May 1, 2010, carnegie newsletter

Earth Day turns 40 years old on April 22, 20 I 0. Some people clean up litter in their communities. ( It makes Earth turn to clean Earth.) In the world today, industry is advanced & developed,

more and more. The world's very large population, with the environmental pollution, are serious concerns. There were a series of natural disasters this year. On

January 12 a large earthquake hit Haiti. It measured 7.0-7.9 and 230,000 people died. After that, a larger quake hit Chile; it measured 8.0. This month the earth­quake in Ginhai, China, had a magnitude of7.1. More than 2,000 people were killed and over 20,000 were injured. Many families suffered terrible tragedies.

NOTICE This is something to do every now and then:

Open your eyes. What I mean is, there are paths that you take every day. paths that become habit. You might even slip into "automatic", as many people do while driving to work or walking to the bus/subway ... when you get where you are going and realise you don't remember the trip.

Try opening your eyes and take in the scenes around you. Look for little details you might not notice; Look at the people; Watch for textures; Heighten your senses

This is a great way to keep your mind young and agile and stay in the present. Enjoy your day, your night ­even make a game out of it!

In China there is also severe drought in five provinces Why did the English build them like that? Because the in the southeast of the country. Many people don't have first rail lines were built by the same people who built drinking water, crops have dried up and severe sand- the pre-railroad tramways; that's the gauge they used. storms are on the rise. The air quality index is not good Why did 'they' use that gauge then? Because the people and water & air pollution is serious. who built the tramways used the same jigs and tools

A volcano then erupted in Iceland, with the resultant that they used for building wagons, which used that ash spreading in the skies over several countries in wheel spacing. Europe. Flights were cancelled and travellers were Why did the wagons have that particular odd wheel stranded. spacing? Well, if they tried to use any other spacing,

Environmental pollution leads to many disasters in the the wagon wheels would break on some of the old, world . Consequently, we all must pay attention to envi- long distance roads in England, because that's the spae-ronmental protection as climate change worsens. ing of the wheel ruts.

Save our earth! Care for our people! So who built/hose old ruued roads? Imperial Rome By Ben Yi Wang built the first long distance roads in Europe (and Eng-

----===....: ..... --=~--+-----~-'- land ) for their legions. The roads have been used ever

Railroad tracks ... The US standard railroad gauge (distance between the rails) is 4 feet, 8.5 inches. That's an exceedingly odd number. Why was that gauge used? Because that's the way they built them in England , and English expatriates built the US railroads.

since. And the ruts in the roads? Roman war chariots formed the initial ruts. which everyone else had to match for fear of destroying their wagon wheels. Since the chari­ots were made for Imperial Rome, they were all alike in the matter of wheel spacing. Therefore the United States standard railroad gauge of 4 feet, 8.5 inches is derived from the original specifications for an Imperial Roman war chariot. Bureaucracies live forever. --7

So the next time you arc handed a specification/ pro­cedure/process and wonder 'What horse's ass came up with it?', you may be exactly right. Imperial Roman army chariots were made just wide enough to accom­modate the rear ends of two war horses. (Two horse's asses.) Now, the twist to the story: ... When you see a Space Shuttle sitting on a launch there are two big booster rockets attached to the sides of the main fuel tank. These are solid rocket boosters, or SRB's. The SRB's are made by Thiokol at their fac­tory in Utah . The engineers who designed the SRB's would have preferred to make them a bit fatter, but the SRB's had to be shipped by train from the factory to the launch site. The railroad line from the factory happens to run through a tunnel in the mountai ns, and the SRB's had to fit through that tunnel. The tunnel is slightly wider than the railroad track, and the railroad track, as you now know. is about as wide as 2 horses' behinds.

So, a major Space Shuttle design feature of what is arguably the world's most advanced transportation sys­tem was determined over two thousand years ago by the width of a horse's ass. And you thought being a

• horse's ass wasn't important? Ancient horse's asses con­trol almost everything ... and CURRENT Horses Asses are controlling the rest.

Carnegie Theatre Worl<:shop Yeah! Upcoming Classes!

5 Saturday afternoons May 29, June 5, 12, 19, 26

Carnegie Theatre

Led by Teresa Vandertuin For more info call 604-255-9401 email: [email protected]

I .. 1 I I • •

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Saturdays, 6:00 PM Carnegie Theatre

Saturday May 8 Unnatural selection a stunning award-winning film shows the impact of genetically modified GM crops on plants and an imals. Hidden Dangers In Kids Meals Why GM foods are

dangerous and should be removed from kids meals. How student behavior in a school was transformed with a healthy diet, a motivation to make change. We Become Silent The worldwide threat to medical freedom of choice unveiled. A powerful statement, about the dominance of multinational corporat ions. over personal freedoms through Codex Alimentari us Commission. Featuri ng consumer activists from throughout the world.

Saturday May 15 Generation Rx reading, writing, and Ritalin. Why stu­dents are on medication more than ever in our society. Advenising and the End of the World Advertising and the mind control used to make us into good consumers

· Carnegie De-Clutter Discussion Survey

What do you hope to fine here? What did you find here? How does it affect you to hear other people's situations? Would you rather be alone with your 'stuff than sit here with people? Do you see de-cluttering as a long or short process? Do you have a choice about whether you hoard? Is it possible to replace it with one other fulfilling habit? What would it take to create a wann, welcoming, function­ing home for you? Are you willing to follow through, little by little, to bring your home back to a clear space? Are you willing to ask/get someone to work with you to­ward your goal, little by little? (Do you need a 'buddy'?) Are you willing to check in here each month to share your

@~(_~ experience and hear encouragement to carry on? '-----•-·.;.:·..;+_+;_•__;;__(A);;;__•_+;_+_·:_· •----..\.. Are you willing to hear other people's experiences, even

though it is uncomfortable?

A belated In Memoriam By Rolf Auer

I was at Carnegie in Volunteer Coord inator Colleen Gorrie"s office with Diane Wood and Seniors Pro­grammer Marlene George, and we were talking about the passing of Norma Jean Baptiste, and I turned to Colleen and said, "Jeez. that makes four recently, doesn' t it?"' And she replied. "no. more like a dozen." Diane, ever the creative artist brimming with ideas said to me, "You should v.rite about the ones you knew."

So these arc the ones I knew, in order: Hal Asham, Margaret Prevost, Norma Jean Baptiste, Fern Charlie.

(That's why I' m calling this article ·'belated."' be­cause llal and Margaret have already been written about, and I missed my chance (except now is my chance!).)

Hal was a fixture around the Carnegie Community Centre Association's 2'><~ noor office where the Carne­gie Community Action Project (CCAP) and The News­feller are based. Every time I saw him. he was working on one of the computers. lie didn't say much to me except a friendly "Hi" and a smile; he wasn't very talkative. I had to ask Wendy Pedersen, CCA P's coor­dinator, what it was that he was doing for CCAP. Ap­parently, he was maintaining some huge database of contacts.

llal was a lso on the Association's Board of Directors. He managed to make it to pretty well every general Board meeting, plus some committee meetings as well.

He also wrote regularly for The Carnegie News feller, keeping readers informed about what was going on in his life.

Now, I didn ' t know this about Hal, but he was also active in other areas of the Carnegie Centre too. He was j ust your all-round super-active volunteer. A ll this, despite having a killer case of diabetes. This latter ' was so bad, he had to go for dialysis treatments two or three times a week (kidney failu re is one of the first serious things to happen to a diabetic). You see, llal never looked afler his health properly. Up to the end, he was eating things doctors had warned him about. When I called him on that, he just shrugged.

So Hal excelled despite having a serious disability. Congratulations to Hal on all the fine work he did!

Margaret Prevost hardly needs any kind of introduc­tion, she was so well known to everybody in the Down­town Eastside.

Myself, I first found out about her during her famous "one person army"' ban-rice-wine campaign. I dis­tinctly remember reading in a newspaper about her sending a he lper into a store suspected of selling rice wine to buy a bottle and then having them return and giving the bottle to her. She rode into the shop on her scooter waving the bottle of rice wine at the O\\ ner and shouting, "You can' t se ll this stuff, it's kill ing our peo­ple!" To the shopkeeper, she must have appeared to be the avenging G reek Goddess Artemis herselfl To me. I was totally impressed! I thought, who~ th is super­woman? That was my introduction to Margaret.

Of course, she had been around long before that. I only just knew her at that point because I was relative!) new in town. But she had been active at Carnegie and in the Downtown Eastside for a long time.

She served on the Board of Directors for 20 years, I think. When she stepped down as President, she said, "Free, free at last, bwa-ha-ha-ha!" (She was joking.)

Now, I have to say this, Margaret could never re­member my name. The last time I saw her. she called me by another person's name. But I also have to say she was an extremely nice person.

Also suffering from a crippling disability, and ac­complishing so much, we're lucky to have had her. The Downtown Eastside is a far better place because of that!

Norma Jean volunteered for numerous years as a cof­fee seller in the Seniors' Lounge at Carnegie. She also oversaw operations of the Pool Room. Two things I remember her fo r were : she was on the Executive of the Seniors' Committee (which holds a meeting every month, and schedules outings and events for its large number of Seniors), and she was also on the Associa­tion' s Board of Directors. By reading Norma Jean's poems in The Newsleller, people in the Downtown Eastside were able to see what point she was at in her life's journe). She was a member of Aboriginal Front Door, and helped set up a Daughters of the Drum at Carnegie. I have it on good authority that she was al­ways cheerful and friendly!

Fern I knew from CCAP meetings. Fern was a member ofCCAP, as was I. She was also on the Board of Directors of the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU). Fern helped out a lot at CCAP. She was always involved in planning actions, and partici­pating in them. I can recall see ing her at at least two Poverty Olympics. She was always up for marches and demonstrations. At CCAP. she could always be counted on to give an opinion, or to help out with, say, lunch, for example. She was never too shy to give her opinion in a meeting!

Due to illness, I resigned from my job and nearly all of my volunteer duties (except writing for The Newslet­ter) in the middle of January of 20 I 0 and stopped com­ing to Carnegie. So I lost track of a ll my former asso­ciates (except by e-mail) including Fern.

But I do know th is: right up to the end, Fern was an integral part ofCCAP and YANDU. She will be missed!

They all will be missed! Dearly!

Emergency Preparedness Sessions are here again. If you have not taken one yet, and need to get organized and motivated these sessions are for you.

No one expects an emergency to happen, yet they can and do. Earthquakes, Floods, Ice Storms, False Flag Operations, Wars, Chemical Spills, Derailments.

Being prepared allows you to carry on through one with the least amount suffering. Not being prepared can not only be hard on yourself, but make you an un­necessary burden on your society causing the diversion of services from others in greater need. In short not being prepared for an emergency is not only thought­less it is also dangerous. Carnegie Centre is offering once again the FREE City

of Vancouver's Emergency Preparedness Course. Course will be held on May 27th at 2 PM in the Car­

negie Theatre. Our objective is to make this part or the city the most

capable area of looking after itself during an emer­gency. We saw what happened in New Orleans during

This for Norma-Jean 7 and for a very good mom.

I used to call her Mom. She was a very good mom and great friend. She was always here for me, even just to talk to. Now she is gone and will be very missed by me and

dearly missed by all of us who knew her. I will always love you Mom. I will remember all the

good times both of us had. Most of alii will miss her smile and joking around.

Alberta Williams

On a Septic Tank Truck in Oregon: Yesterday's Meals on Wheels On another Septic Tank Truck: "We're #J in the #2 business." In a Veterinarian's waiting room: "Be back in 5 minutes. Sit! Stay!" In the front yard of a Funeral Home: "Drive carefully. We 'll wait."

Katrina to their poorest there. We can learn from his­tory and prevent a Katrina from ever being allowed to happen in Vancouver's Down Town East Side. But your knowledge, skills and action are required. This is the first and most basic course offered and only the beginning for those who want to go on to other courses such as rescue and radio to name a few.

If you want to attend please let us know in advance by signing up at the third floor Admin Office so we can be sure to have sufficient packages, and foocl for the event. To this end, sign-up will be cut off on May 25'11

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Colleen Carroll

collector's items

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Carnegie Community Action Project (CCAP) Newsletter

Read more at: www.ccapvancouver.wordpress.com May l, 2010

Can we get housing built at the new library coming to Hastings?

This is a letter that CCAP sent to the The Carnegie Community Action city and the library board to get more Project would like you all to know that social housing at the new library our Downtown Eastside community is branch coming to Hastings near the strongly in favour of putting social Astoria soon. housing above the new library on E. Dear Mayor, Council, city staff and Hastings St. and we would like you to Library board: work to accomplish this, either with the

+- • - She~ec I"'UWt;u ..,, - city or a

- ~,1 .;Soso 10 -9 l,i :..;:_.,. L.£ ••. - - - "~"; -·::::::::_~1 non profit I ~ ' "' ~ '"'' Thyme Do01s WeMern ~ group as :: ~~ ,L..~ partner.

~~i£. fl i/ D LJ L_j 'r·~ c.O~~ Having a ~ j . .___~- new lib~ary I GJ_ ------'· L-._ _ __ _ I "" \\ on Hastmgs

i] [ uo•-=:GJ -----~~ i20..:! _C_grdova su;: 40 • Cord~v~ ft~. provides an

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uL..I ,.::l ~ ~~eabon chsvir,,ol free land L I:.. Board--ff---" .

~ e-sn~mrocl< · --- -- E H . - S - -A.!ltorifl 8 . . J for social - I "6ao· - a - - ---. l-702 __ 1ings ~ -- - 1 " Hastrngs St housing on

l~ ~C,__, _~ ""i"'[u®X"":of.:··J .t '-aJ ~- top. Asf ! Sur>~l • 1 ~ ~ l many o - ~I I Jt..... U !.: L__ __. you know,

] &' V\Q») \ i'o(t).VV\ \he-re, ~~ fl r~~ 1..._.---l ccAP has

J L~o1 ---- L_ ~I- : 1 ULJ ._.. (Cont pg 2)

(Continued from page I) worked for the last 2 years, consulting with 0'1 ES residents about the future of their communit). The number one issue is affordable housing. ;.... 88% of 655 people who filled out

CCAP's questionnaire said that it was very important to them "that governments build new social housing in the DTES" that they can afford:

r 95% of people who filled out the questionnaire said they would like to continue to live in the DTES if they had safe, secure housing.

CCAP's Vision document, which summarizes what 1200 people in the 2 year consultation wanted. says the following: );> Build high-quality, self-contained

affordable and appropriate homes for Aboriginal and low-income DTES residents;

Y The 700 DTES residents who are homeless are first priority for new housing:

r Current DTES residents who have low incomes are also a priority;

).- Residential hotels should be replaced in I 0 years, not 53 years, the current replacement rate;

,. A variety of housing types, affordable to low-income people, are needed: housing for the founding Aboriginal, Chinese, Japanese and working class communities, new housing for people living in SROs,

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supportive housing, independent living housing, housing for fami lies and children. housing for seniors, housing for people with disabilities. communal and co-op housing, intcrgenerational housing, and housing for couples;

,_ Housing should be covered by the Residential Tenancy Act.

).- Some residents suggested mixed low-income housing in buildings that have a mission to house diverse people. including those who need support. A combination of informal and formal supports needs to be built in with residents having control over the mission, values and goals of the housing as well as admission criteria for new tenants. Others felt more comfortable in buildings where all residents needed and received supports. A variety of types are needed.

We hope you will work hard to get social housing that low-income residents can afford on top of the new library. -JS.

r

CCAP turned up HEAT and 3 DTES shelters got re-funded

OK. I admit maybe the pressure by police and the Downtown BIA helped keep them open too. But hey, we can take some credit. We did some serious organizing with shelter residents at Central Street during the time we thought it was closing.

The city owned shelter houses 100 people a night and is one of seven HEAT (Homeless Emergency Action Team) set up for the Olympics that were slated to close by the end of April.

"It's just wrong," said resident Fraser Stuart when he heard the shelter was closing. "The cost of decent housing is ridiculous. This is my home- it's not the best home. but irs home. We'll try to stay here- otherwise we're going to the parks."

Resident Cory put it in perspective: "If I didn't have this place J"d be in jail. If it's cold and rainy outside, sometimes I think I'll do something illegal just to get inside for the night. 1 can't find work. As soon as they find out I'm homeless, they don"t want to hire me."

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Residents at the Central Street shelter vowed to start a tent city. Pivot ofTered their red tents at a press conference. One hundred shelter residents created

and signed a petition. Citywide Housing Coalition helped the residents hand deliver it to city hall, Housing Minister Rich Coleman and Andre\\ Saxton, the only federally elected politician in power nearby- in North

Van. CCAP put out an email bulletin asking 2000 people on our list to call the Mayor, the Housing Minister and the MP in North Van.

All this pressure must have helped because the day before Central was scheduled to close, we got word from the Housing Minister that funding was secured for 3 of the biggest shelters including Central. First United and Stanley New Fountain (about 350 mats). Unfortunately, four other shelters run by Raincity are in the middle of closing in other parts ofthe city (160 mats). Sigh.

But another positive outcome is a few residents from Central Street have been

(Continued on page 4)

(Continued from page 3) introduced to the CCAP group and are coming to our meetings regularly. They are a great link to the other shelter

dwellers, full of energy and inspiration and ready to do more action to end homelessness. - WP

The Downtown Eastside does not need social mix

City council members, business people and developers want to move richer people into the Downtown Eastside. They call this having a "social mix" or an "income mix.'' They want more condos in the area. Some assume that people are poor because of their behavior. They think if poor people see more rich people, the behavior of the poor will change. They don't know how hard it is to deal with deep poverty, homelessness, illness and addiction. Others assert that the DTES would be "healthier" if it had a "social mix" or an " income mix".

Social mix policies are ok on new land where no one is displaced. But new research shows they are bad for low­income communities like the Downtown Eastside. Research shows that people in poor neighbourhoods are poor because they have low incomes. They aren't poor because they are surrounded by other low­income people. Research shows that over the long term low­income people fare better when

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they can stay in their own neighbourhoods. If they are pushed into richer neighbourhoods they lose their friends, services and supports. Research also shows that richer people don't automatically help the poor get better jobs and education. They often organize to push out the poor people and their services. And research is also showing that when the rich move into a poor neighbourhood there is very little genuine "social mixing.'· What happens is more like clashing. - JS.

New welfare warrant rule may be illegal Alert: VANDU will march to toll free at 1-866-866-0800. An

welfare offices to stop this on Tuesday information sheet is also available for May 25th at 2 pm. Meet at the your information." Carnegie Centre to join the march. Doug King, a lawyer at Pivot Legal

The provincial :jj~DifQli:!Uil!iSI'lJ•m~~ government has just passed a new welfare regulation that is probably illegal, will probably increase homelessness, and will definitely cause lots of turmoil for people on welfare who have outstanding arrest warrants.

People on welfare or disability got a little message with their cheque in March. It said: "If you have an outstanding warrant you may not be eligible for income assistance, hardship assistance, or supplements until the warrant is resolved. This applies to arrest warrants for indictable offences from any jurisdiction in Canada as well as arrest warrants under immigration and refugee protection act (Canada). If you have any questions or require more information, please contact your local

employment HOMELESS assistance

worker or call the ministry GivP 1 t:em a hand

not the boot 5

I ,

Society, says it is not clear how the Ministry of Housing and Social Development plans to get the names of people who have outstanding warrants. They may rely on what people put on their cheque stub. On the next cheque stub or the one after that, there will probably be an additional question asking people to declare if they have outstanding warrants for their arrest. Or, the Ministry may have a deal with the RCMP to provide a list. King thinks if they do, this might be illegal.

King says if people don' t know ifthey have a warrant out for them, they should

write, ·'I don't know" on the stub. If they know that an arrest warrant for them is out, they can go to see King at Pivot, 678 E. Hastings.

With Pivot's help, people with outstanding warrants could decide to "waive in the charges" from another province. The problem with this is that BC courts will only accept these charges if the person pleads guilty. This creates an unacceptable situation where people have to plead guilty in order to get the welfare or disability payment they need to pay their rent and eat. To fight the charges legally you have to go to the province where they originate.

The new welfare law, unlike a previous version that the BC Supreme Court struck down in 2000, does provide funding for persons with outstanding warrants to travel back to their province of origin and deal with the warrants. However, advocates are concerned that forcing people to leave BC or face destitution will create extreme hardship for many. Arguably, the new law amounts to .. exporting"

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those charged with even minor offences, leaving them with no means to return.

The province says that the rule applies only to "i ndictable'' offenses but King says almost all criminal offenses arc considered "indictable" unless the accused can show the Crown has specifically decided to proceed summarily. So the rule doesn'tjust apply to ·'serious" offenses like murder, trafficking and assault as the Ministry says in its news release.

With everyone trying so hard to get homeless people off the street and into shelters, this could be another Ministry rule that simply puts more people out on the street by denying them the income to pay their rent. Back in 2002 the Ministry brought in a bunch of new

rules like having to wait three weeks after applying for welfare to get your cheque, having to prove that you had earned thousands of dollars in

previous years, etc. As a result homelessness doubled in the Vancouver region between 2002 and 2005.-JS

Victory for low-income in New West!! New Westminster is the first

municipality in Canada to adopt a living wage policy. On April 26th, the New West city council unanimously passed this resolution:

"That the City establish a Living Wage

-\..\'J\N6 U WAS£ B'/LAW

Policy that is tied to an hourly rate established each year by the Living Wage for Families Campaign; and,

That the Living Wage policy will apply

to both full time and part time employees; and,

That there be no threshold in terms of dollar value of a contract or number of employees; and,

That the policy apply to persons that perform physical work on City premises and properties; and,

That staff bring back information to Council regarding implications of the Living Wage on contracted services."

The Living Wage for the purpose of this resolution is $16.74 an hour which has been calculated to be what a family of 4 with two parents working would need to live an ok life. This is great news for people working to reduce poverty as it sets a good precedent for work in other places. ACORN, the Hospital Employees Union, First Call and the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives are some of the groups that have been working on this. -WP

Society for Poor, Marginalized, Homeless Chickens (SPMHC) clucked

for housing at City Hall

Cluck. A representative of the Society for Poor, Marginalized, Homeless Chickens crowed loudly at City Council this month. SPMHC reps Robert Bonner

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and Ayisha Faruk asked Council to expand the five freedoms for chickens to include poor, marginalized, homeless (Continued on page 8)

(Contin1,1ed from page 7) humans also.

A report to Council said that chickens should have five freedoms, including freedom from thirst, hunger and malnutrition, freedom from discomfort, and freedom to express normal behavior. The report also called on Council to spend $20,000 on a shelter for homeless chickens.

Feathers were ruffled when reps were put offby Council until 11 pm to speak, but they eventually had their chance. They expressed solidarity with homeless humans and suggested that more shelters and homes be built for humans quickly.

Chickens got their coops. The homeless got, well, to keep a few mats on the floors for now. Cluck.

Thanks to Lenore Herb for the photos. Thanks to Scott (above) from CCAP who went to city hall to support Robert and Ayisha.

HOMES FOrt All.

CARN£Cil£ ~t·· ACTION ~.

PlfDJECT

CCAP does community based research and organizing on social housing, income and gentrification issues. We organize residents to have a voice in planning for the

future of the area.

Van city Support for this project does not

necessarily imply Vancity's endorsement of the fmdings or

contents of this report."

NDP Private Member's Bill Would Protect Homeless, Vulnerable

A private member's bill proposed by New Demo­crat MLA Jenny Kwan would amend the BC Human Rights Code to strengthen protections for homeless people.

Kwan's bill, the Protection of the Homeless Act, would amend the Code to include the tenn "social condition" as prohibited grounds for discrimination. "All members of our society deserve to be protected from discrimination, but unfortunately many of the most vulnerable face discrimination simply because they are poor or homeless. The amendment would help protect homeless and low-income individuals in our communities from discrimination by ensuring that they are protected by the Human Rights Code."

Kwan was joined by community activists and reps of organizations that work with the vulnerable, inc­luding Rev.Ric Matthews from First United Church, UBC Law Professor Margot Young, Seth Klein from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Lobat Sadrehashemi from the Pivot Legal Society, and Judy Graves from the City of Vancouver. "This bill would bring British Columbia in line with other jurisdictions across the country," said Kwan, who noted that Quebec, New Brunswick and the Northwest Territories have included "social condi­tion" in their human rights legislation.

In Kwan's bill, the term •·social condition" includes anyone in a socia lly identifiable group that suffers from social or economic disadvantage on the basis of income, occupation, poverty, lack of adequate housing, or any similar circumstance. "Existing human rights protections are too often inadequate to deal with discriminatory treatment experienced by low-income individuals, people on income assistance, and homeless individuals. This legis lative response is an important part of better protecting the interests of the vulnerable and the less advantaged in our society," said Young. "The United Nations called on Canada to implement these provisions in a 2008 report by UN Special Rapporteur to ensure marginalized groups are protected," said Kwan. "We are calling on the

BC Liberal government to support this legislation." The NDP is committed to combating homelessness

and protecting the vulnerab le as part of a comprehen sive and targeted poverty reduction strategy.

News From the Library

Look After Your Mental Health May 3 to 9 is Mental Health Week. On May 3 at 2pm in the Carnegie Theatre, join mem­bers of the At Home project. a Vancouver-based pro­ject that looks at helping people with dual diagnosis (mental health and addictions) by first finding them permanent housing and stable support. All week, the Strathcona Mental Health Team is holding talks and discussions about mental health, housing and addic­tions.

And of course, we've got books! Get Up: A 1 2-Step Guide to Recovery for Misfits, Freaks and Weirdos , by Bucky Sinister (362.29) is "a tough-love, 12-Step approach to getting sober for any­one who would be mortified to be caught reading a recovery book with a picture of a field of flowers on the cover." Bucky Sinister (I wonder if that's his real name?) wants you to "ask for help and then rebuild your self-image as a tough guy without the whisky drinking, dope shooting, excuse making that got you to this point." Breaking Up Blues: A Guide to Survival and Growth by Denise Cullington (306.89) is a self-help book for people going through a relationship break-up. Whether you' re bitter, angry, emotionally empty or depressed, Cullington takes you to areas we' d rather not think about - feelings of failure and of guilt, ofhatred and 1

envy, of sadness and loss- and shows the cost of push-ing these feel ing out of our conscious mind. I Eckhart Tolle's A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose (204) is one of those books that just flies of the library shelves. Chosen as an Oprah book. and written by the hugely famous author of The Power 1

of Now, the book claims to be nothing less than a "pro- ' foundly spiritual manifesto for a better way of life-and for building a better world."' It's a class ic for a good reason. Don 't Sweat the Small Stuff ... and it's all small stuff by Richard Carlson

Curious about what other Carnegie fo lks are reading? Check out the display board in the library for a list of what members of the Thursdays Writing Collective are reading. From classics such as Alexander Solzhenit­syn's Cancer Ward to modern, local poets such as Billeh Nickerson and Larissa Lai, to writing inspiration such as Let the Crazy Child Write by Clive Matson. One member is even reading Instructions for Panasonic Microwave Oven. Come to the library to see the full list, and to find these books for yourself!

No Computers in the SenioH

After many years of having access to computers in the senior's lounge, a number of factors showed that this was not the best place for computers in the building.

The computers were constantly competing with tele­vision viewers. Computer monitoring created much conflict in the senior's lounge and was never a part of the tasks of coffee sellers to manage it.

As these computers age, more time was dedicated to getting them fixed, and then it took longer to get them repaired. Having fewer computers only added to the conflict among users.

Recently the computers finally fizzled out of service. With the computers down for a number of weeks the conflict in the room a lso decreased tremendously.

There is only one television for public viewing, but a bunch of other areas where computers can be accessed in the building. On the 3rd floor there is both the com­puter room (Carnegie membership card required), and the Learning Centre (must be signed up as a current learning centre student). There are also computers in

( 158. 1) shows you how to keep from letting the little things in life drive you crazy. Smile at strangers. Do something nice for someone else - and don't tell any­one about it. Count to ten. Do one thing at a time. My personal favouri te: Look for the extraordinary in the ord inary. ' the Vancouver Public Library (library card requi red).

Thursdays Writing Collective: What We "re Reading Marlene George

•

• • •

WALLS & BRIDGES Into the abyss of the daunting labyrinth 1 descend, ap­proaching it with great calm, yet with a heavy pall of apprehension weighing on my mind. If I hang in a sur­real form of suspended animation, heart & mind press on with more determination than I'd ever have imag­ined or even hoped for. Walls are afire: spilling and crushing, suffocating, stifling, breathlessness ... What brought me here .. for what paramount purpose, you ask? I know, I fear. I'll fight to the death for you if need be- this must, this will be done for the benefit of all. Day in, day out, on a search and destroy mission of righteous justice served up and ultimately to be dished out to a chosen opponent: a drug trafficker, a double­dealing, no-good, despotic, derelict dope thief; a work­ing girl's battering pimp. All of these I wrapped up into one entity- yours, mine, everyone's minotaur. For us all: shock, horror, conflict, confrontation; "Know thy enemy"! They/are the predator, you the prey, but it can have a beautiful, empowering end ing; the final to rise from an absolute purgatory. It can all be likened

HOOKEY Must admit I cut class- the morning class when Pro­fessor Beefheart proclaims to all. Yes, I can feel the methadone come on; yes every milligram but it's hard to pick out from the Zanex and the Lithium, the Paxal and the other ones I can't remember ... Not to say my memory isn't as clear as it was when I passed Grade 8

Today's topic is Pills, The Effects Of: yesterday it was capsules, tomorrow tablets, then all

week different doses of what have you ...

His s low drawl makes sure you hear; if not he just re­peats himself before he nods off; waking, he starts in where he left off. His gi rlfriend the Rat Lady whines agreement in high raised tones -a divine couple (so sophisticated it makes me blush) they hold court each morning from 7 to noon slurping the complimentary coffee, gorging on cookies, never a

-- __...,

to a deadly game of Snakes & Ladders, always remem­bered, never forgotten. The goal: to avoid at all costs a tragic ending of chaos and destruction .. to be extremely aware, the gathering of dark c louds. stonn warnings. I will succeed in my task; I will never shirk my duty to the betterment of civilization, Mother Earth and all my relations. To reach and touch the sky of endless posi­tive possibilities ... Yes friends, brothers & sisters, I've had it up to here with being put down, put upon, pushed around, pushed aside. Forget about it; those days are over with time being my onl y nemesis (along with the as yet unslain Minotaur ... ). I, like Theseus. shall remain relentless in my vigilant endeavour to cast off my vices. vanities and demons. I'll no longer doubt myself; solid strengths and an iron-clad commitment to my most cherished and treasured convictions .. to follow my heart, to seek the truth. All for you, I and most especially our Beloved

ROBYN LIVINGSTONE

dull moment. One day he has her son .. next day she was pregnant, next day they're a couple- a coupla what? I've oft wondered - her whining and cackling in a voice created by Lucifer. together they weave their magic on the tone deaf- the long-past-caring lepers in the methadone li ne; when pity won't serve them being forthright ly nauseating usually works ... Next week all week he' ll lecture on how to sleaze more money from Welfare; how much Gravol you need to mix with Cessamey to bring on unconsciousness (such bliss!!) I'm guaranteed to be just as quick as they are, just a few more Benzo tablets to see far, just like his sister at the university- she's in a jar. Lucky Loon

I

Selections from The Minotaur Dreams

The Downtown Eastside labyrinth Project May 8, 8pm, and May 9 2pm and 8pm 2010

Russian Hall, 600 Campbell Avenue at Keefer Street

SCENE TWO- The Tribute {Athens)

Silence. The CHORUS watches the entrance of the king. Among them is standing a DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE MAN in contemporary dress . . Enter KING AEGEUS (puppet) raised above the crowd.

Bowing and deference from CHORUS (and hopefully audience) as he passes.

-

Silence and bowing ahead of him, and those behind him mutter quietly, so the muttering portion of the room grows.

Chorus

An Eastsider

Another Olympics. The king promised there wouldn't be a deficit. "We can no more have a deficit than a man can have a baby" he said. Hah! They tell us the games will bring prosperity. We're still paying off the FIRST Olympic debt!

He said it was our time to shine. The cheering crowds brought him joy. But the money-making machine turned into a money losing machine. The tourists left town and so did the jobs.

Evidence of the King's discomfort; twice he looks halfway around, and the muttering stops.

King Aegeus Welcome to Athens, our glorious city, Host of the Games. Welcome Phoenicians, Sturdy Dalmatians, Brave Macedonians Long-Legged Cyprians, Sharp-sighted Romans, Ancient Egyptians.

Crowd Hooray, Hear, Hear.

Aegeus (clears throa) This is the Ninth year since fourteen Athenian Youth Sai led away­Sailed in an ill-fated boat to the Desolate Island of Crete.

SCENE EIGHT- Crowd at the Door {Crete- The Palace) Ariadne Father there's a crowd outside the door.

Pasiphae Dear, you look a fright. Where have you been?

Ariadne

Minos

Ariadne

.Chorus

Swimming. The waves are wild today. Father?

Tell them to go home.

(Goes to lhe door and opens it- Sound of Bulldozing, as she opens the door.

My father says to go home.

Home? What homes? No homes! No Homes! Minos! Minos!

She shuts the door again. Bulldozing sounds stop when she closes door. Goes back to Minos. Ariadne I told them to go home, but they say they have no homes. Their homes

have been bulldozed.

An Eastsider

Pasiphae

Ariadne

Minos

You evicted them for renovations.

Dear, s traighten your hair. Sit down and have a Coke.

I'm not thirsty. Father?

How can they say they have no homes? I've built seven new condo towers in the past month alone!

DAEDALUS-CROW flaps in to drop more coins. Pasiphe stacks them neatly. Ariadne Okay I'll tell them. (Goes back to the door)

Minos And tell the rabble to go away.

(Ariadne opens the door. Bulldozing sounds resume.) Ariadne My father says there are some new towers full of apartments to rent,

you can live in. Chorus We can't afford to live in his towers.

An Eastsider

Ariadne

An Eastsider

Property values are rising so fast, they're working all the time, and still can't manage to pay the rent.

Oh! I'll tell him. (She shuts the door. Crowd sounds stop. Size returns.) they say they can't afford to live in the towers! (She accidently knocks over one of the piles. Sound of coins falling}

Those coins are cool, but they burn up the heart.

••••••

THIS NEWSLffiER 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 Y.')wide x 15cm(6')high.

Subject matter pertaining to issues relevant to the Downtown Eastside, but all work considered. Black & White printing only. Size restrictions apply (i.e. if your piece is too large, it will be reduced and/or cropped to fit). All artists will receive credit for their work. Originals will be returned to the artist after being copied lor publication. Remuneration: Carnegie Volunteer Tickets

Please make submissions to Paul Taylor, Editor.

GET CLEAN! Shower up at the Lbrd's Rain

327 Ca rra II Street (just off Pigeon Park)

HOT SHOWERS (towels, soap, shampoo, the works! & coffee)

Monday llam-3pm; Tuesday 7-8:30am; Tuesday 1-4pm and LADIES Only!

Friday llam-3pm; Saturday 7-lOam

lei on parle Francais Hablamos Espana/

"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

102.7 FM Co-op Radio Next issue is Friday, May 14

SUBMISSION DEADLINE Tuesday, May 11th

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

Editor: PauiR Taylor; cover art by Garnet Tobacco Collation & distribution crew: Bill, Liu Lin, Harold, Ada, Videha, Mary Ann, Miriam, Kelly, Lisa, Robyn, Nick.

2010 DONATIONS: Libby D.-$50, Rolf A.-$50, Margaret D.-$40, Jenny K.-$25, Sue K.-$30, Michael C.-$50, Jaya B.-$100, Christopher R.-$180, Barbara & Mel L.-$50, Leslie S.-$50, Sheila B.-$25, Wilhelmina M.-$10, CEEDS -$60, Laurie R.-$60, Vancouver Moving Theatre -$100, Sarah E.-$46

Carnegie Services for Members include: Basketball; Tai Chi; Yoga; Shiatsu; Dance; Run Club; Soccer; Nature Hikes; Floor Hockey and more. See Monthly Program Guides

Membership is $1. Open to all!!

[email protected] www.carnnews.org http://harvcsters.sfu.ca/chodarr (Index]

Jenny Wai Ching Kwan MLA Working for You

1070-1641 Commercial Dr, VSL 3Y3 Phone: 604-773-0790

cuu

.. i have the audacity to believe that people everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, dignity, equality and justice for their spirits. I believe that what self-centred men have tom down, other-centred men can build up.'

Solder & Sons Used books- Coffi:1:..l Tea

Curious audio n:cordin:;s &. equipment

· 247 Maia Strcct- JI S-719R Or. Martin Luther King Jr.

Helpful Information for Next Year ;fhank you for your application to the 20 I 0 Neighbour­hood Small Grants Program. We received in excess of 130 applications this year. Unfortunately your application was not selected for a grant. We do encourage you to apply again if the pro­gram continues next year if funding is again available through the Vancouver Foundation.

The following criteria may help you revise your project proposal for the application process if you apply again:

Projects that benefit your neighbourhood are pri­oritized over projects that benefit a small group of in­dividuals or are outside the neighbourhood.

We encourage applications to focus on a specific project rather than a large and ongoing idea.

lfthe project is to purchase equipment, outline how the community will access this equipment after the project is completed.

Showing that you have researched the feasibility of your project will increase the li kelihood of your pro­ject receiving funding. For example, if you need per­mission from the city or an organization, include de­tails of this in your application.

Be realistic with the breakdown of how the money will be spent. T he program is designed to only fund projects up to $500. If your project requires fur­ther funding, detail where those funds will come from.

Supplies, materials and expenses have priority over fees, wages or honorariums.

Be aware that if you submit multiple applica­tions, the committee may determine to only fund one o your projects.

If you have received grants in previous years, others have been given the opportunity to receive fund­ing this year.

Please check our website at www.neighbourhoodsmallgrants.ca for upcoming events in the neighbourhood. Once again, thank you for applying to the Neighbourhood Small Grants pro­gram. If you have any questions, please contact me at [email protected].

Roberta Robertson Co-ordinator

Call for Submissions Anthology of Creative Writing

Deadline ~"tended to June 15,2010 We are seeking submissions for an anthology book of

diverse voices from Downtown Eastside Vancouver writers. We invite submissions in any form: poetry. prose and creative non-fiction. No art work, please.

Subm issions are open to everyone who has been a member of the Downtown Eastside community at some point. Inclusion in the antho logy will be based on the core merits of the work. Spelling and grammar will not affect consideration, though we ask that you polish your work as much as possible.

We invite works on any topic or theme. Submissions do not need to include reference to the Downtown Eastside and can be humourous or serious but must move beyond, "this happened to me," or "this is what I saw." The editors will select works that are vivid, fresh and truthful in revealing an aspect of humanity.

We welcome all writers, including those who have not published. Contributors will get two copies of the book How to submit by email: Deadline: June IS'h. Please include your name, a brief bio and contact in­formation in the body of your email and the attach­ment. Send work as WORD attachment to Elee Kraljii Gardiner at [email protected] How to submit by paper copy: Deadline: June 151

h.

Leave a paper copy of your work in the box at the Car­negie Library. Keep a copy of your work for yourself, as we will not be able to return submissions. Include your name, a brief bio and contact information with your submission. Please number and write your name on each page, and write clearly, doublespacing.

Elee Kraljii Gardiner leads the Thursdays Writing Class at Carnegie and is the editor and publisher of three chapbook anthologies. Dr John Asfour is the au­thor of four books of poetry and the editor and transla­tor of the anthology When the Words Burn.

For more information visit www.thursdayspoemsandprose.ca

'1111

'' \.' '~% // A\-\\~'-". j>J;,_;ant/Neetlli.\·- ~ 1 CONTRAST '£!..wo llcHts \. V . ::'\' • s ~lk I lid ~ lf\·oulookhardenounh Evcryumclwalk :.J • orne 0 ·ss ccp a ay ' ' "' L . u a nd down the street • some Quys 1ump on the bed and long enough A ~ P . . ~ •I · d b I' . II' " into vour own heart. ~·needles. ngs. sp1 kcs ~so g a to _c a IVl:. ~0 In, ~ ' . it' s a thorn)' path

down the s1dewalk JUSt i.llll<Jzcd ~~you will see Custer. ~ • .., 'II s· · ~we arc forced to walk • surprised to still he alive -" you \~1 sec ntmg Bull _. • they arc thankful for the ir time ~ the torturer and those tortu red ~ 11 only _ ;..; : ~inside our hearts those who proln -;- Other p_eoplc dog their ass ~the devil and the god ~from the death and cocaine -,J co_mplam and smvel Z play with the short time \.\ ~ould be wrap~ed ~ : Ide IS too hard too long li fe g ives us to learn ~\ 1n a coat of syn nges .J

too much work to muddle there the lessons of livino ~ J so every breath : - 0 · some people have it all ~whi le trying to s teer ~'": brought a stab _ J and don't know what to do ~ my life toward the good ~every move~ puncture 'J : about the enormous gift I must admit be hard to dnve f . • · h ld · the evil J·ust waiting ~th_at beamer, that SUV '.J • I WISh I cy COLI convey II - h -.to those lost in the humdrum ~to be unleashed ~ wn a_ needle •

· ~e 1 k' stuck 1n yer eye ... • all coated 1n shades of grey ~ ven oo mg ~ . . _, i burns my eyes l~ell you m1ght even clic ~ ~ AI AI ~ ~li ke all those you've murdered

:: ( { ( \))) s » 1 . ~~ \YJ l • blanc poure de locu da muerte : i::: :::::: ofStnng• Ci'il Somn"~~ pi.~\ \C* \WE) : Exactly why I do not know 'f!:f:f:f!/ !J ~ \. E ~ \ ~ 1

• Tho l<"o"' "m' 'lowly to mo ~ \ V -: s?metimes no~ at all ';7, ~ LAc'K OF JUICE

1

~ J It s the forgettmg you know , J ~ ~ ~ _,That thing that keeps us sane\ \' She drawls on in monotone ~ \ \!::: • And maybe alive the sound of those frozen

-. Alive in blessed ignorance ~ ~their catatonic state ~ 5 Yet, I know I still long for the acceptance ~ \. ~j bolstered by the ~egapharma giant ~ • The acceptance I was never meant to have~ ~words come out hke • Trying only compounded the injury. the physical remains of life 1

: Now here I am, old, blind, ~ _lived in a constipated s lumber : somewhat deaf - a cripple ';7, ~ thei_r poetic e:sence from r~ ~ , And can only depend upon ( J . ~ Emmem or F1fty Cent { / :t;:'\ ~the State to care for me \'to be well read is not a joke \ ~ • Except of course those smaller miracles no-one's able to understand

1

• thathappenunbidden ~ ~I'matthetopofthestairs ~ i Aod I "'"" fio.lly that my "'"ggl;og ~ '.{ J. •<>dog dowo.ttho p;l, . \ . 1 L?:t • agamst my fate ~ ~of books, msp1rattons. dedJcatJons • only places the hook deeper she's droning on and on _.... \

_;, mnO• ""h {((\)>~#AS: ;~.~~~·~;,~ h" f' ~\\! l 1 __ ------- -~i.lh!:lJ!lin~ ~~A~ ~~'-'-'VII~II /1\.\ ~

I

CRUNCH·dtes

C1TY COUNCIL CONSIDERS ESTABLISHING SHELTERS FOR UNWANTED BACkYARD.~·