Here in the cross-roads town of Port Huron, MI where I call home, and where the dying auto-industry and economy’s left without a pretty penny, there’s a tiny little shop that’s sprung up against the storefronts of our downtown. It’s called Art for Good, and it’s been my stomping grounds since the first day I stumbled in on a winter day when they were preparing  their grand opening. Been a part of their work and efforts to brighten the dwindling city ever since.

Art for Good’s a non-profit pretty much held together by a man and his wife with one heart set on art and the city we live in. It’s an art shop, a cafe, a hopeful sanctuary for all starvings artists. They sell art supplies, handmade crafts, and showcase local artists, as well as offer Fair-Trade coffee and goods made from around the globe, from places as diverse as the Congo, Honduras, and Thailand, all made by good hands and honest labour (that’s more than can be said of Folgers, Hershey’s and the like, if you do your homework). All-in-all, it’s just a good place to hang out.

I’m heading a poet’s club within their cafe. We’re so-far one member strong, beside myself (we got room to grow, at least…) Just picture it like the Dead Poets’ Society, except just a college kid blogger and a middle-aged alcoholic who’s been writing half a long as he’s been drinking, and still been writing longer than I’ve been alive…. makes for some good times.

If you’re ever in the neighborhood, feel free to stop by.