401 Main Street Vancouver Canada V6A 2T7
(604) 665-2289
7PM - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16
Victory Square Park Soup and hot beverages provided.
~.
KEmwas a binner, the founder of United We Can Bottle Depot at 41 East Hastings, a visionary and a beloved friend. He was part of the Downtown Eastside community for over 40 years. Come and share a few memories of Ken with'hls friends and watch for a notice for his formal memorial to happen at Woodward's in the Spring.
Have a Kafka Christmas!
I shudder with a cold anxiety even at tlie mention of Welfare. That plague upon the land! Yet it was thus, on the welfare rolls. that I scuttled along the sidewalks, squeezing my body past storefronts, not daring to look inside to see horrified- faces, frozen in fear at the sight of my shinY3Ill-clad exoskeleton. I was hungry. You must understand. I had clung, immobile, to the ground outside a fooo bank earlier in the week, and it was odd to see all the other insects clinging to the ground against the gusts of windy raini but there I stood my ground, without respect, without rights. Eventually, our column approached the entrance ana, nameless, except for a government ID card, I entered and sighed witli relief to see the bags and boxes offood that would sustain me for about five days. Again I insist, I was hungry. There was no alternative but to venture out from my room in the quarter where addicts and prostitutes, other species no less familiar to the public than myself hand equally abhorred, likewise subsisted on their strange nouris1unent. Of course, in this neighbourhood tlie sig t of insects is quite common, for it was no .problem for me, cleverly wrapping a scarf around my feelers, to blend in with the crowd. But soon I was out of the slum and, fearing being hif by a driver who detested welfare bugs, pressed close to the buildings and storefronts. At one storefront I did look in, and for the first time in several months I saw the face of a beautiful, young woman look up and smile warmly at me. Perhaps it was the Christmas season, but upon seeing that face which gently returned its attention to work, I began sobbing. I fell down on my six legs which I had up till then concealed in my overcoat and, tears streaming down my face, looked up at the passers-by to see if the Christmas season might kindle some more kindness for those of my ilk. A little boy cried out upon seeing me, "Ooh! A horrible, ugly bug!" Then someone, perhaps his father, seeing me and seeing that I was too large to squash, kicked me violently in the side. I was wounded physically, but not badly. A jelly-like substance welled up where I had felt the blow and it dampened my overcoat but that was all. Getting up again I concealed four of my legs ad resumed my journey to the employment centre. But despite my injury, I re called the vision of that beautiful, caring woman. Once inside the employment centre I found a spot at one of the job bank computers and I dutifully pressed the buttons that guided me through a search of potential jobs. Alright, I am inexperienced and didn't finish high school, so there at the computer I had little chance of finding anything, but I was lucky. I found one prospective employer looking for someone who could work up high. This, I knew, was my forte. I was good at climbing and at clinging. So, I took the slip of paper spat out at me by the computer and, outside the employment centre again, caught a bus to the jobsite. You must understand my excitement. I had been two days very hungry and this job was a godsend. I reached a building where someone was working at the top of a long, thick rope, and they were probably fifteen storeys up. I the bottom of the rope was a grizzled man whom I asked about the job. He told me to talk to the dude up the rope. . In my excitement, I looked up the building, hooked my claws onto its brick surface and began to climb. It was all too easy. As I approached the man on the rope, who was cleaning windows, he looked down at me. Just as I began to speak, I aw him losing his balance. He fell. He fell fifteen storeys to the concrete below. Needless to say I was terrified. Fearing to be blamed for the accident, I crawled round to another face of the building. But I had nowhere to hide. . In a few minutes an ambulance arrived, and a few minutes later a police car. I remember hearing the sirens while I shivered fifteen storeys above the street. Looking below me, I saw two tiny policemen station themselves beneath me and I heard one speak. His voice must have been heard for blocks for he spoke through a bullhorn. Well, I'm sure you can imagine the rest. Nothing heroic. They talked me down, advising me that it was best to given myself up. And the outcome of it all is this. I am in prison now for manslaughter. Seven years till I can apply for release. The other prisoners don't like me much, but the prison itself is cleaning that the hotel where I used to live. And I am not terribly unhappy. Another Christmas season has come. Eventually, six more Christmases will pass and I will be given my freedom and put out 0 the streets on social assistance. Oh well, I know the territory.
By RON CARTEN
T'WAS DA NIGHT BEFORE WELFARE AND ALL THROUGH ~A LAND EVERYBODY WAS STARVING BOTH WOMAN AND MAN', DA MINISTER OF WELFARE WAS !N BED BUT AWAKE HE WAS GETTING SOME THAT NIGHT SO DA CHECKS THEY COULD WAIT THEN ALL OF ASUDDEN THERE AROSE SUCH A CLATTER "QUE PASA?" HE YELLED! "SAY WHAT? WAZ DA MATTER?" HE JUMPED OUTTA BED THROUGH DA KITCHEN HE RAN TRI PED OVER DA CAT AND KNOCKED OVER DA FAN HE LOOKED DOWN DA HALLWAY AND WHAT DID APPEAR? A BINNERA NATIVE AND FEW THER PEERS A TIRED OLD WOMAN HER FACE FULL OF WOE GAVE OUT A YELL "HEY COUGH UP DA DOE!" THE MINISTER POUTED "I'M SORRY I'M WRONG" BUT ALAS OF COURSE WE'VE ALL HEARD THAT SONG HE GAVE OUT THE CHEQUES AND HE PASSED OUT STALE BEER THEN HE SAID WITH A SNEER "SEE YA SAME TIME NEXT YEAR!" Carl MacDonald
THE GOLDEN BIN I PRAY THIS YEAR THAT I WILL WIN THE CHANCE TO DIVE THAT GOLNEN BIN THE GOLDEN BIN IT HOLDS NO TIN HAS COFFEE BRASS AND MAYBE GIN IT JUST MIGHT HOLD A DREAM OR TWO A iorro TICKET TRIPS TO THE ZOO TVS RADIOS COMPUTERS OLD THERE'S JUST NO TELLING WHAT IT MAY HOLD YOU'LL KNOW I'VE FOUND THE GOLDEN BIN FOR ON MY FACE WILL BE A GRIN A VCR MAYBE I'VE FOUND A BRICK OF GOLD MAYBE A CROWN ONE THING I KNOW I'LL FIND NO DOPE THE GOLDEN BIN HOLDS LOVE AND HOPE IT MAYBE THICK IT MAYBE THIN BUT STILL WILLBE THE GOLDEN BIN THE GOLDEN BIN IS FULL OF GRACE IT'S FULL OF LOVE FOR EVERY RACE THE GOLDEN BIN IS NEVER LOCKED THE GOLDEN BIN IS FULLY STOCKKD MAYBE I'LL FIND SOME BOOTS OR 'SOCKS THE GOLDEN BIN IT HOLDS NO ROCKS FROM THi EAST NORTH SOUTH OR WEST THAT GOLDEN BIN WILL BE THE BEST UNLIKE THE UNCARING CITY TART THE GOLDEN BIN GIVES FROM THE HEART IN SUN SNOW SLEET OR RAIN IT GIVES AND GIVES WITH NO PAIN THE GOOSE THAT LAID THAT GOLDEN EGG KNOWS THAT I WON'T NEED TO BEG NO NEEDLES IN THAT GOLDEN BIN MR McBINNER
TREASURE HUNTERS I watch the Binners come and go as they stash their finds and scores. They dig quite quickly, they hustle to and fro. They search for bottles, cans, whatever - it's honest work. Their independent, tax-free, no GST cash-on-the-barrelhead way is how many subsidise their meagre welfare into wages. Oh what a concept: it's one big deal, one for the ages. I don't do this trip. It's just not my thing, not my gig. However I truly admire these hunters. I don't travel on the alleys, no more; I usually stay on the strips. I've got cash, enough to survive, but you do what you have to to stay alive. I leave my empties out in the open for whoever comes along first. Nickels and dimes - it all adds up - some Binners' hauls could fill a truck. You have to when times are tough, when decrepit welfare cheques are far from enough. Often I wonder what kind of province and country we live in when it cannot provide a decent stipend for life. We take up the fight but the powers that be definitely refuse to give in. As for myself I've lined up for food handouts. It's degrading and embarrassing I have to say, especially when standing in the cold, pouring rain. I admire the hunters. They are environmentalists who sort through others' trash and garbage - no crime ~ they simply are the best of the best! DflUV1\.T T nTThTr-C''T'fll'l.TD
From the Library I, for one, am having trouble believing that we are already about to close out this strange and challenging year. Let's cap it off with a few titles that Carnegie staff really enjoyed.
Le Freak: An UpsideDown Story of Family, Disco, and Destiny, is an autobiography chronicling the unbelievable life of Nile Rodgers. Not only did he define an era of pop music through his work with the band Chic during the 1970s and 1980s, he also later created music with "everyone from Diana Ross and Madonna to David Bowie and Duran Duran" (not to mention countless other legends). An absolute "page-burner", this one comes highly recommended by our resident audiophile (if you know, you know). Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism, is a recommendation about the dark and disturbing true-Grime phenomena of cults, from a reader who doesn't typically enjoy true-crime. This read, by author Amanda Montell, takes an unwavering look at the language employed in the "manufacturing [of] intense ideology, community, and us/them attitudes". Through stories and extensive research Montell fmds the through-line between cult communications across a range of examples, from the more infamous cults, like Heaven's Gate, to the less insidious Peloton. For the poetry lovers, The Sunflower Cast a Spell to Save Usfrom the Void, by Jackie Wang, comes highly recommended. This well received debut delves into the world of dreams, pulling reflections and affects into the waking, material realm. Described as "magnetic and spellbinding", this collection of poems is for anyone reconciling the compl~xities oflife ith the ambiguity of the subcon-
STORM WARNINGS in a
State
Of
Emergency
Erupting Heaven, the skies are openingk?pitting sheefs of rain m a thunderous storm brea mg all kinds of records. People run for shelters .. few places to hide as I wait for a bus or cab or for a ticket to ride ... My health is fragile - too many aches, pains and hurts to mention. There are many more in my situation, we wish and hope for a sunny vacation. I feel like a spinning ball on an airborne tether. The days and nights are long; they drag slowly by as r continue to look up at the bursting sky. Mother Earth always knows what she's doin?;.the ultimate rules --1 always trust her absolutely. She can do no wrong. She is also benevolent, fierce & strong. In the long run it is all for a good reason; as these monsoons rage whatever will be will be. It's all about trust m a higher power. . -When the storm passes we can see that it was always about a brighter day and a new beginmng. Robyn Livingstone IT'S BALMY OUTSIDE The branches sway like arms in a dance Foliage of crimson and amber create painted pastures Strewn across a grey stormy sky A bird fly~ by. Upon a golden tree it takes it's stance Come forth you storm My house is strong It's a mighty oak
SCIOUS.
For 100 years now the birds have settled Upon the branches Of the glorious trees
These titles are available in our collection. What follows is a list of other top-tier recommendations from your local, dedicated book-worms. Pay us a visit soon at the Reading Room and tell us what books you loved this year, we're happy to see you.
The leaves keep growing And making beauty Strings of color Sway to and fro
Fathoms: The World in the Whale (Rebecca Giggs); Return of the Trickster (Eden Robinson); Render (Sachiko Murakami); The Book of Form and Emptiness (Ruth Ozeki); Stay and Fight (Madelineffitch); The Day the World Stops Shopping (J.B. MacKinnon); Everyone Knows Your Mother is a Witch (Rivka Galchen)
When will it all end I hope I never know .. Jackie Humber
NLE7KEPMXCIN Nicola Campbell Nicola n skwest. Ncewa7 I Nle7keprnx Tete7 ks cnwen'e kns tl'u7 sqayxwcin. Tete7 ks cnwen'e kns Nle7keprnxcin. My name is Nicola. I am Thompson. I cannot speak my language. I cannot speak the language of the Nle7keprnx, Of my people. Last night I was at the UBC House of Learning. At a poetry reading. I heard a young woman speak. I am a young woman. I heard her speaking to her Grandmother In her language. I cannot speak my language. I
I cannot speak to my Grai In my language. I cannot speak to my Aun Any of the Elders in my cc In my language. I heard this young woman To her Grandmother, And I cried. I was so touched by her w I could not say anything t The great loneliness I hav: The inability to communic The emptiness in my soul My language should live.. Tete7 ks cnwen'e kns tl'u'i I cannot speak my langua Properly translated I cannot speak the langua The real man, . The real people Barely touches, Barely explains the depth This phrase has to me.
admother
ties, my Uncles, immunity, l
speaking
ords, hat could describe ; for my language, 'ate with the Creator, where
\'sqayxwcm. . tge.
ge of the man,
I cannot communicate with my ancestors Once I reach the other side, How can I hold my head up high? Greet my ancestors? And be proud? Knowing I let my language go. I did not do everything Within my power to revive it, . Renew it. How can I walk into a room full of people, And be proud to say I am Thompson. Ncewa7 I Nleee7keprnx. When, Tete7 ks cnwen'e kns tl'u7 sqayxwcin. I cannot speak my language./. When my language is lost from me. My identity is gone. I am a First Nations' woman
j
of meaning
Who I just I am With
speaks the white man's language. as well say a white person brown skin.
v.
CARNEGIE COMMUNITY
CENTRE
SOCK DRIVE HELP COLLECT 5000 PAIRS OF NEW SOCKS Send new pairs of socks to Carnegie Community Centre before Dec.31 2021 401 Main Street Vancouver BC V6A 2T7 Contact: beverly.walker@vancouver.ca 604-665-2213 Socks will be distributed
to Downtown
Eastside
community members on request at Carnegie Community Centre and Oppenheimer Park . • Drive 2021 Carnegie Community Centre Sock The Goal: Collect 5000 pairs of new socks by Dec.31 2021 for disadvantaged community members of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. The Ask: Consider donating new socks to Carnegie Community Centre to support Downtown Eastside community members. ~ The Why: New socks are the most requested item by people whose lives include homelessness and/or being under housed. They walk often, keep their shoes on almost 24 hours a day, and don't have regular access to laundry facilities. New socks prevent infections, diseases, and provide comfort and relief. The How: Send new socks to Beverly Walker c/o Carnegie Community Centre via: Drop off at the Camegie Info Desk from 9:00am-I1 :OOpmseven days a week. We are located at 401 Main Street, Vancouver BC V6A 2T7 If none of these options work, please get in touch to arrange a mutually convenient alternative: Beverly.Walker@vancouver.ca 604-665-2213
The Storyteller Everyone has a story to tell As I walk by the old man on the sidewalk He stops me with a thunderous yell "You see over there behind that big wood door I worked there once I gave out money To the rich and the poor" He continues on as he stares on in my direction My friend Johnny Walker came into my life . Great pals we became till we led the road to strife So I drank some more and soon Came a change My landlord wanted money So I was tossed off the range
!
Then I thought ' What the hell Everyone has a story to tell As the old man bends down He grabs at his shoe Oh shit! My shoelace broke My cupboards are bare A dime or a dollar can you spare Those red glazed sunken eyes stare out at me As I toss in some cash Even though this seems very rash Hi rant he begins again So much for Annie and a Hard -Knock life This is life and I'm livin' it ! He lifts his arms, way up to the sky Give me more he yells You need Karma, Good Karma That's why As I flip in another coin He continues on To the Homeless of Hastings and The Kings of Kensington We can eat another day Hooray hooray
His words begin to sound like some taped up song by Cole Porter . Don't fence me in Can't fence me in I'm standing by as I listen to the muffled tune
He talks on about Some guy painted He says Talk about a false Now who's livin' HuhHuh
some birds birds on his door reality the dream
As I finally carry on my way The old man begins his day He slumps down to inspect his shoe Oh shit my shoelace broke again. Jackie Humber
Note to Constant Readers: A long-time reader and supporter sent in a simple question: "How do I donate to the Newsletter?" What a surprise!
er thought
everyone knew ... )
Donations can be made in 3 ways: 1. Mail a cheque made out to Carnegie Community Centre Association with 'Newsletter' on the memo line (Carnegie Newsletter, 401 Main, V6A 2T7) 2. Go to the website at carnegienewsletter.org and find "Donate"; 3. In Carnegie with cash in an envelope given to staff at the Front Desk or Admin Office on 3rd. An on line version of the paper is available through the same website. It's free too. The last bit is another thing that I thought everyone knew: The Carnegie Newsletter has been online since 2014. When the pandemic hit and everything got locked down the online papeer was it - then because it was down to 4 or 8 or 12 pages the staff began to prin a few hundred on a photocopier upstairs for distribution in the Centre. The plan is to gradually start production of a larger and more widely distributed paper in the new year. With this edition (December 15,2021) I mark 35 years as the volunteer editor. And, as per usual (since 1991) there will be NO newsletter on January 1. If you are hopelessly addicted to reading a newsletter on the 1st & 15th of every month, all I can suggest is that you go to the website4, go to Archives, and start reading with August 15, 1986. Keep at it until January 15 and you'll be full of the amazing Carnegie Newsletter PAULR TAYLOR
A VERy VAlVA""
CI{RIST/'I/J,S (Afi.OL. CARTOON ..•
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•• :.+.:•• ~\f9) ••:.+.:•• Carnegie Theatre Workshop
IT'S CHRISTMAS & WE'RE BACK!
"Show thou Carnegie workshop Players"
One more creative session '" Friday Dec 17, 6pm-8:30pm '" in the Carnegie Theatre
Go
01'1 J,MMY ~ OPeN
YouR.
BOOSTER
P/(£SENfS.
"Capitalism is an organized system to guarantee that greed becomes the primary force of our economic system and allows the few at the top to get very wealthy and has the rest of us riding around thi king we can be that way. too - if we just work hard enough. sell enough Tupperware and Amway products, we can get a pink Cadillac." - Michael Moore
v
Live Performance Christmas Eve Friday December 241 4:30pm Carnegie Theatre
Put our ideas together for the Christmas Pageant. Act-along to scenes from classic holiday movies; for the fun of it! No experience needed. Free, everyone welcome, join in! With
cavlD procedures,
capacity may be limited. Masks are mandatory.
For iufo: Teresa 604-255-9401 thirteenofheartstiphotmoit.com
o