August 15, 2013, carnegie newsletter

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401 Main St, Vancouver BC V6A 2T7 604-665-2289

AUGUST15,2013 carnnews@shaw.ca www.carnnews.org

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You Ltk£ PLAY Do/ The new kid on the block is a wuss -

-sentiment of those directly responsible for the Gastown Gazette puke

27 years!

Aficionados of the Carnegie Newsletter (all 2 or 3 of you) have been mildly aware that August 15 is a date to remember. It was 27 years ago that the first issue, 12 pages in 60 copies. was eftmlcea €lMt photocopied on a long gone & buried dinosaur upstairs.

The last attempt - there have been more than a fewto kill our voice- came via the Gaming Commission in late 20 II. The powers-that-wannabe thought to come through the back door and refuse to permit any money that the Carnegie Association gets with its Bingo license to be used for community communications. The professed ignorance of just what the Carnegie Newsletter was/is had the official line being that other (i.e. all) programs or events in Carnegie and the surrounding area could put out their own ads and no one of any impottance could give a shit what happened or even recognise consequences.

Hah! The underlying philosophy, that life as people not endowed with some unnamed or unknowable class live it is not worth anyone (who is of this unnamed & unknowable class) noticing, much less respecting. I guess truth hurts.

For a few years now the Newsletter office has been home also to the Carnegie Community Action Project and meetings, gatherings, planning and doing tremendously good work. And of course it's pissed several people off. I don't make a point of getting all the nitty-gritty details of every disagreement or malicious dealings of those opposed. Some people think gentrification is the best thing since .. well.. since something mostly those looking out for number one and knowing what is best for the less fortunate (favoured) who are being pests.

The Downtown Neighbourhood Council was a good start to reorganising people to present a united front on issues affecting most poor and marginalised residents. There was a kind of backhanded hiccup to expel activists from CCAP, always arguing for rights and needs of current and long-time members of the DTES communities. The small cartel that now declares itself the Board of Directors regularly maligns those who it disagrees with, refuses to meet with its members in publ:c and takes decisions diametrically opposed to the founding constitution. I think there'~ about five people ... hardly a neighbourhood council .

Add to this joke the ridiculousness of an online blog

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with the moniker Gastown Gazette. They are essentially slimy in the articles and presentations giving their opinions and biases as fact, trashing people like Jean Swanson and Wendy Pedersen and Ivan Drury.

At this point, let me state categorically that Jean Swanson is one of the most principled, honest and ethically sound individuals it has been my pleasure to know and work with. It's especially distasteful when people with the morals and righteousness of a shithouse rat take potshots at her and denigrate her good name with made-up garbage. It' s disturbing when the one pretending to be head of the DNC purposely mistranslates a financial statement made public every month by CCAP to convince a piece of wood on Carnegie· s Board that CCAP staff are putting every dollar received in grants into their own pockets .. ' Paying her/himself over a hundred thousand dollars!! 'The blank [ex-]board member then repeats this blatant lie to media- hence the disgust at the smell emanating from this Gazette, from the perpetrators who make no bones about wanting to "squeeze locals like they were PlayDough" and, ahem, "clean up our (same in context (sic)) neighbourhood."

The letter on the following page is from the Urban Core Community Workers' Association and makes the tip of the iceberg shine.

By PAULR TAYLOR Volunteer editor since 1986.

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Article "A Community Unites To Do The Right Thing" published on July 11 , 2013 I write this letter on behalf of Vancouver Urban Core Community Workers' Association 0./UCCWA), a network of approximately 40 frontline agencies and workers that provide services to individuals in the Downtown Eastside. Formed in 1971, our members meet regularly to discuss pe rtinent issues, sha ring concerns and practices and addressing issues that affect our ability to serve the local population who often live in extreme poverty.

Members were extremely concerned after reading your article "A Community Unites To Do The Right Thing" published on July 11 1h about a press conference held by community leade rs, including some VUCCWA members. The article states that "it was apparent" that the community leaders' comments that bullying and intimidation should not be accepted and supported were "aimed directly at Jean Swanson, CCAP leader and Coordinator, and Gena Thompson, President of the Carnegie Community Centre Association". This is simply not true.

In addition, your article states that the picketers are "led by ... Jean Swanson (CCAP employee) and further, published the allegation that the Carnegie Association paid protesters to attend these protests by quoting, "It's corrupt. Somebody needs to look at the small amounts of money they pull out of Carnegie for these protests." Despite Carnegie Association clearly refuting these claims, you further suggest that the editors' call for a cessation of the Carnegie Community Centre Association's fundi ng .

These are unsupported allegations and our Association is alarmed at the personal attacks upon members of VUCCWA. We are also concerned that the Gastown Gazette deemed it fit to publish them.

Both Jean and the Carnegie Centre have a long and positive history of providing valuable services and advocacy that have always supported the people of the DTES and advanced their iss ues.

We ask that you print the a retraction that reads: "Claims made by the editors in the July 11 th Gastown Gazette that Jean Swanson of the Carnegie Community Centre Association organizes the protests at Pigin and Cuchillo restaurants and that the Carnegie Association pays these protesters are inaccurate .

Our call for a cessation of Carnegie Community Centre Association funding was based on these inaccuracies and we retract those comments."

We look forward to reading your retraction.

Sincerely, Karen O'Shannacery Member of the Executive, VUCCWA

Vancouver Urban Core Community Workers Association c/o 429 Alexander, Vancouver, BC V6A 1 C6

An Outdoor-Multimedia-Visual Arts Market at Napier & Commercial Drive 4 Sundays: August 11 - September 1 Workshops for this summer include: August 11 "Scraps and Stitches," a sewing workshop with Karenza T. Wall August 18 "Collecting Tiny Bits Of Meaning," an upcycle workshop with Magpie's Nest Community Art Space, winners of the East Feast microfunding event September 1 Paper Quilling with Helen Spaxman.

Other Highlights for this summer include: August 11 Vancouver Cooperative Radio: Books and Records Fundraiser August 18 Greater Vancouver Weavers' and Spinners' Guild: Demonstration Live Music Schedule: See vouthere!

August 11 Backspin (12-2:30pm); Rio Samaya (2:30-Spm) August 18 Tim Sars Duo (12-3pm); llliteratty (3-Spm) August 25 Clara Shandler: The Sidewalk Cellist ( 12-2:30pm); The Diviners (2:30-Spm) September 1 Clara Shandler: The Sidewalk Ce~list (12-2:30pm); Glen Watts (2:30-Spm)

Sssh ssh, just be quiet He'll go away Is it the first?

Yes it's today

Heat up the kettle We have a guest Sorry this place Is such a mess

How is your day So glad you came by The weather is fine And so am I

He's using his key Don't say a word Sit like a mouse Feel like a turd

Run to the store Get us some cream I'll make the tea You keep the dream

You've come for the rent Oh, what a shame We had no food It's already spent

This is my daughter This is my son Where is their sister Oh, must you run?

There you are daughter Why under the bed Look you're just filthy What's with your head Della G Baird

EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE A MOTHER Anyone could look and see why my baby should be with me.

I was a really good mother; They should have picked no other.

Conrad could have a sister with whom to play; He misses out on her every day.

I haven¡t seen her fro a lot of years; Alii have is a river of tears.

No one will ever know that I still love her so.

It still hurts me more and more, but I know one day she'll come to the door.

Then I will be as happy as can be, for I still love her you see.

To me my Mom is number one; She is better than anyone.

If someone had taken her away, I would've cried; It would've torn me up inside.

This is legal robbery, as far as I can see.

They didn't just take my baby from me; They hurt her for infinity.

I won't forgive them for what they've done; I've got to blame it on someone.

For all this pain I feel inside, sometimes I find it hard to hide.

There's nothing that can replace the years that are gone, Or having your heart ripped out and stomped on.

For maybe if I'd paid a high legal fee, my baby would've stayed with me.

After all, one day you may see her running happily up to me.

She'll be saying Mom; and I'll ask her if she is having fun.

This is a fantasy in my mind; Who knows what will happen in time!

One of these days I may die; I'll never know her, and why? • Barbie Neuman

August: (From Latin augustus; related to augere to increase.

The eighth month of the year, containing 31 days.)

From the first weathers of Spring until the end of July, there is but a quick gestation period for the hungry souL But in August, a life is in its first glimpse of maturity, to squander or to thrive on in the sweet heat of summer.

And often it echoes in the deep mind that September cannot ever be far away.

Garry Gust

Like Tupac said 'fore the devil killed him, "It's up to us to make it right." to change what's wrong & been wrong so long. It's up to all of us. We are a new nation; we are the tribe called POOR; we are red yellow black brown and white and we ain't got time to fight each other. All of us got to change what's wrong into being what's right - this is the enlightened fight. Hell, bro, only the tribe of a ll people can win this battle to save us all together. There's no time for petty infighting and bitching. That man beside you's your brother!

Once you conquer that theory you can fight the fight for what's right Quanistao M.Crow

ck and Forth Having lived outside of Canada for the last 19 years I am now in cultural shock af1er returning to my last place of abode, Down Town East Side Vancouver. At the same time I had been in and out of other cities and countries numerous times. In short periods of time I saw positive changes in places not noticed by them. Taiwan for instance when I went there in 1996 went th rough huge changes improving the environment of the country. When I mentioned this to my friends living there they seemed surprised. I feel the same about Vancouver. Having spent most of my time around the Hastings & Main area in the past, I want to write about the changes l have seen here and also talk about some of the attitudes ofthe people that have remained the same.

When I first came to Vancouver in 1995 from Montreal I was told to stay away from East Hastings. I had secured a job working for LINK teaching English to immigrants. After paying more than half my wages in rent in other parts of Vancouver I moved to an apartment near Hastings and Commercial. The house was owned by a nurse and shared by other roommates who were on special welfare allowances. They were not required to pick up their cheques at the welfare office. They brought their cheques to the home.

My first experience on the street was walking the owner's dog while she was out of town. While walking the dog on Hasting near Go re, 1 was questioned by many woman about the g~nder of the dog and I replied it was a bitch. They then screamed at me that I had no bus iness talking about my dog like that.

They peppered their speech with the most common English word used in the area ... a word that can be used as a noun, verb, adjective or adverb. Saying good morning often is responded to with the other most common saying," Shut the Buck up!" Men call each other Buddy but they rarely know each other.

At that time, a common scene wo uld be people crouched down under umbrellas and shooting up heroin. On welfare day you would often see medics using defibrillators on OD victims. You would also see people scraping dirt out of the cracks in the pavement. They were looking for powder they thought

they lost.

I joined the Britannia Health club and exercised in the morning before going to my classes. T here was an older gentleman who looked and sounded like a miner, lumber jack or fisherman. His speech was peppered with profanities and he would pontificate about everything he was reading in his newspaper. 1le did this while riding a stationary bike. One day 1got tired of listening to him and told him he was full of BS. About 6 women in their fifties jumped on me and told me I had no business talking about Harry that way. They pushed me out of the fitness centre. I was very angry and made up my mind 1 wasn't letting this old man deny me the right to using the gym. I was not letting these sisters keep me from using my membership card at the Britannia fitness center. The next day I was there and ready for confrontation. To my surprise the gruff speaking gentleman was really happy to see me. He then asked me what I thought about some things going on in the news. I would go there everyday looking forward to talking with the local lord of the Down Town Eastside. He told me he was a communist and couldn't travel to the US. I later found out he was Harry Rankin, a lawyer for the underprivileged in the neighbourhood T he incident was typical for Vancouver. It seemed like people who didn't get along found ways to confront each other. I liked the Latino coffee shops on Commercial. At Joe's coffee shop there were these Lesbian parties that were taking place there all the time. They would be celebrating someone's coming out. At the same time older Latino men would be cat whistling woman walking by on the street. Politics were the same. The Liberals would win the provincial elections and the Conservatives would dominate the federal elections. There were tree buggers and logging companies executives. Compromise was always achieved after a huge fight that was often wrought with violence.

The one thing that is very different in the area is the native people. Vancouver is a hard drinking area. All the natives I have been meeting are sober and tell me how long they have been sober. I don't think native people drink more than other people but they tend not to hide it and drink in public. I am seeing incredible art being produced by them. There are so many great carvers in the neighbourhood. And walking through the parks, you hear talented musicians practising.

They have treated me the best in my return to the city. Their presence now in my life has brought much calming to my soul.

I was penniless on my return to the city. I was forced to go to the Gospel Mission Shelter. They put me up in a clean bed, fed me and provided new clothes and shoes.

The crack cocaine has really changed the area the most. People seem very robotic in their movements after using the drug. You still see the needle users on Pender and around ... There are line ups going on at every church for meals. 1joined many and during the wait 1caught up in my reading. Many churches would give food out of the backs of their cars. It is impossible to go hungry in Down Town Eastside.

One place that could be considered the heart of Vancouver is the Carnegie Centre. Inside and outside this old mansion that was converted you have activity.

Inside there are Chinese and Western Chess games going on. The meals are of gourmet quality for a pittance. T hey often have book giveaways on the sidewalk. Yesterday I saw a complete set of Agatha Christy books being given a way.

The push carts are still there. But they seem to be used to transport empty cans and bottles to a recycling plant on Hastings. I forgot how recycling is done here. The rich just toss things on the ground for the collectors to pick up for the1i1.

The hotels from the turn of the last century are sti II everywhere. Some have had their enormous bars gentrified. They functioned in the past as places for lunberjacks, miners, fishermen and truckers went to let off steam (the major beverage being beer). T he price for beer has skyrocketed. In the pasts the beer flowed in the gigantic beer houses that are. located on the g round floors of the old hotels. Beer was and sti ll is the devil's drink. The women of the night were probably there too. Alfa males and alfa females getting together for annonymous sin.

I hard ly knew you EAST TOWN VAN, but it is great to be back.

By BRIAN CAULFIELD

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Locked in a Cage

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locked in a cage made out of muscle and bone in a city full of millions of people feelin' all alone 'nd l don't understand don't understand very much at all when raping the goddess is just another tree to fall it's all loot and booty, pillage and plunder heap it up as high as you can the spirit of life is torn asunder by the scorn in the soul of a man there's food to feed the masses being buried at the dump but you can't afford to criticize when you want to be Mr. Trump staving off an oil embargo by cruisi1lg in an s.u.v. pull up along side the pick-up window and you're woofin' down a b.l.t. it's all loot and booty, pillage and plunder heap it up as high as you can the spirit of life is torn asunder by the scorn in the soul of a man running amok all disconnected clutching onto whatever he can whatever it is the salesmen're selling whatever all the neighbours got just plug your nose to stop the smelling when your flesh begins to rot it's all loot and booty, pillage and plunder heap it up as high as you can the spirit of life is torn asunder by the scorn in the soul of a man fuckhead jones

Bernie Coulson pulls his shirt off, and perspiration cascades down his blotchy, bloated torso like computer code in the Matrix. He's hunkered over a spoon on my kitchen countertop making two smashes of dope out of one in a sad, futile gesture of generosity that I know too well will only grieve us more. His long, stringy yellow hair sends sweat flying through the air as he flicks his head turning to face me, growling and hissing through bared teeth, his red- rimmed eyes blazing with madness. His savage intensity causes me to consider his words, and I clue into the fact that he's urgent ly providing me the details of his plan to slice me open and feast on my vital organs. I turn my attention back to the search for crumbs of crack on the floor, reassured. I know he won't eat me; he's a method actor.

Imagine my s urprise years ago in the old Four Corners Bank when I fo und myself waiting seated next to the guy who'd starred in the movie I'd watched the night before on BC television. "Yah! That's me! Bernie Coulson." He responded when I asked. I was mystified as to why a movie personality w.as in a spe: cial bank for poor people, & his friendliness prompted me to wonder if this synchronicity was purposed for me to be swept along on a tear of Hollywood proportions. As it turned out, some joker had written heist demands on the back of the withdrawal slip I handed to the tell er, and when she flipped it over for the rubber stamp Bemie was completely upstaged.

This was however the start of a casual acquai ntance wherein we exchange greetings on the street. He's gotten me high a few times, (twice 'cause he found dope on the sidewalk.), but I typically turn my attention to the search for crumbs of crack, so we've never become real friends.. ' I had a close friend named Gavin Payne, (now deceased.) who considered Bernie a buddy. Gavin was a decrepit, ex-apartheid Special Forces soldier who spent his time reeling drunk, harassing passersby on the street out of their loose change. According to Gavin, he and Bernie became tight while working together in a sma ll group robbing freight trains.

Gavin and J hung out on an almost daily basis for over a year, and I am compelled to confess here that the whole tfme we were hanging out I couldn't much understand a single word he said, so I don't have details about Bernie the Train Robber. Gavin prono:mcec the mme l! k~, "Bewmie", 'cause of his

South African accent, and I think it's safe to assume the robberies weren't done "EVERYBODY FREEZE!" gangbuster style. Actually, considering Bernie is still very much alive, I should probably say that absolutely none of this story is true.

I followed Bernie around with a little voice recorder for a couple of hours, doing an "interview", and it totally sucked . He spilled his guts out for me on his afternoon methadone run. and I thought it was great till I looked him up on the Internet and realized l just had old news. He kept insisting the whole time that he was off dope and wanning up his acting chops. but I kind of said that might be a good thing when l was talking him into doing the interview so can't rault hi m for that whopper. (This isn't to imply that he isn't able to transform himself into a healthy professional actor seeming ly overnight. Amazingly enough, he can, and does.) I suggested doing a story about the virtues of extreme ¡ debauchery, like he has so much love for living he wants to gobble up the whole world, and that ultimately all the gonzo living is about method; about being a truly great artist. He seemed to like the idea ror the brief moment that he entertained it, but then he pretty much stuck to the official story. The onl y closely personal th ing I picked up on about Bernie Coulson is that he suffers for not having raised his

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daughter, though this may be due to the fact that Bernie, like most people I encounter, seems to be very concerned with whatever may give him urgent cause to escape my presence. I did properly hound him, though, trying without success to glean infonnation from him of particular interest to me: Information pertinent to the immortal soul of said Mr. Fuckhead .Iones.

Time and time again, when my magical doper coaster ride's disappeared, and I've found myself stranded in the far Oung reaches of the outer darkness, if I've managed to claw my way out of the hell of it unscathed, it was by using skills I acquired in high school drama class. No shit. Mr. Keith. apparently, taught theatre in a slightly less common style, and strictly avoided havi ng us actually perform any dialogue until the last few weeks of school, as pa1t ofthe final exam. Instead, he would have us lie on our backs, close our eyes, and do deep meditation/ concentration exercises for the hour. I seem to remember him saying it was standard theatre craft kind of stuff from Stanislavsky or something. As it turns out, when push really comes to shove in this nasty world, it's the only thing 1 ever learned in school that's been useful to me when confronting the great existential abyss, and I've clung to it my whole life like a drowning man to rope. So now then, my desire to interview Bernie was actually my wondering if perhaps Bernie gets his super- human capacity to consume dope from the awesome power of art. I mean, I just took acting my last year of highschool; Bernie's been to the Academy Awards!! He must have a soul the size of Everest! He is clearly able to consume a mountain of dope comfortably, and I wonder if there is a correlation.

I will never know if or how the practice of hi s art saves Bernie's soul. The last time I saw him on T.V. he played the gangster "Mike Reardon" in the C.B.C. series, Intelligence, and his performance was riveting, (though not quite as intense as the cannibal in my kitchen.). The reason I say I know I won't be learning anything from him about spirituality in acting is simply because this kind of stuff is just too personal for him to share. Plus, like I mentioned, the more he gets to know me, the more he needs to be getting going along to somewhere I'm not. But that's o.k. - The guy belongs on the big screen, and I'd actually rather see him there than be bumping into him hustling for dope on mean street, cool as that may be

Hello from the Library! I'm really pleased. with this issue, to launch reviews by our regular library visitors. Amram Bensadon is the first guest reviewer to start this off. Through my day-to-day conversations with Amram about the DVDs he requests --plus my conversations with many other library visitors, and their various questions-- I quickly realized what a gold mine of expe1tise and interesting points of view the library visitors have. We might as well share it around.

Thanks very much, Amram, for agreeing to write these reviews. Below are just a couple; I will include more of them in future newsletters.

Would anyone else like to write a review of a book or movie as pmt of the Library's contribution to the Carnegie Newsleller? Please come in and talk to me about it. It's easy- hardly any rules!

The Lives of Others [2006)- "Das Leben der Anderen" (original title). Germany. Directed by Florian Henckel Yon Donnersmarck. Length: 137 min.

The story unfolds in 1984 East Berlin,"before the fall of the wall, and concerns the attempt by the singleminded member of the Stasi (The East German Secret Police), to discredit one of East Germany's most prominent playwrights. This fascinating drama deals with the poisonous nature of a society built on suspicion and doubt. Outstanding acting, and Yon Donnersmarck's directing debut won an Oscar for best Foreign film (2006).

Animal Kindgom [20 10]. Australia. Length: 113 minutes. Directed by David Michod. Performers: Jacki Weaver, Guy Pearce, Ben Mendelsohn.

When a 17 year old boy's mother dies of a drug overdose, he is taken in by his grandmother (Weaver), who mother-hens her 3 grown sons who are all violent and dangerous criminals. It's inevitable that the quiet boy will be dragged into this life, but Director Michoud keeps us wondering when and how he will respond to his psychopathic uncles. Touching, uncompromising drama.

One final note: did you attend the Alley Health Fair last year, or any year before, and are you willing to share a short, positive story about it? If so, come and see me-- soon! We're hoping to collect a few as part of our preparations for this year's fair, on Thursday September 5.

Lots of reasons to pop into the library to talk to me!

Stephanie, Carnegie librarian

Dogoodcr Trumps Bad Actor

The Real Revolution

you live for mornings lil-..e this float with buoyancy. mellow, golden and peaceful here before the day kicks into high gear boom exploding on the streets all 8 cylinders now Papa J been dead 12 years now and I still remember. .. everything he was a wicca man with a Peigan usta call me Grasshopper twist him being Master Po taught me the street, how to be human in a jungle, just tough enuf not to be afraid .. ya he"s gone now but he's present whenever I try to help tough enuf to be tender wise enuf to quietly wonder

Sounds like shit me saying it the cynical bells start to sound but instead of just praying it say it -\ve need some love to go around

-AI

T he Big Heist

Life, for some of us, is one long robbery we get taken in a multitude of ways eventually we lose it all, piece by piece the worst thing we lose is heart, the ability to give a good goddamn.

Me, I'm jaded my dreams have faded my heart has turned to rust I no longer trust my own eyes my inner voice not willingly not by choice I have become exactly that which I once despised any truth I ever owned has been covered with lies I have become a hater not the lover of life I once was They ask me why all 1 can say is just because R. Dogg

Revolution don't start with guns shooting up the joint and everyone change happens you step out of the cube try doing something sweet. you fool try doing something totally outta character see your friend - make her glad you married her hold onto your babies long as you can see life is just a flash in the pan takes a lot of Iovin' to turn a boy into a mar if you don't or won't your children end up doing life in the can and that was in no one's plan It's so damn simple you never guess all you gona do is try a little tenderness AI

Lucky Lucky Lucky Me

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Man I am one lucky dude most cats got 9 lives hell I got 35 (hey I'm still alive!) god knows why I survive maybe I'm just too stupid to die oughta wear a medi-bracelet say Do not Resuscitate. If this sucker's damn near dead, hell , go ahead j ust not smart enough died of his own stupidity ya, that's me, too chill to kill shoulda been gone 20 times but the Big Man keeps me alive maybe just to torture me some more maybe he's got a special chore that I gotta do 'fore I'm thru Days like today I forget the self-pity quit feeling shitty. Whoa see that woman walkin' by, catchin' my eye I am so lucky just to be alive YREX KHAN

On August 5th. Linda McQuaig made an announcement in downtown Toronto. "l want to move from advocacy to action," this long time author and Toronto Star journalist said. "I am seeking the fedral NDP nomination in TorontoCentre." Toronto Centre was now retired Liberal leader Bob Rae's old constituency. Now McQuaig may win the nomination for the NDP. But she may not win the coming by-election since she's running in a riding that usually votes Liberal.

McQuaig may also no longer belong in the N.D.P. In her many books that include 'Shooting The Hippo' and 'The Wealthy Bankers' Wife', McQuaig's urged governments to slap higher taxes on big businesses and raise more money for social programs.

Yet the N.D.P. hasn't done this in most provinces that it's run.

The N.D.P. fonned the government in Saskatchewan from 199 1 to 2007. During the years it was in power it never raised welfare rates or upped the minimum wage a big amount.

Of course, the Saskatchewan N .D.P. had to face massive cuts路 of transfer payments from the Liberal government budget of 1995. But even before this, Saskatchewan premier Roy Romanow pledged that his government would lower the deficit, put no new taxes on businesses, and would not raise welfare rates Next door in Manitoba, the N.D.P. government of Gary Doer did little either for the poor. "Manitoba has the second highest ch ild poverty rate in Canada" a social observer told me. "Only B.C. has a higher child poverty rate." The N.D.P. has now been in power in Manitoba for more than ten years, though Doer has now become Canada's ambassador to the U.S. of A. In the British Columbia election of2013. N.D.P. leader Adrian Dix promised a pitiful raise of$20 a month to people on welfare, plus small sums to poor families.

At the federal level, the N.D.P. has moved steadily to the right. "Do you support bringing back the Canada Assistance Plan that guaranteed five basic rights to people on welfare?' I wrote to federal N.D.P.

leader Thomas Mulcair. I also pointed out to Mulcair that the present employment insurance fund used to cover more than 90 per cent of working Canadians about 30 years ago.

"To-day, the present insurance employment plan covers less than two in every five working Canadians," I continued." Would an N.D.P. government make sure that an employment insurance scheme would once again cover nearly everyone?"

Mulcair never replied to this letter.

I like Linda McQuaig's books and people I know who know her have told me that she's a decent person. I hope one day that she becomes a Member of Parliament in Ottawa. But I don't see an N.D.P. government, led by Thomas Mulcair carrying out Linda McQuaig's political agenda. Not now or maybe not ever.

By DAVE JAFFE

I Like Carnegie

When our ranks go on strike We find something we like And before you know it Our happy hearts show it!

We can go out and bowl Or golf a ball in a hole Or go camping by a lake Or canoeing and shake all the troubles away.

Enjoy good food, make closer friends and find that life is worth livinglt makes all that giving at Carnegie worth every single minute and I say again love is in it.

Joyce Morgan

The Key to the Secret of Life I hold the secret, I hold the key; please open your mind and you 'll see.

The message I have will be very clear; if II be deep and very sincere.

If you open your ears and listen; there will be nothing that you are missing.

Life is a gift, life is great; don't take it for granted, life· s not a mistake.

This secret is mine, I know it to be true; now lm going to share it with you.

Love is pure, love is true; love always runs through me and you.

• • Life is love, Love to live; that is the secret that I give.

•••• ::::·\~ c 8 1 8 8

To~il:::t~s:e~~: ~ear~:~~vs:nu~~:h~t ;: w~e; :il~::~h: :oal: JiW,~:;

Although there is a lot to say; I pray my message gets across this way. \ The love you have inside youir heart; that is where you have to start.

You have to love, you have to care; you have to lend your hand here and there.

Dig real deep, I know you care; although some things aren't always fair Things happen, nothing is a coincidence; love is what I want to convince.

Love is life, love to live; share and care, plus learn to live.

Live to love and love to live; Love is life, life·s a gift.

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You can't see love, nor can it be bought; It's your choice to love or not.

Life is a gift from heaven above; I wish your life were full of love.

I pray for the world to be a better place; I hope I put you in a good space.

Love is strong and will always empower; love is beautiful like an ivory tower.

For all of you that know; love comes from within the soul.

You have.now been given the reason; so get over any past treason.

Hate is awful plus will always destoy; love will always bring you joy.

Without love in one· s life; all there is is endless strife.

When all's said and done; you have to be your number one.

Truly love yourself from the inside3 out; never have any doubts.

I really do love and care; lm glad I had a chance to share.

With this secret I hope to inspire; for that is alii really desire.

You are now set free with the key; that's the gift I give to thee.

Barbie Neuman

A COUPLE MINUTES FAST Once again there's the wannabe thugs and the thuglites out to guzzle their unlimited amount of booze, then it's ' l want what that person has got! ' and their fists are pointing at you and even if they kill you Mr and Mrs ToughScum Have Violence Will Travel can路t be identified just because they are under eighteen, Canada please wake up!! They know right from wrong they knew it way before the first punch they ever threw and the first house they broke into Now I don't like the States much but for evil scary reoffending criminals a life sentence of nightmares await those who destroy every person and their dreams, the poor get victimized enough they cannot afford replacing everything that gets ripped off The Law don路t give a shite " We are oh so sorry but what do you expect us to do?! " as they plan their business as usual weekend Oh Yeah! just like a Mime Award show being fined by Officer Down & his clowns for being too loud; seventy-five thousand dollars bail for some Gore website owner who surprise fucking surprise cannot be found! A mall owner admits he could have fixed a roof that fell in and killed two women please all gods that exist put a bullet through my head this all-too-real repetitive sound oh music of sound god so help me if it wasn' t for the fact I am laughing I would have drowned in my tears- a swimming pool full and I could just fall in catch a buzz and lay down Now 1 may be a freak or a work of nature or a person without number I may also grow down to become a man or grow up to be a child 1 will not waste time and wonder those that stay a couple minutes fast with or without number shall always and further be near and welcomed and around, like beating a path to a beating hurry up the first few rows just might get blood-spattered now that's awesome seating this is anger as entertainment you say, uh, Good times! (does the winner get more prizes if the other one dies!?) It never amazes me how humanity sinks itself so low, like a Coke or Epilepsy taste test My watch shows a co uple minutes fast I have to go to something very important I think the car I don' t drive let alone own is going to be towed bye for now enjoy that offensively grim show, like a murder of crows on the Orient Express will some for just lack of food find a crime to confess meals are free in prison or in insane asylums does one honestly care who feeds

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your body and, in a way, soul?

As I' ve written before if put in prisons their strength in embers would fall to the fl oor. ..

Someone once said there is a little good in everyone and you say we are the ones on drugs what are you on ignorance spam? You know a lot of us take our prescriptions very seriously for some to just escape maybe for just the briefest of moments yo u forget all you hate 1 deplore sympathy and one day soon 1 shall join my father my friends and all the rest will be there and if not let the grey day carry me away cremate me scatter my ashes in the alleys of Richmond say the least and Jet the expiryman give me fair warning so as to be dressed for the ultimate occasion then it si my time to go ... . A couple minutes late but fate dictates this show but I will be back.

By ROBERT McGILLIVRAY "Adversity is like a strong wind. It tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that we see ourselves as we really are." -Arthur Golden

Oppenheimer Pari< *Our Back. Yard* Park monthly program schedules can be found at the Carnegie information desk or at Oppenheimer -Park.

AUgust Progra.rn_aneiBlent Highlights:

liGHT THE STAGE Community Theatre Workshop August 23- 30 (no Sunday Aug. 25)

lOam -12pm Jessi Nicholson from Light the Stage will be facilitating workshops to explore song writing, movement and storytelling. At the end of the workshop there will be a performance at "Endless Summer" on August 31.

Space is limited please sign up before Aug. 19th at the Park

tÂŁndCess Summer Aug. 31 from llam - 4pm

Summer maybe soon coming to an end but the fun never ends here at Oppenheimer Park.

Join us in a day of Fun and Play!

There will be a stage full of local entertainers Enjoy treats, games and races Face painting BBQ_

Bring the kids! Activities for everyone!

6th Annual Oppenheimer Park Art Show Workshops: Carnegie 3rd floor gallery August 21 2:30- 4:30- Water Colour with Rudolph August 28 2:30-4:30- TBA Oppen Arts at the Park August 16- Water Colour with Rudolph August 23 & 30 - TBA The theme for this year's show is "Fun and Games", we are currently seeking artist, artisans and crafters who are interested in participating in the show!

Space is limited; priority will go to the Oppenheimer Park Community. Submission forms available at the park, must be completed by September 4th.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed cit izens can change the world .

Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

-Margaret Meade THIS NEWSLETTER IS A PUBLICATION OF THE CARNEGIE COMMUNITY CENTRE ASSOCIATION Articles represent lhe views of individual contributors and not of the Association.

WANTED Artwork for the Carnegie newsletter

Small illustrations to accompany articles and poetry.

Cover art - Max size: 17cm(6 '/.")wide x 15cm(6")high.

Subject matter pertaining to issues .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 and/or 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 submissions to Paul Taylor, Editor.

DONATIONS 2013 : (Money is needed & welcome) Sheila B.-$100 Jenny K.-$25 Elsie McG.-$50 Terry & Savannah -$100 Robert McG.-$100 Leslie S.-$50 Laila B.-$40, Dave J.-$18, Christopher R.-$100, Anonymous -$25 Bob S.-$200 ~,.-.;::~

Vancouver' s non-commercial, listener-supp01ted, community station.

Next Issue: SUBMISSION DEADLINE

TUESDAY, A UGUST 27TH

Jenny Wai Ching K wan MLA Working for You 1070-1641 Commercial Dr, VSL 3Y3

Phone: 604-775-0790

WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION

DTES Small Arts Grants Applications will be available on August 13, 2013!

In the 2013-2014 grant cyc le. we are offering T WO different grants! *Individual Grants: $500- $1,000 For individual practicing artists living and/or creating their art in the DTES *NEW! Collaboration Grants: $2,000 - $5,000 For individual practicing artists living and/or creating their art in the DTES coming together to collaborate on a project.

DTES Small Arts Grants program is an initiative that is helping to foster individual achievement amongst local art ists. Created in 2008, funded by Vancouver Foundation in partnership with Carnegie Community Centre, this progran1 supports artists who live in the Downtown Eastside neighbourhood.

We will hold an information session in August.

Please watch for another notice! To learn more about the grants and their criteria, please visit our website or office during office hours (3rd floor, Mon & Tue: 2pm- Spm).

For more information : Jason Bouchard, Coordinator Email : dtesartsgrants@gmail.corn Phone: 778-879-9843 Website: vancouverfoundationsrnallarts.ca

l:&LPn~si~ 'Gh~t:ltpg

l/So:Pkshop

Summer classes ,..,

ACTING BASICS Mondays 6pm-9pm August 19' 26 in the Carnegi e Theatre

Create characters, Use imagination to discover actions, face surprises on stage.

No experience necessary, Everyone welcome !

For more info: Teresa 604-255-9401 thirteenojhearts@hotmail.com

Hey Sister Surprise- surprise that 9rack ain't making you any prettier and that jib makes you look een shittier so l' il sister had to be the one to tell yo u that poison these dudes be sellin' you give ugly a brand new dimension makes you lso awful to look at don' t even want to mention only attention you be getting' be some dude barfin' at the crap you been scarfin ' down, sister, you' re a floor be low absolute bottom, guess no one ever taught 'em that poison is eating you alive sister you gonna die

and everyone knows the reason why so be smart: don' t even start hang on to yo9ur good looks don't be hangin' with them crooks what they doing is criminal just tellin' you, that's all Zoltan Bodnerchuk