April 1, 2012, carnegie newsletter

carnnews@shaw.ca www.carnnews.org http://carnegie. vcn. bc.ca/ newsletter

h omeless talent "It's got the potential ofa piece offlin t dropping out ofsome window, hitting the cement hard enough to cause a spark that catches a shucked-off newspaper that didn't get wet when used the night before as a blanket and starts afire burning a building to the ground(! )" twanged W.C.Fields.

Yo u'd have to be blind & stupid to say that homeless or poor or any people scrambling to stay alive have no intelligence or talent.. aren't worthy of any normal consideration .. but it gets so obscene when the nice words and eager faces tum to dust and stone ...

Point: This alone is enoug h to indict the twerps and half-wits at the Fraser Institute. It's a front for organised capitalism at its meanest & greediest. Get this: O ne of their backroom bosses owns the The Province & Vane Sun . A half-page article was in the Sun at the end of January, titled "$610 a month [on welfare] is Adeq uate" and backed up this idiotic stance with phi I osophy, not actual costs o f food and rent (& __j Point: -community people work fo r over a year to get a Local Area Planning Process going, after 8 months o f talking and throwing narrow, obtuse and jingoistic restrictions back to City staff until they were fair; and a report goes to Counci l virtually igno ring all that and floating a mirage that 688 condos have to be allo wed to be built befo re any plan is even thought of...

Point: A murder was committed in the Cobalt Hotel last week and the Police cleared the building and got it isolated as a crime scene. The dozens of people rus hed outside were then told that it may be several DAYS before they can go back inside, but no o ne had brought much but the clothes o n their back. Medicatio ns, a change of clothes, even a blanket or sleeping bag - No. You can't go back inside. A lmost anywhere in Vancouver all these people would have had places to stay arranged, food provided, medical aid looked after - all done by the C ity's Emergency Services. Instead, (because it was a low-income place or 'those people' didn't deserve anything decent?!) they were all told to go to the shelter at First United or the Sally ~~· Ivan Drury was on the phone to the C ity Mgr. & gtvmg her all the ways that these people were being treated like 3rd-class (maybe 3rd World) citizens and how no one anywhere else would get such shabby service but the Cty Manager repeatedly refused to put any more energy or time or mo ney into helping them; Poin t: When the Pantages was being demolished no

covering to protect pedestrians had been put up.Wood and brick and other debris was falling haphazardly and there was nothing erected to keep passersby safe.

Again, hours on the phone calling bureaucrats, police and even disaster relie f got no action. It was almost as tho ugh no one gave a tin shit whether people in Ye Olde Downtown Eastside got killed by a brick to the ' head. It wasn't worth their time! Again, anywhere in Vancouver, a demolition witho ut complete safety fo r all wouldn't be allowed, but the DTES is open for exploration, discovery and pioneering. Deal ing with the locals (savages!?) is colonialisation at its worst; 1 Point: The marred streetscape where the Pantages was has been a smelly, moldy, dangerous mess for several months. Nowhere else in the city would an owner be permitted to just leave property so repugnantly bad. They would be getting heavy fines for every day a fter 30 where the site was not cleaned up. i~ If the o wner continued to ignore the health and safety J dangers present, then the City would pay to have all rubble an? stinking morass cleared and immediately 1 charge satd owner for the full cost. If not paid, they ~ woul? then haul his ass into court, get a court order l fo r h1m ~o pay for the cleanup, a~ I .legal fees incurred l by the c1ty, all court costs, and c1vtl damages to t residents inconvenienced or even sickened by it.

I So keep these few points in mind. I'm s ure readers could add a few hundred more. Whenever treatment i gets to be too much of a show, keep in mind what ] · happens to the fattened calf. ~n R TAYLOR

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• •• 1 1 Everyone is we lcome to join the

Aboriginal Artisan Program. We feature hands-on workshops exploring Indigenous art forms from the past into the future. Free

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art drop- in: Tuesdays 3-6pm Workshops: Thursdays l-4pm Apr 5 -beading & bas ic headwork Apr 12 -pa inting with acylic Apr 19 -Sc reen-printing Apr 26- Medicine pouch making, fabric work and (Special guest Karenza T. Wall) embroidery C lasses take place in the downstairs art room at the Carnegie Community Centre ( 40 I main street).

For more information please contact Haisla Collins 604-665-3014 or contact@ haislacollins.ca

CO~MJ'S CO~,AI<!~ VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE MEETING "l

Wednesday, April 11th at 4pm in Classroom II .:> Special Merit Awards will be chosen at this meeting.

All volunteers welcome! Your voice is appreciated & needed.

VOLUNTEERS OF THE MONTH Terri Williams, Kitchen Runner Ernie Jeff, Senior Coffee Seller VOLUNTEER BURRITO DINNER

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"For the all-round welfare and development ofhuman beings, society needs to follow some fundamental socio-political principles. Without the firm foundation of such principles, disunity, injustice and , exploitation will flourish.

"First people should not be retrenched from their ~ livelihood unless alternative employment has been :1 arranged for them. ) "Let us discuss what happens when people lose their .~ livelihood. Take the example of rickshaw pullers in i; India. The work of rickshaw pullers is exhausting ·~ and poorly paid, but if it is declared illegal, many rickshaw pullers will become unemployed and their r~ lives will become more miserable. Those who cannot ~: find alternative employment will either die of starva1.•' tion or become criminals in an effort to survive. In either case, society will be adversely affected. So, ~ 1 before this occupation is prohibited, rickshaw pullers should be provided with suitable alternative employment.

"Now you understand the consequences of retrenching people without arranging a suitable alternative livelihood for them." (Prout Nutshell-16, p.68-69) In failing to follow this important point, currently, countries like Canad & the USAa are facing a whirl- p pool of criminal activity.

Three cardinal principles for "individual and collective progress are: (a) No retrenchment from job unless new employed ;: arranged. (b) No forced religious conversion. ,j (c) No suppression of mother tongue.

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Monday, Aprii2Jrd, 5pm at 2nd floor concession.

Please pick up a ticket from Colleen or Lisa.

VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION WEEK APRIL 15- 21, 2012 (Look for Event Brochure Monday, April2) This week is an opportunity for ALL volunteers to be applauded for their many contributions and positive effects you have on our Community! It's to recognise and celebrate your profound desire to assist in multiple capacities for the Carnegie Community throughout the year. Every one of you deserves your own "Helping Hand Award."

Volunteer Dinner is mid-Recognition Week:

Wednesday April 18th, 4:30pm, Carnegie Theatre Volunteer Recognition Party+Awards Celebration

Friday, April 20th, 4:00pm in the Theatre ...please pick up dinner and party tickets in the Volunteer Program Office.

We've olanned this celebration so you don't have to!

Every year there's a Volunteer of the Year selected.

He or she will have met a high standard of performance consistently throughout the year. It is always a very tough decision because there are so many volunteers deserving of recognition. At this Celebration the Volunteer of the Year will be announced for the first time, plus the four other four other volunteers for special merit recognition.

This party is for YOU -IT WON'T BE ANY FUN WITHOUT YOU... food, enlf!rtainment,your favourite T-shirt of the year, dQor prizes, hilarity and more. Please pick up your ticket in the Vol. office.

Directly following the Recognition Party will be a DANCE, 7-lOpm, Sandy .!Jone & The Breakdown Absolutely everyone welcome!

Motto of the Week

"Without the fum foundation of such principles, dis- 'j unity, injustice and exploitation will flourish. To ;1 avoid this and to safeguard the interests of all people, 1i the leaders of society must ensure that cardinal socio- :; political principles are strictly followed. Otherwise, ~·I ! individual and collective progress can never be "No one has it coming!

That's wby no one sees it coming!" achieved." (PR Sarkar. Prout Nutshell-16. o.68) 1

variety of life in downtown east side

PACIFIC BLUEGRASS HERITAGE SOCIETY

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A variety of bands playing Bluegrass, Folk and Country Music!

Wednesday April 4th, 2012 7-9 pm C.arne~ie

Theatre

SNOW Creator, are you there?

Help me, my path has changed From openness as a clearing in the woods To a path strewn with rocks; lined by Thorn bushes; oak that bums.

Creator, are you there?

The s ilence roars in my ears, the aloneness Presses hard on my spirit, my heart.

Help me understand that a ll paths Lead somewhere; there is no end Creator, are you there? r thank you for my sisters in the east Their voices carried by your breath lightens my heart Their love wraps me as a blanket Warms my spirit; touches me deeply.

crows grackle in air on streets up alleys transient humans bounce off one another in a daily dance of guilt for things they us we me have not actually done politics hover over all of this like some homeless albatross over ancient mariners' ships legislated poor, pushed from door to door too many homeless ever abound gentrification creeps s low sure & right on time upon a populace out of their c lime yet mice rats other smaller lives quietly go about their rodent business shitty hall tries to ignore a ll of the above giving priorities favours to other 'hoods undaunted, defiant activists plod on & on to maintain, survive, love on & on ubiquitous crows mischjevously hop about reminding us narrow humans that all mobile life is equal all Iife is precio us ...... . john alan douglas

InChoiring Minds Mt Pleasant's Choir will be giving a Free Concert Mt.P Neighbourhood House

8pm, Thursday, April 5th, 800 E Broadway Goodies and Refreshments after!

Creator, are you there?

r thank you for the snow The flakes caress and smudge me as I walk Brushing away the sadness, the fear Soften ing my steps, my heart Creato r, are you there?

I thank you, the s now was my prayer answered, You heard me, you blessed me I am humbled and honoured by your gift I know that you are there. Hai Hai Robert Bonner

Hold onto your seats- the 2012 Neighbourhood Small Grants is soon to be announced. What we are looking for first are some community minded folks who are interested in learning more about the Program, have approximately 15 hours to spend (from now until mid-May) and are interested in attending some of the events on behalf of the Committee. ff you think that is YOU, please email me back and tell me why you're interested.

Roberta Robertson [roberta.nsgp@gmail.com]

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Meanwhile back in the real world you can't even af-~ ford the truth and retention of memory is now a ~ Itnevergetsold ,_-... -:. ,)J,~~./~ crime, the ink police think they know us so well but As the story unfolds ~~ \J{ ),_.., ~· we know them by sense of smell they know full well 1 r come and I _/ they can kill us and do no time, back in the day when Through this way and that 1) ~":)~)'I mom scrubbed floors for the extra pay to make your Step on the gas, never soon pasefi\":;-' ~ r.::::-.... . life so better than hers mop up those tears and get The mirrors fill glass j ' _ ~'~ ~ back to work, there were days you didn't really know Words words sloppy and slurred ,... ~ l:_/?. if you should phone for an ambulance to go almost ~ ../ /. If ~l ~~- -"":/) come natural to us 1 _...._./ everyone I've ever met has read "The bystanders Our heads to the gro~nd .~ ..,._"'-of/ .' ;J ' \ · -;;--' ') guide Book" now that is particularly disturbing gathering of words always on the lookout for the evil that Fences with hounds iJ ~ ~~· Pounding the pound's cats } --..i1;. ;t turns Popes into j erks,like a reproduction of my welOn the roof, lazy aloof ; 1"117 /f"ff ~K)«:-.9 fare lady soon the sun will be the only thing that Solid and bulletproof. . !:JJU/~0, ~ shades me everywhere selfishness with even more babies EARTH says thanks but no thanks to you ·I I honey grab the 1000-pic Polaroid let us cash in on others misery, this entire planet doesn't hold enough water for the flames about to rise this day of light and fire will go down (or up) in history, f.d' .. t I once wrote about "catastrophic itmer peace "now that was three or four years ago at least it may now be taking place but I truly do not understand, too many doubts clouding over any benefits like asking if ft~ r-J\, J. .. the doomsday clock has a snooze button what if the V) wrong one gets hit all ambitions cancelled solar bursts are nothing compared to mankind trying to the burning _~ Saint Minus clears his throat of moral decay, \... survive in this new no-man's land, just more setbac ks one has been spreading rumours that the ink police engraved in wet cement then over the railing and into are due anytime to ruin a lot of peaceful peoples enthe river man and his ideas went screaming ''I'll be tire day, like a source with no name 586 issues (give back" after the next World War I'll be back for you or take) have been and shed a little help and enlightand you and you too, learning through better devastaenment under our 24 hour rain,how much wasted an tion then Burning the building blocks of Education pre & post circus parties yet they feel the need to this means punishment down the road some for us so shut up and shut down a whole community by s imply j much more for all of the new, allotting movies that for 25 years has kept us ini Monday dearest my favourite day of the week everyformed and a lot more sane, like a colour blind racist ~ thing and everyone get back to what normal is to there simply is no basis to hate the unfortunate poor ' most or at least some, how very kind they waited for ~ you and that company of creeps are the one's driving } you to leave before that building somehow burnt to us insane, ignorance is a terrible waste yet it sings of ~ the ground very sickened sel fish mind are the ones broken streets brutality has got the beat as disillu.i who conceive the burnings please pass the insanity sionment as childish teachers become loathsome around, with so many headaches from the neck down creatures because they want more,down with educa- 1! new and higher levels of insecurity have been found tion who really needs knowledge feed it to them in I but like anything else must be burnt until there nothpieces those empty ptggy ban~s w~re you ever seri1I ing left to burn, that would make common sense ous about stuff like collage wtth thts 21st century1 which can now only be used as an "insanity defence" ness soon you'll be able to converse with the inside of when all is said and done there will be nothing whatyour womb what will your first demand be for? soever to learn from .... Because of the Burning.

By ROBERT MCGILLIVRAY

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DRUG PROHIBITION anLJ the PLAGUE OF PRIS0N

in medicine hat

four of us milling around an old vw van 1'1 waiting fo,r w~stem union money ' someone s fnend was supposedly ' - we'd been waiting sending waiting and waiting for three days parked on a residential back street getting on each other's nerves not even noticing a woman walking past us on the sidewalk a few feet away until she abruptly stopped a first nations elder her hair a gray-black braid hanging below her knees and she was wearing traditional clothing sewn with beautiful multicoloured beads she didn't even glance at anyone else but looked intently into my eyes and slowly walked directly towards me tears filled her eyes and fell profusely down her face I was stunned speechless and when she was very close she stretched one thin arm forward handed me a coin put her hand upon her chest and said: "my heart feels sad for you路 then she turned and walked away no one else paid any attention -

[speakers) Ernie Drucker. Aiyanas Ormond. laura Shaver. lorna Bird and Donald MacPherson

to a woman who knows better than I the depth of sorrow I've known and C!lways will Bud Osborn

Carnegie Community Action Project (CCAP) Newsletter Read CCAP reports: htt ://ccapvancouver.word ress.com VANCOUVER, UN CEDED COAST SALISH TERRITORY: Eloquent. passion ate and articulate speeches by low income residents who love the ir community caused a tiny victory at Ciry Hall last month.

11 was all about a technicaL but controversial detail: the definition of social housing.

On March 27 and 28, City Council considered a 37 page report about the Downtown Eastside Local Area Planning Program (LAPP). Buried in the report was a de flnition of soc ial housing.

Developers in the Oppenhci mer part of the DTES would have to Crowd listens to community speakers

April1, 2012

meet this definition if they want to build condos. The law for that area already says that 20% of any development has to be social housing. The Council report said this 10% could be half at welfare rate and the other half at up to $839 for a bachelor or $925 for a one bedroom uni t. The LAPP committee asked Council to send this part of the report back to the LAPP committee and city staff to change.

Then the residents spoke: Lou Vodnak told Council. ''The DTES is vibrant. creative. and diverse. People have a lot of heart and pull together to help each other out. ...We need to protect low

income housing before any more condo's are allowed."

Patrick Foley said he'd like Council to sign a declaration that " the DTES is a precious asset to all Vancouver."

Patricia MacDonald said clearly, '"No to condo development. Yes to welfare rate housing.''

Krista- Dawn Kimsey told Council that her children "are excited to walk on Hastings St. because of the generosity of people toward them." "The sense of welcome and neighbourliness is one of the most beautiful things about the neighbourhood.''

Wendy Pedersen read Victoria Bull 's letter to Council: ''The DTES is not really a horrible place. It's a community.

What you're doing is gentrifying a neighbourhood completely without us in it."

Harold Lavender explained that

Colleen Boudreau, LAPP Ctte member

amount of stress, anxiety and despair" among people like him who had only $906 a month from their disability pension.

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''The definition of social housing is a fundamental issue. The community needs to be heard. The median income rin the DTES] is only $12.000 a year, very far below the low income cutoff (about $21,550 a year).''

Karen Ward, who lives in the new social housing at Woodwards, told Council, '路Reducing social housing from 20% to 10% will destroy our community." She explained how ''social mix is a code word for gentrification. As soon as I leave [my home] 1 face obstacles. I can ' t afford an $8 sandwich. I'm followed by security guards. Feelings of exclusion pervade our very souls."

Herb Varley, an Aboriginal man, told council, ''we all borrow the land from our great grandchildren . We cannot continue to displace people. Think of the DTES as a reservation. People put us there because it was bad for farming. But now there arc resources there." He went on, "If we lose our sense of community, it makes it easier to rob and steal from our neighbour, to

for council to make their ruling. The room let out a collective sigh of relief when Mayor Gregor Robertson moved an amendment to send the Oppenheimer social housing clause back to committee.

Kathy Shimizu speaks to council

walk by a man passed out on the street."

Colleen Boudreau told Council that she was "gravely concerned if the policy goes through." She was also concerned that more liquor licenses in the area would bring more violence to the community.

Councillor Andrea Reimer supported the amendment and called for a specific definition and ratio of low-income social to market housing that takes local neighbourhood dynamics into account.

She said, "I don't see how we can take the average [income] of the whole city and use it for the DTES ." BC Housing guidelines that define income limits on city average in a neighbourhood where most are lower income." Her observation was backed up by the staff report which cites the medi an

Kathy Shimizu, said that her family lived near Oppenheimer Park before they were displaced by the forced removal of people of Japanese ancestry during WWII. "The forced removal of current residents is the same type of injustice," she said.

Jean Swanson spoke about the DTES Housing Plan. She said "the plan points to the Oppenheimer district as the place where social housing can be built to replace 2,000 SRO hotel units. And it says that if development becomes too attractive in the area then council must act to hold development back."

Ayisha Faruk-Appiah speaks to council

After they were done all waited expectantly (Cont'd on page 6)

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income of the entire Downtown Eastside as $12,000. In the Oppenheimer district income levels are lower still.

In the end, Council did refer the definition of social housing back to the staff and the LAPP committee. Council also told staff that the LAPP committee has to have reports that go to Council at least three weeks in advance. But they did approve the LAPP work program that most LAPP committee members had no input into.

Council also agreed to a rezoning policy that will allow a least 500 more condo units to proceed during the planning process. So there is still a lot of work to do.

Sequel 138, slated to go to the Development Permit Board on April 23rd, is located on E. Hastings St. in the Oppenheimer zoning district where the zoning calls for 20% social housing in nearly all new developments. The project, which is opposed by at least 40 organizations and thousands of residents is key to the transition of the low-incom~ community into a high income community.

Learn more about the controversial Sequel 138 project at: www.dtesnotfordevelopers. ca -J.S.

"We're hoping that we can develop a new definition of social housing that will slow condo development in the Oppenheimer Area," said Ivan Drury of the DTES Neighbourhood Council. " We're hoping we can use this action by Council to help stop the Sequell38 (old Pantages site) condo project on Hastings St."

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(from top-right) Karen Ward, Jean Swanson, Harold Lavender

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Stop Sequel 138 Pantages Condos CCAP letter to city council From: Jean Swanson [mailto:jcan.swanson @gmail.com] Sent: March-22- 12 12:52 PM To: mayorandcouncil; McNaney. Kevin: Prosken , Brenda; david.atiero@vancouver. ca Subject: Sequel 138 development Mayor and Council, Brenda, Kevin and David.

As you know, the Carnegie Community Action Project is terrified that the Sequel 138 project and its 79 condos will be the thin edge of the condo wedge that destroys the low income community in our prec ious Downtown Eastside Oppenheimer Area.

The reasons for our terror include: • the project will make it extremely unlikely that the Downtown Eastside Housi ng Plan can be implemented by encouraging condos with only 10% welfare rate housing in the DEOD. On page 58, the Housing Plan says it is " unlikely that I for I rcplaccm0nt of the existing 2000 SRO unit!-. will be possible in the DEOD'' if market development becomes attractive there: • the project will have a gentrifying impact on hotel s housing hundreds of low income people in the 100 block, pushing up rents and forcing people to move out perhaps to the street or to double up in unhealthy spaces; • the project will further gentrify the neighbolll·hood by linking to upscale business in Chinatown with its internal passageway of

upscale boutiques and stores; • there is broad consensus in the DTES community that Sequel 138. om:e completed, will result in displacement and exclusion for low-income residents li ving nearby. and threaten the viability of businesses and services that support them. To date, over :woo indiv iduals and 45 organizations have signed a community resolution calling on M~u·c Williams to sell the property to the City for I 00% community controlled social housing and amenity space.

The negative impacts of Sequel 138 on the DTES low-income community must not be ignored. The Developmen t Permit process focuses entirely on technical and legal matters, and eliminates from consideration the soc ial implications of this project. The violence of displacement and the increase in human suffering that will spread throughout the neighbourhood as a result or thi s development can only be halted by slopping the project immediately.

We are asking you not to grant Sequel 138 a development permit.

Sincerely Your~.

Jean Swanson, CCA_..-~~a

more than a town hall.. . a rally in the Carnegie Theatre STOP CONDOS ON THE 100-BLOCK CALL FOR 100掳/o SOCIAL HOUSING AT THE PANTAGES THEATRE

TUESDAY APRIL 10 11AM CARNEGIE THEATRE (MAIN FLOOR CARNEGIE) COFFEE & LIGHT LUNCH organized by dtes not for developers http ://dtesnotfo rdevelo pe rs. word press.

Some websites to look at http://ccapvancouver.wordpress.com/ Virtually everything we're up to at CCAP gets posted on this blog. Click on the reports tab to read CCAP's reports, including the new 2011 report on SRO hotels http ://dtes notfordeve Io pers. word press. com Website for the Downtown Eastside Not for Developers Coalition and the campaign to stop the Sequel 138 condos on the 1 00-block http://dnchome.wordpress.com/ See the DNC website for updates on condo developments proposed for the DTES, and on the fight against gentrification and for housing and social justice

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Support for this project does not necessarily imply Van city or Vancouver Foundation's endorsement of the findings or contents of this newsletter

An Investigation in Motion with Helen Walkley How does our love of spontaneous motion translate into vital expression in dance?

This workshop is intended for anyone who loves to move and is curious about the nature of improvisational dance, the possibility to create and relate movement in the moment.

April3, 5, 10, 11, 17, 19, 24: 2-4:00 PM In the Carnegie Gym Maximum number of participants: 12 Please register at the 3rd Floor Program Office by April 2"d.

Helen Walkley is a contemporary dance artist, certified Laban Movement Analyst and registered Somatic Movement Educator who has taught, created and performed for the past 31 years in United States, Germany, the Netherlands and Canada. She is currently based in Vanc9uver.

[Photo by Chris Randle) Last Call Downtown Eastside

are closing the door

shut up 'cause what we are screaming finally hits the ir fat White Ears.

My last message is: .

Come to terms with yourself all the Lies you've li ved and nobody ever realty be lieved We didn't call you on it 'cause we all love you, kid wouldn't ever hurt yo u AI

dear paul I was so happy to get my paper. .. so many writer got their start in this paperThe writing groups I had people write their thoughts as a poem then you published them .. it gave them confidence,all the poems I wrote about the missing wimin you pubJished .. you encouraged my five books .. you encouraged the poets, the opions the cartoons,,This can never be replaced .. 1000 s of volunteer hours over decades ..... people learned skills in the producing the paper ..... . hugs and thankyou sheila baxter Hi Sheila, T hanks so much for your input, both this message and the donation I found here. Low-income and economically poor people are always more generous than those with money to spare - points to a deep fa ult in the upbringing of the wealthy, including their balloon-like arrogance (whether subtle or gross).

Once again we fight for our lives.

My View on Adoption

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Every morning At least an opera is practising

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Birds camouflaged by leafy branches Occasionally a voice of bass sobrietyu-J _:...Then a shriek of soprano lucidity The deep and long tenor voices telling The high pitched screams tally staccato or opera music ·' These epics are performed wh~~ I am_eag.;rly l;{ -~~~· ' Waiting for a busUK..f.r· .. ,' · .JlJ . .

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Assumpta Kwan ' di

On behalf of the members of the DTES Adult Literacy Roundtable, including Margot Butler, please know that your efforts to locate a new source of funding for the continuation of the Carnegie Newsletter has our support. The Roundtable, made up of educators who work with learners across the Downtown Eastside and South Downtown, understands that the Carnegie Newsletter has a long history as a powerful forum for sharing ideas, events, poetry, and raising issues and questions that are relevant to the community. It has also been a venue where so many people have had the exciting experience of publishing their writing.

While growing up in Hong Kong, 1 heard from my family and friends that adoption implied a mother was not able to conceive, and any adoption would be a shame on the family . In an attempt to overcome the feeling of shame, some mothers claimed that their adopted child was their own.

The word 'face' is used frequently in the Chinese culture- it is all right to be unhappy and miserable inside as long as whatever you do looks good to others. My father repeatedly taught me to do things to "honour" my family, and not to "lose face" Failing in school, to separate or divorce and, last but not least, to adopt a child are all considered "losing face."

It has not been easy for me to unlearn what I learned in Hong Kong. I consider myself very fortunate to have been able to come to Canada and to learn from different cultures.

A friend of mine in Canada adopted a child and her story had an impact on my view on adoption.Marilyn told her son when he was little that he had been adopted. She also explained to her son that his birth mother was not able to take care of him, and she wanted to find him a family with a mother and a father. Marilyn said that this clear explanation really helped her son to feel better about himself when he -was later teased at school about being adopted.

In spite of her devoted attention to this child, Marilyn had some challenges when her son was 8 or 9.He told her, "This isn't fair. You should've adopted David."

David was his older brother. Wisely, she told him, "You will always be my special adopted child."

With some help, the birth mother requested to see her son when he was 18. Marilyn decided that they'd ~ meet as soon as the boy reached 19. It was wonder~ ful. The boy informed his birth mother that he had had a good life, and he was happy that he would have ~ two mothers and two fathers in the future. '" My view on adoption has changed. To me, adoptive ~ parents are generous, hospitable, and unselfish. They ~ are giving their time, money, and energy to help a ·1 child who needs the care of a family.

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While the DTES Adult Literacy Roundtable does not have the funds to be a permanent contributor towards the costs of publishing the Carnegie Newsletter, we would like to make a one-time donation of$1000.

We understand that this is roughly the cost of cover- ' ing publication costs for one month. It it our hope that this contribution will generate more time for a new source of regular funds to be identified.

Debbie Woon Lee

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!live in downtown Vancouver. As a pensioner I highly value the servces and programs offered at the I am writing to express my anger upon learning that Carnegie Community Centre that serves our area. the Carnegie Newsletter Program's funding has come ' Unfortunately our current Liberal provinci al govunder attack from the Bad People. One must assume , ernment has pulled funding from the Carnegie Newsthis decision was made by someone [or some group) : letter Program. utterly ill-informed and ignorant, or the same intent This program allows many of us to contribute our on forcing an entire community to pay for some ob' artwork, photography, journalism and poetry to the scure, vindictive self-interest , community in exchange for meal tickets redeemable I will not stoop to listing reasons why this program in the Carnegie Cafeteria This helps us considerably is essential, because they' re painfully obvious even with our accessibility to healthy meals hampered by for the markedly stupid.

1 extreme poverty. The program helps us sharpen our I have a feeling I'll be showing up in your offices talent and social skills while keeping us informed on someday soon with a horde of angry crackheads and how to further participate in our community. a TV crew. (This is News!)

Please don 't steal from the poorest of the poor such See You Then. a treasured program that serves as the g lue for comShawn Millar munity cohesion.

Sincerely, "~-- . ,. -~..:::::.::;::::.·.-::.::=-::...:..::.:: ::·Susan James ~=-~-~ ~~ --~~~ -~ -~ -~ ~~~~~~~~~~~-~-~-~~-~=mr---_ _ _ _ _..,,..,.

-a.....-r""'"o'"-"""" "' '="--....-... · -- -- ::.::::: -- · - ~ -- =--:..,;n''·--:_ -- · ~ -::.......: -~ Going for a walk, seems like the ode of a lot . . rotting away in the court yard between SFU and the of yesterdays ... not quite sure yet where I'm headed always-packed Cambie pub. Although a friendly, though, with my aching feet all swollen, red and kindly symbol of days gone by, when our lives were puffy- oh boy, the pain. r seem to be losing my air.. not as complicated, no ise-ridden, overrun by cars and Like suffocating, not sure what that's all about, Good astronomically expensive, not this Woodwards - a bet that it might be the cigarette intake, oh well here i ' monumental edifice to gentrification personified. A go, always with fee ling of dread, anticipation and . : good horror movie idea night" The attack of hearttrepidation, lock my door, down the elevator, seven ~­ less, corrupt developers on the quaint and neighshort floors, to the basement parking lot, then out hourly downtown east side." It' s probably too long a into the alleyway to ·face Vancouver once again. title i know, and yet apt, i think you'll agree.

Groundhog Day, hot Dang, garbage strewn everyShock and awe now everyday, Pantages aemousnea where, awls a skitter and askew, along with the crack ; , rubble eyesore, gradually turning into a toxic waste people, crouching and holding, in the filthy back dump, no charges yet for this crime, what are we doorways, i try my level best to sidestep oily pothole ; : waiting for, the Earthquake!? Yikes, it's a guessing puddles, yuck. Oh yeah same old news, so boring, game now, when & what will moneyed capitalist etc., etc., etc., etc., and I'm sure you know the rest. cronies get the green light, to lay waste to next?! I'm Whats next upon my plate, [ ponder, as I take my almost afraid to look, where will they cut and paste. familiar hairpin turn, swerving and dodging, a steady.

Stay strong folks, they're not unstoppable we've been row of very shady, in your face drug traffickers, and · around a way heck of lot longer than these silverdishevelled, s hop worn mules.! answer all their ques-spooned dudes, as we remain here, right here, long tions, briefly and politely, "No,no thanks,not to~ long after they' re broken, bankrupted and forever 1 day,l'm fine I'm ok", I'm out of here. Astalevesta. Algone. So don't hold your breath, but batten down the ways watching my back, the brim on my black base- · hatches and hang on to your hats it will no doubt be a rocky ride, fighting fire w ith fire, to fend and fight ball cap pulled very low as always in order not to their onslaught of terrorist tactics. Stay cool, cause make eye contact with them although i do look up, J we'll continue to rule, taking it back and back, block way up the historic flaming red Woodward's W. by block.

That's not the original one, that one sits rusty and ROBYN LIVINGSTONE

To whom it may concern

t

A

Newsletter Update I Progress Report The response from our community has been good. A Bake Sale brought in $405 and friends of the paper donated an additional $ 1040. A grant of$1000 had arrived from CUPE Local 15 at the end of20 11 and the new year has some ongoing ads paid for in full.

Two grants have been applied for, two requests for consideration, and the Literacy Roundtable has pledged a further $ 1000 as a one-time contribution.

Expenses have been $860 fo r printing the 3 issues so far in 20 12, with add itional costs through petty cash of about $ 140. T his rounds out to $ 1000 so far.

There is a recommendation going to the Board from the Community Rela tions Committee that there be 2 editio ns in both Apri l and May, though only 12 pages each. The financial picture will be evaluated again and further p lans made.

A large fundraiser is on the drawing board, with the organising pretty well done. Now comes the part of getting people to buy tickets, and hopefully take an extra 5-l 0 to sell to their friends. There'll be more on this next issue.

Thanks to everyone. The fight fo r our life has just intensified, not been lost!

PRT

Powell. Street Festiv~l presents Free Art workshops Featurmg Yuriko Iga at Oppenheimer Field House

Button making April27, 1 - 3pm

Gocco Card making May 25, 1 - 3pm

Thanks for offering to have colleagues write letters.

The article on the cover of the March 1st edition is about as up-to-date as I am regarding the Gaming Commission. There is an article in the latest Megaphone (which may be available on their website) and the author phoned the M inistry responsible. I'd never heard of it. .. Anyway, their claim that the Carnegie Association decides how the money is spent doesn't really hold true - it's at the Ministry that someone or something somewhere decides what programs are r deemed worthy, a nd assign funds to those. [twas 1 there that. this same "s or s s" eliminated funding for 1 Commumty Communications and increased the allocation for Christmas by $10,000 and paying for vol1' unteer outtrips and re lated expenses by $8000. A request for using gaming funds for replacing womout stuff and making other programs even possible was , also scrapped.

The Ministry decides how much can go to what and , then the Association can make a budget based on expected expenses under that restriction. The books , are audited early in the following year to make sure t~e l ~mp su~ sent hadn't seen a penny go where they dtdn t want tt to go. Hence the admonition that retroactive to January I , 20 12 none of the 20 12 m'o ney can be spent on the Newsletter.

Th~t .reasoning is a) suspect; b) a back-handed way of ktlltng the paper with no one claiming direct responsibility or having to answer "Why?"; c) malignantly stupid or d) all of the above.

This.kind <?f stuff doesn't go over well in letters adl dressed "To Whom It May Concern" so what is be路j ing asked. in letter-writing workshops on Carnegie's 路' 3rd floor ts for supporters to answer 2 questions in their statement: 1) What does the Carnegie Newsletter mean to me? And 2) What does the Carnegie Newsletter mean to the community? Letters wi ll not be abridged so any shots at the Liberals/the ones whispering into the ears of the GC bureaucrats are fine.

Hope this helps.

Paul

.' i

«Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.

Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

carnegiel:

- Margaret Meade

NEW-SLETT E R .

401 M a in S treet, Vancou ver 604.665.2289

THIS NEWSLETIER IS A PUBLICATION OF THE CARNEGIE COMMUNITY CENTRE ASSOCIATION Articles represent the views of individual contributors and not of the Association:

WANT ED

We acknowledge that the Carnegie Community Centre, and this Newsletter, are occurring on Coast Salish Territory.

Artwork for the Carnegie Newsletter :small illustration~ to accompany a~icles and ~-try; Cov~rart -Max.stze:.1!cm(6.:Y.1wtdex15cm(6 )htgh *Subject matter perta1mng to 1ssues relevant to the Downtown Eastside but all work considered ; *Black & White printing only; *Size restrictions apply (i.e. If your piece is too large it will be reduced andlor cropped to fit; *All artists will receive credit for their work; *Originals will be returned to the artist after being copied for publication; *Remuneration: Carnegie Volunteer Tickets.

Please make S~:Jbmissions to Paul Taylor, Editor.

Next Issue SUBMISSION DEADLINE: · THliRSDAY, APRIL 12th .....

2012 DONATIONS Margeret D-$40, Libby D-$75, Jenny K-$25, Sheila B-$100 Harold D-$100, Leslie S-$150, Bake Sale at BC Cancer-$405 Christopher R-$150, Phoenix W-$60, Wilhelmina M· $20, Patrick F-$10, CUPE 15 -$1000, Robert M-$25, Bob S-$200 Megan L-$40, LV -$10, Vancouver Moving Theatre-$150 Michael C-$50, Michelle C-$20, Glenn B-$100, Shyla S-$75 Naomi N-$20, Anonymous $40 Marsha D -To the memory of Sandy Cameron -$50

GET CLEAN Shower Up,.at the Lord's Rain 3'll Carrall St. just off Pigeon Park HOT SHOWERS. (towel, ·s oap, shampoo (the works) & coffee) Monday, 7-1Oam, (Ladies only!)

7am Tuesday, W ednesday & Saturday

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FREE DENTAL HELP

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Alon&: 6a...-nSU790

455-.E Hastings: Monday & Friday·, 9:30-12:30

Call604-254-9900 for information.

Cleaning only at VCC is $35; Info: 604-443-8499

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UBC - Law Students Legal Advice Program All cases checked with lawyers; confidential OroP:in: Tuesd~ys, 7- 9pm (ends 11/22111) Jnl floor Art Galle ry, Carnegie Clr, ~1 Main

WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTON • • • • • •

AIDS POVERTY HOMELESSNESS VIOLENCE AGAINSf WOMEN TOTALITARIAN CAPITALISM IGNORANCE and SUSTAIN'ED FEAR

The Carnegie Newsletter has been published twice a month by the non-profit Carnegie Community Centre Association since 1986. The Newsletter has been a voice for residents and friends of the entire community of the Downtown Eastside.

Matters of poverty, hous ing & homelessness, living with addictions & harm reduction/treatment/ recovery, the drug trade, sex trade, " free" trade, gentrification, marginalisation, stereotyping, mental health and being written off, rights and freedoms, greed and indifference .....

These are some of the contents of our lives. The Carnegie Newsletter, now funded by non-governmental sources and individual donations, is a vital and needed part of our community and must be supported.

(Signed)-------- - - - My personal comments are:

Cut the page in two and deliver both to the Newsletter I CCAP office on Carnegie's 2"d floor. Thank you!

TO: Mayor Gregor Robertson and City Council, Penny Ballem (City Manager), Brenda P rosken (General Manager, City Services), Kevin McNaney (Assistant Director of Planning) and David Autiero (Project Facilitator)

I am strongly opposed to the proposed development of79 market condos at 138 E. Hastings Street.

Condos in the heart of the Downtown Eastside will resultS in increased property values, real estate speculation, rent inflation in the surrounding buildings, renovictions, influx of new retail stores, enhanced surveillance, more sense of exclusion, and the dis-possession and displacement of low-income residents.

If Sequel 138 goes ahead, it will be the first of many condo projects in the Downtown Eastside Oppenheimer District. According to Page 58 of the city's DTES Housing Plan: "Ifland values get to a point where market development is attractive despite having to incorporate a 20% social housing component, it is unlikely that 1 fo r I replacement of the existing 2000 SRO units will be possible in the DEOD." Sequel 138 is the thin edge of the wedge that will prevent the replacement of SROs with good housing.

The site must be secured for I00% community-controlled welfare rate social housing and community amenity space, so that the assets of the low-income community can be preserved and strengthened.

I call on the City to reject the development permit application for Sequel 138, purchase the property & support the DTES low-income communities' v ision for the neighbourhood.

NAME _ _ __ _ __ _ __ _ __ __ ADDRESS - - - - - -- - - - - - -Email or Phone--- - -- -- -- -- -- SIGNATURE------- - - 路 - - - - - -