September 15, 2013, carnegie newsletter

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401 Main St, Vancouver BC V6A 2T7 604-665-2289

SEPT~~~ER 15 camnews@shaw.ca www.camnews.org

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"Go ask Alice!"

A wee notice, because one has not materialised or been seen. The Downtown Neighbourhood Council, formed with great hopes, has arisen from the murky privacy of somewhere and boldly called a membership meeting.

It's supposed to happen on Saturday September 21 51, an exceptional 24-hour expanse of time; This is noted s ince no actual time for the meeting is yet known; the location is in a common room in the Woodwards complex though where exactly is also not being shared.

The vague possibilities and secrecy around particulars are the brain-child of none other than Roly Clarke, erstwhile doctor-secretary (or secretary-doctor) of the small clique calling itself the board of directors of said DNC. Apparently being outed in this rag an issue or two ago as a handful of self-serving blanks who've been doing their business behind the veil of the once honest & open Neighbourhood Counci l got Roland's nose out of joint & not having held the once-monthly open meetings for over half-a-year was a thrown spear quivering between his/their eyes!

Lo & behold: an Open Membership Meeting ... well, not quite. This 4-5 person "board" met in usual limbo & passed a motion stating that the founding organisers (who were deemed unacceptable as board members by an odd committee chaired by Roland a year ago) were not permitted to attend!!! ((Hence the secrecy.))

For anyone who wonders who these pariahs are, well, you might know them as Jean Swanson, Ivan Drury, Wendy Pedersen, Herb Varley, Victoria Bull, Tracy, Tami Starlight, and any number of other nefariously suspect individuals who have had the temerity, the gall to disagree with Roland- in public!!

All this scrupulous skullduggery- imagine thuglites at the entrance to this meeting physically preventing those who are deemed unacceptable from coming in. It must make sense to Roland Clarke- I mean how the hell can he impress anyone who he thinks matters with his slick statesmanship and position as head ofthe entire Downtown Eastside if there are people in the audience who don't agree with him? Who might argue with him??

Who might call him on the stuff he's done and keeps trying to do in spite of the DNC's own Constitution???!

By PAULR TAYLOR PS: I wonder if my Press Pass will get me in?!?

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At the Spaghetti House As the future marches relentlessly toward the Past we here is in the NOW dimly perceive the outlines the Glass grows Darker Vision clouded Deluded The story behind the architecture

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Now in Raffles Now in the Empire State Then the Shining Tower of Babylon Khyamm and Pythagoras plotting the grai Navigating this ship of fools This realistic mirage beckoning us back To the stillness of the unviolated tombs of Egypt A tine private place

· · · Slumlord · · ·

GEORGE WOLSEY UMr. Wolsey reminded me that if I dida't URals wo•ld jump into our bed while we were 'Play by tbe DITS rules people disappear'." sleeping aad ret tangled in our sheets"

• exploiting marginalized community members · ·forced evictions • harassme~~t

• putting teaants healtb at risk ·rampant infestations

Slumlord Wolsey Wanted This past week marks a pivotal moment in the long struggle by residents and fonners residents of the Wonder Rooms and Palace SRO hotels. The journey is not over yet, but securing 10 warrants for George Wolsey, former landlord, is a huge win in what seems like an unending struggle. In fact, until f took over the litigation on this file, I could never have appreciated the magnitude of last week's victory.

When l was in law school, if someone had told me that being a lawyer would involve chasing a ghost all over the Lower Mainland- finding addresses for service that are actually empty store fronts, taking carloads of interns with bouquets of flowers out to residential properties in hopes of coaxing someone to the door, and checking to see if the resident Rottweiler is outside wandering the property - I would have said that is the stuff of fiction. The reality is, I have done all of th is as part of the effort to hold this particularly sl ippery landlord to account. l have only" been at it for

4 months, the affected residents, on the other hand3 have been in this fight fo r years. ' Res_i~ents_have spent years speaking out about the cond1t10ns m two of the Downtown Eastside's worst SRO hotels. They have remai ned united, endured threats and persevered even though their former landlord, George Wolsey, has done everything in his power to avo id taking responsibi lity for his actions.

That kind of unity and strength of conviction is rare in any circumstance, and is nothing short of commendable when yo u consider how long and hard a struggle this has been.

We went to court last week to enforce over $18 000 in damages that Wolsey owes his former tenants.'

Our goal was to secure an order detailing exactly how and when Wolsey would pay his debts. Once again however, George Wolsey failed to attend court. Warrants were issued for his arrest. One for each of the 10 _l~w-income people who have been waiting and wattmg to be paid what they are owed for the suffering they endured as residents of Wolsey's hotels.

You may have seen the wanted poster we released on Wednesday and yo u may be wondering "why a wanted poster?" A wanted poster sends two very clear messages. First, and most obviously, it sends a message to Mr. Wolsey and other landlords that you cannot disregard •the ri gh ts, safety and dignity of people who rent from you and expect to get away with tt. Second, and very importantly, it says that residents of the DTES remain strong in their conviction to fig ht for adequate housing. They will not be deterred by threats, they will not be deterred by landlords who evade the justice system, and they will succeed in their efforts. . Even t~ough Wolsey no longer owns the buildings m questton and many of the tenants have moved on the_ threat they face in standi ng up for their rights re~ mams real. On the morning the wan ted poster was a re leased, one former resident who had intended to speak to the press informed us that she could not come. She said a man approached her on the street and told her not to speak out; things ' happen' to people who speak out against thei r landlords. ! hreats like this are all the more reason to keep fighttng bad landlords and managers. Residents deserve to be treated with respect and they deserve to feel safe in their homes and in standing up for their rights.

Sincerely, DJ Larkin, Pivot Legal Society

Inspiring Words: Word Vancouver, a new name and look for a growing festival, the same reading and writing fun!

Since 1995, The Vancouver Book and Magazine Fair Society has produced The Word On The Street Vancouver, the primary literary festival for Western Canadian book lovers and literacy enthusiasts. *In 2013, this festival is re-branding with a new name, Word Vancouver.* The first festival was a one day event at the then newly built Vancouver Public Library and it featured 60 exhibitors and attracted 18,000 festival goers. Since then, the festival has expanded to five days and now attracts an average of 30,000 attendees to events taking place at Carnegie Communi ty Centre, Banyen Books & Sound, Historic Joy Kogawa House, Library Square, and other venues. *All events are free and will take place at various venues from Sept. 25 to 29. The big festival day happens on Sunday the 29th in and around the Central Branch of the Vancouver Public Library (350 W Georgia St, between Robson and Georgia and Hamilton and Homer).* Come hear musical performances, author readings and panel discussions, and take part in free workshops. Canadian authors and book and magazine exhibitors are all gathered to share their passion for words and stories. Fun for literature and literacy lovers of any age!

This year's festival features many amazing writers spread over five days, including: Peter Darbyshire, Cynthia Flood, Rawi Hage, Irene Watts, Adam Hart, Dennis Foon, Arno Kopecky, Mary Novik, Daniel Kalla, , Carellin Brooks, Mark Leiren-Young, Shaena Lambert, Janie Chang, bill bissett, Amber Dawn, Evelyn Lau, Brad Cran, George Stanley, Moreka Jolar & Heidi Scheifley, Julie Flett, Robert Heidbreder, Gary Kent, Caroline Adderson and Rachelle Delaney.

There's a poetry theme going on this year- check out automated poetry vending machines on site, a peace poem, an amazing day of poetry in the poetry tent, and more! *Here's a taste of all ofWord Vancouver 2013, day by day, venue by venue:*

VPL downtown, Sunday: Canada Writes Tent- This tent features fiction and non-fiction. Highlights include fiction writers: VPL writer-inresidence Rawi Hage; Peter Darbyshire; Mary Novik; Daniel Kalla; Shaena Lambert; and, Janie Chang and nonfiction authors such as The Power ofFood author, Adam Hart; "Sexy Sick Chick Lit" with Kim Clark and Robyn Michele Levy; and, memoir by Mark Leiren-Young.

Poetry Tent- This year's poetry tent features a full day of poets! Here are a few: Amber Dawn, George Stanley, bill bissett, and current and past poet laureates of Vancouver, Evelyn Lau and Brad Cran.

Kids Words and Family Literacy Tent - Check out fu n, interactive family activities all day in the Fami ly Literacy Tent and readings in the Kids Words reading area inside the library. Readers include: Julie Flett, Roy Henry Vickers and Robert "Lucky" Budd, Rachelle Delaney, and Caroline Adderson.

Mainstage- Festival Central on the steps of Library Square, hosted by David C. Jones- music galore & so much more! Acts include Barbara Adler with FANG; UBC Creative Writing celebrates 50th anniversary presentation; and, a performance by Jill ian Christmas and Chelsea D. E. Johnson.

Magazine Words - This venue is a showcase of activi ties by Canadian magazines- demonstrations, panel discussions, and readings. A few activities include: ''Ricepaper Haiku Death Match" with Kim Fu and Elaine Woo, a wellness discussion with BC Living, and "Redefining The Skater" presented by Color Magazine.

On site- Various activities will take place on site, ins ide and out. Check out Mascall Dance and Radix Theatre's "Letters." Step inside and dictate your letter to an unseen typist working on a vintage typewriter. The letter will be mailed for you or you can mail it yourse lf. In the Moat (downstairs in the library), visitors wi ll find "This Must Be The Place Photo Project" presented by Sad Mag.

5 There'll also be a Scavenger Hunt for families. Follow the clues and win a prize. For just $1 purchase the Scavenger Hunt Card. And, take part in our Book Bag Treasure Hunt. Gather treasure and explore the festival site! For just $20, visitors will get a festival book bag with our new logo printed on it that they can then use to collect treasures from participating exhibitors at the festival.

Some of these activities are part of the Unwritten Word project - Words and stories are not always written down.

The Unwritten Word project explores other forms of expressing stories and ideas, spoken and visual.

Downstairs- Word Talks- readings and panel discussions; and, Writing Talks- editing, publishing, and writing explored from different angles.

VPL downtown, Saturday: Free professional development workshops for writers and publishers!

Carnegie Centre On Thursday, September 26, various activities wi ll take place at Carnegie Centre including a chapbook workshop and an open mic!

Banyen Books & Sound Join Moreka Jolar and Heidi Scheifley on Thursday, September 26 for a free cooking demo and book signing of Hollyhock: Garden to Table with fresh, tasty snacks for all in attendance!

Historic Joy Kogawa House Also, on Thursday, Historic Joy Kogawa House features "Genesis of Play and Screenwriting¡â&#x20AC;˘ with Dennis Foon.

Dennis discusses his success as a writer and reads from a selection of his favourite works.

Cottage Bistro At the Cottage Bistro on Thursday, the Twisted Poets Literary Salon presentetl by Pandora's Collective takes place. Share in an evening of literary surprises in an encouraging environment. An open mic session follows featured readings from Celeste Snowber and Carl Leggo.

*Word Vancouver* Sept. 25-29.2013 , various venues: Thursday Sept. 26: Banyen Books & Sound (3608 West 4th Ave.), 6:30p.m. to 8 p.m.

Thursday Sept. 26: Carnegie Community Centre (401 Main St.), I p.m. to 9 p.m.

Thursday Sept. 26: The Cottage Bistro (4468 Main St.), 7 p.m. to 9:30p.m.

Friday Sept. 27: Historic Joy Kogawa House (1450 West 64th Ave.), 7:30p.m. to 9:30p.m.

Saturday Sept. 28: Central Branch, VPL (350 West Georgia St.), 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday Sept. 29: Library Square (in and around VPL central branch), 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Admission: Free

Hello from the LibrarY!

Thermodynamics of Hell

1 heartily enjoyed arranging and hosting our" I0 Books, 10 Winners" prize draw as part of the Alley Health Fair last week. The brand new, shiny books (no barcodes! no li brary stamps!) were donated by Ampersand and LBI, which are book distribution companies that the library freqently uses for purchases. The books were on display in the branch for a few days -- but not anymore, because the lucky winners are starting to claim them! If you missed seeing them last week, here's a list of the prize books.

If one of them interests you, come in and borrow a li brary copy. Congratulations to the 10 winners!

The fol lowing is an actual question given on a University of Washington chemistry mid-term. The answer by one student was so profound" that the professor shared it with colleagues, via the Internet, which is, of course, why we now have the pleasure of enjoying it as well.

Bonus Q uestion: Is Hell exothermic (gives off heat) or endothennic (absorbs heat)?

Most of the students wrote proofs of their beliefs using Boyle's Law (gas cools when it expands and heats when it is compressed) or some variant. One student, however, wrote the following:

The Hobbit and The Lord ofthe Rings (complete

"First, we need to know how the mass of Hell is changing in time. So we need to know the rate at which souls are moving into Hell and the rate at which they are leaving. I thi nk that we can safely assume that once a soul gets to Hell, it will not leave.

Therefore, no souls are leaving. As for how many souls are entering Hell, let's look at the different religions that exist in the world today. Most of these religions state that if you are not a member of their religion, you will go to Hel l. Since there is more than one of these religions and since people do not belong to more than one religion, we can project that all souls go to Hell.

With birth and death rates as they are, we can expect the number of souls in Hell to increase exponentially.

Now, we look at the rate of change of the volume in Hell because Boyle's Law states that in order for the temperature and pressure in Hell to stay the same, the volume of Hell has to expand proportionately as souls are added. This gives two possibi lities: 1) If Hell is expanding at a slower rate than the rate at which souls enter Hell, then the temperature and pressure in Hell will increase until all Hell breaks loose.

2) If Hell is expanding at a rate faster than the increase of souls in Hell, then the temperature and pressure will drop until Hell freezes over..

So which is it?

If we accept the postulate given to me by Teresa during my Freshman year that, " .. .it will be a cold day in Hell before l sleep with you," and take into account the fact that I still have not succeeded in having an affai r with her, then #2 above cannot be true,;thus I'm sure that Hell is exothermic & will not freeze over."

boxed set) by J.R.R.Tolkien

Trucking in British Columbia, by Daniel Francis (great photos)

The Pain Detective, by Hillel Finestone (links between stress, emotional hurt and chronic pain) Fruit in the Kitchen , by Kate Whiteman (fruits of the whole world, with photos and recipes) Slow Food Nation , by Carlo Petrini (why our food should be good, clean and fair) The Urban Farmer's Handbook, by Paul Peacock (British-style self-sufficiency for modern times) Raven Brings the Light by Roy Henry Vickers (children's book with stunning art & timeless story for all) Hollyhock, Garden to Table (recipes from the Hollyhock kitchen) The Shores We Call Home by Carol Evans (watercolour scenes of BC) The Everyday Vegan , by Dreena Burton (more than just recipes)

Two 8-week music workshops

starting Sunday, Sept. 22!

I - 2:30PM "The Rudiments of Music: Introducing music theory & ear training" with Brian Buchanan

3-4:30 PM Ensemble lmprov Workshop w ith Randy Doherty 3 rd

Floor, Classroom II

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ma\(e friendS

THE OTHEilS

PACIFIC BLUEGRASS & HERITAGE SOCIETY

A variety of bands playing Bluegrass, Folk and Country Music!

Wednesday September I8, 20I3

7路9pm Carnegie Theatre Chaos Loop "and though my eyes were open ... " -Procul Harum

Thread. falling. Remember?

The last. familiar.

What unnoticed ...

Surrender.

Persistence Gust stubborn) revealed the beauty of absence. I wasn't even looking.

A cold beauty, though.

Still.

Untouched, 1 stay out of bodies of water (because) I have a wel l - remember? - for grief.

Bottomless? falling ... Iike a cat. so whose fam iliar was I when l accidently fell through the eye of my own needle?

Stephen Belkin

This is one goddamned world.

We can separate ourselves from the Others with flags, borders, and religions, but, as a birthright, the world belongs to everyone who lives in it.

One goddamned planet polluted by popular Gods whose s uperstitious followers are prepared to die, and kill the Others, for.

One Damned Earth where a few elite of wealth holders take profit from the toil of too many Others who live in worry and misery.

The Others populate every part of the world.

Most of us huddle beneath the generosity of the upper middle class, and s uffocate under the greedy weight of the power controlling wealth holders.

And this is how it will stay until there is an Others Spring.

Garry Gust

FREE HEARING CHECKS TUESDAY SEPT 17th Free and Convenient

12-4pm 3rd Floor

Carnegie Centre

By AAA Hearing Aid Inc. - we administer free hearing tests -we will help you find funding for hearing aids - we will come meet you wherever is convenient Call 604-592-2222 or visit www.aaahearingaid.com Call for a hearing or ear check anytime! *Freedom of Movement & Bird Droppings On The Nation*

The Abbotsford civic government and their armed s tooges are guilty of crimes against humanity and s hould be reported to the United Nations.

Garry Gust Rock-Country Lyric "As I wander through my playing cards ... with a deck of fifty-one" Submitted by Stephen Belkin.

expenses of policing and the crim e rates were just t~ much."

Since Portugal has legalized a ll drugs, its crime rate has dropped by 70 per cent. Formerly illegal drug use has shrunk by 30 per cent. Jn short, people are snorting less cocaine, shooting up less heroin, and inhaling less marijuana.

The Czech republic, nestled in Europe heartland, has copied Portugal's drug policy. But no other European country has followed Portugal's example.

That leaves us with another way and that's called 'kick the habit'. Many treatment centres do cure addicts of their drug cravings. But while some are cured, others aren't. People who run treatment centres often describe their successes in g lowing terms. But Dan Werb, a doctor at St. Paul's Hospital knows that leaving illegal drugs behind isn't easy. Treatment and recovery are so hard he writes in a recent 'Walrus' magazine, "because they often require that people remove themselves from a community of their peers right when they most need love and s upport."

Then there's another route through illegal drug use: give the person who needs the drug the illegal drug.

This happened in Canada a few years ago. The pharmacy- supplied haroin was handed out to some addicts in Vancouver and Montreal. The lives of the addicts improved and many of them stopped the ir lives of crime. But this was a drug trial run by Health Canada and Stephen Harper's Conservative government said in effect, "No way."The drug trial was stopped in 2009 and won't be coming back.

So now doctors and researchers in Vancouver, according to 'The Globe and Mail newspaper, are pinning their hopes on a drug called 'hyd romorphone'.

This drug is created in a lab and may mimic perfectly heroin's physical impact. Best of all it doesn't need the federal government's approval to use it.

Hydromorphone is a legal drug that's used to mask pain.

Meanwhile Sam is still panhandling in the street.

He knows he made the wrong choices, but as he says, "I do need heroin."Canada's repressive drug laws grind on throwing hundreds of people like Sam in to court and prison every decade while costing taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars in policing, court and prison costs.

A new drug policy is urgently needed. -dave Jaffe

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A young man I'll call Sam panhandles outside a store on Vancouver's west s ide. "I'm homeless and need money," his sign says. Sam holds the sign in front of his chest while his other hand holds his baseball cap upside down to receive some coins.

1 drop a few coins into his hat from time to time.

But Sam can't live on what the public gives him. This tall 20 something man is a heroin addict.

"If I don't get my drug," he tells me, "I'll be nauseous and then very ill."

Heroin is illegal. You can go to prison ifyo u're found with it. And because it's illegal, its price is very high. So many heroin add icts steal, rob or become prostitutes to support their habit. I'd bet that more than a third of those poor women who ended up dead on Pickton's farm were heroin or cocaine add icts.

Right now Sam's choices are few. He can go down his present lonely road, selling heroin, panhandling, or breaking and entering homes, cars and other property. He can rob banks. But he hasn't done any big crimes like this yet. Sti ll, he has been kicked out of one area for selling heroin in the streets. Or he can start to take methadone that's handed out at many pharmacies after you get a prescription for it.

But methadone doesn't completely stop the addict's craving for heroin. Are there other ways to solve Sam's problem? Portugal, the small country that lies on Western Europe's southern edge has found one way. It's legalized all drugs, including heroin, cocaine, and marijuana. You name the drug, it's legal to possess it in Portugal.

"We couldn't keep enforc ing the drug laws," a Portuguese person said in effect on the Internet. "The

This was written by a young Indian girl who was in jail for drug charges, and was addicted to meth. She wrote this while in jail.

As you will soon read, she fully grasped the horrors of the drug, as she tells in this simple, yet profound poem. She was released from jail, but, true to her story, the drug owned her. They found her dead not long after, with the needle still in her arm ....

Please understand, this thing is worse than any of us realize. Submitted by Rick B IAMMETH

A

I destroy homes, I tear families apart take your children, and that's just the start.

I'm more costly than diamonds, more precious than gold, The sorrow I bring is a sight to behold.

If you need me, remember I'm easily found, r live all around you- in schools and in town. llive.with the rich; I live with the poor, I Iive:down the street, and maybe next door.

I'm made in a lab, but not li ke you think, I can be made under the kitchen sink.

In your child's closet, and even in the woods, If this scares you to death, well it certainly should.

I have many names, but there's one you know best, I'm sure you've heard of me, my name is crystal meth.

My power is awesome; try me you'll see, But if you do, you may never break free.

Just try me once and I might let you go, But try me twice, and I'll own your soul.

When I possess you, you'll steal and you'll lie, You do what you have to-- just to get high.

The crimes you'll commit for my narcotic charms Will be worth the pleasure you'll feel in your arms, our lungs your nose.

You'll Iie to your mother; you'll steal from your dad, When you see their tears, you should feel sad.

But you'll forget your morals and how you were raised, I'll be your conscience, I'll teach you my ways.

l take kids from parents, and parents from kids, I turn people from God, and separate friends.

I'll take everything from you, your looks and your pride, I'll be with you always -- right by your side.

You'll give up everything- your famil y, your home, Your friends, your money, then you' ll be alone.

I'll take and take, till you have nothing.more to give, When I'm finished with you, you' ll be lucky to live.

If you try me be warned - this is no game, If given the chance, I'll drive you insane.

I'll ravish your body, I'll control your mind, I'll own you completely, your soul will be mine.

The nightmares I'll give you while lying in bed, The voices you'll hear, from inside your head.

The sweats, the shakes, the visions you'll see, I want you to know, these are all gifts from me.

But then it's too late, and you'll know in your heart, That you are mine, and we shall not part.

You'll regret that you tried me, they always do, But you came to me, not I to you.

You knew this would happen, many times you were told, But you challenged my power, and chose to be bold.

You could have said no, and j ust walked away, If you could live that day over, now what would you say?

I'll be your master, you will be my slave, I'll even go with you, when you go to your grave.

Now that you have met me, what will you do?

Will you try me or not? It's a ll up to you.

I can bring you more misery than words can tell, Come take my hand, let me lead you to hell.

Carnegie Community Action Project (CCAP) Newsletter vancouver.wordpress.com

September 15, 2013

DTES low-income residents ask whether Local Area Plan will "abolish homelessness" or "abolish the homeless" What do low-income DTES residents have to say about "Emerging Directions", the first version of the city's local area plan?

This was the question on CCAP's mind during the month of August, when the city held a series of "Open Houses" to get public input on "Emerging Directions."

If you went to one of the city's "Open Houses", you probably found yourself lookin at 30 Is of

wall. If you wanted to tell the city what you thought, you were given a 9-page form to fill out.

Low-income members of the Local Area Planning Process committee, who meet every week at the Carnegie, didn't think that this was the best way to hear what the community had to say about the future of the DTES (continued on the next page ...).

..

DTES residents fill out CCAP's survey on "Emerging Directions" at the City's "Open House at the Carnegie Community Centre.

CCAP Town Hall Meetings (continued from page 1) CCAP held two ''Town Hall Meetings", which were facilitated by and for lowincome people, to give community members a chance to speak in a more comfortable atmosphere. We wrote down what people said and compiled everything into a report that we submitted to the city and our "liaison" councillors.

So what did people have to say? In general, people were disappointed that "Emerging Directions" didn't do more to make sure that the DTES stays a low-income friendly neighbourhood.

One person at the first of CCAP's 'Town Hall Meetings" made his opinion clear: " [Mayorj Gregor [Robertsonj said that he would abolish homelessness. It looks like he meant he would abolish the homeless."

Another person said: "Our community has spoken against gentrification and displacement. We're past the saturation point for

retail and condos. Until we have housing and retail for low-income people, the DTES is not open for business."

Most people were happy to see that the city wants to make the Downtown Eastside Oppenheimer District a "community-based development zone" with 60% social housing and 40% market rental.

But, as one person said, 'The 60% social housing and 404"o rental in the Oppenheimer District is a pretty good victory, but only if they have a definition of social housing at welfare/pension rate. Otherwise, we're down a creek without a paddle. And 60% social housing in the DEOD might not be enough to replace the 5,000 SRO units."

People at the 'Town Halls" vowed to keep working for housing, through and beyond the city's planning process. One person captured the feelings in the room well when she said: "Homes are what we need and we're still going to fight." - TH

Interested in reading the CCAP Town Hall Meeting report? Come by our office to see a paper copy, or check it out online on our blog: http:/lccapvancouver.wordpress.com/2013/08/08/dtes-residents-speak-out-ondraft-local-area-plan-town-hall-meeting-report/ 2

CCAP Emerging Directions Survey Results: What low-income people are saying about the city's development plan for the DTES After CCAP's "Town Hall Meetings", the city of Vancouver organized an "Open House" on "Emerging Directions" at the Carnegie. CCAP agreed that the city should reach out to low-income residents, and the Carnegie is a great place to do it.

But there was a problem: The only way for people to give feedback to the city was to fill out a 9-page form.

The low-income caucus and CCAP decided to create a simplified feedback form for the event. The form highlighted key issues, such as housing and gentrification.

Filling out the simplified form The form was available for a week at the Camegie Community Centre. With help from VANDU, 63 people submitted their responses. This is what they had to say.

Question 1: The DTES Plan should set out specific policies to stop gentrification and reverse the loss of homes and shops for lowincome residents

Strongly agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

No opinion/ Neutral

No response

3

CCAP "Emerging Directions" Survey Results (continued) Question 2: The DTES Plan should define social housing to make sure people on welfare and basic pension can afford it.

90% 80'J(.

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Strongly agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

No opinion/ Neutral

No response

Question 3: At least 60% of all new housing in the DTES Oppenheimer District should be social housing, and 2/3 of all housing in Thornton Park and the Hastings Corridor should be social housing.

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0%

Strongly agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

No opinion/ Neutral

No response

Question 4: The DTES Plan should include a concrete plan to replace 4,354 SRO units with self-contained units available to people on welfare and basic pension within 5 - 10 years. ~.--~~----------------------------~

70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20%

6% - - -

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10%

0%

Strongly agree

4

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

No opinion/ Neutral

No response路

-- -~-~

------- - - - - - - - ----·- ----------- -----, Question 5: The DTES Plan should ensure that ~!here ;san bylaws are created and the Residential Tenancy Act ur3ency here is reformed to stop "renovictions" in SRO hotels that ;sn 't bein:J while improving conditions and making landlords a.cfncu-<Jied3ed. pay for violations.

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"At least 50掳/o Social Housing in the Downtown Eastside" By: King-mong Chan As hopefully a lot of you know by now, the City of Vancouver, along with various groups and members of the Downtown Eastside community, has been engaged in a planning process for the neighbourhood known as the Local Area 路 Process (LAPP) for the past one and a half years. The City has just finished its public consultation for the planning process' Emerging Directions and is now writing up a draft plan.

In the past month, I've had the opportunity to hear what some members of Chinese community think regarding one of the most important aspects of the Local Area Plan: housing. On August 7th, I accompanied a staff member from City of Vancouver to a Chinese seniors' group at Ray-Cam Community Centre. When they were asked about the ratio of social housing to market housing they desired to see in the area surrounding the community centre, some responded with numbers as high as 60% social housing; most said that there needed to be "at least 50% social housing."

When I asked the same question to the participants of my monthly community meet6

ing in Cantonese on August 29th, it was clear that they desired a strong percentage of social housing as well. Although someone first proposed a ratio of 40% social housing and 60% market housing, after some discussion , that number was raised to 50% social housing as well.

It is clear from both groups that having a high percentage of social housing in the Downtown Eastside is important. It is important to note that these desires are coming from groups where at least half of the members live in social housing themselves. This shows that they see the need for more social housing for other people who need social housing but cannot get it because there isn't enough.

Furthermore, if seniors, who generally have higher incomes than those on basic income assistance, are asking for 50% social housing, then we in fact need an even higher percentage of social housing for all those who are in the housing crisis.

However, the definition of social housing cannot be assumed. It must be clearly defined as accessible to low-income people and so the monthly rent cannot be no more than their welfare shelter allowance or 30% of their income. Furthermore, the social housing units must come at a faster rate. When I brought up that the Emerging Directions of the plan stated there will be 800 social housing units within lO years, I quickly received the comment, "I don't even know where I will

IF

be in 10 years." The Chinese seniors that live in the Downtown Eastside's Single Room Occupancy units (SROs) need new social housing but it's coming far too slow for them. We need more than 50% social housing in future housing projects in the Downtown Eastside. They must be accessible to the low-income community and we need these units now!- KC

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7th ANNUAL 'wOMlli'S r\OU5iNG MARQ\ S::Lturday, 5ep .2&(9) 1:-::Grm Starts at Cordova.. arv:/ Columbia., j..t.St w-est of Main St. Urreded CoaSt -S:::t.ksh Territarte.S *Homes for Low-Income People, not Profit for Real Estate! "'Homes not Jails! "' Homes not Pipelines! *Rent Control and Community Control not Social Control! *Housing, Childcare, and Healthcare for All!

Join the

Carnegie Community Action P oject •

We invite groups to bring their banners and anyth ing else for our festive march. All genders are welcome and celebrated. Please bring your drums and regalia.

This march is child-friendly and there will be a restvehicle for elders. Spread the word!

Email: projcct@dewc.ca or Phone: 778 885 0040

Photo by Caelie Frampton1 from Flick.r

8

' Vancity Support for this project does not necessarily imply Vancity's endorsement of the findings or contents of this newsletter

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People all over- young and 1~ld -·are becoming active & aware ~~i<.e n~ver before. Idle? Know mo n · .m d hel p !

Justice system thoroughly

failing aboriginals: Report

CANADA FAILED TO l{EEP P·ROl\'1'ri.'I.S~ TO METIS. TOP COURT RULE ~; Parlia~~nt to probe violence agaanst andtgenous women ..

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50°/o of First Nations

kids living in poverty

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TORONTO Half of Canada's First Nations children are living in poverty, triple the national average, according to a n ew analysis of census statistics that pegs t he cost of easing lhe probl" m at $580-m illion a year.

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BOB WEBER Tfl[ CANADIAN PRFSS

Recently published historical research says hungry aboriginal children and adults were once used as un willing subjects in nutritio nal exp eriments by Canadian govemmen t bureaucrats

TRUTH and then .... maybe

RECONCILIATION Monday September 16th 7:30am

Sunday September 22nd 7am BREAKFAST

LIGHTING THE FIRE OF RECONCILIATION

9am

Ambles ide Park. West Vancouver A sacre d fire wifl be lit to symbolize the comm encement of Reconciliation Week.

Sign up-3rd Floor Program Office, Carnegie Centre or Aboriginal Front Door

WALK FOR RECONCILIATIONA NEW WAY FORWARD fain Ca rnegie Centre. Aboriginal Front Door and Oppenheimer Park in this 4km walk.

Meet at Oppenheimer Park for a light Oatmeal breakfast and coffee. 7am

Meet at Carnegie Centre 6:30am-we will leave

Walk begins at 9am at Queen Elizabeth Plaza

Tuesday September 17th 7:30am

Bus tickets provided to get to Queen Elizabeth

ALL NATIONS CANOE GATHERING

Plaza

False Creek Paddlers will s tart from Kits Point to the Olympic Village. People powered crafts will join traditional canoes in a w elcome ceremony to Coast Salish lands.

Sign up- 3rd Floor Program Office, Carnegie Ce ntre or Aboriginal Front Door Meet at Carnegie Centre 7:30am- we will leave promptly.

2-4pm TRUTH and then .... maybe

Monday September 23rd 5-9pm

CULTURAL SHARING Carnegie Centre Theatre Open Discussion facilitated by the Residential Survivors Society, Aboriginal Front Door, and the

RECONCILIATION Carnegie Learning Centre, 3rd floor

Aboriginal Working Group- CUPE BC

Open discussion as ta what this week is all about.

Carnegie Centre, Main floor.

Light snacks, coffee and tea.

What is the purpose? Do you want to participate?

Contact Lucy for additional information at 778-288-6648

Everyone welcome.

NET-ETH: Going out of the Darkness An Exhibition of First Nations Artists, Residential School Survivors and their Decendants September 12- 29, 2013

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Ch :d iS iose T:l;.:f:fany .i,oston La~:l;.e itn·ntn ,=; R.ande Coo k i:r·as;: k en Hanl.lse Co:r·l:ett i:r·enda c:r·aot:r·ee Ll;.ndsay D e l: a:r·o nde Wa y n e Den n t s M'e l! v t n D l.l n n K e n Fa :r· i; s Ill' t m t 2r e l! 1: man Ill' 1 2r t. :r· J! s Ri;)';ha:r·d Hei;.kki;.l!a-.Sawan I Ses Ja)';k I Raven John I .Sadi;.e Johnson Jor·dana Ll.l gg t I Davi;.d and E.1:1:ena Nee1: I Lol.l-a nn ~ k a'we g a Nee 1: Jada-2rao:r· t.e1:l!e ?ape I D:l;.onne Pal.l1: I Kel!l:y Ro1.11!ette Ad:r·tan Stt.mson Pat:r·t.~t.a Lena Tei;.~he:r· t Je:r·:r·y Wh:l;.te he ad Tanl;.a Wi;_l!l! a:r·d I Law:r· en~e Pal.l1: Yl.l:Xwel!l.lptl.ln

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Curated by Rose M. Spa han and Tarah Hogue C.oncutll ~e (jailer y Emily Carr University of Art+ Design 1399 Johnston St., North Bldg., Granville Island Opening reception: September 12th 6:00 to 9:00 PM Malasp1na 1-'· r ,t·nakel s 1555 Duranleau Street, Granville Island Opening reception: September 12th 6:00 to 9:00 PM Urban Abor~ginal f .1ir Tr.;rle l~cl l le r y Skwachays Healing Lodge 29 West Pender Street Opening reception: September 13th 6:00 to 9:00 PM Artist re1lk with Chris Bose, Lou-ann lka'wega Neel and Jerry Whitehead September 17th 6:30 to 8:30 PM at Gathering Place (behind ECUAD, 1399 Johnston Street) This exhibrtion is organized by Malaspina Printmakers and made possible with the generous support ofVancity Credit Union. Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Skwachays Healing Lodge and the Urban Aboriginal Fair Trade Gallery, Vancouver Foundation. Canada Council for the Arts, BC Arts Council, Province of British Columbia and the City of Vancouver.

THE HYMN FACTORY II:路 Say The Least Freedom looks down upon you sheets of black water and hail as s harp as nails blinding you so as to never see agai n, death retains life but never will everything be al right let the c lear wate r come down to cleanse o ur souls and our pain, ins ide the Hymn Factory are mirac les to behold but they can turn o n you now you have been told like a bad hand you must learn when to fold (there is no secret) use your gods-given sense: The hypermasculine military take productive citizens then add deteriorating strain and ill health - doctors not dollars would help this man but help is always on the other s ide of the fence, predictable setbacks set in motion before you are born with no respect for free will ill will shall be the next generation's nonn.

Sometimes l think how li fe truly is so short 21 or 12 1 look at the times blast off the re they go so this is what life is, li ke askng everyone you know to keep a secret life meant for respect is now just reg rets what you love yo u forget dreaming out loud is what this life thing s hall be forever or until to morrow then again what s hall not and what is, li ke being in charge of Public Relations for the Taliban o r delivering Court

Orders to illegal immigrants who've already got new names and new province/state yeah they'll be back the day Charles Manson is voted Head of State, crossing yo ur r' s and closing your eyes as sports' cheaters are late fo r cow1 because arraign delays ...

MyOhMy just another Hymn Factory Production built on top of bodies and mountains of lies we have all the time or none at all to wait, [see more acts of man kindness lust revulsion+disgust so much hate and no one to distrust as we begin scattering the returns all mortal hosts shall be burned drive-thru crematoriums getting all fired up the rest of the newly dead being buried vertically, mixing power with ignorance would scare the devil himself, like His & He rs suicide bomb clothing right off the boat and right off the shelf to kill mass people you do not need a law degree [though it helps], over here our problems may seem small but Transjoke making people pay twice is very un fucking nice greedy people should be g iven one-way tickets to the Middle East and see for themselves how the other side of our planet lives . ..

Quite a shocking turn of styles- people killed over and over again with stacks of dead all in neat piles, our equiva lent to suicide bombers is people g uzzling very responsibly after eleventeen for the road get in that loaded car now pull the tri gger and that weapon becomes a li ve, self-critic isms are in style again sixteen-hour shifts for nannies yeah they're the ones to blame for kids who are a shame renovictions are here again common sense will never see the day oflight as long as bomb threats are written in crayon these human rights vio lators fit this city to a tee as for the poor open than c lose that door or you will be ki lled the only things sweet are cavities in your face, Rents go up the rich even higher counting the seconds 'til we all expire ifl didn't love this country as I do I'd burn it to the g round it's a scary thought to know this is Earth's garden of earthly delig hts ... dreaming out loud again call me insane but we are all this master race - how many nations think the world is their holster now that we're getting closer but still getting nowhere nothing worse than to wait and lie, like being voted most likely to be hit and die by a 'piece of space debris' or hows'bout the next Trans li ne being named the Alzheimer Line - how awfully evil of myself my shadow and me now cross those "r's" and close those eyes I wi ll await further mental bullying.

Bye-bye.

By ROBERT McGILLIVRAY

Fla111enco Dance Workshops with Kelty McKerracher at Carnegie Coin111unity Centre!

Saturdays September 21, 28 and October 5, 12, 19, 26 3:30 - 5:30pm Carnegie Theatre Want to move your body in a new way, build self-confidence, and practice your intense flamenco stare? Come and learn the art form of Southern Spain! We will explore the exciting and proud tradition of flamenco music, dance, and rhythm. No dance experience necessary, just curiosity and a desire to try something new.

Open to all genders and ages. Look forward to seeing you there - Ole! 3:30- 4:30pm This will be a n beginner class in the a1t of So lea, building on the foundations learned in the spring. Solea means 'solitude' and is a s low, deep and emotional dance. This form is considered by many to be the heart of flame nco. We will focu s on rhythm and palmas, postura, body movements, and working towards learning a dance to be presented at Barrio Flamenco in early November. Please note that participants are invited but not required to perform. New students to fl amenco are welcome to join in: be prepared for a challenge and for a lot of fun!

4 :30 - 5:30pm In this class Pat and new students will have a chance to practice the dance of Sevi Ilanas, famously danced at the April Fair in Sevilla. We wi ll work towards learning the second 'copla' or verse and focus on style and arms as we dance together in pairs.

Thank you to Face the World Foundation for their generous donation.

BC Poverty Reduction Coalition

WORKING FOR A POVERTY-FREE BC

Yvonne Gall. Network Producer, CBC Vanco uver Dear Ms Galt:

Proposal: CBC Right to Food Day

We are writing o n behalf of leadi ng food, health and social policy and anti-povetty organizations in British Co lumbia to propose C BC Vancouver hosts a CBC Right to Food Day across BC to coincide with the United Nations' World Food Day, Wednesday, 16 October, 2013. Such programming wou ld be the first of any province in Canada, and we believe internationally. Its purpose would be to highlight the issue of domestic hunger and food insecurity within BC and to focus & encourage public debate about this neglected question of public policy. W e also see it as a forenmner for national programming.

Its intent would be to place the CBC's annual Food Bank Day (held later in the year), and its support of charitable g iving within a wider human ri g hts and public policy framework. The CBC has been sponsoring food banks for over 25 years, yet as Food Banks Canada and Statistic Canada data show the problem of hunger and household food insecurity within BC and across the country is now entrenched, and continuing to grow. The moral imperative to feed hungry people is indisputable and the contributions of British Columbians make BC one of the most generous provinces in Canada. Yet, as BC has had the highest poverty rate in Canada for t 3 years it is clear that food banks are not a long-term solution to hunger and povetty. Food Banks Canada themselves highlight the tack of income as the key factor in the increas ing demand for food banks and recommend tong term policy changes, such as increasing affordable housing and addressing the inadequacy of the welfare system.

These facts were m ost recently brought to public attention in Household Food Insecurity in Canada, 2011 (released 20 13), which finds that "food insecurity is a serious public hea lth (')roblem that affects 3.9 million Canadians," and, in particular, I L% of British Columbians. This is unsurprising given that the Dietitians of Canada estimate in The Cost of Eating in BC that the average cost of a nutritious food basket for a fam ily of fo ur in BC is $868.43 per month. Those in low wage j o bs or on income assistance struggle to purchase food and meet other bas ic needs. The Dietitians number one recommendation is to establish a provincial poverty reduction strategy. BC is now one of only two provinces left without one.

In the fall of20 12, Dr. Olivier de Schutter, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food toured Canada, his first official visit to an OECD country, and his findings were repotted in March, 20 13. A retrospective review of his report and recom mendations could provide a framework for public education and debate about the merits of right to food approaches and their application in BC, and one would hope nationally. As the Special Rapporteur noted Canada ratified the RTF in 1976 (International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights), and as the primary duty bearer agreed to act in domestic compliance with its international ob ligations to reali ze the RTF. In this context he noted nearly 900,000 people per month in Canada are dependent on charity-based food aid and that this ' reliance on food banks was symptomatic of a broken social safety net'. Th is critique has been the subject o f much research and action over the years but largely ignored by governments.

A s a point of interest in 1986, Hannah Gat1ner and The Fifth Estate presented a program, partly filmed in Vancouver, on the iss ue of food poverty and the emergence and future of food banking.

After 30 years of food charity, we believe it is time to engage a broad ranging public debate over the human right to adequate food, alternative approaches and the role of joined-up' public policy (e.g., income security. housing policy, social programs, public health. food policy ... ) in addressing widespread hunger and food insecurity.

We believe your sponsorship would be a bold and imaginative step for the CBC to take and one which would very much be in the public interest and, especially of long term benefit to the many British Columbians and Canadians across the country who are unable to put food on the table for themselves and their fami lies. What is urgently needed is an informed public debate about the right to food and its implications for public policy and the role of commun ity organizations.

As World Food Day is fast approaching we look forward to your early response. We would of course be pleased to discuss this proposal further and assist with content drawing upon the expertise, insights and experiences of those individuals and organ izations who are making this request.

BC Poverty Reduction Coalition, Irish Garner. Community Organizer BC Food Systems Network, Abra Brynne, Co-cha ir Carnegie Commun ity Action Project. Jean Swanson, Coordinator Aboriginal Front Door Society, Mona Woodward, Executive Director Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, BC, Shannon Daub, Communications Director Dieticians of Canada, BC, Sonya Kupka, Regional Executive Director Downtown Easts ide Neighbourhood House, Irene Jackson, Executive Director Gordon Neighbourhood House, Paul Taylor, Executive Director Graham Riches, Professor Emeritus of Social Work, UBC Faith [n Action, Susan Grace Draper, Steering Committee Representative Public Health Association of BC, Ted Bruce (past president) on behalf of Marjorie MacDonald, President Raise The Rates, Bill Hopwood, Organizer Vancouver Food Policy Council, Brent Mansfield, Co-Chair BC Healthy Living Alliance, Mary Collins, Director cc's: CBC Vancouver: Karen Burgess. (producer ofthe Early Edition) Theresa Duval] (producer of On the Coast). Stephen Q uinn (presenter of On the Coast) Anne Penman (producer for BC Almanac).

National: Christopher Straw (national program director CBC Radio)

40~ ~~tam

Street V2ncauve Car.ada V6A 2TI (604)665·2289

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world.

Indeed, it is t he only thing that ever has.

-Margaret Meade

THIS NEWSlffiER IS A PUBLICATION OF THE CARNEGIE COMMUNITY CENTRE ASSOCIATION

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

WANTED Artwork for the Carnegie newsletter

·• .,

Small illustrations to accompany articles and poetry.

Cover art - Max size: 17cm(6 :Y.')wide x 15cm(6')high.

Subject matter pertaining to issues relevant to the Downtown Eastside, but all work considered.

Black & White printing only.

Size restrictions apply (i.e. if your piece is too large, it will be reduced and/or cropped to fit).

All artists will receive credit for their work.

Originals will be returned to the artist after being copied for publication.

Remuneration: Carnegie Volunteer Tickets Please make submissions to Paul Taylor, Editor.

DONATIONS 2013: (Money is needed & welcome) Sheila B.-$100 Jenny K.-$25 Elsie McG.-$50 Terry & Savannah -$100 Robert McG.-$100 Leslie S.-$50 Laila B.-$40 , Dave J.-$23 · Ch'ristopher R.-$100, Anonymous -$25. ~ · .........~--l Bob S.-$200, Laurie R.-$70 Penny G.-$60

Vancouver's non-commercial, I istener-supported, community station.

Next issue: SUBMISSION DEADLINE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27TH

Jenny Wai Ching K wan "MLA Working for You 1070-1641 Commercial Dr, VSL 3Y3

Phone: 604-775-0790

WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION