October 1, 2011, carnegie newsletter by Carnegie Newsletter

carnegie~ NEWSLETTER

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OCTOBER camnews@shaw.ca www.camnews.org http:l/camegie.vcn,bc.calnewsletter http://harvestors.sfu.ca/chodarr

1, 2011

What housing means to me -a poem read at the Women's Housing March Housing means safety Housing means choice Housing means that I have a voice A small part of the planet I can call my own. A tiny part I can call home life is not always perfect th ings a re not always great

it's a day-to-day struggle everyone must face to lay o ur heads down peaceful at night it's not just a dream, it should be a right Community and Love friendship and growth ideas born out of dreams, wishes and hope but most of all it means dignity and that's what housing means to me Raquel Rose Daniels

A stunnin2 show of solidarity asks Premier to fix Women Inquiry

Missin~:

Wednesday, September 28, 2011 by David Eby

20 of the 21 organizations that are non-government and who have been gr_anted standing in_ the Women Inquiry, along with 17 of the 18 families granted standing, have s1gned a letter asking the Premier to intervene and fix the troubled Commission. The letter says very clearly that these groups want to save this inquiry, and they want it to work.

How long before the By-Law is Passed that will keep women from being thrown out hotel W.indows? C ity council promised a group of women who went to city hall last week a by-law will be presented making it mandatory for hotel owners in the Downtown Eastside to secure windows in their establishments to prevent any more women from falling to their deaths. Two women in the same hotel (one year apart) have fallen and died a horrendous death; these deaths were witnessed by some community members. The reality is, as we know, an open market for violence against women in the downtown eastside, rapes of women at First United C hurch, drug dealers prey on women openly, serious assaults on women, and as we know murders of women, women being thrown out of windows of hotel rooms so high there is only certain death .. women have no real way to fight back against this increasing violence inflicted upon them. A justice system that delivers anything but JUSTICE;

two women threatened to be sliced open by a machete wielding drug enforcer who gets his day in court last Friday (23rd), & is sentenced to ONE DAY IN JAIL! That's enough! We will not sit back and see women continually abused by perpetrators and then the INJUSTICE system. Women in the dtes: it is time to fight back and take it to the courts where Judges are going to be held accountable for the decisions that further put women at risk. A Public Inquiry into the deaths and disappearances of women for the dtes is about to begin on October II Voices of Aboriginal women and women serving organizations will be absent from this process because the government feels there is adequate representation for community members to be heard in this process. Meanwhile the RCMP and VPD are well covered with legal representative (lawyers) falling all over one another because there are so many for "their side." February 14 Women's Memorial March Committee members sent a letter to AG Shirley Bond on September 7th asking her to reconsider the decision her office made regarding the imbalance in this Missing Women Public Inquiry process. In a form letter sent from the office of Attorney General Shirley Bond "The British Columbia government is facing a significant financial challenge, and resources are constrained. Establishing the Inquiry with wide discretion and a flexible process while funding the families of the victims, who are in the most difficult position with respect to advancing their interests and experiences, strikes a balance which will support a robust inquiry process." Hello! we are talking about the largest mass murder of women in Canadian History here. Why can't the government find the money to fund women's groups and organizations that bore witness to sixty five women froin this community disappearing and consequently murdered for a period of over 20 years.

Another VPD cop was granted full standing with independent council paid for by the tax payers, how does that happen? Many in the dtes community wonder where the government constraint was when the BASIIVIRK trial swallowed up $6,000,000 of tax payers' money for two Liberal insiders involved in the scandal to do with the BC Rail sale? Who made the decision to pay for their bank of lawyers and why wasn't that decision up for public process? October 4 is the National Day of Action to end violence against Aboriginal Women. Events will be taking place on this national day to show support and raise awareness of the increasi ng violence against women. October 11 is the opening day of the Missing Women Public Inquiry headed by Wally Oppal. We are planning an action for that day and ask anyone available to join us. Please do so. We ask people to wear their regalia, bring your hand drums and come and support community women. On behalf of the February 14th Women's Memorial

This isn't raving lunacy! '] ~ resi.dent.at 1? E Hastings- Tellier Tower- brings up d1sturbmg s1tuat1on affecting her and corroborated by a number of other individuals living in the same or close buildings. Apparently there is an array of equipment on the rooftop of a b~ilding for dealing with cell phone operations. Recent stud1es have found that proximity to the radiation and waves foc_used and given off 24f7 by such equipment does have senous effects on human and animal bodies. Heal~h conditions have notably increased in severity, organ fu~chon and affect on sympathetic nervous systems is deletenously measurable and may be a contributing factor in premature death, due to the breakdown of systems vital to maintaining life. Locals have contacted companies profiting from these cell ~owers and been stonewalled whenever requests for Independent testing are made. A group formed at USC Citizens for Safe Technology, has agreed to come to' the Downtown Eastside and test the levels of radiation and electromagnetic energy in and around these buildings. Stay tuned! From Kim

March Committee

PIVOT Withdraws from Missing Women Inquiry , On September 2 1, 200 I Pivot Legal Society Lawyer Douglas King and Campaign Director Darcie Bennett .:held a press conference to announce the official withdrawal of Pivot Legal Society from the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry, headed by former Attorney General Wally Oppal. They discussed how the government's failure to fund sex worker organizations, women's groups and Aboriginal groups to participate in the Inquiry has led Pivot to withdraw from the Inquiry, and they announced a new initiative to collect sworn statements from women to assess how much has changed for sex workers and other vulnerable women trying to report violence. Doug King, Lawyer (778)898-6349 Pivot's mandate is to take a strategic approach to social change, using the law to address the root causes that undermine the quality oflife of those most on the margins. We believe that everyone, regardless of income, benefits from a healthy and inclusive community where values such as opportunity, respect and equality are strongly rooted in the law.

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Can it! A Food Security Workshop (2 time slots) as the autumn gently lands on our sidewalks the warmth less intense more comfortable somehow sweater season in Strathcona flowers bent and spent I luxuriate in times like this so all I do is for my own pleasure re lax long e nough to take the leisure when books & coffee & the radio play dramas skipping supper out in the park last moments of the day sucked up like sugar so now I'm an old man, older than I ever figured rumour has it I have grandsons they tell me so many things hard to decipher fact from fiction, fantasy & fact to hell and back yes and a ll th is newness wasted on me I'm bak there when typewriters and pencils and the poetry of train stations I've left the bes t of me waiting in all the yesterdays I no longer remember R Loewen

It Take's Time Please be gentle with my feelings it w ill take time, because I have been hurt before Please be gentle with the words you say, because I have heard too many lies and it will take time. Please be gentle with your eyesit will take tim eas I have seen too many deceitful looks as people walk by me ... Please be gentle with your bodyit will take time as l have seen & been hurt by angry ones too many times . .. Please be careful when you say I love you, because real love is so hard to find. Never ever give up, because a ll I need is time to heal and open my eyes so please be gentle with me because it will take time mrs . Ellenor Hanson

FREE - Bring a jar - REGISTRATION REQUIRED September 30 111 : Spm-6:3 0 pm AND 7pm-8:30pm To attend you must contact me and tell me why food security is important to you and how you can play a role in nourishing our community. Locations with be disclosed once you've registered. Food Security is more than just "securing food"- it is a fast growing social movement. Food and Nutrition play a powerful role in connecting people, building strong and resilient communities, preventing and managing illnesses, as well as improving health. Thus Food Security is about protecting human, animal and environmental health as well as bui lding a wholesome and vibrant community. Although we live where food seems to be bountiful, Canada currently has NO National Food Policy to ensure food security and we urgently need one! (There is an action plan in process ...).

Major Food security issues in Canada today: *Close to 2 1/2 mill ion Canadians have trouble putting food on the table every day *One in four Canadians are considered obese *We are losing thousands of family farms every year *Canada is the only G8 country with no nationallyfunded school meal program *Food production and distribution account for 3054% of greenhouse gas emissions As a community I feel that it is important that we make an effort to address these concerns by: -Growing or foraging food or connecting with those who do -Learning to identify, cook and preserve what is in season -Emphasizing community & family meal sharing >>> we路 will discuss the importance of connecting with the land through foraging, gardening and food growing. As well, connecting with farmers- through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and farmers markets: As well, I will demonstrate techniques in preservmg our local foods (canning, drying, fermenting, salting, freezing ...) for the colder months. Menu ideas (dependent on what is ripe): Dried apples & pears; Dried herbs; Cordials; Sauces To learn more about food security issues: Food Secure Canada: http://foodsecurecanada.org/ stephanie@vitalisnutrition.com

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Carnegie Centre's "Reopening" party on October 14th!!! To thank all of our patrons for their patience and understanding during the many months of renovation work and to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the city of Vancouver, we are celebrating with a grand open house with festivities throughout the building. Join us at 9 am for \ ribbon cutting, then stay for the day's activities which will include music, theatre performance, scavenger hunt, storytelling, costume/dress-up, gallery presentations, art workshops, an official ceremony at 3 pm, and documentaries about our neighbourhood's history to end the evening. A complimentary lunch and snacks will be served to all our patrons. Hope to see you all there!

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No advertising from alcohol or tobacco companies Advertising wiU foUow a business card format (name of business, contact person, contact information) and wi II be accepted for a $10.00 fee The Editor reserves the right to decide what advertising is accepted within these guidelines There wi II be a statement that the Carnegie Association is not responsible for the information contained in the advertising. Individuals and organizations who make a donation to the newsletter will be acknowledged

COME

EVERYONE IS WELCOME to join us to celebrate the achievements of the photographers from the 2011 Hope in Shadows Contest. Refreshments served.

If you took pictures in the photo contest in early June and haven' t picked them up, you can pick them up at the award ceremony.

Be among the first to see the 2012 Hope in Shadows calendar!

LOCATION :Carnegie Centre Theatre

TIME : Tuesday October 4th at 10:30 a.m.

HOPE IN SHADOWS

For more information call 604-255-9701

Portraits of our Comm unity

www.hopeinshadows.com

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What's the Hope in Shadows calendar? It features photographs of the community taken during the Downtown Eastside photography contest last June.

SELL THE CALENDAR! Are you interested in earning money selling the 2012 Hope in Shadows calendar? This opportunity is open to everyo ne. No experience necessary! Come to a straight-forward training session and get sales tips from an experienced Hope in Shadows seller. You'll receive a license to sell the calendar on the streets of Vancouver and one free $20 calendar to start you off.

Next Free Calendar Sales Training Sessions lifeskills, 412 W. Cordova St Wednesday October 5, 1 p.m. Friday October 8, 1 p.m. Tuesday October 12, 1 p.m. DTES Women's Centre Thursday October 7, 2 p.m.

Sessions are one hour

and limited to 16 people. First come, first served.

With your license you will be able to purchase calendars for $10 and sell them for $20.

HOPE IN SHADOWS

For more information ca ll 604-255-9701

Portraits of our Community

All who volunteered at Word on the Street (WOTS] The 20 11 WOTS National Book and Magazine Festival was another success. Although the weather did NOT co-operate - (wind tunnel anyone?), the statistics from our 5 tables reflect down from 20 I 0 but sti II respectable: from 268 to 354 contacts! Children's and Carnegie (emphasis addedjllad the highest statistics. The History of Vancouver brochures and Finding Information on your Vancouver house flew offthe VPLiable, and the Events brochure had to be replenished many times. We quickly ran out of pens, magnets and brochures. Many thanks to Graphi cs for the laminated photos -Advo-cat and Teen Advisory brought smiles to all. So thanks to all of you for your great smiles, support and wonderful help in making this a great festival. If you have any feed back for us on how to improve for next year, please let us know. Patti Mills and Day! McCullough \

News From the Library Did you enter our button making contest this summer? We decided to make a button for each person who entered, whether or not you won. You can pick up your button at the library. New DTES/Strathcona Library consultations Thanks to everyone who participated in DTES/Strathcona Library open houses earlier this summer. We held six open houses in different locations, including Carnegie and Oppenheimer Park. Some of the things we heard: *You want the design of the library to have lots of natural light, and nature. *You'd like to see a separate children's area for storytelling and play. *You want a library with a relaxing, welcoming atmosphere for all res idents, and a space to display work by local artists. *You'd like meeting and community space, too. There were lots of suggestions for programs- for children, for the Chinese community, intergenerational programs, Aboriginal programs, and programs for teens. You'd like to see poetry, book clubs, lifeskills classes, writing, food security, ESL programs,

movie nights, and health programs. And lots of you want computer classes and computer rooms. You had suggestions for the collection, too: more books, more DYDs, more selection, more variety, and lots and lots of specific suggestions. You want the new library to be part of the community, to involve the community, and reflect the community. My favourite suggestion: a swimming pool with floating chairs and water-resistant books. (I'm not sure anything will come ofthis one ... ) In the next year, look out for more opportunities to shape the new library and talk about library services. In the meantime, you can share any ideas with staff at the Carnegie and Strathcona branches, or bye-mailing info@vpl.ca.

New Books Bored of your Gods? Have you tried Bumba, African god of vom it, Raugupatis, the Lithuanian god of beer fermentation, or Priapus, Greek god of the everlasting erection? The Book ofthe Gods: 600 Gods from 20 Palllheons Explained (202.11 S25b) is Chas Saunders and Peter J Allen's tongue-in-cheek guide to the gods of20 different cultures, from ancient Mesopotamia to the Caribbean. The Essential Guide to Healthy Healing Foods (6 15.854 R43e) is a comprehensive guide to the foods you need to keep healthy and fight disease. Tt includes chapters on the main food groups, sections on foods that can help fight inflammation and strengthen your immune system, and recipes. Do you need to put together a newsletter for a club, or society, or a political organization? Designing a Newsletter, by Christian Darkin (686.2 021 d) bills itself as "The really really really easy step-by-step guide for absolute beginners of all ages." Of course, the newsletter that you're currently holding in your hand has no need of any of this advice, being one of the best and most widely read newsletters anywhere! Two new books for music lovers this week. Rhythm& Beauty: The Art ofPercussion, by Rocky Maffit (789) is full of gorgeous photos and basic information about every kind of percussion instrument, from the humble triangle to the Indonesian Gamelan. The "Beyond Tradition" section describes a variety of unusual instruments, from a s imple nail-and-wood marimba, to an electronically programmed wave drum. From 'Your Librarian'; (no one is claiming responsibility!)

OCTOBER 26 TO NOVE.MBER 6 2011 Featuring over 80 events at over 20 locations throughout the Downtown Eastside Music • poetry • stories • media and visual arts • workshops • food • celebrations • history tall:.s and wal~s

........ ........ -············ www.heartofthecityfestival.com

604.628.5672 ............. ......

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COMING SOON! Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival

Wednesday, October 26- Sunday November 6, 2011

With twelve exciting days of music, poetry, spoken word, stories, visual arts, cultural celebrations, outdoor festivities, films, dance, processions, forums, workshops, discussions, gallery exhibits, mixed 1 media, hip hop, art talks, history walks and a diverse array of artist showcases, the 8 h Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival celebrates the creative and committed artists, residents and activists who thrive in our community. To celebrate our community's 1251h anniversary and promote the spirit of our home community, the 2011 Fest iva I theme is: "Telling Our Story, Building Our Community." The Downtown Eastside is the heart of the City, the founding neighbourhood where Vancouver began, and it is the home of choice for thousands of the City's residents. The Festival takes inspiration from the words of Downtown Eastside poet and historian, Sandy Cameron: "Each of us has something to tell, something to teach.

We speak the language of the heart- here- in the Downtown Eastside- the soul of Vancouver. " The festival is thri lled to announce that the Honourable Steven Point, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia will attend performances of the Carnegie Jazz Band with special guest Dal Richards, and the Aboriginal Artist Showcase featuring urban aborigina l artists and musicians at the Carnegie Theatre. This year's festival features more than 80 events at over 20 locations, so choosing what to see and hear becomes a delightful challenge. In the next newsletter we will highlight a few special presentations you will want to put in your schedule! For now, reserve the dates Oct 26 to Nov 6!

Watch the next Carnegie newsletter for program highlights! For more information contact 604-628-5672 or www.heartofthecityfestival.com The Downtown Eastside Hea rt of the Festival is produced by Vancouver Moving Theatre with the Carnegie Community Centre & the Association of United Ukrainian Canadians, working with a host of community partners. Artist: Mike Richter Photo: David Cooper

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~BAD'' ELEMENTS!

Carnegie Community Action Project (CCAP) Newsletter

IRead CCAP reports at:

http://ccapvancouver.wordpress.com

October 1, 2011

"Our community will not abandon the 100-block to condo developers" A report from the September 17th 5th Annual Women's Housing March & the Block Party to Block Condos on the 100-B/ock On Saturday September 17th around 600 people took the streets of the DTES for more than six hours in the 5th annual Women's Housing March and the Block Party to Block Condos on the 100-block. The events celebrated the power of the DTES community with music, theatre, dance, art, and statements ... all displaying the strength, beauty, and vision of the

DTES low-income community. The day began with the Women 's Housing March, organized by the DTES Power of Women group. DTES residents and allies performed skits outside of restaurants mocking upperclass restaurant tourists while fine-diners dined inside. Our hundreds walked down the middle of Cordova, Hastings, Main Streets while traffic waited for us. The cops

All pictures of the Women's March for Housing and Block Party to Block Condos courtesy of Ben l Powless, Vancouver Media Coop, Gena Thompson, Harjap Grewal, and Fathima Cadre

stood back and watched while the peoples' voices rang off the walls of the hotels surrounding the streets. The Women's Housing March turned business-as-usual on its head: As residents came together we took control over our community. It was a powerful march and the message was shouted loud: Women and all lowincome residents need social housing now!

lives in the Regent, said the conditions in the Regent "provide women no safety from violent men." Verna's words at a 100-block residents' meeting the day before she died framed the days' events: "I think we have to fight now to make things better." Immediately following the Women's Housing March was the Block Party to Block Condos on the 100-Biock, organized by the Stop Pantages Condos Coalition - involving a dozen DTES resident groups and supported by more than 40 other ally groups.

The urgency of this demand was felt especially when the march ended at the Regent Hotel where Verna Simard For three more hours the Block Party had tragically died the night before. took over all of the 100-block of East People at the march said that Verna, Hastings. From a ~~~~ stage in front of the wreckage of the Pantages demolition speakers pointed to the block as the heart of the DTES community. Richard Cunningham , VANDU, SASI , and DNC board member pointed across the street at lnsite as an example of the life Elders and warriors lead the way on the 5th Annual saving health care services Women's March for housibg that would be threatened by condos at the Pantages site. Bea an Indigenous woman and resident Starr from the DTES Power of Women of the Regent, where she shared a group spoke about the importance of tiny hotel room with her partner, was ki lled by the systemic violence. James the DTES Women's Centre for women Mickelson, a friend of Verna's who also in the community and explained how 2

Join the campaign:

Pantages for 1OOo/o social housing

1. Get your DTES group to endorse the DTES community resolution o

2. Come to the Stop Pantages Condos coalition meetings, 6pm Thursdays at Aboriginal Front Door Society office (check with Wendy to make sure: 604-839-0379} important it is that the area around it remain friendly to low-income women. The Carnegie Centre and Aboriginal Front Door are also on the 100-block and the services there for low-income residents would all be threatened by condos on the block. Mona Woodward from the Aboriginal Front Door was a coalition spokesperson for the Block Party. She explained "For us, the fight against gentrification is also against colonialism .. .The block party is a declaration that the community will not abandon the 100block to gentrifying real estate speculators and investors."

Orgamze tor health & satety in the hotels on the 100-block against the Pantages demolition conditions Come along for creative deliveries to the owner and developer of the Pantages condo project Help create a campaign logo and slogan Strageize next steps in the Pantages campaign

Most importantly... stay in touch with CCAP and get ready for a fight for the soul of our community! a clear message from a community under siege by condo developers, city hall, real estate speculators, and SRO hotel owners: The DTES lowincome community will not tolerate any more condos. We won't tolerate any more violence against Indigenous women. And women and all5,000 hotel residents desperately need safe, healthy, self-contained, and resident controlled social housing. (- Ivan D.)

The Women 's March for Housing and the 100-Biock Block Party against condos sent

SEPTEMBER 17,2011: The Pantages theatre has been sitting empty in our community for more than a decade. The owner of all the property between the Regent and the Brandiz says that our home is a "dead zone". He says he's going to save it by selling it to middle-class condo buyers. But our block never has been and is not for sale. The DTES is our neighbourhood and the 100-block is the centre of our neighbourhood; it is the heart of the whole city. We are the ones who are already paying for the quarter million dollar condos on the 100-block. We are paying with our health today, and we will pay with our housing tomorrow. The government has tried for 200 years to assimilate or exterminate Indigenous people.

~ This demolition is an example 0 of how they are killing urban ~oo Aboriginal people and other lowincome people with health and ~ :l !::!: CD c.O environmental conditions that ...... I'+"" the government supports, allows 0 -·"" and encourages from private a:lCD developers like Marc Williams. ?en en 2.: ...... -· They talk about "affordable ooc. condos" but these "Sequel 138" ~ C. CD :::rtu:l condos seem more like another 0 ~I'+ en-. en small pox blanket for us. We know more than a dozen CJ Cti tu C. ~ ~. :l CD residents of the Regent, the 0 . ~ C. Brandiz, the Balmoral, and the ~ ~ :::r "' CD Cl> ...., Washington hotels who have o. o. 0 :l respiratory problems that have o ~ ; C. gotten worse since the demolition ~ ~ -·en started. Premier Christy 3 ~~ ~ Clark says 'families first': The ~ ~'+CD demolition is hurting the families ~ S: 0 ~ of the DTES. Are we not a family 0 ~ 3 c. to you? Where is the health ;: ~ :::r department? Where is Premier ~ ~ CD Clark? ~ 'Jl < ~

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Any building can be replaced but not our health , not our lives

We need welfare and pension rate affordable resident controlled, safe social housing

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who need good quality homes where we feel safe and healthy. We are people with disabilities, we struggle with mental and physical health and addictions, we are low-income white men, we are women, we are elders, we are aboriginal people. And we need good homes. In the hotels on the 100-block everywhere outside of your room is public space. There are a lot of women living in the hotels on the 100-block. When women leave their rooms at night to take a leak in the common bathroom we wonder if there is a man behind ou ' door. We wonder if there is a man in â&#x20AC;˘ the bathroom. And when we come back we wonder if there is a man waiting for us in our rooms. We feel locked up in our own rooms.

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There are many disabled people, people in wheelchairs , who live in the hotels on the 100-block. There are many elders who live in hotels on the 100-block. The hotels are not safe for us. We need safe and healthy housing. We need social housing. Pantages condos will displace us. The Pantages condos plan is coming as a promise of home ownership for hypothetical middle-class artists and

social workers who don't exist on the 100-block today. This condo plan is a threat of the housing that we do have. Our housing needs to be replaced , but it needs to be replaced by housing for us. Condos on the 100-block are not for us. We are the real existing people who live on the 100-block. City hall and Christy Clark need to build housing for real existing people who are here right now, not for hypothetical artists and social workers. Any housing built on the 100-block should be for people who live here already. 100-block residents have senority here. We have been waiting for years on social housing wait lists in rat, roach and bedbug infested hotel rooms. This is our community and we need social housing here. This is the only place we have left in the city where we can afford to live. This is our turf! This is where our friends are. This is where ou r roots are. Marc Williams: We will stop your condo project. Sell the Pantages lot to the city for 100% social housing or lose it all. This is our block. This is our community and it's not for sale. - 100-block-ers

Alert City Hall! Condo developments are growing THREE TIMES faster than social housing The City's 2005 Downtown Eastside Housing Plan says numerous times that "the pace of development of new market and low-income housing should be similar." But is it similar? Let's look at the facts. According to the city's Non Market Housing Inventory 2005-2011, by the end of this year, 622 units of non market housing renting at welfare rates will have opened in the DTES in this period. And this year 328 of those units will open so this is a very good year for social housing in the DTES. These are the units that came from our work during the Olympics, trying to embarrass the government in front of an international audience about homelessness. For four of those years, however, no new social housing opened. This is the list of new social housing: 2005: 2006: 2007: 2008: 2009:

0 0 Smith Yuen, 52 units 0 Woodwards: 125 singles & 25 low income families Lux: 92 units 2010: 0 2011: Station St: 80 Union Gospel Mission: 37 337 E. Pender: 03 525 Abbott: 108

What happened on the market side? In that same 2005 to 2011 period 1681 market units opened . If you add in the 50 family units at Woodward that are social housing but have high rents , the total is 1731 high rent housing in the DTES. Some are upscaled rooming houses like the Burns Block which used to house people on welfare and now rents for $870 to $1000 a month. New high cost housing in the DTES: 2005: 919 Station: 59 units 33 Water: 58 units 2006: Koret: 118 Bowman: 38 2007: Creekside: 165 9 W. Pender: 11 Empress: 10 2008: 36 Water St.: 46 540 Beatty: 57 Paris: 29 33 W. Pender: 63 71 E. Pender: 22 Smart: 90 2009: Garage: 34 Ginger: 78 Woodwards: 536 condos + 50 social housing > welfare 2010: 221 Union: 130 Pender Place: 23 2011: Burns Block: 28 Golden Crown: 28 American: 37 Boulder: 21

So, has "the pace of development of new market and low-income housing" been similar over the last 6 years? NO! Market development has outpaced housing that people on welfare can afford by almost three to one. The only way the city can claim that market and social housing are proceeding together is by including the hotels that the province bought which aren't new or self contained. The Housing Plan even says that its intent is to replace SROs with "new" and "self-contained" social housing. But the city has still been counting the provincially owned SROs as "new." After 2011, the numbers get tricky because we're not sure when new buildings will actually get built or if they may be cancelled. For example, the city originally thought two developments on Princess St. would be complete by 2010, but construction still hasn't started on them and now they may not be done until 2013 or 2014. One of these buildings will have 139 units and the other 148. Twenty units above the new library are scheduled to open in 2014, but the businesses on the site haven't even closed yet. Atira is planning a building with 27 units (lmoutu). The Remand Centre is supposed to be renovated to have 95 units of so-called social housing but only 24 of them will be at welfare rates. And the Pender Hotel is supposed to

be done in 2012 with 30 units. One non profit may redevelop the United We Can site but it could end up being condos and rentals with only 39 units at welfare rate . If the Pantages development goes ahead (we hope it doesn't), it is supposed to have 18 units of social housing. But will these be at welfare rates? We don't know. On the market side for 2012 we have 108 condos at 60 W. Cordova opening up, the Remand Centre with 71 probably higher than welfare rentals, and 334 Carrall with 21 condo units opening up.

The Burns Block is now all "Micro-Lofts" that rent at almost 3X welfare shelter rate

been rezoned to encourage 12 and 15 story condo towers. Yikes!

For 2013 we already have development permit applications made for 100 plus condos plus maybe some rental at 424 and 452 W. Pender; an approved development permit for 160 condos at 58 W. Hastings; and an application for 80 condos plus maybe some rental at 955 E. Hastings, plus the Sequel 138 (old Pantages site) development permit application for 71 condos.

Adding all this up, it looks like the three to one or worse ratio of market to social housing is going to prevail unless we can stop it by convincing the city to slow gentrification and buy some land for housing for low income people, and getting some federal and provincial money for social housing.

The owner of 241 E. Hastings says he wants to put in a ten story building with assisted living for seniors behind the Belmont Inn. But we still don't know what the rents would be or how many units.

Most of the social housing that is opening this year was announced in 2007 or earlier. It looks like we're going to have a 48 year wait to replace the SROs. By that time most of us will be dead.

Looking into 2014 we know that developers want to build large buildings at the old BC Electric site, the Budget Rent a Car site and at 319 Main and by the Keefer Triangle .. Then there is all the land in Chinatown that has just

All of these are statistics that we can use to fight for more social housing at welfare and pension rates and help save the low income community that is being pushed out by gentrification. (-JeanS.)

Some websites to look at http://ccapvancouver.wordpress.com/ Virtually everything we're up to at CCAP gets posted on this blog. Click on the reports tab to read CCAP's reports. http:l/dtesnotfordevelopers.wordpress.com Website for the Stop Pantages Condos Coalition. A great information resource and action update site, please check it out. http://dnchome. word press. com/ See the DNC website for updates on the shelter closures and, in the right column of the site, a calendar of events, actions, and meetings that you can download month by month.

Vanci:tY

Support for this project does not necessanly 1mply Vanc1ty s endorsement of the 8 findings or contents of this newsletter

An Investigation in Motion with Helen Walkley How does our Jove of spontaneous motion translate into vital expression in dance? This workshop is intended for anyone who loves to move and is curious about the nature of improvisational dance, the possibility to create and relate movement in the moment. A warm-up process will connect and mobilize our whole bodies developmentally from the ground into the air. Improvisational structures will follow to develop dynamic range and spatial relationships.

We will create maps in space in relation to the forms in our bodies, each other and our location in the stage space . The expressive nature of space will blossom, come alive. We will mine our dynamic range, how and where it is sourced from within and outside ourselves. In turn, we will play with phrasing, how our movement "sentences" inform each other and communicate to a public. An attention to breath will cultivate the presence of our minds in motion. Our process together will conclude with an informal studio showing open to family, friends and the neighbourhood in the Heart of the City Festival.

October 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 25: 2:30- 4:30PM In the Carnegie Gym Studio showing: October 27 (Participation in the showing is completely voluntary) Maximum number of participants: 12 Please register at the 3rd Floor Program Office by October 3rd. Helen Walkley is a contemporary dance artist, certified Laban lvfovement Analyst and registered Somatic lvfovement Educator who has taught, created and perfo rmed for the past 31 years in United States, Germany, the Netherlands and Canada. She is currently based in Vancouver.

Special People Who can that be Is it all of us people? No matter what race you are We are all equal Never be judgemental Don't put people down Though some people are not smart Put out a helping hand Teach young people What is right Be a role model It don't matter what you do Thi nk positive Because you are special All my relations, Bonnie E Stevens [B'day Oct 3!)

Flu Blitz- October 11 -October 28th. Shift times: 8:30-noon; 12:45- 4:15pm We are in need volunteers for all days and shifts of the blitz. Volunteers work directly with nurses helping them navigate the neighborhoods, helping to register and recruit people to get flu shots and acting as an overall assistant to the nurse. If interested call Janet 604-301-3885 or sign up the first day of the Blitz at the Old Buddhist Temple. Janet Notter Coord inator, Community Volunteer Resources Vancouver Coastal Health

"Volunteer for tlze Jzealtlz of it"

THE FIRST SATURDAY The Party Stopped

oCTOBER IS

The burning sensation Fuck im craving Parties and fun What have I done? I took it too far The nights wou ldn't stop I never would sleep Peoples jaws would drop From the amounts I would intake My friends even stopped I turned to other addicts That allowed me to keep going On the streets I went Just to keep smoking The days mush into one This party is ending In excnange for any drug I'd give my body to a thug Hoping to receive my D.O.C My self worth is down to a pea The fun is gone Now its just me and my lungs Both dying to breathe Now its time Goodbye methamphetamine.

路-S\-e\)\1 o J1\e.. So\-\ CA.\

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS SESSIONS- at Carnegie Hall Sept 2l 2pm & 6pm 26 9pm

30 3:30pm Oct. 2 lOam 8 3pm

LAUGHTER IS THE MUSIC OF THE SOUL OUR VOLUNTEERS- OUR GREJ\:TEST ASSET Thank You for all your hard work! Volunteer Committee Meeting Wednesday October 12 at 1pm in Classroom II The Volunteer-of-the-Month is chosen by those at this meeting (not by staff). All Volunteers Welcome! Volunteer Dinner Wednesday October 19 at 4:30pm sharp in the theatre lfyou have 12 vo lunteer hours in this month, please get your dinner ticket in the 3rd floor program office.

CAMP HOMEWOOD- WINTER RETREAT November 14- 18 (Monday through Friday) Volunteer Program I Seniors Program Camp Can you believe two years have gone by si nce the last round-up on Quadra Island? For our Volunteers and Seniors who are actively involved in our Program (along with being members in good standing), we are pleased to announce that we are once again going to the exotic shores of Gowlland Harbour, Quadra Island For those of you who attended the pre-camp meeting 111 on Wednesday, September 28 thank you for your input for the tri p: food you like, games you'd like to play, entertainment, hikes, fishing and all that jazz. We will give al your ideas attention and, if possible, add them to the itinerary for your enjoyment. Thank you everyone for taking care of things back home to enable those who are on vacatiom to be there with a clear conscience. Volunteers of the Month: Jobn Douglas Learning Centre, 2"d floor Reception, who serves with a spirit of vo/unteerism that never quits; Devin Perfect Dishwasher extraordinaire

LIFE IS LIFE- FIGHT FOR IT

YOGUY- Men's Yoga

Colleen

Surgical Sterilization was the best thing that ever happened in my life the cells were atypical possible cancer down the five-mile road when in doubt - cut it out worked for me that sudden summer of rebi11h two boys visiting one with whiskey and rock 'n roll the other more trad with flowers & Chinese food I had a completely new outfit and Sun Life Insurance for three months I took my friends to Fat Frank's For a dining experience with wine & roses Wearing a smashing white or off-white blouse & periwinkle skirt from Lothlorian (worth every penny in 1975) Dirt bike, riding behind a 12-year old Under low branches over tangled roots Edmond's Grounds The tang of sea salt and the cold clear ocean at Crystal Crescent beach .. Topless to the sun. Wilhelmina Miles

yoga a1: Oppenheimer Join Kelsi for a gentle Hatha Yoga class followed by a healthy snack. Class will be every Thursday at llam Mats will be provided and class will include a series of gentle, relaxing stretches that are suitable for all people of all ages.

If someone you know needs help with: Pain, balance, stress, phys ical strength & flexibility, mental strength & focus, self-esteem & self-respect, energy & stamina, courage & self-love, proper breathing & posture, internal health & circulation, self-confidence & creative thinking, concentration & self-discipline, relationship building & trust, yoga may be the answer. r路..,S-ta_c_e_y_R_e_e_v-es-~\ I wou ld be pleased to assist 778-995-1970 eel ~ www.yoguy.ca theguy@yoguy.ca \

What's the beef on Save On Meats? Interview with Allan, former sandwich window worker at Save On Meats Image versus reality: The image is that the new Save On Meats employs DTES residents. In our staff room there was a magazine article from when Save On Meats first opened. It said Mark Brand employs 80 workers, all who live in the DTES. Mark Brand wants people to think that kind of thing, and the media wants it to be true too. The truth is that the vast majority of the employees at Save On Meats are students, artists, and workingclass people who are not DTES residents. Most of the ones who do arc not SRO or social housing residents; they are the young people who recently moved in looking for cheap rent. The few low-income DTES residents get put in positions where the restaurant can use them as part of an image. But they get so few hours that they can't count on the work to get them out of poverty or to get access to;benefits. 路 Save On Meats' image is as an environmental, or green, restaurant. The same article in our staff room called Mark Brand the "David Suzukt' of restauranteurs. This implies that he's motivated more by his morals than his pocket, that he's committed to runn ing Save On Meats in a green way. ~"'' My nose is tingly But what does it give me? Pain drenched tears No fami ly to be near The pipe calls my name What does it say? Melt and inhale It will all go away No more fears No more tears But it doesr.'t last The feelings a trap Stop this shit Your still a kid My life disappears No one is here Just me and my head The street and my crank Slowly dying I want to stop trying Do I need to change?

The truth is that Save On Meats is just an ordinary Vancouver restaurant. The image of his being green is based in what he wants to do, not what he's doing. His rooftop garden, sourcing food from local urban farm projects ... he talks about wanting to do these things, but as far as l know that's not even in the works. Save On Meats tries to create an image of being affordable for low-income residents, like the old Save On Meats. The truth is that only a couple items on the menu are affordable for low-income people. The cheapest stuff on the menu are the least healthy: Hot dogs and baloney. The sandwich window is run by a manager who gets paid by comm ission. It gets closed on the weekends to save money; that's when the business people are not around and it's just low-income people who need food. When I first started in June there were ten sandwich window workers. We were all promised full time but we never got fu ll time. Almost everyone has quit or been laid off. As far as I know there's only the manager and one original worker left. It is a toxic work environment. I think any business is gentrifying if the owner is trying to change the neighbourhood for higher income clients. Mark Brand is doing that and Save On Meats is paving the way for the rest of his restaurants and stores. by the interviewer

Kill my old ways? Stop the stealing? Not supply my feeling? Since that day Twenty-nine days later I' m not the same lm thinking back to the past I want to stop hurting Haven't used since the day of death I want to change Flash ofthe past Its over now lm in the dark Just let go No control of my body But the things I've done Spewing what's inside Are no>v a part of me Now l cant hide All I can do The secret is out Is start new. lm in a drought Here comes the sirens Can't 1elp but think im dying St~\;(A'()

\(_

A Little More ... Should we be in "God's Memory"? Should God actually have a memory? Should God exist at all? If bad things happen to us We smell the stench of death coming Through the floorboards ... If good things happen to us ... We almost hear a harp being played in heaven. When we die, we are '路as if we had never been born" in the first place. The Beat Poets used to say " Dead already, & dead again!" & thought of how ' hip' it was to say it & think it.

But back to the original question: Should God exist & have a memory as well? But death takes you away, as if you had never existed .. or appears to take you Like a magician playing a trick on your human senses.

If Beat Death was a magician& he played a trick on you You'd think yo9u were dead . . . . if you were there at all in the atmosphere so to speak"electro-magnetic" or something like that. ..

Hard work being a mafukn saint just when you got a feeling for your fellow man your fellow man wants to fight you 'cuz he was going straig ht on a crowded sidewalk 'n you caused him to have to move a foot to the side cause even to rile some folks, get over that then some guys mutterin' mean mouthfuls atchagod knows why -and slowly you begin to feel the contagious insanity of the disturbed comin' atcha and the warm fuzzy glow starts to fade ya know until you do wonder ' why in hell should I care?' when these mo's are all about bust out crazy on ya but even tho you gotta dig extra deep, sympathy is a tall order, in short supply 'n about the only thing keep us from killing each other and ourselves 'cause when you see the other side of folks and feel them when you catch them unaware and they don't know you seein' 'em the wav they really are, maybe then you can stop hatin' everybody, stop bein' mad at the whole world, recognise that we're all bozos on this bus, the knowledge we all end up dead should leave us a little slack you give to yur brother ' hold that fist back brother.. ya feel me? Allan Rydman

You'd be like an invisible ghost laughing his head off ... but no one can see or hear him - ~e'~ !nvisible.. Say- if God were an 111V1Sible bactena, ... living on the plate you eat on.

If God was alive always He might be something like an invisible egg- like part of life: some dying, some being born. Always God might exist Always. -like death Life & Death Existing Forever -think about it. TORA

l!l R拢SIST}

Thursday;, ""riting Collective begins the fall session on Thursday, September 15. We meet every Thursday, 2-4pm, in the third floor classroom at Carnegie. Join us for two hours of free, drop-in creative writing discussion and writing prompts. Everyone is welcome! www-tltu rsdayswritingcollective. ca

I KEPT MY SIDE Ill Well here I am once again- I've been commissioned for a third cam paign from the land of solar-powered clouds but not so loud I walk to the rhythm of the cleansing rain, how is it normal to pity mankind's future generations knowing full well there is a full Hell awaiting have-nots and those that have, like all the tiny little could-haves that could have but was cut out then chopped in halves, like lifting the fog - get a good hold - we shall drop it in front of your eyes Eunoias a bold time to hit those new highs yet hitting an all-time low; our light begins at the start but not enough time to fall apart yet on your side no one knows what to do let alone where (else) can you sustain sanity or where it is you may never even know, I'm merel;y saying that you and yours will be paying forever I really thought you'd check out the other side -here there are no Amber Alerts, instead we're fed all we need to know from our spokesman Sir Ernie and Sir Bert (Sesame Street was just their day job). Now with time permitting they do a little pantomimed soliciting boy have they ever grown up one wife & one child each. EUNOIA's fee lings are respected and no one really gets hurt, I have become a BEA TLEish Doctor Robert always passing out (oh yeah!), my loving cup which runneth over as everyone twists and even more will

shout, the last day of summer always makes me wonder where does all this time go like being turned away at the Last Supper; I've kept vivid memory-banks of how we all suffered yet I have always kept my side wherever it is I will go on to unwind and grow, from concentration camp fires so much Evil makes me so tired so many competing to see who can be obsolete the fastest they possibly can, like the best thing on TV is the JOY Channel- mute- there is nothing to compute. Pretty cool this Beautiful Thinking I will let it lead me & command, no dictator dolls sucking the life out of us whether in a 64-room mansion or a primitive cave. It is, in a singular word, shelter; won't you even give it one chance NO I guess the answer is NOT like all your possessions your money and your so-called good name. Twenty years from today (that is if mother nature's storm-dwellers say it's safe), you and your refuse of the possessions turned to garbage but hey you still have that.. urn -yeah- you still have your good name and that's all.. man what a shame. I see that you've taken a rain-cheque on the sun 'sanity and that inhumane and inconsiderate stance on humanity which seems to have won now tis is a sad ting, now Darwin gets his kicks out of his freedom to do that and this EUNOIA gives you power you never knew you had to do all you could not the trading of curses for blessings, li ke an Andy Warhol soup can foodbank with complimentary giftcards and shops; llere there are no mile-long lineups for a feast that leaves you chanting Hunger long after that piece of moldy bread which was all you could have; now over here even St Minus lets out a cheer he knows a good thing when he creates it so go get your pens and paper and music and you now have what I've never had I believe happiness is what's it's called. I believe there is a meeting tonite it's gonna be bright futuristic gadgets will be burnt the quicker the better we're not against progress just not so much so fast we can get there one by one or by everyone involved (if you're alive you count) we can all work and we can all try but like I've said I KEPT MY SIDE there's nothing to fear no reason to hide get out of inside until then I Kept My Side. For now bye-bye By ROBERT McGILLIVRAY "You have been given life and you have an ending called death but still you want more, children of convenience there is really no reason to expect an encore." St Minus

carilegieC NEWSLETTER

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Meade

401 MaiJJ Street. Vancouver 604.665.2289

THIS NEWSLETTER IS A PUBLICATION OF THE CARNEGIE COMMUNITY CENTRE ASSOCIATION

Articles represent the views of individual contributors and not of the Association.

WANTED Artwork for the Carnegie Newsletter *Small illustrations to accompany articles and poetry; *Cover art -Max.size: 17cm(6 :X")widex15cm(6")high; *Subject matter pertaining to issues relevant to the Downtown Eastside but all work considered; *Black & White printing only; *Size restrictions apply (i.e. If your piece is too large it will be reduced and/or cropped to fit; *All artists will receive credit for their work; *Originals will be returned to the artist after being ;opied for publication; •Remuneration: Carnegie Volunteer Tickets. Please make submissions to Paul Taylor, Editor.

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

Next Issue SUBMISSION DEADLINE: TUESDAY,OCTOBER11~ 2011 DONATIONS: Libby D.-$50, Margaret 0.-$50, Rolf A.-$50, Brian H.-$100, CEEDS -$100, Barry M.-$150, Leslie S.-$50, Savannah WfTerry H -$200, Jenny K.-$25, Barbara M.-$200 Vancouver Moving Theatre -$300, 'The Edge -$200, X' -$52, Wilhelmina M.-$25, Sheila B.-$100, Christopher R.-$175 Michael C.-$50, 0, Bonnie F.-$100, CUPE 15 -$1450, W2-$100

Rhizome_l!;J;J~~-

. '~~~· ·

~llen Woodsworth City Councillor

"Working with you, for you and for strong neighbourhoods" 604 873 7240 :lrwoodsworth@vancouver.ca

GET CLEAN Shower Up at the Lord's Rain 327 Carrall St, just off Pigeon Park HOT SHOWERS.

(towel, soap, shampoo (the works) & coffee) Monday, 7-1 Oam, (Ladies only!) ?am Tuesday, Wednesday & Saturday

FREE DENTAL HELP 455 E Hastings: Monday & Friday, 9:30-12:30 Volunteer Dentists: Fillings, crowns, root canals Cleaning at VCC: 604-443-8499

www.camnews.org http:llcarnegie.vcn.bc.ca/newsletter http:llharvesters.sfu.ca/chodarr Jenny Wai Ching Kwan MLA WORKING FOR You 1070-16.11 Commercial Dr. V5L3Y3 Phone· 604-771r-0790

•rL ',q' 0

FREE LEGAL ADVICE

USC - Law Students Legal Advice Program

All cases checked with lawyers; confidential

Drop-in: Tuesdays, 7- 9pm (ends 11/22/11) 3rd floor Art Gallery, Carnegie Ctr, 401 Main

t"J~ H

·.

Solder & Sons 247 Main Street Coffee & Tea, Used Books Curious Audio Recordings

AN INVITATION We wish to invite you to the 65th anniversary celebration of the Community Arts Council of Vancouver.

Sunday, October 2 3:00 to 5:30 pm Vancouver Museum of Vancouver 1100 Chestnut Street Joyce Walley Learning Centre

Culture is Still Ordinary By Donna Gorrill The bus stop was outside the unchained Library. I had been looking at the UBC AMS Insider, with its clubs and constituencies, and at the library, where I had got in easily but could not afford the price of lunch or tea. On the comer of Main and Hastings the fifty or so dealers peddled thei r drugs at the entrance to the library. Across the street was the police station and Prime Time advertised cheap chicken and ch inese food. The bus arrived with the driver deeply absorbed in the traffic. We went out of the inner city over the Granville Bridge, and on through the Kitsilano Beach residential and commercial area. Ahead were Jericho and Locarno Beaches, Spanish Banks and, of course, Wreck Beach a nd the university endowment lands, which we climbed towards. To the North, along the ridge, stood the li ne of the city and the Coast Mountain range; to the west the Pacific Ocean. Then as we climbed the landscape changed under us. Here now was the land of the remaining urban forest. The inner city fell away behind. Ahead of us was the Un iversi ty. The bus stopped, students got out. I was born and grew up halfway along that bus journey. I was born in the antiquated St Paul 's Hospital. Where I lived is still a relatively quiet west-side res idential neighbourhood, A rbutus Street. Not far away, my grandfather and grandmother lived across the street. My grandfather served in World War II. My father, his only son, left the farm to join my grandfather in working on the Trans-Canada Highway and the Alaska Pipeline. I went up the street to the Lord Terryson Elementary School where we learned basic math units by playi ng with coloured rods on a table and I got "hooked on pho nics" ...

w ith special guest host Max Wyman; performances by

Dalannah Gail Bowen Silk Road Music

onepot.ca Email: CMiepot.ca-maJI.c:om

â&#x20AC;˘

A Community Aware presents a new workshop series

Effective Protest Then what? Six Tuesdays 7:30 to 9:30pm starting October 18, 20 II in the MOSAIC meeting room, 1720 Grant Street, a few steps east of Commercial Drive. All sessions for $15 total! To register contact communityaware@gmail.com Tommy Douglas, Martin Luther King, Gandhi and ma ny others have c reated social change. We want to explore how to create effective change. A Community Aware (ACA) is composed of a group of local residents w ho have organized & participated in 12 years of workshops in the Commercial Drive community. Workshop topics have included add iction, First Nations iss ues, the current financial collapse, personal finance and economic alternatives.

Ambleside Orchestra is a not for profit community orchestra that performs concerts in a variety of venues primarily in West Vancouver and North Vancouver. Most of the members live on the North Shore, but welcome musicians from across the Lower Mainland. Under their motto "Take the music to the people" and the leadership of Conductor Nicolas Krusek they offer a "Boston Pops" style of repertoire that combines classical and more modern orchestral 1 and chamber music. We welcome Ambleside Orchestra back for their 6 h year at Carnegie!

Wednesday, October 12th, 2011 7:30- 8:30PM, Carnegie Theatre ························ ···································· ······························ ········· ·················································•················· ················································

Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood House ""Annual General Meeting

*** Important Dates *** September 1 1. 2011 ~Nominations for Board of Directors opens October 31, 2011 --7 Last day to become a member in order to vote at the AGM November 18, 2011 ~ Last day to submit Board of Directors nominations December 1, 2011, 6pm ~Annual General Meeting@ 573 East Hastings

The Oppenheimer Park Community Art Show Call Out To All Our Amazing Artists and Oppenheimer Park Folks!!! Please submit up to two pieces of your artwork to Oppenheimer Park by Friday, October 141h, Spm & Please complete one of our art show forms. The theme this year is At Our Kitchen Table. Opening Reception : Friday October 21, 5pm-9pm; 5-7 Oppenheimer Park; 7 - 9, Gallery Gachet. The 41h Annual Oppenheimer Park Community Art Show, "At Our Kitchen Table" once again showcases artists from the vibrant and resilient community of Oppenheimer Park. With Food Security initiatives growing throughout the community, this year's theme looks at and celebrates "food"; what it means to our sense of community, the heal ing and divisive power of the kitchen table, how food can be a creative and powerful medium, the cultural , traditional, and historical practices associated with food. For information: 604-687-2468 or www.gachet.org. Free