October 15, 2009, carnegie newsletter

OCTOBER 15, 2009 m "The true story of the fight against the War on Drugs.

ICJ It's bold and thoroughly enjoyable."

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ACTION SAVING

Raise Shit- Social Action Saving Lives "to raise shit is to actively resist and we resist with our presence with o ur words with our love with our courage" Bud Osborn

"Raise Shit- Social Action Saving Lives" (I) is the name of a new book by Susan Boyd, Donald MacPherson and Bud Osborn. It tells a story about the fight against the War on Drugs in the Downtown Eastside, and the fight for harm reductio n and Insite, North America's only safe injection site.

Susan Boyd is a teacher at the University of Victoria. a respected writer on social issues, and an activist who has work-ed on justice issues for many years.

Until recently, Donald MacPherson was the Drug Policy Coordinator for the Ci ty of Vancouver. He has been the Director of the Carnegie Community Centre, and is the author of the important document "Framework for Action: A Four Pillar Approach to Drug Problems in Vancouver".

Bud Osborn is a poet whose powerful writing helped to change the public perception of drug users from "junkies" to human beings who live with a great deal of pain. He has been a Director at the Vancouver/ Richmond Health Board, a member of The Carnegie Community Centre Association Board, and a founding member of the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users.

During his years as a social activist, Bud collected boxes of newspaper c lippings, brochures, reports, government documents, photographs, the journalsfrom VAN DU meetings, and poems written by anonymous drug users. In the summer of2004 he asked Susan Boyd if she would help create a book about the social justice movement in the Downtown Eastside that resulted in the opening of lnsite in September, 2003. Susan agreed to work on this project, and she and Bud asked Donald MacPherson if he would join them. Donald, who has been a respected presence in the Downtown Eastside for many years, said he would help, and the three of them worked together on week-ends for over four years.

This book is a carefully chosen selection of the documents that Bud saved. These documents, connected by a narration that holds them together, relate

the inspiring sto ry of the struggle for lnsite. It is one more addition to the lo ng history of struggle for respect and human rig hts in the Downtown Eastside, and it is an important resource for any group of citizens in any city in North America, or anywhere e lse in the world, who wish to establish a safe injection site that will save li ves.

David Lester did an excellent job on layout. Elaine Briere contributed photographs, and Landon Mackenzie offered her art studio for the week-ends, so Susan, Donald and Bud had a place to study the hundreds of clippings and other docume nts that Bud had collected.

In 1997 the Downtown Eastside made headlines around the world when the Vancouver/Richmond llcalth Board declared a public health emergency in response to the growing rates of HIV, hepatitis C and overdose deaths among drug users in the neighbourhood. A fie rce cry of anguish and anger rose up in the community. Activists blocked Hastings Street with a chain to which a banner was attached. The words on the banner were "The Killing Fields". Then drug users and their supporters marched to Oppenheimer Park where they planted one thousand crosses in memory of those who had died from drug overdoses. In a poem about this demonstration of grief. compassion, and commitment to political action, Bud wrote: " ... these thousand crosses reveal a culture pretendin g to be about life a nd health and hope but permeated with death disease and despair" So were our municipal, provincial, and federal governments rebuked, for thousands of people had died unnecessari ly in a few years, and the war on drugs was provi ng to be a complete failure.

T he poem goes on to say: "our purpose is to live in community and community is care care for one another care for those lea st able to care for themselves care for all care in action" These words arc an expression of the prophetic power that drives the social justice mov.:ment m tne Downtown Eastside. At the beginning of the book Bud quotes from one of his poems:

"we -have become a community of prophets in the downtown ea stside rebuking the system a nd s peaking hope a nd possibility in to situations of apparent imposs ibility " Prophets say "No" to an unjust soc iety. Prophets are driven by compassion. Compassion is always on the side ofjustice, and always demands action. A small group of drug users began meeting in order to speak to the overwhelming g rief of overdose deaths. They called themselves the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (Vandu).

Notes from the early meetings of V ANDU are in this book, and readers can learn how this courageous organ ization, that Ann Livingston and Bud Osborn helped get started. grew in size and in confidence.

Today VANDU is a powerful, healing force that works for social justice in the Downtown Eastside and in other parts of the world as well. Its motto is Nothin g a bout us without us.

So many voices in this book! I can only mention a few. Poems that were written on the walls of the Back Alley, an early. illegal safe injection site: the parents of those who died from drug overdoses: Bruce Alexander whose analysis of addi ction deepens our understanding: Officer Ken Higgens and Officer Gil Puder of the Vancouver Pol ice Force: the voices of drug users at VA N DU meetings: Libby Davies, o ur M.P. for Vancouver East. a strong supporter of In site and of the people in the Downtown Eastside who work to make things better: Senator Larry Campbell who has always supported lnsite: the Portl and Hotel Staff: the Dr. Peter Centre: Dave Diewert who, with Ann Li vingston, opened an unofficial sto refront safe injection site : poems by Bud Osborn: and the voices of European experts on d rug policy who can speak with hands-on knowledge about the importance of harm reduction In November, 2000, the City of Vancouver published "A Framework for Action - A Four Pillar Approach to Drug Problems in Vancouver," by Donald MacPherson, the Drug Policy Coordinator for the City. In 200 I, the City of Vancouver hosted public forum s, convened by Mayor Philip Owen, to get input into the development of the Four Pillar Drug Strategy.

This approach to drug problems stated that addiction should be treated as a health issue, and actions across

3 A Symposium: The Impact of Drug and Alcohol Addiction on Caregivers and Loved Ones

*

Pane/ 1: How Addictions Affect Children Keynote speaker - Dr. Bruce A lexander PhD Moderator- Bernadine Fox llam -lpm

* Panel 2: How Addictions Affect Other Relationships Moderators - Julie Parrell, Shannon Rayne 2 - 4pm

Oct 20

111

,

Gallery Gachet, 88 E Cordova

Free. Childcare available upo11 request.

the four pillars of prevention, treatment, enforcement. and harm reduction should be im plemented.

The forum s and the Four Pil lar Drug Strategy great ly increased publ ic awareness of drug issues. nn ln the civic election of 2002, Larry Campbell included in his campaign for Mayor of Vancouver the prom ise to open safe injection sites where necessary, and to implement the Pour Pillar Drug Strategy. He won that election.

Jn site opened in September, 2003. Bud was asked by the Portland Hotel Staff to write a poem for the official opening. and in that poem he said: " ... today we can a nn ounce a n in credible victo ry sa ving lives and g iving th ose lives opportunity for change this is a new illuminatin g lig ht for everyone in the blackn ess of the war on dru gs in nortb a merica a new illumin atin g lig ht of hope" The struggle for justice continues. The authors of "Raise S hit" remind us that many harm reduction advocates today are calling for an end to prohibition.

These advocates want to replace the present illegal drug market with a regulated. legal drug market based on public health and human rights. In his poem that closes the book. Bud refers to the day in 1997 when caring people planted one thousand crosses in Oppenheimer Park to protest the many overdose

deaths in British Columbia. l ie ends the poem, and the book, with these lines: "a nd from that afternoon to insite's opening we've never ceased in our efforts to save lives and bring peace becau se everyone suffers when compass ion is undone" Thank you Susan Boyd, Dona ld MacPherson and Bud Osborn fo r writing this book. It is a useful instructio n manual for those who wish to follow the path of harm reduction, and it is a record of an important part of Downtown Eastside history The Downtown Easts ide has a rich history of struggle for respect and human rights, and this book will help us remember that history.

T here will be a book lau nch for "Raise Shit- Social Action Saving Lives" on T hursday, O ctober 22, a t 7:00 p.m., at the Interurban on the north east corner of Hastings and Carra II Streets.

Sandy Cameron (I) Raise Shit - Social Action Saving Lives, by Susan Boyd, Donald MacPherson, and Bud Osborn, published by Fernwood Publishing. 2009.

Resistance Without Reservation Thursday Oct 29. Food @ 6 pm, event @ 6:30pm 706 C larke Drive (3 blocks south of Hastings) As part of National Indigenous Sovereignty Week, join speakers Kat Norris, Dustin Rivers, Carol Martin and others in discussing Ind igenous rights.

There will also be food and two short films.

Visit www.nooneisillegal.org or call 778-833-4484

DTEJ fteithbourhood Houte presents

it's 2nd Annual

'Sp~m~M"' m t11e NitJit~ Portrait taking Sunday October 181h, II am - 4pm Watch for pop-up Ients around the neighbourhood to have your portrait done. A ll Portraits will be

projected on Dec 21

51

Ion Dunlevy)

Salzburg Serenade: Mozart's Early Years Pacific Baroque Orchestra Enjoy Mozart's exqu isite Salzburg Symphonies, a pinnacle in his chamber orchestra writi ng, matched with pieces by his contemporaries on the Salzburg scene, including Michaelllaydn and his father Leopold Mozart. FREE

: II

Friday October 23, 7:30pm- St. James Ang lican C hurch, 303 Cordova St. (at Gore Ave.)

'• Thankful What are we thankful forMaybe, ¡cause we survive another day!

I'm thank ful there is so many places To eat - never starve in Vancouver.

People just need a little push in the right directions.

Thankful for all Mother Earth's beauty.

Thankful for my fr iends Who encourage me to keep up my writi ng.

Thank you!

All my relations.

Bonnie E Stevens

CARNEGIE COMMUNITY CENTRE ASSOCIATION *Seniors Support Group: Thursday, October JS" at 2:00pm (Theatre) *Community Relations Committee: Thursday, October 2tf" at 4pm (Assoc Office) *Program Committee: Tuesday, November 3'd at 4pm (Association Office) *Volunteer Committee: Wednesday, November .1" at I pm (Classroom II, 3rd floor) *Finance Committee: Wednesday, November .1" at 4pm (Association Office) $CCCA Board of Directors: Thursday, Novembers" t 5:30pm (Theatre) 1 *Publications Committee: Friday, N ovember 6' ' at lpm (Association Office)

5

A long awaited win as published on rabble.ca Every once in awhi le all the slogging pays off.

That's what I felt like Wednesday night, September 30 when my Bill C-304, an Act to ensure secure, adequate, accessible and affordable housing for Canadians, passed second read ing in Parliament. II sent me back to May 1997 when I campaigned in my first election for MP for the great riding of Vancouver East. You see, I ran because I was so furious that Canada's great housing programs had been axed by the then Liberal Government in the name of deficit cutting.

As a city councillor I had seen fi rst-hand the enormous benefits of the federal housing programs that helped build strong communities in Vancouver. I ran because I felt compelled to get to Ottawa to work to get those programs back. That's where the slogging began. After two national housi ng tours across the country to draw attention to the devastating impact of homelessness in Canada, I introduced my first Housing Bill of Rights. And the work of taking on the Liberal government began too, to force them to take responsibility for the growing crisis in Canadian housing The effort withi n Parliament and the amazing work of housing organizations across the country to pressure the government began to pay off in the announcement of various homelessness programs. But the federal government never wanted to adm it that the decision to unload its housing responsibility to other levels of government was enormously harmful, both to individual Canadians, and whole communities.

It was the relentless work of people like Michael Shapcott, Jack Layton (then a municipal councillor and President of the Federation of Canad ian Municipalities), Jean Swanson in Vancouver and groups like TRAC (Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre), the Toronto Disaster Relief Committee and Cathy Crowe that moved us forward bit by bit.

But still, there was always a fundamental problem of no national housing strategy and funding. It was (and still is) a patchwork of on & off programs that could not deliver what was really needed: clear federal leadership for a national program that would actually build affordable and not-for-profit housing.

Thanks to the wonderful efforts of many people and organ izations, and mayors and city councils, the message is getting through.

The diversity of people and groups supporting the need for a national housing strategy and program has been extraordinary and resulted in 148 MP's voting in the affirmative for the Bill to be approved "in principle", and will be sent to a Parliamentary Commillee for detailed exam ination.

Thank you to the Canadian AIDS Society; the Wellesley Institute; the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (Street Level); Multi-faith Alliance to End Homelessness; the Homelessness and Housing Umbrella Group, Kitchener; the All iance to End Homelessness, Ottawa; Canadian Pensioners Concerned, Ontario Division; Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division; Reseau SOLIDARITE ltinerance du Quebec; Victoria City Council; Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, Sudbury Mayor John Rodriguez, Tracadie-Shei la Mayor Aldeoda Losier, and all the other communities, mayors, and individuals who have worked so hard for more and better housing.

Also, many thanks to MP Megan Leslie, the NDP's new Housing critic, who worked really hard to gather support for the Bill.

I'm under no illusions that we still have much work to do to get this Bill through.But every once in awhile it feels good to pause, and think, today, something good happened, because we made it happen. A small step- but significant.

So what needs to be done now?

If your MP voted to support the Bill- please email and thank them. If your MP didn't support the Billfeel free to email them and ask why?? (Only one Conservative supported the Bill, Peter Goldring, MP for Edmonton East... .. It's hard to believe the whole Conservative Caucus voted against secure, adequate, accessible and affordable housing for Canadians.)

Libby www. li bbydavies.ca<http://www. libbydavies.ca

Dear Mayor Robertson, Re: Downtown Eastside erased from city maps This may seem like a small quibbly thing for you, but for Downtown Eastside Residents, it is a big thing.

The City has been putting out maps that have erased our neighbourhood. To be specific, page 4 and 5 of the city's March, 2009 Social indicators and Trends report had no DTES and has divided the DTES into Strathcona and Downtown. This also happens on pages 31 , 35, 40, 44 and 58.

The disappeared DTES has already been included in a feature article about children in the Vancouver Sun: Although there are 23 local areas noted on the city's website: there are only 22 areas in Social Trends.

The Carnegie Action Project is fini shing up on a community consultation process involving over 1200 low-income DTES residents. Last month we presented the results of our mapping project to your DTES staff. The mapping project identified at least 10 community assets in the DTES that residents want to preserve. They include acceptance, empathy, social justice, appreciation for community and cultural heritage, a strong sense of community. Some ofthese are assets that other communities would die for, yet developers, and now the city, seem bent on erasing our DTES community from their maps.

Displacement is really happening in the DTES. In 09 CCAP's hotel survey found an additional 800 hotel rooms between 2008 and '09, lost to rent increases beyond what people under the LlCO can afford. The success of Wood wards has driven up land values in the area, which makes it more difficult for DTES residents to secure their tenure here. We hope council will help us take another path, one that recognizes the rights of low-income people to not be displaced from their historical community because land has suddenly become more valuable.

The DTES is not erased off of all your maps. City reports like the DTES Housing Plan have maps of the DTES that include eight sub-areas of Victory Square, Oppenheimer area, Gastown, Strathcona, Chinatown, Thornton Park, Hastings Corridor and Industrial.

We ask you to have your staff put the DTES back into maps about city neighbourhoods. We aren't gone yet and don't plan to go!! Thank you.

Yours truly, Wendy Pedersen DTES Resident and Organizer of CCAP

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June, le month of pairing Or is it paring To Wed or not too Wed That Be the Quest ion Me, a maid @ the 6111 Level As my older friends so 1Kindly out it..

1 Me, Ready once More Into the breach To seek perchance to dream Sanctuary in the Arms A newfound friend, Caution to the Wind.

Mother Mona's voice pricks my bubble Bubble of requited dreams "Don't get hoit, baby," But I demand I low can you do dat ting mon?

Is there not more than garlanded flowers?

What about Descartes Cogitation was alas my folly Yoy, but it tempted me Illusion of instant karma Peace in MY TIME.

~

And yet, after all, the beaten path grows much more than mosses Wilhelmina Mary

About Religion "Religions create undue fear complex in the human mind. Utilizing the lure of heaven and the dread of hell they destroy nationality and humanity. Motivated by thei r own petty interests they create artificial divisions in the human society. Should intelligent people be bound by the serpentine nooses of such religions? No, they should not; they must not. If at all people allow themselves to be bound by nooses, it should be understood that they are intellectually bankrupt. In all countries of the world such people form separate communities. Perhaps reli gion has done the most damage to humanity. After all, it is in the name of religion that most human conflicts have occurred. Now the time has come to put an end to the conflict over religion forever." (A FPS-7)

October 6, 2009 Dear Wendy, It's great to hear that people are enjoying playing music around the community. I think a lot of people were inspired by the Homeless Band and were looking forward to hearing it. Si nce you wrote the letter in the last issue of the newsletter, however, the Homeless Band has fallen off the wagon and been put on the back burner. I regret to say, also, that we will no longer be playing for the community. Apparently the idea of Oppenheimer Park supporting it with staff and space is a bit much. Perhaps if we had a separate space in which to practice regularly, and some funding to go with it, it could continue. I always !hot that the concept of a homeless band taking to the road and encouraging other similar groups around the country would have been a wonderful idea; inspirational for the grassroots man & babe.

If anyone has suggestions on this they could email me at: rudolf@paris.com The Oppenheimer Park Music Program is stil l happening till the end of October, and may resume in Spring. The upcoming shutdown is due to some restructuring behind the scenes. The Mus ic Program will be held Wednesdays, on Dunlevy Street, near Powell Street, at the edge of Oppenheimer Park, from 2:30 pm -4:30pm, rain or shine, as we have tents.

We will no longer be meeting at the Downtown Eastside Centre for the Arts in the InterUrban Gallery.

Yours truly, Rudolf

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To Colleen Gorrie, Marlene George and especially the Carnegie Association - plus the Senior coffeesellers - [without whom] this trip, to Quad ra Island, would never have happened.

I j ust want to tell you all it was the bestest trip we have ever had. Love to you all.

All my relations, Bonnie Stevens

NOTHING MISSING How to read a mind that isn' t q uite there like which came first Yellow Pages The Bible or the hoards that d idn' t care right very first time shall we retire for a bit of disrepair, now I find myself in the landfill of the lost like a lotto winner people you never met who swear you made a bet you' d never win are now coming out of the woodwork-crawlspace-outer space: all you friendly people please get the hell out of my hair & get lost, here - a pendulum for your thoughts as the sky begins to rot I pretend to have no fears or faults but 1 DO! One day you will see my showroom of thoughts & faults last time I spoke someone put sticks in my spokes and after the silence came very vindictive jokes, speak ing of jokes it only took 3 destroyed ci ties to create & not a day late how great this circus will be ... not on my swatch, now imagine being able to make me turn my head so full steamed ahead, now imag ine being able to crush the sun in your own hands lesson well bought I'd say like landmark decisions with diamond cutthroat precision no free man rots in jail OK now the Department of Defence wants a couple of mi l to patrol our skies and terrorize it will be a crime to open your eyes now I may be crazy but you' re insane as the word peace fa lls to pieces again a momentary gain before all is lost we could the 21" century's holocaust, we shall leave no turn unstoned you're the next dependent on The Price is Drugs As important as a silent letter, saving the world one shopping spree at a time, able to leap over common sense while muting any motions to save our oceans & remain sure you arc safe the rest curtains!

Why it's Stuporman! Flying on his ass oh gosh like a bird he's flown through someone's window look out below the weather calls for g lass, now who are the class that just g raduated from Gordon Campbell 's school of trickery & deceit take a seat this just in one more th ing important things deemed tomorrow could now be in the front sear & see who you'd really miss that means a lo t because we are all we've got - nothing missing.missing nothing- put everythi ng else in the tomorrow fil e give your planet a kiss or at least try to smile come to think of it things sort of work o ut after awhile now Nothing Missing & Missing Nothing that's a good thing I think.

By ROBERT McGI LLI VRAY

What follows is a cool protest song, sung to the tune of If I had a Hammer

If I Had a Grant If I had a Grant I'd spend it on housing I'd spend it on units All over downtown I'd build apartments I'd make'em affordable I'd build them for you and me, my brothers and my sisters All over downtown If I had approval I'd replace condos I'd grow community gardens A II over downtown I'd build apartments I'd make'em affordable I'd build them for you and me, my brothers and my sisters All over downtown lflhad wish I'd wipe out homelessness I'd feed the hungry A II over downtown I'd build apartments I'd make'em affordable I'd build them for you and me, my brothers and my sisters A II over downtown Well I've got hope And I've got passion And I've got a dream A II over downtown It's a Dream of justice It's a Dream of freedom It's the dream about a place to live, my brothers and my sisters All over downtown It's a Dream of justice It's a Dream of freedom It's the dream about a place to live, my brothers and my sisters A II over downtown

Den of Thieves

Carnival of grief- grieve the future The sun will expand and fry us Then become a white dwarf star to freeze us Is this commitment?

To feed us for so long Abandonment issues ensue That no litigation will deter Maybe a tesseract will show up 80% of life is "just showing up!"

Beth Buchanan

The homeless people's altered ego has fallen down Ignored by caged leaders holding onto an inverted crown Hastily many search for food and a warm bed A dubious handful braves the cold -some are found dead.

Their fragile plight is shackled by greed's intent.

Futile groups keep homeless people homeless -that's evidenl Their useless tactics mar the voices of those in dire need Let homeless people speak for themselves, then they'll succeed.

Haunted riddles of the homeless grip the rich Whose greed starves the dog and the bitch Money for an 'American Dream' 'n a trip lo Rome Get rid of your fantasies - reality's got no home.

Homeless people shall rise and speak of their fall Their unchained needs will shake City Hall Black, red, yellow, white -homeless people have no race Yet their past, present & future remain endlessly displaced .

The substance of homeless people never seems to fade away Loneliness, fear and hunger pangs awaken them each day Their visions of homes are weakened by propagandist foes And left hopelessly homeless wilhout clean clothes or shoes.

Denial is the chronic ammunition of political liars Who ignore the homeless and mentally ill's wants &desires Wake Up Canada- homelessness is real and not a disgrace Homeless people endeavour always to find their own place.

LET'S END DISCRIMINATION AND TWISTED FALLACIES OF HOMELESS PEOPLES NOW!!

All my relations, William Arnold Combes

Home Agai n On this T hanksgiving weekend I am truly grateful to be back in the DTES. Strange to say but this is home. With all its pimples & scars I'd rather e here than in the superficial two-faced supernatural rural B.C. The B .C. that we well to the world hides under the surface a mentality that is reminiscent of Nazi Germany circa 1933.

Speci lically I refer to Nelson, the Queen City of the Kootenays. Nowhere else have I heard the racist crap that I was subjected to as a resident of this sleepy tourist town.

Hearing phrases like"the cure for AIDS is a 25c .22 shell" or "you know dem friggin' Inj uns just drink up their welfare cheque" etc. etc.

This redneck banter is daily fare for the old men sitting outside the AA hall spewing their hateful venom at whoever 's handy. I had to leave. If I hadn't left I'm sure I would' ve caused the untimely demise of two redneck twin brothers.

But mine is not to judge. much less deliver retribution for all the bigoted baloney these two are culpable for. If on the other hand anyone needs a target they are right there waiting for an 'accident' to happen.

You' ll recognise them by their white hair and obese white bellies or their shiny new Ford hal f-tons parked right outside the Stirling Hotel just waiting for an impromptu paint job ... !

Having already stated that payback is not my department, one can only wish that something might happen to dislodge and destroy emissaries of evil whenever they prey on innocent people. I'm so gld that they are out of range, for everyone's sake.

These two old bigots won't ever change. They' ll die with their bigotry of hateful opinions intact. One can only hope that thru education and consciousnessraising that someday people like the Penny boys will disappear.

The fact that not one woman lives in that place should make one stop and wonder. The fact that not one non-Caucasian li ves there should surely give LIS a clue. No women, no non-whites. That leaves us white men, period. The fact that this imbalance has and continues is a shame.

If you're driving thru Nelson, stop and have a coctail with the boys at the Stirling Hotel. Make mine a Molotov - and have a nice visit.

AI

RAINBOW'S END Such and such said so and so, They talk too much, no give and go, Cannot be quiet, nor calm, nor cool, What"s wrong? Let's try to keep these simple rules: Find the energy, the power, down deep within, Be forgiving 'n patient, it'll come high above the din At breakneck speed -no, you gotta slow it on down No big rush or pressing need; try silence, not a peep, not a sound, 'Round the corner lies the payoff, so to speak, and find the maiden meant for you, kiss her hand, become complete.

That's the ticket to nirvana - want some more, love much stronger Believe in fate (I know I do) I make up dreams, they last much longer Don't wait, don't wallow; that's sure not the way for us to be Track down new horizons -as far as any eye can see Be humble and giving, study hard and true to get the knack, Though lost always searching, mining wisdom -dug for then found.

No matter price nor cost, with love elusive don't get down That's not the answer; just got questions that must be solved.

As Earth's spinning on its axis, round & round it revolves, Can't stop the process (not that I ever wanted to) Keep up to progress with sound mind, body and belief in you, Can do: been there, done that, don't wash or cut it That's a quitter's lament and you know much better from hardearned knowledge, Learned unacceptable behaviour is tossed off for good, It's vanished, gone, most definitely spurned, lloe the contrast of coloured, highlighted hues- From black to white you know but more subdued, It's awfully easy to choose when down to brass tacks As if on cue complete this picture, softly relentless. persistent to pathological. .. straight ahead, bull's eye, That's where the end of your rainbow can be found, It's always been within you ROBYN LI V INGSTONE

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li!Jin Our Eackyard" Art Show Second Annual Exhibition At

Gallery Gachet 88 East Cordova St.

路路

November 6- 29, 2009 Opening Night Reception Friday, November 6 @6pm Procession starting at Oppenheimer Park going to Gallery Gachet @ 5pm

If you would like to create a piece of work for the Art Show, workshops are being held at Oppenheimer Park, 211 Dunlevy St. Thursday's from 11am - lpm and 2- 4pm Friday's from 11am- 4pm Painting and drawing classes at Life Skills Centre Everyday from 1-4pm "In Our Backyard" artist bios are being done on Tuesday's from 2-4pm At Oppenheimer Park For more information and/ or to Volunteer contact Ali & Carrie at Oppenheimer Park, 211 Dunlevy St., 604 665 2210

Conversation on Sin I'm waiting to be wi se The time is right - I'm old enough.

I understand human motivation on these clear days Greater distance, less passion Sti ll, il est Ires diffici le - to keep silent When silence is the only thing Not making a bad situation worse.

Anger, my old enemy, and puny disappointment its piti ful twin Continue to prod me into extreme displays of righteous reaction, passionate destruction At the injustice that blooms And of course the s in of Pride.

Wilhelmina

Compassionate Communication Classes Ever have the experience of be ing fully heard?

Want understanding about your triggers?

Tired of arguing and not getting anywhere?

Join Atllene to expl o re and learn skills in e ffective communication.

8 wee kJy classes starting Tuesday October 27th.

6 to 7 pm in Classroom Don the 3rd floor of Carnegie

CUI1:Ural Sharing Every Monday 5 - 9pm in the Theatre (need drummers!)

News from the Library New Books Attention local history buffs ! We now have the book Tragedy at Second Narrows: The Story of the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge (624.20) avai lable. On June 17, 1958, eighteen men lost their lives in o ne of Canada 's most tragic bridge construction projects, and this book features a richly detailed account of the accident, including an investigation into why it happened and plenty of archival photos.

Historical theory meets contemporary forensics in Tire Love Pirate and the Bandit's Son (364. 15), the riveting tme crime debut by Laura James. This account of"murder, si n, and scandal in the shadow of Jesse James" reveals the tumultuous relationship between scanda lous gold digger Zeo Zoe Wil kins and Jesse James J r., son of this most notorious outlaw.

Part rock' n' roll memoir, part addiction narrative, Hit Hard: A Story of Hitting Rock Bottom at the Top (92 1 KRA) is the li fe story of Joey Kramer, the legendary drummer of one of America's most successful bands: Aerosmith. The book is fu ll of never-beforetold stories of li fe in the band, from the early days of excess to the path to sobriety.

Traditional notions of value have shifted, transforming the world in the process. Where we once prized high quality goods that were durable, the rise of chain

stores and discount outlets has led us to favour convenience and a low price above all else. Yet, there is a hidden cost of cheap throwaway goods that is negative ly affecting our health, the environment, and even playing a significant role in the current global economic meltdown. Ellen Ruppel Shell's book Cheap: Tire High Cost ofDiscount Cullure (339.47) is an excellent and timely exploration of this topi c.

In Smiling Bears (599.78), Else Poulsen shares her intimate knowledge of the behaviour and emotional li fe of bears. For many years, Poulsen has been a zoo keeper who specializes in rehabilitating bears in crisis, which has inspired th is enlightening portrait of their complex nature.

Amanda Nahanee You are invited to an afternoon of storytelling with Amanda Nahanee on Friday, October 16th at 3pm in the Carnegie Theatre. Amanda is the li brary' s inaugural First Nations Storyteller-in-Residence. She is a descendant and cultural ambassador of the Squamish 路and Nisga'a Nations, and she is excited to share stories of culture, mythology and history with us.

Emily, your li brarian

GOOD WORDS FOR AFRICA A Scrabble benefit in support of the Grandmothers to Grandmothers campaign of the Stephen Lewis Foundation & the Douglas College Uganda Project.

Money raised for this project goes to help grandmothers in Uganda raising kids orphaned by AIDS. The idea is to be part of a local team, the Downtown Eastside Winners, get pledges from friends/family to get sponsorship for games of Scrabble played.

The event is on Saturday, November 7, from 1- 4pm in the Douglas College cafeteria in New Westminster and travel to & fro can be arranged. If you want to enjoy an afternoon of fun, entertainment, food, p~i zes and laughter, call Colleen Gorrie or Delanye Azriel at 665-2220 and join their team. As the poster says: We're not looking for great Scrabble players; We're looking for great people to play Scrabble.

Panning 'PONS! The ability to make and understand puns is considered to be the highest level of language development.

Here are the I0 first place winners in the International Pun Contest: I. A vulture boards an airplane, carrying two dead raccoons. The stewardess looks at him and says, "l'm sorry, sir, only one carrion allowed per passenger."

2. Two fish swim into a concrete wall. One turns to the other and says. Dam!" 3. Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, so they lit a fire in the craft. Unsurprisi ngly it sank, proving once again that you can't have your kayak and heat it too.

4. Two hydrogen atoms meet. One says, "I've lost my electron .. " The other says, "Are you sure?" The first replies "Yes, l'm positive."

5. Did you hear about the Buddhist who refused Novocain during a root canal? His goal: transcend dental medication.

6. A group of chess enthusiasts checked into a hote l and were standing in the lobby discussing their recent tournament victori es. After about an hour, the manager came out of the oflice and asked them to disperse."But why?", they asked. as they moved off.

"Because," he said. "I can't stand chess-nuts boasting in an open foyer."

7. A woman deli vers a set of identical twins and decides to give them up for adoption. One of them

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goes to a family in Egypt and is named "Ahmal. 11 The other goes to a family in Spain ; they name him "Juan." Years later, Juan sends a picture of himself to his birth mother. Upon receivi ng the picture, she tells her husband that she wishes she also had a picture of Ahmal. Her husband responds, "They're twins! If you've seen Juan, you've seen Ahmal."

8. A group of friars were behind on their belfry payments, so they opened up a small florist shop to raise funds .. Since everyone liked to buy flowers from the men of God, a rival florist across town thought the competition was unfair. He asked the good fathers to close down, but they would not. He went back and begged the friars to close. They ignored him. So, the rival florist hired Hugh MacTaggart, the roughest and most vicious thug in town to "persuade" the friars to close. Hugh beat up the friars and trashed their store, saying he'd be back if they didn't close up shop. Terrified, they did so, thereby proving that only I !ugh can prevent florist fria rs.

9. Mahatma Gandh i, as you know, walked barefoot most of the time, which produced an impressive set of calluses on his feet. He also ate very little, which made him rather frail and, with his odd diet, he suffered from bad breath. This made him (Oh, dude, this is so bad, it 's good: .. ) a super calloused fragile mystic hexed by halitosis.

I 0. And fi nally, there was the person who sent ten different puns to friends, with the hope that at least one of the puns would make them laugh. No pun in ten did.

more productive use- she enrolled in the Documentary Program at Capitano University. Intending to create a scathing portrayal of the city that had done her wrong, she left with a sort of love letter. Director Sharon Kravitz takes us on her personal journey as she struggles to define her relationship to this city.

Dear Vancouver is a story of love, destruction, forgiveness and hope, and shows us how our imagination can sustain us through the darkest of times and help point us forward. (14")

2009 F ilms/videos- T h e 6th Annua l Downtown Eastside Heart oftlte City Festival Carnegie Community Centre Theatre, 40 I Main Saturday October 3 1. Free Afternoon of Documentaries 3:30pm-4:25 pm Flying High (2009) Austrian artist and fi lmmaker Marina Leblehuber was in the Downtown Eastside last year and spent time in the community talking with local artists and residents about their home and work, resulting in a powerful documentary showing the DTES through residents' eyes rather than from the outside looking in. Images and words show human faces without dwell ing on the lived experiences as special hardships. The Festi val is showing a rough-cut as Marina continues to work on the final version. (51") 4:25pm-4:55pm Out oftlte Rain (2009) Man-about-town Tom Quirk videotaped artists who participated in the Out ofthe Rain program this spring. The intimate footage reveals conversations with a few participants and watches them create their art. Tom is a generous interviewer and we are privieged to eavesdrop. (23") 4:55pm-5:15pm Leon Kaplan: A bout Dying (2009) Author and fi lmmaker Leon Kaplan collaborates with local artist Quin Martins on this unflinching documentary. It was Leon's desire to document his last days.

We are left with a touching, insightful film about a subject matter that isn't easy to talk about. (15") 5: 15pm-5:30pm Dear Van cou ver (2009) After writing scorned woman letters to Vancouver for years, Sharon Kravitz decided to put her rage to a

Evening of F ilms & Documenta ries The DTES Heart of the City Festival is pleased to present an evening of documentaries of first films and stories of pivotal moments in our community's history, in cooperation with Documentaries for Thinkers, a popular program coordinated by Colleen Carroll with Humanities 10 1 . Free 6pm-6:55pm Right to Fight ( 1982) Filmmaker Nettie Wild 's rarely seen first film : a 'video extravaganza' on organizing for affordable housing. In 198 1 Nettie Wild was performing in Buy, Buy Vancouver, Headlines Theatre's very first production and agit-prop musical about the housing crisis in the city (sound familiar?) This led Nettie to direct Right to Fight about the struggle for affordable housing in a Vancouver neighbourhood. The video was the beginning of Headlines' involvement with television, a connection that grew into an innovative marriage of live theatre and the electronic medium. (48") 6:55pm-7: I Opm Escapades oftlte One Particular M r.Noodle ( 1990) Long before MuchMusic or CBC's Definitely Not the Opera, director Sook-Yin Lee was an emerging artist in Vancouver, associating with Public Dreams and fronting the art-rock band Bob's Your Uncle. This short comic film is Sook-Yin's first directorial effort and takes a humorous and personal look at the question of assimilation. It concerns a second-generation Chinese-Canadian who recalls her childhood in a white middle c lass suburb and as an adult, her job walking the streets of Vancouver as the ten-foot Mr. Nood le, hawking the wonders of a pasta bar. (11") 7: I0pm-8:05pm Down Here (1997) Director Veronica Mannix's first documentary is a biography of poet, ex-addict and political activist Bud Osborn. This film led to her further work "Through the Blue Lens." (50")

The Invisible Man 8:05pm-8:55pm Canadian Steel, Chinese Grit Directed by Karin Lee, Jan Walls, David Choi and J ulia Ningyu Li, this documentary delves into the history of the Chinese workers without whom Canada's national rail way could never have been built.

Hundreds o f Chi nese labo urers lost their lives as construction pushed through the mountains of British Columbia. For those who survived, prospects did not improve after the railroad's completion in 1885 due to poverty and the introd uction of the head tax, which kept famil ies apart. The film incl udes interviews with C hinese-Canadians whose parents and grandparents built the railroad. (48") 8:55pm-9:30pm The Graffiti (2008) Dine' filmm aker, Arlene Bowman presents an experimental drama about an Anishi nabe First Nations woman who tries unsuccessfully to change the views of two white men who scribble racist graffiti aimed at Indian people around Vancouver. She rebounds from the inj ustice by writing about it. (30") 9:30pm-9:55pm Haru wa Akebono (2009) Director Linda Oharna produced thi s documentary about Saving the Legacy Sakura of Oppenheimer Park and the role of the commun ity coalition that came together to save the trees and preserve the story o f the Issei ( fi rst generation Japanese-Canadian pioneers) who planted the trees. In February of this year a healthy and fu ll-grown Akebono Legacy Sakura tree was transplanted within the park to accommodate space for redeve lopment plans. The Akebono was one o f the original twenty-one sakura p lanted by Issei pioneers in 1977 to celebrate the Centenn ial o f Japanese Canadians in Canada and s ig nified wishes

futur~ations. (23") for better lives tol

High time we men started being men Means taking care of your sons and daughters Even ifthc women ain 't always smiling Even if money's so tight it casts no shadow And times are so thin they barely slice air The sons need their fathers so they grow up Knowing where the d istributor is and how to use The tools to fix all the thi ngs that will fo rever break A man with strong hands and a big heart Aims to protect and work so everybody Is as happy as they can be, even in the pouring rain We all know failure, we all been there done that As it is a whole generation growing up With a crater where Dad used to be And kids growing up w ith role models from TV Not the fisherman friend, the baseball buddy The man you can always take your troubles to Hard work being a man, even harder when you Got noth ing to base your actions on, everyday I see the fatherless, seeing men as neering s hadows Who leave real quick in the morn ing AI

Fright night You probably know that "Halloween" is a contracti on of "All Hallows' Eve," the day before All Saints' Day in the Christian church. However, the holiday's food, symbolism and cult ural rituals go back to an ancient ~ Celtic celebration called Samhain that marked the beginning of winter, and also the time of year when the veil between the mortal and spirit

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For the Soldier from Saskabush Your hai r is st ill o n my bathtub Tangled in the towels Long, straight, mostly silver now Reminding me ... remembering Your departure - angry, indignant I did not understand A breath of prairie ai r I babbled You appeared to listen.

I looked for you In the park under the trees Already knowing you would not be there.

Wilhelmina

Pumpkin Patch Party fo r kids In the DTES & Strathcona!

Saturday, October 24, noon -3pm MacLean Park, 700-block Keefer Come right at 12 Noon for your free pumpkin Qust one per fami ly, not per chi ld, so everyone gets one.)

Carve your family's with your kids and be all dressed in your Halloween costume. Face Painting! Candy! !

INHALE I EXHALE there's so much going on inhale the ugly truths that surround our world why do we read and feed o ur need of other's greed?

Too many wars kill and maim brother to brother neighbour to neighbour pain, loss, suffering shows no end.

Inhale the sorrow with hope for different tomorrows where's the intention to see other's woes and feel superior Exhale only the goodness hidden deep within us peace, love, tolerance put someone's day to a higher level just because Exhale the wonders of beautiful flowers always around us give us insight to a new light Day by Day Betty A Spinks

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

GET CLEAN! Shower up at the Lord's Rain There is a shower facility at Gospel Mission, 327 Carrall Street Oust off Pigeon Park}. There are towels, soap, shampoo- the works! & Coffee

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We acknowledge that Carnegie Community Centre, and this IMwsletm, are occurring on Coast Salish Tenitory. . ... .. . . ·. . . . .. . '.•.

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Monday 10am-3pm; Tuesday Ladies only 1-4pm Everyone 7 - 8:30am

Friday 1Oam- 3pm; Saturday 7 -1 0am lei on parle Francais; Hablamos Espanol

CFRO

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Next issue is Friday, October 30th!

SUBMISSION DEADLINE

Tuesday, October 27

AJK MOVING lTD. 10 °/o Discount Offer

THIS NEWSLETIER IS A PUBLICATION OF THE CARNEGIE COMMUNITY CENTRE ASSOCIATION Articles represent the views of individual Contributors and not of the Association.

Valid for all Carnegie Members Good 'til Dec. 31, 2009!

phone: 604-875-9072

Editor: PaulR Taylor, Cover art by Garnett Tobacco Collation & distribution crew: Bill, Liu Lin, Harold, Mary Ann, Miriam, Kelly, Videha, Rolf, Priscillia, Robyn, Nick, Jackie, Matthew, Ida, Nicole, Lisa.

WANTED Artwork for the Carnegie Newsletter

• • •

Jenny Wai Ching Kwan MLA Working for You 1070 -1641 Commercial Dr, VSL 3Y3 Phone:~77~90

• • • • •

...

TIM STEVENSON \ CITY COUNCILLOR

Small illustrations to accompany articles and poetry Cover art -Maximum size: 17cm(6 Y.") wide x 15cm (6"} high Subject matter relevant to issues pertaining to the Downtown Eastside, but all work considered Black & White printing only Size restrictions will 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 for publication; Remuneration: Carnegie Volunteer tickets.

Please make submissions to Paul Taylor, Editor.

SER~NGTHECOMMUNITY

WITH PRIDE

City HaD, 453 W 121b Ave, VSY 1V4 Phone: 604-873-7247

CEEDS folks -$60 2009 DONATIONS: Barry M.-$150, libby 0.-$70, Rolf A.-$50, Margaret 0.-$40, Jenny K.-$25, Sue K.-$30, Michael C.-$50, Jaya B.-$100, Christopher R-$180, Mel L.-$25, Greta P.-$25, Leslie S.-l25, Harvey B.-$25, Sheila B.-$20, The Edpe -$200, Wilhelmina M.-$50 Anne P.-$50 Priscillia -$5 Anonymous $1510

Beats on Broadway acoustic coffee house, Oct 16th, 7:30, at Mount

Vancouver Moving Theatre & Jumblies Theatre

Pleasant Neighbourhood House, 800 East Broadway.

The feature is People of the Heart, a first nations singing group.

in co-operalion with tho

Community Arts Council of Vancouver present

the Downtown Eastside ARTS4ALL INSTITUTE

For more info phone Earle at874 1256

a creative laboratory and practicum for art that engages with and celebrates community This week-long intensive course will focus on the principles, practices and underpinnings of "community art practice" and the things you need to know to launch your own project. Instructors include 3 of Canada's leading community artists , Ruth Howard (Jumblies Theatre, Toronto) , Savannah Walling (Vancouver Moving Theatre) and Cathy Stubington (Runaway Moon theatre. Enderby)

Presentations, guest presentations, discussions, videos, hands-on workshops, creative explorations and resources to take home.

DATES: Nov. 12 (evening only) and all day Nov. 13-15 & 17-19, 2009 at va rious DTES venues WHO IT'S FOR: • People interested and experienced in art s and other processes that engage community • Downtown Eastside community artists ready for leadership roles

Public sessions and some part-time participation opportunities will be available.

TOPICS INCLUDE: Definitions, values and principles, Developing your own vision, Project start-up and basics, Planning and partnerships, Budgets and grant-writing, Arts-based and oral history research, Facilitation skills. Documentation and evaluation, Legacy and sustainability, Challenges and rewards, Aesthetics and ethics.

COST: sliding scale $25 and up for Downtown Eastside community members. Regular fee: $300.

MEALS: first day lunch, coffee/tea, otherwise bring your own .

CERTIFICATION: Those completing the intensive will receive a certificate from VMT and Jumblies.

Applications available at Carnegie 3'd floor office.

For more information please contact Susan Gordon 604-874-8433.

Deadline October 17, 2009 Also visit www.vancouvermovingtheatre.com for application form and further information.

Limited to 25 participants selected partly on a first-come basis , but also with a view to creating a compatible & diverse group which includes Downtown Eastside community members. Applications arriving by October 1ih will be assessed and space confi rmed by Oct. 25. Late applications will be processed only if there is space.

• Lu's:

A Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival Event

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Main and Hastings On the comer, the dealer shouts "Life for sale, life for sale ten dollars a cap three for twenty five.

Rock powder down"

If you know who I mean then you know who I mean The PIVOT Calendar was unvei led on October 13 in Carnegie's theatre. PIVOT is a group of lawyers working for and with the people of the Downtown Eastside in the struggle for housing, tenants' rights, fair business practices and human rights without racist barriers or discrimi nation due to poverty.

As the title of this article suggests, I'm a blank when it comes to names of the guilty or innocent. There's one guy who had this idea of a photography contest, residents of the DE only may apply, a free disposable camera to, say, the first 200 locals who show up and get one when they're handed out, with 3 days to capture the magic of"our community" or "why I live here" or "good friends" ... a different so-called theme every year.

Anyway, it happened for the first time in 2003 and the best 40 photos out of the several thousand taken got picked and voted on by ' the public' (people in the ' hood) with a baker's dozen adorning a calendar for the next year. Voila! Hope In Shadows (clot com) Okay, this guy got up to start the awards ceremony (yeah, there's cash prizes, which are just as good as money) and it got almost exciting, almost inspiring as he did some incred ibly complex calculations and sail' that because a lot- 13,000 - were printed, a Iotta people saw and see our pictures and our community through our eyes.

People from all over now know about this annual event and due to the most convoluted grapevines the final resting places for the thousands sold (out) ever: year are amazing. MPs in Ottawa get them as gifts, doctor's and lawyer's offices are adorned, support staff everywhere who do all the work get some for fam ily and friends and even the most stodgy, snarly curmudgeon can grieve for a thawing heart and buy

Blood, trails down my arm the heroin spreads, throughout my body An injection of life or death?

Gently I wipe the blood, on the stained sheets.

Another day begins and ends.

The sound of the alarm time to get up.

Respect

- ..

Henry George Love within Searching for one路s true self Fi nd your most inner feelings Walking in the crisp, wet forest Rain gives life to our tree of life Respect our waters, earth and skies Look beyond to sec the great mountains.

They stand bold to uphold the waters Respect the animals in the forest Do not take too much Give tobacco or offerings to Mother Earth She in return will be thankful.

As always, take care.

All my relations, Bonnie Stevens

one. They're twenty bucks.

To see all the selected pies, you can go onli ne but you should make a bonified seller, picture ID'd and licensed to k-iH sell, ten bucks for doing it to you!

To find out the names of the photographers and a list of ! 51, 2'1d, 3'd, & honourable mentions you'll be better off buying a calendar than trying to find that in this newsletter. I didn't write anybody's name down and, back to that one guy who promised he had an idea and lo it happened, if you know who I mean then you know who I mean.

By PA ULR TAYLOR

The 6th Annual Downtown E astside

Heart of the City Festival Wednesday, October 28- Sunday Novembe r 8 , 2009 More than 80 ev e nts at over 25 locations throughout the DTES

With twelve exciting days of music, theatre, film, poetry, forums, workshops and art shows, the 6 th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival celebrates the creative and committed artists, residents and activists who thrive in our community.

• Help kick off the festival Wednesday Oct 28, 2:30pm at the Festival Launch where Sam George will welcome us, and other special guests including: Metis singer/songwriter Sandy Scofield; local comic duo Paul Decarie and Grant Chancey; and performers from the DTES Music Theatre Showcase singing ' Sandstone Lady". Carnegie Theatre, everyone welcome! Free • The festival is pleased to present the Vancouver Moving Theatre production of the Downtown Eastside Music Theatre Showcase, a celebration of songs from seven original musicals created right here in the DTES including: I Love the DTES; In the Heart of a City: The Downtown Eastside Community Play; Condemned- A Work in Progress; The Returning Journey; We're Allin This Together: The Shadows Project- Addiction and Recovery; A Downtown Eastside Romeo & Juliet; and Bruce - The Musical. Wednesday Oct 28 & Friday Oct 30, 8pm, Russian Hall, 600 Campbell. $0-10 at the door Other exciting events during the first weekend of the Festival include • Unsung Heroes of the Four Corners, Digital Stories on Thurs Oct 29, 2pm to 5pm, Carnegie 3rd floor Learning Centre, • Quilt of Hope Reception on Fri Oct 30, 1pm to 5pm, DTES Neighbourhood House, 501 E. Hastings, · Carnegie's Hallowe'en Dance on Fri Oct 30, 7pm to 10pm, • a walking tour Sites of Empowerment with CCAP at 11 :30am, Sat Oct 31 on the steps of Carnegie, • TheatreSports on Sal Oct 31 at 2pm, Carnegie Theatre, and ·Afternoon and Evening of Documentaries on Sal Oct 31 from 3:30pm to 10pm, Carnegie Theatre. Free • On Sunday Nov 1, it's a full day of choices: at 10am Chinatown: Then and Now, a walking tour with Larry Wong, meet at Millennium Gate, 26 W. Pender (pay what you can for local residents), • the DTES Women's Writing Group present 2 performances of their new show The Dreamcatcher, 1pm and 8pm, Firehall Theatre ($0-20 at the door), • Holy Cow opening reception of Diane Wood's new exhibit at Lolo's Cafe, 611 Alexander from 6pm to 9pm, and • at 7:30pm come to Comedy Night at Carnegie in the Carnegie Theatre for an evening of laughter, mayhem, sketch comedy and stand-up. We know you'll laugh your. ...... off! Free For event details, pick up the Festival Program Guide at the Carnegie Front Desk.

For information call 604-628-5672 or www.heartofthecityfestival.com Presented by Vancouver Moving Theatre with the Carnegie Community Centre • & the Association of United Ukrainian Canadians, working with over 25 community partners.