April 1, 2021 Carnegie Newslettter

camnewS@vcn.bc.ca 401 Main,Street Vancouver Canada V6A 2T7 (604) 665-2289 Joyce Esther Morgan was born as a Nelson and came into our world in Camrose Alberta on September 1st, 1941; a bundle of joy to parents Stan and Esther Nelson. Joyce was to be the eldest of 5 siblings and had four children of her own through two marriages. Her parents could see a spark right from that first day of her life, Joyce had something special behind those lovely green eyes.

That spark was a love and deep understanding of the vibration of music. Her gift was piano.

Joyce studied at the Banff School of Fine arts, and at the prestigious Toronto Conservatory of Music. The latter's mission of "Developing Human Potential" must have resonated within her as she would later teach piano to promising musicians. She won the national Gold Medal for piano in Canada in 1959 and also accompanied the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra during that period.

Joyce also studied at the Trinity Christian college in Chicago, Illinois. During her time in America, Joyce met her first husband and had two sons; Paul Junior and Grant. Fate was to '«

Joyce Morgan Sep 1st, 1941 - Feb 25th, 2021

bring her back to Canada and she met and married her second husband; Chuck Morgan in 1971. This marriage brought two children as well; Darren and Heidi.

Joyce affirmed the worth of every person and was a motherly presence in the Carnegie Center, as.a volunteer for 24 years. If she had an extra toonie and you needed it, it was yours! While Joyce's mental illness would at times distort her relationships, she was always willing to forgive. And loved deeply.

Joyce was predeceased by her parents Stan and Esther Nelson, son Paul Junior, brother David Nelson, husband Chuck Morgan and sister Sharon Miachika (nee Nelson). She is survived by brothers Kenneth and Melvin Nelson, son Grant Habighorst, soh Darren Morgan and daughter Heidi Morgan.

Joyce was a person of faith and looked forward to seeing her lost loved ones once again in Heaven. Go in peace dear one, they are lucky to have you!

Although I had been forewarned, it nevertheless took time for me to accept it when I learned that Joyce Morgan had left this earthly existence. She was still very much in my thoughts a couple of days later as I took a long slow walk around the Stanley Park seawall on a beautiful sunny day. I stopped for a moment to look at a lovely scarf that was lying neatly folded on a beach, waiting for its owner to reclaim it, and I was reminded of Joyces refined sensibilities, her discriminating taste and appreciation for work well done.

Joyce told me that when she was young, she had trained hard to become a concert pianist. Over the years, many of us at Camegie had the privilege of witnessing her mastery of the ebony and ivory. With her wonderful touch, she could make an old piano sound like a harp played by an angel. Her command of the keyboard meant she could be completely comfortable, knowing she could easily play through any momentary missteps.

I have heard a lot of music in my life, but it was Joyce who introduced me to the compositions of Claude Debussy. Whenever she gave her exquisite rendering of Claire de Lune I thoroughly enjoyed it While making my own efforts to develop some competence at the piano I have at times felt tempted to use the excuse that I just didn't have the long slim digits that a piano player needs. But Joyce's hands were no bigger than mine, nor were her fingers particularly slender. What was her secret?

I had heard the idea that you weren't really supposed to push on the keys, but rather just allow your fingers to fall on them. That notion always seemed slightly nonsensical to me, since the built-in resistance obviousl means you have to apply pressure. Yet when I watched Joyce play she seemed to be doing exactly that, simply letting her fingers fall on the keys, and I was amazed. Her hands were so relaxed and their motion so precise that she never seemed to apply any more pressure that was absolutely necessary. It was a demonstration of a master!

It was probably a good thing that Joyce did not have to endure the stress of being a professional concert pianist, not only because we at Camegie got to benefit from her talent and prescence, but also because she could play the music she wanted when she wanted to, expressing her faith and her joy through voice and instrument. You could tell she

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meant it when she sang about amazing grace, or the hills being alive with the sound of music, or when she spoke lovingly about her children. Sometimes I liked to deliberately mispronounce her name, calling her "Joyous" and Joyce would smile when she heard that.

Occasionally Joyce would make an unnecessarily self-deprecating remark, which allowed me to counter by reminding her how much I respected her, particularly as a musician and as a parent of her two deeply thoughtful and caring children. My own struggles have shown me how much patience and perseverance must be necessary to achieve what Joyce did. She combined keen intelligence with a gentle, playful sense of humour that must have greatly helped her through life's challenges.

She could let her imagination take flight but also come down to earth and see things from a very practical point of view.

When I went under the Lion's Gate Bridge and turned onto the north side of the seawall, I was met by a wonderfully powerful wind blowing in from the ocean. On the west side it whipped up magnificent waves that crashed against the wall and splashed generously across the walkway. Yet the sun shone on brilliantly in the clear blue sky. Everyone seemed to be smiling, taking much delight in the natural excitement inherent in the highly unusual weather.

At a point somewhat sheltered from the watery onslaught, someone had left a pair of high-tech gloves sitting on top of the wall. They looked like they were made for elite athletic performance, bringing to my mind the hands of Joyce Morgan.

Through their tremendous dexterity, she was able to make the music heard within available to our ears and hearts.

Thank you, Joyce, for the memories and the inspiration. Thanks also to your daughter Heidi for making it possible to have one more chat with you, though I confess to being in some denial. I had not really accepted that it would be the last in a lifetime.

I'm still inclined to listen when my heart hears the wind say that there's more to the future than meets the eye, and Amazing Grace is more than a song.

Mike Richter

Income Assistance Increases Beginning with payments in April, income and d~sability assistance will rise by $175 per month. A smgle person on income assistance will ~ece~v:e$93~ each month, while a single person on disability assistance . will receive $1,358.42.

For couples, the income assistance rate will be $1,427.22, and disability assistance rates for couples will increase to $1,947:56. . .

A single parent with one child will rec~lve $1.,27~.?8 if on income assistance and $1,694.08 If on disability assistance, plus up to $697 in federal and provincial child benefits.

A couple with one child will receive $1,611.06 per month if on income assistance and $2, 13l.56 per month if on disability assistance, as well as provincial and federal child benefits.

The senior's supplement has been increased - the first time since it was introduced in 1987, according to the government's released statement. The s?pple~ ment is being increased by $50 to $99.30, which will benefit as many as 80,000 low-income seniors.

"The danger of adventure is . worth a thousand days of ease and comfort." - Paulo Coelho

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The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation is aiming to reopen the western portion of Oppenheimer park in June. This park is integral to the community, and we are eager to have this first portion reopened as part of a phased approach. .

One of the benefits of taking a phased approach IS that it allows for necessary work to continue while ensuring community members have opportunities to influence the outcomes.

Restoration efforts include remediating the grass areas in the park, urban forestry work, and ongoing repairs to the playground and fieldhouse, as well as the restoration of historical and cultural elements within the park. The estimated cost to restore these elements remains to be approximately $450,000 (not including the fieldhouse).

Both Park Board and Carnegie Community Centre staff have been participating in community conversations in preparation for the reopening.

This includes discussing potential programs and services at the park with DTES community members, as well as other work such as the restoration of sacred items and cultural spaces.

You all continue to contribute incredible knowledge, guidance and advocacy to the plans for Oppenheimer Park - thank you. Over. th~ coming months, we look forward to contmumg ~o work with you, your membership, and other residents and agencies in the Downtown Eastside to develop program plans for a bright and enlivened reopening of Oppenheimer Park that centres community, culture, and connection. Ellen and I expect to have more information for y?u on upcoming ways you can support and contnbute to that work over the coming meetings.

Thank you for all that you do for the programs . and services at Carnegie Centre, and at Oppenheimer Park.

The Responsive Neighbourhood Small Grants program sharing workshops are eligible to receive an honorarium of up to $350 or based on the amount approved help residents of any age, experience, or background by the Neighbourhood Grants Committee. take part in building community. Responsive NeighR-NSG grants can be used towards purchasing small bourhood Small Grants provides grants of up to $500 equipment including iPadi laptops ONL Y for virtual for projects that connect people socially or involve sharing skills or talents with each other. Projects must projects of up to $350 or based on the amount apstay within guidelines for physical distancing. Some proved by the Neighbourhood Grants Committee. common types of Responsive Neighbourhood Small In Person Gathering Projects Grant projects include care package deliveries or teach- . 7. Projects that bring people together in person will need to consider the following per the current ing people a new skill, but there are also many unique projects that don't fall into these categories. Responsiv public health guidelines: *Must be limited to 10 people or less NSG accepts applications on a rolling basis. *can take place in public parks or at beach with proper social distancing protocols Have an idea for a community building project you'd *Many municipalities are no longer processing like to lead? You can apply online at neighbourhoodsblock party permits so please find out if any street mallgrants.ca, or connect with staff at the Information gatherings are allowed by your Local Municipality Desk about programs and supports available at Carneor Regional District gie Centre to help you achieve your goals of submitting *No gatherings of any size are allowed indoors an application and doing a project! *Hand sanitizers and face masks must be available. for ALL project participants Have an idea, but don't have easy access to a computer * names and phone numbers of ALL project particior internet? Public computers are available in the Carnegie and n;)ca?mat ct Strathcona VPL branches. pants must be taken for contact tracing purposes Public Space and Garden Projects 2021 RSNG & GREENEST CITY GRANTS 8. Public space and garden related projects include boulevard gardening, beautifying of public spaces CHANGES TO GUIDELINES and community garden projects. Community garden Please note the guidelines below have been modified in projects that comply to social distancing of two meters apart are eligible. Community gardens will need line with the Province of British Columbia public to: health guidelines to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Because these guidelines are subject to change on short *have sign up sheets to assign all members specific dates and times for gardening to reduce crowding notice, we recommend staying in close contact with *gardeners will need to use their own protective your NSG Coordinator and monitoring the provincial gloves and disinfect shared garden tools before and health orders !n case you need to change your project. after usage Care Packages and Food Related Projects General Guidelines for Project Leaders 9.

Dry goods including canned food items, healthy 1) Projects san be carried out by individuals and/or snacks, toiletries, water bottles, grocery cards can be family members from one household or in collaboraincluded into care packages. Food can be distributed tion with neighbours with proper social distancing ONL Y if it's prepared at a 'food safe' kitchen where 2) Projects must take place from/close to your own at least one person has Food safe training. Iffresh home to accommodate the self-isolation public health fruits or veggies are included in a package, it's im.requirements portant that there is an accompanying note to proper3)Your project must be free to attend & participate in. ly wash fresh foods before consumption.

4) We encourage applications for projects that are accessible and inclusive of all people.

11. While some projects may continue year-round, it 5) You may not fundraise for other proj ects and/or is expected that R-NSG grant money is spent organizations. However, we encourage you to seek doby November 30 for spring projects and Marchnations or gifts in kind from local businesses to help April 30 for fall projects. support your project.

Roberta Robertson, Co-ordinator 6) Applicants or their invited guest facilitators of skill

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In the spirit of reconciliation, NSG acknowledges that we live, work and play in the unceded and traditio,nal territories of the Coast Salish peoples - x"'moek"'1J1om (Musqueam), slsw~-wu7mesh (Squamish), and selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) nations.

from the Library

Spring is here and we have opened upthe Downtown Eastside Seed Library in the Carnegie branch. We have a wide range of vegetable and plant seeds, all completely free. We also have a number of books to help yo.u grow your own urban garden and learn about sustamaWe also recognize that our growing program takes ble food production. Here are three books that we have place across multiple Indigenous lands and traditional available now. territories within BC. Grow Your Own in Pots by Kay Maguire provides instruction on how to grow vegetables, fruits, herbs, and Acknowledging territory shows recognition of and reedible flowers in pots and other containers. This is the spect for Indigenous people - both past and present, ultimate DIY urban gardening book and contains expert Recognition and respect are essential elements of estab- advice on planning, choosing seeds, protecting crops, fishing healthy, reciprocal relations which are the key watering, and solving common problems. ;.;to;,,;l;,,;-e;.;;c.;;,o.;,,;n~c;,;.ill;.;,~a;.;.tl,,;,·o.;,;n.,,' Sustenance is a collection of essays and poems about food by writers from "BC and beyond." The book conDear Editor, tains beautiful local food photographs, interviews, and Re: Review ofSeth Klein's book: A Good War plenty of recipes from local chefs.

Well, yes, but there is also the fact that we must/can Finally, Street Farm: Growing Food, Jobs and Hope change our relation to nature. We are spoiling it and on the Urban Frontier, by Michael Ableman is about more electricity (i.e.more machines) spoils it more. Nathe trials and tribulations of creating a large-scale foodture is also dying because we are filling up the 'alive' growing program in Vancouver. At its heart, the boo~ part of the planet with the sort of equivalent of electric is a celebration of community building through sustam,·'shocks'. Even people with mobile phones are wasteful able food production. in this respect. How will we learn to promote and proFor these and other books, and free seeds, come visit us tect nature? in the Carnegie branch.

Can we look towards a technology that doesn't use up Happy Reading and Gardening, the Earth? Prophetic vision (1850s) is in Edward LytDaniel ton's book The Coming Race (still in print) An up-to-date book by Paul Emberson, Machines and The Human Spirit (2013) also explores the concept of PRIZE: , the force coming from individual life rhythm First Prize ($100) The force (vibration) oflove in our human hearts are First Prize for a poem by a DTES contributor ($100) called on to develop, 'slowing down' the death of the Second Prize for a poem by a DTES contributor ($50) earth - which is certainly a helpful attitude, too. the Wild Card Prize ($35) for a poem selected at ranI hope this indicates the fruitfulness of your review to dom from the longlist of general entry poems this reader. .• All winners and honourary mentions will be published Hugh Whistler in Fire In The Heart, the Muriel's Journey Chapbook for 2021.

Do'es not rhyme with rea son, CRITERIA: Content: Should meet one or more of these criteria: Do'es not rhyme with tree son Outspoken, risk taking, looking at a topic in an une~Do'es not rhyme with bee son pected way. It would be nice if it had a good potential , Do'es not rhyme with Lee son for being performed. Why these criteria? Because that's Do'es not rhyme with d son Muriel. She was not only a poet but a fabulous perDo'es not rhyme with Steve's son former and had no problems tackling things from an Nothing reminds me periodically, period. unusual, makes-you-wake-up-and-listen point of view.

Other criteria:

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M urlers Journey 'Poetry ~r;ze

Paul Nosotti

• Open to Canadians or people living in Canada

• Length of the poem: 5 lines or more • Up to 5 poems, with an overall length for all poems together not to exceed 100 lines • Please send the poems in the body of the email. Start the email with your name and the title(s) of your poem (s). DO NOT MENTION YOUR NAME ANYWHER? ELSE. We will cut and paste your poem from the email so that we can judge your poems anonymously • Include a bio not exceeding 100 words that lists o Which Indigenous territory you live on o How you contribute to your community o Anything else you'd like potential reader to know (winning entries and honourable mentions will be published in a chap book) • Format: Times Roman, 12 point • Please do not attach any images. If an image is absolutely necessary for your poem, tell us in your email and we will arrange for safe transmittal of the image.

• The poem cannot be previously published, online or anywhere else • If you submit your poem elsewhere and it gets accepted, it is important that you let us know right away" • If you are part of or closely related to the committee or the judges, you are ineligible • If you won a first prize in 2019 or 2020, you are ineligible • If you live in or are otherwise an active participant in Vancouver's DTES, please let us know • Email address:murielsjourney@gmail.com DEADLINE: April 30, 2021 CELEBRATION: Winners and honourable mentions will be celebrated during a Zoom event to take place later in the year RIGHTS By submitting, you give Muriel's Journey Poetry Prize the non-exclusi le right to publish winners' and honourary mentions poems in print and electronic media, so long as a share of profits is paid to authors and the publication is produced within a year of the winners being announced. You also grant the Muriel's Journey Poetry Prize the non-exclusive right to recite poems for broadcast or performance to promote the contest and related publications or events within a year of the winners being announced. Apart from these considerations, you, the author, retain the full right to your poem(s).

THE CHAPBOOK The 2020 chapbook can be found here https:// www.amazon.comlFire-Heart-2020 ...IdpI1988915309 THE COMMITTEE

Isabella Mori, Kyle Hawke, Glenn Mori, Elee Kraljii Gardiner, Danielle LaFrance, Cecily Nichol. son HOW THIS PRIZE CAME ABOUT At Muriel's first memorial in November of2018, a text was read about Muriel's last day when she had expressed that while she was leaving, she was s!ill continuing her journey. The text was accompamed by a picture ofthe sunrise on the day she died. Isabell a was moved by this to do her part in Muriel's continued journey, and she decided to donate a poetry prize she had just won to a new poetry prize in Muriel's honour.

Everyone liked Muriel. She was a poet, an actor, and so much more. Muriel was a vivacious, generous woman who'd often say things that would literally wake you up. She encouraged everyone to continue on their path of creativity and social justice.

She had a lot of presence with a lively, almost fizzy energy about her that gave vitality to everyone around her. She was a Indigenous woman - matrilineally Gitxsan-Owl Clan ~ and traveled all over BC and Alberta. Like everyone else, she had her own struggles; one of the ways she faced them was with a deep and joyous belief in a God. We want to honour Muriel by helping other poets continue their journey. he Muriel's Journey Poetry Prize Team

City Opera Vancouver

answers

PERRUQUERIES

One of the wittiest, most sly and subtle comic cantatas ever written, PERRUQUERIES was published at City Opera Online today.

[questions about wigs]

https:llwww.youtube.comlwatch?v=XG7QX9Mzhu8 With libretto by Bill Richardson, and music by Jocelyn Morlock, PERRUQUERIES is 'a wickedly funny video look at wigs and the people who wear them.

PERRUQUERIES examines the wigged histories of- among others -- Bobby Hull, Andy Warho1, and Ga1ina Vishne'tskaya in a joyful 25 :00 trespass on dignity. Free, of course, thanks to the supporters, members and friends of City Opera Vancouver.

The production stars soprano Robyn Driedger-K1assen, bass-baritone Peter Monaghan, and pianist Tina Chang. [image attached. Credit: Chris Rand1e I City Opera Vancouver] PERRUQUERIES was produced by A1an Corbishley, and filmed by Chris Rand1e, before a packed audience at The Annex on 26 January 2019, in celebration ofthe 100th Anniversary of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. It was premiered on 23 October 2013 at Heritage Hall, in Music on Main's Modulus Festival.

Information: info@cityoperavancouver.com 604.255.0331 CITY OPERA Vancouver:

a professional chainber opera company

www.cityoperavancouver.com