OCTOBER 1, 2010
.NEWSLETTER 401 Main Stfeet, Vancouver. V6A 2T7 t604, 665-2289
http://harvestors.sfu.ca/chodarr [Index)
FROM THE FOLKS WHO BROUGHT YOU THE OLYMPICS- A NEW GHETTO: WOODWARDS DISTRICT(?!), WITH SHAME & DISPLACEMENT FROM GOLDCORP
$ The Goldcorp Arts Centre in the Woodwards Building: Site of Displacement and Shame ... Vancouver based mining company Goldcorp announced that they would be donating $ 10 mill ion to Simon Fraser University to fu nd the school's arts centre in the al ready controversial Woodwards building in the Downtown East Side. The school will be known as the Goldcorp Centre for the Arts. Goldcorp officials, of course, worked hard to spin the donation into yet another indication of their generosity and benevolence towards marginalized communities. After all, what could possibly be wrong with charity? .. . "Goldcorp is comm itted to making a pos1t1ve dlff~r足 ence here in Vancouver as well as those commumties where we operate our mines," said Goldcorp President and Chief Exec, O!licer Chuck Jeannes. For anyone who has looked into Goldcorp's operations this statement smacks of the arrogance and impu,nity with which they build and ope~ate mines, and leave behind toxic sites, displaced v11lages, and poisoned and impoverished communities. ln H ond ur as, Qoldcorp's San Martin mine poisoned community members in the Siria Valley, displaced an entire village from their lands, and affected the water supply to the exte nt that farm ing and ranch_ing families were forced to migrate out of the area, e1ther to Tegucigalpa or to the U.S. In G uatema la, the company's Marlin mine is located on what was previously communally held Indigenous Mayan Mam and Mayan Sipakapense lands. The project began amid bloody repression, as o~e per_son was killed by police at a roadblock preventmg mme construction. Recently, the Inter American Human Rig hts Commission ruled that the Marlin mine must shut down, but the company has refused to abide by their ruling. Villagers in the surrounding area h~ve lived through deep and sometimes violent conflicts related to the mine, which fla red up recently when a company employee shot mine opponent Anton_ia Hernandez Cinto in the face. All around the mme site, people are contracting illnesses from suspected
toxins in the water and in the air. In Mexico, the company j ust opened the Peiiasquito mine, the country's biggest. Already, conflict around the mine is starting to simmer in the state of Zacatecas, as neighbors and communal land holders begin to understand the size of the project in a semi-arid area. In Argentina , people have been organizing against the Bajo de Ia A lumbrera mine for years. They say the contamination of the mine. combined with electricity and water use, have made life in the ir villages unbearable. In Ca lifornia, the company recently lost a Chapter I I dispute under NAFTA. They claimed they had every right to bulldoze sacred Quechen Indigenous sites, and that the U.S. government should pay the company for forc ing them to mitigate the damage done in sacred areas. There are many more stories about how Goldcorp really treats the communities where it operates, a sample of which are contained in a booklet I workd on a couple of years ago called Investing in Conflict. Something I realized after having done work on and off for a few years w ith Goldcorp-affected communities in Honduras and Guatemala was that companies really don't care what community members think of their projects. I mean sure, they'll try. They'll try and convince people, to buy them off, to build them schools or churches (evangelical ones) or whatever. But if the people are firm, and they stand their ground, any mining, oil, forestry, and you name it company will poison them, displace them, wound them, jai l them, and even ki ll them over to get to the resources that they, through deals made w ith illegitimate and corrupted states, consider to be theirs. When things get to this point, the company can lean on the state government (to which they are sometimes even the largest taxpayer to get the local police and army) to keep the locals in check. The people that companies really care about convincing, at this point, are North Americans. You know, working people, Americans and especially Canadians who invest their pensions in Goldcorp. Honestly, they do a pretty good job up here in the city, far away from the hellholes they've dug: the Ethical Funds Company even says that Goldcorp shares are and ethical investment. Seen in that light, buying their name onto an arts school in Canada's
poorest off reserve postal code makes perfect sense. Here's Chuck Jeannes again, from today's press release: "Vancouver's Downtown Eastside has become one of Canada's most depressed neighbourhoods, and we arc optimistic that by working with Simon Fraser University, we will be able to reach out to its businesses and residents to help create a more sustainable future." Goldcorp isn't a company that cares about human or social sustainability. T hey are, like every other transnational corporation out there, an organization that cares about their bottom line. SFU Arts should be ashamed of taking this money from Goldcorp, a company that values human li fe, communities and ecosystems far less than it does gold.
Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood Council DNC MONTHLY GENERAL MEETING SATURDAY OCTOBER 2nd 12noon- 2pm CARNEGIE CENTRE GYMNASIUM (2nd floor at Hastings and Main)
All DTES Residents Welcome! TillS MONTll'S MEETING WILL INCLUDE: -A special guest speaker & discussion on the inquiry into police actions around the disappearances of missing & murdered women -The future of the DNC Street Market & Fair -Choose and recognize DTES historic Sites of Resistance -Prep for AGM & board of directors elections -Dealing with a special resolution for expulsion ... and after the meeting march with us to join the 4th Annual Women's Housing March (2pm meeting outside the DTES Women's Centre on Columbia Street http://dnchome. wordpress.com I 604-790-9943
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[ The following article was written by a guerrilla joumalist, someone who got behind the charades an~ 'goods peak', read between the lines of the PR being rained down upon the (hopefully) gullible public, & deciphered the code words to get to actual plans. Ed]
Charles Bar graciously signals hope, change and gentrification in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside Free market correctly displaces poor
Some people just need to wake up and smell the gourmet espresso. I, like many Vancouverites who have shown the strength of character to avoid poverty, (and don't bother us with any soft-headed suggestion that luck, race, gender and class privilege might explain our good fortune) am sick of the pathetic mew ling of bleeding heart liberals who insist on seeing gentrification as a bad thing. We know that what the stealth socialists of the anti poverty movement call gentrification is in fact a wholesome application of free market principles to city planning. a way of removing unsightly and unprofitable poor people from the neighbourhood and replacing them with active consumers who can help drive the economy by patronizing upscale bars, interior decorating salons, gastropubs & high tech firms. I see in a recent story by my Courier colleague Megan Stewart that Sean Condon, the pesky ed itor at Megaphone, a street paper sold by homeless vendors, is concemed about the larger social implications of the recently opened C harles Bar in the renovated Woodward's building, citing the new bar as evidence that gentrification is getting out of hand in the Down town Eastside. He even has the nerve to say the poverty activists and other annoying do-gooders who staged an occupation at the old Woodward's building eight years ago had something different in mind when they risked imprisonment to campaign for affordable housing. Imagine, preferring social housing and a mixed-class demographic, rather than a rapid upgrade of the neighbourhood to make it safe for the
better class of Vancouver citizens! Surely thi s is the sort of misplaced civic idealism that threatens healthy return on investment and rapidly rising real estate values, which everyone of sound views knows are far more important than Condon's concerns about lumpenized homeless fo lks who wouldn't recognize a good Merlot or a Tuna Tataki if it bit them. Clearly. Condon is one of those romantics who thinks the city should work as a home for a ll, even those who can't make a down payment on a BMW or a mil lion-dollar condo. He puts out a ragtag paper that has been published and distributed in Vancouver for years, but has yet to endorse the NPA or call for more crude oil exports through Vancouver harbour. So we can hardly consider him as a reliable observer or guide to good urban planning. No, Sean, if anything, the pace o f gentrification is too slow in the Downtown Eastside, and the final solution to the poverty problem (perhaps shipping them all to Surrey?) has yet to be achieved. The holder of the Gordon Gekko chair in economics at the Fraser Institute would be pleased to explain to us, I am sure. that just as in past decades we needed to be reminded that G reed is Good. Now we need to remind each other that Gentrification is G lorious. We need more luxury flats. more sports bars and more upscale boutiques in the neighbourhood, not more unsightly poor people inconsiderately starving on the sidewalks. But maybe we don't need to drive the homeless all to Surrey. Perhaps we could tum parts ofGastown into a poverty theme park. Learning from the pioneers of Central American ceo-tourism, who build walkways in the jungle canopy to allow First World travellers to look down safely onto endangered environments, we could string walkways from penthouse to rooftop bar in the neighbourhood, allowing;espectably wealthy patrons to view the colourful phenomena of inner city poverty without coming too close. Then the poor would be serving a useful economic purpose. Surely, the Charles Bar and all the other new upscale outlets in Gastown and the Downtown Eastside represent the desirable face of Vancouver's future, drenched in money and perfumed with the seductive aromas of profit. The kind of civic compassion and concern for the poor that Sean Condon and his ilk espouse are so old fashioned, so 20th century.
It' s a wonder that these critics can still call for outdated concepts like adequate housing and income for all, when what is really required is the kind of vision that looks at the mean streets of the Downtown EasF side and sees them paved with gold for developers. Wake up and smell the espresso, Sean. tos@infinet.net [And in the same vein, up the same tight white trail, goes Bob Rennie, the rich real estate guy who talks the talk of community and "Everything will be fine!'' while, at the exact same time, walking the walk of the most greedy, ruthless speculators and selling our community out from under us to the highest bidder. Him opening an Art Gallery a few blocks from Carnegie & showing his stuff, bought with a lithe profits he's made from peddling the Woodwards condos, is sayi ng clearly !~at "This wealth could be/sh~uld be/ would be yours 1f/when you pull yourself up by your bootstraps and become a born-again capitalist!" PRT]
Dear Friends, I'm pleased to provide you with a quick update on what's happening across Canada to support Bill C-304, a Private Member's bill to have shelter declared a right under Canadian law. Over 60 major organizations, municipalities. societies and chambers of commerce have endorsed Bill C-304 since it was first tabled in the House of Commons in February 2009 (full list fo llows). B ill C-304 is up for final debate and vote in October. The most recent letters of endorsement have come from (in the order we received them): The City of Calgary and Mayor Dave Bronconnier Ontario !Iuman Rights Commission- providing leadership for the promotion, protection and advancement of human rights Metro Vancouver- representing 21 municipalities and delivering regional services, planning and political leadership on behalf of a total of 24 local authorities (www.metrovancovuer.org) Canadian Federation of University Women - a
women's equality-seeki ng organization representing thousands of women grad uates, students and associate Canadian Medical Association- a national association of physic ians (www.cma.ca) C-304 ACTION! Here are just a fev. of the campaigns underway to support Bill C-304: Canadians Without Poverty and Red Tent Campaign are holding aDA Y OF ACTION on Parliament Hill on October 19th. Canadian !lousing and Renewal Association (CHRA) has a cross-Canada postcard campaign underway with postcards supporting C-304 addressed to the minister responsible for Canada I lousing and Mortgage Corporation, Diane Finley. CH RA also passed a resolution of support for C-304 a its AGM in June. C itywide I lousing Coalition of Vancouver participate in area Red Tents and ACORN events and hands out flyers about C-304 which include information on how to contact area MPs who have voted against the bill. Keep up the great work everyone! Libby Davies, MP Vancouver East NDP Spokesperson for Housing and Homelessness
National Organizations ACORN Canada Amnesty International Canada Assembly of First Nations Campaign 2000 CANADA WITI IOUT POV ERTY Canadian AIDS Society Canadian Association of Social Workers Canadian Federation of University Women Canadian ! lousing and Renewal Association Canadian Medical Association Canadian Nurses Association Centre for Equality and Rights in Accommodation Citizens for Public Justice Congress of Aboriginal Peoples The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada Federation of Canadian Municipalities The National Aboriginal Housing Association St. Vincent de Pau l Society Social Rights Advocacy Centre The Wellesley Institute Provincial and Municipal Organizations Action Centre for Tenants Ontario Affordable !lousing Action Committee, Peterborough
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Affordable Housing Association ofNova Scotia Anglican Archdiocese of Toronto- Archbishop Colin Johnson along with Bishop Sue Moxley (Anglican diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island) Bishop Jane Alexander (Diocese of Edmonton) and Bishop Michael Ingham (Diocese of New Westminster) BC Alliance on Mental Health/Illness & Addiction BC Government Employees Union Burnaby Taskforce on Homelessness Canad ian Paraplegic Association, Ontario Division Canad ian Pensio ners Concerned, Ontario Division Federation des femmes du Quebec The First Unitarian Congregation of Toronto Front d'action populaire en n!amenagement urbain Grandview- Wood land Area Services Team The Greater Vancouver Shelter Strategy Greater Vancouver Regional Steering Committee on Homelessness Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Greater Victorian Coalition to End Homelessness Guelph and Wellington Task force on Poverty Elimination Homelessness and Housing Umbrella Group, Lutherwood (Kitchener) Impact on Communities Coalition, Vancouver Lutheran Urban Mission Society, Vancouver Metro Vancouver, BC (representing 21 municipalities) Multi-faith Alliance to End Homelessness, Toronto New Brunswick Executive Disabilities Network Ontario Human Rights Coalition Peel Poverty Action Group PIVOT Legal Society and the Red Tents Campaign Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan Retired Workers Chapter CAW Local 222 Regroupement des maisons pour femmes victimes de violence conjugale Riley Park South Cambie Community Visions Right to Housing Coalition, Winnipeg The 127 Society for Housing, Vancouver Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society
Municipalities City of Calgary and Mayor Dave Bronconnier Maisonnette Mayor Lucio Cordisco ( Acadie Bathurst, N.B) Petit Rocher, Mayor Pierre Godin (Acadie Bathurst, N.B) Toronto City Council Ste-Marie-St- Raphael Mayor Henri-Pierre Duguay ( Acadie Bathurst, N.B) Sudbury Mayor John Rodriguez Tracadie-Sheila Mayor Aldeoda Losier, (N.B) Vancouver City Council and Mayor Gregor Robertson Victoria City Council
News From -the LibrarY You'll be seeing lots of different faces in the library over the next little while. As you probably read in the September I 5 newsletter, Lorne Macdonald recently moved to Edmonton with his partner. Mark Whittam, Carnegie Supervisor, has moved to the South Hill branch. James Fralic will be taking over from him in mid-October, and Paul Tartag lia will be here until then. And from September 28 until the end of the year, I' m moving to the Hastings Branch. Randy Gatley, who many of you will know from his previous stays at Carnegie. will be acting for me. Beth, your librarian Response to Lorne MacDonald good-bye/coffee: To All Carnegie Reading Room Patrons
Gift of life Gift of life is being thankful for being alive Thankful for the beautiful surroundings Appreciate for the water, sun & moon Especially for our a ir. Treasure your culture! Give tobacco to the spirits Li sten, stop and be g rateful for all our animals Give something when you take from Mother Earth . Healing journey is to let go So your love one wi ll rest in peace Write down your most inner feelings on paper Tell your love one how you fee l Smudge the letter & burn, put in the Pray and give tobacco It will lighten your heart It will help with your g rief Always remember they be in your
The reason the Seniors' coffee is only marginally superior to the cafeteria coffee is that after it's been cooking on their burners for quite a while, they takF that burnt/old coffee and pour the last half cup into•.::~~~~::_ the fresh pot. You can observe them doing it. Then they take the bottom of that once fresh pot, and fhere is comfort in knowing you belong dump the overdone bottom end into the next fresh Looking at it makes you strong pot. And so on and so on. echhhch! 1 too used to try As you develop your skill to get my coffee fresh downstairs, but have given up. You find new will I think the Dugout is a better bet if it's in the dayThe more you try at it you succeed time. One of the first things I learnt, whi le working The more you gave the more you receive in a restaurant, was to never dump the old coffee into Trusting yourself you took chances the new pot. The 2¢ savings is just not worth it. EiFalling in love at first glance ther pour the last 1/2 inch into a cup and serve it to Your life becoming full ofjoy the volunteers that have been doing this, or dump it. And finally you finding love's a toy l believe the coffee is donated anyway. A whimsical journey takes place Rudolf Penner You always leading, love never leaving An eternity of goodness at your touch Dalannah Gail Bowen· would like to invite Within your reach you wanting it so much women drummers/s ingers over SO to So when you begin something new participate in a performance for Remember al l that you've got to do Love first embarking on a happy note The Heart Of The City Festival. You will see the effects that you 've wrote The Snowy Owl Drum Group will be holding audiAll that it takes to love to make it go tions on Monday October 4 at the InterUrban Gallery Time lovi ngly reaches for you slow at 2:00 p.m. at I East Hastings. So often it 's all you remember for awhile Creating, you find your own style You must be willing to make a commitment to all You' ll never lose now you've started winning rehearsals. Sitting back laughing and grinning Everyone welcome. Celeste Larocque
Arts and the Environment Volunteer Expo t, Exploring New Directions Find work that matters to you! Recycling Computers * Building Homes * Books * Growing Local Food * Community Arts * Galleries * Parks and Open Spaces * Green Transport
Learn new skills and have fun doing it! retail -administration - recycling -events - promotion -trades - research
Help create good change in your community Explore your potential through fresh avenues Get out and meet new people
When: Where:
Tuesday 14th October 2010, 12.30 to 3.30 Pathways Information Centre 390 Main Street (at Hastings), Vancouver Free! Contact: 604 682 7353 I tstpierre@tradeworks.bc.ca ~~
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What will vou learn? An introduction to our ph ilosophy and approach, Strategies and Resources for helping peopl e to read, write, study, use com puters, and comm unicate in English. Who can join? Open to anyone who likes helping people, can commit to volunteering in the Learning Centre once a week, has good reading and writing ski ll s, and would like to learn o r improve their teaching skills. For more information : Come to the Carnegie Learning Centre (on the third floor) and speak to Betsy, Lucy or Debby.
Wishful Thinking
The Vancouver Internationa l Writers Festival presents Stevie Cameron and her latest book. On the Farm, in partnership\\ ith the Japanese Language School & Japanese II all and Carnegie Community Centre, in a community event on October 6th, 20 I 0. By offering this event free to the public. the VJWf hopes to ensure that Stevie Cameron's reading is accessible to individuals from all wa lks of life. Any proceeds raised from the event, through donation reque~ts. would go towards a charitable organization that supports residents of the Downtown Eastside. Stevie Cameron's latest book is the first comprehensive look at Robert Pickton's trial and the lives he took from Vancouver's missing women. Having worked as a journalist for many years, writing for the Toromo Star and hosting the CBC's Fifth Estate, Cameron approaches her research and writing with a conscience and a strong attention to detail. In her research for On the Farm, She spoke with several key players, the families of the missing women, Pickton's friends and associates, as well as the investigators and the lawyers. Cameron uncovered information that was never revealed in coun and her writing gives a voice to individuals whose perspectives have not been heard. On the Farm does not place sole focus on the horrors ofPickton路s crimes; it remembers the li ves of the missing women through the memories of the family and friends they left behind. The Writers Festi val wants to bring together a diverse audience for this community event. with the general public, Festival supporters and residents of the Downtown Eastside in attendance. We hope to see you there and would appreciate it if you passed along the following information to anyone you feel would be interested.
Stevie Cameron 7:30pm on Wednesday, October 6th , 2010 Japanese llall, 475 Alexander Street, Vancouver, BC http :1/www.writers fest. be. ealevents/camcron
No time, slow time, down time Done time, not fine, can't climb. Out of this box, this space, confined Big world oul there -lotsa laughs, despair Stay centred, slay grounded I am complexed, confused, well-rounded Got secrels I keep .. lost love uncomplete I've lold you before -can't eat, can't sleep Same message, same deal, can't bury it 'cause it's real I lose on all counts; be wary demonic dreams pounce I want to go back to correct the way I feel Won't happen, I know, as I show up unannounced Time may run out in my own little world (no doubt) I plod, creep on the straight & narrow.. never waver Take heed,'all in favour?'Thal's cool spenders savers You are here, that's real, that's known scream & shout What's new you ask; do things change or stay lhe same No foolin' -that's my message for the masses as it were Day to day, new adventures/perils/snakes 'n ladders Take your pick, stake a precious claim For whal it's worth, what have you got to lose Now is the time to pick and choose. Do you adhere To 'Ain't that empowering? so many static, tricky levels II can be sweet, and then again it can, Given half a chance -bewitch, bedevil I hope it works out for us and everyone who matters Bottom line, the truth can hurt, and yet most surely Be overcome to correct & mend yourself If you are, as I, so torn & tattered. ROBYN LIVINGSTONE
Jhe CJUor/Jd5horteot 5tory Once upon a time, a guy asked a girl, "Will you marry me?" The girl said, ''NO!" And the girl lived happily ever after and went shopping, dancing, camping, drank martinis, always had a clean house, never argued, didn't get fat, travelled more, had many lovers, saved money and had all the hot water to herself. She went to the theatre, never watched sports, never wore friggin' lingerie that went up her ass, had high self-esteem, never cried or yelled, felt and looked fabulous in sweat pants and was pleasant all the time. The End. Submitted by Kween Colleen
Carnegie Community Action Project (CCAP)
Newsletter Read CCAP reports at:
ccapvancouver.wordpress.com
Oct 1, 2010
Pushed out of the Downtown Eastside by high rents This news release was sent out to advertise CCAP's press conference in front of the Columbia Hotel, now renting rooms for $599 student special on Craigslist. Thanks to Fred and Fraser who spoke to reporters about their experiences as hotel residents. For Immediate Release: A new study by the Carnegie Community Action Project (CCAP) says that seniors on basic pensions and people on welfare can only afford 12% of the privately owned SRO hotel rooms in the Downtown Eastside (down from 29% last year). Called "Pushed Out, escalating rents in the Downtown Eastside", CCAP' s third annual hotel report says high rents in privately owned hotels are pushing out low-income people and could be responsible for an increase in homelessness and for a lot of street vending and survival so-called "crimes."
The report is based on a survey of 90 privately owned and run hotels by CCAP staff and volunteers who got information from hotels with 93% of the privately owned rooms in the DTES. ''Gentrification is pushing up rents in the cheapest accommodation in Vancouver," said CCAP organizer and report co-author Wendy Pedersen. "The
PUSHED OUT
number of hotel rooms where the lowest (Continued on page 2)
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federal provincial social housing program that builds 20,000 units of housing a year across Canada. Other findings of the report include: • The number of hotels that rent all their rooms for $375 or less fell from 19 hotels with 777 rooms in 2009 to 12 hotels with 362 rooms in 2010, a loss of seven hotels with 415 rooms; • The lowest rent in over half (56%) of the hotels that CCAP got rent information from is $425 a month or more. In other words, 28 hotels with 1689 rooms rent at $425 or more; • Rents in 17 of these 28 hotels with 1159 rooms start at $450 or more; • Between 2009 and 2010 the number of hotels where the lowest rent is $500 or more increased by over 200% from 3 hotels with 272 rooms to 11 hotels with 634 rooms; • There were only two vacancies in hotels with rents at or under $375. Last year there were four; • Fifteen hotels charging higher rents had vacancies; • Two hotels with 67 rooms have closed since CCAP's 2009 report. These are the Argyle (43 rooms) and Lucky Rooms (24 rooms). • Two SROs re-opened this year, the Persepolis (27 rooms) at $400 a month and Pender Place (23 units) at $600 to $700 a month; See all CCAP's reports at:
(Continued from page I) rent is $500 a month or more shot up over 200% from 272 rooms last year to 634 rooms this year. And more than half of all the privately owned rooms rent for over $425 a month, $50 more than a person on welfare, disability, or senior can afford." Newly opened provincially owned hotels plus new low-income housing at Woodwards doesn't make up for the number of units lost from closure and high rents. While some new social housing units should be opening in the next three years, "At the current rate it will take the city 42 years to implement their policy of replacing the SRO hotel rooms with self contained social housing," said Pedersen. "But absolutely nothing is planned for after 2013 so it could take much longer." CCAP calls on the city to buy and set aside five lots a year in the DTES for social housing. CCAP joins with numerous other for a
www .ccapvaocouver.wordpress.com/
ccap-reports/
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Council approves gentrification project at American Hotel Only 6 out of 42 rooms at the American Hotel will rent for $400 a month (for 10 years). Remaining rooms will rent for whatever the owner can get -possibly in the $700 range. That is what city councillors (except Coun. Ellen Woodsworth) voted in favour of at city hall last Thursday, September 23rd. The history of the American Hotel is not very pretty. It was notorious for bad living conditions and its raucous bar. But at least there were 39 rooms renting to DIES residents for around the welfare shelter rate. In 2006, DERA held a rally to protest its closure and blamed the evictions on the speculation and gentrification caused by the Olympics. Now the new owner, Stephen Lippman, will re-open the rooms and the bar. Lippman owns the Golden Crown Hotel too, which rents for in the $600 a month range and he is rumoured to now own other properties in the area too, like Save On Meats. We learned some new things at the American Hotel council meeting. When the city staff tried to negotiate with the
owner for some "affordability" in exchange for the permit to open the rooms and the bar, they had no idea how much profit the owner could make. Coun. Woodsworth asked "why the extra $25 charged over welfare rate for the 6 rooms. Can't he afford 6 x $25? David Beattie, a volunteer in the DIES, picked up on this in his speech to council and said "the bar will have 193 seats? The bar at that size will be a licence to print money. So wondering how it is possible to have only 6 out of the 44 units." Three others spoke against the project. I presented CCAP's point of view. I (Continued on page 4)
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backgrounds will have someplace to live." The Mayor said the plan for the American was "better than turning it into condos.'' (Of course this is nonsense - city hall has a wide array of zoning arid design tools to shape development as it sees tit.) Coun. Deal said "we need to look after the needs of the full spectrum of affordability." (New code for no more social housing projects coming to the DTES.) Even Councillor Cadman of COPE said "he's not holding his breath" for money from the senior governments for housing and 6 rooms are better than leaving it empty. (This means he agrees a few crumbs for the poor here and there as the way to go). Coun. Reimer said we could talk about the bigger questions CCAP anq 1 DNC raised about homelessness, buying property etc. at a review of their housing strategy later this fall (city says fall, likely means spring). At some point, Coun. Reimer started to say something about considering everyone's needs including the desperately poor and Diane Leclair, Carnegie volunteer, yelled from the back of the chambers ''the desperately poor are committing suicide. You are claiming you are trying to save lowincome housing? And you are allowing private development? What kind of claim is that?" And then, shortly after, mayor and council, except for Councillor Woodsworth, approved it.
(Continued from page 3)
said: ''the American Hotel is a gentrification project." In order to live in most of the rooms at the American a person may need to make about $30,000 a year in order to not be living in core need. Minimum wage is about $16,000 a year and welfare $7,300 a year. These rooms are not affordable." I said the city should count all hotel rent increases above $375 in all DTES hotels as losses instead of secure low-income units. And that the city can compensate for gentrification projects like this by buying 5 properties a year for 10 years and designating it for housing and holding off on new "market" projects for that time period. Tami Starlight, for the DTES Neighbourhood Council said to council: "6 units of low-income housing is woefully inadequate. This is more gentrification in the DTES. There should not be a single condo built until there is not a single person who is homeless and all our hotels are replaced. And ....nothing about us without us." And Dave Murray, ofVANDU and CCAP, made a great point that other landlords will see what happens at the American Hotel and want to empty their buildings too. "The city will let them get away with it. It's a bad precedent." Coun. Kerry Jang argued it is better to have six rooms renting near $375 than none. He said this is a "one-off' it won't happen again. He also said that "folks with different socio-economic
Thanks to the Blackbird for the photo
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Mayor and Council: Will you really not buy land for social housing in the DTES? 5
On September 21 \ I was invited to an interview on the CBC Afternoon Show with host Stephen Quinn about the results ofCCAP' s hotel study. Coun. Kerry Jang was lined up to be interviewed after me on the same topic. I said that the most important thing the city can do to help DTES residents is buy land in the DTES and designate it for social housing. At the end of my interview, just as I was getting cut off, I said: "Stephen, please ask Coun. Jang if the city will buy land for social housing in the DTES!'' So, Stephen paused and said, "Welcome Coun. Jang, what do you make of this idea about buying land for social housing in the DTES.'' Then I wrote on my scrap piece of paper, 4 reasons, according to Coun. Jang, for NOT buying and designating land for social housing in the DTES:
1. It is too much of a drain on city resources; 2. The city must focus on building a spectrum of affordable housing; 3. Commitments from the senior governments must be made first before the city can buy and designate land for social housing; 4. There are not many sites to buy in the DTES. Since I didn't get a chance to respond on the radio, please allow me to get this off my chest here now: 1. A drain on city resources??!! How can saving lives be a drain on resources? And if the moral outrage doesn't convince, then consider that land is an asset the city can't lose on. 2. Build all types of housing for all incomes: The (Continued 011 page 6)
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buy the Pantageous for housing, according to exDirector of the Carnegie Centre, Michael Clague? There are many sites to buy in the DTES and the land is cheaper here than anywhere else in Vancouver. And even if it is getting pricey, we're worth it, no matter what the cost. You may be thinking that hey, Coun. Jang is only one city councillor. One person can't decide the fate of a neighbourhood. Well, read the article about the American Hotel in this newsletter issue. Every city councillor, except Coun. Woodsworth of COPE, talked about the need to "address the whole spectrum of affordability" in the Downtown Eastside. Even Coun. Cadman of COPE said "he's not holding his breath" for money from the senior governments for housing which means he sees a few crumbs here and there as the way to go. From this CBC interview and from the comments made by mayor and council at the American Hotel meeting, I take this all to be a strong statement from City Council that they do not intend to buy property for 100% social housing projects in the DTES. Vision Councillors: please correct me if I'm wrong by buying some DTES land for social housing. - WP
(Continued from page 5) previous council used to talk about this trickledown theory a lot. Build cheaper condos and that will free up rentals for the poor. But, there is a real, massive, urgent need to build housing for people with the lowest income. People who c~ afford about $700 a month, like at the American Hotel, have a lot more options than people who can afford $375 a month. This also ignores the bad ripple effects of market housing: more speculation, higher land costs, higher rents, displacement, more exclusive stores, more poor-bashing etc. 3. We need senior government partnerships first: No, the city must buy the land FIRST and then the city and citizens can organize a campaign to get the senior governments to build it. That is how it was done before. That is the only way it can be done now. Cameron Gray, the retired Director of the Housing Centre, told me before he retired that he wanted the city to buy and designate for housing another 14 sites and staff can get them ready for the partnerships. 4. Jang's last complaint: there's no land for sale. Well, why did the city recently turn down the opportunity to
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Social housing reality check Ministry's own service plans show few net new units since 2006 September 13, 2010 (Vancouver)
• 63% (7,270 households) represents rental assistance to families through the Rental Assistance Program, while another 1,010 are individuals assisted through the Homeless Rent Supplement. • Another 1,420 of the total increase are new emergency shelter beds (not housing units). • 1,550 of the "new" supportive housing units for homeless people with mental health and addiction · problems are in purchased SRO hotels (renovations/replacements of existing housing rather than additional low-income housing supply). • While there has been growth in some types of social housing, in particular supportive housing for the homeless and housing for frail seniors, there bas been a larger decrease in traditional low-income housing units. (Continued on page 8)
Canadian Centre Policy Alternatives Press Release A new report shows that despite some positive recent developments on rental assistance and homelessness, BC's progress in building new social housing units has been minimal.
Unpacking the Housing Numbers: How Much New Social Housing is BC Building? is being released today by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and Social Planning and Research Council of BC. The authors conducted a detailed examination ofBC Housing's service plans for 2006 to 2011. The report finds that while the number of households assisted by provincial housing programs increased by 11,530 since 2006, most of this assistance does not represent actual new social housing units. Of the 11,530 additional households assisted:
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(Co11ti11uedfrom page 7) In fact, the government's own data indicate an overall net increase of only 280 new housing units over the past five years, a sobering and concerning finding. "The province has developed some good initiatives to address homelessness and the lack of affordable housing," says Lorraine Copas, Executive Director of the Social Planning and Research Council (SPARC), and co-author of the study. "Unfortunately, the numbers show us that more is needed." Jean Swanson, with Vancouver's Carnegie Community Action Project, welcomes the report. "Working iil the Downtown Eastside I can see that hundreds of people are homeless in spite of government announcements and re-
announcements of social housing. This report tells us the real numbers and validates our call for more social housing for low-income people." "Between the mid 1970s and early 1990s, with the help of the federal government, BC created 1,000 to 1,500 new units of social housing per year," says Seth Klein, co-author of the report. "Based on government figures, we calculate that BC could build 2,000 units of housing per year for about $500 million. To me, that seems like a pretty affordable price for ending the homeless crisis in our society." For information or interviews with the authors, contact Sarah Leavitt at sarah @.policyalternatives.ca or 604801-5121 x233. CCAP does community based research and organizing on social housing, income and gentrification Issues. We organize residents to hove a voice In planning for the future of the area.
Vancity "Support for this project does not necessarily imply Vancity's endorsement of the findings or contents of this report." 8
MOST UNWELCOME Absent-minded nuclear physicist & his round table of period elements play host on MasterPlan Theatre so sorry for my absence forever will make me pay, fatigue from no work lots of nonemployees on Stressemee Street- I couldn ' t hold a job if I had a thousand arms inefficiency has its charms to unite Absent friends who are in the path of harm but still they will multiply & pay; li ke telling a girl fr iend that the airplane is shot1 on gas, either they've found eternal love or will perish in the ensuing explosion what a blast, like faucets needing coin before any water comes your way I'm still trying to make sense of it all .. the lightbu lb died with the formula inside landfi lls have made Earth bigger which figures I've always felt so small, this life thing keeps you on your toes eventually to your knees, you do Not want your legacy to be your name fo llowed by disease (I know Lou Gehrig would agree) life & war plus death & poor si t idly by as Mr Fair is thrown through glass doors go broaden your horizons as the training wheel of life disappear, like a high school reunion where everyone left al ive seemed to have lived up to preset conclusions this is the wrong time for sol utions how lovely it is to not to have think for yourself just remember Obey & Fear. like a 3'd-degree hot beverage handshake I've seen better days 'til now most UNwelcome what me worry?! I don't think ... much, but I am scared some We are most Unwelcome yet they know we will be back on your unwelcome mat.. it is now time to remedy th is & that, nothing wrong with fixing things with a baseball bat-atattat it 's as easy as that, no freethinkers allowed then single-file into the seething crowd suffering can sure be loud but all 's well under my black clouds, like being an outhousehold name turnabout & walk right back out Most Un welcome j ust like a bullpen of colours (the cash & players) making more in one game than their ancestral line combined these are stil sad times but Most Unwelcome is thi s how the game is played out who will mind the store In God we trusted 'til his son got busted then again research could prove otherwise as Mr Molester & Ms Trust sink their teeth into the Truth Fairy what a sight, l hear Mother Earth is serving supper on our tectonic plates, I've given up on expiry dates so back to this future Nostradamus not a minute too late, li ke a man with no legs embarking
on a 26-mi le marathon that goes on/off on/off no matter it will never be enough no news is good news unless you' re awaiting bai l, like charging for Airmail (taxes of course) it took 5 or 6 bullets to end up under house arrest cops don't do Jail, don't be making future plans as over 7 billion wi ll understand, like a jet settler or a free skin cancer tattoo neither a botherer nor a renderer be so Burn them Bibles torch them Korans burn every written word it's so easy li ving a life unlearned Most Unwelcome no concern Most Unwe lcome too late to learn Most Unwelcome as my shadow burns out MOST UNWELCOME!! By ROBERT McG lLLIVRA Y
the room was nice then and again my mind is distracted it is subjective to change so changes occur never doing wrong to good I'm attracted knowing myself, my intentions are pure I tried to write on subjects I chose I included but I never imposed no matter what I was sti ll drawing a blank I tr4icd to write honest and be perfectly frank Try as I mi ght but to no avail I tried to succeed only to fail ~ Then one day I succeeded at last ~ I wrote a brief poem about my past Faith had brought me luck leading me towards something that stuck \trusting that I would be able to finish my skills grew better and didn' t diminish Cet1ain I'd lost my gift I questioned what I wrote as I read what I'd written I fou nd home Celeste La~ocque
Smack Dab in Middle Market Stt路eet Smack dab in the mid dle UncoOmfortable No bunker No sheets No fox hole au rabbit warren No hutch. Terriers nip at our heel They dream of capture They run into the night - the hounds, A ir full of ammo Praise the Lord, he be on Our s ide Othah s ide Devil's kin Shh, shn, restez tranquille Go to sleep, keep it Downtown Keep it Eastside rules. Keep it low profi le, we be paesan all Egalite, Egalite. Egalite Citizen Able, Citizen Baker Charlie Hush, hush my linle Ones Vel vet bees are sleeping Flutter byes aussi Only stars still peekin' ? Sleep, sleep - dream of tomorrow - Big Rock Candy, maraschino cherries - Indian candy, Ooli chan grease, golden Sarge dragged me from tree to tree One hundred and twenty pounds Bone and muscle and will power Fur and slobber Ronweiler, Rhodesian Ridgeback Smarter than average Smarter than me Loves liver - anything I cooked For me Guarded me but aloofly Never aggressive Liked to dominate the cute bitches Too old for fri sky Too busy for fun D oggedly handsome, tail hig h, Canny canine Miss yo u Sarge, & your snout in my crotch emba'rrassing me Wilhelmina Mi les
coueen路s cornet 1. Volunteer Committee Meeting Wednesday, October 13 atlpm C lassroom II Volunteer of the Month is chosen by those at the meeting (not by staff) ALL VOLUNTEERS WELCOME! Your voice is needed and appreciated.
2. VOLUNTEER BANQUET STYLE DINNERWednesday, October 20 at 4:30 S harp! Theatre Your contribution and hard work is appreciated by the many peop le who benefit by your services. Let us serve you! Ski ll testing questions for mystery pri zes . Pick up your ticket- Volunteer Program Office
3. BURRITO DINNER Monday, October 25, 2ND Floor Concession Pick up your ticket- Volunteer Prog ram Office 4. Volunteers of the Month: September Steve Lytton, Leaming Centre and over-al l wonderful ambassador Doug Chapman, Kitchen Dishwasher
Remembering David Wong David was one o f those rare treasures whom we didn't have a clue what he was saying but we unders路 tood him anyhow; he was cantankerous, obnoxious and loud but we loved him anyway. When he wasn't swearing and throwing forks around, he had the mos adorable lit1le grin that could melt your heart in an instant. David had a natural sensibility of the theatre of life represented by his unique fash ion sense, paintings and the mischievious gl int in his eye. He wore those bright red pants of his, topped off with a shiny yellow plastic hat with the panache of a royal prince. A nd then there was the big yellow feathered chicken costume wi th a huge flow ing plume that he wore' in our parade .... only David could have pulled that one off in the g rand manner he did. We often think of how David's loudness sometimes made us so mad; yet that is o路ne of our fondest mem ories that always brings smiles to our faces. David was a dedicated, hard working volunteer for our Kitchen from the beginning. As long as he kept moving, at 86 years old Dav id was as robust as ever. He gave to our community literally (almost) to his dy ing day. We are in awe of David for that. I le truly li ved until he died. Many of us miss him like crazy.
Headlines Theatre presents Us and Them (the inquiry)
"We're excited to start working on the next steps,"' said Susan Davis of the BC Coalition for Experiential Communities (BCCEC). "Sex workers have alWhat makes it possible for humanity to, over and ready laid the groundwork for building a safe and over again, create 'the other'? What makes it vibrant working community for ourselves, and we've possible for people to turn a deaf ear, a blind eye? already started implementing our plans." BCCEC's To racially profile? To drop (so many types of) new_ Opening the Doors_ report lays out detailed bombs? Who are 'they'? plans to increase the safety of all sex workers and Headlines Theatre presents a theatrical inquiry can be a template for working in a decriminalized entitled Us and Them (the inquiry). Audiences will environment. The report was written by sex workers. experience an intimate evening of theatre without a who are in the best position to know what is best for play. No actors, no script- just an open theatrical themselves and their industry. dialogue. "A lthough the government will likely appeal this Sat, Nov 6 at the Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood verdict. this decision is a huge step towards ensuring House (573 E. Hastings@ Princess) that sex workers wi ll enjoy the same rights and proWed. Nov 10 at Calabash Bistro (428 Carrall) tections as other Canadians, including the protection Sat. Nov 13 at Interurban Gallery (1 E. Hastings) of police and other support systems," said Tamara Reservations recommended: 604-871-0508 O'Doherty, a FIRST spokesperson and a criminoloAdmission by donation. All events at 7.30pm gist at UFV. "We call on a ll provinces and police forces across For more info on venue and date listings, feel free Canada to stop enforcing the prostitution laws imto pick up a flyer at the Carnegie or visit: mediately," said O'Doherty. "This would be a crubttp:/lheadlinestheatre.com ("What's New") cial first step in reducing violence against sex workers. It's time for Canada to acknowledge that sex ~"" workers are people too, and that sex workers are --r;: ;:::::=- entitled to safety and equality." ~The plaintiffs - Amy Lebovitch, Terri-Jean Bedford, _ _ and Valerie Scott, of Sex Professionals of Canada 路 (SPOC)- argued their case in front of the Superior Court of Ontario in October 2009, with Al?n Young -=--..-.;;=:::- as counsel. "Much of the violence and abuse experienced by sex workers is a result of the conditions created by the criminal laws," said Katrina Pacey, lawyer with Pivot Legal Society. "The laws have forced sex workers into the shadows where they face very dangerous conditions and can't turn to the police for protection without risking arrest. It's wonderful that =ONTARIO COURT STRIKES DOWN the court has recognized the harm of the Jaws, and has freed sex workers from the threat of criminal PROSTITUTION LAWS= prosecution." Pivot and FIRST explain why consensual adult sex work needs to be decriminalized in Sex workers across Canada are celebrati ng the OnCanada in their new position paper, tario Superior Court's decision today, which struck down Canada's prostitution laws. TheCourt held tha FIRST, Pivot, and BCCEC would like to thank Sex the bawdy house Jaw, the communication law and Professionals of Canada and the three Toronto sex the Jaw that prohibits living on the avails are unconworkers for their courage and determination in standing up publicly for the rights and safety of stitutional because they violate sex workers' rights t safety, life, liberty and freedom of expression. themselves and all Canadian sex workers._
Downtown Eastside Centre for the Arts Creating Opportunities for the Artist in Everyone
To supporters and funders of the Downtown Eastside Centre for the Arts, As you know Dalannah Gail Bowen has been the Founding Artistic Director and Administrator for the Downtown Eastside Centre for the Arts. In these capacities, she has successfully raised funds and managed the delivery of accessible programs giving local residents opportunities to participate in the arts - the Quilt Project, Night Hawk Festival, Chinatown Night Market and Move II programs are amongst the many powerful initiatives she initiated. Fund raisers such as the amazing Rohan's Reunion at the Yale have also been enormously successful in raising funds and in demonstrating the support of many professional performers for Dalannah and d1e Centre she has fou nded. In her adm inistrative capacity, Dalannah has also set up systems and recruited an outstandi ng board made up of individuals with many years of experience as residents or workers in the Downtown Eastside. As you can imagine, this work has required a great deal of time and energy. This has come during aperiod when Dalannah's professional career as one of Canada's outstanding blues performers is also gaining considerable momentum. However, it has also meant a cost to her health. In order to conserve and focus her incredible energy, Dalannah has decided to change her role with the Centre. At the request of the board, she will continue to serve as an advisor and will help out with some of the organization's activities. However, the administrative role will be passed on to a staff person, the hiring of whom will take place as soon as possible Uob description to follow). Given this transformation, with the exception of the 'Move It' program, DECA will need to suspend programming during the autumn, so that a new administrator can be hired and trained and who will then focus on fund raising and bui lding DECA 's capacity. The Board appreciates your continued support during this period of transition and looks forward to Dalannah's ongoing advice and the strength of her vision. In particular we would appreciate it if you could circulate the job description you will be receiving shortly to
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any individuals you think might be able to help us in leading the organization in its next stage of development. Message from Dalannah Gail Bowen: "l wanted to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to those who stepped forward to support myself and the Downtown Eastside Centre for the Arts in its pilot year, and my hope is that you will continue to support this important organization through this period of transition." Sincerely, Mel Lehan, President NormaJean Maclaren, Secretary
While I fight for you I have been called everything. I have been told so much I live without love as the ones who need love are left out of touch, working to no end to survive on stale bread, not knowing the true light or the heat of lovesend. I walked among you with so much humbleness to give all I have yet, when I was in need of _ all they could do is laugh. So I walked on to break in new days to hear once again the people's styles, cultures and ways. After a many a year (a millennium) in waiting, I have returned only to see you escaping. My people are dying and you sit in your offices; m) people are calling and you give false promises. What future would you give when you are taking .. what future would you give when all my people are breaking. SWG
About Tolerance My teeth are ground down From biting on the words I want to spit out at you My tongue bleeding From the hurt flowing Through my heart. My eyelids flicker Blinking in the Bli nding light of the truth You never loved me You used me And threw me out Like a dirty rag. Well, I've picked up the pieces of myself Spruced myself up a bit And now, on twisted Metal wires We talk civi ly As if we care And maybe We do. Phoenix
"Should Canada enact Australia's Asylum Policies? Here's an Australian that says no" Judy Laverick. This is a concerned response to an article I read in a local newspaper stating that Canada was considering following Australia's Asylum policies. Many, many Australians have been presented with misleading and sometimes biased information regardi ng asylum seekers and refugees as illegal im-
migrants or queue jumpers. The risk percentage is very low as is the percentage of boat people arrivals; they are a very, very small percent of asylum seekers, migrants and refugees. The federal government came up with a promise that, regarding asylum seekers and refugees, past injustices would change. llowever, with headlines like "Rudd takes a hard line" (Sydney Morning Herald Oct 16 2009); Rudd 'too soft' on boats (The Australian Nov 9 2009), it appears that there has been and still is an attitude that the solution is: asylum seekers and refugees should be diverted back out to sea on the hope they make it to land somewhere else. The current government is endeavoring to land boat people as far away as possible. But not to Nauru where there is an Australian, tax-paid detention centre 'EMPTY'? The opposition government established it for this same reason, supposedly, because Nauru has not signed up with the UN, (* E_ven when Nauru offered to become a signatory, the Aussie govt. declined to advance it.) Landmark cases decided by the Federal Court of Australia in the past decade include: -Ruddock v Vadarlis (200 I) II 0 FCR 491, which dealt with the refugees aboard the MV Tamp; -S v Secretary, Department of Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs (2005) 143 FCR 217 which dealt with the Commonwealth's duty to provide mental health care services to indefinite detainees in immigration detention and -Fang v Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs ( 1996) 64 FCR 245 which dealt with whether appellants were entitled to be regarded as applicants who had properly applied for protection visas. Note Annual summaries of refugee law cases in the High Court of Australia involving international issues appear in the Australian Year Book oflnternational Law. Acts of Parliament In Australia, statutory federal laws dealing with refugees cover naturalization and aliens and are regarding immigration and em igration. Section 36 of the Migration Act 1958 provides for 'protection visas' and refers to the Refugees Convention, and the Act and Regulations establish the conditions for granting of these and other visas. The concept of'protection obligations' described in s 36 is a statutory one. Noncitizens without a visa that is in effect are liable to detention and removal from Australia.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful c~mmitted citizens can change the wor\~.- ~deed it is the only thing that ever has." -Uil19<1fel MeadE
102.1 fM C8-111 BIIIID -~
Next issue FRIDAY, OC!C?BER 15!
nus NEWSLETTER IS A PUBUCATION OF THE
SUBMISSION DEADLINE
CARNEGIE COMMUNITY CENTRE ASSOCIATION Arlides represent the Yiews of inlfMdual
TUESDAY,OCTOBER12
contributors and not of the Association.
We aclmow\edgethal-Camegi.e ~~u~~ and this Newsletter, are OCCUlTing on Coast Salish T~~-. ..· ·. . ~ ;: :, -~·;. ·:· ........ -~~-:·~- ..~. .:~;:_:~· . ..;,;:. :: ~--; .: :.· ;.:_:;.',;;_..:·~··:. ~;.-~ ...·... . ·:·· .
WANTED
Artworil for the- Camegie newsletter
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Small illustratioos to aa:nnpany articles and poetry . Cover art- Uax size: 17an(6 Y.")wide x 15cm(O}higl. Suqed matter pertaining lo issues relevant to lhe . Clomtown Eastside, but aJ 'WOO coosidered. Bladt & White printing mly. Size restriclioos apply Q.e. if your piece is too lage, it will be reduced andla- aqJped lo fit) . AI crisis wr"U receive aedil "for their wm. CD:Jinals will be rehned to the artS. after being ~ b Jll!hi':alm. Renmeratioo: Carnegie Volw"tleer Tdets Pleise make submissions to Paul T~or, Editor.
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Editor. Paulll Taylor,.· Cover !Dlfl · ~on & distn"bution c:rew: ~· Uul.i\, Harold. Ada, Vdeha., Mary .Ann. Miriam. Kelly,~ RoQyn, NO. 2010·00KAnoNS: Libby D.--$50, ~ A.-$511. ~aret 0.~ Jenny K.-$25, Sue K.-$30,111c:b21 C,-${i), .lap B.-$1 00, Christopher R.-$180, s.t1aB & 111!1 ~~. Lisle S.:$50, Sbeia B.-$25, WBhelmina ._-$10, tEEDS -$Sl, Laurie RAG vancouver Moving TlleJbe -$100, s.ab E.-$46. ne~ -S200 PaddyT.-$100 Welcome Donations to Relieve t he Pinch:
Michael C.-$100, Michael F.-$1000, C.-$1000, Harold & Sharron -$100, Rolf A.-$100, lou -$5 Robert R.-$20, Mary G.-$100, John F.-$50
GET CLEAN! Shower up at the Lbrd's Rain 327 Carrall Street (just .off Pigeon Parle.) HOT SHOWERS . (towels, soap, shampoo, the worlcs! & coffee) Monday llam-3pm; Tuesday 7 -B:30am; Tuesday ·l -4pm and LADIES Only! Friday llam-3pm; Saturday 7 - lOam ld on porle Francais
Hab/amos Espana/
~·C!I www.gll1!!lCW5.00!,
b!ID:Ilharyr.sar:rs.sfu.ca/chodarr [lndCll)
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Jenny Wai Ching .irwan MLA Working for You
~~ &t \ ,,.i
1870·-1641 Commercial Dr, VSL 3Y3 ~ . Phone:604-773-0790 · .--. .·'
. ·j have !he audacity to beieve that people everywl'l!fe can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and Wture for their mms, dignity. equality in! justi:e tor their spirits. I believe that what self~ men have tom down, other-centred men can build up.' . Dr. Martin Luther Ki!J.l Jr.
THE CARNEGIE CENTRE STREET BAND IS LOOKING FOR MUSICIANS!
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Sandmen com in' little ones To guide you 'cross da ribbon of forgetfulnessMommy rich .. Daddy good lookin' .. Tickle munster und da bed, bear at da door Real fear, real tears, real pain Alone again except fo Teddy. Wilhelmina Miles
HORNS, NOISY MUSIC MAKERS, PERCUSSIONISTS- JOIN US! 3:30 pm on Saturdays Gentrification is al ive and well in the Carnegie Cafeteria: 20 minute lineups for lunch, with welldressed "yuppies" taking advantage of the 'cheap meals. Worst of all is that they have absolutely no loyalty to Carnegie. The regulars are quickly learning to get there early b~fore lunch is sold out. The volunteers hope there wtll be some food left to buy with their hard-earned tickets, when they finish their shifts. I~ you have to fl ash your membership card for every thmg else, why wouldn 't it be the same for food ? Making these yuppies members would raise some money, look good for any government check -"See how .many people use the Carnegie Centre!" plus po~s t bly spark.their interest to doing other things whtle here best des eating all our food!! Kelly
VANCOUVER OPERA Lillian Alling
EStacio o/ Murrell The first 75 people will receive free tickets to the final dress rehearsal of the opera.
Hi Paul, I came in Tuesday for lunch and heard that Sandy Cameron was in hospital and very sick. 1 fe lt such grief..... . I owe him and Carnegie members for the encouragement! was given to write. I was at a conference with Sandy many years ago and was treated badly by affluent people there. They had said I had no right to protest about welfare rights and social services because l had been sponsored to the conference and was there for free(!?)" I gave up and crying ran off. I wanted to get horne. which was far away. Sandy carne after rne.and said. "Stop, come, I want to show you this big tree.'路 It was huge and a very old tree. H e said, "Talk to the tree, Sheila... talk," He held my hand. I swore. I cursed those people. And then I said, . "TREE I PROMlSE YOU I WILL WRITE ABOUT T HI S AMD I WILL KEEP ON WRITING! " The tree branch moved in the wind as if saying "I hear you". That was the start of me as an author: 4 book; I play all about the injustice of poverty. Th~ Camegie Newsletter published my poems, adverttsed my books ... Carnegie held book launches and my play was shown in the theatre. Thankyou dear Sandy - my mentor ,my fri~nd, Thanky ou Paul, for your endless support, and you too, Carnegie Centre hugs. Sheila [Baxter]
Wednesday October 13, 2010 @ 7pm Carnegie Centre Theatre Presented by Vancouver Opera's UBC Learning Exchange in collaboration with the Carnegie Centre.
COMING SOON!
7th
Annual Downtown Eastside
Heart of the City Festival Wednesday, October 27- Sunday November 7, 2010 \
With 12 exciting days of music, theatre, fi lm, poetry, readings, radio, forums, cultural celebrations workshops and art shows, the 7ih Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival celebrates the creative and committed artists, residents and activists who thrive in our community. While Olympics begin to fade from the community's memory, the wave of gentrification pressure on the Downtown Eastside community continues along with the all too common view that the DTES is 'not a real neighbourhood'. Marketers of condominiums in the Downtown Eastside completely ignore the community's history and identity and wipe out the neighbourhood with new marketing names such as the Woodwards District. To address this rewriting of our community's identity, and to celebrate and promote the spirit of our home community, the 20 10 Festival theme is: " Downtown Eastside - H eart and Home". In the words of DE poet and activist Bud Osborn: Our purpose is to live in community, and community is care, care for one another, care for those least able to care for themselves, care for all care in action. This year's festival features more than 80 events at over 25 locations, so choosing what to go to becomes a delightful challenge. In the next Newsletter we will highlight a few special presentations you will want to put in our schedule so as not to miss! For now, reserve the dates Oct 27 to Nov 7 and we' ll see you there ! Watch the next Carnegie Newsletter for program highlights! For more information contact 604-628-5672 or www.heartofthecitvfestival.com The Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival is produced by Vancouver Moving Theatre with the Carnegie Community Centre & the Association of United Ukrainian Canadians, working with over 25 community partners.