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The Salmon Run at Maple Wood Creek

Jean, Devon (Jean's grandson) and I went to Maple Wood Creek in North Vancouver to see the Chum salmon return to the place where they were born after about five years in the Pacific Ocean. They came to lay eggs and to fertilize them in the loose gravel of the creek, and they came to die. Their deaths were part of the Dance of Life, which con­t~ins bo~h life and death. The salmon die, yet they nse agam.

Devon watched the salmon intently. "They're wild," he said. "They're dying, but they go through the water like lightning."

Jean said, "The intensity of their efforts to create a new generation of salmon is awesome. I don't know how they can find Maple Wood Creek after spend­ing five years in the ocean. They leave the fresh wa­ter creek as very small fry, and they return from the salt water sea as large fish weighing ten pounds or so. Some people say that the salmon use the sun and stars as guides, and others say the salmon can smell their home creek. I don ' t know how they find their way home but I'm thankful that they' re here." "I see and smell many dead salmon on the banks of

Maple Wood Creek, and that saddens me" I said "but I too thank the salmon for their gift ~f new life. In the Spring thousands and thousands of small fry will make their way past the gravel and out to sea."

"Do you remember going to see the salmon when you were very young?'' Jean asked Devon.

"I remember," Devon replied. "I couldn't say the word "fish", so when I wanted to visit the salmon I'd make an '0' with my mouth the way the fish do. Then you would take me to Maple Wood Creek. I remember how the salmon would gather in a big bunch where the Creek meets the Seymour River."

"They were waiting for rain so there would be enough water in the creek for them to swim to their

• spawnmg grounds," Jean said. "They didn't have to wait for the rain this year."

"Look there! The stream is so shallow that the salmon are half out of the water, but they just keep going," Devon said.

"They' re going home," I said, "and they have something to do so the next generation might live. That reminds me of something the First Nations spiritual teacher, Black Elk, said. He said we should live our lives so that people might live."

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"I see a Chum digging a hole in the gravel with her tail. She's getting ready to lay her eggs," Jean said.

"Maybe we should move back," Devon said. "They don't like it when we get too close."

We moved back out of respect for the salmon, and we gave thanks to the Keepers of the Stream who had built rock fish ladders so that the salmon could swim up Maple Wood Creek more easily. "I thank all the people who understand that the life of the salmon and the life of human beings are connected. If we destroy the salmon, we are on the way to de­stroying ourselves," I said.

"I agree," Jean said. Both the salmon and poor people are under threat from unrestrained greed. Caring for the salmon, and caring for people, is not simply a question of technology or another quick-fix program. It is a way of being in the world." "The salmon can teach us," I said. "The salmon dance in the water," Devon said. "We share this world together," said Jean. "Brother salmon, sister salmon," I said, "we stand

on sacred ground, here in the middle of the city. Life is richer in this place. We thank the salmon."

By SANDY CAMERON

Hello everyone! I wanted to share our good news with you as we

head into the holiday season. Last week City Council voted to accept a recom­

mendation by City Staff to lease a building at 334 Alexander to WISH for the next 10 years. This is the first exciting step toward a new home for the WISH Wellness Centre. Next step~ will start with applying for a Develop­

ment Permit, a process that is expected to take up to 16 wee~s and then the renovations to the property can begm. Th~s is an important step toward providing 24 hour

services for women working in the sex trade in our city and we look forward to increasing the health, ~a~~ty. and well-being of the community through this tnittattve.

Kate Gibson WISH Drop-in Centre Society 515 - 119 W Pender St

Vancouver, BC V6B 1S5 PH: 604 669 WISH (9474) FAX: 604 669 9479

E-MAIL: wishdropincentre@telus.net

Manifesto I said I will not let this spring belong to you You don't have dibs on all the lilacs Scent saturating me with longing Leaves whispering behind my back.

I said I will not let this summer belong to you Sunflowers sagging because this year I haven't had the heart to tend to them

And I said I will not let this fall belong to you But still allowed the rats to crawl in And walk all over me.

Now in Winter You return to claim this frozen season And I finally decide to call Pest Control

Mary Duffy

Welcome to Vancouver! The tourist industry was one of the biggest cam­

paigners for the 2010 Olympics. It's easy to see why: tourist operators will benefit greatly from the flood of publicity and visitors that the Games will produce. So it follows that the indu~try has a special responsibility to ensure that the most vulnerable members of society are not hurt by collateral dam­age from the Games. Unfortunately, up to now they haven't been meeting

that responsibility. They have a lot of clout with the provincial and federal governments, which should be funding housing, but they are only paying lip service to the need for housing. Even as homelessness grows and police behavior gets more high-handed, tourist officials have been loudly applauding Mayor Sam Sullivan's "civil city" initiative. You know, that 's the one where the police are sent out in force to sup­press panhandling and sleeping on sidewalks, but not one new unit of affordable housing is built. The tourist industry is very image-conscious. Bad news hurts tourism. So they are going to be espe­cially susceptible to high-profile reminders that they should start pulling their weight. Just before Christmas, a group of neighbors, rang­

ing in age from SO's to SO's, brought the message

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home to Tourism Vancouver by chaining themselves to the doors of the Tourist Information Centre at Cordova and Burrard, blocking the entrances and handing out leaflets to tourists welcoming them to Vancouver and explaining the situation. Their action ':as inspired in part by the youth who've been squat­tmg empty buildings in the Downtown Eastside. At first, security staff tried to strongarm the protes­

tors out of the way, but cooler heads prevailed and the blockade continued peacefully for the rest ~f the afternoon. Tourism officials realized that an escala­tion would just have meant more bad publicity. The blockade was no isolated incident. It was an

?peni?g salvo- a shot across the bow, if you will­~n an mternational campaign spotlighting the tourist mdustry and its role in spawning homelessness. Other groups of neighbors are encouraged to take up the cause. As t?ey left the tourist office the protestors were

chantmg three words that strike terror into the hearts of tourism promoters: Grouse Mountain Skyride." They were kidding, weren't they? (To see the full texts of the statements distributed

by the neighbors, check www.HomelessNation.org .

Chil i Bob

News tram tne Ltorary Books on tape: We picked up about 50 new books on tape for those of you who like such things and have already heard everything in the collection. Graphic Novels: We have been adding many new graphic novels to the collection over the last two months. The latest are in the third floor display case. The graphic novel collection can be found on the shelf below our DVD's.

New Books Five -Minute Mysteries 6 (793. 73): Thirty-seven puzzles aimed at testing your logic, perception ~nd knowledge, and which only take around five mt.nutes to read and solve. Perfect for the mystery fan wtth a short attention span. Brainwashing: The Science of Thought Control (153.85): Combines the latest scientific information,

chilling case-studies, as well as the history and eth­ics of thought control to illustrate how it exists in various forms all around us, from marketing and television to politics and education. Framing Class: Media Representations of Wealth and Poverty in America (302.23): Explores negative stereotypes about the poor and working poor and questions how these stereotypes are used to justify the superior position of the upper­middle and upper classes. Murderer's Row: An International Murderer's Who's Who (364.15): A compendium of 500 murder cases from around the world often containing cir­cumstances more bizarre than fiction. Lyrics: Writing Better Words for Your Songs (782.42): Sheds light on all aspects of lyric writing and will make both beginning and experienced songwriters feel more confident and creative when

. ~hey tackle lyrics.

These books are currently in the third floor book­case. Ask at the front desk of the library if you want to reserve one (or more) of them.

Mark the Librarian

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to a world beat

CARNEGIE CENTRE SUNDAY NO"£MB£R 14 1-SPM 2ND FLOOR GYM

COME AS YOU ARE DANCE AWAY WINTER DREAD

Thanks to the unsung Someone very close to me has been addicted to

crystal meth. is now in rehab and tells me of gratitude for the needle exchange an? supervise·d· injection site. After blood tests there 1s no hepatttls C and no HIV.

This because there were clean needles available, easily obtainable. Please keep these life-saving op­erations open and functioning.

On a practical side, Harper, think h~w ~any health dollars 'you' are saving, not to mentiOn hves. Who knows the future? Even your kids could turn to or just experiment with drugs in their teens ... drugs have no rich/poor dividing line - and both detox and rehab have waiting lists far too long.

Do I think you are listening? No, of course not. You are making decisions based on seeming reli­gious grounds, so· similar to the Bush administration in the USA. The so-called fundamentalists vote for you and you certainly don't want to piss them off, to lose them.

Do you really believe that your god wants poverty and homelessness and hungry children .. the sick and elderly abandoned?

Does your god want our young people to go to war, to kill or be killed? I really don' t think so, so where is your conscience? Your eyes are cold and so are you.

Sheila Baxter

Phil Minton's FEilAL ~HOIIl Feral: in a natural state after escape from captivity

at

The Carnegie Centre February 5-7, 2007

This is a workshop and performance, not only for singers but for anyone who takes a delight in the freedom to experiment and an interest in the major artistioc movements of the 20111 century. The courage to take a vocal leap and enjoy expanding the borders of your own voice will equip you more than any formal training. Phil Minton will spend 3 days en­couraging vocal exploration through exercises and improvisations, and on the final day he will compose and rehearse with the participants. The Feral Choir Concert will then be presented.

Phil Minton is one of the UK' s outstanding jazz trumpeters and singers who, in a 30-year career, has toured the world and performed with big bands, ex­perimental theatre companies and improvising vocal groups. He is a commissioned composer and leader of his own quartet. He was awarded a NEST A Fe! lowship in 2005. ·

Rehearsals Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, February 5-7; 2-5pm in the Carnegie Centre gym. Performance Wed, Feb 7 at 7pm in Carnegie's Theatre. Want to Sign Up? Go to the Carnegie Centre Program Office, 3rd floor Monday to Friday, 9am- 5pm.

More info contact Rika Uto at 604-665-3003

In the Tub Listening to Bach

Praise to the god of education Worship at his feet He comes to bring not joy or love or even enlightenment But just the facts, mam Just the facts Or the ability to use those facts To prove that HIS friends Will get the jobs, the toys, and the recognition, And- get this - Eternal Life.

Wilhelmina

Dear 'Abby' (A nurse's perspective), This is a note to voice my concerns of the nee

our community. We still have a lot of problems with homelessness.

If finding affordable housing is successful often the living conditions are far below standard, one of the major reasons why many people chose to live on the street. The main needs as I see them are: 1) Affordable housing; 2) Descent Jiving conditions without bedbugs, mice,

cockroaches, rats, etc. 3) Assistance finding decent, affordable housing; 4) Healthy food, clothing; 5) Recovery options; 6) More shelters (especially for women only); 7) Mental health support for people with mental health issues, dual diagnosis, multiple barriers and disabilities.

We need to begin to address these needs in our community to raise the standard of living for ever one. All the best to you. Sincerely.

Ashley Mackie

MOSAIC Legal Advocacy Program will be

expanding!!!! We will have another part-time Legal Advocate,

located in Burnaby, who will assist low-income newcomers with Family Law matters. This will be a three-month Pilot until the end of March 2007, with a potential to become a perma­nent component of our Program.

*For immigrants and refugees, both men and women, who qualify financially for legal aid, but the legal aid tariff does not cover their issue. * Providing summary advice and a short-service of

assisting with necessary forms for filing in family law (no full representation in court).

*The new Advocate will also be familiar with Poverty Law and Immigration. We will continue to provide full services in our

usual areas: Immigration, Poverty Law and Employment.

Appointments are booked through the Legal Assistant 604-254-9626 ext. 263 . mjurigova@mosaicbc.com 604-254-9626 Ext. 251 .

Their Spirits Live Within Us

The 16th Annual Women's Memorial March Wednesday, February 14

Meeting dates for the organizing committee are on Thursday, January 18, 25, February 1 & 8

9 -11am at Carnegie Community Centre Theatre

This event is organized and led by women because women, especially Aboriginal women, face physical, mental, emotional and spiritual violence daily.

Please bring your enthusiasm and ideas; all women are welcome. Honouring and remembering the lives of murdered women and those still unaccounted for in the Downtown Eastside.

Please come and help us plan the 2007 march. For more info call Marlene at 604-665-3005

With You, Out There I made the rounds at Christmas time I had turkey and some candies, fine This feathered bird puts me to sleep As I lay down, so tired, without a peep. ... ; ·.

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Things went about the way I'd planned ' I I

Got piles of scarves and socks. You too? I'd wished I was in the sun on a beach of sand Instead of needles for pneumonia and a wicked flu

When wind and snow arrived out of the grey I tried to stay upbeat -and I did- with so-so days I saw Santa Claus, it seemed, almost everywhere Then I felt warm & cozy and cast off my despair.

Remember when I first saw you on that chilly street Brimming teary eyes and alone, incomplete, You smiled at me sweetly, with a slight frail wave So vulnerable by yourself with no one to save.

T'was the fickleness of fate that brought us together Amidst the turmoil of inclement and nasty weather When I first heard your voice - like a helpless bird You were thoughtfully pretending problems deferred

. You xplained t' me nicely your love for this season To my probing questions you gave no specific reasons Happy & content together, 'cause when chips are down That's all that matters in the end - it's what counts.

My Hair is White My Skin is Red My Hair is Red My Skin is White.

The Latino boys on the corner call me Mamma Yesterday I was "a woman of a certain age" Today I am old Will I be ancient come tomorrow?

And what about that wisdom you talked about I call you on that Suppose it's like gravy- comes with the meat.

Wilhelmina

It's so hard here without my release Nothing to make me numb Nothing to take away the pain Having to face myself day after day I want to make this go away. It was so much easier with the drugs to just cover up the ugliness inside me. I would go for anything right now even the numbing slice of a razor blade Anything to relieve this self-hate. These feelings are too hard to fight I hope they don't last all night I don't know how much more I can take I can't just put on my fake smile and pretend everything is great. I refuse to go on letting every thing build up

inside me. Geneva McCall

In thi~ unpredictable world, when the dice are tossed, Some are free while with others the pain mounts.

When winter's extravaganza ends, when spring arises We'll have memories of sharing wi' no rules applying, Never be without one exceptional soulmate - a friend

On this thoughtful advice our lives forever depend.

Robyn Livingstone

The Criminal Code does not requi~:e the actual utter­ing of threats: s264. (1) No person shall, without lawful authority and knowing that another person is harassed or reck­lessly as to whether the other person is harassed, engage in conduct referred to in subsection (2) that causes that other person reasonably, in all the cir­cumstances, to fear for their safety or the safety of anyone known to them. Prohibited conduct (2) The conduct mentioned in subsection ( 1) consists of (a) repeatedly following from place to place the other person or anyone known to them; (b) repeatedly communicating with, either directly or indirectly, the other person or anyone known to them; (c) besetting or watching the dwelling-house, or place where the other person, or anyone known to them, resides, works, carries on business or happens to be; or (d) engaging in threatening conduct directed at the

other person or any member of their family. Note the "or" - I think that is there precisely be- _

cause of the nature of stalking and that it may occur without explicit threats.

Kept good records to show the pattern - keep after the RCMP. I know they can be bad but keep going up the ladder. You may have every reason to be con­cerned and if your local organizations don't help you you may want to directly contact groups like the BC Association·of Specialized Victim Assistance and Counselling Programs.

Over four years I have changed my email address several times and blocked his even more. He simply finds my new one, creates a new one for himself, and starts again. He has also sent gifts in the mail. "lose him" for up to several months, then he gets

wind of my newest project and ::bingo:: the emails start again. I've become as anonymous as I can, more is not feasible.

[If you can identify with this person, being har­assed or stalked, don't try to vanish. Get help.]

. There is a Criminal Harassment Unit in Vancouver their #is (604) 717-2653

JUSTICE SERVED OR DENIED?

New Year's Eve, 2007, what should have been a / , night of revelry and ringing in the new year for Jane (name has been changed) was brought to a smashing finish when her ex-boyfriend of six months struck the left side of her jaw! No shared New Year's kiss at midnight - instead she had blood and tears pouring down her face and mouth from a powerful physical blow. The police weren't allowed to be called from the

bar's phone, suspecting that management was far more interested in profits than the safety of a patron in distress. Seeking safety with four other females sitting at the bar, while waiting for the cops, she waited for justice as her ex-boyfriend, who had pre­viously served time over past assaults, taunted and glared at her from behind the smoking room glass wall partition. "For my birthday, he strangled me and broke my

nose; he only served one week for that!" Jane says. Male cops arrived, questioned both the victim and

perpetrator, interviewed others in the room and handcuffed the ex-boyfriend. After little delibera­tion, they let him go?! After much deliberation, they let him go, even after a witness who has extensive experience working in the justice field spoke up and gave a detailed account. She was shocked, as was Jane, that the ex-boyfriend walked away a free man. He sauntered off, swearing revenge. One lady re­marked, "It's like a "catch and release program." Jane still fears for her safety. Even though she has a

place of her own, she prefers to sleep at the women's shelter for the added ease of mind and security. She no longer has respect, trust or belief in a justice sys­tem that can't protect her from an angry stalker who has attacked her on many occasions, even though she tries in vain to avoid him by hiding. He has even gone so far as to terrorize and attack other members of her family, including her grown sons, who fear for their mother's safety and life. "The next time I could be dead!" she sobbed. Another witness remarked "well if Justice can't be

served one way through the cops, there's always "street" Justice." Let us hope that we, as a society, do not have to

rely on vigilantism to live without fear of being in­jured or even killed while an uncaring and/or unable justice system idly observes- ·

By AprilS.

I Rich getting richer Official Statistics Canada figures are now saying

that the richest 10 percent of Canadians have 58% of the wealth. In 1984 they only had 52o/o. In fact, and this won't surprise anyone in the Downtown East­side, the only income group to increase their wealth over the last 21 years is the richest tenth.

Wealth is measured by the value of what you own minus the value of your debts.

According to Stats Can, the poorest tenth of Cana­dians have no wealth. About half of the poorest tenth have debts worth about $9,600 or more. The other half have debts worth $9,600 or less.

Since 1984the wealth of the poorest half of Cana­dians has shrunk from 5.3o/o of total personal wealth to 3.2%.

Between 1984 and 2005 the amount of wealth in Canada increased by about 26%, but wealth of the richest tenth went up by 70%. This little stat proves that one argument used by politicians is wrong. They say that in order to end poverty we need economic activity to generate wealth. Well, in Canada's case, wealth has been generated but it's all going to the richest people.

This is because of various laws. for example one law created RRSPs, a form of privatized pension, set up by the government to provide more benefit to the rich than the middle, and none to the poor. Another example: Canada is one of very few industrialized countries that has no taxes on inheritances - which [of course] benefit the rich more than the poor.

Wealth inequality in Canada is probably worse than Stats Can shows in this report. That's because it's a voluntary study and the people who are really rich, like the Thompson family, the Bronfmans, Irvings, etc. can simply refuse to answer the questionnaire (if

they are even asked). Aside from the obvious problems like not having

enough money to live on, wealth inequality shows that our society is very divided. More and more re­search is showing that huge gaps between the rich and poor create all kinds of bad things besides pov­erty: addiction, racism, sexism, homophobia, more sickness and death for the poorest, poor outcomes in school, lots of suffering and even lower voter turn­out. In general unequal societies have less trust and caring and more conflict than more equal societies, like, for example, the_ Scandinavian countries. There is a very interesting book about this called The Im­pact of Inequality by Richard Wilkinson. · Meanwhile you'd think the provincial government could at least raise welfare rates and the minimum wage in the next budget due in February.

By JEAN SWANSON

A miracle on hastings street.

This past while, a miracle on Hastings street. god actually came down at city hall and blessed their support of the market that deems one building, val­ued at approximately $1,150,000 is priced at ap­proximately $2,300,000 and a second building val­ued at approximately $750,000 costs $2,300,000.

In this not so precedent-breaking move, god has firmly come down on the commandment that value has fuck all to do with the price of things in our oh so wonderful capitalist world. tra-la.

In the meantime there seem to be hints that the heavenly angels want to raise the shelter portion of welfare allowances because, get this folks, the rates have not been raised since 1991, and have not kept up with inflation. Solution? The choir sings, loud and clear, "raise the

shelter portion, raise the shelter portion, raise it up to $428 per month, $428 per month"- to the tune of Joy to the World.

aren't we glad our masters have divine right?

karenza

Written by Harold Asham and Wendy Pedersen January 15, 2007

CCAP fighting gentrification Many say it's here now. Gentrification is the displacement of

low-income people from their homes when wealthy people move their investments into a new area and start . converting its housing, services and "' public space for themselves.

The current trend of development in the DTES looks bleak. According to PIVOT's Cracks in the Foundation Report, 77 units of low-income housing a year were lost between 1998-2003 . Between 2003 and 2005, despite the development of 99 new housing units, we lost 415 units of low-income housing. Only 270 new units are scheduled to be built. This is not enough to replace the loss. Meanwhile, a minimum of 13 SRO' s were sold in the last 6 months. The sinister statement of Bob Rennie, the Woodward's condo dealer that orchestrated the sale of 500 condos in a day, is a warning we must pay attention to. He said the morning before the condo sale on CBC Radio: "We' re moving east".

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The City of Vancouver has a "Revitalization Without Displacement" plan to ostensibly manage the interests of developers and protect the housing rights of low­income people in our neighbourhood. For instance, it has a policy to replace each demolished or converted SRO with new affordable housing. It has bylaws to stop conversion and demolition of SROs and to improve maintenance standards in hotels. But they need stronger enforcement. And governments and employers aren't providing enough money for better wages, welfare and housing. Perhaps their plan should be called Revitalization with Displacement, which is gentrification.

All 3 levels of government have huge amounts of money to spare. The City's Property Endowment fund is worth $1.3 billion and can be used to pay for (Continued on page 2)

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Fighting gentrification .... (Continued from page 1)

upgrading or replacing housing. The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives expects a provincial surplus of $3-4 billion per year in each of the next two years, and the Federal Government to have a $75 million surplus over the next 5 years. So the money is there. It's political will that's needed.

What can we do to help?

The message from Carnegie members who have been at this for decades is: the situation was urgent 20 years ago and its getting worse. Everything has been tried and we are losing. The only thing left to do is to pressure government with actions. Come by the CCAP office and talk to Wendy if you want to hear some of our ideas about this or share some of your own.

Help CCAP fight for better housing on Jan. 25th

On Jan. 25, City Council will receive the city staffs recommendations on the SRA (SRO) Conversion By-law, enforcement of the Standards of Maintenance Bylaw, and on the City purchase of SRO hotels. The staff reports can be viewed on

line at the City of Vancouver website or in the CCAP office.

Please join CCAP at City Hall Thursday, January 25, 2007 at 9:30

a.m. To get on the speaker' s list call

Denise Salmon, Meeting Coordinator, 604-873-7269. Leave your name, an

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address and phone number for messages.

You may also register to speak at city hall on January 25, 2007, between 9:00-9:30 a.m.

To learn how to speak at city hall and what to expect, register with Wendy at CCAP for a workshop on January 23, at noon on the 3rd floor of Carnegie. For transportation to City Hall on the 25th, meet at Carnegie front doors at 8:45 a.m. CCAP will provide bag lunches at city hall to Carnegie folks who speak, or come with us to watch.

What CCAP wants to tell city council • Here are some things CCAP wants

to tell city council about the reports on Jan. 25th:

• The situation is urgent. People are dying and suffering because of the housing crisis in the DTES. More rooms are closing and 3 levels of government have surplus funds to spend. Strong action, not timid experiments is needed.

• We need a moratorium on conversion and demolition of SRO units. San Francisco and Los Angeles have one. This will allow time to protect the DTES community. The reports suggest slight improvement to SRA Bylaw to protect stock, but more action is needed. Staff recommends increasing the cost of conversions and demolitions from $5000 to $15,000 which is still just the cost of doing business, given huge speculative profits that owners are anticipating.

• Council should end the Heritage Incentive Program unless it is used for buildings that provide social housing. The city' s report suggests that the HIP is contributing to speculation in the neighbourhood .

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• Tbe city should buy and upgrade 2 hotels now, as caUed for in the Homeless Action Plan, and at least one more this year. They will be assets for the city. They can use money from the Property Endowment Fund. This is an emergency. The Globe and Mail poll shows that citizens are willing to pay more taxes to house the homeless but this doesn't even have to involve more taxes.

• Enforce section 23 of the Standards of Maintenance By-law by having the city do work that landlords refuse to do and bill it to the owner. The maintenance situation in many buildings is too disgusting for the city to let slumlords off the hook with a pilot project, as recommended in the staff report.

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DTES Intelligence For those of you who, like me, are

hungry for "intelligence" about DTES social housing and gentrification, here are some "facts" below. If this list is useful, let me know. Tidbits like these can be collected and distributed in the newsletter regularly:

• In 2005 the Lookout turned away 5000 people from shelters

• Thirteen (13) SRO's with a total of 606 rooms were SOLD from March to October 2006 alone.

• Eight (8) new SRO's were sold or optioned (ready to be sold) to the owner of the Pender and Gastown Hotels.

• The Empress Hotel was sold for $2.35 million.

• The owner of the old Vic' s coffee shop on Main and Cordova is Sean Heather of the Irish Heather in Gastown and it will be a gouttnet hotdog stand.

• The Portland Hotel Society (PHS) will renovate the 77 room Pennsylvania Hotel to 44 self­contained rooms. It costs $11 .4 million to renovate. The city gave PHS $1 .2 million and they raised $3 .6 million by selling the heritage density to a developer called Concord Pacific.

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• Woodward' s will have 200 units of low-income housing. PHS will operate 125 units for subsidized single residents and Affordable Housing will operate 75 units for families. Only 60% of Affordable Housing units will be subsidized. The other 40% will be just below market rate. To get into Woodward's Affordable units, call ( 604-521-0818) for an application. Write on the top that you want to get in to W oodwards.

GOING TO CITY HALL - hal It was another week in the downtown eastside and .there were plans afoot to go to city hall and try to get a moratorium on SRO's. We were to have a planning day on Wednesday and then go on Thursday. It was about the unlawful shutting own of SRO's in the area. Various SRO owners were doing this so they could make a bigger profit by fixing up their places. Then they would rent them out to a higher paying public with the idea of making lots of money during the upcoming Olympic games. They have no thought or worry about the people that they are displacing right now or in the future. These people already live in the lowest fonn of housing and now that is even getting to be too costly for them. The only place they have left is the street. Our governments are supposed to have a plan for this but as usual all plans are sorta left behind in order to make a buck or two over the backs of the poor. It seems like we are never very high on the list of priorities when it comes to governing, eh? So far they have plans to move us out of the neighbourhood we've been in for hundreds of years or build substandard housing even though they can't even seem to do that right. Now that we are at City Hall we find they are trying to sneak another bylaw through without proper notice or even proper placing on the city hall agenda for this meeting. It was brought in and placed on the agenda while they were supposed to be out to lunch. It seems the Non­Partisan Association has it own agenda and because it•s in maj<?rity it can pretty well do what it wants at anytime. They just need a leader who doesn't care and Mayor Sam Sullivan fills that role admirably. Then he needs a shill to bring up his agenda and Councilwoman Capri is wholeheartedly suited for that role. Next they need someone who can keep the party going without too many interruptions. This seems to have fallen to another shill named Peter Ladner. Whenever he feels like it he interrupts whoever is speaking and tries to change the subject. He tells a person that they are out of order when he knows that the whole NP A agenda is out of order. Because they have a majority on city council they act, and mostly its true, as if no one else matters to them as long as they get their way. Mayor Sam is generally disgusted with the whole operation. He leaves whenever he feels like it knowing that his cronies wont allow anything to happen in his absence. When he is at his seat its almost as if he's whittlin or something. He doesn't pay attention to what's going on. I have a picture of an empty council chamber, which is captioned "those who listened." Its not actually true, there were some who listened and some who heard but none of them were NP A. A few of the other council people actually tried to make a point of listening. Councilmen like Louie and Cadman, but their attempts at helping were pushed aside by the NP A who controls everything that goes on in city council. Every vote comes down to a 6 to 5 win for the NP A. These men are in a very frustrating position. Anything they do has to be approved by the ruling party or it doesn't have a chance of getting through council. The NP A even delays controversial stuff by putting it off until the regular press has left for the day, knowing that it won't be available for public perusal gives the NPA a feeling of indestructibility. I guess they are indestructible as long as our fight is left out of the print media and TV. We have to make them uneasy with what they're doin and the only way to do that is get it into the press and on TV .. We have to fight in order to get even a small amount of justice.

•

DTES Goes to City Ilall PLANNING OUR VISIT

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The following was prepared but not pre-sented to City Council on December 14th as Council did not complete its agenda. ~,

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Your Worship and Councilors, Regarding Homelessness and Housing in Vancouver

I am speaking to you as a resident of Point Grey and as a former Director of the Carnegie Community Centre. . Vancouver's Pledge

In making its application to host the 20 I 0 Winter Olympics Vancouver made a pledge to the world that we are working to become an inclusive city. No previous Olympics has ever been awarded for mak­ing such a social commitment. Safe, affordable housing for vulnerable populations is the centre piece for this commitment, especially for the com­munity that is most at risk if this pledge is not hon­oured - the Downtown Eastside.

While the priority must be the Downtown Eastside I believe this obligation needs to be acted upon throughout the city - including my own neighbour­hood -and the region, because there are at-risk peo­ple in every neighbourhood. The Record to Date We are 38 months from the 2010 Olympics. What can we report to the world on our progress to achiev­ing the inclusion commitment?

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Affordable housing continues to be lost each year and is not being replaced A hyper-active real estate market, exacer­bated by Olympics anticipation, is putting the remaining SRO stock at risk A significant amount of affordable housing was removed from plans for the successor to the Olympic village at south-east False Creek

• A motion at Council to address street disor­der and such matters as spitting and urinat­ing in public, jay walking, and bike riders without helmets ·

• A plan to spend $300,000 to establish a "Civil City" secretariat to support action on street disorder and a "Civil City" strategy.

• A proposal to lock down garbage bins in order to get rid of scavenging for recycla­bles and reduce litter

· • A pledge to reduce homelessness by 50% by the time the Olympics arrive - but no strategy

• Setting aside $500,000 (by the Olympic committee) to provide shelters for homeless people during the Olympics.

Is this our Olympic inclusion plan? I think we are beginning to look rather foolish. Add to this provin­cial income assistance rates- if you are eligible for them at all - that make it imposs_ible to obtain proper shelter or to purchase sufficient food or personal effects.

These actions simply punish people for being poor. Is this our Olympic legacy? Worse, they give poor people even less choice about how to survive within the law.

Ken Lyotier, the founder of United We Can told a . ' revealmg story the other day. He was working late

on a wet, cold night. Around 1 :30 am a fight broke out among the people huddled under the UWC awn­ing. The issue; whether to sleep parallel to the build­ing on the sidewalk or at right angles. In the former case there would be full shelter from the rain. In the latter people's legs would get wet, but more people could be accommodated.

What an awful choice in this city that has such a high international rating for livability.

Acting on What We Already Know and What We Already Have The City has two worthwhile plans: A Homelessness Action Plan, and a Housing Plan. They clearly set out the responsibilities of City Hall and ofthe two senior governments. But where is the Implementa­tion Plan? The City has bylaws and Charter powers to influ-

ence development. There are proposals here today on conversions and on standards of maintenance. But more can be done. The Property Endowment Fund is now close to $1 billion. This is an impres­sive pool of equity that can have social and eco­nomic payoffs in addressing the housing issue. The provincial and federal governments also have sub­stantial budget surpluses.

Yet money cannot be found to replace one SRO a year in the Downtown Eastside. There are important lessons to be learned from San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York, where mu­nicipal leadership, supported by the two senior gov­ernments is substantially reducing homelessness in these cities. And they are doing it not by building shelters, but by building homes. A Community Framework for the Downtown

Eastside We need to break out of the piece-meal approach.

We all know that homelessness, poverty, addictions, and mental health are linked. Where is the imple­mentation plan that integrates health and social ser­vices in supportive housing and training and em­ployment opportunities? In the Downtown Eastside it is not just 'about homelessness or at-risk of home­lessness; it is about renewing community, about tap­ping into the richness in human talent, skill and courage that is already present. A community framework is needed that supports this energy, one that encompasses the social, the economic, the envi­ronmental, and the cultural - a framework that is community-led in partnership with governments.

38 Months to Go With 38 months to go to February 2010: What is the plan? Who is taking the leadership? What will the legacy be?

Respectfully, Michael Clague

We invite you to join our Creative _Writing group

.; .. . .

Tu~sdays, · 1 - 3prn, 3rd floor, -Carnegi~

Drop t_V\-, s~~re t~e~~, get LV\-sptre~. Let !jOur cre{;lttv.tttj flow! · ·- · . . . • } . . ' -_ . ·~ . . ..

. ' .... . . - There is so much· taienfl~~ ~arnegie. wo·w ...

. . - . .

Heart of the City Festival 2007-2009 Public Advice Session

How can we build on the success of the Festival?

Help shape the Heart of the City Festival & support DTES artists, art, culture and com

munity over the next three years!

Thursday January 25, 3:30 -5:00pm Carnegie Theatre, 401 Main Street

-refreshments-

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Vancouver Moving Theatre & Carnegie Community Centre

present

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PUBLIC TALK ON SHADOW THEATRE wl Larry Reed

&

NEGOTIATING COLLABORA TIVE CREATION wl Kim Collier

FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 7:30PM Carnegie Theatre, 401 Main Street ADMISSION IS FREE - ALL WELCOME!

Kim Collier is an award winning director of stage and film who directed Brilliant, The Score, The One that Got Away, and Studies in Motion: The Haunt­ings of Eadweard Muybridge. She is co-founder of the collective which runs Electric Company Theatre -a Vancouver group specializing in collaborative creation - creation of the story, writing its dialogue, imagining the staging and developing the design.

Larry Reed, founder of San Francisco's Shadow­Light Productions, specializes in shadow theatre for stage, opera and film. He collaborates with all kinds of folk - from Asian I western opera singers to Bali­nese dancers, from Karuk Nation and Latino story­tellers to jazz musicians. Called "a genius with light and motion", he is dedicated to bringing the stories of the world to light. He will share his creative jour­ney and some of the "ins and outs" of theatre' s cheapest "special effect".

PUBLIC MASTER CLASS ON SHADOW THEATRE

with Larry Reed & members of the Shadows Project creative team

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 7-9 PM Adntission is by donation! All Welcome

Russian Hall, 600 Campbell Street ~ Look behind the screen into theatre's

cheapest special effect )> Learn about tricks of the trade for shadow

theatre production ~ Take a sneak peak at images in develop- .

ment for the Shadows Project )> Meet the artistic team who is working on

the project Vancouver Moving Theatre is bringing Larry Reed

to the Downtown Eastside to workshop images for The Shadows Project: a two year project to create an original shadow theatre play for the Downtown Eastside that sheds light on issues surrounding ad­diction and recovery. The workshop will involve the artistic team and a small group of community mem­bers involved in the project.

A shadow pla_y for the Downtown Eastside

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Women's Rights in Peril By Velma Demerson

Author of Incorrigible (Wilfred Laurier University Press)

It has been estimated that thousands of Canadian women and children live below the poverty line. Poverty is recognised as an obstacle to providing a stable environment for a child. The extension of this is that a mother, by failing to maintain a permanent home, is not acting in the best interests of her child. The "best interests of the child" is the basic princi­ple of Family Law in British Columbia. It is more likely to be founded on quality of food and shelter than on a child's spiritual needs, such as comfort and appreciation of a mother.

The separation of woman and child was practiced in this country from at least the 1930s to the 1960s. Homes for unmarried pregnant women existed in most large cities. Many came from small towns where a woman avoided the disgrace of her "im­moral" condition by leaving home. From the Unmar­ried Women's Home a woman would be sent to a hospital to give birth, after which she was coerced

-into giving up her baby for "the child's own good". The baby of an unmarried woman was declared to be "illegitimate" -a stigma confirmed by the govern­ment and written into law. Women who gave birth to children in a "sinful" common-law relationship could be charged in Family Court with contributing · to child delinquency and put into prison for up to two years. Her children would be taken into the cus­tody of the Children's Aid Society.

In those instances where a woman was not intimi­dated ?Y fear. and ostr~cism, she might opt to keep her child. Th1s would mcur looking for the father of the ch.ild and t~ing to arrange a marriage or by at­temptmg to brmg the father into Court to pay child support. Court hearings conducted in private con­tinue to be closed to the public.

Presently there are large numbers of persons look­in~ for their mothers. The mothers who gave up their chtldren :vere advised their identities would be kept secret. It IS known only to the Children's Aid Soci­ety. In some instances a woman notifies the Chil­dren's Aid that she is willing to be found by the child she gave birth to; others fear being found out ­still afraid of what people would think and wanting to retain their privacy.

Unmarried women' s homes have vanished and for some time it seemed that pregnant women would be able to raise their children with government assis­tance, but now the pendulum is swinging back. Wo­men and children are again being separated. A dis­tant blood relation including that of the father is be­ing presented as having validity. A child can be lit­erally be dropped into the hands of strangers. This can be an uncle, aunt or distant cousin of a deceased father. The father may never have supported or taken an active interest in his child nor have been in a permanent conjugal relationship with the mother. The only lawful claim to a child by an exboyfriend's relatives is through his sperm. Shelter and stability take precedence over a poverty-stricken mother.

The question arises as to why a child, taken for whatever reason to a new city or town, should over­night fall within the Court jurisdiction of that place. A child can be removed from his or her "grassroots" existence- lifelong friends, school and familiar sur­roundings. A disadvantaged mother must find the means to travel to a potentially strange locale with the hope of seeing her child through the benevolence

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It is conceded that women make less money than men and the rights of fathers must be seen in its class advantage. The extension of these rights to blood relatives needs to be seriously questioned. The time allotted for a legal aid lawyer for a woman claiming a child is limited; a lawyer representing a child's custodians may provide services with com­paratively better financial benefits. Social workers must conduct telephone interviews to justify a child's removal that are highly subject to error and hearsay. The Courts need to take a new look at Brit-

ish Columbia's kith and kin laws. Where injustice has occurred and emotional damage sustained, com­pensation and assistance needs to be rendered to mother and child.

Ilf T:&IFLI~A TE Let me open up my name so we can get a head start on the Who's to Blame game, another small step for mankinds debut please don't misconstrue what I'm saying to you a silent success no less to confess the amount of love I have for you more missteps for mankind's debut right before god is that you? good I'm me too here's my thoughts for your penny I don't want this many because today's as good a day as any. This is the lessoning of mother earth it's a sad lesson when we find what we're worth just like a new car driven off the lot I should have remained in birth because ... I'm the ship that can't be salvaged I'm the coast the hurricane ravaged and yes I'm the one balancing brilliance from several ends In Triplicate.

I begin my presentation to an audience of condemnation here it comes my verbal perspiration watch as I substitute desire with an out of control fire feeling weak I must retire we all deserve to break even once or twice 3,4,5 times would be nice but I just don't see it happening take your own advice we've arrived with graveyardish mannerisms and catchy harmonic biorythms time to try a new system in triplicate

Three times three equals you and me and one more thing IN TRIPLICATE.

The End. Robert McGillivray

•

Keep your eyes open for 'user fees'

I have been led to believe that there's no user's fee when shopping with a bank card (not a VISA etc.).

I went into the Tanoli convenience store at 302 Carrall, the comer of Carrall & Cordova. I asked if they'd accept my bank card to pay for groceries. The counter man said yes- no mention of a user's fee. When I got my bill it said $7 .20, and he asked me for $7.45. I said the bill was $7.20 and then he said there was a 25 cent user's fee.

I could care less about a quarter, but what bothered me is he quoted me one price and charged another.

I went to the bank with both receipts. They told me that Tanoli owners bought the machine and was al­lowed to charge a user's fee. Most stores charge a nickel or so to pay for their machine.

The people at the bank said there was nothing they could do, agreeing that there should be no user's fee when buying groceries with a bank card.

I t Condemne

Stop the war on the poor Stop the war on the poor Give us back our homes Open up the doors.

How can you steal our homes?

Kirk

How can you push us out in the cold? We're not taking it any more Stop the war on the poor

Rise up people, rise up Join us in our fight We believe to have a home is a fundamental right.

Rise up people Rise Up Join hands as one We must stand or fall together Until our work is done

• • • Sung in Council Chambers by Bharb Gudmundson

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TOVVtOYYOW

What a day today was. Today I felt like shit Today was a very bad day Today I made a very bad mistake Today I fucked up Today I felt worthless, lonely, hopeless and angry Today I was worthless, lonely, hopeless and angry Today I gave in to my addiction Today I cut to feel some sort of release, to feel numb Today I cut and I felt guilty, ashamed, frustrated, and aggravated with myself Today I let my depression take hold of me Today I let myself slip back into old habits Today I fucked up Today I talked about it Today I learned to talk about it Today I didn't let my addiction take hold of me completely Today I fought my depression once I realized how much I let it control me Today I took back my power and gave none to my depression or addiction. Today was a very bad day but tomorrow will be better

Geneva McCall

........... .,..._. 500 amen's ... an offering Her ancient voice

"'-" ... echoes the valley spirit ashore ~.~· On this winter solstice night 2006

So gracious and with beauty A candle light for your healing soul

, ., ... A A prayer to warm you .. The drumbeat to remind me ... My heart still beats with you

All~ The waves are silent to that shore The mountains A candle light in a canoe I know and saw it in your eyes' soul

~ Some of them didn't A pain transformed Though some may never understand I wanted to stay longer that night but My feet were wet and it was getting

- Scary dark ... amen.

© Montana King

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NORTH AMERICAN OPIATE MEDICATION INITIATIVE

Heroin trial set to close enrolment Nearly two years after its launch in Vancouver, the

North American Opiate Medication Initiative (NAOMI study) is gearing up to close enrolment for new volunteers. Following a slower than expected start to attracting volunteer~who met the study's inclusion criteria, NAOMI is now poised to fully enroll by the middle of March. "We are encouraging interested community mem­

bers to come forward and meet with us to determine their eligibility for the study. There is still time to take part, but the window is closing," says Dr. Mar­tin Schechter, NAOMI's Principal Investigator. The research team will be screening candidates until the end of February 2007. Individuals may be eligi­ble for the Vancouver study if they: • Have been addicted to heroin, dilaudid or another

opiate for five years; • Have been injecting heroin for the past year; • ·Have tried addiction treatment twice in the past

including methadone maintenance; • Are 25 or older; • Are a member of the Downtown Vancouver

community and have been for an extended period of time.

Potential participants should call the NAOMI re­cruitment line 1-877-685-6642 (toll free) or 604-685-6642. The NAOMI study tests whether heroin-assisted

therapy or methadone therapy is better for improving the health and quality of life of long-time opiate us­ers. Eligible participants are randomized to receive oral methadone therapy or injection opiates. Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and approved by Health Canada, NAOMI has been en­rolling participants in Vancouver and Montreal since 2005. Trial results are expected in the fall of2008.

Which way Haunting twisted mind Caged .. in mental institutions Their integrity sold out By a corrupted society Haunting While the sane roam In their unprotected garden Pacing in their caged freedom I listen and I watch My fist pounds heavily My throat throbs . .. My physique aches I can not escape the freedom that is mine.

© Montana King

Nice try ... I so enjoyed reading the latest issue of the Carnegie

Newsletter, as people offered their insights into the personalities known as Bob and Muggs. Without question they will be sorely missed and it is hard to imagine two other people who have become so much a part of the downtown eastside and whose absence from the scene will so change the fabric of the neighborhood.

As his sister I've known Bob all my life. That alone should say it all, but more of that in a moment. I've known Muggs. for over 25 years and am thankful she's in our-family as my friend, my advisor, my personal herbal guru, and the only person who c.an keep Bob somewhat in line. Her passion for soctal justice is tireless and her unwavering sense of fair­ness in all things is inspiring. Then there's Bob. We should have seen it coming,

his penchant for debating and tormenting. I was of­ten the victim of his sadistic acts, whether he was writing in /YI Y library books, reading my diary, squishing mashed potatoes through his teeth or put­'ting peas up the dog's nose. There was never a rea-sonable end to a "discussion"; even a capitulation on my part didn't make him happy. Do you ever notice that Bob's questions have multi-parts? You can't just answer and be gone. There are always more questions and you realize .you've been suckered into a long harangue about the universe, the government

Korean Storytelling in Dance & Music: Lives

Featuring Korean string instruments, ceremonial drama, drumming and dancing by the

Korean Theatre Troupe 'Getdof & KOMA (Korean Music Academy

DATE: Saturday, January 27111, 2007 ·

TIME: 3:00-5:00 PM PLACE: Carnegie Community Centre Theatre

"We wish this tiny gathering to be a contribution to multicultural, inter-local and grassroot alli­ances in the world. "

(yours and mine), the church, the history of rock 'n roll, statistics ("I'd like to see some stats on that!"), today's youth, pizza, Oscar Hammerstein ... I could go on and on but you've all felt the pain.

Some would like to suggest that it was Bob's up­bringing in New York City that made him like he is. In spite of the city's reputation for exhibiting (we like to say celebrating) the stranger sides of life, be assured that we were part of a very loving family of normal parents, a car and a dog, two parakeets and a hamster. Your photo captin of "Bob the Boy Won­der" was first used in our family when our mother would say, " I wonder what that boy is up to now?"

When Bob moved to Vancouver we thought he was moving to the end of the earth. Little did we know that he'd then move to Hornby, three islands off the coast of North America!

After reading the comments in the Newsletter, I realize how much people care about Bob and Muggs and are going to miss them for a lot of reasons. You've actually been luckier than I was: Bob prac­ticed his skills on me but you had him when he was at his best. I love who Bob has grown up to be, and I'm fortunate he's the person I admire most in my life. Not some remote, untouchable idol for me. Just a cool guy who happens to be my brother.

Diane Sarti

I

•· DTES Neighbourh_ood House

... Parent- Tot Drop In . .

free . .

. Tuesdays & Wedn~sd~ys, 1 Oam - .noon · · .•. Lore Krill Common Rot)m

· = .. 65:W Cordova (across from Army & Navy)

Dear Muggs and Bob

I was quite surprised to learn of your plans to leave Vancouver but could not let the news pass without saying something.

First, both of you will be missed by a great many people. You both have been acti~e and valuable con­tributors to the Downtown Eaststde and Strathcona communities in so many ways. In the process you have inspired others and, with them, made creative and lasting changes. You are great examples of en­gaged citizens. It is difficult to give adequate thanks to your devo­

tion, your activism and the legacy you leave in our section of the City.

I hope that your life on Hornby Island will be ex­actly as you wish and wish you a long and happy time there.

With my deep gratitude and very best wishes,

To Carnegie:

Jenny Wai Ching Kwan, MLA Vancouver- Mt P leasant

VAlfCJOVV:Ell · OI?:EI\.A PRESENTS

"The Night Before the Opera"

"Magic Flqte'' By W.A. Mozart

The first 75 people will receive free tickets to the final dress rehearsal ofthe.opera.

Wednesday, January 24, 2007 @ ?pm Carnegie Centre Theatre

Presented by Vancouver Opera's UBC Learning Exchange in collaboration with the Carnegi_e Community Centre.

Dear Editor - a late letter to thank Muggs and Bob.

I want to say thank you for your spirit and com­mittment to the community. In the short time I've known you both I've been inspired, made to laugh, and welcomed. Thank you. I will miss your advice dearly, and would be one of the first to sign a peti­tion to get you to stay, as Libby Davies suggested. Get ready Hornby Island - with Bob and Muggs your community just got better,

Spencer Herbert Commissioner Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation

Thank,you for the communii: __ y, the famil __ y, the friend s h ip.

Tl1ank .. 'foli f-or .. 20 !Jea r~s o f s haring __ you r~ lives In good times a nd in o the r t imes.

-T-ha nk. _you tor .You r· d r·ca ms a nd asp ir-ations.

iVl u oo-s a ncl Bob 04?

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