April 1, 2008, carnegie newsletter by Carnegie Newsletter

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A_I_'RIL 1, 2008

FREE -

carnnews@vcn.bc.ca www .~arnnews.org

NEWSLETTER

10 I Main St, Vllllcouver V6A 217

604.005-2289

Jfjter sea fevefs rose due to qfo6a[ Warming ...

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everyone was surprised 6y now quick{y o/ancouverites adapted.

Global Warming There is a book named The Weathermakers by Tim Flannery. It was deemed to be so wel l researched, well-written, explained and open to a reader to make intelligent judgments of its contents and message that Dr. David Walker, retired Profes-sor Emeritus of Nuclear Physics at UBC gave a hardcover copy to every person who was graduating from Science 10 1 when it was published

popular media has as much as 53% of all articles questioning the "unanimity" of the scientific op inion This is directly attributable to paid hacks sowing this pseudo-confusion ... paid for and gotten into the popular media by the transnational conglomerates profiting from the status quo. Personally I recommend The Weatltermakers to everyone with a shred of conscience and concern about the future. Be advised though: there is no silver bullet or one circumstance - like the waning ava ilab ility of oil mak ing global warming a hysteri cal hiccup (like Y2K) - and everyone has a stake. By PAULR TAY LOR

The author takes every factor and gives the history of research on that aspect of influencing weather. He re lates it to other theories, stud ies and let's the reader give weight to who found what or who stopped short and published and had their particular theory get its 15 minutes of fame.

=-1annery puts different conclusions or trends of research in perspective but contin uous ly shows who and how vested interests (in not taking actions to reduce industrial behaviours and societal blindness to the implications of Global Warming) continue to nay-say the science and obvious conclusions. He traces the current-time extinctions of individual species of animal and plant li fe, how such are directly caused by the growing accumulation of effects. Hird-in-the-Mine species that have survived in very fragile ecosystems are just dying off due to slight but irreversible changes to such conditions. There are theories that follow contam ination via pollution or undying radioactivity dispersed in wars (depleted uranium) and atomic blasts since 1945 and continuing in a global pissing contest between those with the most expensive toys. The supposed safe level is a hollow panacea as radioactive material stays around for hundreds of mi II ions of years. Saying fallout has dispersed or been washed away - to where? The very real dieback of bees and frogs wo rld wide is directly attributable to an ever-growing amount of radioactive particles in our ecosystem. What's really interesting is the amount of money and effort to muddy th e waters of scientific results. As AI Gore points out in An Inconvenient Truth, the scientific community, in I 00% of publications and respected journals and research worldwide, has zero dispute with the reality of global warming BUT the

WISH Announces Women's 2nd Annual Emerging Voices Art Show and Fundraiser -!! !!!!!!!!WE ARE LOOKING FOR ART!!!!!!! Do you make art? Do you have art on your walls you would like to donate? Do you have friends who would like to donate art? Could you donate an item for a silent auction? Could you donate art supplies for the women to make their own pieces? You can contribute to the show's success. Proceeds from the mt show will support the WISH Drop-In Centre Society. What: Emerging Voices Art Show and Fundraiser When:May 21st, 2008 Doors open from 4:00-6:30 for a preview and silent auction start; official opening at 6:30pm- I O:OOpm Where: Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street, Vancouver

Writing . ... is an act of faith: I believe it's also an act of hope, the hope that things can be better than they are. Margaret Atwood (1939 - )

The high cost of SAMI homelessness

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This article is about a study which was recently written up in at least two major newspapers. The study is called Housing and Support for Adults with Severe Addictions and/or Menta/Illness in British Columbia. (Two cop ies wi ll be made available in the Carnegie Library and it is I 50 pages long, th ough th e executive summery and recommendations are only about 12 pages.) It was written by five academics from various universities, mostly from BC. SAMI is an acronym for Severe Addictions and/or Mental Illness. This study is mainly about the homeless SAM l population in BC. First, please understand that this is not a deserving/ undeserving homeless story. This is not a story similar to choosing to focus on ch ild poverty instead of on all types of poverty. This is j ust about a study which was done about one segment of the homeless, not meant to imply that that segment is more worthy of action than are any other types of homeless persons. In fact, it was commissioned by the BC Ministry of Health. Several days after the story broke in the news, the provincial Housing Ministry, headed by Rich Coleman, announced increased rent subsid ies for working fam ilies, completely ignoring the SAMI report's cry for help for the possibly most vulnerable homeless. I was present at a City Co uncil meeting where the city's 12 sites of I 00 units each was being proposed (my presentation: "too little, too late"), and I was speaker number 16 out of about I 00. Just before 1 got to speak, Rich Co leman walked out of the council chamber audience and left; the new housing that the city proposed (mostly for SAMI homeless) never got the provincial funding needed to start bu ilding the housing. Message: the provincial government not only docsn 't care about housing the homeless, it especially doesn't care about housing the SAM I homeless (unless you count the I 6 hotels it is going to convert into supportive housing, which I don't, because the people already in these probably wi ll be displaced).) Basically, the study states that it costs more to leave the SAMI "absolutely homeless" (i.e. SAMI street homeless) fending for th emselves rather than to provide supportive hous ing for them. (Other studies, which count the homeless as a whole, have already stated this.) The reasons are fairly obvious: adding up the costs of social services, hospital services. and iud icial services thev use outweigh what-

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ever they wou ld use if they were housed. (This is supposedly because they're SAMl homeless, but l thin k th e argument applies equally to every type of homeless person.) Is there much different in the report th an in previous repo rts? Well, this report exp licitly states that responsibility for the abso lutely homeless lies with governments. This not only means building more support ive housing for them, (i.e. social housing with special sup-ports) but to also increase rent supplements, so that organizations like BC I lousing can provide more homes It states that gentrification due to the coming 20 I 0 Winter Olympics is causing homelessness. It says that S/\M I homeless have problems accessing income assistance (both regular and disabi li ty assistance), but doesn't call for an end to barriers to getti ng welfare. It doesn't call for raising the welfare rates, although it notes th at inadequate welfare rates are one of the causes of homclessness. (Other causes identified include rising inflation, increasing rents and un employment, and cutbacks in government housing programs.) As long-time anti-poverty activist Jean Swanson (of Raise the Rates, and the Carnegie Communi ty Action Project) pointed out, the report makes no mention of the $250 million housing endowment fund of which the province is not making use, nor

does it mention the huge surp luses that both the provincial and federal governments have racked up, thus enabling them to easily spend the requisite amounts on building enough housing for all the homeless. As for SAMI causing homelessness, or homelessness causing SAMl, the report says both are possible, and are probably reciprocal effects of each other. However, the report doesn't say what the proportion of SAM I homeless is to the general homeless population, although it states that 50 to 70 percent of homeless people are dual diagnosed, that is, have both an ad diction and a mental illness. So it seems likely that SAM I homeless compared to the entire homeless population probably ranges around the 80 percent mark. Indeed, the number of SAMJ absolutely homeless people in BC, I 1,750, seem to indicate that that is true, compared with earlier estimates of the total homeless population in BC. In the March 24 Globe and Mail article on the study, former City Counci llor Jim Green is quoted as saying, "Even if you don't care about human beings, if you only care about the economy, it is insanity not to deal with this." Well, excuse my cynicism, but whoever said governments acted sanely? By Rolf Auer

In This Country This is the country In which I've spent half of my life I have two children And a lovely wife I have learned to express myself and see In a new language that Did not make any sense to me I saw the season Reflecting from your eyes May be this is the reason Snow descends mixing with ice Either take my love Far away to lonely stars Or wait until death itself Shall one day elevate us Towards heaven's stairs a Carnegie poet

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False Dreams

She came from a poor family, Raised in the poorest neighborhood. Proud to be a citizen of One of the richest countries. Her arms are always sore, the visible needle holes showing clearly During the daylight every day. Blood stains, low income house hallways, Selling her body for a deadly habit. Pigeons look into dead silence, vibrating her sorrows with their lives. One day she went missing When rich people were celebrating life and kissing. Her short life did not mean anything, And her memories were faded into false dreams.

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Beethoven I

Carnegie Theatre Friday April 4th @3pm . '

Hun1mel Performed by Trio Accord with Clarinetist Johanna Hauser Trio Accord is one of Canada's leading string trios. Its members are violinist Mary Sokol Brown, violist Andrew Brown, and cellist Ariel Barnes. Johanna Hauser is director of Kits Classics + Worlds Bevond. !

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April 5 may be too far past Foot''s o·ay

but That's Never Stopped us Dedicated Fools If it's foolish to think of a good future for our neighbourhood, then write about the Downtown Eastside as a fool who knows something about its heart & soul. This is our home and we have a birthright to live in our community. Come share your vision and song.

Saturday, April 5, 7 p.m.

PACIFIC BLUEGRASS & HERITAGE MUSIC SOCIETY presents

A Variety of Bands Playing

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Wednesday, April 16th, 7 - 9 pm Carnegie Theatre NOTICE OF MOTION TO AMEND THE CCCA CONSTITUTION Note that on Thursday, April 3, 2008 at 5:30pm that the President of the Carnegie Community Centre Association has called a general meeting where the following motion will be brought forward : That the CCCA approve the following amendment of the CCCA Constitution and Bylaws:

Nominations for election to the Board of Directors shall be m·a de at the Board meeting prior to the Annual General Meeting. When a by-election occurs, nominations shall be made at the Board meeting prior to the meeting in which the election is to be held. Reasoning: to give time for the nominees to consider the responsibilities of the position, and to give members time to familiarize themselves with the nominees and with their qualifications and priorities. All members of the Society are entitled to vote on this motion. The general meeting will precede the regularly scheduled Board meeti

Humanities 101 Documentary Nights The 2"d, 3rd and 41h Saturday's of the Month

6:00 pm Carnegie Theatre APRIL 12TH THE NEW CLINTON CHRONICLES

/\n investigation into the alleged criminal activities of Bill Clinton, this documentary puts together the whole story of key players who Clinton used to build his circle of power as well as those who got in his way, lost their jobs, reputations, virtue and lives. RICHARD HEINBERG, POWER DOWN

A visionary response to the coming energy famine, a clarion call to cooperative solutions based on the conviction realism must be trumped self-delusion in matters of Cu ltural Survival. APRIL 19TH OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE, THE MENA CONNECTION

Two teenage boys stumb le upon a major drug smuggling operation. The boys arc brutally murdered. Soon thereafter half a dozen witnesses to the crime arc found dead; another mysteriously van ishes, others are put away in prison on false charges. This story of murder, drugs, corruption and cover ups involves high-ranking government officials, reaching up to the most powerfu l office in the world. It shows interference from sinister political allies continues to protect these criminals from prosecution. This is a real life drama, a story the mainstream media doesn't have the guts to tell. DEATH OF VINCE FOSTER Vince foster was the lifetime friend of Bill Clinton and held the prestigious position of Depute White I louse Counsel. Why have important facts surrounding his death been ignored or withhe ld from public scrutiny? Why wou ld the White House remove documents after police ord ered Foster's office sealed? Question after question is examined in the most mysterious death of a high-ranking political official since JFK. APRIL 26TH HILLARY UNCENSORED

Banned by the media, this documentary exposes the illegalities electing Hillary to the Senate and the obstructions of justice keeping her there. [This is the #1 most-viewed video on Google's top videos

"One day you'll realize that the people capable of running the country are too smart to get into politics."

All children are entitled to: protection from abuse protection from neglect protection from harm protection from the threat of harm

Know a child who needs help? Call 310-1234 (no area code needed) http://www .safekidsbc.ca/ Viewers may enjoy rerrcshments and door prizes served after viewings.

mother you would see how kind she was- just like her mother. I was told my granny knew everyone in Selkirk, Manitoba and that she fed everyone who ca me to her door - friend or stranger. That' s where I grew up or spent my early years. I had a lot of friends back then . Well about I 0 anyway. We had a little gang and we did all the things bad boys do growing up in a small town. You knowrun wild, terrorize the neighbourhood, etc., but '"'e actually roamed throughout the whole town. But th at's another story and maybe I' II tell you more at some other time. I was just so happy that someone said that they missed my writing that I had to yell it out to the world, which and is what I'm doing now. I hope you like my little story and it kept you sidetracked for a minute or two. Have a ni ce day and I' II talk to you soon. - hal

Acquaintances It's a common term and I have enough acquaintances to just barely get by. 1 realized this the other day when I was standing in line for some food. A person who I consider to be a friend was standing in line for the lunch at Carnegie. We were talkin g and she asked me if I had anything in th e next Newsletter. I said no and she asked "Why not?" She said, "1t's been a while si nce you wrote andlrniss your stories. I I ike them. When are you gonna write a story again?" I said that I'd write a story just for her. And I'd use her name to tell people about it. She said, "Don't do that." So I said "Okay." So far this is just a paraphrase of what took place. I can't really remember what was actually said, just some of the details. I have what might be called Convenient Alzheimer's Disease (CAD). I remember what I want and th e way I want to remember it. It's more fun that way. Besides the other way is just too darn boring. It's not the first time I've been asked when I'm gonna write again. l thought this is as good a time as any to begin writing again, even if it's just to please my I or 2 fans. Usually my th oughts just flov. and I hope I can make sense of it when I need to write it down or in this case type it out. r should explain that when l was in tenth grade way back in the last century I was kinda late getting to school and for grade ten I had the choice of taking cooking or typing for the year. For some reason I took typing, (lucky for you, otherwise you'd be eating in .my restaurant now). Anyway getting back to my "friend" I realized that I know nothing about her just what I've learned at Carnegie. She comes here to work and that's about all i know. Not whether she's married, divorced or in any kind of a relationship. I just consider her my friend . It's pretty we ll the same with everyone I kn ow at Carnegie and, for that matter, other places. I know nothing about anybody except that I consider : ' them as friends. All my relationships are like that. My mother taught me to respect everyone until they did something to unearn that respect. That's the way my mother was. She gave everyone a clear chance and let them have enough rope to hang themselves if· that'~ what was needed. Of course if you knew my

Dare I ask, I wonder I f • whether you do believe ·. Revenge be sweet? Dare I ask, I wonder in what manner You exact this soaring pain? ••

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Dare I ask, I wonder knowing he seeks the very thing you destroy Dare I ask, I wonder seeing the disbelief As it floats with the wind. My Ia

Johnny Lindo Holland

Destitution Institutions Democrats I Liberals, Republicans I Conservatives, Independents, also-rans, mesmerized fans, plutocrats, technocrats, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Federal Reserve- are these gangs ever going to throw you curves. You don't know the half of it, these flam in' autocrats and snappy-dressing bureaucrats, when they put the hammer with bad deals and stealing this and that you'll be left with nothin' . how's it gonna feel 'cause it ain't like its tit-for-tat. Yeh, rip-offs, snow jobs, and double dealing like shell games, card sharks and crooked pool hall hustlers they do the lending and conduct the stealing: FBI, CIA, IRS, NRA, the folks wearin' shades 'n packin' guns they'll make you pay. It's either that or run no fun this trip, these fractured flickers, City Slickers while the well's running dry An ancient ticking timebomb stock exchange tickertape clicker they all pal together! Aren't they quite the ffi..'~~~ team this motley crew who extort the poorest to add to their ill-gotten gain Oh Yeah! you guessed it right compadre it 's the Illuminati. Confounding gangsterism, they toy with us all & we very seldom ever win as they rack up their points and roll up our cash what a twisted scam can you say casinoism?! Hah! That's a tragic laugh! These perpetual profiteering sord id scams charade parades of dignitaries who keep cards close to their bejeweled vests, ever so sly as we roll their loaded dice, spin their paradoxical money wheels and get a ~ : t_: ;;-.-:). ,-,;..~-;-........, _ phony prognosis while the unbeloved stand bleed ing it"'·"··'~ ; : ~~\ ...·... ..,· ..'.: . .'-:"'.~::~:~· ··:: slowly congeals into conformity for them a mega .'-.~i:~~·:.':'-·: ::: ·:>·7:-r-.. :\:~'!'-+· /··/,: 1,'.;:.-l-"ll maniacal mediocrity; a trance-button-it-up-snap-it.:·/{~:...'i~l:.". ·· :;: ~ .-- ':·~.~. :~. .;: . .,.: ; .. ;.:.:~:~:::;· ~ -.-l),:,-· ...·. shut 'Get it' as they remain chillingly content and so deceptions of those in high office careers who attempt incommunicadoically corrupt. to heave multitudinous minions into a perpetual state A II we can do is follow and swallow the pain. of fear. ROBYN LIVINGSTONE This is about conniving moneychangers, hot stove backburner blues while scorched simmering wounds ooze to overflowing and they show pie charts. Mnsic was my master, so I danced Compelled, to the edge Swindlers with their boomboxes blasting' entirely intended for sheer terror's amusement of sending the The rain, the wet grass, your little blanks into almighty oblivion Sweet philosopher ha\.c ali lr clared Getting the picture's like Paint-by-the-Numbers this Come, you may have us. long-term vision of less is more and one-way street decisions to capture this wobbling, famined vortex to How grim the hold be consumed and then spit out, seeping into the sullied That silent porch must have on you! panorama, the nightmarish realm of extenuated unbending archaic rules and regulations, of lies and /Sarah Said/ ~

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Carnegie Community Action Project (CCAP)

Newsletter Visit CCAP office (2nd floor at Carnegie Centre) or call604-839-0379

Apr 1, 2008

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On March 20th about 60 people without homes, who live in hotels and in social housing packed into the Cru.negie Theatre to discuss condo towers and zoning changes in the DTES with city hall Planning Department staff, Brent Toderian (Senior Planner), Jessica Chen (DTES Planner) and Ben Johnson (Housing Centre). The Carnegie Action Project is really concerned about a proposal to let developers build dense condo towers or blocks on "signature sites" in Chinatown, Gastown and on Hastings Street. The staff at city hall have a lot of power. They could put forward amazing progressive recommendations to the elected mayor and council to be passed or rejected. In the past we have not always been listened to, but we have examples to show that in some cases we were. Lobbying staff is important but

also politicians staff usually won't put forth anything that they anticipate politicians will disagree with. We hope the collective w~sdom and concerns of those attending (we represent 10-12,000 of the DTES population) will influence the city staff as they help council decide the fate of our hood. We don't have the same kind of influence that Developers have. It's no surprise that developers give their dough$$$ to City politicians because it's the City that controls land use and the ability of landowners to make more money. Those of us in the theatre last Thursday don't have any money, but we outnumber developers and our need is greater. Each person in the theatre on Thursday had a chance to speak about their concerns. Also, most people wrote a question down for City Staff and these questions were drawn out of a box for

IOC tells CCAP ''sports give the world hope'' Check out the quoted Carnegie Action. recent Olympic The author linked the editorial fr01n the crackdown by Chinese Vancouver Sun, authorities against the paper that says Tibetan independence it won't cover protesters ahead of the protests anymore: opening of the Summer The Olympics are Olympics in Beijing about sports and August 8 to our sportsmanship; understanding of what's ·•·+·"···~j they are not about in store for low income social issues) or _ people in Vancouver as righting perceived the City prepares to historical wrongs) or addressing other crack down on crime, drugs and policy priorities) despite the attempt of a homelessness as they prepare for the few ineffectual protestors to make it so. Games here. - Vancouver Sun Editorial, We expect that civil rights in February 12, 2008. Vancouver will unravel more as we ncar Thanks to David Eby from PIVOT for the games, but nothing to the extent we quoting this on his blog. see in Tibet right now where people arc In January 2008 CCAP wrote a letter to murdered. We have an amazing but the International Olympics Comn1ittee tenuous opportunity to do in Canada (IOC) asking them to pressure their 4 what protestors ca~ot do in Tibet, China Olympic partners (the City, the Province, or many other places in the world the Feds and V ANOC) to uphold the without risking their lives - SPEAK Inner City Inclusivity (ICI) Olympic OUT! The Carnegie Association voted ~... in (2004) against the 2010 Housing Table Recotnmendations. r•.,;~ ._,.;.!;....~~~~~:;:"".........~ Olympics. CCAP is Here's what the IOC NO <rAMPING working on some research wrote back to us: No sT~ruRes ; projects that are taking us J...-.:ot.~T<: OR or.-.eR SHCLTERS) ~~ ... the IOC is using sport .-.... Tr:"tNTHJSAR£AOROHAHYOlJ1~R 1 away from public actions as a tool to bring hone to ·~:<nvsTReu. SlDEWAl.KOR aoul~VARo.~''" temporarily but hopefully r TftAFflC OV...l.AW ~8~9 the world. " Do we feel .sec. 11.'1 · our research will make us hopeful???? •· ·•.-~· ·-~ ·;,,;:,~.;;ii,;,;";;;;;;;;;;:;;;;;i~!J stronger. --Wendy P. On March 22"d, 2008, an American online newspaper called "AlterNet" 3

Ada Gets Into the Ford Evicted Backpacker Tenants Get Into??? In our last newsletter insert, we wrote about Ada getting evicted from the stratified apartment at 334 Carrall across frotn Pigeon Park. Tenants at her building mostly had to move into single rooms and we're pretty sure nobody ended up on the street thanks to David Chudnovsky, NDP MLA, A TIRA and Rider Cooey of the Citywide -· Housing Coalition. CCAP got Ada into the Ford Building across the street from Carnegie, which is run by the Affordable Housing Society. She squeaked in line in front of a huge waiting list. I think she got in because we told the manager that Ada was "Volunteer of the Year" for the City of Vancouver. Doors open with those kinds of credentials. Many say Ada got her new home because she worked for it and the community of support she's built up over all those years working as a volunteer in the Carnegie holding down the fort in the kitchen paid off. Others say that it shows how the housing scene works down here. There are a few options for the "deserving" poor, those that have friends who will pull

strings for them (although those options are quickly disappearing , . citywide). · Imagine where tenants at the soon-to-be-emptied-out Backpacker Hotel, will end up. The 50 tenants there live in the worst conditions in hood and wouldn't choose to live there unless they absolutely had to. Tenants are run down by the drug trade in their building. The next step for them is the street. Unlike Ada, they could be pulling up · their watery blankets in the under-the-wharf hiding places near Science World as pressure to be out of sight and off the street gets more intense as we near the Olympics. If you are curious to learn more Backpacker Hotel, look up Monte Paulsen's article in the Tyee online newspaper. The article is called: "BC's Worst Drug Hotel is about to Empty Out." ~Wendy P.

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Tlte Backpacker is located between Pigeon Park andA&N. The 50 tenants will be evicted April I, 2008.

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Condos Win Latest Round: 3 to 1 New data frotn City Staff in the Housing Centre shows market housing ahead of new social housing in the DTES 3 to 1. Compare the graphs yourself. As Dave Eby says on his blog, why these numbers aren't widely available is beyond him. We agree.

Non·markot Singlo:s Housln1 tn tho Downtown E.nt1oldo : 2005 to

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There are no rules in place for developers west of Main and they are having their way with us. We're losing rooms . monthly and there's not enough new housing to keep up with the demand. It's like · the "wild west" down here and government is doing nothing . to stop it. East of Main will be rezoned this year and now is the time to lobby hard for rules. CCAP~ s goal is to keep the 2/3 low .. ' income population here and i!l proper social housing. There's no reason why we can't have a healthy low income neighbourhood other than the obstacles of business greed and campaign contributions. ~ City Staff say 1557 new social housing homes (557 here and 1obo in other neighbourhoods) are planned for Vancouver. Coleman, the Provincial

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Housing Minister says 2400 new homes in Vancouver. And Mayor Sullivan claims 3000 new homes! TP,e sources for their ' numbers can be found on Dave's blog. Let us know ·if you have any great ideas about how to make this controversy public. Showing how they exaggerate may help us win. ~Wendy P. \

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Boo for Budgets 2008-2009 At the end of Feb every year, Cost of re ducing poverty: Priceless Governments announce their budgets for the upc01ning year. 5,000 Read on for results. 4,500 •• Provincial Budget 2008: ~ 4,000 0 3,500 With only $104 million over 4 '0 ~ 3,000 years allocated for reducing 0 2,500 Ill hon1elessness, none of it for g 2,000 new housing, the Province ·- 1,500 ·-E 1,ooo might as well proclaim to the 500 world that hmnelessness will be I . 0 I ' here to stay through 20 l 0 and Cost of 3,200 Rarsrng Ending Cost of BC • units of welfare rates barriers to government Olymp1c· beyond. for each homeless social by 50% budget re Ia ted gelling housing person, it costs the I3C fac11ities surplus In welfare 2006/07 (ie, Government $30,000 to $40,000 extra money they didn't annually to pay for hospital, spend but could have) jails, shelter and other services. Housing would cost $22,000 to $28,000 per person depending on supports, There is no mention about last year's and elirninate the need for these other $250 million Housing Endowment Fund costs which would save taxpayers and that could be used to create housing. society n1uch rnoney and grief. Instead $2 mil of the interest frmn this fund will help, not homeless people, but There is no ntention of funding for the burn victitns with a new burn unit. This 1200 new units of supportive housing prornised by Minister Coletnan in October burn unit is important but should not be 2007. Also disturbing, this budget funded with homelessness money. commits nothing to the Oly1npic Inner Federal Budget 2008: City Inclusivity Agreement, vvhich Sadly, the best the Feds could do was promised welfare increases, an end to $110 rnillion for a STUDY! This study welfare barriers and 3200 additional social will look at how to help homeless people housing homes to n1inimize the impact who are mentally ill and addicted to drugs. gentrification and the Olyn1pic Garnes on No doubt the research will turn up ideas-like, maybe we should provide housing for inner city low incotne and hotneless these unfortunate people. --Jean S and people. Wendy P

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Blue-Scarf Housing "STANDS" Spread to 13 Street Corners Commercial and Ist STAND most Saturdays. IF you want to join this movement, let us know at CCAP. Street Corne1·s with STANDS so far: 1) Georgia & Burrard 2) Burrard & West 4 111 Ave 3) Arbutus & King Edward King 4) Edward & Main 5) Main St. & 33rd Avenue 6) Broadway & Commercial 7) Commercial & 1st Avenue 111 8) Heather & 6 Ave 9) Broadway & McDonald 10) Cordova & Gore 11) Oak & W 49th Ave 12) Sasamat & West 1oth Ave 13) Burrard & Nelson

CCAP slatted up the Citywide Housing Coalition in 2007 and street-corner "STANDS,, for housing are our latest collective actions. Every Saturday we meet for 1 hour l-2pm, brandishing blue banners and wearing vivid blue scarves. We caJI on City Council to protect all Vancouver renters fi·om condo-conversion of their homes, and for renewal of federal and provincial programs that formerly bui It permanent social housing for low- and moderate-income singles and families. We want welfare rates raised to the Federal Market Basket Measure and welfare barriers removed by the Province. We believe that these changes are the primary means of ending homelessness in our city and beyond. The STANDS began on Feb 23 with nine intersections and have grown to 13 corners without much publicity. The idea ofthe STAND is based on the moving example of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo, whose children were "disappeared" by the military, 1976 to 1983. They stood every week in a city square wearing white scarves until the generals capitulated. The scarves became an international symbol for protests against unjust and inhumane governments. Robert Bonner from CCAP and Aboriginal Front Door has been taking people from the DTES up to the

··( rl' · JrrJ

STANO FOR HOUSING 1

Main a11tl 33n STAND (above); Cordova and Gore · STAND (below). Burrartl a11d Nels oil

STAND , FOR HOUSING . .

(right)

-W.P. 7

LILAHC (Low Income Land-use and Housing Coalition) will Survey residents In the next week to influence rezoning of the DTES Please be in touch with CCAP to survey your group.

· . .. Harley l'

~:.1) Ito/ding

_?j!··\

: t;.

Sample question: Do you think poorbashing will increase if more condo owners live in the DTES???? IZJ

' 1' H I }

• ,

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CCAP hallller (above) and Roger (left),

some ccap members at End

Racisnz 51 March 21

®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®® LISTEN EVERY MONDAY FROM 2:00-2:30 TO Carnegie Action's

CO-OP RADIO SHOW

•

anc1

102.7 FM f(EASTSIDE STORY" Hosts: Diane, Harley & Ayisha Upcoming Guests: Irene and Mark, Neighbourhood Helpers

Support for this project does not necessarily i1nply Vancity's endorsement of the findings or contents of this report."

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won't be g?ing ~ar, like the man speaking in fractured ~ngl.lsh With one leg dragging behind him the traffic IS ~ts obstacle race that he' ll never finish. R~gs ~o nch~s the survi vors line the ditches everyth~ng ~s notht~g ~ nothing is everything _ every thmg IS no tiling IS everyth ing is nothing. Ennui??* By ROBERT McGILLIVRAy

Everything is Nothing Can you even fathom the tears com ing out of the camera eye? I remember a time when I thought everything was in control, up at the crack of dawn clothes already put on go out for my walk and see who else was having a stroll, but day after hour month after year this world takes & gives its toll it also takes everything it can because it will all be nothing when progress is in control. I remember running into Darwin the Apostle the two of us watching the single file of more than a mile-long rock-throwing contest it seems they're going on trial Throw gasoline on those coals try and cool down these souls. Rags to riches survive to live in ditches, show off that wealth with a dozen babies in good health - th e useless & the poor is it any wonder they weren't cared for but who to console; can you read can you write written pieces of paper in the moonlight or is this snow? Every day I burn every way I learn everything is nothing & nothing is everything now I really must go! Progress careless I must confess I couldn't <.:arc less, does it show, sorry I guess 1 guessed right were depressed but on with the show better never than later we are nothing but wa rm vapour I knew it 'til I needed it & it was gone can you tell who woke up on the wrong side of the moon, mars europa & Euclid 's beam r knew it 'til the new travel destinations - SkyTray's on The Way - could Earth be the Main & Hastings of our solar system for crying out loud & out of turn you have just won a new car. Rags to riches survivors living in ditches . like Jenny Craig franchises in Africa, no gas but you ".. < .; I. ; - v.

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*[on weej Boredom, world-weariness and dissatisfaction with life that results from a loss of interest or sense of excitement.

"A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on/" Winston Churchill

News from the Library New Books

It's 119t a new book, but it's a really popular one at the library. We've got another copy of The Artist's Way: a spiritual pllth to higher crelltivlty ( 15 3.3). Mark Bryan and Julia Cameron lead you through a comprehensive 12 week program to re-establish your creativity. Techniques and insights developed at the "Artist's Way Workshops" show you how to overcome a variety of psychological blocks, and tap into your higher powers of creativity. Healing aud the Mind (615.5) is Bill Moyers' companion volume to the acclaimed PBS television series. Moyers interviews world-renowned experts, and examines how new breakthroughs in mind-body medicine are being used to treat medical problems such as stress.

Impounded: Dorothell Lange aud the c:em·ored images of Japanese American internment (3 23./). Lange 's 119 photographs document the round-up, relocation and the daily lives of interned Japanese Americans during World War 2. Keeping a journal you love (808. 06) Sheila Bender provides an encouraging mix ofpractical instruction, sample journal entries and writing prompts that enables you to transform your journal into a personal private sanctuwy for writing about your · travels musings meditations and passions.

Beth, your librarian (with thanks to John for the annotations)

places to get stoned drunk or what band will play music so loud that there is no threat of having to carry on a conversation ... - the views espoused on political matters (and believe me, eve1y thing is political and I DO NOT mean political in the sense of different political parties or the 'political process) are not dictated by the publication's owners and/or advertisers -editorials are not written in another city or country and sent to be printed in toto -people at the core of production have healthy allergies to bullsh it -no crap :,1

Hello Paul, 'J' My name is Chantelle Bowles and I was in the class from Kwantlen that came to visit you a few weeks back. I was just wondering if! could ask you another question about the newsletter. l don't remem ber if it had been asked because I don't have any notes on it. I. Jlow would you describe the newsletter to someone who questions wheth er it is a real newspaper? Thanks so much in advance,

Maybe the questioner will say now (or not change an iota from a pre-formed statement) th at nothing above qualifies the Carnegie Newsletter as a "real newspaper" Who cares?!! Whatever the result of considering the above, it's always decent when, in any defin ition of anything under the rubric of "news" it comes out as "except for th e Carnegie Newsletter.... "

PauiR Taylor

Hi ChanteJie, In order to fit someone else's definition of what constitutes a "real newspaper" a listing of the criteria would be nice ... but even with a black & white roll of definitive statements to be 'checked off' (or not) there wou ld be other criteria that form a solid bedrock for virtually all "real newspapers. " Just make the checkable statements the opposite of every point after BUT. The Carnegie Newsletter: - .It comes out regularly - it has many contributors - it presents views and opinions of members of its aud ience and immediate community BUT

- it's free - it does not provide a dispass ionate, objective rendering of both "sides" to issues - the prose articles are not journalism' per se, given the lack of the last - it has a plethora of poetry and original art - it doesn't have sections or departments offering coverage of completely irrelevant stuff, like go lfing in Mexico or the season's fashions or the 'hottest'

I'm painfully aware on an extroverted dare race full of expression, emotions exploded Disarmed, depleted, dilapidated, eroded Sedimentary layers, sentiments so sincere A single, solitary, salty tear drops .. . from my eye, everytime I hear the words good bye go by Destiny's my destination, I'm focused frustrated, fearing the jaded overrated mass of stimu li that makes me weary and tired I' ll defend myself from projectiles shot through catapults, slingshots, oxymoronic ammuni tions and friendly fire I'm not even enlisted, enrolled or drafted I've go t a pen, ideas and some blank pieces of paper. I'm creative ly crafting. No words to desp ise. Drewjo

STATEME T FOR POLICE

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Support Charter Rights

Sponsor & distribute rights cards I 604.255.9700 www.pivotlega I. org

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1000 cards for $175, $225 with sponsor logo here

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D\b 00 o'h <:JIJ<:lD W' <5e> ~<a

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Main and Broadway... v~@ • ~D ~ Cars speedang by ~~~Va'V D'b ~

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Officer, if I am under arrest or bein·g , ~ &.eocfl blossoms S& cCJ ~D q~ ~~ detained, please tell me so. If I am free to go, 9 2:J • • 88tff8 q:)OC'oO ~~ please tell me so. If I am not free to go, please tell J~ 8~ In their Wake. 8g'(j o\JD v%~e>D ~D 0 cG me why. I wish to exercise all my legal rights includ- &gJ ~ ()Cb 8P· Q ~ \JO ~<&0 ng my right to silence and my right to speak to a s~ O<J ~<as~ ~8 Lisa D S~al6 DCb 0 o10

awyer before I say anything to you. I do not consent to be searched. I wish to be released without delay. Please do not ask me questions, because I will not willingly talk to you until I speak to a lawyer.

Thank you for respecting my rights.

Silence (see over). @ I can say "NO" if the police ask permission to search me or my things. Saying "NO" does not mean I have something to hide. I can leave unless I am being detained or arrested. ' If I am being detained or arrested, I have a right to know why, and a right to speak privately to a lawyer without delay- even if I can't afford to pay. I can only be strip-searched in private and by officers of the same sex. @ I have a right to know a police officer's name and badge number. I can report a police officer who abuses me, swears at me, or violates my rights.

My Rights:

POLICE ARREST: Silence is Golden ach situation is different and you must use your common sense. Stay aim and remember everything that happens. Remember your rights

Silence: I can refuse to talk to police or answer their questions unless I am In a bar or a cinema, driving a car, or they say I broke' the law. In those cases, I must give my name, birthdate and address, or show my 10, but I do not have to say any more.

you are stopped by police against your will, give them the top part o is card or read it out. Then, do not say anything until you talk to a lawyer

To speak to a Legal Aid lawyer call: 1-866-458-5500 outaldo

Vc.~nc:o uver

call 1 -866--459·3300

To report a police off icer to the Police Complaint Commission call: (604) 660 2385

Q Ci

Thompson: who sent me this message via emai I.

Albert William Prevost was born to Ernest and Bessie Prevost on July 23 1965, in Alert Bay.

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'#' "'~ I \, .\.... .. I . \ ., .

Albert was the youngest o e ts p eceased by his parent, Alfred, Harvey, Sister Maxine, Laura (Dolly), Frances, he is survived by older brothers Harry, Robert, Samuel, Richard and younger brothers Jeffery, John, Peter, and Wilfred. Plus his son Tyler Adam who is 25 years old and he consider Caitlin, whose mother is Sandra, his step daughter. Then there are his numerous nieces and nephews throughout BC and one niece grew up in Scotland Catrina who lives in Port Alberni with her 2 girls Charley and Penny. Albert left us on March 13th 2008 while in Campbell River Hospital. Before that day many of his family went to see him, inc_lud,in g_ his son Tyler and his mom Sandra. Albert d1dn t d1e alone as his older brother Samuel was by his side. Albert was so happy to be a father as his smile was so big when he brought Tyler to my (Margare9 home and yes everyone r spoiled Tyler every tune he came for a visit. Albert had numerous questions about our parents and the one question was when he came to live me, Why did we have to be taken away from home, 1 lost my identity and I suggested he go home and ask to talk to the Elders, your brothers and Auntie Laura. So he did, but he was not able to get all his questions answered. For some reason he moyed to Port Hardy, he continued with his drinking and using: however he was able to get some help from Shane

Margaret Albert was a volunteer with AIDS Vancouver Island for a year and a half, and helped us with our lunch program, outreach strolls and making condom packs. He usually had a big smile and good ~onver sations with myself and people we were servmg. Albert brightened our day, and brought his sense of humour and humility to everything that he did. He will be missed a great deal.

Albert's childhood was spent in many foster homes, but he called me when he was 14 and asked if he could come stay with me. 1 said there are rules and curfews - he responded as long as you don't hit me like these foster parents I am with, okay. So besides Albert being my brother I consider him my little handsome kid. He was so helpful to me in my home and he respected me, however he did start drinking and smoking the Mary Jane even though he thought I didn't know that he was. After our talk a.bout it he stopped smoking it and really worked hard at school. However he did leave school when he went to live on his own. Albert went to visit Dolly and Joe as they worked on the CP Rail. Joe taught him how to cook a big meal. At every stop either Dolly or Albert would send me a tourist card of the place they stopped at. Albert was loved by so many people ft·om Alert Bay all the way to Vancouver; because now one asked him to do any thing, but he surprised everyone when he offered to do the dishes or take out the garbage and so much more. He always made a difference and when he would see anyone down and out, he would ask them hey can I pick up your chin or isn't your chin cold down on the floor or sidewalk. Albert also tried to stop his addictions many times and most times stayed sober for awhile and, like me, our addiction brought us too many places we really did not want to be. Albert for now is finally home and in peace. 1 will always Love You Albert and will really miss you, but I know that you are going to be only a whisper away. Thanks for everything; I will see you when I see you, okay bro.

A Message to Albert As you know r am not able to be there _clue to. m~ health. Please give Albert a gentle hug from h1s b1g sister. Let him know that 1 love him very much. Albert you have always been a great brother to me and we have come through some good times and bad. Remember when r bought you that mustang on

â&#x20AC;˘

your sixteenth birthday and l said you still need to keep up your schoo l work and curfew. When you were neglecting al l the rules, not attending school, and coming home late, I sold your car. You were so upset with me that you did not talk to for almost a week. I explained to you that this was a lesson to let you know that if you disobeyed the rules there were consequences. You came to me and apo logized for your actions and accepted the responsibility. After that you were so much the Albert I knew, you pulled up your grades and finished that year of school. We always ended above the highs and lows, and I know the family there is there to help you through this time of need. Hey you remember the day your son was born and you were so happy and the LOVE for him that you showed was so beautiful to see. You were sc ki nd and so gentle when you brought him to visit me. Of course r spoi led him terribly gave him money for the toys he wanted, and for you and him to run off to McDonald's. Albert my darling brother your sister Margaret Loves you and I am there in spirit, praying every day and even minutes when my eyes start to water up. Remember honey tears are also known for healing. I know that you are in and out of consciousness and that is okay. Just let your son and your brothers help you through this difficult time . God Loves and so do I - remember to be strong in heart and in your mind, you are my baby brother and raising you was a gift which allowed me to know you for who you were. Your heart was always in the right place when it came to help those who suffered from the same add ictions as you ... some pulled through and other went to the other side. As you told me "We arc ALL here on borrowed time". Before you left for Alert Bay, you turned to me and said, "I will always love you sis" and "hey did you know that "God loves me too," and I said "Yes, that is so true. I will see you when r see you -soon!" I will also understand if the fight becomes too much for you - it's okay. Your family is there for you and you are not alone. Love Always, Your big sister Margaret

10:30am - 11 :30am Every Wednesday

@/;;, .

Have a nice day Don't make it hard for yourself trying to make something that does not work. There is an important distance between you and everything. None of the worlds or small communities' problems are solved. That is the problem. Seeking to address ideas in a situation like this, you will tire yourself need lcssly. Step back and step back again; listen to the music, there is a softer way. The body cannot take too much more of your endless control and mania. Your exhausted no wonder. Stop everything, create a safe feeling, introduce the jolly. If th ere is no sweetness there is no point. Trying to fit into this idea of your life the goals, that are putting you into compromise because they are not really your own. Always striving when the wild mountain flowers bloom without our help. There i: n~thing w~ong with having things, debt to the earth 1s nghted w1th or without us. 1 can only guess ~hat y~u are doing right now, sipping coffee or eatmg ch1ps, the fact is it doesn't matter none ~fit. I can only fantasize, what it might hav~ been l1ke to be born in a country that was never colonized, where there were no slaves, and where art was the sharing of spiritual sensibility, where the heart rested, where there was safety, trust, dignity, ~reedom. Where ideas were seen for what they are, mstead of feared. We are not free not really. l am ~ware of it innately in my body in my stifled voice, m my heavy heart, in the evidence, of all the meaningless garbage culture we have supported, created, and defend, as our right, as though freedom can be bough.t as though identity is this. LesaDeeTrec

Indian Residential School Twisted wisdom Fearful Child Snares infinitely long Stolen dignity, culture and pride they shackled our sacred hearts

The Eyeless Worm's View of God

desperately lost, desperately found Coyote wiJI lead the way To a new wake of life Wolf is fierce, Wolf's not cruel "Indian Residential School"

I am Shiva - destroying the tenuous order of my universe to find the hash, heroin & cocaineAny substance to still the demons of my body To lay away the ghosts oftimes past To send back the unfinished, unvarnished and crudely put together. Salt in the furrows Boiling oil from the walls of Masada "'avin a noice cuppa tea out in a' garden" while visions of doodle bugs dance in our heads

tortured, maimed and butchered souls torn away, lost in a void Children cry and scream in fear Mountains of Agony, whiplashed hearts Preachers laugh; they're the wicked ones deadly is the Indian Residential School Mystic flame, inferno burning in rage Strange are they, weird, callous 'n cruel "Indian Residential School"

I am Krishna & Shiva in light of the Morning Star 路Balancing, directing, calling, Creating I am Jahweh in my humanity - small, mean, jealous, vengeful, destroying, creating or Allowing those puny, crawling maggots to Bring Down the Rose of Creation to the waste one more time

"Hold your tongue child." demon in black cries out loud Don't talk your tongue or walk your walk "Eternal fire awaits you. Release them!" she screams

I am Raven - inquisitive, civilized, alert holding the illuminated universe like a bead ...

listen! listen to mine shattered heart cries a tearfu I angelic child "I'm cold! I'm hungry! I'm scared! Why are you so mean, so cruel? Can I go now?" Yes! Indian Residential School.

I am Coyote- running yellow dog / speaking in riddles Permitting outrageous atrocities, but only sometimes You never can tell 'bout him I am Ramses and the other Princes Waiting waiting And Death only a momentary consideration.

I must walk on to the morning star 'n kiss the stars of night I must walk on, heal my wounds, and turn the darkest void into light I must walk on and find 50,000 murdered children oflndian Residential Schools They were nobody's fools, that's why I must walk on I must walk on I must walk on walk on, walk with us, alright!

Wilhelmina

All my relations, William Arnold Combes

DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE YOUTH ACTIVITIES

NEEDLE EXCHANGE VAN- 3 Routes: 604-685-6561 City- 5:45pm- 11 :45pm Overnight- 12:30am- 8:30am Downtown Eastside~ 5:30pm -1:30am· 0

SOCIETY

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604-251"3310

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S1~banission deadline for next issue: =• · Friday,'April. 11 -· . ·. JEditor: PauiR Taylor C~ver, layout help- Lisa David) r

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NEWSLETTER .....

PaulR Taylor has been the volunteer editor of the Carnegie Newsletter since 15 Dec 1986 - 21 years.

THIS NEWSLETTER IS A PUBLICATION OF THE · . .. . . . ..,........ . .. . CARNEGIE COMMUNITY CENTRE ASSOCIATION .... .-_ - . ~ - . ~ . - . ~ -'!"_ ..;, ~ ..;;,. j Articl~s represent the views of individual 1 We: ~,cknowledge that;pamegie ~omm~nlty- Cen~r~, and t~is · contnbutors and not of the Association. Newsletter;- ·iUe:happenlng ,Qn;t~e:Sq~~mi~h .Natron's terntory . . - . - . . - --- -- .. . -- ·- . ·-

-. . ----- - ·- ·---- ·- -~

WANTED Artw~•rk for

• • •

SERVING THE COMMUNITY WITH PRIDE

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CITY HALL 453 WEST 12TII AVE. V5Y 1V4 Phone: 604.873-7247 Email: tlm.stevenson®vancouver .ca

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Jenny WaiChing Kwan MLA ,

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ahc Carnegie NcwRieucr

Small Ulustmtlons to nccompuny nrticlcs and poetry Cover nrt ~· Mnxhnum sb.c: 17cm (6-JM") wide x IS em ((,") high Subject molter relcvunl to issues pcrtuining lo the Unwntown Hastsidc i~ preferred. hut ult work will be cunsldcrcd. · Uluck nnd white printing only

Si1.c rc:ltriclions must he considered (i.e., If your piece Is too Iorge, it will he reduced nnd/or cropped to Ill) 1\ II nr1ists will receive crcttil fur their work Originals will be returned to the nrtisl ancr lming copied for publicaliun.

• ttcnumcrnlion: Carnegie volunteer tickets rl!!f!S~ f]tUf{e !!Jbn~fs!l!)f!!i

t'l:

t•aul Taylor, F.diCur •

2008 DONATIONS: Barry for Dave McC.·$250

Working for You 1070-1641 f:mnmerthal Dr V51 .. 3VJ - --••hunc; 77~·Q79Q._f~.!i.115-08fll ........ ..

Rolf A.·$50 Margaret D.·$40 Paddy ·$70 Huddy $50 Michael C.-$50 Judy E.·$10 Wilhelmina M.-$15 Libby D.-$70 Callum C.·$100 The Edge -$200 Jenny K.·$22 Penny G.·$40

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A DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE ROMEO AND JULIET An original tragic- comedy inspired by the old tale of Romeo and Juliet and everyday life on our Downtown Eastside Streets. Two households, both alike in dignity, In fair Vancouver, where we lay our scene This is one hundred percent confidential: .I'm negotiating with the City to buy the Carnegie Centre.

Featuring comedy and live music, this tragic-comedy portrays a community in upheaval, birds tumbling from their nests, and people falling in love in impossible situations. The inspiration for this show comes from everyday reali ties on the streets of the Downtown Eastside and by characters and situations from the old tale of Romeo and Juliet. A delirium ofpure joy and thought provoking madness - profoundly revealing and irresistibly relevant. Robin Livingstone. Carnegie Newsletter

The Downtown Eastside has given bit1h and continues to give birth to lots of wonderful attists and art. The cast and crew of a Downtown Eastside Romeo and Juliet is living evidence. Director Gina Bastone lived in a studio on Hastings St. just off Main Street for 8 years. Here she created some of her best work before travelling to California (to study Commedia Dell Arte) and touring internationally with her company BASTA and as a lead clown for La Cirque du Solei!. Vancouver Eastside-resident Doug Vernon - the stage manager and props master- lived for several years above the Cozy Corner before touring the world with Theatre Beyond Words and Le Cirque du Solei!. Costume designer Marina Szijarto is a long time Downtown Eastside resident who- in addition to designing for many of Vancouver's theatre companies, created costumes for the DTES Community Play and Leaky Heaven Circus. She's worked on the Footprints Mosaics and Banners Pro ject and the Ultimate High Project for street involved youth. A Downtown Eastside Romeo anll Juliet is performed by a talented cast of Downtown Eastside involved folks that many of you may know: Grant Chancey, Yvon Chartrand, Wendy Chew, Paul Decarie, Kuci-Ming Lin, Elizabeth Murdoch, Mike Richter, Jim Sands, Priscillia Tait, Gena Thompson and Muriel Williams. Between them, they've contributed their talents creatively to many of our community's art projects including I Love the DTES, Rare Earth Areas, In the Hearl of a City: The Downtown Eastside Community Play, Through the People's Voice, The Tipping Point Cabaret, the community opera Condemned, the Heart of the City Festival, Stand-Up for Mental Health, and We're All In This Together: The Shadows Project.

A Downtown Eastside Romeo and Juliet, Russian Hall, 600 Campbell Avenue, April 17- 20 and April 24-27 Thursday to Saturday 8pm, Sundays 2 pm. $ 15 & $10 (plus s/c) tickets at the door, or in advance at 604-689-0926 or www.firehallartscentre.ca Some coarse language and adult content. Children may attend at parent's discretion Community tickets have been distributed to various agencies and centres throughout the Downtown Eastside for distribution for free to folks on lowincome. Twenty community tickets are available for regular Carnegie members on a first come first serve basis, one ticket erson, at the Carne 路e Pro Office on the 3rd floor.

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T~p 1-r:. Gena Thompson, Priscillia Tait, Yvon Chartrand, Jim Sands Mrke Rrchter, Wend~ C~ew, ~Iizabeth Murdoch , Fred Galloway, Grant Chancey, Kuer-mrng Lrn, Savannah Walling, Muriel Williams

Editor: There seems to be a view held by some that the issue of the Whitecaps Stad ium proposal was won (or lost) up to a year ago. This is not the case. It's known that the Port of Vancouver (Federal) and the Whitecaps owner (Greg Kerfoot) have been trying to make a land-swap since July '07 that'd favor this megamonster proposal proceeding. I~ this continues we will lose local use of our only netghbourhood waterfront park. A stadium would certai nly convert the use of Crab Park into an RV BBQ & booze parking lot, with noise from events over 90 decibels and horrible traffic. We have to continue to speak to this neighbourhood issue. Tune in to Main & Hastings on Co-op Radio - 102.7FM - every 2"a Monday, 4- 5pm. )

Don Larson

Editor:

There is some sense of disgust when a desperate citizen enters that toilet on Terminal underneath the Main Street SkyTrain tracks. The inside of that toilet area is not clean, there is a lot of garbage strewn about, there is no toilet paper, no running water, and it smells. And one can be fearfu l while in there that the door will pop open after a certain length of time. If the authorities deem that there should be a bisexual toilet there, they should have cleaning crews going in to attend the place. People coming off the. Sky Train expect that sort of thing. That toilet is not fit for women without a toilet seat cover and not so nice a spot for men either. Dora Sanders

Friends come in many forms Some are true Some can turn you on [f one does, they were never one to begin with True friendship is not judgementa I We are all human One of our greatest faults is making mistakes ... If the Great Spirit can forgi ve Why, a friend can do the same. Forgiveness is good for one's Soul Uphold your heart It will be a blessing on your part. AII my relations, Bonnie E Stevens

New Tobacco Laws

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Last night she came to me dancing in all her splendor. She gazed into my eyes and brushed my eyelids with her lips and I melted into the very depths of my being. Her strides were long and soothing and everything she touched crumbled from form and burst into a new rhythm extenuating her flow. Meanings dropped, titles fell ; the mind cannot comprehend this illusive wonder. My body disappeared and I was left without a self. I was bliss. Massimo I.

<Tak§ CEffect 31 :Marcli 2008 Smoke-free changes mean:

All indoor public places and workplaces in BC will be smoke-free. Bars, restaurants, pubs, clubs and casinos will no longer allow indoor smoking or have designated smoking rooms. * Common areas in apartment buildings, such as hallways and laundry rooms, must be smoke-free. Smoking is also banned in the common area of hotels. * There will be a 3-metre smoke-free zone around most public and workplace doorways, and smoking is permitted on un-enclosed hospitality patios unless ro rietors and/or local governments restrict this too .

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VOLUNTEERS karaoke with Steve, Aprilll + 25 7-1 Opm. Carnegie Theatre Volunteer Committee Mtg: April 9, 2pm, Clsrm II

Volunteer Recognition Week April13- 19 Out trips to be announced. Volunteer Dinner Wed, Aprill6 at 4:30p.m. -to go, you've put in 12 volunteer hours Volunteer Recognition Party Fri. April18, 4-6pm

All transit shelters must be smoke-free.

Sales, display and promostion changes: * Stores cannot have tobacco displayed or promoted if minors are allowed in. Tobacco advertising or displays are prohibited if such can be seen from outside. *Tobacco products will not be sold in hospitals, postsecondary institutions, provincial government buildings and local government recreational buildings. Provincial tobacco laws will continue to be enforced by local health authorities. The Downtown Eastside -'the best place on earth'(!)