April 1, 1988, carnegie newsletter by Carnegie Newsletter

APRIL 1 , 1988

We w e r e given t h e warning b u t we d i d n ' t pay a t t e n t i o n . Now due t o o u r apathy, Carnegie Centre has been taken away from t h e o l d e r people of t h e Downtown E a s t s i d e . I n a s u r p r i s e move l a s t Tuesday Vancouver C i t y Council v o t e d unanimously t o s e l l t h e community c e n t r e a t Main and Hastings i n a f r e e t r a d e / ~ r i v a t i z a t i o n d e a l w i t h an American businessman. The buyer, J . Buckley Wheaton made a p u b l i c s t a t e ment i n which he s a i d h i s immediate p l a n s were t o t u r n Carnegie i n t o a 24 hour a b o r t i o n c l i n i c and young peoples hang-out, from which anyone o v e r f o r t y y e a r s o l d would be dznied e n t r y . When asked where t h e d i s p l a c e d s e n i o r s would4 spend t h e i r l e i s u r e t i m e , Wheaton v e r y b l u n t l y s a i d t h a t they should Cont'd on page 2

Cont 'd from page 1 sit down, have a coffee and heave a big sigh of relief, because this story was only an April Fools Joke conceived in the deep dark corridors of the tormentingly twisted mind of our "fool at large", David Ryerson. The photo was clipped from the January 28th issue of the East Ender.

CHILDREN and POVERTY April 6, 1988 - 7:30 p.m. Britannia Secondary School 1001 Cotton Drive - Van. A panel will outline the facts and

The panel, chaired by Rev. Robert Smith, consists of:

- .m r W a r g a r ~ i3ii f r h ~ i - I - MLA John Cashore - Ald. Libby Davies - Ald. Carole Taylor - School Trustee Phil Rankin *Busfare available for those who need it. To reserve free childcare: call 685-5599 (before April 2)

It sure is nice to see the effect of effort. The outrage expressed in the last Newsletter - the debate on Porn - proved to be part of a dynamic spirit. Seems that people in our neighbourhood don't want Porn, period. DERA and other individuals pressured the city's by-law people to investigate the status of the 24hour porn shop in regard to just having the proper permits. Lo and behold - the shop was in violation of at least two laws; the hours have been reduced and the videosin-store (booths) are gone. Agairi, lo and behold, the other porn shops on Hastings are in

elected representatives will respond Questions and comments are invited from the audience. All Vancouver School Trustees, City Councillors, -ILAVsand MP's have been invited. -

violation of city zoning by-laws. They may have to close down or at least move out! SCORE 1 FOR OUR SIDE! To me this is solid results. We can't just be passive and let people from elsewhere decide what goes on in our community; to whom this area is just real estate to be developed. As a Native Elder says: "The three most threatening things that a rich and/or white man can say are ,l)"This is for your own good. I' 2)"We have your best interests at heart.'' and 3)"Please trust me." 'If any of these are said to you, be extremely careful - you should be able to smell a lie*' By PAUL TAYLOR

s c o r p i o n s should b e grounded

Abortion:

words suspended l i k e s c o r p i o n s refusing t o be released n e r v e s raw synapses snapped monstrous s p i d e r s thundering through burned b e f o r e a r r i v e d

I want c h o i c e

It i s NOT t h e f i n a l s o l u t i o n It i s only a means t o an end An end t o t h e c y c l e s of misery abuse poverty i n s a n i t y Some of u s do n o t even want t h e mechanical c l i n i c a l r a p e t h a t You c a l l t h e r a p e u t i c a b o r t i o n Some of u s want t o r e - l e a r n - ----- tile wicca; LIIC w a y a vf herbs s e l f - h e a l i n g n a t u r a l purging But our bodies and s p i r i t s have been i n bondage t o o l o n g I n bondage t o The P r o f e s s i o n a l s The C o n t r o l l e r s The Operators t h a t w e MUST have a c c e s s t o t h e ' o p t i o n ' of c l i n i c a l a b o r t i o n . You r e p l a c e d o u r h e a l i n g w i t h s c i e n c e Now You r e p l a c e s c i e n c e w i t h d e s p a i r . S o p h i s t i c a t e d genocide: MANY POOR WIMMIN WILL DIE MANY WILL BE MAIMED FOR LIFE You speak of t h e RIGHT t o L i f e w h i l e murdering your s i s t e r s mothers daughters. GET YOUR GOVERNING BODY OFF OF MINE. rL

p.j.

raging

a n i t a stevens

redefine family

Have a heart In recent weeks, there have been a growing number of allegations made and publicized by a former staff member at Carnegie; allegation being a nice way to say rumour-mongering, misinformation, twisted half-truths and so on. The person, Don Larson, seems to see his being fired as part of a conspiracy to eliminate local residents from the Carnegie staff. At first, those people directly maligned hwed that it was just another personal trial affecting Don's outlook. Many of these people have sat with him 3r;d qjne ~ k - 5i,lle ~ dc~~~scltinns 2nd :t,~ries he'd sent to public officials, the media and even printed on his own, On 95% of them, it was pointed out again and again that he was making it up as he went along. Don Larson worked for years to a Real Available Beach, and the result of his dedication is at the foot of Main Street. But it's never been Don alone; there were and are many others who fought in the struggle , who belong to the idea of CRAB and what it stands for, The noticeable change was weird just before the opening of Crab Park last year. Larson was quoted in the media as saying that people in Carneijie had refused a grant from the Parks Board because it was "dirty money." That was false. From there, his interpretation of events has just Gone off-the-wall. To be up to date on the latest slander and/or libel and/or even give him the benefit of the doubt is now almost impossible. Don refuses to recognise his ignorance in the mpst elementary matters. ':'he Mard at ~arnegierallied massive mpport to eject the controllers s f DEEDS ftom the board last YearInherited were a $23,000 debt and an Hmaye of laughable stupidity With

REA ATE

a continuous group effort, the debt is paid and Carnegie is "1,000 times" better. Yet Larson persists in painting a written picture of the Association being dictated to by two or three people - who somehow caused him to be fired. His crashing ignorance and non-attendance at Board meetings seem to allow him to see his fantasies as the way things are. (Paranoid hysteria?) Well, calling the Four Sisters Co-op 'Twisted Sisters' because a friend of his aets evictml f o r mn-papent of rent; implying that the Board at Carnegie is involved in a purge of all local staff (when the Board has almost zero input on hiring or firing) I calling local volunteers thieves and liars and on and on and... To bring things out, to "air the laundry", he reached a peak in the dillusion with the publication of several fantasies in the Crabzilla newspaper. At the next meeting, the members removed Don as President and won't allow him to represent CRAB anywhere 'for anything. The Downtown Eastside Parks Planning Committee told him that he wasn't welcome at their meetings, and DERA just told him not to come to d their office at all. Even his comments about DEEDS, while fairly indicative of the community feeling about , those blanks, didn't spill over to I make the rest even remotely likely, The frustration and rage felt by many people who have worked with Don won't go away when, pr if, he apologizes. His good work is rapidly becoming ancient history. By PAULR TAYLOR d

MOVIES I t ' s m e , t h e Captain of t h e s l e a z e and chaos, coming d i r e c t from H i guys! burp) t h e viewing room (chug, chug, chug These movies a r e worth t h e i r g r a i n of a a l t , b u t f i r s t l e t m e g i v e you t h e r a t i n g system: 1 popcorn k e r n e l : i t ' s a t o t a l , f l o p i n g bore 1 p o t a t o cHip: i t ' s a j u s t i f i e d b o r e 1 box of popcorn: i t ' s okay i f you have n o t h i n g t o do 1 s m a l l soda: f i n e and dandy t o watch b u t n o t t h a t g r e a t 1 l a r g e soda: now w e s t a r t t a l k i n g 1 s m a l l soda & popcorn: hold o n t o your s e a t s , i t ' s good 1 l a r g e soda & popcorn: d o n ' t p l a n anything e l s e - g r e a t ! Now on w i t h t h e b i z z a t hand - t h e movies.

...

A p r i l 1 s t : JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR - I t ' s a c l a s s i c i n t h e h i s t o r y of modern music, a good blend of rock melded w i t h h i s t o r y / r e l i g i o n . r a t e d - 1 s m a l l sode & popcorn

A p r i l 8 t h : THE HOLCROFT COVENANT Based on a n o v e l by t h e same name by Robert Ludlum. S t a r r i n g Michael Caine i n t h e main r o l e . . a man who's i n h e r i t e d a f o r t u n e w i t h a matching c h a l l e n g e , and ends up g e t t i n g more t h a n h e bargained f o r . I t ' s a t h r i l l e r of high i n t e n s i t y t h a t f a l l s a l i t t l e short. rated 1 l a r g e soda

OF LIFE -

A p r i l 1 5 t h : THE MEANING by Monty Python. Anyone who i s aware of t h e Monty Python group w i l l n o t b e s u r p r i s e d t o s e e t h i s example of pure comedy; never t a k i n g i t s e l f s e r i o u s l y i n t r y i n g t o f i n d t h e MEANING! Rated - 1 s m a l l soda A p r i l 22nd: GHOST STORY - remember a l l o f t h o s e s t o r i e s you were t o l d when you were a k i d ? Imagine someone dead f o r f o r t y y e a r s coming back f o r revenge. A l i t t l e r i s k e ' ; e x c e l l e n t c a s t ; n o t a bad s t o r y l i n e . 1 l a r g e soda (Not recommended f o r c h i l d r e n under 1 4 ) Rated

A p r i l 29th: IT I S TIME FOR (AMERICAN GRAFFITI) - t h e b e s t f o r l a s t . I L i s i & "1 ii; i-hr r a s r i n c i ~ i e cjqnlfm2n JSCk, !%zc%e K ~ s t ,8 Howard, H a r r i s o n Ford and many more. I t ' s a c l a s s i c , i t ' s h i p Rated - 1 l a r g e soda & popcorn m7.

2 ~

U n t i l t h e bagged one g e t s back, t h i s i s c r a s s l y yours from t h e Captain. DRUG MONSTERS STALK...

Washington - The U.S. S t a t e Department's j u s t - r e l e a s e d u r g e n t r e p o r t on drugs c a l l e d f o r r a d i c a l measu r e s t o d i s m a n t l e t h e w o r l d ' s major drug c a r t e l s , which have become s i n i s t e r "shadow governments" i n many c o u n t r i e s . Columbia, a c o u n t r y whose l e a d e r s h i p c l a s s h a s v a l i a n t l y fought i t s powerful drug m e g a l i t h s , h a s seen t h e t e r r i f y i n g t r a n s f e r of

power from e l e c t e d o f f i c i a l s t o ~rupp/~ocred?S.Africa)... thugs

...(

SEWING! ! ! Next month, Carnegie w i l l o f f e r a f r e e sewing s e r v i c e t o downtown residents. It w i l l o p e r a t e Monday from 2-6 and Thursday from 2-6. P l e a s e b r i n g c l e a n c l o t h e s only. Madeleine C r n j a r i c i s doing t h i s .

DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE WOMEN^',' CENTRE special report The Downtown E a s t s i d e Women's Centre h a s moved t o 44 E.Cordova, e f f e c t i v e Feb.1, 1988. The new c e n t r e i s much b i g g e r and more qdeq u a t e t o meet t h e needs of Downtown E a s t s i d e women. I n a d d i t i o n t o t h e l a r g e r s p a c e f o r t h e drop-in, we ,L-l .d.~-c -: ;L special r o o m f o r iiieetiiigs - a k i d s playroom - a q u i e t space - a c l o t h i n g depot - f u l l y equipped d e p o t - a shower and a l a u n d r y room - soup & bannock are s e r v e d Mondays a t 12 and Thursdays a t 2:00 fi Mondays a t 1:00 Denny l e a d s a group i n beadwork and c r a f t s . An Alcohol and Drug s u p p o r t group meets Wed. 2:30-4:30 w i t h D o r i f a c i l i t a t i n g . T h i s group i s a s a f e p l a c e where women c a n d i s c u s s t h e s t r e s s e s and r e a s o n s which l e a d t o drug and a l c o h o l abuse. Drop by t h e C e n t r e and p i c k up o u r monthly c a l e n d a r s f o r o t h e r hap p e n i n g s ; we o f t e n have movies and v i d e o s , s p e c i a l f e a s t days & g u e s t s . The Downtown E a s t s i d e was t h e c e n t r e of t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l Women's Day c e l e b r a t i o n s t h i s y e a r . Even though i t r a i n e d , t h e r e w a s a good t u r n o u t f o r t h e march and t h e activities. On F r i d a y , Mar.18 a t 7:30 a.m., Pam, o u r o f f i c e c o - o r d i n a t o r had a n 8 l b . baby boy. H i s name i s E l i Donivan. While Pam i s on m a t e r n i t y l e a v e , D o r i Tucker w i l l be t a k i n g help p l a c e . Our Drop-in Co-ordinat o r is s t i l l t h e magnificent Lori.

The C e n t r e h a s r e c e i v e d a 6-month U.I.C. top-up g r a n t , t o s t a r t Apr.1 and opening 3 community l i a i s o n p o s i t i o n s and h a v i n g a 2-person team A health of systems r e s e a r c h e r s . awareness p r o j e c t w i l l a l s o start on A p r i l 1 w i t h p o s i t i o n s f o r a coo r d i n a t o r and a h e a l t h worker. Coming Up: The Annual G e n e r a l Meet i n g i s on A p r i l 15 a t 5:OO. Women are reminded t o renew t h e i r members h i p s and t o g i v e some thought t o j o i n i n g t h e Board. On A p r i l 21, t h e Annual Chinese Banquet, a t t h e New Diamond Resta u r a n t a t 6 p.m. w i l l o c c u r . T h i s

ii~ndrcicer

well -,.:rth

Do y e own t h e desk y o u ' r e s i t t i n g a t o r t h e p e n c i l y o u ' r e pushing, how ' b o u t t h e i d e a s y o u ' r e t h i n k i n g o r t h e anger you're burning, o r t h e pages you' re t u r n i n g o r t h e p l a n e t you're s t a n d i n g on, co o r t h e c l o u d s y o u ' r e blowing CO o r t h e t h i n g s y o u ' r e owing ?..

Do y e own t h e time y o u ' r e spending o N t h e minds you' r e bending P 0 t h e cards you're lending the buildings you're building 3a) t h e gadgets you're playing with 13 t h e agreements y o u ' r e f e i g n i n g and t h e t r u t h y o u ' r e s l a y i n g t h e l o v e y o u ' r e paying t h e l i f e you're l i v i n g the things you're giving Do yuh?

.....

( j u s t a s I thought!)

The Song of the Shaman By Eric Erickson I am the wind that has waited forper, I am the saltbed in your stormy sea; I am the tangent in your lonely orbit But you are the ones who have waited for me.

I am the Dawn when Night was unending, I was the Light that was never to be. I am the Passageway - others pretending

Pretending, misleading with never-to-be. Speak to me now with your greatest elation; Speak to me now of your trials at sea. Speak of the earth, your long habitation, Speak of the sweetness and how it did flee. The spear that you feared and longed for is welcomed. The sword that alarmed you now brings forth new life. Kinship joins kinship in old revelation Return to beginnings brings ending of strife. Sing your desire - 1st grace be triumphant! Sing words of a song that is always to be. Organs play dirges in pitches descending But the song that I sing is the Song of the Free.

I am the Wind that now carries you onward. I am the Power of your storm at sea. 1 am t h e tai-get uf your orbit's tangent.

And you are the ones who have waited for me

a s t h e y walked s h e r e l a t e d t o him h e r poem; "they laughed, I c r i e d t h e y laughed, I sobbed t h e y laughed, I stopped they laughed, I s m i l e d they laughed, I laughed I laughed, t h e y smiled I laughed, t h e y stopped I laughed, t h e y sobbed I Isazhed, they c r i e d I laughed and c r i e d . . "

"I looked",

s a i d he t o her;

"I looked a t t h e c l o c k and my mind f e l t slow,

I looked a t t h e sky and my mind f e l t huge, I looked a t t h e ocean and my mind f e l t d e p t h , I looked a t t h e e a r t h and my mind f e l t home I looked f o r a f r i e n d and I found you, Golden r a y s f a d i n g from a day . A day t h a t does n o t l i v e l o n g The golden c r y s t a l s e t s from t h e s a p p h i r e sky Turning t h e heavens and w a t e r s i n t o s h e e t s of g b l d Our s t a r f a d e s beyond t h e h o r i z o n l e t t i n g u s enjoy t h e s i g h t of h e r s i s t e r r i s i n g We w a i t f o r t h e golden r a y s t o warm u s once a g a i n . S t e v i e K r i s t e n Zircon

I looked f o r a god and I found people, I looked f o r a l i f e and I found now, I looked f o r l o v e and I found us a l l . . I

...

and on they walked f o r a n o t h e r millennium...

Vancouver Sun, Tuesday, March 22

Porn vendor savs I surrender ~ ~ D E R city A, By ROBERT SARTI The owner of a new all-night video-pornography arcade near Main and Hastings has concluded he can't fight city hall or the Downtown Eastside Residents Association. Tony Perry said Monday he has reduced the hours of the XXX Adult Book Store to noon to 10 p.m. and has removed the video viewing stalls. Perry said it was a combination of city inspectors and a DERA publicity campaign that did him in. "We were to14 we had to close them (the stalls) becau'se of improper licensing," he said. "That DERA has political clout." DERA worker Sue Harris said . Perry's retreat represents a victory for the community. "This is not the kind of sordid business we want dumped in our . neighborhood," Harris said. "We have been working too long to make the downtown east side a ' place where families can live in

sr;fcpp."

Harris said DERA was opposed to the all-night porn arcade because "it attracts men from outside the neighborhood who want to come down and party." Perry said he intends to operate the store at 58 East tlastings as a retail establishment under an ordinary business licence. Ile said he will sell books and videos, but won't show videos on the premises. tIe said he is convinced city officials won't give him the development permit if he applies. Deputy licensing director Ken Armstrong said the stalls were ordered closed because Perry had neglected to obtain a develop~nent permit for them.

DERA, w i t h t h e h e l p of t h e Minis t r y of S o c i a l S e r v i c e s and Housing (MSSH), i s sponsoring a p r o j e c t t o l e l p people i n o u r neighbourhood )pen bank accounts and g e t I D . The reason f o r t h i s i s t o t r y t o c u t iown on some of t h e cheque-day ~ o b l e m speople have: n o t being ~ b l et o g e t Your cheque cashed; t h e Ianger of walking around w i t h a l l ~f your money i n your pocket; not laving a r e c e i p t t h a t proves you l a i d your r e n t . Hopefully having a bank account ~ o u l dc u t down on some of t h e s e ~ r o b l e m s . But t h i s i s only p a r t of m r f i g h t t o make t h e Downtown Eastside s a f e r f o r r e s i d e n t s . I f you ire i n t e r e s t e d come by t h e o f f i c e it 328 C a r r a l l S t . f o r more i n f o . T h i s p r o j e c t i s being paid f o r by GSH. For t h e M i n i s t r y t o e v a l u a t e low t h e program i s working, they lave a p l a n about who can g e t h e l p .

1. You must be p i c k i n g up your cheque and n o t having i t mailed t o you r i g h t now. 2. You must speak t o your worker and have him/her send you do-m. 3. You must be a b l e t o read and w r i t e w e l l enough t o f i l l o u t t h e bank forms; t o p u t money i n t o and take moiisy oui ui your account. 4. I f you have some I D now i t would be good. ( I D can t a k e f o u r t o s i x weeks from t h e time you a s k f o r i t t o be s e n t t o you by m a i l . But don't l e t t h i s s t o p 'you - we a l s o want o t h e l p people g e t ID.) Even i f you d o n ' t meet t h e r u l e s above, p l e a s e come and t a l k t o us. W e a t e t e s t i n g t h e banks i n t h i s p r o j e c t , n o t l o c a l r e s i d e n t s . We want t o hammer o u t a way t o g e t l o c a l people a c c e s s t o l o c a l banks. I f we a r e successful with t h i s program i t may be extended and othe r r e s i d e n t s who d o n ' t f i t i n t o t h e above r u l e s can be involved.

SUGGESTED DISABLED PRQGRAM OF ACTIVITY

1. ) To inform t h e d i s a b l e d of t h e a r e a through a n e w s l e t t e r and some form of mass media a s w e l l as informing t h e g e n e r a l p u b l i c . 2. ) To put on a rodeo f o r d i s a b l e d persons such as wheelchair o b s t a c l e courses and a course f o r t h o s e on c r u t c h e s and with canes. The wheelc h a i r course should c o n s i s t of t e n o b s t a c l e s and two manual a c t i v i t i e s t h a t a r e done i n t h e home. 3 . ) To put on a time marathon t h a t covers a maximum of seven m i i e s ana s h o r t courses t h a t cover one m i l e , two m i l e s , and one t h a t i s h a l f t h e l e n g t h of t h e f u l l course. This a c t i v i t y should involve non-disabled per$ons. 4 . ) There should be ongoing a c t i v i t i e s f o r t h e d i s a b l e d t h a t would help them g e t o u t i n t o t h e a c t i v e world. 5.) To make and put on puppet shows t h a t use d i s a b l e d puppets t o educate t h e p u b l i c t o t h e i n s t r u m e n t s and t o the differences & s i m i l a r i t i e s . The puppets would be made and opera t e d by t h e c l i e n t . The show would be put on i n t h e Centre a s w e l l as outside. 6 . ) Outings t o S t a n l e y Park, t h e A r t Gallery and o t h e r p l a c e s i n t h e c i t y . This would enable b o t h d i s abled and non-disabled t o f u r t h e r t h e i r education. 7 . ) Fundraising f o r t h i s endeavor could be accomplished by handc r a f t s being s o l d t o o u t s i d e businesses. These would be made by t h e disabled. By DENNIS RALSTON

Laundromat Show Hangs It Out t o Dry

I am s u r e t h a t a d v e r t i s i n g t h e Laundromat Show i n t h e l a s t i s s u e of " ~ r a b z i l l a "was done i n good f a i t h . However, p l a c i n g t h e show i n t h e c o n t e x t of "C.R.A.B.'sl' d i r t y lanudry a i r i n g implied a p a c t between t h e Laundromat Show and CRAB. I n f a c t t h e r e is none. Even though t h e r e was some anal y s i s - c o n t e x t of CRAB i s s u e s , t h e n e w s l e t t e r was mostly a p e r s o n a l i t y h a s h i n g spree, T h e Laudromet Show people do n o t endorse t h i s and we wash our hands of i t . p. j

. spinning cycle

L i f e and Death By Claudius Ivan P l a n i d i n The mighty J o e S t a l i n g i v e s B o r i s P a s t e r n a k a phone c a l l . "Comrade Hero Pasternak," s a y s t h e mighty J o e S t a l i n t o t h e g r e a t e s t Soviet w r i t e r of h i s time, " I ' v e been wanting t o t a l k w i t h you a long t i m e . " Answers t h e g r e a t e s t S o v i e t w r i t e r of h i s time, "And I ' v e been wanting t o t a l k w i t h you a long time." Asks t h e mighty J o e S t a l i n , "You have? About what?" Answers t h e g r e a t e s t S o v i e t w r i t e r of h i s time, "About l i f e and death." The mighty J o e S t a l i n hangs up.

This t r i b e had chosen a v e r y s o l i d , d e f e n s i v e l o c a t i o n which was hard t o p e n e t r a t e by l a n d o r s e a . The powers of c o n t r o l were over r i v e r a s a n d h u n t i n g a r e a s . They had wars between v i l l a g e s t h a t l a s t e d one hundred y e a r s . Within t h i s t r i b e , a woman bore c h i l d r e n t h a t were half-man and half-dog. She was spared h e r l i f e and brought t o t h i s i s l a n d t o l i v e o u t h e r days w i t h h e r family. One day t h e mother's t r i b e went t o war w i t h a n e q u a l l y powerful t r i b e . Upon h e a r i n g t h a t h e r "chief", who had spared h e r l i f e , was l o s i n g t h e war, s h e t o l d h e r sons h e r s t o r y . Shedding t h e i r f u r s , t h e y became men and went t o h e l p t h i s t r i b e defend t h e i r t e r r i t o r y . Being g r e a t w a r r i o r s , they soon overcame t h e o t h e r t r i b e . The woman was accepted back i n t o h e r t r i b e and became t h e w i f e t o t h e Chief. The t r i b e ' s a r e a of conquest took one week t o row by canoe. Now, one o r two v i l l a g e s away, t h e r e was -. bad l u c k for everyone. lney could n o t seem t o c a t c h any f i s h o r hunt down any meat s o u r c e s . This one boy would n o t s t o p c r y i n g f o r more food, even though h i s p a r e n t s would g i v e him some of t h e i r p o r t i o n s of food. They t o l d him of t h e s e underground b e i n g s who preyed on a i t t l e c r y i n g boys. The boy s t i l l wouldn't s t o p c r y i n g . Then one day t h e p a r e n t s came home, and could h e a r t h e i r son crying. It sounded l i k e i t came from under t h e house. They looked f o r him but could o n l y h e a r him c r y i n g f a i n t l y . So t h e y s t a r t e d

d i g g i n g f o r t h e i r boy. E v e n t u a l l y a l l t h e E l d e r s were helping. O t h e r v i l l a g e s heard of t h i s and joined i n t h e s e a r c h . When they f i n a l l y got o t t h e boy, they found he was e a t i n g twigs, worms and o t h e r e a r t h l y t h i n g s . So a l l t h e v i l l a g e r s have l e a r n e d t o s u f f e r toget h e r , b o t h young & o l d a l i k e . Through t h i s s t o r y , t h e i r d i g n i t y has become v e r y s t r o n g w i t h i n , a s w e l l a s with a l l . L i t t l e children should o n l y c r y when i t ' s n e c e s s a r y . In the Chief's village, t h i s raven - whom everybody knew a s a liar was perched on t o p of t h i s tree. H e cawed and spoke t o t h i s l i t t l e boy. " L i t t l e boy?" h e asked., ""Would you b e l i e v e m e i f I t o l d you t h a t t h i s wolf i s coming t o r a i d your v i l l a g e chickens?" Not knowing t h e raven, t h e l i t t l e boy h e s i t a t e d . About t h e same time t h i s Eagle w a s s o a r i n g h i g h i n t h e sky and could s e e what t h e raven was up t o . So t h e Eagle f l e w down and warned t h e boy t h a t t h e raven was n o t a t r u s t worthy one. But t h e boy was very e a s i l y misled. He ran i n t o the v i l l a g e crying ::slf. All tlie villagers sl~rrmlndeci t h e a r e a , and found t h e boy was l y i n g . T h i s happened a few t i m e s and soon t h e v i l l a g e wouldn't list e n t o t h e boy. Then one day t h e wolf came and took a l l t h e chickens he could f o r a meal. When a l l t h i s was o v e r , t h i s Eagle f l e w down and spoke with t h e boy. " ~ i t t l eboy," t h e Eagle s a i d , "you have caused m i s f o r t u n e s upon your c h a r a c t e r . ' I f you had l i s t e n e d t o me i n t h e f i r s t p l a c e , you would . have had t h e s t r e n g t h , wisdom and knowledge n o t t o l i s t e n t o t h a t l y i n g raven. "

1-2

G t r e s v i v a n t sous t e r r e s ' a t t a q u a n t aux p e t i t s garsons q u i p l e u r e n t . I 1 ne v o u l a i t t o u j o u r s pas s ' a r r s t e r de p l e u r e r .

"Now come and p l u c k a t e a t h e r from my wing and c a r r y i t as a reminder of what you have done." So t h e l i t t l e boy t o o k t h e f e a t h e r and wore i t as a reminder t o h i m s l e f . That i s why l i t t l e boys wear f e a t h e r s . Always i n a Hurry

La t r i b u a v a i t c h o i s i un emplacement t r z s s 0 r e t dgfendable, d i f f i l e 5 d g c o u v r i r p a r t e r r e ou p a r mer. I 1 s ' a g i s s a i t de c o n t r ^ o l w l e s r i v i P r e s e t t e r r i t o i r e s de c h a s z ~ ; i i s e u r e n t e n t r e v i l l a g e s des g u e r r e s q u i d u r z r e n t c e n t ans. Dans c e t t e t r i b u , une femme donna n a i s s a n c e 3 des e n f a n t s mi-homme mi-loup. Sa v i e f u t dpargn'ee e t on 1 'amena s u r c e t t e '?le p o u r y p a s s e r l e r e s t e de ses j o u r s avec sa f a m i l Un j o u r , l a t r i b u de l a mare le r e n t r a e n g u e r r e c o n t r e une t r i b u de f o r c e 6 g a l e . En a p p r e n a n t que son "Chef", g r z c e $ q u i sa v i e f u t 6 p a r gne'e,'etait en t r a i n de p e r d r e l a g u e r r e , e l 1e r a c o n t a son h i s t o i r e ses fi1s. Se d 6 ~ o u i l l a n tde l e u r s f o u r r u r e s , i l s d e v i n r e n t des hommes e t a1 l G r e n t a i d e r l a t r i b u 3 d 6 f e n d r e son t e r r i t o i r e . E t a n t de grands g u e r r i e r s , i l s t r i o m p h s r e n t v i t e de La femme f u t rgaccepl'autre tribu. t g e dans sa t r i b u e t d e v i n t 116pouse du Chef. Cela p r e n a i t une semaine p o u r t r a v e r s e r e n canoe l e t e r r i t o i r e de conquGte de l a t r i bu. A c e moment15, pass$ u n ,ou deux v i 1 l a g e s , 1a malchance p o u r s u i v a i t t o u t l e monde. 11s ne s e m b l a i e n t p s c h e r aucun p o i s son n i d g n i c h e r aucune s o r t e de viande. Malchance s u r t o u t pour ce g a r s o n q u i p l e u r a i t sans a r r ? t p o u r p l u s de n o u r r i t u r e , mgme quand ses p a r e n t s p a r t a g e a i e n t leurs r a t i o n s avec l u i I 1s l u i p a r l 6 r e n t de ces.

P u i s un j o u r , l e s p a r e n t s r e n t r z r e n t 2 l a maison d ' o b i l s p o u v a i e n t e n t e n d r e p l e u r e r l e u r f i l s . On a u r a i t d i t que c e l a v e n a i t de dessous l a maison. . 11s l e c h e r c h e r e n t m a i s ne p u r e n t que l ' e n t e n d r e p l e u r e r f a i blement. Donc i1 s c o m m e n ~ k r e n t 3 creuser pour l e t r o u v e r . F i n a l lement, t o u s l e s Anciens s e m i r e n t 2 a i d e r . D ' a u t r e s v i l l a g e s en ~ f i t e - j i jr.cir!i_ f p;lr]iy et r ' "-'---+ I I CIIL aun -..., recherches. Quand e n f in, i1 s dhcouv r i r e n t l e garson, i1 s l e t r o u v e r e n t e n t r a i n de manger des b r i n d i l l e s , des v e r s e t a u t r e s choses de l a t e r r e . Ainsi tous l e s v i l l a g e o i s , : l a f o i s jeunes e t v i e u x , o n t a p p r i s a s o u f frir de l a meme f a ~ o n . Gr8ce 2 c e t t e h i s t o i r e , i l s ont f o r t i f i 6 aussi bien l e u r d i g n i t 6 i n t 6 r i e u r e que l e u r r e s p e c t de l ' u n i v e r s . Les p e t i t s e n f a n t s d e v r a i e n t seulement p l e u r e r quand c ' e s t ngcessai r e . UII

Dans l e v i l l a g e du Chef, l e corbeau que t o u t l e monde s a v a i t menteur, 6 t a i t perch6 en h a u t de I 1 c r o a s s a e t p a r l a au 1'arbre. p e t i t garson. "Eh, p e t i t gar$onn,demanda-t'il, "me c r o i r a i s - t u s i j e t e d i s a i s que ce l o u p s ' e n v i e n t p o u r p i l l e r 1es p o u l e t s du v i l l a g e ? " Ne c o n n a i s s a n t pas l e corbeau, l e p e t i t garson h s s i t a . A c e moment, 1 ' A i g l e & t a i t e n t r a i n de s 1 6 l e v e r dans l e c i e l e t p u t v o i r ce que l e corbequ f a i s a i t . Donc, 1 ' A i g l e v o l a p l u s bas e t a v e r t i t 1e g a r c o n que l e corbeau n 1 6 t a i t pas d i g n e de confiance. Mais l e garcon 6 t a i t t r z s f a c i l e 2 tramper. I 1 cou u t au v i l l a g e en c r i a n t "Au loup.". Tous l e s v i l l a g e o i s en-

I I

c e r c l z r e n t l a zone e n q u e s t i o n e t s ' a p e r ~ u r e n tque l e garqon m e n t a i t . Ceci s e p r o d u i s i t p l u s i e u r s f o i s e t bient3-t 1e v i 11age r e f u s a d ' h c o u t e r l e garGon. P u i s un j o u r , l e l o u p a r r i v a e t p r i t tous l e s poulets q u ' i l podvait p o u r un repas. Quand t o u t c e c i f u t f i n i , 1 ' A i g l e d e s c e n d i t en v o l a n t e t p a r l a avec l e garGon. " P e 5 i t garson" d i t I ' A i g l e , " t u as impose des m a l h e u r s ?I t o n c h a r a c t z r e . Si t u m'avais &out6 en premier l i e u , t u a u r a i s eu l a f o r c e , l a sagesse e t l e s a v o i r de ne pas & o u t e r ce ment e u r de corbeau." " M a i n t e n a n t , v i e n s e n l e v e r une plume 2 mon a i l e e t p o r t e - l a pour t e r a p p e l e r ce que t u as f a i t . " A i n s i l e p e t i t garson p r i t l a p l u me e t l a p o r t a e n s o u v e n i r de l u i m h e . Cela e x p l i q u e p o u r q u o i l e s p e t i t s garqons p o r t e n t des plumes. T o u j o u r s PrGss6.

What ' s Wrong? You have your anti-depressant drugs now You have your leveller your lithium Your words are measured clear & calm Your eyes are here your face is sane

here' s nothimg more to say I watch in silence as the same slow doubts & fears Slip through your eyes & change your mind They make decisions for you Tell you when to coiie & go Take you from an open welcome to distracted fear in fifteen minutes You leave & then you're back again Happy to be here then slowly disappear

Note:

continued from last issue but didn't I just read somewhere that it used to be a mountain? "A Study in Contrast"

...

Hunger, Waiting

A STUDY [incontrast

(revised)

support Work:

A Fairy Tale

This poem is dedicated to the only woman in the world who knows why starfish cry.

She speaks to him in metaphors, so there is always something left to say. Sometimes, she waits.

"And those that have not shall have taken from them even that which they have." - the Bible

Their silence ripens new innocence, juicy to the taste. Sometimes they fast.

* 4,

In the last, long, fifth week to cheque day, after borrowing ten from my landlord again, after re-selling month-old books unread. 'hlF I go wait in line at Our Sisters of the Atonement for two sandwiches and a treat and turn to face the cars passing on Cordova St., and start to dream, again, about the woman who will stop for me one day:

11All hungers are one hunger," calls the forest, just as it drowns them in a larger silence. One day, she heard.

After the forest reached her, he could no longer reach her meanings, so they parted friends. Wicca had begun.

u1fk-

#=-

And because he was handsome, she boasted at his pity.

Her words will be well chosen to put me at my ease. In the restaurant, I will tell her all this seems just like a dream. She will shrug at how easy it is for her to make me happy While she watches me eat (spagetti) she will find a way to tell me that our time together will not be ending when the meal is over. She will take my virginity from me as gently and patiently As she would tease from the earth the roots of a flower for replanting. t

Her gentleness will come from strength. All awkwardness will be dissolved and mv gratefulness will touch her

A-

And when I said my mother had a grade-nine mind, I wasn't saying anything about her intelligence. I was talking about her innocence. The innocence she still had managed to hold onto until the last day I saw her, when she asked me to be sure to write. But since I was moving away to Vancouver because I was afraid I was getting close to trying to rape one of my sisters, I knew when I nodded yes, that it would be unlikely. Not likely,

When I was a s m a l l boy, my sist e r s used t o t a k e my t o a p l a c e we c a l l e d "The B a t cave." To g e t t o t h i s p l a c e , we would walk through our neighbour's c e d a r bush. A l i t t l e f u r t h e r on, we came t o where a c r e e k flowed i n t o a cave. This was "The B a t Cave:" The grown-ups c a l l e d i t he Black Hole." We k i d s knew d i f f e r e n t l y thmgh. There were nl;;rsro\is s t o r i e s about t h e p l a c e , none good, and f o r us i t was a p l a c e of mystery and menace. Even though we knew t h e c r e e k became a r i v e r a f t e r i t passed through t h e mountain, i n f a c t i t ' s name then became :Lost ~ i v e r , " and i t passed r i g h t through o u r v i l l a g e . Story has i t , t h a t i f you crouched down low enough, j u s t when t h e sun was s e t t i n g , you would s e e s t r a n g e glimmering l i g h t s s h i n i n g o u t of t h e cave. That time i s long ago i n t h e p a s t , not r e a l l y f o r g o t t e n , b u t somehow I s t i l l f e e l i t ' s menace. You s t i l l have t h a t l i t t l e c a t c h i n your b r e a t h when you f e e l something i s wrong and you know something must be done about i t . . . f o r something i s Wrong ! SOMEONE i s plundering t h i s Province B L I N D!!! Not being c o n t e n t w i t h impoveri s h i n g our sources of funds, they a r e ready t o s e l l o f f t h e only moneymakers l e f t i n t h e Province. A f t e r a change i n c h a r a c t e r s ( b u t change i n power) they a r e playing the same o l d game. Don't l e t the l e f thand know what t h e r i g h t one i s doing.

The S o c i a l C r e d i t p a r t y i s i n t h e process of d i s m a n t l i n g a g r e a t province. They have hemmed and hawed about h e a l t h c o s t s . They have kept countl e s s people l i v i n g below t h e pove r t y l e v e l . They a r e spending m i l l i o n s of d o l l a r s on d e c e n t r a l i z a t i o n ngthen t h e i r f o r one reason -I n sTrezb t xo rs st r egrezse pow-. duwu a l r e a d y well-greased r a i l s . A M i l l i o n a i r e government we do n o t need. Consultation, c o n s i d e r a t i o n and o t h e r words do n o t f i l l empty b e l l i e s . Nor do they p u t shoes on your f e e t . What's wrong w i t h a seawalk around F a l s e Creek? What's wrong w i t h a mix of low-cost housing and o t h e r e n t e r p r i s e s f o r F a l s e Creek?

Why do people have t o go out-ofprovince f o r l i f e s a v i n g s u r g e r y ? E s p e c i a l l y when t h e l a r g e s t h o s p i t a l i n Canada i s l o c a t e d r i g h t h e r e i n Vancouver! Leaving a s i d e t h e a b o r t i o n b o l l u x . . . Leaving a s i d e B i l l 19, and B i l l 20.. Leaving a s i d e t h e overspending i n t h e Highways Department f o l i o Leaving a s i d e t h e p a r t i a l t r u t h s and non-truths we have been f e d . . . J u s t t h i n k i n g of t h e i r s t a n d on Free Trade i s q u i t e enough. You and I might once a g a i n be looking i n t o s t r a n g e and f r i g h t e n i n g one t h a t i s more menacing, Bat Cave more f r i g h t e n i n g , than t h e r e a l t h i n g e v e r was. More from t h e Bat Cave i n t h e future. By J . CHALMERS

...

-R e f l e c t i o n s

on a Song by Heather Bishop

And i t seems t o m e I have an answer, Heather, t o t h e q u e s t i o n s you asked u s a l l . And i t seems t o m e t h a t i f J e s u s d i d have a baby s i s t e r , a l i t t l e , baby s i s t e r , t h e n s h e would have come t o u s , i n innocence ~ n di n wonder, t o a c i t y t h a t i n v i t e d t h e world t o a n e x p l o i t a t i o n of T r a n s p o r t a t i o n and CommunicatSon; and i t seems t o m e t h a t a s t h e s t a g e b e f o r e u s revolved, s h e ' d have a c h i l d ' s l o n g i n g t o s e e what was on t h e o t h e r s i d e of t h e horizon...and s o , Heather, i t seems t o me t h a t s h e never had a chance. Stephen Belkin) (my words a r e unworthy

~ 6 f l e ' x i o n ss u r une Chanson; p a r Heather Bishop. E t il me semble, Heather, que j ' a i une r6ponse aux q u e s t i o n s que t u nous as t o u s pos6. E t il me semble que s i ~ 6 s u sa v a i t eu une p e t i t e soeur, une t o u t e p e t i t e soeur, a l o r s e l l e s e r a i t venue 3 nous, i n n o c e n t e e t 6 m e r v e i l l G e , dans une v i l l e q u i a u r a i t i n v i t 6 l e monde 2 une e x p l o i t a t i o n de T r a n s p o r t e t Communication; e t t a n d i s que devant nous t o u r n a i t l a s c h e de t h 8 t r e , il me semble q u ' e l l e a u r a i t eu un d 6 s i r d ' e n f a n t de v o i r ce q u ' i l y a v a i t de l ' a u t r e c a t 2 de l ' h o r i z o n e t c ' e s t p o u r q u o i , Heather, il me semble q u ' e l l e n ' e n a j a m a i s eu l'occasion. ("mes mots s o n t i n d i g n e s ' i Stephen Be1 k i n )

...

A h o t june morning i n ' 7 9 , sweating from climbing urban h i l l s , Yancouver, T h i s long walk i s nothing. I found you, Byron.

I foundyou, Byron...

A n t i c i p a t i o n , o u r f i r s t a d u l t meeting, a son turned f o r t y , a f a t h e r t u r n e d s i x t y , For m e , hope joined t h e s u n l i g h t bouncing u T i rbe g l a s s ~2Ci;~?z%c!:S? s l i c k , t a l l B u i i d i ~ i g s .

A b e a u t i f u l c i t y , a b e a u t i f u l s t r e e t , Barclay, I had j u s t blown i n Vegas again. Maybe you were doing okay, maybe I could h e l p , maybe you and I , maybe. F i n a l l y your home, a b i g b u i l d i n g t h a t ' s f o r s u r e , b u t a s e n i o r c i t i z e n ' s home n o t even a bedroom, j u s t a p u l l o u t s o f a , w i t h a faded s p o r t w r i t e r ' s faded Olympic c l i p p i n g s on a faded w a l l . Hopes faded. Faded d e s c r i b e s our family t h a t ' s f o r sure. A can of beans i n t h e f r i d g e as I f i l l t h e f r i d g e w i t h beer. Your w h i t e h a i r e d neighbour brought sandwiches, a n i c e lady. "I t r y and watch o u t f o r him," s h e s a i d .

Tom S c o t t

The b e e r thawed an i c y v i s i t , c r a c k i n g your f r o n t , You c r i e d and blamed t h e war, t h e d e a t h of buddies, b u t I know t h a t you never went t o w a r , L e f t behind i n a stockade. For you, t h e r e was no France. I found you Byron, a l o n g t i m e ago. Drinking and d i n n e r i n a Pender S t r e e t pub, Your f r i e n d s considered m e a c h a r l a t a n . A f t e r you went home, I knocked one of them o u t , kicked him, and t h e y were q u i e t a f t e r t h a t .

I found you Byron b u t i t means nothing. So me back t o Windsor, my t u r n t o weep. L a t e r , drunk, you s a i d n o t t o c a l l again. Telephones d e l i v e r t h e c r u e l e s t messages. Stubborn m e , I checked your phone i h e ; P V P ~hcqjng fnr a c a l l from you. One day t h e l i n e was dead and s o were you. ~ T G Gtime t"

You never l i v e d w i t h Mom o r m e , never s e t up housekeeping, as t h e y say. "Where does your Dad work?" they s a y "What i s your Dad's name? Where i s he?" they say.

Archaic, Canadian d i v o r c e laws robbed a w i l t e d blossom. my mother of any hope, f u t u r e No one could f i n d you, Byron. They a l l d i e d , your w i f e , mother, sister; They loved i n v a i n , t h e i r s e a r c h f u t i l e .

I n Vancouver, on a sunny, January day '88, You were s o hard t o f i n d a g a i n , Byron. But a f r i e n d l y , cemetery worker l e d me t o where you rest w i t h t h e o t h e r v e t e r a n s . The cenotaph i s inscribed:"they a s we t h a t a r e l e f t grow o l d , s g e s h a l l n o t weary them nor t h e y e a r s condemn."

s h a l l grow n o t o l d ,

The mountains, summits f l e c k e d w i t h snow, and rows of c r i s p , green s p r u c e a r e my s i l e n t w i t n e s s e s . 11 I come i n peace, Dad, can you h e a r ? ~ e t ' sj u s t f o r g i v e and n o t condemn each o t h e r . " Christmas Eve, a few weeks ago, t h e gray sky hung low over Toronto p r e p a r i n g t o drop h o l i d a y snow on s c h e d u l e , I v i s i t e d my son, Dad, and l e f t t h e c i t y .

I FOUND YOU, BYRON ~cnt:;-~~ur:d,.

rne C r O $ E are m u t t e r i n g i n t h e s p r u c e . Looking down, t h e y t h i n k t h a t I am c r a z y . I ' m n o t c r a z y , Dad, j u s t melancholy. It i s good t o v i s i t h e r e . When I t o l d my son, about going West a g a i n H e r e a c t e d l i k e I had s a i d , " I ' m going t o Beckers, what do you need?" I j u s t wanted h i s love. I

So t h a t i s t h e s t o r y , Byron, You were a drunk and I am s t i l l . I found you, Byron. But my son found m e too. . -

NEED

HELP

D E R A can h e l p you with:

* * *

any welfare problems

UIC problems getting legal .assistilncc unsafe livinn conditions in hotels or apartments disputes with landlords income tax

JOBODY ' S FRIEIJD

My name i s g o s s i p . I have no r e s p e c t for justice. I maim without k i l l i n g I break h e a r t s and ruin lives. ' I am cunning and mali c i o u s n e s s and g a t h e r s t r e n g t h w i t h age. The more I am quoted t h e more I am b e l i e v e d I f l o u r i s h a t every l e v e l of s o c i e t y .

~ h u r c hof t h e ~ i m l g h t yu o l l a r The masses! The masses! Land of t h e b l e s s e d . C i t y of t h e damned. Praying i n metaphors. P u r s u i t of a dream. A golden c a l f i n Krugerrands. The c a l f became b u l l i s h . Prayer of t h e p i n s t r i p e d . "Ronnie! P l e a s e keep away t h e bears!" From your pews, t h e video views. N a u t i l u s and spandex r e l i g i o n . S t r e t c h e d out t o pray. "Jane! P l e a s e keep away t h e g i f t of time! Holiness! Holiness! Keep away t h e scourge! The neon g r a f f i t i . Sodium r i c h f e a s t s . P l e a s e keep i t away from us!" But w e s t i l l gorge on decaying f l e s h . Considered f r e s h . Empty a t l a s t ! Considered f u l l . Baptised i n h o t t u b s . Consecrated t o a l i f e of i d l e n e s s , w i t h you i d o l s . Supermarket b i b l e s , from a S t . P e t e r s b u r g heaven. Seventy f i v e c e n t s ow! Marilyn c a l l s ! Image of E l v i s . Cross y o u r s e l f ! The words of John. Likeness of James. Budget your days! P l a s t i c c a r d s . A t l a s t ! Pilgrimage t o Phoenix. J a c k Samorodin

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less. They cannot prot e c t themselves a g a i n s t m e because I have no name and no f a c e . To t r a c k m e down i s impossible. The h a r d e r you t r y , t h e more e l u s i v e I become. I a m nobody's f r i e n d . Once I t a r n i s h a repu t a t i o n , i t i s never t h e same. I t o p p l e governments and wreck marriages. I r u i n c a r e e r s and cause s l e e p l e s s n i g h t s , heartache & indigestion I make innocent people cry i n t h e i r pillows. Even my name h i s s e s . I am c a l l e d Gossip. O f f i c e g o s s i p . Shop gossip. Party gossip. Telephone g o s s i p . I make h e a d l i n e s and headaches. Before you repeat a story ask yourself, is i t true? Is i t f a i r ? Is i t necessary? I f n o t SHUT UP

Thoughts on Humanity SANDWICH LINE Walking on weak ankles Disturbed by hunger We are nothing but A herd of ghosts Assembled here in silence Bottles smashed & empty Pills all gone Histories evicted Eyes stuck open On the temporary rain Here we find The ugly dreams you fear Hunched over to an open door To a sandwich wrapped in plastic To a filter tip butt lit up By traffic in the gutter You hardly ever hear The truth of how it happened You hardly ever hear The details Lost in cut lips Lifetimes Paralyzed in the mind Scattered like moving targets Into somewhere Nowhere The night Ynij

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You cash the cheque You say we are the homeless But you never know We might just bite The hand that feeds us We might just be The walking wounded days & nights Left over from this war You wage on us. TORA

Nature does not provide man with all good. Nature has no obligation to man for anything - good or bad. Whatever nature provides should be accepted with deep gratitude and man can only try to avoid the bad. The bad seems unavoidable at times, but with naturally provided intelligence man can avoid the bad and seek out only the good. Man is the only animal capable of ruining nature's good and turning it to bad. The most obvious is our environment; it may be good and profitable to the destroyer of the environment but bad for the innocent bystanders - the people. This 'trend' only started back a few thousand years ago. People with intelligence take from others what is more than their share and the others suffer because of this. There are people all over the world who are suffering while a few have more than their share, and then only for some kind of satisfaction of having material riches. The suffering of the poor and innocent started a few thousand years ago too and things never seem to be close to recurning to a natural way where people share equally of nature's good. Nature provided intelligence to man unequally, but a person with moee>ntelligence could then share the bounty of his work with those of less intelligence. Instead, those with more intelligence take away more and more from those others until most of humanity is suffering. These others can see that the more in- , telligent/hoarders of the gift of superior intelligence, cannot have the pleasure of sharc

ing what they have with the less fortunate: the truly intelligent will share his gift with those not so gifted.

And before the refrig so often, My poor mind is filled with doubt, Have I just put food away or Have I come to take it out?

The intelligence of humanity, when compared to the vastness and possibilities of our universe we may be no more than insects to other forms of intelligent life. It's too bad that something like that doesn't come and show us how to use our own intelligence. '

So, if it is my turn to write to you There is no use in getting sore, I may think I have And don't want to

Archie Miaishita

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So remember, I do love And I wish that you were here, But now it's now near y mail time, So I must say goodbye dear.

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Instead of .mailing you my letter, I have opened it instead.

Little Mountain Neighbourhood House

Getting Old or just Forgetful? Just a line to say I'm living, That I'm not among the dead, Though I'm getting more forgetful, And more mixed up in the head. For sometimes I can't remember, h%@nT ~ 2 n d at the foot of the stair

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There is a pleasant and friendly atmosphere every Thursday evening, 7:00 to 11:OO when Coffeehouse occurs. The local musicians take part and the piano has a beautiful tone. The food si excellent and soup is only fifty cents a bowl. They usually have homemade muffins as well. The volunteers who work in the kitchen have a great deal of common courtesy. On March 10, the Coffeehouse celebrated its third annijversary. They had a special cake and a great number of people helped us celebrate. Little Mountain Neighbourhood has a variety of other programs such as Single Parent's Support Group, Seniors and Children's events. No man is an island unto himself and wc must reach out to other communities. By Irene Schmidt

J ~ e a v e si a Jling, g e l l t l e s p r l . J l g r o l l i n g i n ; b u t my h e a r t , a t t h i s moment, f o r some r e a s o n , i s a d a r k p l a c e t o live! Have you r e a d t h e l a t e s t news - t h e good, t h e bad? The good news i s t h a t a group o f c h i l d r e n ( w e l l , young f o l k s ) g o t t o g e t h e r and d i d a l i t t l e f a s t i n g f o r twenty-four h o u r s - a l o n g time. They wanted t o know what i t would f e e l l i k e ; t h e y wanted t o r a i s e a b i t o f money f o r Alfrica; t h e y wanted t o keep o u r c o n s c i e n c e a l i v e . The s a d news i s - and I wouldn't want t o smash t h e i r hopes - b u t a s k t h e q u e s t i o n : "Where w i l l most of t h e money go?" The money came from young Canadian s t u d e n t s , b u t w i l l t h e h a n d l e r s of b i g money c a r e ? I t h i n k n o t , but perhaps I ' m a l i t t l e jaded. I think..dare I say i t . . p e r h a p s t h e money h a n d l e r s have a strange disease: t h e i r central p r o c e s s - your b e s t i n t e n t i o n s , your b e s t work, i s n o t i m p o r t a n t f o r t h o s e who make t h e o n l y v a l u e f o r themselves. money T h e r e ' s a r i v e r r u n n i n g by where I grew up; I used t o dream and hope f o r t h e f u t u r e . I ' u s i t down by t h e r i v e r t o s e e what I c o u l d see-to s e e who I c o u l d be! The bad news r e p o r t s t h a t t r o o p s

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a r e two s i d e s t o e v e r y s t o r y and guns and k n i v e s and m i s c e l l a n e o u s p a r a p h a n a l i a . . . j u s t your everyday s o r t of e v e n t . . . o r i t seems l i k e i t . T h i s i s t h e u s u a l way of s e t t l i n g p o l i t i c a l disagreements, o r r e l i g i ous/emotbonal/philosophical schisms. peaceable s o l u t i o n s - i t ' s j u s t "Hey you, g e t t h e shotgun and w e ' l l g e t r i d o f . . . t h i s burden." - t o some, poor f o l k s a r e a burden NOW i t ' s a l m o s t summer... Maybe we can f i n d a l i t t l e peace t h e r e . I t ' s t o o bad everyone d o e s n ' t have t h e l u x u r y of p e a c e , b u t o b v i o u s l y is a luxury. By DAVE McCONNELL Peace -

SKILLET MACARONI AND CHEDDAR 3 tablespoons butter or mqrgarine '/Z package (8-ounce sizc) m i c ~ r o n i and Cheddar dinner* 2 tablespoons chopped green pepper 1 % cups hot water '4 to '4 cup cubed cooked ham or pork luncheon meat l a teaspoon dry mustard 2 tablespoons chopped pimicnlo, ii desired Melt butter in H-inch skillet. Cook and stlr macaroni and green pcpic?r over medium heat until macaroni i s light golden, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in water. Cover and simmer until macaroni i s tender, about 15 minutes. Stir in meat, Cheese Sauce M i x and mustard. Simmer, stirring constantly, until meat i s hot and cheese sauce i s thickened, about 2 minutes. Stir in pimiento.

2 servings.

I e n j o y s h a r i n g my r e c i p e s w i t h you. I f you have any you would l i k e t o s h a r e , p l e a s e g e t i n cont a c t w i t h RAY CLARK i n t h e k i t c h e n o r l e a v e a t I n f o Desk on main â&#x20AC;˘â&#x20AC;&#x2122;1.

INNER CITY SYMPOSIUM This Workshop on Downtown Vancouver helped plan strategies for a changing world. It took place at the Vancouver Vocational Institute near Victory Square, March 23. The main purpose of the workshop was to make the downtown area a better place to live. I took part in the "General Community Services'' program. My feeling is that the support services should have been in place before releasing patients from Riverview. This is a cruel and inhumane way of treating people; they are just bek i g duiilp& u u Like s ~ r e e ~ s . The so-called experts were involved solely with emptying the institutions, but failed to realize the impact on the communities where these people were released. Another leaky band-aid solution. We had reps from St. Paul's and VGfIospital who admitted they were so busy with their own duties that the result is often a lack of knowledge of outside problems. The services for children and youth should be greatly increased in the Downtown Eastside. A growing number of social problems are being overlooked due to rampant planning. We need to be recognized as a stable community. Developers should not undermine existing communities and stop thinking that total demolition is the only answer. We are shooting ourselves in the foot constantly. The same government that fosters alcoholism is profiting from booze and opening new outlets. There were representatives from a variety of organizations. John Turvey was concerned about the homeless children in our area and the abundance of new social housing going in without providing addi-

tional services. Dave Graham from the Salvation Army said he had a terrific heritage working with addicted men. The younger people are being trapped in a derogatory lifestyle. H e also thought we should enhance the multi-cultural character of our neighbourhood. Debbie Mearnes from the Vancouver Indian Centre said natives face every disadvantage and aren't considered seriously. They work in isolation and most live in the Down town Eastside, Grandview Woodlands dud KOU~I: Pleasant. Many end up in the Detox Centres, but no support services are provided. The Indian Centre wasn't welcome in the neighbourhood, she said. Inspector Ken Higgins from the Vancouver Police Department thought there should be more emphasis on Crime Prevention. There is also a drastic increase in the consumption of chinese cooking wine. Peter Tseung from the Chinatown Businessman's Association stated that more parking was needed as he had to walk 3 blocks. The response to this was that there are already far too many vehicles in the downtown area and this community is not going to become a giant parking lot. Exhaust fumes cause breathing difficulties for many residents. I would like to see all of us be more accountable by making positive contributions to social change. Help revitalize existing communities and don't help create new ghettos. I

By IRENE SCHMIDT

Found i n Some Hotel s t e d a l o n g d e s o l a t i o n boulevard. und h i s few p o s s e s s i o n s . und him hanging i n a c l o s e t . osed t o t h e world w e r e our eyes. en were h i s . faded photograph. An apex of h i s p r i d e d joy was h i s c h i l d . had a l i t t l e boy. m e hooker g o t c a r e l e s s . d n ' t b o t h e r t o name him. ken t o an orphanage. a t e x p l a i n s h i s l i f e i n f u l l . Cut s h o r t . ough n o t i n prime. F o r t y y e a r s was h i s l o t e d t i m e . What k i l l e d him? A broken h e a r t s s h a t t e r e d joy? A broken promise? broken t o y ? Yes! Men have t o y s ! ey come i n b o t t l e s , o r t i g h t f i t t i n g o t h e s . They p l a y and p l a y and play. ti1 t h e y ' v e abused t h e i r new found t o y s . f e was s i m p l e r , when you were j u s t a boy.

Jack Samorodin 4

body s p i r i t mind s o u l Yet You buy me everyday You e x p l o i t my l a b o u r free free free You buy my l a b o u r $ $ $ You buy my bbackgroudd' middleclass??? white degreed You consume my so-called priviledge s k i l l s indoctrination You e a t my oppression girl lady woe-man You Expect m e t o f e e l Guilty responsible obliged. You want m e t o nurture feed nurse Pssssst. You i g n o r e / f o r g e t / d o n l t c a r e that i feel e a t e n consumed dead. No more s a l e s . Closed t o Business. Gone f i s h i n '

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I BEWILDERMENT Let them know t h a t i t ' s a l l t h e s i m p l e l i t t l e b r e a t h e n i n g strums of t h e wind t h a t makes t h e change. Before t h i n g s change t h e storm c l e a r s and t h e o n l y h e a t from t h e c o l d i s passion. Holding o n t o t h e tree of l i f e b e f o r e t h e s t r e n g t h s t r e n g t h i s drawn from w i t h i n t h e d a r k e s t h o l e p i t t e d w i t h i n you. S t a g i n g segments of entangled. images drawn from your i n n e r soul. May d e s i g n s t r i k e t h e bewildered energy forming from you. SAN

The following i s a m u l t i p l e c h o i c e q u e s t i o n a i r e . answer which b e s t r e p r e s e n t s your f e e l i n g s .

1. 2. 3.

Simply choose t h e

Name: ( f i l l i n blank) b) None of your damn business! a ) My name i s Age: a ) 4 b) 27 c ) Over 40 b u t I look 10 y e a r s younger. Sex: a ) A s o f t e n as p o s s i b l e b) 3 times a day but I ' m always alone. c ) Once a month whether I need i t o r n o t . (WARNING The surgeon g e n e r a l has now determined t h a t s e x i s s o dangerous It r.muld be h e a l t h i e r T o ski:, it_ s1~egztE;zzsi;lil g~ s t r a i g h t t o t h e c i g a r e t t e afterwords.) The reason you come t o Carnegie is: a ) The cheap c o f f e e b) The s c i n t i l a t i n g c o n v e r s a t i o n c ) To l i s t e n t o a l l t h e backstabbing going on. I f you haven't heard a v i c i o u s rumour i n Carnegie by 11:30 you: a ) F a i n t dead away from shock b) S t a r t one. Are you i l l i t e r a t e ? a ) No b) I c o u l d n ' t r e a d t h e q u e s t i o n . DO you e v e r g e t angry o r annoyed f i l l i n g out survey q u e s t i o n s ? a ) No, n o t a t a l l b) S t u f f your q u e s t i o n s you pus-ladened pig! How much wood could a woodchuck chuck i f a woodchuck could chuck wood? a ) I d o n ' t know b) The wood t h a t a woodchuck could chuck i f a woodchuck could chuck wood c ) Could you r e p e a t t h e q u e s t i o n ? Could you say "mixed b i s c u i t s " t e n times i n a row? a ) NO b) Yes, but I ' m l y i n g . Your f a v o u r i t e type of sandwich is: a ) Dried Peanut B u t t e r b) S t a l e salmon c ) AAAARRGGGGHHHH! Sandwiches, Sandwiches...I'm SICK of Sandwiches! !! Do you d r i n k a l o n e ? a ) No. b) Yesh(hic) Have you e v e r s u f f e r e d memory b l a c k o u t s due t o d r i n k i n g ? a ) Don't remember b) Once, but i t turned o u t I was a s l e e p c ) NO. I ' v e never had...wait a minute.,.where t h e h e l l am I?..how d i d I g e t h e r e . . does anybody know what day i t i s ? I f you could have one wish come t r u e , i t would be: a) Peace and goodwill among mankind b) A home and a job f o r everyone. c ) To have t h i s s t u p i d survey end.

4. 5. 6.

7. 8.

9. 10.

11. 12.

....

13.

Somebody must have picked ' c ) ' .

This survey was w r i t t e n by Lloyd Fenton

GOOD FRIDAY STREET SERVICE

LUKE 9:58: "And J e s u s s a i d unto him, Foxes have h o l e s , and b i r d s of t h e . a i r have n e s t s : b u t t h e Son of Man h a t h n o t where t o l a y h i s head."

(First United's Ecurnencial Committee on Social Responsibility will hold a street service on Good Friday, April lst, at 3:00, beginning outside the main doors of government offices at 800 Hornby Street, From there, participants will mark the Stations of the Cross outside the Court House, the Stock Exchange, the U.S. Consulate and other similar locations. A prayer for positive action and spiritual solidarity with the thousands of homeless and unprotected w i l l be said outside the Attorney General's office. All Christians and interested others are invited to join. )

Yet even now an i n t e r m i t t e n t flame of whom they were once can c r o s s t h e milky ground of t h e i r eyer Roomers: Downtown E a s t s i d e l i k e a s i g n a t u r e blazed a c r o s s t h e l a s t , Most roomers h e r e a r e men, s o o l d blank page as a book c l o s e s even they have f o r g o t t e n and sometimes one of them w i l l l i f t a hanc t h e wives and t h e confusion of c h i l d r e n and wonderingly contemplate i t , who could w a i t no longer and went, t h e v e i n s r i s i n g under t h e s k i n as if f a c e s fading: dream f l a k i n g t o an ache, a r e b l u e a n g e l s come t o d e l i v e r him l e a v i n g them i n a dominion of cockroaches from h i s i n t e r m i n a b l e t w i l i g h t . bclsi-q ~ u ;:ered t conversations J a n c i s M. Andrews wic3 > o t e l w a l l s . (work-in-progress: Poems from t h e D . E . )