Ann Arbor Panhandlers Speak Out

A man who goes by "Doug" and does not reveal his last name, is a homeless man and a panhandler downtown Ann Arbor. Doug sits on the corner of Liberty Street, with a sign explaining his plight, a suitcase and a cane, hoping people passing by will drop spare change in his plastic bowl. While he hopes people downtown will help him with money, he refuses to act aggressively, like the other panhandlers he sees disturbing people in Ann Arbor.

"You really should be careful who you talk to down here young lady, most of these folks are crooked," Doug said. "Most of the people asking for money are crack heads, I see them taking hits in the alleys all day, so watch out."

Doug arrived in Ann Arbor to receive medical attention at the University of Michigan Hospital for his Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD. Ever since, he has been in debt due to steep medical bills and has resorted to panhandling to survive on a daily basis. 

Doug explains that all of the people working the streets of Ann Arbor talk to each other, so it's easy for him to obtain the inside scoop on the who's who of panhandlers. While some are innocent and truly need help financially, Doug says "the majority are drugged out."

The Ann Arbor Homeless Shelter  attracts a lot of panhandlers and homeless people to the area according to Doug's observations, and Shane Brady, manager for the Process Outreach Team in Ann Arbor, that specializes in homelessness.

But as Doug sits on his corner and sees panhandlers receive cash all day long from the people of Ann Arbor, he says he only wishes people would give to the "real" homeless people, instead of posers. Since Doug knows which people are scamming city goers for their money, he wishes people would take his actual homelessness more seriously.

Ann Arborites Discuss Downtown Panhandlers

Ann Arbor, Michigan is a vibrant city with a bustling downtown scene filled with anyone from University of Michigan students to business owners, to U of M faculty members. But panhandlers and the homeless also have a growing presence in the downtown and campus areas of Ann Arbor. 

Walking the streets of downtown and campus, people are likely to encounter people sitting/standing on the streets asking for spare change. But many Ann Arborites report experiences with aggressive panhandling, which is in fact, a crime and can be intimidating to people.

Jeff Freshcorn, a U of M Dental School faculty member whose office is downtown Ann Arbor, is particularly frustrated with the panhandlers' newfound aggressive and forceful nature. Freshcorn often walks to Potbelly Sandwich Shop for lunch near his office, and says he can barely walk a block without being asked for money multiple times.

"Years ago there were characters who were harmless, now we see younger, more forceful people and they seem angry if you don’t give them money," said Freshcorn.


Freshcorn, along with his officemates, also note that the overly aggressive panhandlers quite obviously target students, especially women and foreigners.


According to Freshcorn, people consistently complain to local authorities about the problem and safety of the downtown area, but little is actually being done. The Ann Arbor Police Department has been repeatedly notified of the issue according to Ann Arbor residents, but they say they only witness police officers simply pushing panhandlers along to new locations.


Residents say they're concerned about the reputation of their city especially for business opportunities, and hope for improvement in the future.

Paul Brittain of SNL to Perform at Pasant Theatre

Paul Brittain, one of the newest cast members of Saturday Night Live is performing tomorrow at the Pasant Theatre. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. and the show begins at 7:30 p.m.

Once again, shout out to the Michigan State University's Residence Halls Association for making tickets only $5 for students and $10 for the general public!

Paul Brittain is most popular for his impressions of Johnny Depp and James Franco on SNL, but Brittain is a comedy veteran. Brittain was a performer at the iO Theater in Chicago where he performed in sketches and with improv groups, according to the RHA's facebook event page.

Dont' forget to get your tickets to see Brittain, the show is tomorrow!

MSU Students Discuss Favorite RHA Events

Michigan State University's Residence Halls Association is gaining popularity with MSU student thanks to their cheap events, like concerts. And what's more appealing than cheap entertainment to broke college students right?

The MSU RHA hosts major events like concerts, and smaller events like free movie nights in the dorms, and all events are proving to be popular with students.

I spoke with MSU sophomore, Devon Coates said he particularly liked the Mac Miller concert at Fairchild Theatre this past October. Mac Miller is an up and coming hip-hop artist gaining major cool points with college-age fans. Never heard of him? Check out his tracks on his myspace.

One thing the RHA can guarantee is jam packed entertainment events that will leave you some left over beer money for the weekend. Besides large events like concerts and comedy shows (speaking of which, check out Paul Brittain performing tomorrow), the RHA also sponsors free movie nights through their Campus Center Cinemas.

Campus Center Cinemas shows newly released movies that are free for undergrads and students who live on campus. So why truck out to NCG or any other movie theater when you can save the gas money and ticket money thanks to the RHA?

Students are reporting RHA events to be some of their favorite events they attend this year, so be sure to check them out!

More to come on upcoming events sponsored by the RHA...stay tuned!

Joe Paterno Leaving Penn State

The Penn State sex scandal's most recent developments revolve around the fate of the head football coach, Joe Paterno.

A report from Sports Center details the University officials' reasons for canceling Joe Paterno's planned press conference today, where he planned to address the sex scandal and take questions from the media.

Additionally, the report indicates that a ninth alleged sexual abuse victim has come forward, adding to the previous eight.

In the press conference that was supposed to be held today, Paterno planned on not only talking about their game against Nebraska, but planned to address the media about the scandal, including recent developments.

However, even with all of the recent developments with more victims coming forward, we must keep in mind these are only allegations and no one has been convicted of any chargers as of today. But once convictions are made, it's safe to say the fate of Penn State's football program is in jeopardy.

Paterno, while not accused of any specific allegations, is simply being looked down upon for "not doing enough." When Paterno learned about the sexual abuse, he did not contact the correct authorities, that being the police and instead informed administrators.

The Penn State community seems disappointed and disheartened with Joe Pa's reaction and role in the scandal and his passive course of action so far.

Perhaps the press conference that was to be held today would have proved that Joe Pa was trying to take action and responsibility for the situation, but thanks to university officials canceling it, we will never know...

As more (if there are any more) potential victims come forward, this could surely amplify the severity of the situation and in turn, increase the sense of disappointment toward Paterno's actions. If there was ever an opportunity to rid Penn State of Joe Paterno, this would be the time.

In case reminiscing on Joe Pa's career at Penn State may be imminent, check out the legend's career history..."Paterno IS Penn State"

Penn State Sex Scandal

Penn State University announced an alleged sex scandal involving their Athletic Director, Tim Curley and Senior Vice President for business and finance Gary Schultz, and most importantly their Assistant Coach, Jerry Sanduksy, according to a USA Today Article.

Sandusky has been allegedly accused raping nine young boys at a boys camp he ran. Curley and Shultz lied to a Grand Jury about their knowledge of the rape incidents.

The Nittany Lions football team is currently under the microscope of the investigation. Head Coach, Joe Paterno is being targeted for his seemingly passive role in the scandal.

Paterno received information of the sexual abuse that was occurring, but proceeded to tell officials and rid himself of the burden of investigated himself.

How could Paterno be so out of tune with the ethics he has so strongly represented during his tenure as Head Coach?

Unfortunately, Paterno is the epitome of a legend, and it’s disheartening to see his name next to the word “scandal” in every headline in the country right now. The way I see it, Penn State just wants him out. People are simply using this scandal as a perfect excuse to get rid of Joe Pa, and not because he is a bad coach obviously, but maybe because of his age and limited abilities. 

But what does this mean for the Big Ten?

The Nittany Lions remain undefeated in the Big Ten, with Nebraska, Ohio State and Wisconsin left on their schedule. However, the recent scandal, especially since it involves the famed Coach Paterno, could be detrimental to their team’s ability to finish out their schedule.

Team chemistry, attitudes and stress that could result from the scandal affecting their football team and head coach has the potential to ruin a team like Penn State. Penn State has won multiple close games this year, and this scandal could be just what they need to push them over the edge…into failure.

In a Bleacher Report Article, it was reported that Paterno was to hold a press conference regarding their upcoming match against Nebraska, but the University President canceled it unexpectedly because of the scandal. 

More to come as the scandal investigation develops.