May 1, 2005, carnegie newsletter

MAY 1,2005

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION THE POWER OF ONE THE STRENGTH OF COMMUNITY

As this is our 25th Anniversary for the Volunteer Program there arc six volunteers who have been here since the beginning of time . This is greatly heroic, and I am thrilled to be a part of their public recognition. The following arc the folks who were recognized for long-time continuous volunteer service: Andy Huclack, Bonnie Stevens, Egor Marov, Bharbara Gudmundson, Norman Mark , Sam Snobclen.

Sincerely! To all volunteers, and especially to those named this year: Stay strong. Stay here with us as long as you want or need to. Stay loving Colleen

rs. THE MOUTH is an area of flesh of great potential for destruction and encouragement, positive/negati ve, to lift up or and tear down. The little tongue inside The Mouth is a small part of the body but it can make great boasts.

Consider that a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue can also be a fire, a world of harm among the parts of the body. It can corrupt the whole person setting the whole course of his life on fire .

Please join me in being more aware of how we usc our little mouth and tongue, using words to build each other up rather than tear down. Let's work together on making the whole building a 'Gossip Free Zone'.

Volunteer OCThe Month (April) Bill Clark, Kitchen Volunteer Tui Hill, Cashier

Volunteer Program Committee Meeting Wednesday, May lIth, 2005 Classroom 2, 3rd Floor @ 2:001)m All Volunteers welcome to voice your ideas and concerns, or just sit, listen and learn.

Volunteer Training: May

Personal Protection Skills Workshop: Participants will learn the skills needed to avoid becoming a target of crime on the street and how to physically defend themselves in the event of an unavoidable attack. This workshop involves hands-on training; participants can, however, observe rather than physically participate if they wish . I (Colleen) needs to know how many people arc interested in attending this workshop before I can set up a date and room. Please put your name on the sign up sheet in the Volunteer Program Office .

VOLlA.NT55R. AP'PR.5CrA T r0 N

Tt-t5 POW5R. OF ON5 Tt-t5 STR5NC1Tt-t OF COMMlA.NrTf Message from Miss Carnegie Volunteer of the Year, Bonnie Stevens What it means to be Volunteer of the Year! It is an honour to be recognized by my fellow volunteers.

Everyone of the volunteers is a team player. This Community Centre will not operate without these special people. I'm just glad to be a part of the team .

Keep up all your best of work. Thanks for your support.

All my Relations. Bonnie E. Stevens.

Last week was International Volunteer Recognition Week all across the land. But of course, I am prejudiced: I think our Carnegie volunteers are the best of all. All week we had events, dinners, entertainment and awards for the express purpose of showing our appreciation and gratitude to the positive effects you have on the community.

When you are volunteering at Carnegie, you are not just serving Carnegie but the DTES community in general. I know what a lot of you do is hard work that may even get tedious at times, making you wonder if' it's even worth it'? I want to remind you that every single person who walks in our doors is benefited in one way or another by what you do .

Different people were recognized last week , but I want to recognize each one of you for the special gift you bring to the community.

This year's Volunteer Of The Year is our very own Bonnie Stevens who is also one of our long-term volunteer recognition recipients. Bonnie has given of herself in many areas and in even more ways over the past 25 years. For all who know her, you cannot help but love her unique laugh and impish smile.

TIle four special merit award recipients for outstanding service are Diane Wood, Darcy Rice, Bill Mucikowsky, Ross Drybrough. I join the multitudes in thanking you for significantly being willing to give of yourselves in the myriad of ways you do .

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Volunteer Dinner Wednesday, May 18th, 4:30pm sharp! (Theatre) "This is a dinner for all Volunteers with a minimum of 16 hours service for the month of May _ this dinner is one way we show our appreciation to all of you for all that you do for the community.

Big congratulations to the winners of the April 17th Pool Room Tournament (9-8all, 2 our of 3, single elimination): 151 Prize Denis Marsan, 2nd AI Wilby, 3rd Troy Hecocks. Thanks goes to Bill Piggott who did an excellent job of running the tournament

~with our Karaoke Star, Darrell

Friday, May 13th, 2005 7pm - 10pm in the Carnegie Theatre We are building up a library of songs to suit everybody's musical needs and desires. If you have a particular favourite that we do not carry, please let Colleen or Darrell know, and we will see if we can add it to our list. Talk to us for customized assistance in choosing the right Karaoke song for your particular voice range .

Refreshments served to wet your whistle or pipes!

Carnegie's Pool Challenges Continue . The Carnegie Ball Breakers vs the Homenchuks This friendly rivalry is ongoing . The BB's are Reg Mallot, Rick Pelletier, Mark Danback, Bill Piggott, AI W, Steve A and Jeff. The Homenchuks include .John, Fred, Albert, Len, Elmer, Howard and niece Mary-Ellen .

The last challenge had the Ball Breakers better in snooker but getting creamed in 9-Ball .

The Homenchuks are a pool-playing family , including their Dad. Len was BC Amateur Champ in ' 71 & '76 and the Western Canadian Amateur Champ in ' 74. Len was also one of six players representing Canada for a snooker tour of Great Britain. Canada won in 4 out of 5 countries . With a perfect snooker score being 147, Len's best game of 139 is incredible.

Mary-Ellen, Elmer 's daughter, placed 3 rd in the Ladies Canadian Snooker Championship in ' 79, ' 80 & ' 81. In '97 & '98 she placed 1st, 2nd & 3 rd (multiple events) in the Dufferin 9-Ball Tour . In 2001 Mary-Ellen placed 9 th (out of 561 entries) in the North American Women's 8-Ball Championship.

Both Len and Mary-Ellen will be competing for the Canadian Championship in Montreal - June 24-26 , 2005 - Len in snooker and Mary-Ellen in 9-Ball .

!iJ,J ..Jtk and ff~ - with our Grand Meister Cody

Friday, May 6th, 2005 7pm-IOpm in the Carnegie Theatre Get down and get funky to Cody's blend of tunes EVERYONE WELCOME ESPEClALLY YOU! Refreshments served to the thirsty

Cultus Lake Summer Camping Trip

JUNE 13th -1 t h , 2005

Planning Meetings: Wednesday May 3 and is", 11am in the Theatre. Hospitalization, medical appointments or volunteers shifts are the only reason that will get you out of the attendance requirement but you must tell Marlene or Colleen in advance.

This trip is for Volunteers and Seniors who contribute to the Centre throughout the year. rd

5 How to create a postcard for peace : Using 4x6 card stock, draw, paint, or attach a photograph. On the left half of the back of your card, write your brief, personal message of peace . Please avoid religious language or symbols out of respect for the diversity of beliefs . Leave the right half of the back blank to provide space for the translation of your message. Please sign your first name only. Put the postcard in an envelope and mail to: Postcards for Peace P.O. Box 30098, Park Mall Postal 2 Quebec St., Guelph, ON NIH 8J5 Deadline for entries : MAY 3 I,2005 Contact us: postcardsforpeace@svrnpatico.ca Or visit oUT website at: www.vowpeace.org

POSTCARDS FOR PEACE The Voice of Women in Guelph , Ontario, is organizing a project called Postcards For Peace . They are asking Canadian Women to create their own postcards with messages of peace to send to Iraqi women As the call for postcards is spreading, women from Brazil are expressing their interest in participating.

Wow, it could tum into a huge international women's project. Some women are organi zing "Make A Postcard" evenings. Workers in women's organizations in Baghdad say they gain a sense of hope in expressions of solidarity from women in other countries.

Yanar Mohammed of the Organi zation of Women's Freedom in Iraq said , "Life in Baghdad these days is nerve wracking. It is so hard to keep your sanity through one more night of bombing. No one deserves to live like this. Children don't have the slightest idea of why they are dying ; the women hold their heads unable to understand how their babies meant nothing to those who bombed them in the last air raid."

A year ago, hundreds of women marched in the streets of central Baghdad protesting the inequality of women. "The women were optimistic, most walked without veils, and they made forceful speeches in front of TV cameras," a recent article in the Guardian reported. "Those days of mass protest are over. Today there are barel y a dozen women present. Half are veiled and most have come with male relatives for protect ion."

The

Celebrate

May Day I MAY

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In the Carnegie.Theatre 401 Main Street

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This poem, "Cry Justice," appeared in the Carnegie Newsletter two years ago. Read it before voting on May 17th. We have to remember how Gordon Campbell and his provincial government have hurt many ordinary people in British Columbia.

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CRY JUSTICE There are times in our lives when we have to take a stand, when we have to speak out for what we , know is right.

Such a time arrived on February 11,2003, when fourthousand Canadian s, many of them seniors, rstudents, gathered on the front lawn of the Legislature in Victoria, British Columbia, to protest the Scrooge-had-it-right policies of the provincial government.

The occasion was the start of a new session of the Legislature, and the Premier, Gordon Campbell . planned to escort the Lieutenant-Governor, Iona Campagnolo, up the red-carpeted stone stairs into the Legislative building.

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A police-protected fence kept the people away from the entrance to the Legislature, but citizens crowded against the fence, and waited patiently for the Lieutenant-Governor to arrive in a limousine, and for the Premier to descend the crimson-covered stairs to greet her.

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The mood of the people was defiant but festive.

They listened to speeches describing how . ... . Campbell's corporate policies undermined the social cohesion of the province, 1s:;:;~~1 destroyed public institutions' that regulate private power, and abolished social programs that gave ordinary citizens , a measure of security and therefore a measure of power.

The raging Grannies sang, these gentle , elderl y folk on the other side with the souls of warriors, of the fence , their songs one more weapon waiting. in the armory ofjustice.

A limousine arrived Yellow-coated police and Iona stepped out. patrolled the fence.

She was booed by the people in a half-hearted way, A platoon of as she waited with dignity red-coated Mounties for the Premier stood at the ready.

A dark blue honour guard, to descend with rifles , the red-carpeted stairs .

Then the people saw Campbell waited to greet coming down the stairs, the Queen's representative, supported by a woman aide.

Ms. Campagnolo.

A military band lurked He was smiling that same sickly smile in the background, we saw on his Maui mug shot, and the army positioned two small howitzers and he moved with the alacrity of a scared rabbit. at the harbour edge, ready to fire A thunderclap of boos a ten gun salute, greeted the Premier, a tsunami of disapproval or whatever protocol demanded.

The trappings that bounced off of royal power the Legislative building and echoed over the harbour guarded the entrance the city of the Legislature, while the people congregated the province

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"Liar, liar," people shouted, for Campbell had promised his tax cuts would pay for themsel ves, but they created the largest deficit in B. C. history.

He promised he wouldn't cut health care, but he closed hospitals and laid off nurses and health care workers .

He promised he wouldn't devastate the public service, but he did the opposite.

He promised to maintain environmental standards, but he reduced them .

He promised he wouldn't cut education, but schools arc clos ing class sizes are increasing and teachers arc losing their jobs.

He promised to honour signed contracts, but he didn't.

He said there were no plans to reduce welfare, but he cut benefits cruelly and made it harder to qualify for assistance.

How can citizens dialogue in good faith with a Premier who does not keep his word?

for the deaths of seniors who feared losing their nursing homes, or could no longer afford the medicines they needed to survive.

Shame on Campbell for the deaths of people with disabilities who could not cope with the stress of feared loss of income.

Shame on Campbell for the increasing numbers of young people who are turning to prostitution, drugs , begging or suicide, because they have neither adequate jobs or adequate incomes, and live in despair rather than hope .

Shame on Campbell for the students forced to abandon their education because of enormous tuition increases.

Shame on Campbell for the people who arc homeless, many of whom cannot get welfare.

Shame on Campbell for the pain of working people who arc seeing a massive transfer or power and money from workers to employers.

Shame on Campbell for the loss of court houses , and legal aid for our poorest citizens.

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and the nation .

"Shame, shame," people shouted with passion, and their CIY was taken up by the seagulls swirling overhead.

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"Shame, shame," people shouted again .

Shame on Campbell

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So did people shout the language of resistance aga inst the go vernment's langua ge

7 of oily equivocation.

Alternatives to corporate greed exist , and First Nations have shown us the way with five hundred years of resistance to imperial injustice.

Environmentalists showed us the way at Clayoquot Sound where eight hundred peop le chose civil disobedience to make their voices heard .

Downtown Eastside citizens showed us the way when they occupied the Woodward's building and set up tent camps in public parks .

Seniors and students showed us the way when they shouted defian ce directly at the Premier on February 11, 2003 .

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In the face of an avalanche of outrage, Gordon Campbell scurried up the red-carpeted stairs with lona in tow .

The massive doors at the top of the stairs closed slowly behind them , and we, the people, were left on the outside.

We'll be back, though.

No lie can live forever, and the cry for justice will be heard .

Sandy Cameron

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...like the whole world depends on you TO VOTE OR NOT TO VOTE At the Carnegie poetry reading on April 2nd, Stephen Lytton reminded us to vote in the provincial election on May 17th because the Gordon Campbell government has hurt poor people badly with its cuts to mcome assistance and its barriers to welfare that make getting income assistance almost impos sible for many people who have no money.

I agree with Stephen, but it's going to take more than j ust voting every four years in order to make this province a democracy. Why vote when we no lo~ger belie~e that the concerns of ordinary people will be considered by the political party in power?

Why vote when we feci that corporate mone y is more powerful than the ballot box? Why vote when w~ know.that the media, corporate-owned and profit driven, tries to control what we voters think about and what we think is important? Why vote when ' ~ve've seen over and over that political parties , once m ?ffi~.' ~reak their promises to ordinary citizens ? ~ttll, It IS Important that we vote, even if it is only to hit back at a provincial government that has declared war on poor people. Ordinary citizens fought for over one hundred years to get the vote. Voting is a way power can shift from one group to another without a civil war breaking out. Sure, the marketeers, with Gordon Campbell as their political bus boy, and the media as their propaganda machine have seized control of our province, but that doesn't mean we have to give up the fight for a j ust society. all, Bruce Eriksen never, ever, gave up.

Votmg is)ust one tool for democracy, but we had better use It. What if Gordon Campbell decided to h canc~1 the May I t election, and declared himself the kmg ofBriti~h Columbia? We'd be very angry ~bo~t that. Obviously the vote is important, but votmg IS only one part of being a citizen in a democracy We.have to work together all the time - not just on electJ~n day. One way to do this is to join a group in our neighbourhood that is working to make things

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better. In this way we can support each other, encourage each other, and vote togeth er. We can find our own words to describe our own experience, and use those words to fight for justice. In this way we can create our own authentic reasons for voting . A wise old guy from Spain by the name of Unamuno said, "Faith is not so much believing what we have not seen as creating what we do not see." We can look for elected representatives who will work with us - and in the Downtown Eastside we do have elected representatives who work with groups that are trying to make things better in this community.

Most of the creative politics today are happening outside the framework of traditional political parties - in the environmental movement, the women's movement, the social justice movement, and the independent media movement, for example. These social movements challenge the corporate ideolog y of unrestrained profit. They work for the common good , and believe strongl y in human rights . They use the vote to further their cause, but their main strength is getting people involved in the struggle for a better world on a day-to-day basis .

Please vote, not just as an individual, but as a member of a community with a common dream ofjustice for all people . Clarify what side of the fence you're on, and discover who is there with you. As Pat Smith wrote on one of her posters , "Class consciousness is knowing what side of the fence you're on. Class analysis is finding out who is there with you ."

Ordinary people outnumber the wealthy ruling elite by a large margin. If all the ordinary people in British Columbia really understood that their best interests lay on the side of a democratic society in which income and wealth were fairly distributed, we could vote out the corporate oligarchy and begin a "golden age" of true democracy. Right now we live in abysmal times of unrestrained greed where "fair is foul and foul is fair," but as Joe Hill said, "Don't mourn.

Organ ize."

By SAND Y CAMERON

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VOTIlfG 51

As a woman of the 21 century I have always had the right to vote, but I have been thinking a lot about how I got that right.

I recently watched a television Movie-of-the-Week called " Iron-Ja wed Angels" about the U.S.SufIragate movement and realized that, in the recent past, woman were second-class citizens who were not seen as intelligent human beings with valid opinions.

I am very thankful for all those women who took a stand, who were Canada 's Iron-Jawed Angels : the women who fought for my right and your right as women to vote. rll So on May 17 please exercise your right to vote.

Vote your heart but please vote. It is women 's programs that suffer first and foremost when there are budgetary cutbacks.

By VICKIE DUTCHER

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National Housing and Homelessness Network:

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Federal NDP leader Jack Layton has negotiated a budget deal with Prime Minister Paul Martin that calls for $1.6 billion in new housing spending over the next year. There is no requirement for matching funding from the provinces , which eliminates a major barrier in a number of parts of the country, ineluding Ontario .

This is terrific news , since the most recent federal budget contained no new spending on housing. If the deal holds, then Layton will have secured more money for new social housing in one day than the current federal government has delivered over the past dozen years .

The NDP budget deal also calls for new spending in other priority areas, including child care and the environment. The new social spending - which most Canadians support, according to recent opinion polls - will be funded through a reduction in corporate tax cuts. Canadian corporations already pay a lower rate than corporations in the United States , so the budget deal is a fiscally responsible package that makes sure that there is revenue to pay for the spending.

However, there is plenty of work to be done to make sure that the deal sticks.

First, the budget implementation bill (which could come in front of Parliament as early as next week , and could be one package, or a series of votes) has to be passed by Parliament and move through all stages , including royal assent.

Second, once the spending is authorized, then the money must be committed as quickly as possible.

The volatile political environment in Ottawa means that nothing is secure until the money is actuall y spent. Housing advocates across the country should contact their networks and contacts, Members of Parliament, and your local media and urge that this budget deal be passed as quickly as possible. Use the example of local projects and local needs to support the call to immediately commit the $1.6 billion in new housing funding . Phone, fax or e-mail right away.

But don't stop there. It's important to deliver a message that , once the budget is approved , the housing dollars need to be committed right away . For provinces like Quebec , this should involve a fairly simple transfer of the federal dollars to the provincial government, which will then flow the dollars through the existing social housing structures.

For provinces where the existing affordable housing program has stalled, we need to deliver a strong and clear message : The provinces need to either get on the bandwagon, or get out of the way!

The housing dollars are critically needed and too important to be squandered on continuing federalprovincial squabbling.

Michael Shapcott, Research Co-ordinator One Percent Solution" project, Toronto Disaster Relief Committee *The proposal that the federal gov 't commit just 1.00,,6 ofannual revenues to affordable, social housing.

'. Ontario's and BC's Safe Streets Act This article results from reading a paper by my sister, written during her third year of legal studies , about Ontario 's Safe Streets Act. It is titled, Arresting Mr. Hughes: Are you fe eling safe r yet ?

I thought it could be interesting to us here in British Columbia , since our provincial government has recently enacted its own version of a Safe Streets Act, and therefore discussion of this paper could have bearing on that legislation.

Mr. Edward Hughes was arrested in 200 I, along with a number of other people, for contravening the Ontario Safe Streets Act, specificall y, it seems, for aggressive panhandling on a sidewalk. (His codefendants were charged under the Highways Act, since their panhandling took place in roadways (i.e., cleaning cars for spare change , soliciting drivers for spare change, etc.))

The Ontario Safe Streets Act was passed in 1999, and seems to be less about making streets safer, than about curtailing certain types of behavior (i.e., aggressive or threatening panhandl ing). The author points out that this legislation came about near the same time as Toronto was making its bid for holding the Olympics in its city, and certainly the language used by the legislators bears out this relationship.

Even though Toronto ultimately lost the bid for the Olympics, the Act remained .

The author points out that a constitutional challenge under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms could be mounted on the basis of the law's violating defendants' freedom of expression, but continues by stating that a stronger case could be made for the province straying into the field of federal jurisprudence

when it passes criminal law that is legally under the purview of the federal government.

Interestingl y, the concept of outlawing egregious forms of begging has been in force in one way or another for at least 700 years. (My sister determined this by examining laws passed in Great Britain, criminalizing begging since the 1300s.)

Mr. Hughes was convicted under Ontario 's Safe Streets Act, and as far as I know, an appeal to the decision is still in process . His defense, based on the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, was rejected by the trial judge. He faces the possibility of a fine of up to $500 for the first offence, and for each subsequent conviction, a fine of up to $1000 or six months in jail, or both.

In conclusion, my sister wrote , " [The case] may result in further attempts by provinces or other levels of government to assert their jurisdiction into matters that properly rest with the federal government.

In my view, the resulting patchwork quilt of by-laws infractions , provincial offences and federal crimes will increase the risk that ' law-abiding' Canad ians who travel will face arrest if they unwittingly commit an illegal act that, in their own home town, is perfectly legal." Based on what I know of Ontario's Safe Streets Act, I agree with my sister's conclusion.

Since BC's Safe Streets Act is a watered-down version of Ontario's , it is doubtful that it could be challenged as unconstitutional on the basis that it violates federal jurisprudence. It is more likely that a challenge could be made of the basis of violating an individual's right to freedom of exp ression (because how else can a beggar make their needs known to the public, and therefore appeal for help?).

My sister is looking into which is the best way to challenge Be's Safe Streets Act. Considering that it was the decimation of social programs by the Provincial Liberals that resulted in them bringing in the BC Safe Streets Act in the first place, it seems only right that on that basis alone, it be challenged.

And here is the latest on Be's Safe Streets Act: by January 27, 2005, fines were established for people ticketed under the Act. For aggressive panhandling, $86. For squeegee cleaners, $115 .

By April 6, 10 people had been ticketed for various violations. Vancouver Police Department Inspector Val Harrison , in charge of the Downtown Eastside , said in a Vancouver Sun interview (April

6), " We are obviousl y enforcing this, but frankl y, fining homeless, mentally ill, drug addicted poor people isn' t the solution." On CBC radio, Harrison said that the poor and drug-addicted need treatm ent and hous ing - not tickets and fines ( The Westender, April 7- 13).

Remember this Act as one of the many meanspirited actions of the provincial Liberals when it comes time to vote on May 17.

By Rolf Auer [Note: The number ofhomeless perso ns in the Lower Mainland has more than doubled since 2002. Lome Mayencourt, the MLA who championed BC 's Safe Streets Act, said "A jew people alway s f all through the cr,acks. " In So(H'edese Liberalese, 2112 people (as counted in an exhaustive and independently verifi ed study be almost 160 volunteers under the auspice ofthe Social Planning and Research Council ofBC (SPARC) are a few. Maye nco urt himselfaggressively provoked and attempted to arrest a person quietly panhandling outside a Starbuck's in the West End. There outta be a law against bloated idiots like him, so shot in the ass with themselves that f acts and other's realiti es are dismissed as "so much whining crap"(! ) Ed.]

ExceptExcept for the white boy with a big mout h the day is fine, j ust beaut iful if you let it except for the pain of everyon e dying, everything is fine

If heaven were a little neare r maybe I wouldn' t try so hard to balance between j oy and anger, forever on my guard except for the white boy who thin ks he's the only one I could be livin ' today,just strolli n' in the sun Except for the dues I've yet to pay thejoy the hunger the pain everything would be j ust fine toda y and my time would be all mine Except for knowing the ra in will com e and take away this sunny day maybe I ca n make it back where I belon g and learn to live again .

R.Loewen

...------------------,11 Election Forum on Homelessness The Carnegie Community Centre Association will be holding an Election Forum on Homelessness on Thursday, May Sth in the Carnegie Theatre from 2:30 to 4:30.

"We are hoping to raise awareness of how difficult it is to get welfare," said Association Vice President Muggs Sigurgeirson, "and how that is contributing to homelessness."

"We also want to ask Lome Mayencourt to explain how the Safe Streets Act helps low income people," said Muggs.

Jenny Kwan from the NDP, Raven Bowen from the Greens, Lome Mayencourt and the Liberal candidate for Vancouve r Mt. Pleasant have been invited to attend.

At the meeting you can hear what the candidates have to say about homelessness, ask them questions, and decide how you want to vote in the May 17th provincial election.

Refreshments will be provided.

- Jean Swanson

To the editor.

I travel Hastings quite a bit on my scooter. I am really upset with what I have observed ...3 times I have seen men wit h small items for sale , that they have recycled from the garbage, being given tickets by the police . I ha ve been told that they get a $50 fine. Panhandlers get fines too . Is it true that, if you can 't pay the fine , there is a warrant issued for your arrest? Is it true that you can 't get welfare if there is a warrant out on you?

If the abo ve is tru e we are forcing people into illegal activities just to survi ve or to pay the fine .

Is this a prelim inary to the Olympics ' clean up that

treats poor people like cockroaches?

Sheila Baxter

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While it may seem to some that I'm on some kind of anti-methadone trip, the truth is that methadone is not the answer to heroin addiction . Talking to a friend this morning I was not shocked to hear that his M.D. had refused to lower his daily intake . When doctors determine the direction of your life, you effectively have lost control of your own destiny. We all like to believe that we live in a free society but the truth is we don 't. As poor people in the DTES we find ourselves restricted by cops , doctors , rules , , regulations, workers at welfare, etc. etc. till we end up feeling like pawns in a chess game we sure as hell will never win. .• Yes, I am on an anti-methadone kick. It's the vilest, most evil thing I've ever had to battle against. For those who are happily drugged to the tits I say good for you. For those who want their freedom back , freedom not to be chained down to doctor and drugstore till the day they die I say fight! Reduce until you can kick and then steel yourself for what may be the biggest fight of your entire life. The prize you win is your own freedom; freedom to move anywhere you damn well please; freedom from the false paradise of a drug that leaves you half alive and constantly at the mercy of the medical police .

Doctors have become yet another tentacled of Big Brother 's control apparatus. Gone are the days you

of 'Pa $$i.~

I pass the seeds of life, of heaven and hell, and I define them , their belief systems where their poison wouldn 't pierce my ears.. but I musn 't forget Neptune, who passed a great shadow of doubt , but I wouldn 't blame them ; he was only doing what he was told, he was confused. But he used his funnels to hear where the other two suns were - his passing was the teaching of destruction, for that 's why Babylon fell to the sea . Where Neptune said he'd bring the ocean to the peaks .

A.J .

Stand Up For Canadians' Pensions and Benefits Support the NDP's "Workers First Bill" (C-28 I ) which will make workers' pensions and benefits the first priority when a company goes bankrupt. This Bill is very close to passing, so the more of us who actually contact our MP's and ask them to support Bill C-281 , the better. Debate on the Bill, tabled by NDP MP Pat Martin (Winnipeg Centre), began in December. Each year, too many worke rs have their pensions cut or lose them altogether, because when companies pay back their creditors after declaring bankruptcy, workers are at the back of the line. Under present laws, a company's taxes , lenders and suppliers are all paid before employees are paid their pensions, benefits, vacation pay, severance pay, or even their wages for work they have already completed. This is wrong and needs to change. Only you can make change by participating and it only takes a couple of minutes .

could trust an MD, especially in the DTES where ~===================:ll medical malfeasance seems to be standard operating II procedure .

Like Marlet said:' Stand up, stand up for your Rights Stand up, don't give up the fight.' So brothers and sisters I say Get Yourself Free. Fight those who would rob you of your freedom .

Al

Car fast, cool speeding, polluting, driving wheels, windows, laces , leather tying, walking , wearing slow, natural Shoes Liarn Turnbull, age 9

~al ~pel efuWt Modern arrangements of traditional gospel songs and spiritual music from various cultures.

3:00 pm, Saturday May 14th Carnegie Thea tre.

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Fact Sheets for Provincial Election II May 17th 2005: When Gordon Campbell was elected in 2001, he said ; "A Gordon Campbell Government will serve you and all British Columbians with respect, honor and dignity . We will keep our commitments and our MLA 's will always remain accountable to you" Liberal New Era Platform , page 33 .

Gordon Campbell and his BC Liberal Government: Their record at a glance.

HEAI.TH ; • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Increased MSP premiums by 50% or 500 million dollars.

Increased Pharmacare fees.

Increased physiotherapy and eye care fees.

Closed emergency wards and some entire hospital.

Laid off300 nurses.

Privatized laundry, food , security and cleaning services leading to dirty hospitals.

Cut home care for seniors and even split up some couples .

Closed over 3900 long term care beds .

Failed to create 5000 new long term beds as promised in his New Era Document.

Increased waiting lists for surgery and overcrowded emergency rooms .

Cut WCB funds with corresponding 22% increase in fatalities since 2000 .

Cut WCB rehabilitation resources and privatized others.

Fired 8000 hospital workers.

Reduced funding to the BC Corner's leading to unanswered questions.

Contracted out-patient medical information / record keeping to US Corporation (Maximus, Inc) and created a so called independent subsidiary Maximus BC. Eliminated the Provincial Mental Health Advocate.

Subjected Persons with Disabilities to a 23 page re-assessment form.

Increased privatization of health-care.

De-listed MSP services; podiatry, message , physiotherapy, chiropractic therapy.

EI>"V~ATIOI

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Doubled college and university tuition fees.

Closed 113 schools , cut special education teachers and librarians.

Increased class sizes at every level.

Cut training and apprenticeships programs.

Cancelled proposed new Technical Training College in Surrey.

Unilaterally fired elected teachers from the College of Teachers.

Increased funding to independent I private schools.

Government legislation means that intermediate and secondary schools children are in larger class sizes that include high number of special needs and ESL students.

The waiting time for assessments has lengthened significantly: there is less support for special needs and gifted programs.

School Library hours have been reduced, there is less teacher Librarian time. Due to continued budget cuts fewer new books are being purchased.

Lack of funds for counselors, learning assistants, psychologists, administrators, office staff, custodians, technical staff, youth and family workers and supervision aids means an overall lower level of service and safety.

Provincial funding well below the increased cost of running schools has resulted in significant cuts .

Although recent funding announcements cover some costs it will not be sufficient to cover the $45 million dollars worth of cuts made to public education over the last 4 years.

I:UII.I>:B..EI AIl> F AHII.IE8 • • • • • • •

Increased child-care costs for thousands of BC families .

Eliminated services for women in crisis .

Cut supports for women in need.

Eliminated Children's Commission and Children's Advocate.

Reorganized and reduced funding in the Children and Family Development Ministry leading to inadequate level of forensic psychologist services to Young Offenders.

Cancelled the Family Maintenance exemption from income tax regulations.

Eliminated core funding for 37 Women 's Centers in the province.

EI"VI:B..OlfHEIT • • • • • • • • • • • •

Cut environment protections for our air, water and forests .

Expanded fish farms .

Supports oil and gas drilling of the Queen Charlottes.

Repealed the Environment Assessment Act. Allowed 500,000 cubic meters of gravel to be removed from the Fraser river in each of the next two years and 420,000 the 3ed year following, endangering salmon runs .

Failed to commit BC to further reduction of greenhouse gases.

Anticipates expansion of production of BC fossil fuels .

Subsidized royalty credits to oil and gas corporations Weakened habitat protections for salmon in urban areas.

Allowed mining in South Chilcotins park.

Failed to improve drinking water standards after Walkerton.

Weakened the Provincial Wildlife Act.

• •

Removed most requirements for approval of pesticide use Approved ongoing raw sewage dumping from Victoria.

GEJrE:B..A.I.

es

md

s,

ears

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Refused to recognize the NDP denying BC citizens an effective Opposition.

Gave the wealthiest citizens and Corporations a 2.5 billion dollar tax break .

Broke promises not to privatize BC Rail.

Raised gas tax 3.5 centsllitre.

Raised property taxes .

Increased sales tax to 7.5% for three years .

Cut minimum wage to $6.00 for new workers.

Privatized BC Hydro and raised electricity rates.

Increased ferry fares .

Increased driver license, hunting and fishing fees.

Increased user fees for provincial parks and new ones for Forestry Parks .

Spent $6 million trying to privatize the Coquihalla Highway.

Have begun privatizing ICBe. Sent BC shipbuilding jobs to Germany and disallowed BC bids.

Continued policy of trophy hunting in Be. Supported expansion of gambling after promising to reduce it.

Neglected resource communities and increased raw log exports.

Supported huge bonuses to ICBC executives.

Continued farce of opening cabinet meetings.

Increased statT in the premier's office by at least 400% and increased the concentration of authority.

Failed to support meaningful standing committee.

Cut Legal Aid funding to poor leading to unprecedented censure by the BC Law Society.

Adjourned the legislature without a budget debate.

Failed to ensure that Liberal Constituency Offices were open to constituents.

Stripped negotiated BCTF and HEU Collective Agreements.

• • • •

Eliminated photo radar.

Hired an American to run the BC Ferry System .

Using spending announcements to subvert the Election Advertising rules.

Subjected BC citizens to a ' racists' referendum on Ob-original Rights costing taxpayers more than $12 million dollars in 2002 . Native Rights still have not been properly addressed.

Shortened the Provincial Legislative House Session Question Period .

Premier broke his promise to honor Public Sector contracts.

Used the Olympic bid to distract citizens from their real priorities for services.

Weakened Employment Standards Act provisions.

Continued patronage appointments e.g. hiring Ex. Liberal President $180 ,000 / a year.

Reneged on promise to build a bridge over Arrow Lake.

Repealed pay equity provisions of the Human rights Code.

Fired 270 public service Communications staff and hired political appointments.

Reduced public access to government information by changing FOI rules and increasing user fees.

Over-rode local bylaws and planning processes with Bill 75.

Announced plans to privatize the Knowledge Network.

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Pressured Transit Directors to approve the RAV line.

Failed to clean up election expense rules for Corporations (86%) and Unions ( 8%) .

International Labor Organization (United Nations) has publicly condemned the BC Liberal government 9 times for its eroding and destruction of worker rights and rights to work place safety, and anti labor legislation starting with Bill 29 in 2002.

Due to extreme shifts in Welfare Policies: One in 5 children who lives in in BC are living in poverty and there has been a 20% increase in child poverty since 2001 as Welfare has been severely restricted and more and more families are relaying on food banks than ever before a 40% increase as of 2004.

New Child labor laws allow children as young as 12 to work long hours in dangerous conditions, making the lack of safety regulations with regards to child protection in the workplace the most dangerous in North America .

Cutbacks to immigrant services and programs like the 'Buddy Program" for 10 to 14 year olds reduce opportunities for families to integrate in to their communities.

.Copyright 2005

BC Federation of Labour II BC Teachers Federationll Environmental Groupsll Canadian Statistics 2002112005111LO United Nations 2002 - 2005

8LEAZE Ilf THE :mIlEEZE Gordon Campbell 's Liberals were using Bruce Springstein's song "Glory Days" for the election campaign without ever asking his permission.. It had been used extensively in the interior up until last week. Many people were upset at the way this song was being exploited as it is really about the serious . struggles of the blue-collar working class.

A massive E-mail was sent out last week from BC Fed members to all communities and to Springstein's Creative Management and Legal Representatives.

They were appalled by the Liberal arrogance. Apparently Bruce was also aware of the anti-labour legislation and anti-labour worker rights that had been forced on and taken away from workers in Be. Springstein declared that the BC Liberals must immediately cease and desist using his song, and he refused to give them permission for future use .

A similar occurrence happened before the US Election when the Bush Election Campaign tried to use Springste in's "Born In the USA" also without his permission; in fact Springstein was so incensed by this he wrote a special editorial in the NY Times last October .

Marilyn

recovering addict safely take, and which can't they?

This book is the guide .

In the shadow ofa saint: a son's journe y to understand his father' s legacy by Ken Wiwa.

The author sets out to understand his African father's life, and their relationship.

Only a beginn ing: ananar chist anthology - edited

by Allan AntHff. A comprehensive overview of anarchist theory and practice in Canada from 1976 to the present - with an essay by our own Bob Sarti!

There are also lots of other new books in the library - Westerns , Sci Fi, True Crime and more .

t9

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News from the Libra ry

I:HE f:K "US O "UT !!!

Here are some new titles available in the library : Liberalized: the Tyee report on British Columbia under Gordon Campbell's liberals by David Beers.

This book investigates what happen ed to the Liberals' advantage, four years after they were elected what promised were broken and more.

Finding my talk; howfou rteen native women reclaimed their lives after residential school by Agnes Grant. These women describe how they Blue Grass Folk Music Concert overcame tremendous obstacles to become strong, independent members of Aboriginal cultures .

Painted lives and shifting landscapes: paintings, A Variety of Bsnds- Great Music!!! prints and murals by Richar d Tetrau lt. (reference book) This beautiful book shows Presented by Pacific Bluegrass and Tetrault 's unique views of Vancouver and the Heritage & Music Society Downtown Eastside .

Whore by Nelly Arcan. This is a novelized " autoWednesday May18, 2005 7:00pm Theatre biographical memoir " of one young woman , coming . . .. to terms with making a living by selling her body.

Vancouver walkin g by Mered ith Quarte rmain.

To the people ofyour neighbourhood.

Poetry of Vancouver - its history, its present and its We would like to express our appreciation to the many atmospheres. people of the Down Town East Side and also all Mathematics elsewhere: an exploration ofideas those who attended the memorial service for my across cultures by Marcia Ascher . This book hubrother Andrew Sharpe on Monday April 25th, manizes our view of mathematics and expands our 2005.

All your warm words of tribute, all yo~ conception of it. kindnes ses you showed us, all your hugs, sml1~s and A Scientific romance: a novel by Ronald Wright . even your tears gave our family a very clear picture This is an elegant fantasy novel, witty, suspenseful of how much Andrew was known and loved. and romantic: Globe and Mail " Book of the Year".

A heartfelt thanks to you all Safe medicinefor sober people: how to avoid relaps"The race is not always to the swift but to those ing on pain, sleep, cold or any other medication by who keep on running."

Jeffrey Weisbe rg, M.D . Which medications can a From the Tatterton Family

&

Slaintc! From Mary ~your OLD librarian.

SO LONG MARY ANN

It has been not "a slice" but a whole four layers of Jackie and Diane's best chocolate cake to work for and with the Carnegie Centre.

Dear friends. Thank you for welcoming me into the community!

Thank you for making my job rewarding and challenging and ever new .

Thank you for your patience and your many suggestions for improving library services.

Tha nk you for showing me the ways where I could try to make a difference through my work and thus providing me with a job I loved.

Like Tennessee Williams, in my life " I have always depended on the kindness of strangers", and I now leave the library with a life much enriched by having been offered the precious gift of friendship by so many of you . I do not feel I am leaving this position as a stranger.

I head off to Ireland and greener pastures for two months immediately after my retirement..but I hope I am not being put out to pasture and that in some small way I can continue to be part of the community as a volunteer.

I know you will make my replacements Claudia, Mary and Beth (who will be your new full time librarian)very welcome so I leave you with an old Irish Blessing: " May the road rise with you ; the sun be on your face, the wind at your back, and 'till we meet again May you be held in the palm of the Creator's hand!

She brings so much of herself to her job, it's easy to love her. I do, and I now many of us here at the Carnegie do as well .

We love her for her quick smile, her generosity, her love of word-play and her passion for the Downtown Eastside. She concerns herself with the deaths and injustices as well as our successes. She champions the arts in our neighbourhood, with her help , praise and encouragement. She's gone way beyond being a librarian to become A Muse Of The Arts! She's so humble, if she finds that too flattering, and we all know how she tries to brush off any kind of praise, let's call her A Culture Vulture! She goes to EVERYTHING! Where does she get that energy? I've told her when she retires she can sleep for three months; I wonder if she will ?

She is a very political person; she knows EVERYBODY! For me the personal is the polit ical , but for her it's the other way around. She makes politics personal by remembering the names and faces to flesh out the fights. She takes great care to introduce people, and often with such a glowing list of accomplishments, you can't believe she's talking about YOU! She knows many great women; it is an honour to be included in her circle of friends ...and it's a BIG circle . With Mary Ann, I don't think there's any such thing as "acquaintances" - we're all friends .

I think Leonard Cohen was thinking of her when he wrote the song "So Long Mary Ann"!

Mary Ann

So Long Mary Ann It's Maryann Cantillon's second last week working as Branch Head of the Carnegie library. She is busy visiting a sick Carnegie board member in hospital , then comforting parents who have flown in for the funeral of a regular library visitor before rushing off to hospital to see a staff member who has just had an accident. And that 's all after her 8-5 shift in the library is finished .

This week library staff also hear that Maryann has been awarded a Lifetime Achievement in Library Science Award from the British Columbia Library Association. Eight of Mary Ann's library colleagues, several of the Carnegie staff, local writers and BCLA members nominated her for this. They were motivated to do so because Mary Ann has taught us to always listen to " the words and music" of the community around us. ..

During her time at Carnegie she 's been invofved in everything from helping people daily to find books to helping with the massive ico" anniversary of the Carnegie Centre to assisting with resources for the amazing Downtown Eastside Community Play " In the Heart of the City" to assisting with the monthly poetry night to bringing in writers in cooperation with the Learning Centre to participating in the book give-away outside the library on at the corner of Hastings and Main.

WHEW! I'm already tired from typing and that 's not the half of what Mary Ann does.

In a letter to BCLA Nancy Hannum and Alex Youngberg of the library write : "Mary Ann has been a long term active member of the BCLA First Nations Interest Group and the Third World librarians Group ... She has been "aunty" to aspiring First nations Librarians ... .

There are famous Mary Ann stories in the Interest Group like the time she unthawed a huge salmon for a feast in her bathtub ".

They say, " Her hospitality and cooking skills definitely deserve a place in library history. " While doing her day job Mary Ann also managed to mentor and inspire many. Her colleague for many years, Jane Curry, Branch Head Librarian of Marpoleand former resident of Strathcona for sixteen years says with obvious sincerity " I love working with Mary Ann because she has a strong social conscience. She is down to earth and she speaks her

mind . She is an exemplary Librarian. She gives us all a good name ." Mary Ann 's social conscience is legendary. Over the years she has worked for peace and to combat poverty.

Newly graduated librarian, Gladys Chen, the DTESI Strathcona Outreach Librarian is also a huge fan.

Gladys is currently gathering information on how the community would like library services enhanced.

She says, " Mary Ann taught me you have to be able to listen to the people 's heart . That is the most important part."

Gladys continues, " She was my coach . She not only taught me how to do outreach but she also taught me how to be a librarian. She changed my whole perspective on service -on reaching out to communities and people who are not currently being served by the library".

AND Gladys continues! " She is dedicated. She goes beyond boundaries, beyond regular library service. She does much more than that. In fact, the whole team at Carnegie is dedicated and united - everyone working together.

It's a great place to be." (HEAR HEAR!) Gladys finally finishes : " I' m going to miss her."

So are we all!

When I tell Mary Ann that I will miss her, my "big sister" she laughs and says she will still be in the community doing volunteer work plus not to worry she will invite myself and my daughter over for a home cooked meal.

I think I'll tell her how much I like salmon!

Mary Duffy, Branch Head at Strathcpna Library

A note to Michael Clague...

Today I say goodbye to someone I do not know. I know it must be him, for he is responsible: for my being here today, for my commitment to the volunteer program, for the welcome so inviting that there really is community, for all that the Carnegie Community Centre is. He has influenced my life, each day I live in this community, and my future . A smile comes to my face as I write this, for you have harboured the goodwill of the people, and more, you have enriched it.

This building nourishes a fragile ideal. So I cele.brate this man: What courage to have taken on this position, what effort of will must have been required '. to accomplish the day, through five years , and now what grace to accept our gratitude, our thanks, our promise to tend this garden while you go on to another.

Matthew Matthew

So Long Mike Ladies and gentlemen, honored guests , I have the honor to participate in this dubious occasion. Let me explain. This party is to say farewell to the man who has contributed so much of himself to our community in such a short time. And speaking of time we now know that there was precious little of it left when we were granted this wonderful human being .

When he arrived there were no fire works or bells ringing to let us know. We saw this hum drum looking guy circulating and socializing....with every-

body and anybody. He certainly was nice enough and so we were caught a little unaware when he started to make the earth move . I guess what I'm trying to say is seldom do you see such gracious humility in a person who displays such proven attributes of greatness!

Please lend me your indulgence as I read an excerpt from his thoughts... and I quote : "We have shared tears of sadness and ofjoy. We have railed against injustice. We have celebrated .

We have laughed. We have created. We have found new allies and supporters within the community and without. We are under no illusion about new and old challenges - the struggle for this community of predominately low income people to be free to dream your own futures and ~o have the ~tren~th to act on them in solidarity and In partnership WIth everyone who lives and works here and who cares ."

These thoughts are indicative of his actions in the short time we've had to experience this kind and gentle enigma. And yet there is a power within him such as I have experienced in so few human beings.

How he came to be with us in the sunset of his career activity is still a mystery to me, although a pleasant pondering.

In my opinion, when God made this man he sure knew what he was doing! On occasion I've told him that he resembles Picard -Captain Jean-Luc Picardand of course that's a good thing. But on this occasion I'm sure that I speak for so many persons when I say thanks Mike ... thank you so much for being you and affording us so many fond memories that should be with us for the rest of our lives.

We know that you have passed the gauntlet over to our new Director, Ethel Whitty. And at some point you'll ride off into the horizon to what the future holds for you. I'm of the opinion that you are worthy of that little corner of my heart that will go with you.

And you know you'll be in our thoughts and prayers!

I have to say, once again , our many heart-felt thanks for that part of your life that created so much of our happiness. You will be sorely missed . And you must know, by now, that we at Carnegie Community Ce tre hold you in the highest esteem!

Gerald Wells Volunteer of the Year 2004

Warrior Princess As I wander along the shores of enlightenment and despair Such extremes sometimes, somehow leave me incomplete I warm my toes in the heat of the sun as sand shifts eternal around the fractured moments of a beautiful soul I become aware of the Warrior Princess within.

To You Lover You who touch my heart I like to tell you How you touch my heart Like I know you Let me know what I can do To be and what I can do To show you my love And open my heart Which is my love For you in my heart I like to give you everything Whatever happens

Meta Jacobsen

So to you my love I tell you how you touch my heart To give you everything And don't ask for nothing Touch and trust That's Love .

•f

9'}ancilUJ ~ ~ • perhaps the biggest secret in town is the drop in on Sundays from 2-4 in the Carnegie gym. This needs to be known! ~cuu:ing '1Jo.wt ~ is for everyone that is ready to soar beyond fear and shyness and to connect with their own primal , creative energy. All you folks that come to peek , do yourself a favor and step in. All those who can't imagine what it's all about, you are welcome to come and experience.

The drop in resumes on - May 8 and each Sunday for the rest of the month.

- Wear loose clothes and your dancing shoes

- free

roger b.

A to; mon amour Tu as touche mon coeur Je voudrais te dire A que I point tu as touche mon coeur Comme je tc connais Dis moi quoi faire Et comment etre et ce que je dois faire Pour te demontrer mon amour Et ouvrir mon coeur Comment est mon amour Pour toi dans mon coeur Je voudrais tout te donner Quoiqu'il en soil.

Alors Ii toi mon amour Je voudrais te dire A quel point tu as touche mon coeur Je voudrais tout te donner Et ne rien te demander en retour Toucher et avoir confiance C'est ca I'amour. roger b.

PICTURING THE _ DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE ,

Featuring work by Rita Beiks, Rebecca Belmore, Clint Burnham, Margot Leigh Butler, desmed ia , S tan Douglas, Arn i Haraldsson, Hermes, Sharon Krav itz, Paul 51. Germa in , Susan Stewart Curatad by Cliaro Neville

April 30 to May 29 2005

Public forum discuss ion Saturday, May 07, 12 to 3pm

d9Smedia taping. every Sunday in May, 2 to 5pm

desmedia (downtown easts ide medi a) invites all reside nts of the Downtown Eastside to come and have their stories, co nversatio ns , poems , and so ngs taped for the desm edia archives and to keep a VHS tape of their co ntribution in return .

On Mothers' Day, May OS, desmedia exte nds a spe cial invitation to all women who have raised and a re rais ing children in the community to come share their stories of motherhood .

112 West Hastings (between Abbott and Cambie) Gall ery Hours : Wednesday to Sunday, 12 to 5pm Ema il: cne ville@inte rcha nge.u bc.ca Tel: 7788812427 www.belkin-gallery.u bc.cafsat ellite

"Picturing the Downtown Eastside" What is art in the Downtown Eastside? How do you picture this part of our city? Six years after the Or Gallery presented its last exhibition in its Downtown Eastside location, 112 West Hastings will temporarily be re-opening its doors . During the month of May, the exhibition Picturing the Downtown Eastside will re-activate this historical building, once a hub for Vancouver's art scene, which included artist

run initiatives such as the Perel Gallery, Artspeak, the Kootenay School of Writing, the Or Galle ry and artist studios. In the shadow of the Wood ward's building, this exhibition presents a unique view into the Downtown Eastside through a divers e combination of artists and projects.

The exhibit ion poses quest ions about the complexities of representing Vancouver's most socially and economically challenged, yet also vibran t, neighbourhood. Its unlikel y mixture of works and artistic strategies provide a platform for thinking about the Downtown Eastside and for looking at the roles that artists serve within it. The forum held during the exhibition will extend this dialogue to a larger participating public in Vancouver.

Picturing the Downtown Eastside displays photographic and video work s, and alternative community-based projects . The exhibi tion presents work by Rita Beiks , Rebecca Belmore, Clint Burnham, Margot Leigh Butler, Stan Douglas, Ami Haraldsson, Sharon Kravit z, and Susan Stewart, all of whom have addressed the Downtown Eastside in their past work and community projects. The show also features work by resident Downtown Eastside painter, Paul St. Germain and graffiti artist Hermes. In addition, the desmedia collecti ve are re-in itiating their Downtown Eastside video archi ve project with a camera set up once a week in the galle ry for people in the community to tell their stories, and share their poems and songs.

This exhibition is curated by Master of Arts candidate, Charo Ne ville, with support from the Vancouver Foundation, the Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery, the Alvin Balkind Fund for Curatoriallnitiatives and the Art History , Visual Art and Art Theory Department, UBC.

DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE YO UTH ACTIVITIES SOCIETY 49 W.Coruova

FIXED EXCHANG E SITE: 5 E.Hastings NEEDLE EXCHANGE VAN -3 Routes:

604-685-'561

City - 5:45pm - 1l :45pm _ Overnight - 12:30am - 8:30am Downtowg Easuide - 5:30pm -1:30am

604-251 -3310

401 Main 51, Vanco unr V6A 21, &O".66S.2i. , - •

T ilE NEWSLET rE R IS A PUBLICATION oi l-liE'; COi\l l\llJ NIT Y CE NTRE ASSOC IAT ION.

CAI~N[G I[

Articles repr esen t the views or lodl vid ual cun trtlrutors an d no l or the Associ a tion.

Editor: PaulR Taylo r; cover art & layout , Diane Wood.

Submission Deadline for next issue: Thursday, May 12

2005 DONATIONS Libby D.-$40 Darry for Dave McC. -S5U Rolf A.-$45 Margaret 0 .-$25 Christopher R.-$50 Mary C-$ 30 Bruce 1.-$30 U'mista - $20 Heather S.-$25 RayCam-$30 Gram -$ 100 Paddy -$30 Glen 8 .-$50 John S.-S80 Penny G .-$21 Jenny K.-$20 Dara C.-$20 Sandy C.S20 Audrey-S20 Well K.-$50 J oann e 11 .-$20 Ruckingguys -$20 Tbe Ed ge Community Liai son CU -$200 Wm B-$20 Anoll)1llous-$2

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Room fo r more names or anonymous gifts .

We rlnowledge thal CcmegieCommuniy Ceolre, ald /his tlewsleller, are happeningon Ihe Squanish Nalioo'slenitofy.

_....

DO YOU HAVE A LEGAL PHOULEM?

Contact

Jenny Wai Ching rl'wan MLA

vue

Come to our FREE CLINIC On carnegie's 3rd floor Law Students' Legal Advice Program

.

You must make an appointment.

Tuesdays. 7pm - 9pm.

The Downtown

Eas~ide R~iden~ Association

DERA belps .ntb:

Working for You 1070- 164 \ Commercial Dr. VSL 3YJ Phone: 775-0790 Fax: 175-0881

Pbone &: Safe Mallbous Welfare problems; Landlord disputes; Howlng problem.

Uosafe lIving c:ondUloos

At U ust Hastings St. or cali

604-682-09JI

i . . , ' . ... .. jake poverty history Unfair ;orld trade rules imposed by wealthy nations force the world's poorest people further into poverty Special to the Vancouver Sun

This week, 10 million people in 70 countries will take to the streets to protest unfair trade rules . The Global Week of Action is the largest mobilization for trade justice the world has seen. . . .

Campaigners and people living in poverty will Jom forces to demand changes to the trade rules that force the world's poorest people further into poverty . and deny them the right to defend themselves. • Some of the events planned include: , - In rural Zambia, a huge mobilization of cotton farmers harmed by U.S. dumping on the world market, will present Oxfam's "Big Noise" petition to the country's president. _In Geneva, Colin Firth will present the "Big Noise" to the head of the World Trade Organization.

- In Accra, Ghana, farmers harmed by IMF loan conditions that allow cheap imported rice will hold a rice-tasting bazaar.

- In central London, an all-night candlelight vigil will feature performances by top artists.

- In the United States, events are planned in more than 95 cities, including hunger banquets in nearly all 50 states.

- In Vancouver, Oxfam volunteers will stage a media event in front of the Art Gallery -- "It's time to cry over spilled milk!" -- illustrating the devastating effect that unfair trade rules have on developing countries and family farmers .

For Oxfam , the week is about building solidarity with poor farmers , who make up most of the billion people living on less than a dollar a day.

Oxfam's new report on trade, Kicking Down the Door, describes the inhuman scam that keeps trade from becoming the solution to global poverty.

First, IMF and World Bank loan conditions force countries to drastically open their markets to imported rice, wheat , corn and other stap les. Then WTO rules permit Europe and the United States to dump their subsidized surpluses there. And the same WTO and IMF rules and conditions prohibit poor countries from raising tariffs to defend themselves.

The result: more hunger, more poverty. Rather than encouraging food production for local consumption and letting people work their way out of poverty, trade rules do the opposite. And now rich countries are insisting on further tariff cuts at the WTO for all but the poorest.

Rice is the world's most vital crop , providing livelihoods for two billion people -- one-third of humanity. Fully half of the world's people rely on rice for food. Yet under the WTO negotiations, India and China , together home to 820 million rice farmers , are among 13 developing countries that could be forced to slash their rice tariffs . Meanwhile, rich countries continue to provide heavy subsidies: Japan, the U.S. and the EU combined provided more than $20 billion to their rice producers in 2002 . The U.S. is the world's third-largest rice exporter even when its rice costs more than twice as much to grow as in Thailand or Vietnam, and survives only because the government foots the bill -- in 2003, for 72 per cent of the cost. :to

Open markets make for a great sermon. But no country that is rich today ever practised what they preach. None of them opened up to cheap food imports before their farmers were competitive.

Abruptly lowering tariffs on food in a country where most people are poor farmers is a recipe for disaster.

Tony Blair's Africa Commission report said it forthrightly: Decisions on whether to open markets "should not be dictated with trade agreements as part of mercantilist negotiations, or as part of World Bank or IMF programs."

Canada's Finance Minister Ralph Goodale helped write that report . We'd love to see him act on it at the spring meetings of the World Bank and IMF this weekend.

And at the WTO, Canada's negotiators should take a less aggressive approach in seeking access to poor countries' markets. Canada doesn't dump its exports like the U.S. and EU, but Canada's drive to lower tariffs quickly can be just as devastating.

Ourdesire to export must not come at the cost of • undermining efforts to fight hunger and poverty in the developing world. As Nelson Mandela stated at the launch of the Make Poverty History Campaign, "Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by actions of human beings. Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It's an act ofjustice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life. While poverty persists, there is not true freedom."

The millions of poor farmers who will demonstrate this week know only too well that making trade fair isessential if we are to ever make progress in the fight to make poverty history. . By Miriam Palacios [Miriam Palacios is the B.C. program coordinator for Oxfam Canada.]

DEATH in a Dumpster a passion play for the homeless

By Sheila Baxter.

Based on a true event

May 6 & 7 at 8:00 pm St.]ohn's, 1401 Comox. $5 or what you can

Homelessness workshop set for May 23rd You're invited to a workshop to get set for City Council's meeting on the Homeless Action Plan.

The workshop will take place in the Art Gallery on the third floor of Carnegie on Monday, May 23rd from I to 3. City Council will be hearing speakers from the public about the plan on May 25th at 7:30.

At the workshop you will be able to: o Get more information on homelessness; o Get help writing and sending letters about homelessness to politicians; . o Learn what's likely to happen at City Hall and how you can get on the speakers list; o Work out your speech to City Council. .

If you're concerned about homelessness, this workshop is a good place to be. See you there!

Jean Swanson

.lOY I was at house part y celebrating Ca nada Day When I met a woman named Joy. I said : "It's a joy to meet you Joy." She beamed at me.

Then said : "I am manic depressive," At once the conversation dried up .

Not knowing what to say made an excuse I had to eall my girlfriend.

A lie.

I avoid ed her staying upstairs while she waited lost in the party below. • She reminded me of a dog I once had. , Always happy to see me, Jumping and licking my face , Ove rw helmed by its affection I fled upstai rs, afraid to come down. .• Eve ntually my mot her lost her patien ce : "OK we' ll give him away to the SPCA." She made me accom pany he r.

I carried the dog in my arms .

It looked at me with the sad dest eyes.

Wavering on the brink of tears He spoke to me : "Don't leave me ."

I swear I did not imagine it.

By the time we arrived at the SPCA I said : "Mum I changed my mind I want to keep him ."

"No . After all the trouble You've caused me , dragging me all the wa y here.

You don't deserve a dog . " This is the way I feel every time I am led back to the psych ward.

An obedient dog Crying to God don't leave me.

Now it hurts, hearing the sa me words Comi ng out of other people's mou ths : "Yeah, they j us t e njoy being depressed lying in bed all da y long."

I almost pun ch ed him.

They don 't know the mentall y ill must be stro nge r, braver, more street smart just to get through the day.

Even tho ugh they hear their viol ent thoughts They'd rat her tum the blade inwards to silence themselves ins tead.

You have to be a survi vor If your life is 10 times worse than Jobs.

So be ca refu l what you say, For wha t you re ally fear is that if yo u dig deep enough, We arc all crazy, O nly yo u try to hid e it.

So be wary of what y ou say for one day you mig ht find yo urself in my shoes , the victi m of yo ur own prej ud ices .

Kagan Goh

ROCK Neigbour hood Party in Oppenheimer Park to get the vote out for the Provincial election

Music Refreshments

Family Fun Kids' Activities

Saturday Ma y 14 1:00 - 4:00

Voting Info.

I am sorry Joy. I was afraid.

I did n't understand Until I too was diagnosed manic-depressive

Oppenheimer Park

Ryears ago on Valentine's Day of all days .

I used to believe the mentally ill Were weak and felt sorry for themselves .

VOTE

(Powell & Jackson) Rain or shine.

Help getting to the polls.

Speakers' Corner

19. We never will have enough clothes.

20. We never will have enough shoes. Ask Eneloa Marcos.

21. You 're right : Round is a shape, although not my shape.

22. We know you must like the couch. It's usually where you pass out.

The Guys' Rules - Rebuttal 1. We learned how to work a toilet seat a long time ago. Why haven 't you?

2. There 's no such thing as Sunday sports. Football is an extended weekend ; hock ey is eternal, etc.

3. Shopping is a necessity . Since we 've no interest in sports, why would it be compared to shopping?

4. Crying is venting. Men do it also.

5. Usually, when we ask for what we want , we never get it. Therefore we invented a more creative way of asking for it.. that should entertain you.

6. Reality is largel y composed of gray areas, not just ' yes' and ' no' .

7. You usuall y are the problem. Wh y in the world would we see k your direction?

8. Between man and woman there are no statutes of verbal limitations . Anything you said can and will be used against you.

9. The fat issue also relates to the shape issue . At least we care enough about our appearance to ask.

10. If something you said can be interpreted two ways, pleas e spare us the semantics .

11. We wouldn 't ask you to do something unless we had assumed you already knew how to do it.

12. By the time we ' ve prepa red your snack and procured your refreshment, the commercials are over.

13. Christopher Columbus had a woman for a boss.

Queen Isabella. He 'd have gone nowhere without her assistance.

14. I know men who can discern more than sixteen colours. They are called painters. They are not fruits .

15. Scratching in public is a simian habit. Haven 't we evolved?

16. You ask what is wrong and we say " nothing."

Let sleeping dogs lie.

17. Anything we wear anywhere is " fine" unless it arouses the interest of other men.

18. If monst er trucks, guns and sports are the apex of your intellect, you' re welcome to it. Ignorance is bliss.

ADDENDUM Harmony between the sexes is the impossible dream.

Meta J and Friend

You 're a habit I've finally broken Not to say some lapses of memory And a confused sense of forgiving Won 't remind me Won 't pole into the tender place of my heart.

Momenties stroke me back to that Grassy field of love & want But mostl y want.

My teenage son in his wisdom declares The sex goes after seven or eight years Only fear of " the Dark " a reason for sharing A little longer.

Alwa ys asking, begging to be heard Always a child in your mind My five years hang heavy on your head .

Correct in every way , you reassured me My age was irrelevant I never believed it Your friends with MA degrees & buxom chests or boyish style Every second word was " ironic."

Going with the flow was your creed a matter of battle to me I never learned to follow you.

Goodbye is not too god a word Your last word " good riddance."

Wilhelmina

20th ANNUAL CEDAR COTTAGE / TROUT LAKE I am a powerful , positive individual and all events in this day are for my highest good .

What I am is beautiful and I pull to me this day only beauty and refreshment.

This day is a day of balance. I am completely aware of my body and all its needs .

What I am is eternal, immortal, universal, and infinite. I see only beauty and strength every moment of my life.

MOTHER'S DAY TRADITIONAL POW WOWI

May 6,7 & 8 Alcohol & Drug Free Once again it's being held at the Trout Lake Community Centre, 3350 Victoria Drive . Catch the 20 Victoria bus , get ofTat 18th and walk down the hill two blocks, Admission by donation. ~.

. I see only beaut y in all the people who are pulled to < me, and what I am strengthens and refreshes what they are.

What I am is infinite. I do not judge the evolut ion of others . What ·they are right now is for their highest good.

Each action I take this day is an expression of the godforce . Therefore, each action I take is a part of my infinite creativity.

There is no real sin, only energ y. I follow the energy of my highest evolution at all times, and so be it~

I am open at all times to communication from my inner self and that communication leads me to my highest evolution.

I give thanks for the beauty of this day, and may the energy of this night bring re-building and re-v iew .

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So be it.

Submitted by Videha

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On Saturday, May i , rides to the pow wow will be on the hour from noon till 6pm . Pick-up locations are Carnegie Centre, Downtown Eastside Women 's Centre and Oppenheimer Park. John Dunnings will be driving the Carnegie van , with no sign-up needed.

The pow wow closes down at 6:00 pm on Sunday Watch pow wow dancing and listen to pow wow drums! Sing beautiful fancy dance, grass, traditional,

jingle and chicken dance songs.

ArrENT/ON: CEDAR PROJECT YOUTH HEALTH PROJECT PARTICIPANTS! Please call us at the office to find out when you are due for your followup interview and blood test. Call the Cedar Project office at (604) 685-6356. Our drop-in hours are :

Monday-Thursday from 8:30 am to 11:30 am.