December 1, 2004, carnegie newsletter

DECEMBER !, 2004 V6A 217

604-665-2289

HOPE IN SHADOWS PORTRAITS FROM THE DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE December 1st - January 2n d at gall ery gachet Open ing Night: Wednesday Dec.l (Worl d AIDS day, a day with art for social change) Community Discussion with contributing photographers and Pivot: Dec. 12,2-4 pm t: . ~ .. .. . ..

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DECEMBER 1 WORLD AIDS DAY EVENTS 10 am - 7 pm

World AIDS Day Celeb ration Th e Gath ering Plac e, 609 Helmeck en Street

10 am - 7 pm

World AIDS Day Celebrati on PARCo 1107 Seymour Street

1 pm

Film "W om en Are Leading Change", Paci fic Cinema thequ e. 1131 Howe Street

1 pm - 4:30pm

Abori ginal AIDS Awareness Day. Van cou ver Aboriginal Friendship Centre. 1607 East Hastings Street

5 pm

A.S.LA. Media Releas e , Wild Rice Restaur ant.

117 West Pend er Street

5:30 - 6 pm

Rememb ering With Lights Dr.Peter Cen tre, 1110 Comox Street

7 pm

HIV+ Support Group Mee ting Th e Gat hering Plac e 609 Helmeck en Street

More details at www .vhaccc.org

Journalists and co mme rcial photograp hers ca n take pictures of individuals in publ ic, and use those imag es to promote almost any news item or messa ge. Un for tunately, the reliance oOn si mplistic stereotypes has led to Vanco uve r's Downt own Eastsi de be ing portrayed as a blea k landscape of crime, despai r and exploitation.

This exhibit will feature the top 40 win ning photographs from Pivot Legal Society's Downtown Eastside port rait calendar contest. 20 black and white disposabl e came ras were handed out to DT ES residents, and Toronto, in an effort to capture images, too often overlooked, of compassion, friend ship, jo y, struggle, courage and fait h.

More then 3500 images were returned, and the most str iking images were se lected base d on artistic merit, emotional impact and tech nical qua lity. T he win ning Vancouver pictures were taken by Hen dr ick Beune Om ar Barahon a Rhi ann on Cer vin Juli e Chapman Linda Cart ers Joe Ch atsis Joao Antonio Dossantos Bro nwy n Elko Gladys Evoy Dwayne Fiddler Medric Filli on

Sophi a Fre iga ng M ich ael Gu en ett e Gertrude Harri s Sylvia Isaac Auro ra Johnson Linu s Malik J uan Mart inez Ste ven M ayers Joann e Moen Richard Mor gan Betty Morris Ch arl en e Morri son Rod e Nab ess Richard Pambrun Shauna Paul T om Quirk Gina Rob ertson Julie Rog ers Allan Slobod a Frank Th ompson John Ting Lee Wh eeler Joseph Woffs Sixteen of these phot ograph s are featured in the 2005 "H op e In Shadows" calenda r.

Don 't tell me so meone hasn 't alrea dy tried to se ll yo u one! Th e Portrait Cal end ar Campa ign is design ed to give margin ali zed peopl e the power to defin e their ow n identity, and to c rea te the stage for an incredible, as ye t untapped , so urce of human po te ntial for person al and political cha nge in our soc iety.

Thi s ex hib ition is dedi cated to lift ing the ve il on the dark stereo types are suppo rts for the hea vy soc ial curtain betw een those wh o hav e and those who need. Thi s partition is felt in the heart s and minds o f every person, giving birth to patt ern s o f fear, aversion . intol er ance. and cont empt. Su ch e mo tions do not s imply prev ent peopl e from ope ni ng their hearts; as a cultural phen om en on , they pre vent us from achi evin g a soc iety that is trul y pea ceful , compassion ate, and happ y.

I asked Hendrick Buen e to tell me abo ut his photograp h that was chosen fo r the

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ca lendar. He said . " He r name is Trish da Dish. I ne ver met her before, but I'd been o ut all night taking pictures. ther e was hardl y any traffi c, I wa s wa lking down Gor e and there was thi s g irl doin g her mak eup. that I didn 't know. I as ked to take her picture, sh e said 'o h yea h, other peopl e have as ked me, but yo u gotta wait ' til I fini sh doing my mak eup' . I offe red her a c iga rette and waited a few m inutes and took the shot.

I knew it was a good one as soon as I'd tak en it. She 's not shy at all ab out what s he does for a living. The ph oto o f her got to be on T V for 25 se co nds during the award ce re mo ny . Sh e was please her mom in Victo ria wo uld ge t to see it." T his picture has turn ed into a fr iendship. and he now introduces her as " my ca lenda r g irl, Trish da Dish ." His ex pe rie nce with the Pivot ca me ra last ye ar was n' t as success ful. Som e people in the back ground of a photo he took assaulted him and demanded and smas hed the came ra.

Some quick facts about our 'hood Th e DTES is the poor est neighbourhood in Canada 70% of Vanco uve r's Fir st Nati on s peopl e live in the DTES 33% of homele ss peopl e are mentall y ill an es tima ted 5000 IV dru g users live here The DTES was declared a publi c health emergen cy in 1998 HIV /AIDS a mong wo me n is 40 % high er than men On -tile-job de aths for sex trad e worker s are 6 times higher than for poli ce

Liberalese: "I have a right to choose my blind spots" I have been having an interesting dialogue with MLA Randy Hawes over my e-mail sent yesterday [following passage of "Safe Streets Act"]. I find his 'perceptions' of addicts and mental illness to be alarming Sincerely Linda McDaniels

also important. While not a panacea that solves all ills, this legislation does allow authorities a tool they have not had before. Those innocents who feel they cannot walk down the street safely may feel som what safer if there is some action taken.

Randy Hawes MLA

I'm writing today in regards to the "safe streets act"

To : Hawes.MLA, Randy

Why are we creating one more law to make street people even more excluded, segregated and further diminishing their self worth, once again confirming their unworthiness of positive society support. Why not reinvest our resources into programs which will help these individuals find food, shelter, medicine and the counseling and connection they need to feel like human beings?

I do not want my tax dollars going into beefed up security forces, or increases in employment for the detention centers and the jail systems of B.C . I want to see B.C. stop taking reactive and punitive methods of deterrence ( the research of our times clearly shows that punitive methods of enforcement not only do not work but actually support the behaviors the y are meant to eradicate). .

I want to hear about the programs (not laws) and resources that focus on capacity building in this population and to see our tax dollars spent on "hu mane" resources based in proactive measures.

Ifall these programs, (I would love to see a list, how many people do they support and HOW do they support them?) are "successful" then why are "street people", youth violence and "inappropriate behavior" on the rise? Perhaps a LOT more needs to be invested in them...The only lists of quality programs I ever see is the ones that have been cut to save money! The people you cut it from didn't move to Alberta, they moved into the streets!

Sincerely, Linda McDaniels To: LMcDaniels We are reinvesting and creating programs for the tho se you refer to as "street people". We are creating more job opportunities that ever before, we are opening new detox centres and residential treatment beds for those with addictions, and we are spending more on mental health programs than ever in past.

There is nothing however that can excuse or make inappropriate behavior toward innocent people tolerable. No circumstance makes intimidation acceptable. Aggressive and threatening behavior is what is targetted by the legislation and it is but one tool in what must be a large arsenal to combat poverty.

The things you speak of are important and are being implemented, but security and a feeling of safety is

Sincerely, Linda McDaniels To: LMcDaniels Many "street people" are actually people with mental illnesses that do not wish to be housed. When the Woodward's squat was stopped and people moved into a hotel, they trashed the hotel because many didn't want to be there. The programs to which I refer are programs that are in development, are being implemented, and are community based. You seem to think that because people are begging they are automatically in poverty or are homeless. Many are addicts who have made choices, need help, and while programs are being developed and expanded to provide that help, why should their inappropriate behavior be condoned or allowed if it infringes on the rights of innocent parties who simply want to walk the streets with the perception of safety. The Act stipulates that it only applies in the event of aggressive behavior that a reasonable person would find threatening. Perhaps you would put the "rights" of those acting inappropriately above those that are be ing victimized but I wouldn't and that is why I support the legislation. I also support expansion of drug treatment programs and job creation.

Randy Hawes MLA

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To: Hawes.MLA, Randy Your assumption that ( narrowly define "street people" as simply people in poverty is incorrect. Most people who end up in poverty do so because they have illnesses that prevent them from maintaining an existence in mainstream society or they are youth coming from horribly abusive situations, when they are not properly diagnosed or supported (which is most of the time) they find their own medication in the form of drugs; when they are further repressed using punitive measures they become the "undesirably aggressive ones you fear so greatly. (fwe supported these individuals when they were young before they hit the streets...wel1 they wouldn't end up there. You could start by looking up information (on our Ministry of Education web site) on bul1ying: the cycle of uncaring and stereotyping starts there. www.safeschools.gov.bc.calrelatedresources.html If you look at the Violence continuum char.t it ~ays it al1, without any reading necessary. Education IS what we need, not more punitive laws .

supports in our schools and social systems. You fail to convince me that this new law isn't just more of the same blame game Liberals are so good at. ( have kept track of this government's record: your short-sightedness and complete lack of regard for marginalised people is appal1ing. ( for one will be working hard to see that governments are made more accountable to those who they are supposed to be serving. Do your homework sir and get educated.. or put in more useless laws and buy stronger gates and bars for your windows, it's your choice ...

Sincerely, Linda McDaniels

They criminalize poverty. We provide solutions.

Victoria Street Newz -

Sincerely, Linda McDaniels

Mother Earth Our Mother Earth is suffering Rivers, lakes, oceans and air are being polluted Humans are careless, no compassion Greed. Greed taking everything in sight.

Animals are being pushed out, Understandable as they are invaded by humans.

Sooneror later, Mother Earth cannot defend Herself Compassion!! !

Nowhere to be seen.

Wake up people.

AI1 my Relations, Bonnie E. Stevens

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S~tt Sl~ttlS: FO~ W~OM~ The 1938 labour shortage, due to rearmament and war preparations, led Himmler and Heydrich to twice order the arrests of those living without a fixed abode, claiming them as an "anti-social parasite on the people." They captured about I I,000 homeless who immediately disappeared into concentration camps. Interestingly, this caused some internal conflict between the Nazis and the Social Welfare Au_ thority, who released the following statement: o

"It is not acceptable for the police to grab these antisocial elements for themselves ... these persons are urgently required as workers in local community institutions. They do not belong in concentration camps."

In January 1939 the Hamburg Social Welfare Authority ordered that the remaining 'vagrants, vagabonds, and anti-social elements' be registered for the purposes offorced labour. "instead of destroying poverty, it was considered cheaper and more efficient to destroy the poor."

The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level ofthinking we were at when we created them Albert Einstein

Free Workshops Pathways Information Centre will be holding free computer basics, resume, cover letter, and job search (the hidden job market) workshops on Decem ber 7, 8, and 9 t h • The computer basics will be at 9:00 - 10:00 am,and the resume workshop from I2:30-2:30 pm on the The cover letter workshops: on the 8

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12:30-2:30.

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The job search workshop on the 9 at 12:30-2:30.

Pathways I nformation Centr e 390 Main Stre et, Vancouver , V6A 2T2 Ph o n e : (604) 682-7353

Recently, a law was passed in Legislature regarding "aggressive" behavior by Street People. I am more concerned about the aggressive Police State which seems to have been created here. This new law is to prevent "pushy" individuals from annoying the public. How many aggressive individuals do they think are in the Lower Mainland, annoying the public?

MLA Lome Meyancourt says we all are. Hmmm!

He's concerned about tourists being harassed by these people. Are there no "homeless" people in their cities?

The B.c. Government makes life hard enough on people who are "disenfranchised". Because of so many cutbacks, people are "forced" to beg for supplementary funds. I agree that some of those out there are squeezing the system, but the Government and MLA Meyancourte make it seem we all are doing the same 01', same ol'! Well, surprise! Some of us are really BROKE. Meyancourt also said that the ones who are panhandling aren't mentally ill or homeless. I'd like to see the facts and figures on this. Could either Mr. Meyancourt or Premier Campbell actually know the difference between a truly destitute person and those 'fakes' whom they assume are out there? I doubt it.

They also say that a "fine" will be levied upon those pan~andling. Now, how do they expect a financially destitute person to pay a fine? That is sooo ridiculous! Jail time. The jails are already overloaded.

Where are they going to place them? We have a serious social problem here. There hasn't been a "Cost of Living Adjustment" for assistance recipients in over five years, and those who are out on the streets trying to survive are being penalized. Tell me who is in the wrong here? The Homeless or the "systern"? I recently contacted Mr. Dave Jones, Director of Crime Prevention, Downtown Vancouver Bus ness Improvement Association.

Dear Mr. Jones, I read you article in the Vancouver Sun. I have a few questions that I need clarifying: Q: If as you say, the act isn't to "sweep" people off the streets, or jail them indiscriminately, then why was such a law enacted?

A. The Act only deals with the small number of aggressive people who happen to panhandle inappropriately. This issue seems to always come back to the right to panhandle and that has-never been disputed or been at issue. That is, people think it is about eliminating panhandling. No law can do that. I would like to see that linkage severed. It is about behavior and some people behave in an obnoxious fashion. Generally speaking they are the same people who harass other street people, mug them and otherwise make life miserable for those on the street.

Q. If the new legislation is targeting " aggressive" panhandlers or squeegee kids, what about those who are " non-aggressive" , like those who aren 't able to work due to "mental illness" or physical limitations (no matter what the limitations are)? Will they also be targeted?

A. No. They need help, but allowing people to behave inappropriately is not an answer. Boundaries are necessary. As you know from personal experience those suffering mental illness are able to control their behavior or appreciate what is right or wrong. Where a boundary is set they will respect it in all but the most extreme situations. In those extreme cases they need hospitalization.

Q. Will panhandlers/poor people in general be harassed? Will people who can't pay fines be jailed?

A. This is not about fines. Properly implemented, area restrictions can help deal with problem individuals. Where this type oflegislation has been properly introduced, service providers have taken a leadership role in informing and educating to avoid potential problems. Police are likely to take a very cautious approach in these situations, with policy and procedures in place to ensure that only the really difficult individuals are challenged with this law.

Q. Will they have a permanent criminal record?

A. This is provincial law, not criminal. They cannot be fingerprinted and there is no criminal record associated.

Q. No one is exactly the same in the panhandling world, so how can such legislation be correctly enacted? I am not here to "whine" about it, as MLA Meyancourte says we all do. I just want to know if ! won 't be harassed or jailed because I sit for short periods in areas which are not on the list of prohibited places to panhandle.

A. You are unlikely to encounter a problem panhan-

dling. I regret your list of problems and the difficulty you are having getting assistance. It seems sometimes like someone else is always at the head of the queue and people like yourself are cut off. In many ways this act will probably deal to some extent with the types of people who routinely queue jump, defraud government and charities, and reduce access to the assistance that might otherwi se be available for people such as yourself.

Q. SO, Mr. Jones, ifl go with what you stated in your article, compared to what the BC Civil Liberties person stated, would I be safe from the " street sweep"?

A. Yes. I hope this answers your questions and concerns and I hope better fortune comes your way. As you know, reality and ideology are often at odds.

The BC Liberties organization is one that I respect but sometimes disagree with. I think they tried to speak out on behalfof all lost souls, but used extreme and unrealistic cases to tilt opinion in their direction with their press release.. My article was to restore some practical reality to the situation. Generally speaking the balance lies somewhere between and that is where human beings struggle to get it right. As you can see from this, the situation with the homeless , financially destitute, medically indigent and those with mental, physical , emotional disabilities have increased in the past 5 years. No matter what the Government says now about how they are going to help, it doesn't make up for the inadequacies and errors period in time.

By Arthur Weiss

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CONGRATULATIONS!

'VOLUNTEERS OF THE MONTH' Sam Towe Sam has been alive and kicking at Carnegie for more years than we have a record of. He is our diligent repairer of equipment in our weight room a volunteer position that provides much frustration along with little recognition but you see Sam, people do notice what you do - the Volunteer of the Month is selected by a group ofyour peers! Thank you Sam. Now I just wish you would come up and collect your prize!

Andy Huclack Andy has been President of the Senior's Coffee Sellers for the past two years. Revenue from the Coffee Sellers pays for hal f of all shared trips with the Volunteer Program, the Carnegie monthly van payment, supplies for the Coffee Lounge, all entrance fees and food for Senior's outings, monthly meetings, Bingo supplies and prizes, volunteer tickets for Coffee Sellers, and stipends for hospitalized senior patrons. Our Coffee Sellers also make donations to programs within the building.

In short, the Senior's Coffee sellers is a vital Program of which Andy is a valuable member and President. Andy has been a volunteer with us since June 1992.

Volunteer Committee Meeti ng Wednesday, December 08, 2004 Classroom !! @ 2:00 pm (it is now the week before the Volunteer Dinner) EVERYONE WELCOME! Your voice is needed and appreciated.

HAIR WITH HEART Hair Cuts styled by our hair maestros 'Herb' and 'Sergio' Fridays 6-9pm rd on the 3 Floor Gallery (NO CHARGE) First come , First served, Sign up sheet with Colleen in the Volunteer Program (j'd Floor) Colleen from Carnegie invites you to join :

'Vicld Gabereau - The Queen of Chat Canada's Premiere Television Daytime Ta lk Show with: RITA MCNEILL Be part of the Live Studio Audience with entertaining guests, witty conversations, door prizes and enjoy light refresh ments.

A Wednesday in December - Please sign up. .

Volunteer Dinner Wed nesday, December 15th, 2004 Theat re @ 4:30pm (an opportunity for the staff to serve you !)

If you have 16 volunteer hours in this month, please pick up ticket from Colleen in the Volu teer Program office on the 3rd floor)

VOLUNTEER CHRISTMAS PARTY Friday, Decemb er 17-", 2004 3pm - 6p m Ca rnegie T heatre Food, fun, fellowship, prizes, entertainment & our annual surprise gift! (please pick up ticket from Colleen in the Volunteer Program office on the 3rd floor) DIRECTLYFOLLOWEDBY

CHRISTMAS OJ MIX -everyone welcome! INCLUDING YOU! Join us for a swingin' good time! Have fun!

Loosen up! Dance with y our creative spirit.

F riday December 17th, 2004 7p m - 10pm Carnegie T heatre Santa has gone out of his way again this year to get you some extra special gifts - that is if you have been good!

Refreshments served

KARAOKESpecial Event with Fra nk Snow The Greatest Show in Snow Business co-hosted by Darrell

Friday, December 03,2004 7pm - 10pm Carnegie Theatre What do Mickey Mouse, karaoke, a Hawaiian Luau, and Marilyn Monroe all have in common?

Come to Karaoke and find out!!!

Refreshments served to the brave willing souls.

A GENTLE REMINDER TO ALL OF US: Please do not go behind the counter at our 2nd floor Concession area, and don't give the Concession Volunteers a hard time, they do not make up the rules. All volunteers in the building enable our community to continue operating with no charge to patrons . They deserve a hug, not a harsh word.

Colleen asks this of you whenever it is at all possible well, maybe not always a hug, but a smile

and hello would be just as appreciated.

For your information to file in your brain as utterly useless but fascinating (in my hwnble opinion) -What many see as merely a standard pot boiler, "It was a dark and stormy night ", was not the end of the story. The entire original quote goes (by Edwa rd George Bulwer Lytton): "It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up the streets (for it is in London that our scene lies), rattling along the house tops, and fiercely agitating the scanty flame of the lamps that struggled against the darkness."

Collee n, Volunteer Programmer NEW YEAR' S EVE PA RTY Presents

LIVE FROM CARNEGIE THEATRE

'HOLLER' (Afro Shillelagb minus one playe r)

Friday, December 31 St, Carnegie Theatre 8:00 PM • Doors Open 8:30¡ 12:30PM Dance beings --take old-time fiddle tunes and stir with a Celtic stick. Add a pinch of music from Britany, Sweden and Quebec. Mix in flute melody and driving fiddle. Pour in funky guitar and simmer over a slow groove. Serves thousands!

Don't missit You will haveyourselfa blast

Betty was a giver and a survivor of the DTES. She assisted people wherever she felt the need . When a community event was happening Betty was there to volunteer her time. She wo rked on the Women's Memorial March committee behind the scenes for many years, setting up, serving food, and cleaning up, what ever she could do in her own way to lend a hand.

Betty helped with the Woodwards sit-in which made it possi ble for comm unity voices to be hea rd when it came to decision making arou nd social ho using needs in the DTES. She camped out for nume rous nights in the cold wet weather, he r silent presence known to a few.

Betty was a volunteer at the Downtown Easts ide Women's Centre long before I came into the community 8 years ago . She was frustrated many a time by what was happening at the centre, but she hung in there, hoping for change to come. Betty helped to regain the Women's Centre for women in the community by again sitting in outside the women's centre in April when the weather was cold and damp.

She was there when the Cultural Sha ring gro up made the rounds to the Medicine Wheel Gathering, Elders Gathering, Lytton Healing Gathering and to various other cultural events that interested her .

Betty worked on the West Coast Button Blankets for the Carnegie Cultural Sharing program, participated in many drum making workshops and was always very proud of the native art work she made .

A memorial for Betty will be held at the Downtow n Eastside Women ' s Ce ntre.

Subm itted by Marlene Trick

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Last but not least, is it any wonder why we have less and less to be jolly about? Regardless of how I feel, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Yukon Eric

Big brown beautiful bannock stuffed indians sit in smoke filled bingo halls offer silent prayers to bingo god as dabbing numbers to win money to return every night for gamble stomp instead of. feeding hungry cubs who faint and inhale solvents in abandoned school yards

Ho-Ho-Ho 'tis the Season to be Jolly There is music in the air and children have smiling faces. Stores and malls are gaily decorated and open extra hours.

I see a Sally-Ann man with a kettle at the corner, ringing his bell. A little down the street l see a man in tattered garb asking for nickels & dimes.

Oh-oh. What do I see but two men in their Security Patrol jackets telling the ' bum' to get moving.. he's "not wanted here." This is the way our DTES is changing - where is the Good Will to all?

The scene makes me wonder just who is hiring these Goon Squads and under what laws do they operate? Alarmingly, I see a rapid increase of these Security Patrols hassling people in our neighbourhood. Is this just another way to corrode our human rights?

I know there are many, many groups that are bringing Christmas cheer to people less fortunate and I applaud them for all their efforts, but where are Governments at this time ofgiving? We have seen our social system deteriorating to virtual nonexistence over the past few years. Government policies oppress the poor more and more as (or while) fueling the growing gap between the poor a nd the . ~u~t .

It seems that the higher the surplus the Government claims to have, the more people are on the ,strces/l wonder how and why a country like Canada:bcing one of the most affluent in the world, has 'achie'&ed this on the backs of the poor? .' ' J . I

beautiful bannock stuffed indians fuck each other on Friday nights one indian man fathers thirteen off-spring from nine wives who all hate him except for one little boy that loves his daddy and scribbles. "I miss you" with broken crayons, " when you coming home?" bannock stuffed indians keep warm around a fire under a train bridge that reeks of urine. winos with fresh breath. listerine bottles circle their cr ippled limbs as I sit at home eating stale bannock with lard and witness reruns of North of 60 or new episodes of Moccasin Flats those are real indians not the fake kind . but real ind ians who depict Anony mous by request us real-life ones.

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DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE YOUTH ACTIVITIES SOCIETY 49 W.Cordova

NEEDLE EXCHANGE VAN - 3 Routes: City - 5:45pm -11:45pm 604-685-6561 _ Overnight - 12:30am - 8:30am Downtown Eastside - 5:30pm - 1:30am

604-251-3310

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NEWSLETTER

. •01 ...in SIt ••1 Vanco.,..' VIAl" 11001US ·Ua

TilE NEWSLETTER IS A PUBLICATION OF TIlE C." RNEGIE COMMlINIT\' CENTRE ASSOCIATION Articles represent lhe viewsof individual contributorsand nol oflhc Association.

Submission Deadline for next issue: Friday, December 10

Editor: PaulR Taylor; cover art &layout, Diane Wood

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We acknowledge that Carnegie COlMluniy Centre, andthis Newsletter, are happening on the Squamish Nation's lerrilcxy.

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Fora free Listener'sGuide. call

604-684.84~

2004 DONATIONS Libby D.~$40 Barry for Dave McC.-S50 Rolf A.-$45 Margaret D.-$25 Christopher R-S25 Mary C-$30 Bruce J.-$30 U'mista - S20 Heather S.-S25 RayCam-S30 Gram -SIOO Paddy -S30 Glen B.-S50 Jobn S.-S80 Penny G.-S21 Jenny K.-S20 Dara C .-S20 Sandy C.$20 Audrey-S20 Wes K.-S50 Joanne H.-S20 Rockingguys -S20 The Edge Community Liaison Ctt -szco Peter T.-S20 PG for PB -S25 Wm B-$20 Mike B.-$IS Alicia M.-$40 Maureen K.-$40 Anonymous-S23

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--------Contact Jenny Wai Ching

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DO YOU HAVE A LEGAL PROBLEM?

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

Tuesdays 7pm - 9pm.

Kwan MLA The Do,!ntown Eastside Residents Association DERA helps with:

Working for You 1070-1641 Commercial Dr. V5L 3Y3 Phone: 775-0790 Fax: 775-0881

Phone & Safe Mailboxes Welfare problems; Landlord disputes; Housing problems Unsafe liviag conditions

~ At 12 East Hastiogs St. or cali 604-68i"-0931

p This remark by a judge shows that people who have not been poor just don't have a clue....

"When the court costs are low, poor people may still have access to the courts because, after all, it is not so very hard to come up with $25 or $50."

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A Special Appearance by Libby Davies , M.P . for Vancouver East, at Carnegie Libby appeared once again at Carnegie Centre on one of her regular, laid back " Town Hall Meetings " in the absolute centre of her downtown eastside riding - Our Neighbourhood!

She was quite surprised by the stunning setting in the Theatre; replete with an informal reception committee. Libby' s eyes suddenly widened as she viewed the layout of soft candlelight, linen-topped round tables , groovy early rock ' n roll music backgrounding the serving of superb (Bob 's) chili con carne and three humongous cakes , prepared by the wizardry of the kitchen ' s che f and chief bottleopener, Diane, and her hard-working band of volunteers .

The dinner and assorted activities were organized and directed under the, as always, flaw less diligence and watchful eye of extraordinaire Volunteer Coordinator , our very own treasured, lovely and effervescent Colleen.

As the (secret recipe) chile and Diane ' s cornbread disappeared, as is usually the case , Libby took to the stage after a delightful introduction from the multitalented Mistress of Ceremonies, Collee n. Once again, after Libby's trademark short but very informative and uplifting speech, she patie ntly and . slowly went from table to table, fielding every question, supplying thoughtful answers and advice.. as other guests filled out a petition that Ms. Davies' aides and volunteers had circ ulated ea rlier, as they were always waiting on tab les.

I cou ld not end th is piece without mentioning the tireless work of the perpetually easy going group,

the calm and pure joy that is associ ated with Carnegie Centre. ln the midst of all this was the high and mighty Egor, the Theatre's resident master of set-up and take down" efficiency expert, and top sound man. He blew the dust offhis many 8-tracks from the Ice Age, and we all enj oyed prehist oric styling of the Rolling Stones wafti ng soft ly through the space as the lingering afternoon drifted to twilight. · Everyone said their hellos and goodbyes to Libby Davies MP, and wandered off into the moonlit streets of our proud, strong and vibrant federal riding - Vancouver East.

What a magical , wonderful afternoon it was!

By ROB YN LIV[NGSTONE

BINTEK COMPUTERS The UnitedWeCan Lab 49 E Hastings Street Vancouver, BC 604 688 9888 www.unitedwecan.ca

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THE ART STUDIO This article is to raise awareness, and maybe raise some money for the artists, for a well-kept secret haven of creativity - the Art Studio at 44th and Victoria. There will be an Open House an d Members' Sale T hursday December 2nd fro m 2:00 - 7: 00 pm, basically a Hanukkah / Solstice / Christmas Craft Sale by recognized and yetto-be-discovered artists who use the Studio.

Admission is free; there will be refreshments, door prizes, demonstrations and a silent auction of artwork with the final bid at 7:00 pm.

This school/workshop is mandated to be a safe place for mental health consumers who also happen to be artists. You won't find a sideshow of circus freaks, or drooling would-be psychotics. It isn 't a club house or drop in centre where the focus is on cigarettes, coffee and card games to pass the time. The focus is on artists healing through their artwork and shared experience of the mental health system. The scheduled classes range from structured watercolour lessons where you're told the green goes here and the yellow goes there, to wide open "do yr thang" classes where the teacher may suggest you turn it upside down!

People with mental illnesses are perc eived differently by different segments of soc iety.

They are often considered "odd and weird" or "less than" the rest of normal society, it' there is such a thing. What's "normal"?

Sadly, mental patients are usually rep-

resented in mainstream media as knifewielding and wild-eyed victims of policeassisted suicides, riddled with bullets at thei r final showdown with the powers-that-be.

Craig, a productive and vocal member laughs; "we're raving lunatics without medication and back-up support!" We see a lot of homeless/street people with a history of men tal illness, and it's a commonly-held belief that they are unable to take care of themselves. This then translates into a fear that they are dangerous, when in fact what they are is extremely vulnerable. 20% of all schizophrenics attempt suicide, and half of them succeed. Mental illness is often selfmedicated with street drugs, and suicide can be seen as the most fail-proof form of pain relief. What's least visible are the peo ple who call themse lves "survivors" . Because they have been through the worst of mental illness, they can deal with their own and each others' problems. Many of them live in poverty, not because they're "lazy" but because the ir inability to connect ideas with action, or clinical depression makes it nearly impossible to hold a full-time job. However, they can create great beauty which brings great joy to eve ryone touched by it. (One un-informed visitor looked at the art on the walls and said "these paintings do n't look like they were done by crazy people!")

The Art Studio provides them with a community and gives them a break from the frantic "normal world". People can talk openly about thei r illnesses. Access to knowledgeable teachers and materials gives them an opportunity to learn , when so often they internalize society's labels of "hopeless" and "useless". They can realize their full potential as unique huma n beings, and bring their own light to this gloomy "no rma l" world! th The Art Studio is at 2005 E. 44 , telep hone (604)871-9788.

By Diane Wood

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The Liberal Mask Slips: United Church Brass Reject Union for their Clergy To many "progressive" people in Canada - at least, the non-aboriginal variety - the United Church is synonymous with justice, liberal causes, and trade union rights. But the times they are a changin', it seems.

On November 12, United Church General Secretary Jim Sinclair attacked the recent unionizing drive among clergy announced by CA W (Canadian Autoworkers Union), and even risked an unfair labour practice suit by urging ministers not to join or support such a union.

"It's just not a fit" Sinclair said to national reporters , referring to unions representing clergy. "It would disrupt and harm the traditional covenant between ministers and their congregations."

When asked why he supports unions tor workers outside his church but not inside, Sinclair said with a double-think agility that would impress any lawyer, "We in the United Church have always supported the right of people to join unions."

It's always interesting and even funny when the liberal mask ofa big corporation like a church slips away, revealing the beast lurking within: In the case of the United Church, an anti-union organization with a terrible track record when it comes to working conditions and employee rights.

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In 2004, nearly one quarter of all United Church ministers were on permanent stress leave, according to the church's own statistics. Reverend Casey McKibbon of the Clergy Abuse Network in Metcalfe, Ontario estimates that one-third of all United Church clergy are the victims of wrongful dismissal, and over half of them suffer some kind of overt abuse that forces them to resign.

Such arbitrary mistreatment of ministers has in fact been institutionalized in the United Church's rules and regulations. In May of 1997, the United Church General Council revised its Manual to allow its Presbytery officials to fire any minister without cause at any time, even without consulting his or her congregation.

Clergy have traditionally accepted this kind of abuse as part of their job, having been taught that their task is to be the "burden and sin carrier" for their "flock". But more than a scape-goating theology is responsible for what one minister in Vancouver describes as "the nightmare that poses as a caring religious community".

"I live under this constant threat that if) don't please the power brokers in the church, I'll be out" commented the middle-aged clergyman to a gathering of ministers in New Westminster in early November.

"There's nowhere to go with the emotional abuse thrown at me every day. The church is totally selfregulating and answers only to itself. If the power group has the ear of the higher-up officials, you're a slave to their every whim: how you do communion, the sermons you give, even how you decorate the church manse.

"If) would have known what the church puts its ministers through, I'd have never gotten ordained."

United Church ministers work an average fifty to sixty hour week for a starting wage ofabout $32,000 a year . That works out to roughly minimum wage for a job that is twenty four hours a day. In response to this situation, clergy in Ontario approached the Canadian Autoworkers Union (CA W) two months ago and asked for help in unionizing. CA W head Buzz Hargrove immediately embraced the cause of a union for ministers, and appeared on national television on November 5 with two United Church ministers who were filmed signing membership cards with the CAW .

The movement for a union among clergy is for now a limited one. The CAW has announced its plans to negotiate with the national office of the United Church, but for now seems to be restricting its organizing efforts to southern Ontario, where nearly half of all United Church clergy are based.

Ominously, the United Church officialdom has already counter-attacked the union drive with the kind ofscare-campaign that characterized its response to lawsuits from aboriginal survivors of the church's nightmarish "residential schools" . Barely a day after the CA W announced the drive, B.C. United Church official Keith Howard sent a letter to all clergy in that province warning them not to join the union, lest the church "fall apart in division and discord".

Regardless of the success of this effort to secure union rights for clergy, the drive will surely highlight the "wolfin sheeps' clothing" nature of organized religion when it comes to practicing what it preaches within its own ranks.

Can the United Church actually live the justice it calls for in the outside world? Its own clergy are putting it to that test

by Rev. Kevin Annett 260 Kennedy street Nanaimo, BC V9R 2H8 ph: 250-753-3345 pager : 1-888-265-1007 kcyinannctt@vahoo.ca Kevin Annett is a former United Church minister who was wrongfully dismissed and delisted between 1995 and 1997. He is presently the pastor of All Peoples' Church. "what has happened to him is outrageous" Dr . Noam Chomsky, speaking of Kevin Annett, August 7, 2002 Read Kevin's personal story of uncovering Genocide in Canada, and the price he has paid for doing so: Order "Love and Death in the Valley" by Kevin Annett through First Books at: "",,"\V .

IstBooks .com/bookvicw/l1639

SAV E YOURSELF A BUS FARE You no longer have to go all the way to Burnaby to file for landlord/tenant arbitration. Information Officers from the Residential Tenancy office are now available at Pathways (the old Four Corners Bank building at Main and Hastings) from I: 15 p.m. 'til 3:30 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday.

They provide access to Residential Tenancy Act information and can provide advice on tenancy related issues such as: • What to do if you have been served with an eviction notice.

• What rights you have if your suite is in disrepair or if you are facing other landlord indiscretions'.

• What to do if you have been locked out or the landlord is holding or throws out your possessions.

• How to recover your security deposit or unreturned rent at the end of tenancy.

• And any other problems related to tenancy, As noted at the beginning of this piece, with the office being situated in our neighbourhood you no longer have to go to the main Residential Tenancy office in Burnaby to file your application for arbitration or for the waiving of arbitration fees.

Applications for arbitration and other forms can be completed on Tuesday or Thursday afternoons and forwarded to the Residential Tenancy office for processing. If necessary Arbitration can be conducted via tele-conferencing at the Pathways office.

In recent dealings with the Residential Tenancy workers at Pathways I have found them to be helpful and interested in assisting with the preparing and processing of claims.

We recommend you use this community resource, but, as always, caution that you are best to consult with and seek assistance and accompaniment by local housing adv ocates . [i.e. DERA, I 51 church] Jim Leyden -

Organizer Woodwards Social Housing Coalition

, "when I cannot avoid allergy triggers or avoiding them has not helped when neither prescription nor nonprescription drugs bring me relief" some drugs are as good as love but they have side affects too and like relationships end before you want' em 2 "or when I have tried home treatment • without succes .. staying at home agonizing over whose turn to phone adds to the mess maybe I should wear a medical alert bracelet to tell th resta the world what's wrong with me when I get tongue-tied, embarrassed, and my eyes water

I'm allergic to being in love I like th taste so it's hard to quit Despite what it does to me • It mak es my eyes water I break out in blushes I break out in stupid I'm allergic to love romance makes me restless And greedy 4 yr touch I start moaning like a hou sebound dog I start seeing things Th geometry of a cheekbone Th curve of yr lips Th arch of yr brow Th crease of yr eyelids

by Lady Di I really can 't do love It messes me up too much Makes me feverish Dizzy Light-headed I can't stand still I can 't sit down My lips pout and puff up My tongue pushes against my teeth 2 get out Th smell of sweat makes me thirsty Th hair on yr body where yr shirt is sposed 2 B Makes me itch

"Th most common causes ofallergies are particles in the air" it says th way th lite bounces off them when I turn 2 look at U "An animal allergy is often easy to detect symptoms clear up when U stay away from the animal or its bedding" I wish it weren't true I wish I was like everybody else Had been immunized in my yo uth Had learned how 2 tell lies from th truth t ; I'm sposeda call a doctor if! dev elop itching and a feeling of warmth this book suggests allergy shots

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News from the Library World Aids Day Dec.I Check out library resources on AIDS in the 3 rd floor cabinet which we will keep on display for one week.

Aids Related New titles: HIV Aids and the Drug Culture People with Aids and those who help them The Art Of Aids The Psychiatry of Aids Dire Aids The First Year HIV The Politics Of Aids Living and Dying In 4/4 time

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Other New Tilles a/note: Red Diaper Baby by James Laxer (A boyhood in the age of McCarthyism) Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke (touted as the next Harry Potter) DNA: The secret ofLife by James D. Watson. This labelled as an immediate classic Power ofthe Actor: The Chubbuck Technique by Ivana Chubbuck Bijaboji: North to Alaska by Oar by Betty Lowman Carter (an account ofa lone woman 's voyage in a dug out canoe from Washington to Alaska including trips on the Inside Passage during the 1930s.

Bob Dylan Chronicles Volume One. This biography is receiving rave reviews everywhere for its honest account of the times that were not so hot for Dylan in his early struggle toward finding his niche.

It's The Crude Dude: War Big Oil and the Fight For the Planet by Linda Mc Quaig C'. An urgent wake up call that should -that must- be acted upon, without delay" Noam Chomsky.)

Breathing Fire 2 The second volume of a series which introduces us to some of Canada's new poets of the twenty-first century, including B.C poets such as Jada-Gabrielle Pape.

Play Better Pool by Duncan Steer (a stand up book which can guide you as you play) Alexander The Great by Paul Cartledge .tN ot a " movie tie-in" but a work which separates fact from fiction Edwin Alonzo Boyd; The Story ofthe Notorious Boyd Gang by Brian Valle Green River Running Red by Ann Rule (Green River Killings)

A secret trial :Brian Mulroney Stevie Cameron and the Public Trust by William Kaplan A Line OfBeauty by Allan Hollinhurst (Winner of this years Booker Award) Johnny Cash at Folsham Prison.

In A Cuban Kitchen by Alex Garcia First Cookbook to explore broad range of traditional Cuban Cookery with beautiful photography.

Tree: A Life Story by David Suzuki & Wayne Grady (Art by Robert Bateman) There are also new Westerns, Sci Fi, True Crime and general fiction..... Check us Out!

The Bewitching Miss Klisa My little Miss Klisa wanders hither and yon She may blow you a kiss, and then and then she 's gone.

Klisa knows where she wants to be found Whether over, under, or upside down And she turns the tables as she pleases With her arunning round, it never ceases .

Yes, she bops and bounces to and fro With rosy cheeks she's all aglow I get into Klisa 's sunny frame of mind One comes to love her, like ties that bind.

And Klisa quite cares for everyone, yes all, If you lose your way, she'll break the fall, And iflove is blind and I feel I cannot see She'll light me up as she giggles with glee.

When I'm a spinning whirlwind in high strung-out gear When I'm at the height of this fear, Klisa magically appears It's when she has to leave asudden that I most want her near She comes and goes with calm abandon Kilsa, please don't disappear!

Yet when she does, for days on end, I can always have her in my dreams, And when I finally fall away, asleep in night, She is the most beautiful vision I've ever seen ...

Yes, my little Miss Klisa, peaches and cream.

Robyn Livingstone

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& Snake That lying little serpent comes to me at night His face disguised as many, sweet ecstacy, delight.

Creative Writing w ith Sheila Baxter Sheila's work includes

No Way To Live: Poor Women Speak Out Under the Viad uct : Homeless in Beautiful B.C. A Child is Not a Toy

1pm to 3pm every Wednesday 3 n1 floor of Carnegie coffee

Poems, etc.

Drop In (don't have to spell)

His entr ance always subtle never a warning sign the whispers in the short term promising peace - divine.

The poison does sound pleasing to paralyze the grief but the venom wears off quick , then there ' s no relief.

You lay alone now crying thoughts of guilt rush in Wondering about the next time ...

Will I let it in?

Dawn Margaret Enman

My dearest friend Pain is my friend.

Pain is my only companion.

There is pain in the beginnin g.

There is pain in the end, There is lots of pain in between.

Pain is my friend.

Pain is the only th ing that never leaves me, Pain is the only const ant in a sea of chaos.

Pain is my lover, faithful and true always.

There is big pain, there is small pain, but there is always pain .

Pain is the mother who bore me, Pain is the gentle father who'll take me, Pain is my only friend.

I don't argue: Pain is all, Pain is God, and I am a religious man.

Pra ise the Pain ofliving.

Welcome the Pain of slipping aw ay.

Richard Loewen

Ca llie, I reall y miss you and I know you have gone to a better place where your are not in pain. Callie, I miss the friendship we had, I miss the times you and I would have coffee together or when I was upset with my daughter I could come and talk with you without you taking sides. You would sit there and listen, never judging. Callie, you really didn 't know how much you meant to me as a friend - I'm a person who is unable to make friends. When I think of you, I have an empty feeling inside .

Ca llie, I have your picture sitting on my dresser and when I look at it I cry .. it seems like a part of me died when you died. But my only comfort is knowing you 're in no pain any more, and one day I w ill see you on the othe r side. I love you as a friend and will always have those good memorie s of you . I miss you my friend, miss you a lot.

Your friend forever, Tina

Prospecting, 1955 On the deep and dark water a young man sings, "Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me."

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His pockets contain what the empire wants black rocks brightly coloured with orange, yellow and green uranium bloom.

Over the black lake over the pink granite over the darkening forest the cloudless, empty sky turns mauve.

The young man sings, "Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark." * Quietly, four loons gather 'round the lone canoe, and they respond to the young man singing with voices rich in yearning.

They sing our pain, our joy, they sing our hope, and the young man bows before them, his hands outstretched.

Sandy Cameron • Crossing The Bar, by Tennyson Learning to Trust Most of my life that was very hard .

Mistrust was my main issue.

Too many people tend to hurt, lie and cheat, Opening up my heart to anyone was hard .

Learning to trust is to heal oneself first This is a big step.

Take it one day at a time.

Love, within.

All my relations, Bonnie E. Stevens

If you are sad and alone this christmas Looking at 4 walls in a room.

Your love one has gone or departed There's no one to give you a hug.

No money is left in your pocket No gift under a tree.

Thinking of kids who forgot you Or wishing your parents would call.

Well you can come and be happy even for a short while.

Carnegie Center at Christmas Welcomes one and all music, cheer and laughter Yummy things to eat.

Hugs and smiles a loving place 40 I Main St. come on down Sheila Baxter Walk the Walk up at 2 nothing to do strap on my shoes walk off the blues singin the blues pay the dues up thru the crazies to the train platform walk the VIA train up and down remember AI as a little boy and cry sweet tears of blood and love, cut so deep Then cruise Broadway with the broadway bums sing laugh curse and have some fun Then Hyatt the heart and soul oflate night Slide my coffee Clyde, hot cocoa on the side smoke ajay I'm okay The bankers there talk million-dollar poetry Dennis is 72 looks 63 , Hal is a yuppie We get along just fine, same paradigm Jack up on sugar, caffeine and roll on down Burrard street bridge in the fog, singing songs All night long, down Davie up Robson Granville When the crows sing their happy morning song I'm back in the 'hood feelin good I live in the Land ofls Not in the Land of Should Anyway you slice and dice it I can deal with it.

R.Loewen

A FESTIVAL O F ONE-ACTS & RADIO PL AYS MARKS 10 YEARS of GRASSROOTS SEM IPROFESSIONA L THEAT RE in VANCOU VE R!!

Vancouver's home-grown grassroots Theatre In The Raw is celebrating a decade of progressive stage performance with a two-week festival featuring more than a dozen plays and musical acts. All shows will be presented at Ca mbria n Hall , 215 East 17th Avenue , j ust east of Ma in Street , with a 7:30pm curtain from Nov. 25th to Dec. 9th , 2004.

Festivities kick off Thursday, Nov. 25, with a free admission opening night sponsored by The Leon & Thea Koerner Foundation. Spotlighted are International Festiva l prize-winning one-acts Mikva, the Money, Dig It by Pat Kaufman. Jessica's Will by Kent R. Brown. Rounding out the evening is Jim Sands with musical favorites .

Othe r shows are one-act He Stumbles to Conquer and live radio plays include Jack Benny Live at the Pantages , The Rat and A Warm Cup of Hot Chocolate. The musical group Wild Elio rounds out this three week festival.

These comedies, dramas and radio plays are the top contenders from artistic director Jay Hamburger's annual contest for original one-acts or we re originally developed thru his theatre workshop as Carnegie / Co-Op Radio plays to commemorate the centennial of the Carnegie Community Centre buildin g.

Two plays have guest directors. Paul Beckett directs Endserious by Mark Harri s; Joyce Lam of Vancouver Asian Theatre Co mpany stages her ow n work A Car Ride. The rest of the radio plays are directed

by Long Haul.

This year Theatre in the Raw received CC EC Credit Union's annual Roger Inman Award for community economic development work; and has received suppo rt from The BC Gaming Founda tion, The BC Arts Co uncil, The City of Vancouver, The Hamb er Foundat ion, Ca rnegie Community Centre and The Leon & Thea Koerne r Foundation.. and numerous donations from faithful patron s.

Come see this remarkable tale nt packed festival of original one-acts and live rad io shows presented at Cambrian Hall in Vanco uver. It is a rare , creative occasio n that brings live theatre and radio shows under the same venue performa nce banner. Don't miss the theatrics!!

Regular ticket prices are adults $12 .00, students & seniors $10 .00. Thurs.Dec. 2 and Mon. Dec. 6 are two tickets fo r the price of one nights.

For reservations and more info call the Theatre In the Raw box office: 604-708-5448.

"StreetArt" images of the downtown eastside

SAM RODDAN

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Carnegie Art Gallery - 3rd floor Opening Reception Thursday, December 2, 2:00 pm Come and meet Huddy Roddan Light refreshm ents.