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Those Windows. Last fall when the landscape architect planted trees outside Carnegie, Willis Sharparla was furious. "Those trees are going to block the stained glass windows, he said. "Nobody's going to be able to see them. Those windows are an aesthetic and cultural expression of the original library building; they're also a distinguishing feature of the whole area." Someone suggested to Willis that the windows couldn't be seen anyway, there on the north side of the building, with no light passing in or out. So a plot developed to find the money to illuminate the glass panels portraying Milton, Burns and Shakespeare. Because Willis has been a longtime trade unionist, it was decided to approach a local law firm which acts only on behalf of workers (and which, incidently, represents the union that Carnegie staff belong to). The electrical firm which lit up Carnegie at Christmas was asked to come up with an estimate for the windows. Jim Campbell of Houle Electric (a union shop) took into account the technicalities of wiring and also considered the aesthetics of glare, maximum visibility, and viewing potential from outside and inside. Then he recommended an 8foot lighting track with three heads above the window and another track with three heads below. "This will give a nice overall lighting effect," he said. The cost-estimate: $2,032. The plot thickened: how to convince the law firm to come up vith the funds? Why not tell the lawyers about Willis?!
Willis is part of the history of this building. Fifty-four years ago he and 350 hungry members of the Relief Camp Workers Union occupied the Carnegie Centre, demanding one week of federal relief wages. It was during the Depression and eighteenYear-old Willis and his cohorts were unemployed and not eligible for assistance unless t h e y went back to the relief camps. On may 18th, 1935 they' d had enough, and in tight formation they marched silently into the Carnegie Library building, UP the spiral staircase and into the museum on the 3rd floor. Wil.lis, chairman of the maintenance committee, was responsible for keeping the occupied part of the building clean and in good order. Community support for the occupation was tremendous. Thousands of People gathered out on the streets and baskets full of food, coffee and smokes were hauled up on a rope to a 3rd floor window. Farmers brought in food from the country and members of other unions in the city promised a Strong response if a single occupier was touched. Despite the reading of the Riot Act by Mayor McGeer and the stationing of uniformed police up the spiral Staircase and all around the outside of the building, Willis and his comrades'hung tough and won the right to relief. Willis then joined the famous trek to Ottawa to fight for unemployment insurance and other rights for those without work.
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Willis, thanks for the energy and Many of us at Carnegie know about enthusiasm! When dreary winter nights willis' slide show of those difficult return and we walk in the rain down depression years. The lawyers didn't. Hastings street, we'll see the But their firm did have a great interbright glass framed by the sandstone est in the history of workers in this of the building and we'll cherish province, so we offered to set up a your efforts on our behalf. Though special showing of the slide show for the windows are truly a Carnegie their partners and friends. And we treasure, so are you! also asked if they'd consider funding the lighting as a tribute to Willis P.S. This whole project has been and as a gift to all of us who think charmed! When Houle Electric came of Carnegie as our living room. to light up the large windows, they By the time you read this article decided to illuminate the little you will know that the approach was ones too, as their gift to us. successful. Thank you, Jim Campbell! But it appears that lighting up the windows doesn't end the project for Willis. On April 18th he called a meeting and invited Paul Taylor of the Newsletter, Marti Hunter the art instructor, and Diane MacKenzie to attend. "Why don't we have a contest? said Willis. "Once the windows are illuminated, why don't we challenge local artists to do an interpretation of them? We could have a showing in the Art Gallery and then, in appreciation, 9 present the winning entry to the law SPRING FEST firm." So that's what's happening! A11 loIt's that time of year again r e 1 e r t l s t s 2 r e i n l ? i t e 6 t~ ~ 1 ~ h m i t the f3: t k h i &Bpiilrr F e s i T O their work for judging on May 19th be held on SATURDAY, 27 MAY, 10 - 4. (the anniversary of the third floor Last year, many organizations here ' s even a rumour joined for a day of fun and fundoccupation) of a cash prize, in addition to the raising. Like most church bazaars fun and challenge of participating. there will be white elephant tables There aren't any rules about size or & home baking, a tea room, games of medium or style - so just go for it! various sorts and so on. Now Willis is trying to pull toThis letter is to invite the gether a live presentation of the Onpublic to attend and to ask any to-Ottawa Trek to be presented on May group or association to be a part 18th, complete with a folk singer, of the fun. See you at the fest! oral historians and a slide show. Geniene Elliot Look for more details in the next Spring Fest Committee issue of the Newsletter. First United Church.
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TO A Woman
Your eyes Set aglow Your fair Makes the
are like perfect gemstones by the perfect moonlight slender form, when it moves stars seem not quite so bright.
Surely you are a goddess And once in Heaven did sit Were you much too beautiful? Is that why you have left? Are you an angel or a sylph Or perhaps a forest goddess I would slay a hundred dragons To receive a single caress.
-raease
da i-i~t tzk2 this the wrong way I'm content to love from afar If you ever grant me a kiss I shall brlng you a midnight star. StarwiIld 3
HE k1-7~1
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at the Downtown Eastside Women's Ctr Tel. 681-4786 44 E. Cordova
PROGRAM: 1 May to 15 May, 1989 May 2, 4-5pm: MENOPAUSE SUPPORT GROUP - open to all women interested in learning more about the menopause process, through sharing experiences. Resource person; tea & cookies. May 3, Noon: SELF DEFENSE FOR WOMEN - learn Wenlido techniques for defense when attacked, breaking holds & effective counter-attack. May 8, 2pm: COCAINE ANONYMOUS - a speaker will discuss her addiction and her success in overcoming it. m y 9, 2pm: PREGNANCY i SUBSTANCE ABUSE - a new mother will speak from experience about the dangers of drug or alcohol use during pregnancy. May 10, 2pm: SCHIZOPEIRENIA & PARANOIA Videos:- Just Like You and Me - Making it Back - Schizophrenia Adapts May 15, 2pm: ASTROLOGY - Deborah Silverman. Come and gain
DESOLATION Sitting in the kitchen Looking out the window ~ 2 2 zs
darkness i n i h e yard
And I find it hard to understand Why there's no one here to lend a hand Standing on the corner Leaning up against the lamp-post All I see are papers on the ground Candy wrappers; yellow, green and brown Nothing else, No one is around Sitting in a restaurant Sipping on a coffee All I see is shadows on the wall I raise my cup Then, I let if fall Stare ahead, There's nothing there at all Standing on the main street In the middle of the city I see is Row on row A"d
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Where do all the people go T.
No one And, No one No one And, No one
seems to care
I
knows. seems to care knows Walter Ormerod
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Wishful Toil ------------
I went down t o t h e Deside Yacht Club t o do some f i s h i n g . I caught a t h r e e pounder and threw i t on t h e wheelbarrow, then walked down t h e d i t c h where I I saw t h i s woman t u s s l i n g w i t h a seven pounder. B e f o r e I could g e t two words of a d v i c e o u t of my mouth, t h e woman f l u n g h e r c a t c h o n t o t h e bank and I s l i n k e d away l o o k i n g f o r a b i g g e r p r i z e . I saw i t almost by a c c i d e n t a s I searched t h e bottom sand. It was l i k e a b i g , wide, l o n g p i e c e of tar, j u s t laying there i n s t i l l defiance. I drew up my s p e a r w i t h a slow, deep b r e a t h , t h e n w i t h a l l t h e power my s h o u l d e r s c o u l d g i v e , I drove t h e ~d spear d i m t o t h e c e n t r e of t h e Tarfish. My hands f e l t p a i n v i b r a t i n g from t h e s p e a r ' s impact, and I rewithdrew my weapon from t h i s rock-hard monster; who ' s p a t a n o y s t e r s h e l l a t my f e e t . -own My sudden f e a r t u r n e d t o a n g e r , s o I s p i t i n t o my hands and grabbed my p i c k axe. R a i s i n g i t high o v e r my s h o u l d e r , t h e n w i t h v i c i o u s h a t r e d , I plunged i t down w i t h SO much f o r c e t h a t t h e impact s h a t t e r e d n o t o n l y my ego, b u t a l s o my mger T h i s i n v i n c i b l e b e a s t withdrew my leepest r e s p e c t and t a u g h t m e t o quench ly hunger w i t h l o v e and n o t m a l i c e . Our b a t t l e l a s t e d f n r many honrgy palms b l e d , my arms were s t i f f i t h p a i n and j u s t a s weakness was )out t o consume my l a s t ounce o f iergy, t h e T a r f i s h moved s l i g h t l y id exposed i t s s o f t u n d e r b e l l y . . t h a g r e a t sweat of tears, I s e n t le s p e a r through i t s h e a r t , then 11 t o my knees r e a c h i n g f o r t h e dy, l i f t i n g i t t o t h e ground l i k e s a c r e d martyr who would f e e d t h e t i o n s of hunger.
My heart is a caged bird longing t o be f r e e My h e a r t i s a caged b i r d beating its wings My h e a r t , t h e caged b i r d w i l l be f r e e . I I I I
( I an rich) Because you love me You have made m e a s t a r Shining i n t h e firmament You have made m e what you a r e .
The r a i n f e l l down i n t o my e y e s and I fellup into t h e sky The The The The
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By GARRY GUST
am s o r i c h can understand am s o r i c h , can l o v e
v
winds winds winds winds
of of of of
freedom freedom freedom freedom
are are are are
coming to me cooling me comforting me 1 0 ~ n me. g
A f r e s h b r e e z e of c o o l n i g h t a i r Cooling b r e e z e s i n t h e summer ajr TT--J W ~ L L U easiward, wind southward t o t h e c e n t r e of me, The winds of freedom a r e coming t o f r e e me.
Whatever you do o d n ' t k i l l y o u r s e l f Whatever you do be n i c e t o y o u r s e l f You've g o t one l i f e and t h a t ' s y o u r s e l f A l l you can do i s do your b e s t A l l you can do when i t comes t o a t e s t A l l you can do i s l o v e . E l i a a b e t h Thorpe
The Rainbow Spoke To Me
Creative Writing Day Location: Carnegie Community Centre 401 Main Street (Main & Hastings) Date: Saturday, May 6,1989 Time: 11:OO am - 5:00 pm Workshops 12 noon - 1:00 pm Lunch 6:00 pm - 10:OO pm Dinner & Dance
All activities and meals are free.
I was reaching Sunshine, It was in the morning And I was in camp. The rugged mountains And the mysterious woods Made my senses keen, And the rainbow spoke to me. It spoke of love lost And innocence It spoke of the start of a new day, And a desperate clown Trying to find his shadow. TLn L L L L
Barbara Morrison at 685-2563 Sponu,red by
Ministry of-AdvancedEducation and lob Training Department of the Secretary of State Camegie Community Centre Association
If you-areinterested in attending please let Barbara know a.s.a.p.
L U L I ' U V W
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Pilgrim's Path Would we go into the fields and destroy the seeds? Would we cherish the mysterious contents of weeds? Guidance from spiritual instructions comes in many voices. So one small, still voice will be heard to make mundane choices. Filter the negative sounds that pass thru your ears. Filter them so they won't d r ~ w nout a billion years Of conscience, which is in tle instinct of all Humankind. That small, still voice of conscience is the true Master of the mind;
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A great conquest And a mighty nation And I felt lost in my own smallness; As the mystery of life unfolded on that camp!
For further information contact:
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Listen well to the thoughts that make your hqart soar; They are tools from a distant shore. Work with their reasons and Nature will give The secret of life and you'll know why you live. Garry Gust
Dorin
VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION WEEK Saying i t once more won't h u r t : Volunteers a r e t h e backbone of t h e Carnegie C e n t r e ! The exclamation mark i s always t h e r e , whethek i n print or just listening to staff t a l k when t h e y t h i n k no one e l s e i s around(!). The s t a f f people h e r e a r e o u r b e s t s u p p o r t e r s : t h e y put up w i t h more abuse t h a n anyone and s t i l l manage n o t t o l o s e i t . I n t h e l a s t few months, t h e r e have been a couple of 'stress works h o p s ' w i t h Diane MacKenzie a s lowkey l e a d e r , A t i b a & P e t e r & Donalda somehow s t a y p o s i t i v e but i t n e v e r f e e l s f o r c e d , l i k e t h e y have t o o r some such nonsense. During t h e week of A p r i l 15-22, t h e s e t h r e e people co-ordinated t h e many e v e n t s and l i t t l e ways t o l e t u s , a s v o l u n t e e r s , know t h a t we count i n a b i g way. Most of t h e s t a f f were doing e x t r a t h i n g s a l l week long - d e c o r a t i n g , p h o t o s , a great entertainer for the special d i n n e r and g i f t s f o r a l l v o l u n t e e r s . J u s t wanted t o s a y t h a n k you. PRT
DOWN TOWN EAST SIDE YOUTH ACTIVITIES SOCIETY "NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAM" Mike Haycock
Ingrid Hanson (604) 685-6561
221-A MAIN STREET, VANCOUVER, B.C. V6A 2S7
SPORTS PAGE The h e a t from t h e TV l i g h t s and t h e pandemonium from t h e t h r o n g s of s p e c t a t o r s t h a t crowded i n t o t h e Bowling Coliseum were n o t enough t o shake t h e c o n c e n t r a t i o n o f t h e Carn e g i e Volunteers. P i n s were f l y i n g a l l over t h e p l a c e a s t h i s s p o r t i n g group w e r e c e l e b r a t i n g Volunteer Rec o g n i t i o n Week a t t h e Carnegie Centre, w i t h a n a f t e r n o o n of fun and e x e r c i s e on Friday, 21 A p r i l . Veterans and r o o k i e s w e r e among t h o s e p a r t i c i p a t i n g . The e x p e r i e n c e of Robert Anderson, Richard Tyson, B e l l Mayer, and L a r r y Loyie became apparent a f t e r they scored s t r i k e a f t e r s t r i k e . Up from t h e minor letagues t o t h e Big Time f o r t h i s e v e n t were B i l l Wong, Delores Howard and P e t e r Sherztsbitcff. Givifis grrar e f f o r t and showing much promise were C e c i l Kazakoff, Norma Savage, Norman Mark, J a n i c e P a t c h e l l and P a t Landr e c h t . P a t Kendall d i d a marvelous job a t score-keeping. Everyone i s l o o k i n g forward t o t h e next o u t i n g (You a r e , a r e n ' t you?) even though t h e r e w e r e a few a c h e s & p a i n s t h e n e x t day. S e c r e t r e p o r t s from t h e p l a y e r s brought t h e s t a r t l i n g news t h a t t h e s t a f f people who went a l o n g were a l most human! They enjoyed b e i n g w i t h t h e Volunteers i n such a r e l a x e d way! The S p o r t s Desk
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here's l o t s happening i n and around t h e C e n t r e f o r S e n i o r s t h e s e days. Check t h e l i s t of a c t i v i t i e s below f o r something of i n t e r e s t : 6 May: SENIORS WELLNESS CELE. SAT., a t K e r r i s d a l e Com. C t r . - Wardance w i l l r e p r e s e n t Carnegie - s e e Donalda i f y o u ' r e i n t e r e s t e d - b u s f a r e provided TUE., 9 May: SENIORS SUPPORT GROUP - monthly meeting i n S e n i o r s Lounge SUN. 14 May : MOTHER' S DAY BREAKFAST - t o r Mothers of a l l a g e s I n l a t e May o r e a r l y June t h e r e w i l l be a samping t r i p t o S e c h e l t f o r S e n i o r s only. More d e t a i l s a r e coming n e x t i s s u e . FRI., 16 June: SENIOR'S STRUT - J o i n Carnegie S e n i o r s i n r a i s i n g funds f o r upcoming e v e n t s . Pledge s h e e t s a r e a v a i l a b l e i n t h e Sr. Lge.
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1 1 :30 a.m. -Assembly & Register Terry Fox Plaza
WED., 21 June: NEIGHBOURHOOD Sr.DAY - S e n i o r s groups throughout t h e neighbourhood have come t o g e t h e r t o o r g a n i z e a s p e c i a l day f o r S e n i o r s . The day i n c l u d e s a walk-about i h t h e area, v i s i t i n g different centres, r e c e i v i n g a snack and t o u r i n each l o c a t i o n and a p i c n i c a t Oppenheimer Park. See Danny Korica o r Donalda f o r more i n f o r m a t i o n . I n t h e middle and end of June t h e B.C. S e n i o r s Games w i l l begin w i t h l o c a l c o m p e t i t i o n s . This y e a r , Carn e g i e w i l l be h o s t i n g 2 e v e n t s : HORSESHOES and SNOOKER. A l l S e n i o r s 55 and ovgr, p r a c t i c e up! Horseshoes --.+ ...A 1 1 pft_~hl~(i_ 0 ~ 3 ~ n h ~ fPark m ~ r and Crab Park. Snooker, obviously, w i l l happen i n t h e Pool Room.
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A w a r m thank-you goes t o B i l l Trembley, who served as t h e S e n i o r s s e c r e t a r y f o r t h e p a s t while. Because o f g e t t i n g a job, B i l l has r e s i g n e d h i s p o s i t i o n b u t promises t o " s t i l l b e around." We wish him w e l l w i t h h i s new r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s , Nominations a r e now open and a n e l e c t i o n w i l l take place a t t h e next s e n i o r ' s Support Group meeting on May 9th.
KAREN rh
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12:OO Noon Strut to Robson Square 1 . To show Seniors helping Seniors 2. To express Seniors' energy & enthusiasm! 3. To build awareness of Seniors' activities 4. TO raise funds for-yourgroup projects 5. To take part in a major senior activity 6. To strengthen Seniors' network
( a poem d e d i c a t e d t o t h e former co-ordinator of ' S i s t e r i n g ' ) I f i t wasn't f o r you, 1 ' d have been s i x f e e t under You're a t r u e f r i e n d i n t h e t r u e s e n s e of t h e word. When,the p o l i c e f a l s e l y a r r e s t e d me, you were t h e r e e v e r y t i m e ; When people a s k me i f I have any female f r i e n d s , I always say y o u ' r e 'mine'. Brenda McLarty
Saturday, 13 May, 1989 Unitarian Church 949 W49th Ave., (Oak & 49th Avenue) Vancouver, B.C. PURPOSE: - to understand the plight of low income children in Vancouver - to develop recommendations to all levels of govt. & social agencies. SOME FACTS ABOUT CHILD POVERTY: over 80,000 B.C. children dGend on welfare rates that are at one half the poverty line; - there are approximately 8,000 children living on welfare in Van.; - 1 in 5 Canadian children lives in poverty ; - most people who are poor are also working; - more children die of the effects of poverty than cancer in Canada. We believe: - poverty is not the fault of children of the poor; - all children deserve equal life chances; - poverty is the responsibility of every level of government; - our society has the resources to end child poverty.
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REGISTRATION: ------------
$10 i f ynv caz e f f n r d
ir, nothing if you can't Students free. Childcare/busfare Call 1321-1202 by May 5th to reserve.
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Sponsored by End Legislated Poverty. To A Woman Faerie Queen Where you've been Dancing high Trying to die Love is funny When being sunny.
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And now w e c i r c l e each o t h e r , you with your p i n c e r s extended, d i s c o v e r i n g t h a t , a c t u a l l y , I ' m Capricornian: o b s t i n a t e goat f i n d i n g t o e h o l d s on a i r ever t h e a r t f u l dodger. Ah, but you consume l i k e a c h u r l i s h new flame with your b l a c k moods blowing h o t , blowing c o l d , t h e l o v e and t h e h a t r e d you i n s p i r e ! But, though anxious f o r new e x p e r i e n c e , I ' v e never considered b e a s t i a l i t y . ';Adso, p i t y f o r you - f o r your malignant g r i n you chose t o e n t e r my b r a i n , and t h e l a n d s c a p e of my b r a i n i s a l s o t h e u n i v e r s e of my mind: i n f i n i t e , and s i n g u l a r .
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How s l y l y you a r r i v e d , d a r k s t r a n g e r , how unannounced - f i r s t t a k i n g up l o d g i n g i n s i d e my b r a i n and then p r e s e n t i n g your c a l l i n g c a r d . Oh, Crabman, the long y e a r s s p e n t t r a c k i n g me down! I must have been s o d i f f i c u l t t o i f n d , s o e l u s i ~ r e ! England, Canada, London, Vancouver shop a s s i s t a n t , t y p i s t , c h i e f cook and b o t t l e - w a s h e r how I must have t r i e d your p a t i e n c e how many times d i d you f e e l l i k e g i v i n g up, f e e l l i k e going a f t e r someone l e s s of a chameleon!? But t h e n , i n a c a r e l e s s moment over t h e d i s h e s maybe, o r watching t e e v e e , o r maybe p i c k i n g my t e e t h , my door d r i f t e d open, and wham - your l e g t h r u s t forward, and you were i n !
On Being Informed of t h e P r o b a b i l i t y of A Tumour i n t h e B r a i n
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mike kramer
you halre a problem w i t h t h e way i l i v e a t peace w i t h f r i e n d s who of iier l o v e and hope and freedom t o f o r g i v e t h e ones l i k e you and your v u l t u r i n g crew f o r whom my e x i s t e n c e remains such a problem
you have a problem w i t h t h e way i a c t ' c a u s e you d o n ' t and what ' s my game you wonder money? power? a i n ' t no s a i n t s ' cep t maybe you w i t h your one g r e a t problem t h a t w m ' t go away t h a t w s n ' t b r e a k down won't burn o u t f o r you you c a n ' t e x t i n g u i s h m e
you have a problem w i t h t h e way i t a l k t h e way i r i t e t h e way i rong s u s p i c i s u s of t h e way i t h i n k my b r e a t h i n g i s a problem f o r you you have: a problem w i t h t h e way i d r e s s though jrou won' t go naked w i t h me vou have a problem w i t h t h e way i t r y t h e way i h e l p t h e way i f i g h t t h e wa>. i push back when i ' m shoved
Final Solution
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Besides, a s a teenager, I was known a s a t e a s e and a Bad G i r l : when you p r e s s u r e me, I s p l i t t o my p r i v a t e horizons, laughing. And though your t e n t a c l e s s p r e a d , and you crawl and crawl through my v e i n s , s e a r c h i n g , t h e t u n n e l s of g l o v e go on f o r e v e r and I can h i d e where you cannot :iind me: ever t h e i r r i t a t i n g , t h e one who won't be pinned down,, saying one t h i n g , meaning a n o t h e r , a g r e e i n g j u s t f o r t h e sake of peace, then o f f a g a i n , t h e bad-mannered one g e t t i n g on your goat And I ' d never, e v e r , g i v e you t h e s a t i s f a c t i o n of s e e i n g me c r y But, then again, I ' m Mary Contrary: one day you might c a l l , and I might j u s t choose t o answer, f o r t h e g i f t you c a r r y between yoar claws i s a f a s c i n a t i o n : t h a t b e a u t i f u l dark s l e e p i s a temptation and a l s o my right: I never s a i d I envied Methusaleh and you never asked i f I wanted t o come, j u s t took i t f o r granted I w o u l d n ' t , So one day, and such machismo annoys m e when you have almost given up, when you're t h i n k i n g maybe you've b i t t e n o f f more than you can chew. you w i l l c a l l one l a s t time, and I s h a l l answer i n t h e a f f i r m a t i v e , and y o u ' l l be shocked t o d e a t h oh my f r i e n d my enemy and my l o v e r . J a n c i s :Y. Andrews
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no l o n g e r walking i n darkness and f e a r of tomorrow, doing t h e b e s t t h a t I can, j u s t f o r today. When weakness cpmes and t e m p t a t i o n i s n e a r I ' l l t h i n k of my heavenly F a t h e r and a s k him t o h e a r , my p r a y e r f o r H i s s t r e n g t h and my need f o r H i s c a r e , t o have h e l p f o r today and hope f o r my tomorrow. It w a s my c h o i c e , I ' v e answered H i s c a l l , people f o r g i v e some, b u t God f o r g i v e s a l l . I can become a person - a woman a g a i n j o y f u l and f r e e , p e a c e f u l and s t r o n g , because today I changed a n o l d h a b i t and chose God o v e r t h e ways of t h e jungle. - Lorraine
BUDGET : "Members of the Pro-Canada Network's coalitions across the country are deeply offended by many aspects of this budget, but perhaps the most obvious is the total denial of responsibility for the unemployed by the government. A budget that cuts the UI program and, at the same time hrecasts greater unemployment, can only be called reprehensible. Combined with the 9% Sales Tax, the vicious attack on the universality of family allowances and pensions, and the cuts in transfer payments to the provinces; the whole package adds up to a terrible burden on middle and low-income Canadians." The federal budget calls for a "claw-back" of Family Allowance and Old Age Pension payments made to individuals with incomes over fifty thousand dollars. While a small minority would be affected immediately, this incursion could, and likely will, be broadened to rob mapy people on set incomes as well. Tax changes directed at large corporations and upper-income Canadians are window dressing. The former will be assessed at $2 million per $1 billion in assets, yet its precisely these large multi-nationals which get the most breaks and ways to avoid paying their fair share. Similarly, the richest Canadians seldom if ever pay any taxes at all. Wilson's theft of needed money from credit, transportation and orderly-marketing programs that keep farmers alive is a definite nod to the free trade deal. Once again, we see the Mulroney government's determination to make concessions ;to the Americans before they're even asked for."
Our Fearless Leader (well, someone's fearless something) the Zalm said that Mulroney didn't go far enough. In Victoria, Zalm made the radio cringe as he cited a 25% reduction in the civil service as the required step, not just raising tax. No reply came when Harcourt asked if the cuts should be made in the groups set up to watch-dog politicians and their dealings with polluters, corporate pirates and the like. DEVELOPMENTS: ."Dazzle 'em with dollars, Baffle 'em with bullshit."
-.mree very
large, very important areas surrounding Downtown Vancouver are about to be virtually swept clear of existing Jevelopment and rebuilt. They are: - Coal Harbour waterfront, - False Creek north side, - Downtown South. What the developers and governments have done is to finalize their plans according to an agenda that looks towards housing hundreds of thousands of newcomers. What they haven' t What the developeGs and governments have done is finalize their plans according to an agenda that looks towards housing hundreds of thousands of newcomers. What they haven't done is any comprehensive, honest report on how these megaprojects will affect the people already living on or near these sites. Positive media, appearing rarely, cites the massiveness and overwhelming commitment to sweeping change that each devblopment entails. But little is ever said or even hinted at to answer the question: "What about the people; what about the neighbourhoods, the communities, the life already living there?"
Again, what is happening is part of a well-thought plan to stifle any intelligent alternatives. The public meetings are occurring at a withering pace; each small aspect - density, soil, pollution, impact, views, garbage, prices, types of housing,$and so on ...and behind the scenes the real plan just continues to unfold. At the D.E.R.A. general membership meeting on Friday, Jeff Sommers made a motion that a special committee be struck to mandate its members to Icxn all possible data, to share with other action groups and to follow all the meetings and decisions made. This committee is crucial: many of the residents can go to every meeting but unless you have previous knowledge of what the meeting could produce, you have no idea of when to speak of what kind of thing to fight for if you're not part of a network.
Tough Questions To Ask
MEGAPROJE Thcsc big, complex projecls will complctcly.changc ~ h carcis surrounding downtown. But you don't nccd to bc an cnginccr, architect or planncr to ask ~ h cimpormnt qucs~ions ;tbout them. You can judgc these mcgaprojcc~sby making up your mind ahoul their livabilig. This won't comc simply from looking at clcganl drawings and models. You have to dig tlccpcr. This pamphlet conlains qucstions to ask about how thcsc mcgaprojects will affect the futurc livability o l ccnual Vancocwr. Public opinion and commcnt is important to inllucncc whal that futurc should and will bc. Thc ncxt fcw months of public commcnl on lhcsc mcgaprojccls llre cri~icallyimportant to cnsurc that what is built is
truly "In thc p~thlicinlcrcsl".
A Layman's Guide to Planning Jargon In reports and a t public meetings planners and designers will use jargon terms when describing their plans and proposals. Here a r e translations of what they a r e talking about. UPA: Units per Acre o r DUIA: Dwelling units per Acre. The average number of dwelling units to be built on each acre of land. UniWCross Acre means the total parcel is used when calculating the UPA, including land that will be used for roads. sidewalks. etc. UnitdNet Acre means only the kgal lot which the shucture will sit on is used in the calculation FSR: Floor Space Ratio o r FAR: Floor Area Ratio. The ratio between the total floor area of a building and the tmai iana area o i rile wuvr;iiy ii i+8: bc >&!:on. The 7cning bylaw seu the maximum FSR permitted in each zone. Cross FSR means all floor space is used in the FSR calculation including apartment hallways, storage areas, etc. Net FSR us+only the floor space wilhin the dwellings. Acres 11000: ' h e number of acres of park serving each 1000 residents in L e community. PPA: Persons per acre. The average number of persons living on each acre of land in the project. Usually used to measure crowding in a neighbourhood. POS: Public Open Space. Land and facilities not in private ownership and open to use by the public. Amenity area: Space on a privately owned site, but outside the dwelling unit. intended for use of the residents. ParkingRlnit: The number of parking stalls or spaces to be provided for each dwelling unit built. In more densely built up areas the developer may have to provide more than one on-site parking space per dwelling. Height Limits and Property Line Set-backs: limits put on buildings to prevent overshadowing neighbours. to control the mass of buildings and ensure openess bctween buildings. Envelopes are used to limit building size and bulk -Ask the City planners about this one! Markel housing: housing built by the private scctor for sak at market pices. Social housing: Non-market housing, including nonprofit nntal housing. co-op built housing and group homes. Core-needy households: households on a fixed income spending more than one-Lird of their total household income on shelter. Family housing: dwellings thal have two or more bedrooms. Community xhool: includes facilities designed for communiry use, such as agym. meeting rooms, e t c
THE BASICS: WHAT IS BEING BUILT?
FOR WHOM? BY WHOM? You won't know what the project is about until you ask: 1. How much and what kinds of res~denual,retail and office s ~ c ~ e rp planned? At what densities? Does the project layout
help these Ollterent rano uses to "iive wcii" spccial features of the project?
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2. Who will live there? What will be the mix of ages? incomes? families with children? Any public-supported housing included?
3. Will children, seniors and the handicapped be specifically designed for -common rooms. playgrounds, seating areas, daycare, exercise rooms? 4. What are the main roads and transit routes in the area?
5. What public places and spaces are preserved and created? How docs the public get to them? Is parking a problem? 6. Who are the owners of the projcct? The developers? The architects? What else have they built?
COMMUNITY NEEDS WITHIN THE MEGAPROJECT Imagine yoursell a s a future resident asking what it will be like to live in the development. Questions: I . What are b e high-priority community needs in these areas?
2. How convenient will community facilities and scrviccs be for the residen~s -schools? local shops? comn~unitycentre? day care? How handy is uansit service? Does the plan meet the necds of the elderly? the handicapped? 3. How do the proposed neighbourhoods compare with existing Vancouver communities as far as uaffic, noise and privacy arc concerned? How much private opcn space will bc available for residents? 4. Wdl parking bc sufficient for residents, for workers, and for
the publia -especially during maxlmum-use hours of the day? .\re b e parking facilities safe? 5.Will shadowing and "wind-tunnel" effects around tall buildlngs create cold and dreary places? How much sun access wtll there bc around the housing during winlcr?
DEMANDS PLACED ON CITY AND REGIONAL SERVICES When a central area redevelops its resident o r worker population increases. Inevitably, more public services a r e needed. At the same time, large scale rebuilding can be a n opportunity to improve government facilities. I Questions 1. What changes to existing underground services are required to serve the project -sewer, water. hydro? What new community services -schools, libraries? Who pays?
2. Are major uaffic streels affected? Does the project plan recognize City plans to improve the main road system and transit service? Will traffic be able to move through the area to get to Downtown. Stanley Park, the North Shore? 3. 1s a major park or civic building site needed close to downtown that could go in the project area?
PUBLIC ACCESS It will be important t o be able to walk and drive through these megaprojects. They lie close to the downtown core and, around Coal Harbour a n d False Creek in particular, there a r e places a n d viewpoints overlooking water and the north shore important t o Vancouver. Questions 1. What special features in the project area will attract people from ouuide the area- unique views? shoreline? special recreation or culwral facilities? heritage buildings? 2. Are these features respected by the new developments? Will they be improved? Will there be public parking? bus service ncarby?
4. Will it block important views or cast long shadows on i u neighboun? Will the proposed building heights fit in with h surrounding areas? Will the archiwtlual style fit in? What will it be like to walk past the project? 5. Do the project's plans fit in with plans for downtown? for adjoining neighbourhoods? Will they create distinctive. auractive public places. in the way that Sinclair Centre. Granville Island. the Planetarium and Robson Square do?
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6. Will conslruclion of Ihe project disrupt surrounding areas? How long will it take to build? , MORE QUESTIONS OVER
THESE VANCOUVER NEIGHBOURHOODS HAVE DIFFERENT LIVABlLlTY CONDlTlONS Dunbar, Renrrew Kiuilano Fairview False Creek South Side West End
DENSITIES, ETC. PROPOSED FOR THE THREE MEGAPROJECT AREAS Pacific Place Coal Harbour Downtown South
3. What routes will residents and visitors use to walk or bicycle through the area?
IMPACT ON SURROUNDING DISTRICTS: COMPATIBLE? DISRUPTIVE? SUPPORTIVE? fl 1 !zrno -ran -. -- ntlc.c*r the
D e d P : d ~r-.---nmon*
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future of it9 surroundings.
1. Will the project add to the larger community's livability? Will it provide needed facililies and open spaces? Generate customcrs for existing bu~inesses? 2. Will it draw business away from existing ones? What businesses will disappear? What low-cost housing will diappwr? 3.How will the project affect traffic and piuking in surrounding districts?
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30 ft.
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3.6 4.5 5.0
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Forum for
Planning Action Box 4414. Main PO Vancouver BC V6B 328 FPA is a registered. non-profit, public interest group. It promotes the idea that planning for a future of livable communities and sustained resource management is vital for the economic and social well-being of BC. .%**A---
L-UAbUA.
T - J "--L,-J4L I CU l \ P 3 1 L I L l e l
(263-9997): Secretary: Andrew Pau (327-7050). Address letters of comment and priase to the editor; complaints to the Secretary. FPA goals:
We promote and support *Use of BC's human. economic and natural resources to benefit residents today and tomorrow: aEconomic achievment with equity: *Cilizcn involvement in Important decisions: *The social and economic diverslty of BC's communitles and regions.
LIMITS T O THE DENSITY O F DEVELOPMENT Technically the sky's the limit on how high o r how big you can build safely, and in recent years development pressures have signifiantly increased the permitted densities of highrise apartment blocks and office towers. (Do you like what has been built?) Deciding what is an acceptable density depends on judgements about -what densities will make the project profitable for the developer -what densities for home and workplace wl!! hc livahlc
Questions do the building and densities proposed existing neighburhoods such as the West End, Fairview slopcs, Kerrisdale apartment area? 2. Are the residential densities proposed suitable for the kinds of . people - living there single people, the elderly, families with chil-
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r(mn?
-what buildings will respect the surrounding development.
areas feel like home? Safe? Quiet? Private? Sunny?.
3. will the
PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION: NATURE AND HERITAGE BUILDINGS Ouestions 1. What heritage features, both man-made (buildings and open spaces) and natural (the shoreline and green places) exist in the area? Are they to be preserved in their prcsent form? will they be kept as prominent publicaccessible fcaturcs of the arm?
2. Are there cnvironmenlal thrmts, existing or potential? Will any wildlife habitats be restored -for example False Creek?
3. Are systems for garbage collection and recycling adequate for the density of use proposed?
LEARNING FROM EXPERIENCE: STAGING DEVELOPMENT Megaprojects take years to complete, and will likely he built in several stages, for who can be certain what will be needed 5 o r 10 years from now? Staging lets you learn from experience p i n e d during the early phases lo improve the later ph:~ses. Ewly municipal commitments and approvals d later stages should ensure that later revisions a r e ptssible, legally and financially, otherwise opportunities l o meet future community needs will be Itst. Questions 1 . Is slaging of dcvclopmcnt part of thc pro-
Membership: Individual $20 Family $30 Student/Senior $10 Non-Profit Group $50 Corporale/Professlonal Organlzatlon $?00
Vancouverites will have to live with these projects, and many will live and work in them, so their opinions about what a r e acceptable densities a r e important.
ject plan? What is the timing of wch swgc? Can the project plan be changed to mcct future land use, community and housing n ~ & ?
2. What legal approval for the later slagcs is the devclopcr asking for now? Can municipal approval and rcquiremcnts hc rcvicwcd and modified at a later date?
3. What will be built and what will not bc built in the carly swgcs? In particul;~. will community facililics and public open spaces bc built at thc same timc as the housing thcy will scrvc?
Membership in FPA brings you Ncwslctlcrs Workshops Conferences c feeling. Please join us. Name
I enclose S
... and a warm Posul Cotlc
Scntl to I:PA ;II ~ h atltlrcss c nl top of h i s page.
Editor: People don't mind development - as , a politician that has been reinforced to me by many constituents in recent weeks. But people are concerned about the rate of that,development and how their own neighbourhoods could be threatened. A January issue of Hong Kong's South China Morning Post newspaper notes that investors in Hong Kong don't understand "Canadian sensitivities" and that Canadians don't understand how business is conducted in Hong Eong: '1 In Vancouver, rich individuals & companies don't necessarily have the status and power they command in Hong Kong. Business and what's expected of businessmen is quite a bit different. In keeping with the Canadian character, Vancouver treasures matters of social policy - ideas like concern for the environment, quality of life, affordable housing, or whether or not someone gets his view of the mountains blocked by another devThe things Vancouverelopment ites get excited about, people here (in Hong Kong) just don't understand .'I -we - can'r siam a door on investment - be it European, Pacific Rim or American. What we have to do is ensure that the investment or development is sustainable - that it doesn't negatively affect existing residents and communities. The Downtown Eastside could be seriously affected by the impact of the Expo Lands redevelopment, the proposed recycling plant, the Coal Harbour lands and the Downtown South rezoning. Unfortunately, that concept of sustainable development seems to be missing from what many elected politicians are saying these days. Darren Lowe
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Director goes astray...... In case anyone might notice, the large woman with grey hair (styled like a Borneo, says Katherine) will be missing May 4th to 12th. She's off to London, Ontario to attend l~erhigh school reunion and, for sure, she'll be telling tales of Hastings and Main to folks back east . Take care of yourselves. I'll see you when I get back. ~ffectionatel~, Diane
Murder a t t h e Ford cop c a r s and canermen Four c a r s on H a s t i n g s , t h r e e on Main Five o r s i x s h o r t - s l e e v e d portacams Soaking up r a y s , p o i n t i n g a t t h e Ford All r e s i d e n t s b a r r e d from t h e i r own Social-Housing apartments. Nothing t o do b u t w a i t Nobody goes i n ti1 t h e body comes o u t " ~ h e y ' r ew a i t i n g f o r r i g o r m o r t i s ; I t ' s e a s i e r t o c a r r y , " m u t t e r s Go(r)d From t h e s t e p s o f t h e Carnegie G r a n t ' s okay, I o b s e r v e w i t h r e l i e f Surveying t o d a y ' s s u r v i v o r s B u i w h e r e i'ne ' n e i i ' s Tuam; where's J o e Where's ? The cameramen s m i l e i n f r a t e r n a l huddle; Waiting Tor a body, newsworthy i n d e a t h Among l i v i n g d i s p o s a b l e s ( y o u & m e , f o l k s ) Which of my f r i e n d s was murdered today? Which p o e t w i l l m i s s t h e next meeting?
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I check back a t t h e Learning Front Lunch t i m e ' s o v e r b u t my s t u d e n t ' s l a t e So I ' m w r i t i n g t h e s e l i n e s What e l s e can you do? And t h e s c a r y p a r t i s knowing That tomorrow i s Mardi Gras.
mike kramer
Number One School Teacher
The snow was deep, t h e wind was c o l d And s h e must walk a m i l e , But h e r d e d i c a t i o n t o t h e c h i l d r e n Made t h e s t r u g g l e s e e m worthwhile. The boy who l i t t h e morning f i r e Was n e v e r q u i t e on time, So t h e s c h o o l was much t o o c o l d To b e g i n t o t e a c h a t n i n e . She had t o s t a y a t lunchtime To see t h e r e was no f i g h t , And when t h e t e a c h i n g day was done She w a s last t o l e a v e a t n i g h t .
Like t h o s e who took t h e homesteads And worked s o h a r d f o r y e a r s , They who t a u g h t t h e one-room s c h o o l Were a l s o p i o n e e r s .
The i n s p e c t o r always came around When s c h o o l was a l l u p s e t , And asked t h e c h i l d r e n q u e s t i o n s They had n o t s t u d i e d y e t .
The one-room s c h o o l was q u i t e unique I n having a l l t h e g r a d e s , Teacher always d i d h e r b e s t Without o u r modern t e a c h i n g a i d s .
When someone r e a l l y made i t b i g Her h e a r t was f i l l e d w i t h p r i d e , It r e a l l y d i d a world of good 90 have h e r work s o j u s t i f i e d .
With g r a d e s t h a t went from one t o t e n Teacher s u r e l y e a r n e d h e r pay, She a l s o had t o be t h e i r n u r s e And c o n t r o l them i n t h e i r p l a y .
Now h e r memories a r e a l l happy, She f o r g e t s t h e t o i l and p a i n And s a y s about h e r l i f e l o n g work "I would do i t a l l a g a i n . "
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submitted by I r e n e Schmidt
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CHERRIES JUBILEE FOR TWO
MUSlL
Sometimes I stay awake until The wee hours of the morning With nothing but you on my mind Yes girl, I know that now, You belong to another But once upon a time You were mine A time when we went walking Hand in hand And the sun was always shining Up above When people saw us walking Side by side They knew right away We were in love
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THEORY
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BE HELP ON THE FOLLOWING. PAY5 AND TIMES:
Sometimes I start to thinking And it's just like yesterday The mountains, The streams, And you That little restaurant Our secret hide-away And Cherries Jubilee for Two Yes girl, I know that now You belong to another And to that man you've promised To be true
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R11t th2t:
xsiil i
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me t h i n k i n g
Back to yesterday And all the good times That I shared with you Yes, those days will live forever In my memories and my dreams The mountains, The streams, And you And that special treat I'll always keep Just for me and you Cherries Jubilee for Two Walter Ormerod
Someone left me long ago I could not bear to have it so I had to deal with all my foes Yet here I am and so it goes Sometimes I get to feeling low I have to deal with all my woes I feel caught in life's undertows It's a very hard row to hoe And yet There are times I feel I've grown I hit the curveballs life has thrown With skillful running made it home And though I sometimes feel alone I'll gather all the love I've sown. Elizabeth Thorpe
EAGLE FEATHER A.A.
ROUND-UP
The f i r s t A.A. Round-Up i n Carneg i e was h e l d on A p r i l 9. It s t a r t e d a t 10:30 w i t h a Smudge and P i p e Ceremony. Kathie from Al-A-Non gave a most i n t e r e s t i n g message about growing up i n an a l c o h o l i c home and how we can l e a r n t o understand problem d r i n k e r s i n s t e a d of r e s e n t i n g them. "We have t o change o u r a t t i t u d e s i n s t e a d of being u p s e t o v e r t h e ( a l c o h o l i c ' s ) behaviour ," s h e s a i d . From 12:30 t o 1:30 v a r i o u s speake r s were c a i i e d up and many i n i e r e s i i n g messages o c c u r r e d touching on t h e t o p i c of t h e Round-Up: "willingn e s s To Cfiange". 'comments made - ' a s l i p means s o b r i e t y has l o s t its priority'; - ' i t t a k e s t h e same amount of energy t o be a winner as i t does t o be a loser'; - ' t h e a l c o h o l i c i s a f r a i d of l i v ing sober'; - ' t h e p a i n of d r i n k i n g seems b e t t e r than s t a y i n g s o b e r b u t one has a much h i g h e r moral s t a n d a r d when f r e e of the drink' ; - ' a l c o h o l i s a major f a c t o r i n most criminal offences'. The Native Drum Group Free S p i r i t e n t e r t a i n e d from 2:OO-3:00 and t h e main A.A. s p e a k e r , Archie, gave an e x c e l l e n t message. 5 : 0 0 t o 5:30 saw t h e countdown & c l o s i n g ceremonies followed by a r o a s t beef d i n n e r and a l l t h e trimmins. The Fabulous Fabs played f o r t h e dance a I t e r d i n n e r and t h e e n t i r e day could be s e e n a s a g r e a t l e a r n i n g e x p e r i e n c e . w e l l 1 be a l o t b e t t e r organized next year!
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By IRENE SCHMIDT
The F.O.W.(People on Welfare) Tues. meetings a r e u s u a l l y s e r i o u s , b u t & r e c e n t one w a s a scene of laught e r and comedy. Someone complained about why hot e l s a r e allowed t o have cockroac h e s , e t c . The q u e s t i o n was ' t o whom do you complain?' It was s u g g e s t e d t h a t everyone f i n d a s t r o n g , h e a l t h y cockraoch & on June 1st have a Cockroach Race w i t h a p r i z e f o r t h e winner. RULES: No s t e r i o d s , speed o r d r u g s t o be g i v e n t o t h e c o n t e s t a n t s ; - I d e n t i f i c a t i o n v i a a ribbon o r a
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--2-& P Q I L L L .
W e were going t o a s k Diane, Carn e g i e ' s d i r e c t o r , t o supply a p r i z e and b e t h e judge, b u t a problem a r o s e : No one wants t o h o s t us! The i d e a remains under d i s c u s s i o n . B a s i c s : Raise Welfare r a t e s and t h e minimum wage; no U I C cutbacks. By SHEILA BAXTER
A l l Of It! Did anyone d i e today? d i d anyone c r y o u t loud? Did anyone f a d e away? When t h e y stopped b e i n g proud? Why was i t I used t o t h i n k t h a t F a l l w a s ever so cold I t h i n k t h a t I ' m t o o young t o be f e e l i n g q u i t e t h i s o l d .
I remember when i t was t h a t I used t o s t r i k e t h e w a l l b u t , now I h i t i t t h r e e t i m e s before I f e e l i t a t a l l . And i f I had i t a l l , t o do over a g a i n ; I wouldn' t
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Starwind
DONATIONS:
Yanum Spath-$10
George B.-$15 R i c h P.-$41 Robert S.-$20 J a n c i s A.-$20 L o u i s P.-$20 Tom - $4.02 klarg. S.-$10 L.B.T.-$100 (:ICY 111fo s t o f â‚Ź can't accept Ted B.-$5 S h e i l a B.-$2 d w o t lone f o r iI11n N e u e l e t t e r , en 90ug -$25 Bea F.-$25 If you cntl Itclp, f 1 1 d Paul T n y l u r L i l l i a n H.-$20 LTames M.-$50 rlnd I ~ e ' l l ~ l v cyou n r e c e l p t . I.MacLeod - $ l o 0 K e l l y -$3 Anonymous - $ l l . 2 3
Wed
Cover A r t by G a r r y G u s t
*y&T&&y&j k ' -
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NEED HELP ? DERA can help you with:
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D E R A is l o c a t e d at 9 E a s t H a s t i n g s o r p h o n e 682-0931. D E R A H A S BEEN S E R V I N G THE D O W W T O N N E A S T S I D E FOR 1 5 YEARS
I I
MEMORANDUM TO ALL RANKS WEST VANCOUVER POLICE DEPARTMENT In the beginning was the plan and then came the assumptions and the assumptions were without form and the plan was compl&tely without substance and darkness was upon the faces of the CONSTABLES. And they spake unto their CORPORALS, SAYING: "It is a crock of shit, and it stinketh." And the CORPORALS went unto their SERGEANTS, SAYING: "It is a pile of dung, and none may abide the odour." And the SERGEANTS went unto their STAFF SERGEANTS and sayeth unto them: I1 It is a conLainer of excrement, and it is very strong, such that none here may abide by it." And the STAFF SERGEANTS went unto their INSPECTORiand sayeth unto him: "It is a vessel of fertilizer and none may abide by its strength." And the INSPECTOR went unto his SUPERINTENDENT, saying: "It contains that which aids plant growth, and it is very strong." And the SUPERINTENDENT went unto the DEPUTY CHIEF and sayeth unto him: "It promoteth growth, and it is very powerful." And the DEPUTY CHIEF went unto the CHEF, saying: "This powerful new plan will actively promote the growth and efficiency of the department, and of this area in particular.: And the CHIEF looked upon the plan and saw that it was good. AND THE PLAN BECAME POLICY.