December 1, 2011, carnegie newsletter

DECEMBER 1, 2011.

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.[IJ路 NEWSLETTER 401 Main Stf".eet, Vancouver. V6A 2T1 t604) 665-2289

www.carnnews.org http://harvestors.sfu.caJchodarr

25 years since Emery Barnes

Justice not Charity

Jagrup Brar, MLA Surrey Fleetwood, accepts the challenge to live on welfare of $610 for January Jagrup Brar, MLA Surrey Fleetwood, has accepted the MLA Welfare Challenge to live on the welfare rate of$610 for a month. He will start on January 1, 2012, spending part ofthe month in Surrey and part in Vancouver.

"We're delighted that Jagrup has agreed to live on $610 for the month of January," said Jean Swanson of Raise the Rates, aBC coalition that wants goverrunents to reduce and end poverty.

"We are confident that his experience will help the public understand that welfare rates are too low to live on and that politicians will act to tackle poverty."

The announcement was made on Monday, November 28, at Surrey Urban Mission, 13388 104th Avenue, Surrey. Jagrup Brar will have $610, the single person's welfare rate, to cover all his expenses for the full month of January. This includes his housing, food, transit, phone, personal hygiene and all other expenses.

"Jagrup Brar will meet many people who depend on welfare, disability and low fixed incomes to hear their experiences of how they came to be in poverty and how they struggle to survive on an inadequate income. This month will raise public awareness of the reality of people's life on welfare, how low welfare rates are and how unfair many welfare rules are." said Jean Swanson.

"Out of all my father's countless achievements, the one thing he is remembered for most is when he decided to walk the walk and lived in the downtown Eastside on welfare for one month. He was frustrated that welfare rates kept people in poverty, so he demonstrated in a very honest way that you can't have a healthy life on welfare. As sad as it is, not much has changed in 25 years. I am thrilled to see another strong voice step up to the plate, and courageously fight this battle. I will be supporting this MLA as I did my dad!!" said Constance Barnes, Emery Barnes' daughter.

"Poverty doesn't have a postal code, it exists everywhere in BC." stated Jonquil Hallgate, of Surrey Urban Mission, where the news conference took place. "Society has to understand that low income people are their neighbours. We need to make changes now so that people don' t suffer so much."

Jagrup Brar, MLA Surrey Fleetwood, said "After much consideration and support from my family, stakeholders and colleagues, I decided to accept the Welfare Challenge to experience first hand what life is like for more than 180,000 individuals who live on welfare."

"I have chosen this path believing that through this challenge I can gain a stronger understanding of the underlying causes of poverty and how poverty affects the lives of the people around us and better address these issues in my community and around the province in my role as a Member of the Legislative Assembly."

Last May, Raise the Rates challen~ed all BC MLAs and both leaders to live on the welfare rate for a single person who is expected to look for work. Since then, Raise the Rates has been searching for an MLA to take up the challenge, and working with Brar to arrange the practicalities oftaking the Challenge. Raise the Rates acknowledges and appreciates Jagrup Brar's commitment in agreeing to live for a month on $610.

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Jagrup Brar will directly experience living for a month on $610 for everything, the impossibility of making ends meet, and the many other difficulties of life on welfare. Raise the Rates and a number of Surrey partners will work together to provide support and advice. They will organize meetings to ensure that Brar has a valuable and insightful experience, learning first-hand about poverty, inequality and 'being on welfare' .

However, both Raise the Rates and Jagrup Brar are well aware that living on $610 for only one month will not provide the same experience as a person who actually lives on welfare. He will start the Challenge in good health and with adequate clothes; and his life on welfare will end after a month.

One of the themes of the MLA Welfare Challenge is 'Justice not Charity'.

For info, contact:

Raise the Rates, Bill Hopwood: 778 686-5293 (cell) or 604 738-1653, bill50@vcn.bc.ca Jean Swanson: 604 729-2380, jean.swanson@gmail.com Raise the Rates Website: http://www.raisetherates.org/home2.html MLA Welfare Challenge Website: http://mlaonwelfare.com MLA's Office, Jagrup Brar, 604 501-8227, Ruby Bhandal, Ruby.Bhandal@leg.bc.ca Patricia Enair, Patricia.Enair@leg.bc.ca

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MLA Welfare Challenge: Background Number of People on Welfare In June 2011, 183,814 people in BC lived on welfare. This is 1 in 25 people in BC. There were 90,227 people on Temporary Assistance Welfare and a further 93,587 people on Disability Assistance in June 2011.

This is an increase of 48,000 since 2007. (from Ministry of Social Development, BC Employment and Assistance http://www.hsd.gov.bc.ca/research/)

Welfare Rates The welfare rate for a single person is $610 to cover everything including: housing, food, personal hygiene, clothing, household supplies and, as they are required to look for work, a phone or pay phone and transit. ·

Single Person (under 65) One Parent Family with 2 children Single Person with Persistent MultiQie Barriers (PPMB) (under 65)

Housing (Monthly $) 375 660 375

Support (Monthly$) 235 376 283

Total (Monthly $) 610 1036 658

Annual Income ($) 7320 12432 7896

Poverty Line ($) 19,342 29,314 19,342

Per cent of , I Poverty , 38% 42% 41 %

Clawbacks and Barriers Claw backs • Since 2002 lone parents are not allowed to keep any child support money they received from ex-partners.

• Until 2002, employable single parents were entitled to keep $200 earnings a month, but now they are not allowed to keep any.

• A single person has every cent they earned clawed back.

Barriers • In 2003 the government closed 36 welfare offices making it harder for people, especially in smaller communities, to access welfare and the offices.

• To receive welfare a person has to be virtually destitute. A single person is allowed total assets of$1,500 and cash assets ofless than $150. Couples and single parent families can only have assts of $2,500 and cash of $250.

• Once a person applies for welfare they have to wait 3 weeks before they receive any money.

• If a person owns a car worth more·that $5000 they are not eligible for welfare.

• To receive welfare most people have to have been financially independent for at least two consecutive years, beforehand.

Emery Barnes In February, 1986 Emery Barnes, MLA for Vancouver Centre, spent a month on welfare. At the end he said the welfare for a single oerson should be $700. Today that would be $1,300 a month.

The Carnegie Community Centre is declaring an amnesty

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for all barred patrons who have not been barred in conjunction with a police action or court order. This goes into effect December 5, 2011.

We have noticed that some patrons choose not to return to the . .

Centre for a long period of time, even if they have only been barred for 1 day. In fact some patrons believe they are barred when they really aren't. 路 If you have been asked to leave the Carnegie Centre for any period of time and instructed to set an appointment with the security supervisor before your return, you can now return to the centre without any further action on your part. You don't need to see the Security Co-ordinator.

The only exceptions are for those people who left under police escort or have a standing court order to not come to the Carnegie f Centre.

In the next few weeks there will be some minor adjustments to the barring guidelines. These will be put up in the Centre. We will continue to provide a peaceful, welcoming and secure environment for the use of community members. ~tlti!l JO/,Ul'f.- Director Caroe.g!e Community Centre

ihe goal oflife is to be able to care to keep faith in ourselves and each other to trust and carry on as if we weren't killing each other or making impossible demands imposing restrictions on our intelligence and integrity hampering our ability to live healthy and creative lives we take for granted the paving over of sacred earth trampled under the heavy wheels of transportation as we rush BACK home for replenishment and FORTH to meet the world even as

the world rushes forward to greet us offering choices that dwindle as we give up trying to surpass our daily limit god in all its forms and the manifestations passes through us we can fight it or allow ourselves to be changed handing ourselves over to the requirements of the moment clinging not to the limitations of convenience or convention daring to be uplifted Delanye

News from -the LibrarY New Books On May 23, 1914, the Komagata Maru, a ship carrying 376 immigrants from India, was turned away . when it tried to dock at Vancouver's harbour. The passengers on board, like Canadians at the time, were: British subjects, who believed it was their right to settle anywhere in the empire. Weaving text, photographs and key documents together, filmmaker Ali Kazimi's Undesirables: White Canada and the Komagata Maru (325.1 Ki3u) tells the story ofthe infamous standoff from new perspectives.

Say Goodnight to Sleeplessness! says Barbara Heller, who includes 250 methods in her book How to Sleep

Soundly Tonight: 250 Simple and Natural Ways tO Prevent Sleeplessness (616.84).

Lots of new medical books this month:

The Anatomy ofAddiction: Overcoming the Triggers that Stand in the Way ofRecovery, by Morteza Khaleghi and Karen Khaleghi (362.29 K45a)

Lethal Dose: One Man 's Journey Through a Phase : 1 Drug Trial, by Pat Maddocks (616.994 M179L) The Dialectial Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook for Anxiety: Breaking Free from Worry, Panic, PTSD & Other Anxiety Symptoms (616.8522 C46d) Personal Stories ofHealing from PTSD and Traumatic Events, by Tracy Stecker (616.8521 S81 f) The Intervention Book: Stories and Solutions from Addicts, Professionals and Families, by Kathy L. (362.29 Lll i)

New librarian I'm going to be moving to the Mount Pleasant branch at the beginning of December for a few months, so Megan Langley, the head of the Strathcona branch, . will be coming to Carnegie. Please make Megan welcome, and come up the road to say hi to me · sometime!

Beth, your librarian The Vancouver Public Library is starting an exciting community engagement series. We call it Free-forall: Reimagining your Library and we aim to engage as many Vancouver-residents as possible. We welcome your involvement!

Why did the Library create Free-for-all?

While offering creative programs and services, VPL (Vancouver Public Library has long operated in a traditional library service framework. In order to en-

sure it continues to be relevant, VPL must evolve in a more dramatic way than it ever has before. There are mimy possible futures for the VPL to pursue. The library could position itself as the centre for free research in Vancouver, as the largest informal learning institution in the City, as a centre for dialogue and debate, or as the curators of knowledge in its myriad forms. The ultimate direction must be informed by the broader community and be part of its creation and realization.

Howitworks From now through the Fall of2012, four topics will be discussed as a community: • Public spaces and learning spaces; • Future directions of library collections including digital formats; • The role and purpose of public programming and training; and • The role of the library supporting children and families.

We start with Public spaces and learning spaces!

If you can't make it to the library, you can still take part: our Community Conversation Kit contains questions, presents information and offers fun activities to do on your own or as a group. The Conversation Kit is available from any library branch (including Carnegie) or online at www.vpl.ca/freeforall.

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Suzuki Elders ¡(in association with the David Suzuki Foundation) By dblair Thursday November 24, I attended the second in a series of Elders and Environment Forum. The purpose of this event was to provide "information to further elder environmental awareness and to support elders to consider action on environmental issues as informed and empowered citizens".

I asked them if I could write an article on it and the Suzuki Elders agreed saying the more elders (and others) aware and involved- the better.

of pots ofmoney.

- It was an event with breaks, food, a wonderful guest speaker- Terry O 'Reilly- the host of the raaio show The Age of Persuasion on CBC radio. If you google O'Reilly in the Wikipedia link -you can hear him and some online programs of the Age of Persuasion.... perhaps those of you with more online expertise, than I can do it quickly and efficiently in other ways. If this is true, why not send the links to this newsletter & we can all hear the programs easily The 4 workshops were intended to wet your appetite They were called: !.Start with what we eat 2.Start where we live 3.Start with a story 4. Start with ourselves.

There were many people in each 1-hour workshop, but appetite wetting was all that was accomplished.

Interest developed, possibilities imagined, contacts made and -for myself- irritation experienced. I prefer more substantial amounts of information, Jess wetting. But that is simply a sign that I would rather1 be spoon fed, than work to get my knowledge ... .l' m hoping in my next life time that qappens!

After the workshops David Suzuki gave the Plenary!

Address and we were sung out with Pauline Le Bel, an elder who is "part of a growing community working to integrate art, nature, science, and spirit to support radical transformation in human consCiousness". (.http://www.suncoastarts.com/paulinelebel.html) I highly recommend that you check out the David Suzuki Foundation website, where you will find many interesting and varied links to wonderful possibilities. .

The idea behind this day long workshop was to introduce allow elders (or seniors ... 1 prefer that word myself.. both words (hopefully) indicate wisdom, I think) unaware of this group of people t~ ~ix and mingle and Jearn wtih and.from elders who are in. valved with the Suzuki Foundation ... since: http://~.davidsuzuki.org/ . Elders have always played a critical role in society There is lots of stuff here - such as: as the repository ofcollective experience, knowledge Making Policy Live is a series of six documentary and history of a community. As society has moved videos celebrating innovative local initiatives in BC's away from extended families to nuclear and single Lower Mainland that are protecting and restoring parent arrangements and more mobile, moving nature in their communities. across the country, the need for that societal memory The queen ofGreen. -want to lighten your footprint was never more important. 1. and adopt a green lifestyle? Check out Lindsay'~. doSo there you go ... we as old people have knowledge, ! it-yourself tips and advice," eco-friend.ly cleaning and wisdom and time- and they want it. It's a good way cosmetics recipes, and how-to videos that will help to both learn and give back to those younger than us, ' you protect nature - from building a bee house to I think. And while there was a fee for this day-long reducing food waste. event (about fifty dollars), there were some spaces The website is full of information ... these are only available for those who could not afford the cost. two of the various items of interest ... so while the These spaces were provided by some others who had forum I am referring to, was particularly for elders ... the money and thought it necessary. Those people the Suzuki website site is for all. would realized that knowledge can exist independent Enjoy, and Learn, and if you are inclined, join ..•.

my grandlnotber edna's place calm and safe Now folks say the poor ain't generous the only refuge I ever knew that because we got next to nothing during an extremely violent and chaotic we're hardpressed to part with anything childhood but I differ with this firmly held opinion but in her 80s now have a seat on the patio sometimes she suffered a stroke soon you'll see the true generosity of folks and required more help to people .. just Jove sharing their mental illness than I could ever provide always ready to be irritating to the point but my sister leslie you want to share your fists with them put much time effort and expense they's called bugs 'cause they derive their pleasure into finding edna bugging the rest of us poor slobs by a government ~approved ever~willin' to share their sob stories with you foster home not to mention any and all forms of social disease instead of a bleak warehouse facilit);, from itch mites to bedbugs to HIV and Hep C then a year later ; hell, we're the most generous p'eople around leslie was contacted long distance i they'll share their anxiety with all present, by a deputy sheriff ! not to mention their paranoia and just plain who revealed anger edna had been and powerlessness I share everyday madness; hell it's a cornucopia of sharing battered besides the guilt even this is an example of good natural community spirit beaten that tears at me AI bones broken for not being able deep bruises to be the refuge and skin ripped my grandmother needed and the frustration that maddens mE from her scalp over my inability to the soles of her feet tortured for weeks to make a revolution of real care and reduced to an . out of a brutalizing society . infantile fetal condition\ by the 'wholesome' family paid to care for her "but" the sheriff said "we know what happened and can't lay charges because there's no witness your grandmother can't communicate' and the family said she fell down a lot" and now edna is dead and I feel compeHed to write this poem for the many damaged and demeaned elderly human beings and for their relativeJ(j\ whose grief

Bud Osborn

Th

k R If! an you, 0 . • ·Our friend, Rolf Auer, has decided to make a "fresh start" and·he has moved to another province. Rolf h~ .been a long~time contributor to the Carnegie ·Newsletter, and he is a former Board member for the Carnegie Community Centre Association. He is es~ pecially noted for his great success in having "letters to the editor" published in local newspapers [27 at last count!].

We thought of the void without his thoughtful and carefully written essays and p()~~ry bu~, through Jean Swanson, got a reassurance that Rolf plans to con~ tinue submitting his work via email.

We wish him well in his new home. There is a card for Rolf in the Association Office. See Paul Taylor if you would like to sign it and send your good wishes to Rolf.. '

COLLEEN'S CORNER DECEMBER 1, 2011

VOLUNTEER NEWSLE'ITER AND PROGRAM GUIDE

Volunteers of the Month- November Priscillia Tait Board Member/Learning Centre Receptionist Yuse£Yaqubi, Lane Level Receptionist 1. Volunteer Committee Meeting: Wednesday, December 07, 2011 at 1:00PM Classroom II

2. VOLUNTEER DINNER- Wednesday, December 14, Theater@ 4:30pm SHARP! Your contribution and hard work is appreciated by the many people who benefit by your services. Let us serve you! Pick up your Volunteer Appreciation Dinner Ticket from the Program Office 3. VOLUNTEER CHRISTMAS PARTY- Friday, December16, Theatre@ 4:00- 6pm

SEASONS TWEATINGS TO OUR BUSY BEE VOLUNTEERS, a hard working group of people who I am proud to work alongside. You are a caring, committed bunch who make my job feel/ike work worth doing. I thank you for this gift The real Santa is coming to the party just to see you_ HO HO What do you know?_ There will be a banquet style dinner, enough sweets to put a gleam in your dentist's eye, and a gift for everyone along with oodles of door prizes.

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Entertainment! Well! The Honourable Steven L. Point performing with our very own spectacular Carnegie Jazz Band singing "Skid Road Santa" (it's true) and other popular seasonal sign-a-long songs. His Honour is a wonderful get-down blues singer and guitarist. And we all know how first-rate the Jazz Band is.

If we are real lucky Dalannah will be also be joining us with her lovely soulful voice.

Stan Hudac the Music Man; our traditional dandy man Marilyn Monroe, I mean Marilyn Young who will be singing 'Cause everything old is new again" from All That Jazz.

Please write this date- December 16111 -on your calendar~ we don't want you to be left out!

Please pick up your Christmas Party Ticket from the Volunteer Program Office FRIDAY, DECEMBER 161h Theatre 7:00 -lOpm LIVE BAND DANCE with 'SANDY BONE" .... hosted by Colleen For the last 10 years Sandy would most often be seen on drums, vocals and guitar with his Juno-nominated band, The Twisters, with whom he recorded 3 records and won The Canadian Independent Music Award for "Best Blues Record of2003". Sandy was awarded 8 times "Best Canadian Blues Drummer" by Real Blues Magazine (1995 - 2003)), "Best Canadian Blues Songwriter" (2003) and thrice nominated by The Maple Blues Awards, "Best Canadian Blues Drummer" (1999, 2000 and 2003).

That is a lot of Bests huh. Sandy played for us this past September and enjoyed himself so much, he is delighted to be returning. EVERYONE WELCOME! MONDAY AND TUESDAY DEC.STH & 6TH- CHRISTMAS DECORATING: Get ready to show your holiday spirit!!! We are decorating the halls of Carnegie next Monday and Tuesday (December 5th & 6th).

We'll start around 10 am on the Monday! Please join us.

Colleen needs help decorating the Volunteer Family Chritmas Tree, ~unday, December 11 1\ 2nd ~loor@ lOam.

Camp H~mewood was heaven on earth. I went canoeing in 2 types of boats. The flat-bottomed ones are faster. It hailed and snowed a couple of days.

Nice fires every day. And people were nice too.

Thanks for arranging all that.

We got led down the garden path (a wrong trail, ac-, . tually a deserted logging road) when it suddenly started hailing, but we just kept going. Got soaked.

Luckily there was a constantly roaring fire in the 6 foot fireplace back at camp.

Rudolf Penner

Camp Homewood We left the 'hood Mon. 8:30- Fri 3p.m.on a journey to and from Quadra Island's Camp Homewood. It was both stimulating and refreshing. The main building is glass, wood and natural rock, with an atrium.

The rock fireplace is big enough to fit half log sections of 3 feet with swirling ceiling fans to circulate the warmth.

Outside was an easy downhill walk to the ocean and dock. Canoes & row-your-boats had to be in @ dusk (4:30) and 2 min. for safety. Some of our elders gathered Chinese lettuce (sea kelp/weed) in their canoe. while others like Bonnie and an elder and I played it safe in our canoe and stayed close to the walkway and dock. I haven't gone canoeirig in decades, but amazingly enough, how to hold a paddle and what to do with it came back. We almost hit a pier, I tried back paddling, but Bonnie just stuck out her paddle and shoved us away. Not so bad for warming up.

Paul took out the rowboat with various company, who got to look about untroubled as to what to do.

What I noticed was the sound like a shower, or brook asJ~e can~e _moved through the water when Lou and I ventured out. Then Marvin and Les buddied along with us in their own canoe where upon far from the

dock we got hailed upon. It let up, then hailed nard upon us once again; as it was growing dark we scampered back to dock, wet with cold hands. Walking back up the hill felt weird, as our legs were stiff with the sitting.

On a day when it was rain, rain, rain we had competitions, pool, table tennis, ping-pong and crib which I participated in. Yes crib, yah I know- what babies!

But I wasn't the biggest baby I came in second the winner was Mr. Peter. Then most played Bingo with dollar store prizes.

One evening we had the Harmony of Nations honoured our sister Norma Jean (@ Homewood 2 years ago) with the Traveling song. Next was Peter who sang 3 songs - an Honour song, a Prayer song and a Healing song. Then Kim stood up and acknowledged the Kwak Waka Kwak whose territory we were visiting and of whom our own Les is a member.

Some of the guys caught an Atlantic salmon, which they used as bait for crabs, then they cooked them up for after dinner snacks for all. Yum. There were devoted puzzlers, and those others of us who periodically joined in. Tina found out hers had missing pieces, after a day and a half. She then simply put it away and chose a smaller cat puzzle to work on. ~ Some bought their thrillers to read and others, like ( Kim, had his pastel green guitar. Our friend Rudolf played the piano. We had a guest volunteer Anna who lives on Quadra, but was a rnember of Carnegie 12 years ago.

On a walking trip past the Lighthouse, Double(Bao-a twin)76 years and I walked along the water :whereas others walked the high road to a Retreat on ;the Rez. then back. Other outings were to Rebecca's spit. Wow, ifl spit, would anyone come & look? 路 On another outing they got lost, the park gate was locked, but pop at the store was for just over $4.

One evening we had a Colleen nite with a Crowing contest, and silly games. In honour of guess who ... ?

Colleen .

In the ocean seals could be seen and seagulls but some got to see eagles(in the high places on some walks too.) Guess what they have tubs in the main building, so if you come next year, bring epson salts for a warm relaxing soak.

I'm so very glad that I went on this trip! I even showed up early for my volunteer shift when I got back.漏 Muriel.

Stuck Just give it to the creator he will take it each new day I wake up I feel stronger too be so stuck in a body you want to get out you want to scream you can't even open your mouth All I know and this will always remain: You did it to yourself; it felt like it was outta your control.. co-dependency is truly not a game there's never a win win Nora Kay

Geezer's Lament Just like Leonard Cohen once said, "it's not dying I'm afraid of, it's the preliminaries." and now with the baby-boomers hitting 60 a lot of us are going to be at the mercy of the 0 generation; something like 2 out of 5 will be hat in hand hoping for mercy the children we raised on Xanax or Ritalin will be ramrodding other pills down our wrinkled throats somehow I can't feature someone who's spent 25 years pulling the trigger on Call of Duty Grand Theft larceny and yadda yadda yow people who may not be able to read the directions on yer medicine bottle people who don't know the difference between PTSD and ADD, HIV or LSD who think drive-by shootings are dope into these hands some of us will fall not me tho' ; when it's time and I can't wipe my own ass I'll take that walk into the wild like so many before me when it was time and they knew it nothing to fear going home to The One who made you AI '

Watkin' to K.indflrgartfln My morning path crosses the crosswalk to a school other day l'il brother bouncing black and beautiful . ' 1all excited Sister's takin' him bustin' out gonna see all those other kids play all day doesn't know he'll grow to be a black man doesn't know any difference between him and Lee Wong or Jackie Sarson, see kids don't see the difference; 'we're all jes kids you like KoolAid, I like it too, we're friends 'member when my own blonde child stood out in the sea of straight black r to this day she knows the truth only race is the human race all humans look more alike than different I'd like to murder the bastard ever show little Germaine there's something makes him different greater or lesser than any man or woman alive in this time or ever see when you see those shiny eyes bristlin' with excitement I pray I pray don't ever Jet no man take that joy away we're all just kids in this sandbox in this playground just kids who want to play play all day 'til the sun-gges down路 AI

路 Every day in the House of Co~ons, the level of outright disdain and animosity toward the CBC is on prominent display among Harper government Ministers and backbenchers. But balancing ths fear is hope that a new and powerful campaign we are launching today will marshal public support and demonstrate to the government that the political price of attacking the CBC is just too high.

Friends of the CBC's new campaign- STOP THE CBC SMACKDOWN- is built around a satirical dramatization of the worst-case scenario: that our CBC is sold.

When you visit the campaign, you will meet Lance Fury, the CBC's new owner-operator. Lance is a former professional wrestling promoter from the U.S ~ho ~ows what Canadians want- and he's going to gtve 1t to us!

Lance's message to Canadians about his plans for the CBC comes in two short videos posted on the campaign site.

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Cafe Cabaret Not Life is not a carnival Despite popular opinion Life is like a public house that also serves food You start at the bar to order from the bartender Or sit at a small stable until a pretty girl comes with a tray A good day for a Guiness or a Keith's or perhaps a Kokanee Out here It's bourbon, scotch or rye whiskey for the serious pain maybe Slivouitze or Tequila if you are brave The day brightens sunshine is here ' on the west coast Sparkle and shine people creep out from nooks & crannies To commence once more our fine daily rituals of common place and ordinary pleasure.

Wilhelmina Miles

WUTHERING HATE The clouds are in full bloom today. Daylight Blackout Time has resumed & it is pitch black by 3:30.

Hooray. What the hell are we in for today: this city is nothing more than a fashion show with cops & killers getting away with murder, wind them up and watch them go but who's in control? I guess the Selfishists (that's what they say) -plastic dollar bills and every other device helps them more than me but I am in their vice regifting elections you've just given them the city on a silver platter, even your god is bogged down so expect delays .. even I have started to pray (to who I don't know) but ifi did ask nicely what would be my fate? If there is truly a god I will be the first to rise and applaud the original idea of mankind helping each of us out, yet accomplishments remain unfulfilled as one war ends other countries pick up the slack and begin again to kill maybe now you can understand my doubts; look into your skin-grafted 路 Global Positioning phones or cameras ET says "fuck you I'm never coming home" I have late expectations so I can take my time, like running victory laps because the cops caught another rioter if the world actually cared they'd share a laugh before becoming much voilenter I'm so sorry new Vancouver it just

never seems to be your tum to shine ...

I'm not blaming democracy for the shape we' re inif you're not thick as thieves your morals are waferthin that One for All line never really caught on and that truly is a shame. I have no answers and take no orders this is getting sicker than an under 18 Boy Scout Rock Hudson sleepover yet everyone acts like this is just a game, back in the city Heritage Restructuring is in full swing while people like Mr Gregor and Diane Watts and the same old queen and king, if you think I'm unhappy you should see the other guy!

Given up and tried so many times but part of my mental process tells me I may be walking out of time I believe I've already mentioned to expect delays haven't I; animosity and adversity have been dogging and cursing me ever since I arrived like being swallowed up and spit out while the Whole Wide World is watching LIVE these must be the non-refundable days my uncle Minus used to warn me about, I was told that happiness is free well I'm still waiting yet _nothing whatsoever has happened or is happening to 路me am I the incomplete opposite and this is my Fate like reincarnation milk- some like a beer & a smoke while others enjoy wine and dress in silk now am I the only one who feels wuthering hate, like streets with no name no one cares for anything else but their name yet everyone no matter how insignificant pays with their time second by minute by day like being voted 'most likely to say the least' St Minus continuously reminds me we are in a state of Peace yet our "civilised race" only knows how to save face?!

It is affecting me in extremely impotent ways; unvacant sights feed an extremely vacant mind when 7 becomes 17 billion people you'll be out of time if my lacklustre memory is correct this world we' ve destroyed is entitled to wipe us all out when the time is just right, please remember to expect delays it seems everyone is intent to reinvent those Good Old Days but they make me obsolete so many tears and fears real tears that last all night, one more thing the last before the least, what will really be out fate:: three things Time and the Future try it with no self-esteem 路 & no confidence at all but it's my time to return to Wuthering Hate.

By ROBERT McGILLIVRAY . "From low to high doth dissolution climb' and sink from high to low along a scale, ofawful notes whose concord shall not fail." -William Wordsworth PS ~her~ is so much more now if I could just get it right. RM. !

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

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

- Margaret Meade

Cafi1egieC NEWSLETTER ---401 Main Street, Vancouver 604.665.2289

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

WANTED

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

Artwork for the Carnegie Newsletter *Small illustrations to accompany articles and poetry; *Cover art -Max.size: 17cm(6 ~")widex15cm(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 Sl:Jbmissions to Paul Taylor, Editor.

GET CLEAN Shower Up at the Lord's Rain 327 Carrall St. just off Pigeon Park HOT SHOWERS. (towel, soap, shampoo (the works} & coffee) Monday, 7-1Oam, (Ladies only!)

7am Tuesday, Wednesday.& Saturday

FREE DENTAL HELP

Next Issue SUBMISSION DEADLINE:

. M~NDJW, DECEMBER 12th 2011 DONATIONS: Ubby 0.-$50, Margaret D.-$50, Rolf A.-$50, Brian H.-$100, CEEDS -$100, Ball)' M.-$150, Leslie S.-$50, Sav3Mah WfTerty H -$200, Jenny K.-$25, Barbara M.-$200 · Vancouver Moving Theatre -$300.. The Edge -$200, X' -$52, Wilhelmilla 111.-$25, Sbeila B...$100, Christopher R.-$175 Michael C.-$50, 0, Bonnie F.-$100, CUPE 15 -$1450, WZ-$100 -~imme_~~ £~

carnnews@shaw.ca www.camnews.org http://carnegie.vcn.bc.ca/newsletter http://harvesters.sfu.ca/chodarr Jenny Wai Ching Kwan MLA WORKINC FOR You 1070-16-t 1 Comnercial Or. V5L3Y3 Phone: 60~·771r-0790

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

Call604-254-9900 for information.

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

FREE LEGAL ADVICE USC - Law St;dents Legal Advice Program All cases checked with lawyers; confidential Drop-in: Tuesdays, 7 - 9pm (ends 11/22/11} 3rd floor Art Gallery, Carnegie Ctr, 401 Main

WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTON • • • • • •

AIDS POVERTY HOMELESSNESS VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN TOTALITARIAN CAPITALISM IGNORANCE and SUSTAINED FEAR

night

beautiful

I walk down bowery avenue and pass through a cone of yellow light outside a cheap and dangerous sro hotel where an 路old raggedy bone-thin terrified human being is getting brutally shaken down by a large tough young guy who wears slick and shining expensive clothes I pass close by them on the sidewalk where a police squad car blocks half the crosswalk with two uniformed cops sitting in the front seat protecting the action the police gun me with eyes hard as bullets letting me know: 'you don't see a goddamned thing so just keep walking' I glance back at the trembling human being and see the piss spreading in the old man's crotch I keep walking I don't see anything but feel the coward I am or, better just another passerby Bud Osborn

beautiful city beautiful girl beautiful cup of coffee beautiful life beautiful love beautiful charm experience the beauty open your heart absorb, grab hold are you here are you there accept people places things ' as they are - to ever let anyone have space in your head Free Portrait is a-group is worthless of volunteers who are so bloody useless using their talents to don' t want to be sick anymore ive back to the people Nora Kay of Vancouver in the

community where they

FREE. PORTRAIT VANCOUVER Come in for a Free Portrait.

Saturday December 1Oth 2011 10am- 6pm Carnegie Community Center 401 Main Street

OCCUPY THIS! To occupy, and to defy the authorities I the Establl,nment; to slow down and get to basics: to pay the price of the cold, the rain, to sit on Whose crown land that the British didn't own and never did.

It's sacred Coast Salish land, occupied with them and gracious, grateful permission, under their guidance & direction, then gain and take its rightful repossessiion As well brush off the cops, firemen, ambulance too no need for them, no problems. We got a peaceful .q protest, we take care of our own .. however it's neither wanted nor needed. City Hall backs off for awhile 'cause they're laying low, fearing chaos and destruction ain't Mayor Gregor's style! He orders ChiefChu to play it cool for now, and for that we say he can take a well-deserved bow... however pressure mounts ---'-=:;.."' slowly but surely there's a multimillion$$$ Election on, ominous, hanging frigid in the air but we stand our ground, we show no signs of any looming dark despair, we laugh and such in keen solidarity! We've tons of food, support and endless aid .. and the alert attention of the whole entire world's morally bankrupt nations -we're onto you and we're leaving no stone unturned, to keep Mother Earth who is forever fair, righteous and stable.

They've got the stuff but we've got the numbers and . we're not going away no matter how this house of cards may fall. We rest easy, our tummies full with food, not bombs and the sense of feeling warm; best of all we pay not a copper penny of rent. Under the tents and tarps we have a calm and collective wellbeing 'cause we are far from hidden, warehoused in shelters, flophouses and doorways. We are upbeat, having surfaced as if from deep underground, and in Accepting "what is" doesn't mean you condone or solidarity; we want to be seen and heard! approve of the way things are, it just means you give Now how does that feel for the corporate radio, teleup all the resistance and inner struggle by wishing it vision and the ink-stained wretches of the globalist were different. press (now ain't that a pip!)

However, when these things happen, it can be helpful It just feels so damn right.. it fits so cool, simply and not to mentally argue with them. starkly and shiningly. And correct and quite profound Today will bring you a new awareness, a lesson that And that suits us just fine at Occupys all over the face you are making progress. of the earth- just fine.

ROBYN LIVINGSTONE : Videha

-11fil••·--_.,...

Firehall a .rts

the Door and get a discounted ticket.

There are some restrictions on the pass that you should know of.

*Valid ONLY for Firehall productions (rental companies can decide if they would like to allow the pass for their shows. If you are unsure, just call and ask) The Fireball offers a discounted ticket pass for resi*You can only use your pass for Door Sales, the hour dents of the V6A postal region. There are two different passes, one for residents that are low income/sen- before a show (with the 路exception of wheelchair patrons. who can book in advance) iors/students for tickets at $2 and the other is for residents that have a steady "normal" income for $5. We, *We hold 10 seats per show, except for opening nights leave the distinction up to the pass holder, if you'd and it works on a first come first served basis, so we consider yourself low income, then you qualify. recommend getting here early. We'll release the held To get a V6A Pass, you will need to fill out the apseats at 10 minutes to the show starting. plication form (for our records-please see attached) *The pass can only be used by the Pass holder and is and bring it to the Fireball in person, along with pho- non-transferrable.

centr~e

to lD and/or a piece of mail that has your address on it. We will then " purchase" a pass on your account, there is no monetary value to the pass, V6A passes are free, but it keeps tra~k路of how many we've sold and when it expires (passes are good for one year fro~ purchase date) . .'!:hen you present your card at

This pass was implemented last year in our continual pursuit to work with the community that we live in.

If you have any more questions, please contact me!

Cheers Alex Danard 604.689.0926

Box OfficeNolunteer Coordinator, Fireball Arts Centre.

Saturday December 10, 7:30pm Carnegie Theatre, 401 Main Free Admission w ith Gerardo Avila and Veronica Dahl directed by Michael Fera Sponsored by the Carnegie Theatre Workshop and the Face the World Foundation

J.:-

Show tlus ad al the door for FREE ENTRY TO THE GARDEN between l & 'l p.m. on Sal Dec 3.

Hope in Shadows Exhibition Photographs of gardens, and artistic and scholarly pursuits in the DTES What: E..xhibition Opening When: Saturday December 3rd, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, 578 Can-all St The <>I>Clung is <UI opporlUiuLy to sec photO!,'l(tphs and take a free, h'llided lour of the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Clunesc Garden (1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.).

For more information call 604-255-9701

www.hopeinshadows.com