December 1, 2014, carnegie newsletter by Carnegie Newsletter

DECEMBER 1. 2014

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NEWSLETTER 4:J 1 ~/la .rl Str·:.ot

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Paying Tribute to Black Strathcona

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Priscillia Tait, a Great Lady, Chick Lane, Rockin' Robyn.

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Paying Tribute to Black Strathcona On a blustery. rainy, ~econd-to-last-day of another action & entertainment-packed Heart ofthe City Festival (the ll 1h annual), a wondrous day of tribute unfolded on a large scale. The events were in honour of the history & ongoing, compelling legacy ofHogan's Alley community in Black Strathcona. First of all was the walking tour meeting fittingly at the Jimi Hendrix shrine at Main & Union The tribute culminated in an amazing, standing-room -only extravaganza in the legendary Carnegie Theatre. It was a magniliccnt feast for our eyes & ears, beginning \Vith a beautiful opening by the rcstival's cxecutiv director Terry Hunter. The first performer was the incomparable singer extraordinaire Vanessa Richards. Then we viewed about 10 shon films showing sites, bui !dings, eateries, performers, residences in I logan's Alley along with some shots of Dora & Jimi Hendrix. Histories & facts & stories were also contained in several of the movies; enlightening indeed, as well as poignant, funny, sad & happy. They unfolded a gift box of astounding poets & singers too numerous to mention but all were exceptional. There was an impromptu calypso drum dcmonstra-

tion hy an in-the-groove gentleman whose name also escapes me (although I do remember writing it down somewhere ... ) Closing the ceremonies, I believe from the Ugandan ambassador to Canada who \Vas most gracious & profound. After all this amazing banquet of music, wonder & emotion, Vanessa Richards eventually, reluctantly had to give an ending to the afternoon's testivities. inviting all to stick around for a meet & greet chat with all involved. As I was packing to depart to yet another event. all of a sudden. out of the blue. Prisci/lia Tail ~ multi足 media artist& volunteer - rushed up (bursting with joy (as always)) grabhed me & said. "Robyn! We've got to get photographs of Chick lane, Leonard's brother, both extraordinary entertainers who toured the world. I immediately realised what a rare opportunity this was & said, "yes Yes YES!!" Chick was most gracious as he stood ramrod straight, balancing perfectly with his cane; there we were ending events with huge smiles plastered all over our beaming faces! It is a treasured memory & a memento frozen in time, just like Hogan's Alley and Black Srathcona....and folks, it just don't get any better than that

By ROBYN LIVINGSTONE

tough love she & I have made it through another day without killing ourselves or each other without running away from each other \.\c've maJe it through with so little to go on we've made it through \Vithout bank accounts or pension plans we've made it through with nothing to look forward to we've made it through without really '" anting to we've made it through with despair, fear & confusion we've made it through without owning anything of value or wanting to we've made it through w·ith a prorusion of differences between us we've made it through "' ithout television or movies \vc'vc made it through without meetings to go to we've made it through without organizations to belong to we·vc made it through without any church to al1end we've maJe it through Without using computers we've made it through \·Vithout books telling us how-to we've made it through with ever) thing ""e've lost we'v..: made it through despite the years of trouble we've caused each other we've made it through with our strangulated spirits turning blue \Ve've made it through vvith 110\\here to go we've made it through with worn-out shoes we've made it through without the oblivion of drugs or booze we've made it through with crippling lifelong emotional \.Vounds e've made it through sleeping past noon we've made it ,through without any good news we've made it through lotte1y tickets or bingo we've made it through "'ith our families sick & poor & crazy & old e've made it through vvith even fewer illusions we've made it through without being run over by cars or blown-up by pipelines or mutilated by maniacs on cit) avenues we've made it through with our senses shrinking & our bodics breaking down & our nerves whipped & abused we''e made it through with the meaningless lives we're forced to usc we\c made it through by sending blind prayers into burned-out air 1..ve'vc made it through by Iis ten ing to each other we've made it through b) holding onto each other we\e made it through by trying to care more ror each other than we do for ourselves & somchm:v shc & I have made it through another goddamncd day

Bud Osborn

Ia Ale/IUJI'fl of Bill Loiselle Bill appeared to be a ferocious reader with a rather

COME AND SING WITH THE CARNEGIE SINGALONG CHOIR Drop-In rehearsels Sunday Afternoons (Classroom 2) 1 Dec. 7, l..a, 21' (2:30 5:30PM) 1111 Carols on the Stnirwell - Dec. 22 (Meet on 3rd Floor at 4:30 PM) Christmas Eve Singalong, between acts in the Theatre

macabre sense of humour. He once read my copy of !loll'! (Allen Ginsberg) to some mutual friends and we \vcre all blown away by his showmanship! I suggested a performance at Carnegie's Open Mike ... Being a small man Bill projected a hardened shell, but if you were to crack it you•ct'vc find a heart of gold. To the light. Bill, to the light. Angela Zcnk

C RISTMAS CRUNCH ~eltets YuP, IJ.IA.T TIM£" OF YEAR IS uPoN us AGAIN.Ac:rs ot= GENER.OSI'fY, S£ASONAL l>INNERS, !-loP£ AWl> WARMTH £x1£N'J)Ei> TO £VEN II-IE Mos., CYNICAL •••

1 vu ,..\till Ul.:llt::\'l:

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Christy Clark is trying to change the BC Society Act 1 to give deep-pocketed interests new powers to drag any community group that opposes them into court. The changes would allow private interests to sue environmental & Community groups for opposing their projects, tying those groups up in expensive court battles. Environmental organizations. neighbourhood associations, churches, you name it -- they could all lind themselves targeted if Clark's plan goes through. The potential impact of this policy is chilling. It could effectively muzzle free expression and public debate

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across British Columbia. striking at the very heart of ) our democratic values & giving unprecedented pO\ver to those with the deepest pockets. This plan affects over 27,000 groups across the province. lt could bankrupt small community organizations, muule public dissent, and force non-profits to light against constant legal proceedings from anyone who disagrees with their work. The legislative ses::.ion ends this Thursday, and we have a simple goal: get as many people as possible to join our campaign before the legislature adjourns. Send Christy Clark a message before it's too late: DON'T MUZZLE BC!

Ymerrone\\'c:..c~ .......__

fltt..rsdJy, Noven1her J.7, .'01~

'Don't Muzzle B.C.' fights changes to Society Act 路 NDP campaign. Changes could allow small community groups to be sued by rich private interests

The B.C. NDP is campaigning to stop a proposed change to the Society Act that would let anyone t<.~ke a society to B.C. Supreme Court if they believe the socie[y is ~carrying on activities that are detrimental to the public interest." More than 3,200 citizens have signed the i'JDP's Don't Muzzle B.C. petition to fight the new legal mechanism that the NDP believes would prevent non-profits from speaking up on any contentious topiC for fear of being sued. NDP leader Johil Horgan

fears the change would allow rich private interests to tie up environmental and community groups in expensive court battles. he wrote in an email to supporters on Wednesday. "The potential impact of this policy is chilling. It could effectively muz:.de free ex路 pression and public debate across B.C., striking at the

very heart of our democratic values and giving unprecedented power to those with the deepest pockets," Horgan wrote. The NDP hopes if enough people sign the petition, B.C. Liberal Premier Christy Clark will abandon the change. More than 30 organizations dilled on the premier to drop the section

from the draft legislation in October. At the time, the government defended the amendment as a way to make societies - many of which are publicly funded - more accountable. The legislation could still change based on public input received by the government. VISit dontmuzzlebc.ca to sign the NDP's petition.

Carnegie Community Centre Association's

Phoenix Winter I am grateful to be part of the DTES community. and spent time here when I was homeless. I am gifted with a mental illness, and have been able to be on the Board for about five years. Because I am President, I am supposed to go to all committee meetings and I do my best to do so. I am part of the Firewriters writing group out of the Learning Centre of the Carnegie, and also drum with the Harmony of Nations at Oppenheimer Park. Thank you for being you ..

Fraser Stuart has been an active Board member for '?. years, and is involved m issues of housmg and poverty through the Carneg1e Community Action Plan (CCAP). He sits on the Program and Community Relations committees.

Adrienne Macallum has lived in the downtown easts1de since 2001 , She has served on the Carnegie Board as Corresponding Secretary s1nce 2007. She has volunteered in the Learning Centre on Thursdays morn1ngs as a computer tutor and ESL for over 12 years. She 1s also a portrait artist and has dabbled in the world of dig1tal storytelling. She enters many artistic endeavors in the area and has recently produced a play for the Heart of the City Festival. She is chair of the Library/Education committee and goes to Volunteer and Program Committee Meetings regularly She loves the Carnegie and looks forward to future volunteering for this community She also loves to do yoga

Thelma Jack: I have been sober for 20 years. I also volunteer on secondfloor reception 1 day a week.

Wilson Liang is on the following comm1ttees: education/library, community relations, program, and finance. Besides volunteering on the board, Wilson also volunteers at the Learning Centre and CCAP.

'(G) James Pau: James has been living in the Downtown Eastside since the very first day he emigrated from Hong Ko'lg in 1975, leaving his nursing profession behind. He joined the Carnegie Seniors' Support Group in 1996 &continues to serve in different capacities on the Executive A year later he was elected to the Board & has returned every year since, attending the Community Relations, Education &Library committees. Relying on his experience in nursing he volunteers for the DTES HIV/AIDS I.D.U. Consumer Board for 19 years as its social/spiritual chair. He's also active on issues of poverty, homelessness, world peace and social justice.

Board of Directors 2014-2015

Sam Snobelen moved to Vancouver in 1968 He frst lived in the Downtown Eastside in the early 1970's. His first stint on the Board was in the infamous year 1986. when members united to throw out a self-interested majority on that Board Sam was in the one-vote-less minority After that was resolved he took a quartercentury off but now he's back!

Margaret Tsang: Served on the Carnegie Board for 2 y; years. She's a volunteer tutor for the Learning Centre and pnor 2nd floor receptionist volunteer Previously, she volunteered for UBC Learning Exchange as IT Factlitator at Mount Pleasant Library/Community Centre.

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Priscillia Tait carries many nick names that was given to her from childhood to the present day-monkey, mays, chewie, huckleberry queen, and many more . She's a devoted mother w~o had used some of the agenctes when needed and now volunteers at the Carnegie Learning Centre and attends Education and Library Oppenheimer Park, and Volunteer Committee meetings. This is her way to give back to the community of the Downtown Eastside and to enjoy Kale, turnip, and cabbage soup â&#x20AC;˘ with her hard earned volunteer tickets, not!" Stay Beautiful @ Heart

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Sharon Kravitz has worked with the Carnegie Community Centre since 1993 primarily as a volunteer, but also as a staff person working at Oppenhetmer Park in in 1997, and the Carnegie Outreach Program from 1999-2002, and numerous community projects wtth the Carnegie Communtty Centre Association. Sharon has been on the Carnegie Board for two terms Sharon attends Program, Volunteer and Community Relations Committee Meetings

Pat McSherry I've lived in the DTES since 2000 and been a member of the Carnegie Community Centre Association Board of Directors since 2008. I've been Treasurer for four terr1s and chair the Finance Committee. I also attend the Program, Oppenheimer Park and Community Relations Committees. I have volunteered in Carnegie's Learning Centre. I serve on the Boards of St. James' Anglican Church at Gore and Cordova, the St. James' Music Academy, and Our Lady of Guadalupe Tonatzin Community that meets at the Ltstentng Post. I co-chair the Poverty Action Team of the Metro Vancouver Alliance and serve on its Strategy Team

Lisa David was born and raised in Vancouver and has lived in the Downtown Eastside for almost 19 years. She is not certain how long she has been a member of the Carnegie Board, but she has had the honour of serving with three different Presidents. Whenever possible, Lisa attends committee meetings for Finance, Program and Community Relations. She also volunteers for the Carnegie Newsletter.

(wwt her go at)

ALBERT A

Alberta has a little of something for everyone. It has an excellent highway system. which greatly exp~dites the movement of people between Somewhere and

Nmvhere.

Alberta has a notable tradition in the area or political leadership, as exemplified by those two towering figures of political acumen: Peter Lougheed & Don Getty: a couple of bench-warming second-stringers_. "' ho l'umbled their \vay through business school on football scholarships. fhis legacy continues up t(l the pre.;;cnt day, and Albertans~ 1joy debating important issues across a broad ideological spectrum ranging from the views espoused by Conr<td Black & extending all the way through to 1hose advanced b_y David rrum. Alberta is notorious for its cultural achtevcnJcnh: from Wilf Carter tn West Edmonton Mall. cvcrvthina J b Albertans arc an earthy, robust bunch. & tlK~tr tastes run to the simple and uncomplicated. Tht:y like their steaks rare. their potatoes mashed. and their drinl-..;;, straight. As for intellectual stimulation, they will. on occasion, risk an encounter with the daily new<>paper. Albertans are by their very nature philanthropic, an example being the eagerness with which they scll_-off their natural resources to the lowest biddL:r. lnvanably, these are Americans, and Liley take ~very possible precaution to ensurt? their generous patronage. 0

By Ken Morrison

Against 'Since Forever' Like horses bu iIt out of glue prom iscs made become unglued Saint Minus voted to make up for 8 years of abuse & lies but no goodbycs, King Gregor dances with his selfishist friends who will cling to him like parasites right to the end as a mas.s exodus of san it; waves weeps & cries, nov, in \Vashington state people smoke their legalised pot as for us as of April I booze \\ill be sold in grocery stores gee thanks a lot a mere 55 pedestrians die every year you can triple that a few

times as well as domestic abuse they' II be a hit, You were climbing over a Lego version nfthe Berlin Wall when satan (gregor) gave you a calm but dictatorshipish call asking for your time 路free brainwashing lessons' manipulation over your city in 2+ hour DVDs 'This is the ULtimate Selfishists For Dummies' kit. statutory holidays for the uppcrcrust or urinalcake almost makes you want to have a gun (how American of you) as you continue down Further Street all his minions are pounding out that primitive yet ruthless 'We Will Work For less ..' it"s his stable & people must be kept in line or they' II get beat & the \Vorst will be forced to live with discreet panic & widespread disorder, blood-red skies shall be thl.! order of the day for at least 4 more years they say grief is in a recession but anarchists 5hall shed no tears Saint Minus has brought common sense & detennination to people who through mistakes thought nothing could be done with order, school kids don't even know WWl from WWll & they honestly don't want anything to do with the past how frail this city 'world' has become you're either rich or poor that's the way our lives ha~e been cast \Ve arc an army or angry & frail souls who have been against 'since forever' the likes of scum like you smoothtalking broken-down glass walking sacks of evil disillusionment tills the air. Like the Last Supper being a take-out on.ter ol Chinese food or sa)ing that "at the end He had p~路ob颅 lcms with his self-esteem & attitude problems Kmg Seltishist Gregor could most (kfinitively compare ... Criticism is like loyalty you stand by your word good or bad otherwise you're just like the other guy shouting slurs to stir up trouble that is pathet~c & very ~ad autonomv & anarchy are not weapons 1or once thmk of others' (it is allowed) being an individu;JI is _always welcome news, like a gifted culture with nothtng whatsoever to give as long as there are authoritarians & selfishists I have no other options open to me 1 must for at lca-;t now try to live may the SatanGodlcecrean Family have mercy on my dead soul i!' I am the only one with such vie\VS. B'r ROBERT McGILLlVRA Y "I don't care how m-uch a man talks, if he only says it in a few words.'' -Josh Billings P.S.: Booze in grocery stores & pot is harder to get so start collecting your Emergency Room bonus points ... and I do not even smoke pot ex~~pt to sleep, & Kinder f'v1organ go back to your hell. I hanx

Carnegie Community Action Project (CCAP) JJr.1 ;~-gJ£1J~ 1~

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NEWSLETTER iffl~f~ December, 2014

JUSTICE

NOT

CHARITY on FOOD BANK DAY

Should the C'BC cover the root cause~ of poverty when it holds its annual Food Bank D:1y? Rai~e the Rates .say~ "YES.'' People who giv~? to the food hank need to know that welfare rates of $61 0 a month arc too low to Iivc on. If rates were raised, people wouldn ·t have to go ltl the food bank and to soup line .... People ncc.;d the d1gnity of havmg enough money to chose and buy their own food.

Justite

But for the

lao.:~

and \Vc.;stern Aboriginal Harm Reduction (\VAH RS) plan to march to the CBC ag::nn this year and hold our own Poor People's Raclio. \Vc plan to set up a tent and ll<IVC speakers who talk

(·hari. . fY'.

it~ like

have to depend on charity for the ha"'ic human right to food. We'll also • have music. fun and sandwiches. to

Come out and tell the CBC and it-- listeners t hal wei fare rates. which haven't been rais~d

few

years. rhe CBC has heen ~a) ing ·'NO" they won't cover

for over 7

years. need to go up a lot. Join us on Friday. December 5. \Ve'll ll.!a\c Carnegie at II am Hnd ~IJTive at the

the rout cau -;e-; of

pen crt) on Food Bnnk Day. Rai~e the Rates. joined hy the Carnegie Action ProJeCt and \'ANDU

about what

CBC at about II :45 for spcechc . . , ~nack~.;

Meet at carnegie &March to file £8(

and

mu~ic.

THE SYSTEM IS

BROKEN!~.-

The Welfare System's {mis)management culture By Jean Swanson The latest Ministry of Social Development's (welfare) annual report says: ··A key focus for the Ministry was to improve service..; to clients to ensure. they had accc.;;.;; to the range nf services that met their diverse needs:·

with fmstration: Not good for stress. not good for a heart condition.

In June, Stuart's doctor gave him prescriptitHl'\ for $90 in pills. The Minbtry would not pay for them. The worker told Stuart to go to the hospital every day to After li-,h.:ning'- to two get the pills. The worker didn·t c;;ay disabled friends tell of their how Stuart would get to the hospital, which is many blocks from where he experience with the Ministry. Jives. Nor did the official seem to it seems to me that the l\'Iinistry·s definition of care that Sruart might have to "improve" must he wait hours every day to sec "give people a the doctor at the hospital big runaround and get the pills. The so they" II gel • nftkial didn't appear to discouraged under~tand that the cost and not to taxpayers of going apply for -...;;~.to the hospital e\'Cl)' j -what the day would far exceed law sa}'S the $90 required ...... they·re for 3 months of Fraser Stuart at a Raise the Rates event entitled to:· prescriptions. ..._~

fra.;;cr Stuart i~ a (,2 year old former <lirpl:tne mcchani~ who has been diagno'icd with congestive heart failure. He is surviving on a Quebec pension of $6-l-5 a month. living in a single room occupancy hlltcl ('()llllltfwt CO"l'> $425. f learned of hi" '>tory when he came to the ofticc where I VtJluntecr in the Carnc!!ie Ccmrc. bursting' ~

So Stuart went back tl) his doctor and the doctor <1rranged for him to pick up the pills every week at her clinic. but each week they had to he approved. ··Then the doctor L'alled the rvtinistry," says Stuart. "to tlnd out 'vhy the medicine i" not covered. The f\'1inisti") .;,aid I make too much money. fhe doctor wa-; inncdulou'i and told them I was

within the limit. They went back and forth. Then my doctor said I'd be covered a" of January 1st:· This proce!->s hegan in June. Stuart has had to pay fnr his medicine himself and a friend helped him out once.

have enough money. She has to go to community places like the Union Gospel f\lission to use the phone. where there is U')Ually a.') minute time limit because other people need the phone too. ··J tried to call hut got put on hold." said Bull. "I waited and waited. After half an hour I had to give up. The people in the l111e up were getting angry. I tried four ti mcs:·

Victoria Bull is a 5X year old Indigenous \\'Oman who has heen raising her grand daughter. The two lived on welfare until recently. when Victoria wa" Then Bull came to see me di~1~noscd with severe arthritis and we both went to the I3C and the grand daughter went Coalition of People with to live with her mother. I Disabilities. where they have went with Victoria to sec her ...;pecialist and her pain is so an advocate who was ahlc severe that she would to get the form and help cry out in pain Bull fill it out. during tests. The specialist said \Vithout professional there was no advocates, way she could work and rhat neither Stuart he would write or Bull would a 1~.?-ttcr to that have been able dfl'ct. So to get what they I3u II decided arc entitled Victoria Bull at a Raist' the Rates ct•ent to apply for the to. Rather than di"ability pension nf $906 a month. not help people. the~c Ministry policies are really a massive amount to live on with a part of a ''management culture·· that i5 di~ability. purposefully dc~igncd to reduce expense-. for the rvtinistry. Back in 1996 a report to l·irst, ..-he had tn get the form to appl) the NDP government by the firm KPMG frnm the welfare office. They said she said that change-; to ''management culture" had to pth)llC to get the application. Bull can reduce government costs by 5 IO<k. doesn't haYe :.1 phone becau\e. living on It -.ecm..; like the Liberal government JS welfare with $610 a month. "he doesn ., continuing these policies. 4

TOWN HALL CALL TO ACTION _

. _ \X!hat's your experience

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,f f

b!-

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ofcharity? Does charity work?

\Vhy is the community d~pcndcnt on chatity?

What does justice for the Do路wntown Eastside ,.......... conununitv look like? "'

THKH:31V 91CEMBEC 3..4.~0 PM

CIRNEaiE THE ITCE

coa:.r :au"H ucniTORIE~

The \Vest Hotel. with <)X rooms. is one of the wor<..;t maintaincd hotels in the DTES. Until rL~Ct!ntly it was managed hy Yaya Nikpour. A l'tt!r ncgot iations with the City. a non profit group, Community BuiJdcr-.;,

eviction notices to at lea.st 1.3 tenants. Some tenant~ say they did pay the rent. hut the old landlord didn't give them a receipt. Advocates at First United arc helping the t~.~nants dispute their eviction notices.

took over the building. Community

Buihkrs tried to get tenants to sign a '·tenant committmcnt" that would require them to: •

•

diluted poo leaking from the room above the '>ink , throuoh e

Let the landlord ·'speak to

•

l'v1canwhilc conditions in the hotel continue to be deplorable. One room had no glas~ in the windo\v,

my welfare worker"'

"!....cave the bathroom and kitchen cleaner than I f<,und them" "Lecp my room free of bed bugs. vcnnin and Cf'Ckroaches"

and no lock on the door. Other

rooms have toilets that don't work. Tenants complain of bedbugs, roaches and rodents.

"Plug all mouse holes and disinfect my floors, W<tll~:i and furniture.''

The "tenant ,.:omrnitmenf' read: ··r under~tand that if I do not comply with the house ruks my ten<~ney can he terminatcd immediatdy." It al'io as'icrtcd

\Viii Community Builders continue to manage the huildint!? V'/e don't know. Hut '-' the whole episod~? makes some things clear. If non profit groups take over a building.

that the hou~ing was not governed hy the

ten~mts

Rc'iidt!nti:tl 'll::nancy Acl. c.vcn though :1dvnca!L's at First United Church say it is covered hy tht! Act. Saying tht')' hadn't paid the rent. Cl)rmnunil) Builder~ proceeded to

~ive

should continue to have all the ri~hh in the Residential Tenancv Act. If ~ " extra moncv is needed to make the huilcling ... wnrk, city or provincial governments need tn cnmL' up with it. Losing SRO hotel room"\\ hen we had the highest homeless

count ever thi~ year is not an option.

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The fight that unites us Although Chinatown is ofiicially part of community. the Latino community, and Vancouver'..; Downtown Ea'\tsidc ( DTES I, variou" Chinese communities that speak it is generally understood to be a separate dJffcrcrH dialects, so please forgive me community. It rdlccts the barncrs between !'or seemingly lumping everyone into simply t\\ o groups of English-speaking or the Engli h-spcaking member-., and the Chinc.;;c-spcaking. Chincse--;pcak ing members of the Dm,·ntown East~ ide (OTES) low-income community, the mnst sif!nilicant of \\'hich is language. \Vithout the ability to communicate verhally with each other, there is a lot that each group does not know and understand of the other. And most sadly. a lot of' stories. SOMETHING COOL IS GOING past and present, arc unknown DOVVN lN CHiNATOVJN. to members of the other grnup. ·n1ankfully. the haTTicrs aren't

impenetrahlc. After all, the two communities do live in th~ same ncighhnurhood. on the same unccclcd Coast Sali'>h tcrntory. They live tl)gl?thcr 111 Chinatown - in Single Room Occupancy hokls tSROs). social housing, co-ops- and they also take part in activitic~ tof!cther at the Carnegie Centre. ln spite of some negative interactions. there arc also positive ones in the food lines as well. It is really important to n:mclllhcr the immense divcr~ity within each or lhc-;c ··communilics:· o;;uch as the ill~lil-!CilOUS ...

J lowcVL'L when comparing the two groups, drug ll\C appears to be a ..,ignif1cant is~ue for mcmher-; or the Chinc')C community, who don't understand drug u-;e and see it in a ncgati' e light. Part of the rc:tson is likely because there i" a language barrier and so the intlucncc of Cluncse nwinstrcam media - which often neglects the <;torie~ of trauma ~~ nd ahlhC behind drug u:.~ -is strong . 7

But while recognizing these differences '-' in opinions and worldvic'v". I hope that \VC don't miss the obvious f]ghr in front 'of us. Living in the snmc neighbourhood means both groupe:; arc facing gcntriflcation right now. In the same \vay how the \Voodward'" redevelopment project I wHh 5:i6 condo units) kcl to the loss or over 404 low-income units within a 1-block radius due to rent increases. the future of hundred.'. of SROs and low-income housing in Chinatown is at stake, as there arc 768 more market-rate housing being built (including proposed projects: see .. Update: Development Projects in Chinatown" in this newsletter). ~

\Vc know that both communities arc hcing attacked by the same force by looking at the marketing (videos. photo. . etc.) for the condo rrojccts that hcing built in the neighbourhood. The low-income community English-speaking and Chinesespeaking- are altogether erased. There is

no one pushing a shopping cart with their belongings around. There arc no Chinese community members shopping at the grocery store on Georgia St. or the herbal ...tore on Pender St. This is the vision that the developers have for Chinatown and the Downtown Eastside. The two groups will have many differences because everyone has their own story, background, and experience.;;. But r hope that the two groups can huild stronger bridges of understanding as well. Ri!lllt '..... now. those who are part of the DTES and Chinatown community arc all threatened by gcntri tication and its clcstmction on our community- displacement due to rising housing rents and the retail transformation of our neighbourhood, especially for Chinatmvn, which is on course to disappear unle"s \Ve fight for it. Members of the Chinese community are calling for a moratorium on development in Chinatown and to require all development projects to include at least 50';i, social housing for low-income people. This is the fight that unites us- against gentrification. housing for the Jmv-income community, and for Chinatown. - km ~

Vancity Support for this project does not necessarily imply_ Vancity's endorsement of the findings or contents of this news/etler

Dear Editor -Burnaby Mountain: By the time you decide whether or not to publish this. the problem may have been resolved. However, tonight on Burnaby Mountain, there are a good number of protesters fighting against a proposed oil pipeline that \Vould run under Burnaby mountain. upon which the Simon Fraser university sits. The Burnaby city council tried to prevent this pipeline, but corporate lawyers convinced the courts that they had the right to undermine the mountain. The corporate lawyers were hired by Kinder :Vlorgan, who want to run oil from the tilthy tar sands of Alberta to Vancouver so that the oil can be shipped overseas. Kinder Morgan has a long record of oil spillages in North America, ''hich they simply dismi~s as "oil spills can have both negative and positive effects" This rape of our land can be traced back to the Free Trade Agreement that Canada signed vvith the U.S.A., in \vhich il was stated the l'orcign corporations had the right to sue a signed country so that they, the corporations, could, in fact, usc the signer's land as it pleased. And so. on this night of Wednesday, ~ovember 26, 2014, hundreds of courageous people are camped on Burnuby mountain to prevent an unwanted environmental rape. If there is still time, may people of the Downtown Eastside "'ho have time to spare. take a bus to Burnaby mountain and join the sovereign cause to protect the l<1nds we live in from foreign corporations. Most Sincerely. Garry Gust.

Confide In A Friend When vou're tired and worn at the close of the day And things just didn "t seem to be going your way. When vour patience has come to an end, lry taking time out and confide in a Ji路icnd. Perhaps c:;he too may have walked the same road With a much troubled heart and a burdensome load, To lind peace and comfort somewher~ nc~r th~ ~nd, When he <>topped long enough to conhde 111 a tnend. !路or then are most \velcome a fe\\ \vordc; of cheer, For someone who willingly lends you and car? ~o troubles exist that time cannot mend, But to quick relief, just confide in a friend. Sheri-Lynn Kirkham

Christmas Not Forgotten Ever)' day that goes by so many things go on. You might not want it to be real but what's the point tor a song? Can't forget about the family and is it not the truth that things change as we grow up and long past has gone our youth. 1f we found as much on the reaL no matter ho" much it might make you feeL the energy we put into Christmas each year could surely take care of the troubles so ncar. If you can see a lemon-like light where all human beings can get along & not fight, then who cares about their rdigion & who cares about their wealth. Can't you see it is all certain the one fate that were dealt is to I ivc under life's rooC Coming & going out. we're ali here to exist with each other, and to that there路s no doubt... if we can relax and try to get along. Treat evervone like Christmas the \Vhole time vear long. The gill! would love to give to the world is a life-long commitment to respect every living thing and ignite a beautiful sound inside everyone's head that will ring; a sound so powerful so strong & so kind that it will infuse \.Vith ever) human mind -one of awarenc<;s & of great joy. one or great caring for every girl&boy To change the world is the point of this song. no matter what it takes and no matter just hO\\ long. This precious gift is to take one chance at peace. Such a beautiful sound indeed that \Ve all deserve at least. Chorus: War is over ifv,rc want it. We can work out a plan and do it. War is over now. Peace for every human being as each day \vC share. Peace for all the whole world over if we really care. Darren Morgan

From the LibrarY On Thursday. December ll at Jpm in the Carnegie Theatre. the I ibrary is pleased to welcome the VPI. Aboriginal Storyteller in Residence- Rose mary Georgeson. Georgeson is a Coast Salish and Dene storyteller. and she will be sharing family lishing stories, among others. and cross-cultural connections between First Nation and non-First Nation cultures. Coffee and refreshments provided. A big thanks to Carl MacDonald for suggesting a ·'bir1hday" celebration lor our Centre namesake, Mr. Andrew Carnegie. He was born November 25. 1835 and the city of Vancouver requested financing for ihc Carnegie Library back in 1902. Carnegie turned 179 years-old! The first ··Main & liastings Book Club" \\LC; a humble and interesting gathering or the curious-minded. After introductions. the goal was to share something that had been inspiring. and recommend further rl!adin}!.. The resulting .... list includes titles that \Vere discussed: Riding Fury Home. a memoir by Chana Wilson 306 .7663 W74r) '"as admired as the reader li.nmd she could relate to the author's difficu lt relationship with her mother. ~

Lortl Jim hy Joseph Conrad (823 C75L6) wns featured, including a reading that goes, •.. it seems to me that for each of us gomg home must be like going to render an account. We return to face our superiors, our kindred, our friends-those whom we obey, and those whom we love; but even they who have neither, the most free, lonely, irresponsible and bereft ofties,-even those for whom home holds no dear face, no familiar voice,-even they have to meet the spirit that dwells within the land, under its sky, in its air. in its valleys, and on its rises. in its fields, in its waters and its trees-a mute friend, judge, and inspirer ... n lvlathcmaticians 13laise Pascal (inventor or the adding machine) and Euclid were acknowledged. Music like Mo/..art's ''Turkish A/arch" and Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonala" (J\'o I-I) were revered. ..The Grand Illusion'' ( 1937) tilm by Jean Rl!noirson of painter Pierre-A ugustc Renoi r was admired greatly (DVD: 791 A3 72 G7511 r I) Tolstoy's essay·· What is .An?'' (891.78 T654ch 1) and the biography Life of Johnson (828 J69Zb) by James Bowiell on the story of'Oxford English Dictionary inventor Samuel Johnson were referenced . It was a lively discussion & :11! :1rc \velcomc to our next meeting: Tucsdav Decem9er 18th {I O:JOan)I2:00pm in the Cl,assroom on h.:\ cl 3).

Your librarian. Natalie

SHAKESPEARE CLASSES WITH THE HONEST FISHMONGERS The company ·who brought their hit productions of King Lear and 1\kasure lor Measure to the Carnegie Centre "'-Ill he offering Shakespearean classes for any age or experience level. and will run every Monday morning forth~ next thrc<: months. Beginner Drop In : IO:OOam- I I:30am. requin.!s no previous experience or commitment to multiple classes. Be prepared to get on your lcet with Shakespeare's beautiful words even if you have never read a Shakespeare play before! Al l are \\'Clcome! Advanced Intensive: II :45am- 2prn, if you have some Shakespeare and/or acting experience and think you \vant to go to the next level, the intensive will require commitment to multiple classes and some memorization/ preparation of scenes and monologues.

Starts Monday, Novem ber 17th 3rd Floor, Classroom Il Kevin Bennett (director of The Honest Fishmongers' hit productions of Hamlet, King Lear, and Measure for Measure) will be leading these classes. lie has just returned from the renowned Stratford Festival in Ontario

26th Oppenheimer Park Christmas Dinner Saturday, December 20th, 2014 12:00 Noon In 1988 The Oppenheimer Park Christmas Dinner began and in 1992 the Oppenheimer Park Christmas fund was created. Over our twenty six year history we've served over 3,000 meals each and every year & created a very special Christmas tradition in the Downtown Eastside, complete with a visit from Santa and small gifts including new socks, gloves and packages of toiletries. This has been accomplished with the support of hundreds of volunteers, as well as donations of cash and services from the film industry community and local businesses. This year we need your help again and hope you can join us! We are very proud to have organized this event for so many years and realize that it is truly ONLY possible for that to have happened through the ongoing support of our commumty. From financial donations of every size, through donations of time, services and goods, it is the film & television industry of BC that has made this possible. Visit our website at www.oppenheimerdinner.ca. You can get more information about the event. Look at photos from past years or make a donation. We have made mak1ng a donation eas1er with Paypal. We will be doing a COAT DRIVE again this year. The Bridge Stud1o graciously allows us to park a truck on the lot to gather them up. Please drop off any gently used coats at The Bridge Studio guard shack (2400 Boundary Road, Burnaby). A truck will be parked there from Dec 1st to 19th. Donations of baked goods are always needed. Please contact Patricia Brady at pjbrady@telus.net

VOLUNTEERS can email Morgan Brady directly at oppenheimervolunteer@gmail.com Once aga1n this year we will be limiting the number of volunteers that can sign up- simply to ensure that everyone involved has a great volunteer experience. When signing up to help out remember that we need people to wrap up the event also. It is the least glamorous job of the day. However, it is one of the most important.

*THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS*

[Here's a poem from Priscillia Tait, one of three Carnegie members who attended the National; Conference to End Homelessness at the beginning of November. Given a scholarship, there was also a free ticket to the benefit concert by Blue Rodeo, High Valley and Dustin Bentall with Kendel Carson. Called Band Together to End Homeless ness, it took place at the Orpheum Nov 4路~Carnegie Community observers Seeking to lind some form of entertainment Without any fuss over a bus Country. and Blues music I'll be! I vvas blown away From my seat at tht! Orpheum The opening was a band called Hiuh Vallev t:> And featured was Blue Rodeo! They were groovier than an LP from the 60s These bands performed In support of ending homelessncsc; Observers were shot1 and tall That grooved to the music In their own unique way Danced through the nioht '-' b Like a Sasauatch in love. J

Misery is a Poet's Greatest Inspiration I am homeless without a telephonl! number. And it is positive to have no shame. \t1y belief is ... home is \\'here the heart is. So surely. l teel comfortable \\hercvcr I go. And 1 have a good heart. I arn street-drug free and I do not smoke And I do not get drunk. My belief is ... I should not cheat or steal. So surely. I try not to tell lies.

And if I do lie I feel guilty and remorseful. I am artistic, poetic and very creative.

And do not wish to dwell on the 'negatives.' \t1y belief is .. working with my heart and soul. So surely. I don't want or need pity. And l am used to I iving my life as a loner. I am very naive but I try to be honest. 1\nd I have a lot of time on my hands. My belief is ... singing to make people happy. So surely. I practice on forgiving & forgetting. .\nd I need to write poetry for the loss of others.

漏D.IBrucc

)riscillia Tait

Making Amends with Society No lam not perfect. This I'd be I Jo make mistakes. This I see Yet I feel somewhat partial, the one to blame For all of the mockery, all of the shame So before L make these true amends Knowing when all the bullshit enos I was shown thl! truth may not ahvays be However I do agree that yes: truth sets us free So with that I apologise for all the lies For all my wrongs and, when I should have been more wise. So hopefully now you \\ill see I low truthfully I am sorry. Submitted anonymously :V1any years ago I was living at a place north or Battle ford and this man came to visit us. I{e had a tame dancing bear, so I danced \Vith the bear. Marlene W.

~orth

Harper Government Embraces Nazism? Canada Votes against UN Resolution Condemning "The Glorification of Nazism" By Mark Taliano, Citizen Editor, DailyCiout

Canada's embrace of Nazism should come as no surprise to conscious Canadians. We are still reeling from the successful ··renovation" of our indigenous Progressive Conservative Party. which has nO\\ been transformed into the extremist CPC government, dominated by its Prime Minister. or, as many would say, its Crime Minister. Stephen Harper. Most recently, Canada distinguished itself by voting against a U.N resolution condemning the glorification of Nazism. No doubt CPC apologists will usc any number of convoluted rationalizations to approve the decision. but such a vote remains antithetical to what Canada should be. Other external manifestations of the fascistic CPC government- and the courtesan corporate media's suppression of the truth- are manifest in the government"s unequivocal support of a Nazi-infested illegal regime in Kiev. Ukraine. According to John Parry in "A Shadow U.S Foreign Policy", ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych vvon the election in 20 I0 "in balloting viewed by international observers as fair and reflecting the choices of most Ukrainian voters". However once Yanukovych refused a closer association with the European Union through "'trade agreements'' and "economic reforms" his legitimacy became a mere obstacle to overcome. A .. shadow government'', funded by the West, including Canada. triggered violent protests. the mas-;acrc at Odessa. and the on-going slaughters to this day, as Kiev tries to conquer all of Ukraine at the behest of the West and its agencies. including International Finance Institutions (IFls) such as the TMF. Suppressed evidence shouts that the Kiev junta's unapologetic core is Nazi. The following is a list ofneo-~azi politicians. their Nazi affiliations, and the key positions they control in the junta government: • Andry Parubiy: Secretary of Ukrainian National Security and Defence CounciL Parubiy founded the Social :"-Jational Party of Ukraine, a fascist patty styled alter Hitler's Nazis. I ventually. the Social National Party became the nco-fascist/nco-Nazi Svoboda party. • Oleh Tyahnybok: Leader of Svoboda • Dmytro Yarosh: Deputy Secretary ofNational Security. Leader of the Right Sector, Olck-;andr Sych: Deputy Prime Minister. Sych is a member of the Svoboda party. • Andriy Mokhnyk: Ecology Ministry. Mokhnyk is Deputy I lead of Svoboda. • lhor Shvaika: Agriculture Minister. Shvaika is also a member of Svoboda. • Oleh Makhnitsky: Acting Prosecutor General. Makhnitsky is a Svoboda member. • (Source: http://v.-'\.VW.livcleak.com/view?i=l be_l394044181) Putin knows that the Soviet Union suffered grievous losses (over 20 million dead) during World War II in its valiant fight against the Nazi war machine. I [e hasn't forgotten, but the West. including Canada. apparently has. Canada's internal and external policies increasingly demonstrate our true colors: we have become agents for extremism. terrorism, and imperial warfare.

lt' s Friday, mid-afternoon as T walk north on Main street. As I pass the newly erected Keefer Block consuming the entire area around Keefer and Main. I think about the news I've recently read regarding all the Georgie awards for the nevv building. K~!efcr and Main has now been transformed. Where is the Chinatown culture going? It's funny how the words sung by Barry McGuire some 30 years ago seem so poignant now .. " you don't believe we're on the eve of destruction." Strong words and the rhythm keeps echoing thru me as l walk past the cranes building yet even more and more high-rises. One block up I pass Mike, a familiar face, long grey hair and even longer grey beard with a slightly crooked smi le. We glance at each other and I smi le as he smiles back. 1 toss a couple coins into his hat, it's all ht! asks. He gives me another smile and says, "Have a good day." How can 1 when I have just realized I've seen the eve of destruction. J carry on my way when another tune fills me up from yesteryear that fits this changing scene. This time it's the Kingston Trio that makes me think of a tune. Still poignant words from long ago. Where have all the SROs gone, long time passing. We must ask ourselves I look around and keep humming to myself. And the scene continues .. . By Jackie Humber Oscar - one of the DogsOscar \Vas an American Shitezu. I walked him one Oscar had died. I was shocked & disturbed- he was rainy season for an old lady who lived in the West only six or seven years old! The vet had not said anyEnd on Cardero St. She had been living in that old thing to indicate a really serious injury. I knew that basement suite for many years. Gradually the heritage Oscar had had too many different walkers who did building filled up with young gay fellows. Her relanot love him as much as I did. I Ie was just a means of tionship with her neighbours was acrimonious. l think making extra money for unemployed young people. they tried to encourage her to move, but to no avail. I think of him a lot. You hardly ever see a dog of Sometimes she would find used condoms deposited that type on the street. I suspect they arc fairly rare outside her door. and expensive. Sometimes I think that dogs have Oscar was intelligent (a quality ofthe breed), howmore sense than humans. Humans may be smarter, ever he was very stubborn. He was used to a certain but dogs have those qualities of loyalty, devotion & route around the streets near his house. He was amazintegrity so lacking in homo sapiens. ingly strong when he dug in his backlegs and pulled Wilhelmina Miles against the leash if I wanted to combine a little shopping vvith our outing. I had to let him have his way; he had an agenda. One day I removed the leash from his collar. Amazino lv he came alonba with me. I learned a lot about Oscar and clogs in general that day. One day I noticed he \Vas walking very slowly, exhibiting some pain. It took a long time to get up the hill to the Vet on Davie St. She checked him over and told me he had sustained an injury in the ribcage area, The Yoga of Social Change probably the result of a kick. I remembered the heavy A one line response to the word "yoga" is usually door in the building where he lived .. perhaps it had something like "Duh, yeah, stretching into weird poclosed precipitously on his body. sitions" Putting Yoga together with social change I quit the dog-walking job and took up some courses. gets stuff like "Did you stretch for social change?!" Sometime later I ran into the old lady on the street. I from the highly educated half-wits inquired about the clog's health and she told me that There is a difference between this practiced ignoc~

ranee and the response from people who have learned enough to realise how little they know of what there is to know. I practtce such ignorance with many things until it becomes obvious that several mill ion people are already adept in such-and-such a field. Maybe that's human nature too. It can happen with learning computers, finance, social skills. community organising, increasing one's awareness and touching Infinity.

Consider the following: *There is in the living being a thirst for limitlessness. ~ Self-sacrifice and service to humanity. *Capitalism makes humans beggars; Communism makes the beggar a beast. The first difficulty in bringing these together may be that spirituality and politics or spirituality and economic systems don't med at any point. The practice of rantra Yoga can be the base Cram which to bring about progressive change in all spheres. The Body's Eternal Song The spiritual energy, called kulakundalimi in Sam'skrta. lies quiet at the base of the spine. It's like a coiled snake, poised to rise. Also along the spine are 3 psychic channels, the 'ida', 'pingula' and 'susumna'. These 3 carry the ku/akundalinu~ as they spiral upwards along the spine the; cross and form what are called 'chakras'. Each nexus point or chakra is a substation of the mind and has a number of mental propensities linked to it. The lower chakras control the basest aspects of existence- eating, fear, survival, lust, greed, etc.- and the higher aspects of life are expressed through the upper chakras, like dignity, service, respect, love Each of these propensities has a distinct sound, the vibrational essence of its ex1stence. There arc 50 separate propensities, called vrttis, and 50 sounds. These sounds are the 50 letters in the Sanskrit alphabet. When it is pronounced correctly, certain words and combinations actually vibrate the chakras. strengthening the vrttis attached. This is the basis for much of the emphasis on the usc of Sanskrit words in the lessons ofT antra. Capitalism and Communism There is a natural law, like the law of gravity or childbirth, that governs the social cycle. It recognises four distinct groups within human society and explains how they each have their turn at the helm. lt also sheds light on what symptoms and behaviour will be evident as the next phase of the cycle approaches. The four groups are labourers, warriors. intellectuals and acquisitors (merchants). rhe first

phase has the labourers, including farmers and \Vork -.!rs. surviving and maintaining the land and families. From this social pattern rose warnors.the strongest and ablest fighters, who became tribal heads and kings. They began to dominate the people, ordering society to enrich and empower themselves through the exploitation of the labourers. The warriors, in turn, found themselvl.!s needing the intellectuals to keep order and govern their territory. Intellectuals, usually in the form of a priesthood or at least with complex theories that the warriors give obedience to, became indispensable to government. .. so much so that the warriors became only figureheads with the real power inherent in the prime minister/president/ first citizen & their bureaucracy. As the power of ideas begins to wane, ever more complex Lhcories are evolved, but those merchants/ acquisitors are hard at work to enrich thl.!mselves and make both the intellectuals and warriors subservient to them, to aid them in worsening the exploitation of ordinary people. In this phase. more and more intellecluals and warriors find themselves working as labourers, unable to maintam themselves or their families in the face of the greed and grubbing of the acquisitors. Communism was ami is the phase of the intellectuals; capitalism is the phase ofthe acquisitors. Communism in Chma is f~1st moving to the next phase, becoming as degenerate as the worst of westem capitalist society in a short time. The next phase is that of a revolution, with people rising up against the extreme exploitation of the acquisitors and changmg the rules of human interaction. It is knov.:ing that this revolution is mevitable and coming that has the practice ofTantra Yoga and work on holistic social change forming what must be an inalienable concomitance. We are in a state of war. 1 his time the weapons are unemployment, poverty, drugs. economic e:-.:ploitation, trade deals(" free" trade. Ni\FT A, GATT) and the acquisitors are passing laws. gutting social programs (like medicare, pensions, unemployment insurance, education and social assistance) equippmg police and armies and getting tax laws passed m their constant attempts to make their time at the top permanent. Sorry, but natural law is on our side. Our duty is to act in all ways opposing the greed and pO\ver of such acqusitors. The alternative to totalitanan capitaltsm is what's usually called 'common sense.' "'P.R.Sarl-.ar

ByPAuLR

fAYLOR

Caii1egie~ N E W S LETTER

r.~rno P.'.vs!1ilv=n b- r路,

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

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"Never doubt 拢hat a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Lndeed, it is the only thing that ever has." -Margaret Meade We acknowledge that Carnegie Community Centre, and this Newsletter, are occurring on Coast Salish Territory.

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Small illustrations to accompany articles and poetry. Cover art- Max size: 17cm(6.7")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. The editor can edit for clanty, formal & brevity, but not at the expense of the writer's message. Vancouver Community Network Cost-effective computer & IT support for non-profits VCN Tech Team http://techteam.vcn.bc.ca Call 778-724-0826 ext2. 705-333 Terminal Ave.

(Publication is possible only with now-necessary donations.) DONATIONS 2014 Elsie M cG. -$1 00 Robert MeG.-$100 Terry & Savannah -$100 Margaret 0.-$40 Leslie S.-$200 Oave J.-$24 Sharon J.-$35 Christopher R.-$100 Bob & Muggs -$300 Carnegie Seniors Support Group -$300 Sharman W.-$76 :VIichele C.-$100 Catherine C.-$100 Yukiko T.-$30 Vancouver Moving Theatre -$200 Downtown East Village Pride -$50 Maxine B ..$21 to honour poet N Benson Mit:hael C.-$1 00 Mel & Barb L.-$50 Cindy L.-$200

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WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION AIDS POVERTY