices.

3. I understand that I am not an employee of Street Sense Media but an independent contractor.

4. While distributing the Street Sense newspaper, I will not ask for more than $2 per issue or solicit donations by any other means.

5. I will only purchase the newspaper from Street Sense Media staff and volunteers and will not distribute newspapers to other vendors.

VENDOR PROGRAM ASSOCIATES

Aida Peery, Clifford

Samuels, Chon

Gotti

VENDOR

PROGRAM

VOLUNTEERS

Beverly Brown, Roberta Haber, Ann Herzog, Madeleine

McCollough, Dylan Onderdonksnow, Amelia Stemple, Tyler Bruno

MANAGER OF ARTISTIC WORKSHOPS

Maria Lares

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Will Schick

DEPUTY EDITOR

Kaela Roeder

STAFF REPORTER

Annemarie Cuccia

EDITORIAL INTERNS

Cole Kindiger

Jessica Rich, Casey Bacot, Gabriela

Ferreira Reitz

ARTISTS-INRESIDENCE

Ariane Mohseni (Film), Bonnie Naradzay (Poetry), David Serota (Illustration), Lalita Clozel (Film), Willie Schatz (Writing), Leslie Jacobson (Theater), Roy Barber (Theater), Rachel Dungan

(Podcast)

ARTS EDITOR (VOLUNTEER)

Austine Model

OPINION EDITOR (VOLUNTEER)

Candace Montague

EDITORIAL

VOLUNTEERS

Josh Axelrod,

Ryan Bacic, Lilah Burke, Chelsea Ciruzzo, Lenika Cruz, Alison Henry, Kathryn Owens, Andrew Siddons, Bill Meincke

6. “I will not distribute copies of “Street Sense” on metro trains and buses or on private property.”

7. I will abide by the Street Sense Media Vendor Territory Policy at all times and will resolve any related disputes with other vendors in a professional manner.

8. I will not sell additional goods or products while distributing “Street Sense.”

9. I will not distribute “Street Sense” under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

10. I understand that my badge and vest are property of Street Sense Media and will not deface them. I will present my badge when purchasing “Street Sense” and will always display my badge when distributing “Street Sense.”

STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG // 3

DC shelter hotline found to deliver inconsistent information amid latest update

D.C. upgraded its shelter hotline to a new call center system on June 9 to include new greetings and prompt options. A Street Sense audit of the hotline found inconsistencies with information it provided to people who called the number.

In a test of multiple calls, the hotline disconnected or directed callers to a voicemail box. Nine calls were made to the hotline between June 9 and July 17. When an employee was reached, they said transportation could not be requested to a specific location. They instead gave the addresses of two van pickup spots. At these spots, usually located outside of day centers, vans arrive at 4:30 p.m. to bring individuals to local shelters. Street Sense identified itself each time it spoke with an employee from the hotline.

According to an email from the D.C. Department of Human Services (DHS), the city created a new call center system to improve customer service. The system gives callers multiple prompt options to direct their call. The update also allows the hotline to track call wait time and respond to calls remotely in case of a power outage.

Those who have used the hotline before and after the update say it is unreliable.

“Nothing has changed,” said Nikila Smith, a vendor at Street Sense Media. “It still doesn’t work.”

Other people who have used the hotline said they encountered similar issues . Some shared past experiences with calling the hotline during hypothermia season to request for transportation and blankets, only to later wait for a van that never arrived.

Another Street Sense Media vendor, Queenie Featherstone said she felt the hotline can create a sense of false hope during already difficult times for people experiencing homelessness. When requesting transportation or resources, hotline employees instruct callers to stay in their location until a van arrives to either take them to a shelter or deliver requested resources.

According to Featherstone and Smith, these vans can take multiple days to arrive. Some say the van never arrives at all.

Transportation services can be especially complicated for those with disabilities who require extra assistance. According to one hotline employee that Street Sense spoke to, the vans are not guaranteed to be ADA-accessible.

Abel Putu has used a wheelchair his entire life. He said that in his experience with shelters and the hotline, the amount of help he receives depends on the employees more than anything.

“It depends on if the good people work that day,” he said. “It’s rough.”

People can only request transportation after 7:30 p.m. without a guarantee that the shelter will still have available beds. According to one person who answered the hotline, most shelters in the District begin their nightly intake at 5:30 p.m.,

with several generating lines outside as early as 3:30 p.m. Another employee said shelters begin their intake around 7:00 p.m.

The hotline is run by the United Planning Organization (UPO). It is funded by the Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness through grant funds provided by DHS.

According to UPO’s 2021 Needs Assessment Report, 94,549 rides were provided to homeless customers through the hotline. It is unclear whether or not these ride requests were ever fulfilled.

The shelter hotline is available daily from 8 a.m. to midnight to assist unhoused people with emergency shelter, social services and temporary housing issues. During hypothermia alerts — when the temperature or wind chill falls below 32ºF from November 1 to March 31 — the hotline is available 24/7.

According to the UPO website, the hotline aims to bring

people living outside to local shelters — no matter the time of year. It also provides those in need with clothing, blankets and sleeping bags. However, when Street Sense dialed the hotline, an employee gave conflicting information and said transportation was unavailable.

The hotline is advertised on several government websites and outside of most shelters and day centers in D.C. Of the seven vendors asked, only three knew of the hotline and its services.

DHS did not respond to multiple email and phone requests for comment to the shelter hotline for details

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Bulletin board outside of the Downtown Day Services Center advertising the shelter hotline. Photo by Casey Bacot

DC Council partially reforms Rapid Rehousing, expands tenant protections

At its last meeting before the summer recess, the D.C. Council voted unanimously to pass two bills related to housing. The first reforms a major housing program for people exiting homelessness. The second builds on existing tenant protections.

First, the council approved a measure to allow families in Rapid Rehousing (RRH) to remain beyond the usual time limit if they are unable to afford housing without the subsidy. Though RRH is supposed to help families afford rent on their own after a year, few participants have been able to achieve this, leading advocates and some legislators to warn that the program cycles people back into homelessness. The emergency legislation, if signed by the mayor, would be in place for 90 days while the council considers permanent reform.

The second major bill builds on tenant protections the council passed last spring to cap application fees at $50 and require landlords to provide 30 days’ notice to tenants ahead of any rent increases. This year’s version — approved July 11 on first reading — strengthens those measures, requiring 60 days’ notice of rent increases and applying stricter rules on fees. The $50 limit now applies to the sum of all fees charged during the application process, including processing fees. Both provisions are aimed at reducing burdens and uncertainty for low-income renters, according to the bill’s committee report.

At-large Councilmember Robert White, who chairs the Housing Committee and co-introduced the RRH bill, said the D.C. Department of Human Services (DHS) is already allowing some families to stay in the program after their subsidy was supposed to have expired. But there was no guarantee the policy would continue through mid-September, when the council is scheduled to reconvene. The bill ensures any families whose subsidies expire — 207 families in the next six months, according to White — will be considered for an extension.

To qualify for an extension, RRH participants will need to be in good standing with the program. DHS will extend subsidies for six months at a time, as long as funding is available.

“It’s a really important measure to mitigate harm for D.C. families, particularly while Council is out on recess,” the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless wrote in an email to Street Sense Media and the DC Line. “Ultimately, we look forward to seeing the permanent legislation that reforms Rapid Rehousing move forward.”

In theory, RRH provides a 12- or 18-month housing subsidy for people leaving homelessness. The goal is for participants to use that time to increase their income so that they can pay rent on their own when the subsidy ends. However, in fiscal year 2021, families increased their income by just $39 a month on average, far short of the amount needed to afford the full

rent. Additionally, participants report inconsistent support from case managers.

The Department of Human Services paused some exits from RRH during the last few years due to the pandemic, but ultimately ended the subsidies of over 400 families in the spring of 2022. The agency provided another 700 with a longer-term housing subsidy.

During discussion on the bill, Council Chair Phil Mendelson — who co-introduced the emergency measure — said lawmakers still plan to fully reform RRH. Mendelson proposed legislation last year, but the council never voted on it.

“The Rapid Rehousing program is not being used, in my view, as effectively as it should be. It’s supposed to be shortterm housing to help those that can get back on their feet … instead of just sticking them in a perpetual cycle of housing challenge,” Mendelson said. “I don’t think that the Department of Human Services has gotten Rapid Rehousing right.”

Unlike the RRH measure that won temporary approval, the other bill, the Fairness in Renting Act is permanent legislation. The council will need to pass it on second reading in order for it to become law.

At-large Councilmember Christina Henderson introduced the bill this January with initial backing from nine colleagues. After the council last year limited the application fee landlords can charge, some landlords began charging additional fees to make up for the lost income, White said.

Marta Beresin, with the Health Justice Alliance Law Clinic at Georgetown Law Center, said at a May 18 public hearing on the bill that landlords have begun charging her clients extra fees when they apply for rental housing. Often called processing or holding fees, they can amount to $600. According to testimony from Brit Ruffin, director of policy and advocacy at the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless, high fees during

the application process can discriminate against low-income people who lack the disposable income to bear the extra cost.

The Apartment and Office Building Association of Metropolitan Washington (AOBA), which represents the owners of over 430,000 rental units in D.C., supported the clarification that the total application fees are limited to $50, the organization said in a statement. However, AOBA said the bill goes too far by preventing landlords from charging other fees that may be necessary and appropriate in the leaseup process, like move-in and holding fees. Holding fees, for instance, can provide flexibility for renters who can’t move in immediately, according to AOBA.

“It appears the Council is more focused on prohibiting sensible and relatively small upfront fees than addressing the primary cost drivers of housing,” AOBA’s Director of Policy Communications Alex Rossello wrote in an email to Street Sense Media and The DC Line, adding the legislation “has become a vehicle for making drastic changes to landlord-tenant law far beyond that bill’s original scope.”

In addition to capping application fees, the bill limits to $50 the amount that landlords can charge tenants who sublease their apartments. It also bans landlords from billing tenants for routine maintenance costs, or keeping part of a tenant’s security deposit to cover professional cleaning or standard wear and tear of a unit.

White hopes that the legislation will save tenants money and increase options for tenants searching for new housing.

“By passing this bill, council is taking a step to strengthen its position that housing is a right that must be accessible to all,” White said during the July council meeting. This article was co-published with The DC Line.

STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG // 5
The new bills aim to reduce burdens and uncertainty for low-income renters. Photo by Casey Bacot

Homelessness, life and family with the Landéns

Pelle has hardly sat down in Faktum’s Malmö office before he wants to play one of his nephew Dennis’ songs, ‘Hemlöshet’ (Homelessness). “That’s one of my favorites,” Pelle says. “He’s singing about the reality [of homelessness].”

Dennis himself isn’t so enthusiastic; it’s an old song with a sound he has moved away from now. But the flattery from his uncle Pelle is hard to resist, and their heads bob in unison as the song plays on Dennis’ mobile phone.

In the song, Dennis Landén raps about drug abuse, lack of compassion and the invisibility that comes with homelessness. It is clear that Pelle recognizes himself in the lyrics. “I often think about problems such as exclusion,” he says. “A lot of it is about how we treat each other as people.”

Pelle grew up in the Skåne countryside in southern

Sweden in the 1970s. His lifelong enthusiasm for the rock group Kiss was born before he turned 10, and he made his first electric guitar in woodwork class. It was an imitation of Paul Stanley’s legendary black and white instrument. ‘Rock and Roll All Nite’ was being played everywhere when Pelle held his first gigs in front of the mirror in the boys’ room. His confirmation present from his siblings a few years later was his first real guitar. Pelle is the youngest of six. There were seven of them, but after an unexpected illness, Pelle’s youngest big sister died last year. Pelle describes his childhood, spent outside of Lund, as “heaven and hell” and admits he contributed plenty to the latter.

“There was always someone to argue with,” he reflects. “But we had fun and were quite fortunate in that we had food on the table and clean clothes every day.”

Life was harder at school. Pelle was bullied, and violence was his way of silencing the bullies who tormented him — an effective, but not very sustainable method. The principal

at Nyvångskolan in Dalby had enough of the troublesome eighth grader: Pelle was expelled and would never return to education again.

While searching for something new he came across alcohol. Drinking quickly became a daily occurrence for Pelle for the next 20 years.

It was a very dark period; it was as though two decades “disappeared,” as he puts it. Alcohol combined with a tendency towards violence led to several spells in jail, and he was well-known by the authorities in southern Sweden at that time.

“The last time I did time I couldn’t stay in Skåne; they didn’t want me here,” Pelle recounts. “My lawyer told me, ‘You are the first client I have worked with who has been moved away like this.’” Pelle laughs when he thinks about the lawyer’s amazement at this turn of events.

Pelle always looks on the positive side of things. Sometimes he has thoughts about how he ruined his life, but

NEWS 6 // STREET SENSE MEDIA // JULY 19 - AUG. 1, 2023
Pelle and Dennis. Photo by Åsa Sjöström

he is good at finding a silver lining. “That period gave me a whole load of experiences,” he says.

Pelle has lots of anecdotes, not least from his time in jail. We travel through years and prisons and fights and escapes as we talk, deviating for a short story about his time as a hustler and his love of 1950s music, only to be thrown back into a new prison and anecdote.

It is clear that Dennis is used to hearing Pelle’s stories: his shifting focus between the narrative and his mobile phone suggests that it’s probably not the first time he has heard these tales. The Landén family is both large and close, and when Dennis is asked about his early memories of Pelle, it is a family get together he thinks of first. There were often parties at one of Pelle’s brothers’ place, with all sorts of rock music blaring from the speakers — or dansbandsmusik [dance band music] if Dennis’ mum got to choose.

“It’s the same today. She always has the radio on playing her dansband shit,” Dennis sighs.

Dennis hasn’t lived the same sort of “highwayman’s life” as many of his older relatives. School never worked for him, but he was always there and did his best. His spare time was spent hanging out with friends and playing football, like most teenagers. However, when Dennis turned 18 in 2012, he discovered a tumor in his foot. It was benign and only needed an operation to be removed, but the tumor returned again and again and needed further surgery to

remove it altogether. Between the operations, Dennis was given medicine by the hospital to manage the pain. In the end, the tumor went, but he was left with an addiction to the painkillers.

“I took codeine and tramadol, whichever I could get hold of,” he says. “Then I also started smoking joints.”

Music has been really important in Dennis’ life too. After just one year in high school, Dennis left and started working in a warehouse. But something was missing. Soon he found a leisure center in Staffanstorp that had a music studio. Dennis felt right at home here.

“It didn’t take long before I knew this was my passion,” he grins. “I like being able to express my feelings through music.”

However, drugs and alcohol were taboo at the center. For Dennis, there was only one option — and so the leisure center and music helped him to recover from his addiction, and whenever he wasn’t driving a forklift in the warehouse, he was at the music studio.

Today, Dennis is signed to his cousin’s label. He has released two albums and several singles, all self-produced. A nasty football injury three years ago means that Dennis can no longer work at the warehouse and has had to move back in with his dad, Janne, in Staffanstorp. But just like his uncle Pelle, Dennis is good at looking on the positive side of things.

The injury means that Dennis can spend more time on his passion. If he’s not recording new songs in his home studio, he spends a lot of his time on charity work. He donates all his income from Spotify to a football academy in Kenya, and he is active in the Malmö Angels, who help children from deprived backgrounds. At Christmas he gave out presents at Malmö’s Children’s Hospital.

“When the doctors said I couldn’t play football anymore, I wanted to still be useful and realised I could help others,” he says. “I think the little things make a difference.”

Pelle is full of praise for his nephew’s work. He is in the middle of a discussion about how he would have liked to have done the same, how cool Dennis’ actions are, when he realizes it’s high time for a cigarette break. Nobody will take nicotine from him as long as he lives. “You’ve got to have some vices,” he winks.

Pelle has been sober from drugs and alcohol since 2002. The years before were tough. He was let down by his love at the time and lost his home in Staffanstorp. He lived with a friend in Lund who used amphetamines and smoked grass: “I couldn’t just sit and watch,” he says. He worked for his brother’s removals company, but around the same time his knees gave up the ghost, and he had to shoplift just to get food for the day.

It was during The Malmö Festival in August 2001 that Pelle heard about a new street paper from a friend.

Back then it was called Aluma — today, it’s Faktum. Pelle was hesitant at first and didn’t want to stand there in public and admit he was homeless. But after he sold 20 papers in half an hour, he was convinced. He could support himself through his work as a vendor, and life took on a new meaning. He reduced his use of drugs and alcohol, and today — 22 years later — Pelle still comes in a couple of times a week to buy papers to sell outside the ICA supermarket on Fäladstorget in Lund.

“Faktum has meant everything [to me],” he says. “I hope it will continue, even after I stop selling. Even when I was in hospital, I made my brother buy papers for me.”

Finding himself sober and with an income, Pelle could spend more time on what he loved: music. Sons of Twelve Bars, Bluestolvans Söner and Inget Namn were three bands he was part of during the 2000s — playing the guitar, of course. He would have loved to still be playing today, but a hard life has left its mark. Pelle has arthritis in his hands, and it is getting harder and harder to play chords on the guitar. Today he uses a wheelchair. He was diagnosed with diabetes in 2002, and blood poisoning recently cost him two toes.

It has also hit him hard that so many of those around him have passed away. But Pelle is not the first to give up.

“My role model is the knight in Monty Python,” he explains. “He lost his arms, legs and everything but carried on fighting. I am a fighter.”

Surviving is the main focus these days for Pelle. He wants to keep selling his papers in peace and quiet as well as playing his old rock records and being a good human being. Every day is far from simple, but he has a large family behind him making each day a little easier.

“I never need to wonder if anyone cares about me,” he says. “We have a connection I think very few have, and it’s ok to just be yourself.”

Dennis nods in agreement. As long as they don’t see each other too often, though. “There are over 40 people in the family now with lots of children, so meeting for celebrations a couple of times a year is enough!” he says, laughing.

Courtesy of Faktum / International Network of Street Papers

STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG // 7
Translated from Swedish via Translators without Borders Pelle Landén sold Faktum in Lund and was also active with the National Association for Social and Mental health, RSMH. At the association building on Dalbyvägen, Pelle and Dennis met through music and chewing the fat. Photo by Åsa Sjöström

This is the month of July which brings the Fourth of July, National Sugar Cookie Day, I Love Horses Day, National Junk Food Day, Summer Leisure Day, World Chocolate Day, World Emoji Day, National Graham Crackers Day, National Vanilla Ice Cream Day, Tell an Old Joke Day, National Lasagna Day and National Wine and Cheese Day. There are so many events this month.

This is the month for barbeques, swimming and keeping cool with A/C. Lots of cooling centers. Lots of storms and rain, and lots of insects and birds chirping. This month is my dad's birthday on July 22. Happy heavenly birthday dad, you are missed and loved by your family. He is truly missed. My family and I usually visit his grave.

Listen to The Temptations' song, “Memories.”

My time in Aruba

I went there 10 years ago. I took the first plane to Philadelphia and the second to Aruba. It was fascinating because it was a small plane. I enjoyed the flight. Then, when I arrived, I took a taxi to the hotel. Aruba is very nice. It is sunny all the time, and the water is just beautiful. I saw fish when I went fishing on a boat. I caught some dolphins and red snapper. And when I was on the beach, I saw an iguana. They are beautiful, but I was surprised to see them.

What is wrong?

There is wrong. They are wrong too. There is wrong.

My adventure

I went to the beach and had so much fun. I spent time with my family and the weather was nice.

I went to see the fireworks. I enjoyed myself with my friends and family. The fireworks were really exciting. I would like to take a trip somewhere one day in God’s time, maybe Paris.

I love food, fried chicken with broccoli. That was always my favorite food. I love eating it with my family. I love the crunch and the taste. I like to use

A global economic recession

Has your business considered e-commerce in light of COVID-19? A number of businesses have been adversely affected by slowing or changing delivery dates for stores, supermarkets, retail establishments as have others that utilize a supply chain management business model.

These models are contingent on each part of the chain operating seamlessly. When one part of the chain is missing, another moves forward.

Hence e-commerce can be a viable option for such businesses in place of having a traditional 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. retail store model. Upon completing a business class in 2010 at a church in

Prince George's County, Maryland, I learned that having seven streams of income is sufficient to ensure you have financial sustainability. Now, that doesn’t mean you have to have seven jobs!

For example, you can have several online businesses, hobbies that generate revenue. And a traditional job to earn your “bill money” rain or shine and six other revenue streams. Such a structure might look like this:

A traditional 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. job: Something that pays state and federal taxes, possibly a deferred pension, that helps you accrue retirement income. Later in life, this can be your Social Security check, which you can receive at 62 or wait until you’re

70 for your deferred pension.

Hobbies to generate income:

• Writing for paying publications.

• Speaking engagements.

• Cleaning commercial or residential establishments.

• E-commerce: online store selling, other writing.

• Creating curricula for profit and non-profit organizations that want to educate managers, supervisors and coordinators.

• Providing training manuals that include models that reflect current industry standards for call centers and Fortune 500 companies.

8 // STREET SENSE MEDIA // JULY 19 - AUG. 1, 2023 ART
July
Juliene Kegnie with her “best” customer. Photo courtesy of Juliene Kengnie

Equestrian pianist: Birth to maturity

AKINDELE AKEREJAH

Artist/Vendor

Aries is the most childish of fire signs in the zodiac. And a Sagittarius is the most mature of all the fire signs of the zodiac like my friend, Sarah Jorgensen of Washington, D.C. The CEO of Street Sense Media, Brian Carome is an Aries. With respect to the latter, I fall under the Leo sign, which is the “adolescent” as described in some of the astrology texts I perused online.

For this series, free association was the means that I used to suggest that the little girl pushing the 88 keys on her piano might connect to a horseman like Sarah by means of the work of Leo the Lion, the middle man of achievement. It seems I’ve learned something other than rams are to be roasted with the goat meats. RIP Daniel!

The Outback Trading Company produced the hat and video ad for the piece that is inspired by the adult that I mentioned. I pray the magazine is old enough for that minor woman modeling to at least chime in on that picture and photo of the drawing from a perspective that might round out our understanding of this now, epic saga. #The WhiteKit-KatSyndicate

“It matters not how slowly we move, provided that we do not stop” - Confucius

Empowering lives through mental health

MAURICE SPEARS

Artist/Vendor

Aa a therapist entrepreneur consultant, I am passionate about making a positive impact on individuals' lives. Having faced my own share of hardships, including incarceration and struggling with mental health issues, I understand the transformative potential of seeking help and finding support.

I believe that by being open and compassionate listeners, we can break down barriers and build trust with those who may have been let down by others in the past. Many individuals are hesitant to share their experiences and emotions due to fear of judgment or feeling unheard. It is my mission to change this narrative.

Through my work as a Street Sense Media vendor, I have witnessed firsthand the power of supporting and uplifting others through storytelling. Seeing how it has transformed my own life, I am dedicated to aiding others in their journey towards personal growth and wellbeing.

With the motto "Teamwork makes the dream work," I am committed to helping not only friends and family but also neighbors and anyone who may need guidance. Through Newstarzofdc Enterprise, a venture aimed at changing lives, I hope to extend this support further.

In conclusion, my passion for being a therapist entrepreneur consultant stems from my desire to make a difference. I firmly believe that together, we can bring about real-life changes and empower individuals to overcome their struggles. Let us all work towards creating a brighter and more harmonious future for everyone.

Freedom

ROCHELLE WALKER

Artist/Vendor

It was 1776 when our country got its freedom. And many years before that, Christ was born. Since then — 1776 — the Fourth of July has become a regular holiday. There is no looking back on all the highs and lows of this world. But freedom has made our nation stronger. Similarly, Christ died so we can be free. Freedom of speech is guaranteed in the first amendment. He brought us back from sin to life.

Blue is the color of celebration. The color of hope is red. Blue skies, yellow moon, the color of freedom is white. When the three colors come together they make fireworks.

The prayer for the nation is, “Bless the land, save the people, feed the homeless, clothe the needy, shelter the American people, give grace to the humble and give us peace through the blue rainbow colors that come our way.”

STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG // 9

Y’all wrong for what y’all are doing

Just because we’re in a better place doesn’t mean you all should stop serving minorities that don’t have an income. Just because some of us are living in an apartment doesn’t mean that we have an income for food, (especially when the food stamps are gone because prices went up). Let’s not forget hygiene and household cleaning products, and the other necessities you need for everyday cleaning your body and your house.

Before McPherson Square was closed for renovations, organizations used to come out on the weekends and provide us with stuff like shampoo, toothpaste, underwear (for both men and women), deodorant, toilet paper, lotion, wipes, food, etc. Now, where will they start providing this stuff if they don’t come to McPherson Square? I have heard sometimes they come, sometimes they don’t, that we just have to wait and see. I’ve had organizations and staff say they don’t know. So basically, we’re just assed out if we run out of products now.

How can we get these things if you don’t have an income? Everyone doesn't get an SSI check and many of us have issues getting a job.

This ain’t to everybody. This is to you all that get government funding for these types of situations and hardly spend that moolah on us. There’s places that make it hard for the minority and there’s still people that are homeless. So what help are we going to get if you people keep sitting on your butts and just looking us over? I can say there’s a few people that actually really care about us, even if they know that their co-workers are doing wrong. But some of you act like you’re doing your job but are really just prolonging people’s homeless situations. Not only that, you’re also stealing when you’re not using the government's funding for its purpose. Sometimes I go into certain day centers and the staff is on the phone more than their mind is on their job. Yes, I know they have a work phone for some day centers but, I’m not talking ‘bout that one just in

Life is better when you win

Unlike politics, sports is a merit-based system. We don't play to be diverse. We play to win. I’m unhappy with our politicians because they aren't putting America in a position to prosper and succeed. Forget about winning. We’re not even in the competition.

America ranks 11th in science, 30th in math, and according to the World Economic Forum. In a study published by the Peterson Foundation, we are ranked 13th in infrastructure. America may be the dominant superpower, but it is mocked by elitists. We no longer have the fire or desire to be number one.

There was a time when our political parties set aside their differences to do what was best for the country. Today it’s anything but America. It’s not like we don't have the money or resources to make this country truly great.

What has precipitated our decline is America’s forfeiture of merit for diversity. Now that the Supreme Court ruled affirmative action unconstitutional, we can again put the most competent people in power.

I am tired of listening about slavery when hundreds of millions of people are living in deep poverty, many without food, lights or clean water. Every culture, race, and ethnic group has faced some form of injustice by the powers at be. In the early 20th century, the Irish encountered “need not apply” signs when searching for jobs in the U.S. Throughout history, Jews were forced to live in ghettos and Italians equally faced similar discrimination. At different points in U.S. history, Asians were barred from entering the country and put in internment camps. Truth is the only social program that cures poverty, racism, and depression is to win. The same racist that hates your guts will respect you if he knows you can whoop him. I don't want to be on any team because I didn't beat the best competition. When you win, you are treated like royalty. Parades are thrown for you, and people want to meet you. The food is better when you win. When you win, you become a rock star. This is why, I for one, dream of having a mansion in Georgetown, hobnobbing with the winners, not the pitiful smucks waiting for reparations.

But living in a world of equality means living in permanent mediocrity. In an equal system, nobody strives for excellence. In such a system, people are rewarded based on the status of their perceived “victimhood” rather than what adversities they

overcame to win. It is a world where everyone gets a trophy. When you try to build a world that eliminates competition for diversity, what incentive do you have to improve education, find the best doctors, or make your highways stronger and more efficient?

Unfortunately, In America, we penalize the guy who busts his ass while we cut checks for the suckerwho did nothing but have his hand out saying “feed me.”

What is this? Our politicians are fighting for student loan forgiveness, but where is the policy for the person that, managed to work two jobs, went to night school, and manage to get a degree?

I’m often described as an asshole because I have no remorse for my rivals. But let me ask, do the Yankees care for the Red

case some genius is thinking, “How do you know we ain’t on my work phone?” I hear half of these conversations. They’re often talking about personal things that ain’t got nothing to do with helping us. Isn't part of a job policy to leave your personal life outside of your work environment?

Thank you to those that are still going above and beyond to help us even if it means putting in extra time to cover somebody else’s duty. The Lord sees that and blesses those that bless others, don’t forget that. We all thank you. But for those that are just sitting on your butts and in it for the money, will you please get off your butts and do your jobs, or find somebody else that would. Thank you.

Sox? Both are playing to feed their families. If one doesn't make the playoff, they lose their bonus checks. Some don't understand it’s not personal, and while you may be okay being mediocre, I have to surround myself with ambitious people that want more out of life than hand me downs.

We have the best athletes, wear the best clothes, make the best music, and lead from the front, not behind.

My point is, the only social program that worked for eternity was winning. And I’m glad the Supreme Court finally struck down affirmative action.

10 // STREET SENSE MEDIA // JULY 19 - AUG. 1, 2023 OPINION
Donté Turner is an artist and vendor for Street Sense Media. Jeffery McNeil is an artist and vendor for Street Sense Media. Photo by Ian Hutchinson// Unsplash.com

Egg-glop jazz: 52nd Street style

Oh, being 27 and full of fire in the belly and dwelling in a little walk up in Manhattan’s “fifties.” More than a “barrel of…” -Jazz cats! My “crib” was the third floor atop a winding little iron and terrazzo staircase at 301 East 56th. An axis of art for real: Down second was Alphabet City and the 14th Street Palladium Corridor. And, since Manhattan is as narrow as she is long, crosstown jaunts were easy indeed. On steamy summer evenings — particularly Thursday (Jazz Night) you could likely find me craning my neck through the peephole into the narrow tunnel-like room spying on trumpeter Ray Eldridge blatting his beautiful crazy bell alongside Eddie Conden’s namesake proprietor strumming his worn Gibson semi-hollow! Of a frequent early a.m. between scarce acting gigs or

kitchen temp work, I loved to rush downtown on the seven train and pop out of a sawtooth deco subway hatch under a robin’s egg solid sky in Chinatown and stumble into Mama Wong’s dinner and allow Mama top greet me with her customary overflow crockery bowl.

What lay within could be quickly inhaled through a filmy curtail of fragrant vaporous steam: hand-spun egg drop. Mama proudly poured free seconds (Hell, in 1980 the base price of only one buck!) She proclaimed lovingly in a Szechuan accent, “Here, more egg glop soup!”

Twas another formica-tabled in the fort that I huddled over coffee in classic Homer Laughlin ringed motif with City Island native Tony Graye. Born “Graziano” this TV repairman tenor sax whiz shrugged when I cited a Neal Cassidy metaphor regarding the 1940s style china cups.

“Who dat?” he chortled. This from someone who as a boy in knee pants, worshiped at the tarnished throne of Charlie “Yardbird” Parker and absorbed every note of “Donna Lee,” “Just Friends,” “Koko” and so much more! How could Mister Graye, franated would be hipster, not grok on the obvious umbilical connection between Jack Kerouac, “On the Road” and the legendary Dean Moriarty (Cassidy in actuality) in their

Bohemian reliance on the energy flow of bebop jazz?

Well, looking back down the wayback machine cardboard (and sign glass) periscope of our present day, I tremble visibly with peasant gratitude. I’m reflecting how, through the kind of offices of Graye/Graziano and his pal on the bandstand Ray Riviera, la smooth tan rhythm guitarist) with when I’d already appeared in a Duke Ellington cabaret sequence of the movie “Cotton Club”) I’d gotten to form a pickup tiro playing on 9th avenue opposite of the main post office. Depending on who showed up, i.e. Danny cell! Or Larry London, we worked tinto a quartet/quintet. But our name remained NY Aces. And Tom, in 1982, at the time, had his 45 record spinning in every Rockola or wurlitzer disc club jukebox up and down ninth and tenth avenues. My dear dad had just died, but I still recall the hit side of the platter: “Both feet on the move.” w Ray River caught up to me in early 83, just after I returned from handling my late father’s affairs in D.C. “Tony kneeled over diving our big band rehearsal in the river boat lounge at the base of the Empire State Building. Massive heart attack. His daughter said it all. Tony died with his boots on!

Inconsiderate people

There are people in this world who think the world revolves around them. They never consider the other person it may affect. Ignore inconsiderate people, they will learn the hard way.

Housing crisis

My name is Josie Brown. I live in an unhealthy environment, a basement apartment which I plan on moving out of before the end of July. The conditions with the rodents and black bugs and waterflies are bad. I moved here in July of 2020. I didn’t know there was such a problem with these rodents because if I had known, I would have moved way before now. Also, I experience bad connections with cable and wifi, which messes up my ability to watch TV and get on the internet. Readers, if you can, I would like your help getting into a better housing situation. Not a basement where I have to climb stairs but a place with an elevator, preferably a senior building. If you know of anyone that accepts housing choice vouchers for a one-bedroom in the Northwest or Northeast, please reach out to me as soon as possible at brownjosie571@gmail.com.

Uncharted escapades

Natural disasters would put me outside my comfort zone. While I don’t plan to experience a tornado or a volcanic eruption, I would love to travel the U.S. and the world for some adventure. There are some places that come to mind for different reasons. I would love to go to Hawaii and Bora Bora. I hear it is nice all year round. I would also love to go back to California at least once a year or so, and go to Vegas and New York with my favorite people.

My home is Washington, D.C. and I love it. But my second favorite place is San Diego, California. I notice a lot of places can sometimes feel like home away from home.

Rich man, poor man

Matter of fact, you came here with nothing and you will leave here with nothing. You can have a house, you can have apartment buildings and some folks may even have mansions. But, you will leave here, all of us, empty-handed. I’m starting to believe that all of this material stuff at my age is just to show people what type of person you really were before you left here. Were you a greedy person? Were you a jealous type? What some people call a “showboat,” some people like to show off. And that’s my opinion on all of that. Peace out.

STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG // 11

‘A punch to the gut:’ What SCOTUS’ student loan decision means to DC-area borrowers

When Cesar Toledo learned that most of his student loan debt might be forgiven last year, he “felt like a weight lifted from my shoulders.”

Toledo had $25,000 in student loan debts. Under President Biden’s student loan forgiveness program, he would have had $20,000 of those debts forgiven. He and his partner began talking about buying a home and adopting children. But those plans were upended when the Supreme Court struck down the program in late June. Now, he and millions of other borrowers will need to start repaying those loans in October, and student loan interest will resume Sept. 1.

“It feels like a punch to the gut,” Toledo told DCist/ WAMU. “My partner and I now have to push back some major life decisions because of this crippling debt that we both are strapped to.”

Toledo, who is in his early 30s, is uncertain of how exactly to move forward. He estimates that it would take about 10 years to pay off his debt if he stays in the region.

Toledo is especially attuned to education policy issues; he is the deputy director of Democrats for Education Reform D.C. His organization wants to see local government step up and expand programs to help lower student debt, and they hope the D.C. Council and mayor will take action.

The D.C. area has some of the highest student debt

burdens in the country. Many residents are recent college graduates, and borrowers are further hampered by the area’s steep cost of living.

For some residents, Biden’s student loan forgiveness program left them more or less debt free. The program canceled up to $20,000 of federal student loans.

Many, like Toledo, were suddenly in the position to consider homeownership sooner. One resident told DCist/ WAMU last year that he bought his first car because of the news.

Others were contending with much more debt, but they still would have seen relief. Dylan Wolters, a data scientist in D.C., had about $36,000 of student debt under his name

12 // STREET SENSE MEDIA // JULY 19 - AUG. 1, 2023 NEWS
Biden’s student loan forgiveness program would have canceled up to $20,000 in federal student debt for borrowers. Photo by Tyrone Turner // DCist/WAMU

and an additional $90,000 under his mother’s. But with $20,000 forgiven and income based repayments, he would have been able to get the $36,000 under control.

“Nothing immediately changed,” Wolters said. “But it was astronomical to think about what it could mean.”

Wolters is hoping the federal government might find other ways to cancel his debt. Immediately after the Supreme Court decision, the Biden administration announced new measures to help offset the end of the debt relief program. Those include the possibility of using the Higher Education Act of 1965 as a legal basis for canceling loans. The legislation allows the education department to “compromise, waive or release loans.” But that process could take months and face similar legal challenges.

The measures also include a temporary year-long on-ramp program that would prevent borrowers from being considered delinquent or referred to debt collection agencies if they miss their repayments.

But for now, Wolters isn’t optimistic the debt relief program will be replaced with anything comparable.

“It just kind of feels like Charlie Brown — I’m trying to kick the football,” Wolters said. “It’s emotionally exhausting at this point.”

Nicole LaFragola, 35, has a little over $65,000 in student loan debt. Last year, she learned that she would get $20,000 of that debt canceled.

“I remember how exciting that day was,” LaFragola said. “We started talking in a friend group chat about it, and how it was going to change things for so many of us…we all felt lighter that day.”

She’s planning to buy her first home with her partner through the Maryland SmartBuy program, which serves potential homebuyers who are paying off student debt. But the program caps student debt at $50,000, and because of the Supreme Court’s decision, LaFragola no longer qualifies.

Now, she’s focused on paying off the additional $15,000 by next spring or summer. LaFragola is finding ways to make money on top of her job as an aeronautical photographer, like dog-sitting and participating in clinical trials. She and her friends with student debt say they’re saving as much as they can, and one of them is looking for a more affordable place.

Dan Ford, 27, works for a humanitarian organization in D.C. and has about $55,000 in debt. He lives with his mom in Loudoun County and was hoping to use loan forgiveness to move into his own place.

Now, that plan seems unlikely. He said that it would take him about 10 years to pay off his student loans if he stays in the region and moves into a place of his own. If he stays with his mom, it would take about three years.

Ford said many of his friends are transplants and don’t have family to count on; some have considered leaving the region altogether because of their student debt. If he were to move out of his mother’s place, D.C. would not be very practical for Ford; he said he would probably be able to pay down his debt three or four years faster in another city.

“This just isn’t tenable,” Ford said. “I don’t think it’s good for the economy to have 27-year-olds still living at home and counting every penny instead of going out and spending it on housing and restaurants and activities and vacations.”

Ethan Miller, a financial planner in the region and owner of Planning for Progress, says his clients’ discretionary budgets will be taking a hit, and he expects that to affect the local economy.

It could be especially challenging because under rules put in place during COVID, people haven’t had to make student loan payments in more than three years. In addition, high inflation means wage increases haven’t kept up with the rising cost of living.

“That debt forgiveness plan would have been transformative for millions,” Miller said. “The fact that it was struck down simply means that those folks are going to be stuck in this sort of student debt cycle for a lot longer.”

Miller has been telling his clients to take care to manage their budgets leading up to October, and to make sure they’re on the right repayment plan. The Department of Education is introducing a new income-based repayment plan it touts as “the most affordable repayment plan ever created.” The department says the new plan would save some borrowers $1,000 a year, and would mean no monthly payments for others.

Madison Gharghoury has $127,000 in private loan debt and $38,000 in public loans. Having graduated during the pandemic, she hasn’t made payments on her public loans yet.

Gharghoury is 27, and she anticipates she’ll be 40 by the time she’s paid off her debts. She has canceled plans to buy a new car.

“They’re telling us that we don’t even deserve this little bit of help,” Gharghoury says. “So, you know, it hurts, it sucks. I’m definitely angry.”

Kat DesCamp-Renner, 24, has about $28,000 in debt. She graduated two years ago and is now a government affairs associate and defense policy analyst.

Her plan right now is to limit her spending and pay a higher flat percentage of her salary each year. She’s only at the beginning of her career, so she’s hoping as she gets older it’ll become easier to make her loan repayments as her salary goes up.

She’s not sure how long that’s going to take though, and how to juggle that with the cost of living in D.C.

Many of her friends are in the same boat. But she knows that many others had a very different experience.

“I know there are a lot of people in D.C. who, you know, their parents could pay for everything in college. They came out with absolutely no worries. And it kind of feels like they’re being given a head start,” she said.

“This was like leveling the playing field. Now it’s being taken away.”

This story was originally produced by DCist/WAMU

STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG // 13
Cesar Toledo and his partner started planning to buy a home and adopt children after Biden announced his student loan forgiveness program last year. Photo courtesy of Cesar Toledo

FUN & GAMES

Across

1. Upper level web site?

6. “Smart” one

10. Dark German beer

14. Big name in wrist and pocket watches

15. Etna output

16. About, on a memo (2 wds.) 2,2) (incls. abbr.)

17. The Viet Nam conflict, according to innumerable protestors (2 wds.) (7,3)

19. “Can you ____ a secret?”

20. College-level H.S. courses, briefly (abbr./initialism)

21. Blast furnace input

22. “Dancing with the Stars” champion Yamaguchi

24. Second-rarest blood type, briefly (2 wds.) (1,3) (incls. abbr.)

25. Indiana’s state flowers

26. How you might propose to purchase an item on line (4 wds.) (4,2,4,3)

30. Word that can mean the slickest or the least hospitable

31. “The Sun ___ Rises”

32. 911 responder (abbr./initialism)

35. Former Speaker Gingrich

36. Letters on some American naval vessels

37. They may prompt “Get a room!” reactions (abbr./initialism)

38. A mean Amin

39. Doesn’t guzzle

41. Marcos known for amassing more than 3,000 pairs of shoes

43. Whence comes Twain’s lines : “You see, Aunt Polly’s... awful particular about this fence; it’s got to be done very careful; I reckon their ain’t one boy in a thousand... can do it the way it’s got to be done” (3 wds.) (4,3,6)

46. Ear-splitting punk subgenre

48. Archipelago units (abbr.)

49. Paris art museum, with “the”

50. Together, in music

51. Former French coin

54. “How sweet ___!” (2 wds.) (2,2)

55. Name for a pattern of stormy winds out of India and Bangladesh...or a hint to the six U.S. Postal codes found in the puzzle’s circled letter pairs

58. Rhetorical question posed to Brutus by Caesar (2 wds.) (2,2) (Lat.)

59. Pet lovers’ org. (abbr./initialism)

60. Top scout

61. Coarse file or gravelly vocal sound

62. Crafty online market since 2005

63. Dental office pictures a patient has to pay for (1-4)

Down

1. Polo grounds?

2. Office fill-in, briefly

3. Big name in potato chips

4. When doubled, a classic Mardi Gras tune

5. Circles around moons (or products of a company that purports to offer “The ultimate cigar experience”)

6. Assert without proof

7. What legislatures enact and courts enforce

8. Longoria of “Desperate Housewives”

9. Allegro and Concerto starters? (2 wds.) (3,4)

10. Barely-there beachwear

11. In a manner that tells only half the story (3-7)

12. Minotaur’s home

13. Foreign Legion hats

18. “You ___ kidding!”

23. Slangy prefix meaning “mechanical”

24. Red as a ____

25. Piglet and Pooh, for two

26. Word before Cooper or crossword

27. Breezed through

28. Fuzzy edibles that contain 8 times as much Vitamin C as oranges

29. ___ profundo (lowest choral/operatic voice range)

33. Earned, as payment

34. Winter Palace ruler

36. “What’ve you been ___?” (2 wds.) (2,2) (POUT anagram)

37. Seats with kneelers

39. Fly high

40. Really, really big

41. It’s debatable

42. With “the”, what ♂ represents (2 wds.) (4,3)

44. Guns, as an auto’s engine (2 wds.) (4,2)

45. Place for a carnival’s rides, contest booths and food concessionaires

46. More cunning

47. Terra ___

50. Rainbows, e.g.

51. Big name in computer games

52. Paris airport

53. A Swiss army knife has lots of them

56. Go (for)

57. Pitch

*This crossword puzzle is the original work of Patrick “Mac”McIntyre. It is provided to us courtesy of Real Change News, a street paper based in Seattle, Wa. Learn more about Real Change News and the International Network of Street Papers at realchangenews.org and insp.ngo.

Breeze Through This One

Thank you to Kali, Jen, Mercury and Freutime

LAST EDITION’S PUZZLE SOLUTION CROSSWORD
Puzzle by Patrick “Mac” McIntyre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 © July 9, 2023 SOLUTION: Hard to Hite ____ Issue B 1 A 2 B 3 E 4 H 5 E 6 D 7 G 8 E 9 T 10 H 11 O 12 U 13 A 14 R I L A 15 Z U R E R 16 A P T B 17 A C K S 18 L I D E R E 19 D I T S 20 T Y I 21 A N M 22 A I N E C 23 A 24 B L E S 25 P 26 L 27 I T T E R B 28 A 29 L M S S 30 P O U S E E 31 P I C A 32 S K E D F 33 O 34 R 35 E 36 S S P 37 I 38 T 39 C H E R O 40 R U R 41 E T U 42 R N E E B 43 S E D C 44 I C E R O 45 D 46 I T S Y D 47 E 48 A 49 D M A N S C U 50 R V E U 51 L N A E E 52 R E R 53 L 54 S 55 L 56 I E V L 57 E 58 A 59 D S I N 60 K E R L 61 O N I S 62 A N A A A 63 I D A S 64 T D S D 65 R D R E P 66 D A S
14 // STREET SENSE MEDIA // JULY 19 - AUG. 1, 2023
Illustration
Week
ANDRE BRINSON Artist/Vendor
of the

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Academy of Hope Public Charter School 202-269-6623 // 2315 18th Place NE aohdc.org

Bread for the City - 1525 7th St., NW // 202-265-2400 - 1640 Good Hope Rd., SE // 202-561-8587 breadforthecity.org

Calvary Women’s Services // 202-678-2341 1217 Good Hope Rd., SE calvaryservices.org

Catholic Charities // 202-772-4300 catholiccharitiesdc.org/gethelp

Central Union Mission // 202-745-7118 65 Massachusetts Ave., NW missiondc.org

Charlie’s Place // 202-232-3066 1830 Connecticut Ave., NW charliesplacedc.org

Christ House // 202-328-1100 1717 Columbia Rd., NW christhouse.org

Church of the Pilgrims // 202-387-6612 2201 P St., NW food (1-1:30 on Sundays only) churchofthepilgrims.org/outreach

Community Family Life Services 202-347-0511 // 305 E St., NW cflsdc.org

Community of Hope // 202-232-7356 communityofhopedc.org

Covenant House Washington 202-610-9600 // 2001 Mississippi Ave., SE covenanthousedc.org

D.C. Coalition for the Homeless 202-347-8870 // 1234 Massachusetts Ave., NW dccfh.org

Father McKenna Center // 202-842-1112 19 Eye St., NW fathermckennacenter.org

Food and Friends // 202-269-2277 (home delivery for those suffering from HIV, cancer, etc)

219 Riggs Rd., NE foodandfriends.org

Foundry Methodist Church // 202-332-4010 1500 16th St., NW ID (Friday 9am–12pm only) foundryumc.org/ministry-opportunities

Friendship Place // 202-364-1419 4713 Wisconsin Ave., NW friendshipplace.org

Georgetown Ministry Center // 202-338-8301 1041 Wisconsin Ave., NW georgetownministrycenter.org

Jobs Have Priority // 202-544-9128 425 2nd St., NW jobshavepriority.org

Loaves & Fishes // 202-232-0900 1525 Newton St., NW loavesandfishesdc.org

Martha’s Table // 202-328-6608 marthastable.org 2375 Elvans Road SE

2204 Martin Luther King Ave. SE

Miriam’s Kitchen // 202-452-8926 2401 Virginia Ave., NW miriamskitchen.org

My Sister’s Place // 202-529-5991 (24-hr hotline) mysistersplacedc.org

N Street Village // 202-939-2060 1333 N St., NW nstreetvillage.org

New York Avenue Shelter // 202-832-2359 1355-57 New York Ave., NE

Patricia Handy Place for Women 202-733-5378 // 810 5th St., NW

Samaritan Inns // 202-667-8831 2523 14th St., NW samaritaninns.org

Samaritan Ministry

202-722-2280 // 1516 Hamilton St., NW 202-889-7702 // 1345 U St., SE samaritanministry.org

Sasha Bruce Youthwork // 202-675-9340 741 8th St., SE sashabruce.org

So Others Might Eat (SOME) // 202-797-8806 71 O St., NW some.org

St. Luke’s Mission Center // 202-333-4949 3655 Calvert St., NW stlukesmissioncenter.org

Thrive DC // 202-737-9311 1525 Newton St., NW thrivedc.org

Unity Health Care 3020 14th St., NW // unityhealthcare.org

- Healthcare for the Homeless Health Center: 202-508-0500

- Community Health Centers: 202-469-4699

1500 Galen Street SE, 1500 Galen Street SE, 1251-B Saratoga Ave NE, 1660 Columbia Road NW, 4414 Benning Road NE, 3924 Minnesota Avenue NE, 765 Kenilworth Terrace NE, 555 L Street SE, 3240 Stanton Road SE, 3020 14th Street NW, 2700 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE, 1717 Columbia Road NW, 1313 New York Avenue, NW BSMT Suite, 425 2nd Street NW, 4713 Wisconsin Avenue NW, 2100 New York Avenue NE, 2100 New York Avenue NE, 1333 N Street NW, 1355 New York Avenue NE, 828 Evarts Place, NE, 810 5th Street NW

Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless 1200 U St., NW // 202-328-5500 legalclinic.org

Store Associate

CVS Health // 1403 Wisconsin Avenue NW

Full-time

Resolve service issues, greet customers, cashier duties, restock shelves, customer service.

Required: N/A

APPLY: tinyurl.com/CVS-Store-Associate

Operations Supervisor

CVS Health // 4309 Connecticut Avenue NW

Full-time

Lead store and supervisory staff, ensure store operations run smoothly, ensure the completion of all opening and closing procedures.

Required: N/A

APPLY: tinyurl.com/CVS-OperationsSupervisor

Dishwasher

Whole Foods Market // 2323 Wisconsin Ave, NW

Full-time

Wash dishes and maintain general cleanliness of the kitchen area.

Required: N/A

APPLY: tinyurl.com/Whole-FoodsDishwasher

The Welcome Table // 202-347-2635 1317 G St., NW. epiphanydc.org/thewelcometable

Whitman-Walker Health 1701 14th St., NW // 202-745-7000 2301 MLK Jr. Ave., SE // 202-797-3567 whitman-walker.org Hiring? Send your job postings to editor@StreetSenseMedia.org For further information and listings, visit our online service guide at StreetSenseMedia.org/service-guide

STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG // 15
JOB BOARD Housing/Shelter Vivienda/alojamiento Case Management Coordinación de Servicios SHELTER HOTLINE Línea directa de alojamiento (202) 399-7093 YOUTH HOTLINE Línea de juventud (202) 547-7777 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE Línea directa de violencia doméstica 1-800-799-7233 BEHAVIORAL HEALTH HOTLINE Línea de salud del comportamiento 1-888-793-4357 Education Educación Food Comida Health Care Seguro Employment Assistance Assitencia con Empleo Clothing Ropa Transportation Transportación Legal Assistance Assistencia Legal Showers Duchas Laundry Lavandería
All services listed are referral-free

presents No Place to Call Home

An original play with music created by members of the Theatre Workshop

July 27 at 4:30 p.m. at Planet Word 925 13th St NW, Washington D.C. 20005

How much space does a human being need to live with dignity and security? Through music and spoken word, No Place to Call Home challenges us to answer this question.

Immediately following the performance, audience members are invited to stay for a short talk-back with the writer/performers and workshop directors.

You pay per paper $2 JULY 19-AUG. 1, 2023 | VOLUME 20 ISSUE 34 From your vendor, Thank you for reading Street Sense! 5,700 VENDORS WWW.INSP.NGO 3.2
READERS 90+ STREET PAPERS 35 COUNTRIES 25 LANGUAGES NO CASH? NO PROBLEM. WE HAVE AN APP! SEARCH “STREET SENSE” IN THE APP STORE Vendors keep all of your contribution!
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