DECEMBER !, 2004

V6A 217 604-665-2289

t: . ~ .. .. . .. '/""

DECEMBER 1st

WORLD AIDS DAY EVENTS

10 am - 7 pm World AIDS Day CelebrationThe Gath ering Place,609 Helmeck en Street

10 am - 7 pm World AIDS Day Celebrati onPARCo1107 Seymour Street

1 pm Film "Women Are LeadingChange", Paci fic Cinema ­theque. 1131 Howe Street

1 pm - 4:30pm Abori ginal AIDS AwarenessDay. Vancou ver AboriginalFriendship Centre. 1607 EastHastings Street

5 pm A.S.LA. Media Release,Wild Rice Restaurant.117 West Pend er Street

5:30 - 6 pm Rememb ering With LightsDr.Peter Centre,1110 Comox Street

7 pm HIV+ Support Group MeetingThe Gat hering Place609 Helmeck en Street

More details at www .vhaccc.org

HOPE IN SHADOWSPORTRAITS FROM THEDOWNTOWN EASTSIDE

December 1st- January 2nd

at gallery gachet

Open ing Night: Wednesday Dec.l(Worl d AIDS day, a day with art for

social change)Community Discussion with

contributing photographers andPivot: Dec. 12,2-4 pm

Journalists and commercial photographersca n take pictures of individuals in publ ic,and use those images to promote almost anynews item or message. Unfor tunately, thereliance oOn simplistic stereotypes has led toVanco uve r's Downtown Eastsi de be ingportrayed as a bleak landscape of crime,despai r and exploitation.This exhibit will feature the top 40 win ningphotographs from Pivot Legal Society'sDowntown Eastside port rait calendarcontest. 20 black and white disposablecameras were handed out to DTES residents,and Toronto, in an effort to capture images,too often overlooked, of compassion,friend ship, jo y, struggle, courage and fait h.More then 3500 images were returned, andthe most str iking images were se lected basedon artistic merit, emotional impact andtech nical qua lity. The winning Vancouverpictures were taken by Hendr ick Beune

Om ar BarahonaRhi ann on CervinJuli e ChapmanLinda CartersJoe Chatsis

Joao Antonio DossantosBro nwyn ElkoGladys Evoy

Dwayne FiddlerMedric Fillion

Sophia Freiga ngM ichael Gu enetteGertrude Harri s

Sylvia IsaacAuro ra Johnson

Linu s MalikJ uan Mart inezSteven MayersJoann e Moen

Richard MorganBetty Morris

Ch arl ene Morri sonRode Nabess

Richard PambrunShauna PaulTom Quirk

Gina Rob ertsonJulie Rogers

Allan Slobod aFrank Th ompson

John TingLee WheelerJoseph Woffs

Sixteen of these photograph s are featuredin the 2005 "H op e In Shadows" calenda r.Don 't tell me so meone hasn 't already triedto se ll yo u one! The Portrait Cal end arCampa ign is designed to give margin ali zedpeopl e the power to define their ow nidentity, and to create the stage for anincredible, as ye t untapped , so urce of humanpo tential for person al and political change inour soc iety.

Thi s ex hibition is dedi cated to lift ing theve il on the dark stereo types are suppo rts forthe hea vy soc ial curtain betw een those whohave and those who need. Thi s partition isfelt in the heart s and minds of every person,giving birth to patt erns of fear, aversion .intolerance. and cont empt. Such emotionsdo not s imply prevent peopl e from ope ningtheir hearts; as a cultural phenom enon , theyprevent us from achi eving a society that istrul y peaceful , compassion ate, and happ y.

I asked Hendrick Buene to tell me abouthis photograp h that was chosen for the

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ca lendar. He said . "He r name is Trish daDish. I never met her before, but I'd beenout all night taking pictures. there washardl y any traffi c, I was wa lking down Goreand there was thi s g irl doin g her makeup.that I didn 't know. I as ked to take herpicture, she said 'oh yea h, other peopl e haveasked me, but yo u gotta wait ' til I fini shdoing my mak eup' . I offe red her a c igaretteand waited a few minutes and took the shot.I knew it was a good one as soon as I'dtaken it. She 's not shy at all about what shedoes for a living. The photo of her got to beon TV for 25 seco nds during the awardce remony . She was please her mom inVictoria would ge t to see it." T his picturehas turn ed into a fr iendship. and he nowintroduces her as "my ca lenda r g irl, Trish daDish ." His experience with the Pivotca me ra last year was n' t as successful. Som epeople in the back ground of a photo he tookassaulted him and demanded and smas hedthe came ra.Some quick facts about our 'hood ­

Th e DTES is the poorest neighbourhood inCanada70% of Vanco uver's First Nati ons peopl elive in the DTES33% of homele ss peopl e are mentally illan es tima ted 5000 IV dru g users live hereThe DTES was declared a public healthemergency in 1998HIV /AIDS among wo me n is 40% high erthan menOn -tile-job deaths for sex trad e workers are6 times higher than for poli ce

Liberalese:"I have a right to choose my blind spots"

I have been having an interesting dialogue withMLA Randy Hawes over my e-mail sent yesterday[following passage of"Safe Streets Act"]. I find his'perceptions' of addicts and mental illness to bealarming

Sincerely Linda McDaniels

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

Why are we creating one more law to make streetpeople even more excluded, segregated and furtherdiminishing their self worth, once again confirmingtheir unworthiness of positive society support. Whynot reinvest our resources into programs which willhelp these individuals find food, shelter, medicineand the counseling and connection they need to feellike human beings?

I do not want my tax dollars going into beefed upsecurity forces, or increases in employment for thedetention centers and the jail systems of B.C. I wantto see B.C. stop taking reactive and punitive meth­ods ofdeterrence ( the research ofour times clearlyshows that punitive methods ofenforcement notonly do not work but actually support the behaviorsthey are meant to eradicate). .

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

Sincerely, Linda McDaniels

To: LMcDaniels

We are reinvesting and creating programs for thethose you refer to as "street people". We are creat­ing more job opportunities that ever before, we areopening new detox centres and residential treatmentbeds for those with addictions, and we are spendingmore on mental health programs than ever in past.There is nothing however that can excuse or makeinappropriate behavior toward innocent people toler­able. No circumstance makes intimidation accept­able. Aggressive and threatening behavior is what istargetted by the legislation and it is but one tool inwhat must be a large arsenal to combat poverty.The things you speak ofare important and are beingimplemented, but security and a feeling ofsafety is

also important. While not a panacea that solves allills, this legislation does allow authorities a tool theyhave not had before. Those innocents who feel theycannot walk down the street safely may feel somwhat safer if there is some action taken.

Randy Hawes MLA

To : Hawes.MLA, Randy

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

Sincerely, Linda McDanielsTo: LMcDaniels

Many "street people" are actually people with men­tal illnesses that do not wish to be housed. When theWoodward's squat was stopped and people movedinto a hotel, they trashed the hotel because manydidn't want to be there. The programs to which Irefer are programs that are in development, are beingimplemented, and are community based. You seemto think that because people are begging they areautomatically in poverty or are homeless. Many areaddicts who have made choices, need help, andwhile programs are being developed and expandedto provide that help, why should their inappropriatebehavior be condoned or allowed if it infringes onthe rights of innocent parties who simply want towalk the streets with the perception of safety. TheAct stipulates that it only applies in the event of ag­gressive behavior that a reasonable person wouldfind threatening. Perhaps you would put the "rights"of those acting inappropriately above those that arebe ing victimized but I wouldn't and that is why Isupport the legislation. I also support expansion ofdrug treatment programs and job creation.

Randy Hawes MLA

To: Hawes.MLA, Randy

Your assumption that ( narrowly define "street peo­ple" as simply people in poverty is incorrect. Mostpeople who end up in poverty do so because theyhave illnesses that prevent them from maintaining anexistence in mainstream society or they are youthcoming from horribly abusive situations, when theyare not properly diagnosed or supported (which ismost of the time) they find their own medication inthe form ofdrugs; when they are further repressedusing punitive measures they become the "undesira­bly aggressive ones you fear so greatly. (fwe sup­ported these individuals when they were young be­fore they hit the streets...wel1 they wouldn't end upthere. You could start by looking up information (onour Ministry of Education web site) on bul1ying: thecycle of uncaring and stereotyping starts there.www.safeschools.gov.bc.calrelatedresources.htmlIf you look at the Violence continuum char.t it ~ays ital1, without any reading necessary. Education IS

what we need, not more punitive laws .

Sincerely, Linda McDaniels

supports in our schools and social systems. You failto convince me that this new law isn't just more ofthe same blame game Liberals are so good at.

( have kept track of this government's record: yourshort-sightedness and complete lack of regard formarginalised people is appal1ing.

( for one will be working hard to see that govern­ments are made more accountable to those who theyare supposed to be serving. Do your homework sirand get educated.. or put in more useless laws andbuy stronger gates and bars for your windows, it'syour choice ...

Sincerely, Linda McDaniels

They criminalize poverty. We provide solutions.Victoria Street Newz -

Mother Earth

Our Mother Earth is sufferingRivers, lakes, oceans and air are being pollutedHumans are careless, no compassionGreed. Greed taking everything in sight.Animals are being pushed out,Understandable as they are invaded by humans.Sooneror later, Mother Earth cannot defend Herself

Compassion!! !Nowhere to be seen.

Wake up people.

AI1 my Relations,Bonnie E. Stevens

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f

The 1938 labour shortage, due to rearmament andwar preparations, led Himmler and Heydrich totwice order the arrests of those living without a fixedabode, claiming them as an "anti-social parasite onthe people." They captured about I I,000 homelesswho immediately disappeared into concentrationcamps. Interestingly, this caused some internal con­flict between the Nazis and the Social Welfare Au_

o

thority, who released the following statement:

"It is not acceptable for the police to grab these anti­social elements for themselves ... these persons areurgently required as workers in local communityinstitutions. They do not belong in concentrationcamps."In January 1939 the Hamburg Social Welfare Au­thority ordered that the remaining 'vagrants, vaga­bonds, and anti-social elements' be registered for thepurposes offorced labour. "instead ofdestroyingpoverty, it was considered cheaper and more effi­cient to destroy the poor."

The significant problems weface cannot be solved atthe same level ofthinking we were at when we cre­ated them

Albert Einstein

Free WorkshopsPathways Information Centre will be holding free

computer basics, resume, cover letter, and job search(the hidden job market) workshops on Decem ber 7,8, and 9th

•

The computer basics will be at 9:00 - 10:00 am,and

the resume workshop from I2:30-2:30 pm on the i h•

The cover letter workshops: on the 8th, 12:30-2:30.

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

Pathways I nformation Centr e390 Main Stre et, Vancouver , V6A 2T2Ph one : (604) 682-7353

S~tt Sl~ttlS: FO~ W~OM~

Recently, a law was passed in Legislature regarding"aggressive" behavior by Street People. I am moreconcerned about the aggressive Police State whichseems to have been created here. This new law is toprevent "pushy" individuals from annoying the pub­lic. How many aggressive individuals do they thinkare in the Lower Mainland, annoying the public?MLA Lome Meyancourt says we all are. Hmmm!He's concerned about tourists being harassed bythese people. Are there no "homeless" people intheir cities?

The B.c. Government makes life hard enough onpeople who are "disenfranchised". Because of somany cutbacks, people are "forced" to beg for sup­plementary funds. I agree that some of those outthere are squeezing the system, but the Governmentand MLA Meyancourte make it seem we all are do­ing the same 01', same ol'! Well, surprise! Some ofus are really BROKE.Meyancourt also said that the ones who are panhan­

dling aren't mentally ill or homeless. I'd like to seethe facts and figures on this. Could either Mr. Mey­ancourt or Premier Campbell actually know the dif­ference between a truly destitute person and those'fakes' whom they assume are out there? I doubt it.They also say that a "fine" will be levied upon thosepan~andling. Now, how do they expect a financiallydestitute person to pay a fine? That is sooo ridicu­lous! Jail time. The jails are already overloaded.Where are they going to place them? We have a se­rious social problem here. There hasn't been a "Costof Living Adjustment" for assistance recipients inover five years, and those who are out on the streetstrying to survive are being penalized. Tell me whois in the wrong here? The Homeless or the "sys­tern"? I recently contacted Mr. Dave Jones, DirectorofCrime Prevention, Downtown Vancouver Busness Improvement Association.

Dear Mr. Jones,

I read you article in the Vancouver Sun. I have afew questions that I need clarifying:Q: If as you say, the act isn't to "sweep" people offthe streets, or jail them indiscriminately, then whywas such a law enacted?

A. The Act only deals with the small number ofag­gressive people who happen to panhandle inappro­priately. This issue seems to always come back tothe right to panhandle and that has-never been dis­puted or been at issue. That is, people think it isabout eliminating panhandling. No law can do that. Iwould like to see that linkage severed. It is aboutbehavior and some people behave in an obnoxiousfashion. Generally speaking they are the same peo­ple who harass other street people, mug them andotherwise make life miserable for those on the street.Q. If the new legislation is targeting "aggressive"panhandlers or squeegee kids, what about those whoare " non-aggressive" , like those who aren 't able towork due to "mental illness" or physical limitations(no matter what the limitations are)? Will they alsobe targeted?A. No. They need help, but allowing people to be­have inappropriately is not an answer. Boundariesare necessary. As you know from personal experi­ence those suffering mental illness are able to con­trol their behavior or appreciate what is right orwrong. Where a boundary is set they will respect itin all but the most extreme situations. In those ex­treme cases they need hospitalization.Q. Will panhandlers/poor people in general be har­assed? Will people who can't pay fines be jailed?A. This is not about fines. Properly implemented,area restrictions can help deal with problem indi­viduals. Where this type oflegislation has beenproperly introduced, service providers have taken aleadership role in informing and educating to avoidpotential problems. Police are likely to take a verycautious approach in these situations, with policyand procedures in place to ensure that only the reallydifficult individuals are challenged with this law.Q. Will they have a permanent criminal record?A. This is provincial law, not criminal. They cannotbe fingerprinted and there is no criminal record as­sociated.Q. No one is exactly the same in the panhandlingworld, so how can such legislation be correctly en­acted? I am not here to "whine" about it, as MLAMeyancourte says we all do. I just want to know if !won 't be harassed or jailed because I sit for shortperiods in areas which are not on the list of prohib­ited places to panhandle.A. You are unlikely to encounter a problem panhan-

7dling. I regret your list of problems and the difficultyyou are having getting assistance. It seems some­times like someone else is always at the head of thequeue and people like yourselfare cut off. In manyways this act will probably deal to some extent withthe types of people who routinely queue jump, de­fraud government and charities, and reduce access tothe assistance that might otherwi se be available forpeople such as yourself.Q. SO, Mr. Jones, ifl go with what you stated inyour article, compared to what the BC Civil Liber­ties person stated, would I be safe from the "streetsweep"?A. Yes. I hope this answers your questions and con­cerns and I hope better fortune comes your way. Asyou know, reality and ideology are often at odds.The BC Liberties organization is one that I respectbut sometimes disagree with. I think they tried tospeak out on behalfofall lost souls, but used ex­treme and unrealistic cases to tilt opinion in theirdirection with their press release.. My article was torestore some practical reality to the situation. Gener­ally speaking the balance lies somewhere betweenand that is where human beings struggle to get itright. As you can see from this, the situation with thehomeless , financially destitute, medically indigentand those with mental, physical , emotional disabili­ties have increased in the past 5 years. No matterwhat the Government says now about how they aregoing to help, it doesn't make up for the inadequa­cies and errors period in time.

By Arthur Weiss

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CONGRATULATIONS!'VOLUNTEERS OF THE MONTH'

Sam ToweSam has been alive and kicking at Carnegie for

more years than we have a record of. He is ourdiligent repairer of equipment in our weight rooma volunteer position that provides much frustrationalong with little recognition but you see Sam, peo­ple do notice what you do - the Volunteer of theMonth is selected by a group ofyour peers! Thankyou Sam. Now I just wish you would comeup and collect your prize!

Andy HuclackAndy has been President of the Senior's Coffee

Sellers for the past two years. Revenue from theCoffee Sellers pays for hal f of all shared trips withthe Volunteer Program, the Carnegie monthly vanpayment, supplies for the Coffee Lounge, all en­trance fees and food for Senior's outings, monthlymeetings, Bingo supplies and prizes, volunteertickets for Coffee Sellers, and stipends for hospi­talized senior patrons. Our Coffee Sellers alsomake donations to programs within the building.In short, the Senior's Coffee sellers is a vital Pro­gram of which Andy is a valuable member andPresident. Andy has been a volunteer with us sinceJune 1992.

Volunteer Committee Meeti ngWednesday, December 08, 2004

Classroom !! @ 2:00 pm(it is now the week before the Volunteer Dinner)

EVERYONE WELCOME!Your voice is needed and appreciated.

HAIR WITH HEART Hair Cuts styled by ourhair maestros 'Herb' and 'Sergio' Fridays 6-9pmon the 3rd Floor Gallery (NO CHARGE)

First come, First served, Sign up sheet with Col­leen in the Volunteer Program (j'd Floor)

Colleen from Carnegie invites you to join:'Vicld Gabereau - The Queen of Chat

Canada's Premiere Television Daytime Ta lk Showwith: RITA MCNEILL Be part of the Live StudioAudience with entertaining guests, witty conversa­tions, door prizes and enjoy light refresh ments.A Wednesday in December - Please sign up. .

Volunteer DinnerWed nesday, December 15th, 2004

Theat re @ 4:30pm(an opportunity for the staff to serve you !)

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

VOLUNTEER CHRISTMAS PARTYFriday, December 17-", 20043pm - 6pm Ca rnegie Theatre

Food, fun, fellowship, prizes, entertainment & ourannual surprise gift!(please pick up ticket from Colleen in the Volun­

teer Program office on the 3rd floor)DIRECTLYFOLLOWEDBY

CHRISTMAS OJ MIX -everyone wel­come! INCLUDING YOU!

Join us for a swingin' good time! Have fun!Loosen up! Dance with your creative spirit.

Friday December 17th, 20047pm - 10pm Carnegie Theatre

Santa has gone out of his way again this year toget you some extra special gifts - that is if youhave been good!

Refreshments served

KARAOKESpecial Event with Frank SnowThe Greatest Show in Snow Business

co-hosted by Darrell

Friday, December 03,20047pm - 10pm Carnegie Theatre

What do Mickey Mouse, karaoke, a HawaiianLuau, and Marilyn Monroe all have in common?Come to Karaoke and find out!!!

Refreshments served to the brave willing souls.

A GENTLE REMINDER TO ALL OF US:Please do not go behind the counter at our 2nd floorConcession area, and don't give the ConcessionVolunteers a hard time, they do not make up therules. All volunteers in the building enable ourcommunity to continue operating with no chargeto patrons . They deserve a hug, not a harsh word.Colleen asks this ofyou whenever it is at all pos­sible well, maybe not always a hug, but a smileand hello would be just asappreciated.

For your information to file in your brain as utterlyuseless but fascinating (in my hwnbleopinion) --

What many see as merely a standard pot boiler,"It was a dark and stormy night ", was not the endof the story. The entire original quote goes (byEdwa rd George Bulwer Lytton):"It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell intorrents except at occasional intervals, when it waschecked by a violent gust of wind which swept upthe streets (for it is in London that our scene lies),rattling along the house tops, and fiercely agitatingthe scanty flame of the lamps that struggledagainst the darkness."

Colleen, Volunteer Programmer

NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTYPresents

LIVE FROM CARNEGIE THEATRE

'HOLLER'(Afro Shillelagb minus one player)

Friday, December 31 St, Carnegie Theatre8:00 PM • Doors Open

8:30· 12:30PMDance beings --take old-time fiddle tunes and stirwith a Celtic stick. Add a pinch ofmusic fromBritany, Sweden and Quebec. Mix in flute melodyand driving fiddle. Pour in funky guitar and sim­mer over a slow groove. Serves thousands!

Don't missit You willhaveyourselfa blast

Betty was a giver and a survivor of the DTES. Sheassisted people wherever she felt the need . When acommunity event was happening Betty was there tovolunteer her time. She wo rked on the Women'sMemorial March committee behind the scenes formany years, setting up, serving food, and cleaningup, what ever she could do in her own way to lend ahand.Betty helped with the Woodwards sit-in which madeit possi ble for community voices to be hea rd when itcame to decision making arou nd social housingneeds in the DTES. She camped out for nume rousnights in the cold wet weather, her silent presenceknown to a few.Betty was a volunteer at the Downtown Easts ideWomen's Centre long before I came into the com­munity 8 years ago . She was frustrated many a timeby what was happening at the centre, but she hung inthere, hoping for change to come. Betty helped toregain the Women's Centre for women in the com­munity by again sitting in outside the women's cen­tre in April when the weather was cold and damp.She was there when the Cultural Sha ring groupmade the rounds to the Medicine Wheel Gathering,Elders Gathering, Lytton Healing Gathering and tovarious other cultural events that interested her .Betty worked on the West Coast Button Blankets forthe Carnegie Cultural Sharing program, participatedin many drum making workshops and was alwaysvery proud of the native art work she made .

A memorial for Betty will be held atthe Downtown Eastside Women ' s Ce ntre.

Submitted by Marlene Trick

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t- . '-:::.. ...l

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

Yukon Eric

Big brown beautiful bannock stuffedindianssit in smoke filled bingo hallsoffer silent prayers to bingo godas dabbing numbers to win moneyto return every nightfor gamble stompinstead of.feeding hungry cubswho faint and inhale solventsin abandoned school yards

"

Ho-Ho-Ho 'tis the Season to be Jolly

There is music in the air and children have smilingfaces. Stores and malls are gaily decorated and openextra hours.

I see a Sally-Ann man with a kettle at the corner,ringing his bell. A little down the street l see a manin tattered garb asking for nickels & dimes.Oh-oh. What do I see but two men in their Security

Patrol jackets telling the ' bum' to get moving.. he's"not wanted here." This is the way our DTES ischanging - where is the Good Will to all?

The scene makes me wonder just who is hiringthese Goon Squads and under what laws do theyoperate? Alarmingly, I see a rapid increase of theseSecurity Patrols hassling people in our neighbour­hood. Is this just another way to corrode our humanrights?

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

claims to have, the more people are on the ,strces/lwonder how and why a country like Canada:bcingone of the most affluent in the world, has 'achie'&edthis on the backs of the poor? .' ' J . I

beautiful bannock stuffed indiansfuck each other on Friday nightsone indian manfathers thirteen off-springfrom nine wiveswho all hate himexcept for one little boythat loves his daddyand scribbles. "I miss you"with broken crayons,"when you coming home?"

bannock stuffed indianskeep warm around a fireunder a train bridgethat reeks of urine.winos with fresh breath.listerine bottles circletheir cr ippled limbs

as I sit at homeeating stale bannockwith lardand witness reruns of North of 60or new episodes of Moccasin Flatsthose are real indiansnot the fake kind. butreal ind ians who depictus real-life ones. Anony mous by request

" "\~~ •• II ..••••

'{S,»,l~~:~~ . J , Fora freeListener'sGuide. call604-684.84~2004 DONATIONS Libby D.~$40

Barry for Dave McC.-S50 Rolf A.-$45Margaret D.-$25 Christopher R-S25Mary C-$30 Bruce J.-$30 U'mista - S20Heather S.-S25 RayCam-S30 Gram -SIOOPaddy -S30 Glen B.-S50 Jobn S.-S80Penny G.-S21 Jenny K.-S20 Dara C.-S20Sandy C.$20 Audrey-S20 Wes K.-S50Joanne H.-S20 Rockingguys -S20The Edge Community Liaison Ctt -szcoPeter T.-S20 PG for PB -S25 Wm B-$20Mike B.-$IS Alicia M.-$40 Maureen K.-$40Anonymous-S23

Tuesdays 7pm - 9pm.

DO YOU HAVE A LEGAL PROBLEM?

Come to our FREE CLINICOn carnegie's 3rd floor

•UBC Law Students' Legal Advice Program

The Do,!ntown Eastside Residents Association

DERA helps with: Phone & Safe MailboxesWelfare problems;Landlord disputes;Housing problems

Unsafe liviag conditions

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

NEEDLE EXCHANGE VAN - 3 Routes:604-685-6561 City - 5:45pm -11:45pm

_ Overnight - 12:30am - 8:30amDowntown Eastside - 5:30pm - 1:30am

ContactJenny

Wai ChingKwan MLA

Submission Deadlinefor next issue:

Friday, December 10

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Working for You1070-1641 Commercial Dr. V5L 3Y3

Phone: 775-0790 Fax: 775-0881

TilE NEWSLETTER IS A PUBLICATION OF TIlEC." RNEGIE COMMlINIT\' CENTRE ASSOCIATION

Articles represent lhe viewsof individualcontributorsand nol oflhc Association.

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

DOWNTOWNEASTSIDEYOUTHACTIVITIESSOCIETY49 W.Cordova604-251-3310

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

maaiiediertJNEWSLETTER S ..

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

Pentium 166/233Pentium II & Celeron

Keyboards & Mice

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

"When the court costs are low, poor people maystill have access to the courts because, after all, it isnot so very hard to come up with $25 or $50."

-- -_ ..

"~\ • o ~ ~ ,1*

to a.- . ...... _'1"'~~ ~T

A Special Appearance by Libby Davies , M.P. forVancouver East, at Carnegie

Libby appeared once again at Carnegie Centre onone of her regular, laid back "Town Hall Meetings "in the absolute centre of her downtown eastside rid­ing - Our Neighbourhood!She was quite surprised by the stunning setting in

the Theatre; replete with an informal receptioncommittee. Libby' s eyes suddenly widened as sheviewed the layout of soft candlelight, linen-toppedround tables , groovy early rock ' n roll music back­grounding the serving ofsuperb (Bob 's) chili concarne and three humongous cakes , prepared by thewizardry of the kitchen ' s che f and chief bottle­opener, Diane, and her hard-working band of volun­teers .

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

As the (secret recipe) chile and Diane ' s cornbreaddisappeared, as is usually the case , Libby took to thestage after a delightful introduction from the multi­talented Mistress of Ceremonies, Collee n. Onceagain, after Libby's trademark short but very infor­mative and uplifting speech, she patiently and .slowly went from table to table, fielding every ques­tion, supplying thoughtful answers and advice.. asother guests filled out a petition that Ms. Davies'aides and volunteers had circ ulated earlier, as theywere always waiting on tab les.

I could not end this piece without mentioning thetireless work of the perpetually easy going group,

the calm and pure joy that is associ ated with Carne­gie Centre. ln the midst ofall this was the high andmighty Egor, the Theatre's resident master of set-upand take down" efficiency expert, and top soundman. He blew the dust offhis many 8-tracks fromthe Ice Age, and we all enjoyed prehistoric styling ofthe Rolling Stones wafting soft ly through the spaceas the lingering afternoon drifted to twilight. ·

Everyone said their hellos and goodbyes to LibbyDavies MP, and wandered off into the moonlitstreets ofour proud, strong and vibrant federal riding- Vancouver East.

What a magical , wonderful afternoon it was!

By ROBYN LIV[NGSTONE

BINTEK COMPUTERSThe UnitedWeCan Lab

49 E Hastings StreetVancouver, BC

604 688 9888www.unitedwecan.ca

$30.00 +$60.00 ±

$5.00Cords & Cables ' $2.00

*open Friday and Saturday from 3:00pm to 6:00pm*

THE ART STUDIO

This article is to raise awareness, andmaybe raise some money for the artists, fora well-kept secret haven of creativity - theArt Studio at 44th and Victoria. There willbe an Open House an d Members' SaleT hursday December 2nd fro m 2:00 - 7:00pm, basically a Hanukkah / Solstice /Christmas Craft Sale by recognized and yet­to-be-discovered artists who use the Studio.Admission is free; there will be refresh­ments, door prizes, demonstrations and asilent auction of artwork with the final bid at7:00 pm.

This school/workshop is mandated to be asafe place for mental health consumers whoalso happen to be artists. You won't find asideshow of circus freaks, or droolingwould-be psychotics. It isn 't a club house ordrop in centre where the focus is on cigar­ettes, coffee and card games to pass thetime. The focus is on artists healing throughtheir artwork and shared experience of themental health system. The scheduledclasses range from structured watercolourlessons where you're told the green goeshere and the yellow goes there, to wide open"do yr thang" classes where the teacher maysuggest you turn it upside down!

People with mental illnesses are perc eiveddifferently by different segments of soc iety.They are often considered "odd and weird"or "less than" the rest of normal society, it'there is such a thing. What's "normal"?

Sadly, mental patients are usually rep-

resented in mainstream media as knife­wielding and wild-eyed victims of police­assisted suicides, riddled with bullets at thei rfinal showdown with the powers-that-be.Craig, a productive and vocal memberlaughs; "we're raving lunatics withoutmedication and back-up support!" We see alot of homeless/street people with a historyof mental illness, and it's a commonly-heldbelief that they are unable to take care ofthemselves. This then translates into a fearthat they are dangerous, when in fact whatthey are is extremely vulnerable. 20% of allschizophrenics attempt suicide, and half ofthem succeed. Mental illness is often self­medicated with street drugs, and suicide canbe seen as the most fail-proof form of painrelief. What's least visible are the peoplewho call themselves "survivors" . Becausethey have been through the worst of mentalillness, they can deal with their own andeach others' problems. Many of them livein poverty, not because they're "lazy" butbecause the ir inability to connect ideas withaction, or clinical depression makes it nearlyimpossible to hold a full-time job. However,they can create great beauty which bringsgreat joy to eve ryone touched by it. (Oneun-informed visitor looked at the art on thewalls and said "these paintings don't looklike they were done by crazy people!")The Art Studio provides them with a com­

munity and gives them a break from thefrantic "normal world". People can talkopenly about thei r illnesses. Access toknowledgeable teachers and materials givesthem an opportunity to learn , when so oftenthey internalize society's labels of "hope­less" and "useless". They can realize theirfull potent ial as unique huma n beings, andbring their own light to this gloomy"no rma l" world!The Art Studio is at 2005 E. 44th

,

telep hone (604)871-9788.

By Diane Wood

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The Liberal Mask Slips: United Church BrassReject Union for their Clergy

To many "progressive" people in Canada - at least,the non-aboriginal variety - the United Church issynonymous with justice, liberal causes, and tradeunion rights. But the times they are a changin', itseems.On November 12, United Church General Secretary

Jim Sinclair attacked the recent unionizing driveamong clergy announced by CAW (Canadian Auto­workers Union), and even risked an unfair labourpractice suit by urging ministers not to join or sup­port such a union."It's just not a fit" Sinclair said to national reporters ,referring to unions representing clergy. "It woulddisrupt and harm the traditional covenant betweenministers and their congregations."

When asked why he supports unions tor workersoutside his church but not inside, Sinclair said with adouble-think agility that would impress any lawyer,

"We in the United Church have always supportedthe right of people to join unions."

It's always interesting and even funny when theliberal mask ofa big corporation like a church slipsaway, revealing the beast lurking within: In the caseof the United Church, an anti-union organizationwith a terrible track record when it comes to work­ing conditions and employee rights.

- -.-- - -

In 2004, nearly one quarter ofall United Churchministers were on permanent stress leave, accordingto the church's own statistics. Reverend CaseyMcKibbon ofthe Clergy Abuse Network in Met­calfe, Ontario estimates that one-third ofall UnitedChurch clergy are the victims of wrongful dismissal,and over halfof them suffer some kind ofovertabuse that forces them to resign.

Such arbitrary mistreatment of ministers has in factbeen institutionalized in the United Church's rulesand regulations. In May of 1997, the United ChurchGeneral Council revised its Manual to allow itsPresbytery officials to fire any minister withoutcause at any time, even without consulting his or hercongregation.

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

"I live under this constant threat that if) don'tplease the power brokers in the church, I'll be out"commented the middle-aged clergyman to a gather­ing of ministers in New Westminster in early No­vember.

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

"If) would have known what the church puts itsministers through, I'd have never gotten ordained."United Church ministers work an average fifty tosixty hour week for a starting wage ofabout $32,000a year . That works out to roughly minimum wagefor a job that is twenty four hours a day. In responseto this situation, clergy in Ontario approached theCanadian Autoworkers Union (CA W) two monthsago and asked for help in unionizing. CAW headBuzz Hargrove immediately embraced the cause ofaunion for ministers, and appeared on nationaltelevision on November 5 with two United Churchministers who were filmed signing membershipcards with the CAW .

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The movement for a union among clergy is for nowa limited one. The CAW has announced its plans tonegotiate with the national office of the UnitedChurch, but for now seems to be restricting itsorganizing efforts to southern Ontario, where nearlyhalfofall United Church clergy are based.Ominously, the United Church officialdom has

already counter-attacked the union drive with thekind ofscare-campaign that characterized its re­sponse to lawsuits from aboriginal survivors of thechurch's nightmarish "residential schools" . Barely aday after the CAW announced the drive, B.C. UnitedChurch official Keith Howard sent a letter to allclergy in that province warning them not to join theunion, lest the church "fall apart in division and dis­cord".

Regardless of the success of this effort to secureunion rights for clergy, the drive will surelyhighlight the "wolfin sheeps' clothing" nature oforganized religion when it comes to practicing whatit preaches within its own ranks.Can the United Church actually live the justice it

calls for in the outside world? Its own clergy areputting it to that test

by Rev. Kevin Annett

260 Kennedy streetNanaimo, BC V9R 2H8ph: 250-753-3345pager : 1-888-265-1007kcyinannctt@vahoo.ca

Kevin Annett is a former United Church ministerwho was wrongfully dismissed and delisted between1995 and 1997. He is presently the pastor of AllPeoples' Church.

"what has happened to him is outrageous"Dr . Noam Chomsky, speaking of Kevin Annett ,

August 7, 2002

Read Kevin's personal story of uncovering Geno­cide in Canada, and the price he has paid for doingso: Order "Love and Death in the Valley" by KevinAnnett through First Books at:

"",,"\V. IstBooks .com/bookvicw/l1639

SAVE YOURSELF A BUS FARE

You no longer have to go all the way to Burnaby tofile for landlord/tenant arbitration. Information Of­ficers from the Residential Tenancy office are nowavailable at Pathways (the old Four Corners Bankbuilding at Main and Hastings) from I: 15 p.m. 'til3:30 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday.

They provide access to Residential Tenancy Actinformation and can provide advice on tenancy re­lated issues such as:• What to do if you have been served with an evic­tion notice.• What rights you have if your suite is in disrepairor ifyou are facing other landlord indiscretions'.• What to do if you have been locked out or thelandlord is holding or throws out your possessions.• How to recover your security deposit or unre­turned rent at the end of tenancy.• And any other problems related to tenancy,

As noted at the beginning of this piece, with theoffice being situated in our neighbourhood you nolonger have to go to the main Residential Tenancy

office in Burnaby to file your application for arbitra­tion or for the waiving ofarbitration fees.Applications for arbitration and other forms can be

completed on Tuesday or Thursday afternoons andforwarded to the Residential Tenancy office forprocessing. If necessary Arbitration can be con­ducted via tele-conferencing at the Pathways office.

In recent dealings with the Residential Tenancyworkers at Pathways I have found them to be helpfuland interested in assisting with the preparing andprocessing of claims.

We recommend you use this community resource,but, as always, caution that you are best to consultwith and seek assistance and accompaniment bylocal housing advocates .[i.e. DERA, I51 church]

Jim Leyden - Organizer -Woodwards Social Housing Coalition

,

I'm allergic to being in loveI like th taste so it's hard to quitDespite what it does to me •It makes my eyes waterI break out in blushesI break out in stupid

I'm allergic to loveromance makes me restlessAnd greedy 4 yr touchI start moaning like a hou sebound dogI start seeing thingsTh geometry of a cheekboneTh curve of yr lipsTh arch of yr browTh crease of yr eyelids

"when I cannot avoid allergy triggersor avoiding them has not helpedwhen neither prescription nor non­prescription drugs bring me relief"some drugs are as good as lovebut they have side affects tooand like relationshipsend before you want' em 2

"or when I have tried home treatment• without succes ..

staying at homeagonizing over whose turn to phoneadds to the messmaybe I should wear a medical alert braceletto tell th resta the worldwhat's wrong with mewhen I get tongue-tied, embarrassed,and my eyes water

by Lady Di

:.>k:December 4,·:·.: r•. ..*• • -.. e _ ... .. . I .

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IIA fllAc« Y(I/,f.,j-:' with the ',~'

\L .'T'. '

I wish it weren't trueI wish I was like everybody elseHad been immunized in my youthHad learned how 2 tell lies from th truth t ;

I'm sposeda call a doctor if! dev elop itchingand a feeling of warmththis book suggests allergy shots

I really can 't do loveIt messes me up too muchMakes me feverishDizzy Light-headedI can't stand stillI can 't sit downMy lips pout and puff upMy tongue pushes against my teeth 2 get outTh smell of sweat makes me thirstyTh hair on yr body where yr shirt is sposed2 B Makes me itch"Th most common causes ofallergies areparticles in the air" it saysth way th lite bounces off themwhen I turn 2 look at U"An animal allergy is often easy to detect ­symptoms clear up when U stay away fromthe animal or its bedding"

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News from the LibraryWorld Aids Day Dec.ICheck out library resources on AIDS in the 3rd floorcabinet which we will keep on display for one week.Aids Related New titles:HIV Aids and the Drug CulturePeople with Aids and those who help themThe Art Of AidsThe Psychiatry of AidsDire AidsThe First Year HIVThe Politics Of AidsLiving and Dying In 4/4 time

Other New Tilles a/note:Red Diaper Baby by James Laxer(A boyhood in the age of McCarthyism)Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by SusannaClarke (touted as the next Harry Potter)DNA: The secret ofLife by James D. Watson. Thislabelled as an immediate classicPower ofthe Actor: The Chubbuck Technique byIvana ChubbuckBijaboji: North to Alaska by Oar by Betty LowmanCarter (an account ofa lone woman 's voyage in adug out canoe from Washington to Alaska includingtrips on the Inside Passage during the 1930s.Bob Dylan Chronicles Volume One. This biographyis receiving rave reviews everywhere for its honestaccount of the times that were not so hot for Dylanin his early struggle toward finding his niche.It's The Crude Dude: War Big Oil and the FightFor the Planet by Linda Mc QuaigC'.An urgent wake up call that should -that must- beacted upon, without delay" Noam Chomsky.)Breathing Fire 2 The second volume ofa serieswhich introduces us to some ofCanada's new poetsof the twenty-first century, including B.C poets suchas Jada-Gabrielle Pape.Play Better Pool by Duncan Steer (a stand up bookwhich can guide you as you play)Alexander The Great by Paul Cartledge .tN ot a" movie tie-in" but a work which separates fact fromfictionEdwin Alonzo Boyd; The Story ofthe NotoriousBoyd Gang by Brian ValleGreen River Running Red by Ann Rule (GreenRiver Killings)

A secret trial :Brian Mulroney Stevie Cameron andthe Public Trust by William KaplanA Line OfBeauty by Allan Hollinhurst (Winner ofthis years Booker Award)Johnny Cash at Folsham Prison.In A Cuban Kitchen by Alex Garcia First Cook­book to explore broad range of traditional CubanCookery with beautiful photography.Tree: A Life Story by David Suzuki & WayneGrady (Art by Robert Bateman)There are also new Westerns, Sci Fi, True Crime

and general fiction.....Check us Out!

The Bewitching Miss Klisa

My little Miss Klisa wanders hither and yonShe may blow you a kiss, and thenand then she 's gone.Klisa knows where she wants to be foundWhether over, under, or upside downAnd she turns the tables as she pleasesWith her arunning round, it never ceases .Yes, she bops and bounces to and froWith rosy cheeks she's all aglowI get into Klisa 's sunny frame of mindOne comes to love her, like ties that bind.And Klisa quite cares for everyone, yes all,If you lose your way, she'll break the fall,And iflove is blind and I feel I cannot seeShe'll light me up as she giggles with glee.When I'm a spinning whirlwind in high strung-outgearWhen I'm at the height of this fear, Klisa magicallyappearsIt's when she has to leave asudden that I most wanther nearShe comes and goes with calm abandon ­Kilsa, please don't disappear!Yet when she does, for days on end, I can alwayshave her in my dreams,And when I finally fall away, asleep in night,She is the most beautiful vision I've ever seen ...Yes, my little Miss Klisa, peaches and cream.

Robyn Livingstone

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Creative Writingwith Sheila Baxter

Sheila's work includesNo Way To Live: Poor Women Speak Out

Under the Viaduct : Homeless in Beautiful B.C.A Child is Not a Toy

1pm to 3pm every Wednesday3n1 floor of Carnegie

coffee

Poems, etc.Drop In (don't have to spell)

Pain is my friend.Pain is my only companion.There is pain in the beginning.There is pain in the end,There is lots of pain in between.Pain is my friend.Pain is the only th ing that never leaves me,Pain is the only const ant in a sea ofchaos.Pain is my lover, faithful and true always.There is big pain, there is small pain,but there is always pain .Pain is the mother who bore me,Pain is the gentle father who'll take me,Pain is my only friend.I don't argue:Pain is all,Pain is God,and I am a religious man.Praise the Pain ofliving.Welcome the Pain of slipping away.

Richard Loewen

Snake

That lying little serpentcomes to me at nightHis face disguised as many,sweet ecstacy, delight.

His entrance always subtlenever a warning signthe whispers in the short termpromising peace - divine.

The poison does sound pleasingto paralyze the griefbut the venom wears off quick ,then there ' s no relief.

You lay alone now cryingthoughts ofguilt rush inWondering about the next time ...Will I let it in?

Dawn Margaret Enman

My dearest friendCallie, I reall y miss you and I know you have gone

to a better place where your are not in pain. Callie, Imiss the friendship we had, I miss the times you andI would have coffee together or when I was upsetwith my daughter I could come and talk with youwithout you taking sides. You would sit there andlisten, never judging. Callie, you really didn 't knowhow much you meant to me as a friend - I'm a per­son who is unable to make friends. When I think ofyou, I have an empty feeling inside .Ca llie, I have your picture sitting on my dresser andwhen I look at it I cry .. it seems like a part of medied when you died. But my only comfort is know­ing you 're in no pain any more, and one day I willsee you on the othe r side. I love you as a friend andwill always have those good memories ofyou . Imiss you my friend, miss you a lot.

Your friend forever, Tina

&

R.Loewen

Prospecting, 1955

On the deep and dark watera young man sings,"Sunset and evening star,

And one clear call for me." *

His pockets containwhat the empire wants -black rocks brightly colouredwith orange, yellow and greenuranium bloom.

Over the black lakeover the pink graniteover the darkening forestthe cloudless, empty skyturns mauve.The young man sings,"Twilight and evening bell,

And after that the dark." *

Quietly, four loonsgather 'round the lone canoe,and they respondto the young man singingwith voices rich in yearning.They sing our pain, our joy,they sing our hope,and the young manbows before them,his hands outstretched.

Sandy Cameron• Crossing The Bar, by Tennyson

Learning to Trust

Most of my life that was very hard .Mistrust was my main issue.Too many people tend to hurt, lie and cheat,Opening up my heart to anyone was hard .Learning to trust is to heal oneself firstThis is a big step.Take it one day at a time.

Love, within.

All my relations,Bonnie E. Stevens

If you are sad and alone this christmasLooking at 4 walls in a room.Your love one has gone or departedThere's no one to give you a hug.No money is left in your pocketNo gift under a tree.Thinking of kids who forgot youOr wishing your parents would call.

Well you can come and be happyeven for a short while.Carnegie Center at ChristmasWelcomes one and allmusic, cheer and laughterYummy things to eat.Hugs and smiles a loving place40 I Main St. come on down

Sheila Baxter

Walk the Walk

up at 2 nothing to do strap on my shoeswalk off the blues singin the blues pay the duesup thru the crazies to the train platformwalk the VIA train up and downremember AI as a little boy and crysweet tears of blood and love, cut so deep

Then cruise Broadway with the broadway bumssing laugh curse and have some funThen Hyatt the heart and soul oflate nightSlide my coffee Clyde, hot cocoa on the sidesmoke ajay I'm okay

The bankers there talk million-dollar poetryDennis is 72 looks 63 , Hal is a yuppieWe get along just fine, same paradigmJack up on sugar, caffeine and roll on down

Burrard street bridge in the fog, singing songsAll night long, down Davie up Robson Granville

When the crows sing their happy morning songI'm back in the 'hood feelin goodI live in the Land oflsNot in the Land of ShouldAnyway you slice and dice itI can deal with it.

A FESTIVAL OF ONE-ACTS & RADIO PLAYSMARKS 10 YEARS of GRASSROOTS SEM I­

PROFESSIONAL THEAT RE in VANCOUVE R!!

Vancouver's home-grown grassroots Theatre In TheRaw is celebrating a decade of progressive stageperformance with a two-week festival featuringmore than a dozen plays and musical acts. All showswill be presented at Ca mbrian Hall , 215 East 17thAvenue , just east of Ma in Street , with a 7:30pm cur­tain from Nov. 25th to Dec. 9th , 2004.

Festivities kick off Thursday, Nov. 25, with a freeadmission opening night sponsored by The Leon &Thea Koerner Foundation. Spotlighted areInternational Festival prize-winning one-acts Mikva,the Money, Dig It by Pat Kaufman. Jessica's Will byKent R. Brown. Rounding out the evening is JimSands with musical favorites .

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

These comedies, dramas and radio plays are the topcontenders from artistic director Jay Hamburger'sannual contest for original one-acts or were origi­nally developed thru his theatre workshop as Carne­gie / Co-Op Radio plays to commemorate the cen­tennial of the Carnegie Community Centre building.Two plays have guest directors. Paul Beckett directsEndserious by Mark Harri s; Joyce Lam of Vancou­ver Asian Theatre Company stages her own workA Car Ride. The rest of the radio plays are directedby Long Haul.This year Theatre in the Raw received CCEC CreditUnion's annual Roger Inman Award for communityeconomic development work; and has receivedsuppo rt from The BC Gaming Founda tion, The BCArts Council, The City of Vancouver, The HamberFoundat ion, Ca rnegie Community Centre and TheLeon & Thea Koerne r Foundation.. and numerousdonations from faithful patron s.

Come see this remarkable tale nt packed festival oforiginal one-acts and live radio shows presented atCambrian Hall in Vancouver. It is a rare , creativeoccasio n that brings live theatre and radio showsunder the same venue performance banner. Don'tmiss the theatrics!!

Regular ticket prices are adults $12 .00, students &seniors $10 .00. Thurs.Dec. 2 and Mon. Dec. 6 aretwo tickets fo r the price of one nights.For reservations and more info call the Theatre Inthe Raw box office: 604-708-5448.

"StreetArt"images of the downtown eastside

SAM RODDAN

" ' ~~' ;. '~ 'i~ .~\/~~:J ~/ " .

~~~.""

Carnegie Art Gallery - 3rd floorOpening Reception

Thursday, December 2, 2:00 pmCome and meet Huddy Roddan

Light refreshments.

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