<-

With: GeofF 5erner, Harmon~ ot Nations Drummers,Twin 5andit, Solidarit~ Notes Labour Choir,Vancouver Cjt~ Opera withJohanna Hauser, andthe Creaking flanks!

Januar~ 2+ 1:)05t James )0) E ova

These words are being put together with the hope thatthe order they're in will ignite, convince, even inspireyou to come to a fabulous fund-raising concert for acrucial publication - Ye Olde Carnegie Newsletter! )

The concert itself promises to be great entertainmentwith an amazing line-up. Music. Drumming, comedyand stirring presentations. There'll be a Silent Auctiongoing on, starting at 7pm when the doors will open.The highlight is a framed print donated by RichardTetrault; be assured that it's the tip of a trove of someincredible treasures. Refreshments are available andno alcohol.All this is well worth the price of admission: $0-$20

just remember it is a fund raiser. .The Carnegie Newsletter began on August 15, 1986

as a 12-page paper in 60 copies. Now it's a twice-monthly 16-28 page effort in 1200 copies 23 times ayear. Contents are writing, poetry & locally-createdgraphic art on matters that are part & parcel of life &living in the Downtown Eastside. Over the years thishas included poverty, housing & homelessness, thedrug trade, sex trade, "free" trade, violence againstwomen and the ongoing saga of the murdered &missing women, street safety, legislated poverty &raising the rates, gentrification, renovictions, Nativeissues & aborigina genocide, totalitarian capitalismand gross mal-distribution of wealth, at-risk youth,the environment, families & children & more. Every-thing except the actual printing - writing, poetry, art,input, editing, layout, collation/stapling/folding &distribution - is and has always been done freely byvolunteers."Funding for the printing, volunteer tickets & petty cashcame through that raised by the Carnegie CommunityCentre Association (having non-profit/charity status) andits gaming license .. i.e. bingo and casino revenues. Then,in 2011-2012, the Gaming Commission decided that theNewsletter was not a "program" and they wouldn't permitany of our gaming revenue to be used in its production.

The community rallied, there was a fundraiser in June2012, and sufficient funds were realised from it & varioussources so the sum total offunds (with a tight budget) gotthe paper through the Fall of2014.

The Carnegie Newsletter is valued & needed in both theDowntown Eastside and in the larger struggle for socio-economic justice. Resistance is the deep spirit river that allhere draw from and on to keep our spirits strong. Peopleare always amazed and inspired by the true feelings ofcommunity throughout each separate aspect of struggles,of the wars each of us fights in our own ways. Please helpthe voice of our lives & minds endure. We, too, have aright to remain.

Respectfully submitted,PAULR TAYLORVolunteer editor since 1986.

The Newsletter needs $11,000 a year to produce.it -printing, volunteer tickets, stuff. Help in theDowntown Eastside, the free resource guide isover $3,000 each edition every 7-9 months. $15Kis a chunk of change for a. few volunteers to raiseevery year, but hey! someone's gotta do it.

(V'vtV1e

DOWNTOWNEAS'TSIDE

JUNE2014

*4r

February 4,5 and 6

••• ..", For the DTES Homeless and Underhoused

.•.

~

.Y.Pto VolunteerforHomeGround 201 &!

STATEMENT FROM LIBBY DAVIESAfter almost 40 years of public service and elected

office, it's time for me to call it a day. Ihave workedhard as the Member of Pari iament for Vancouver Eastfor the last 18 years & I know it's time for me to passthe torch. Iwill not be seeking re-election in the nextfederal election.

It has been the most extraordinary experience to rep-resent the people of Vancouver East. I have loved mywork both in the community & in Ottawa and I thankthe good folks of east Vancouver who elected me sixtimes as their representative.

Over the years, Ihave taken on tough issues like theneed for drug policy reform and Iremember beingtold, "You'll never get re-elected if you take on issueslike this" But the people of east Vancouver have stoodby me. Ideeply appreciate how they have placed theirsupport and confidence in me throughout my manyyears in office.I am tremendously proud of the work that Ihave been

able to accomplish as part of the NDP team, and tohave served as House Leader and Deputy Leader.Iam confident it will be a another New Democrat

from Vancouver East who will join Tom Mu\cair inOttawa after the next federal election and, with such astrong team and experienced & committed leader, wewill form the first federal social democratic govern-ment in Canada's history.

Libby [Elizabeth!}

In Memory of a friend

Valory Olive Craske passed away peacefully at theYale town House in ancouver Dec. 18,2015. Origi-nally from Weyburn Saskatchewan, Yalory wasknown and loved by many in her adopted communityof the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver. She wasdedicated to contributing to her community and manya positive difference in many lives, whether it wasthrough handing out cookies and smiles on the street,serving regular lunches from her own resources for"her boys", working for the Neighbourhood HelpersProject at the Downtown Eastside Seniors Centre orserving as an active Director of both Mavis McMullenHousing Society and Bridge Housing Society forWomen. Valory leaves behind close friends and col-leagues who will carry her in their hearts.

EW

Come and sing with theCARNEGIE CHOIR!

Saturdays 6:30 - 9:30 PMSundays 2:30 - 5:30 PMJan. 17,to May 17, 2014Classroom 2 (3rd Floor)

EVERYONE WELCOME!

We're all on Ihis together, new, sol iqGirity choir

c.); v....,lic, "',I:)!-:t tu ',inqaj"j.:\ 'i ....')C12l! 'u';t!·.:e

560/fO weeks (I)c)body tWIJCcl .:jvvCiY)

St~!""llf")~J -'rue:s )~ll')L'q~'Y15'7-11::30 P/\'\

StrqthC()r)~1 CC)tTirr1Uf")ity; C:c!'}ttc601

rnrc) and reqls"tl<~lti()n:6C)4-,··,7·f~)-··'ft33B

JANUARY 15, 7:30 pm: InChoiring Minds, a greatlocal community choir, starts again at Mount PleasantNeighbourhood House, You don't need to be an ex-perienced singer or to read music ...practice CDs areprovided. The conductor doesn't yell! The suggesteddonation for the I3-week session is $80, but nobody is .turned away for lack of funds.

5JANUARY 13, 7 pm: The Strathcona Solidaritychoir starts up again at Strathcona Community Centre,601 Keefer. If you like to sing music in support ofpeople's struggles for social justice, fair working con-ditions and wages, this is the choir for you! The focusis on music that can be easily learned; the fee is $60for 10 weeks, or $6 dropin.

JANUARY 16, 7:30 pm: Beats on Broadway, thelocal acoustic open stage coffee house, will take placeat Mount Pleasant Nghbrhd House, 800 E Broadway.The feature this month is banjo player Kate Semple.If you'd like to sign up to play, best to get there be-tween 7 and 7:30 ...we tend to fill up!

Hon. Rich ColemanMinister Responsible for HousingRoom 128, Parliament BuildingsVictoria, BC V8V lX4Dear Minister Coleman:

-I write you today follow up regarding the proposed sale of the Stamps Place housing development. Further to myfour previous letters and my Questions on Notice in the Legislature to which I have not received a response to date,I would like to once again seek clarification on the following matters related to the future of Stamps Place, as theseissues have been raised with me on several occasions by many constituents.

December 30, 2014

1) How many people in Stamps Place are currently receiving subsidies in both the short & long- term? What is therate of subsidy?

2) What is the current mix of income at Stamps Place now? How many are low-income residents (i.e. deep core orcore need) and how many are moderate-income residents? Are there any units that are rented at market rate?

3) Beyond the impact for the existing tenants, could you please also confirm whether the proposed sale will changethe rate and ratio of subsidies provided to this development, and if so, what is the forecast change in the subsidyrates and ratios?

4) What conditions or covenants will be placed on the site & buildings to ensure they remain as non-profit housingin perpetuity?

5) Will the Ray-Cam Co-operative Community Centre lands and parking lot remain in perpetuity as an amenity forthe community?

6) Will the current cost-sharing (70% FederallProvincial & 30% City of Vancouver) for utility, janitorial and main-tenance costs be maintained? If not, what is the proposed cost-sharing structure?

7) With the sale of Stamps Place, will the projected $50M be re-invested in the development of social housing? Ifyes, what percentage of the re-investment will be dedicated for those with deep core or core need? Will any ofthe proceeds from the sale of Stamps Place be re-invested at Stamps? Has any of the projected $50M been cornmitted to other projects? I f so, how much and which project?

8) In the event that a current tenant vacates the unit, will the future operator be able to rent the unit at market renta higher RGI rate in order to meet costs of upgrading, repairs, and mortgage? If the operator could change themix oftenants, how will BC Housing ensure that the units remain housing for low-income residents (i.e. deepcore or core need)? Will this lead to the loss of low income housing at the lowest level?

9) Are there any: plans for re-development of the site at Stamps Place? What proportion of land (if any) will bemade available for new infill construction for modest market and market rates respectively?

10) Will the level of financial support provided by the government to the non-profit operator change as a resultof the sale?

11) Upon full repayment of the mortgage, will the non-profit operator be able to sell the property? Ifso, wouldthey be able to sell it to a for-profit operator?

12) Are there any provisions to ensure that the tenants have input in the current transfer & in future plans StampsPlace? Will there be a written agreement for tenant input? What is the consultative plan beyond the initialnotification of change to the tenants?

13) Which party will be held accountable if the housing is in a state of bad repair?14) What action will govt take to deal with the issue that all these properties are on unceded indigenous land?

In addition to the questions above, I'd very much appreciate if you could also provide the following information:

1) List of all renovations & maintenance projects to Stamps Place that have been completed in the past 5 yearsand a list of the deferred maintenance for the Stamps Place. Could you also advise of the projected cost ofthe deferred maintenance?

2) Results from core samples taken from parking lot at 512 Campbell Street and at Ray- Cam Co-operative 7Community Centre this past November 3 and 4.

3) The business plan for the proposed sale indicating how proceeds of the sale will be invested.4) List of all government-owned properties being offered for sale to non-profits for housing.5) The current operating agreement and the proposed operating agreement to non-profit operators bidding for,

Stamps Place?6) List of the social housing units that the government has created in the last year?

Thank you in advance for your attention on this important matter and I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Shayne Ramsay, CEO, BC Housing)avid Eby, Opposition Spokesperson for Housing

Keep Your Friends Close,But keep Your Enemies Closer

Channel 177 Sun News is anextreme Right Wing propagandamachine for Canadian Capitalists.

They hate the CBC, they hate DavidSuzuki, and lately they've started ahate campaign against Justin Trudeau.

They hate Burnaby Mountain protesters.

They hate any protesters who strive tosave the planet, so that their Sun TVmasters can gain more and more profits.

Once a week, we should all switch tochannel 177 Sun News to keep trackof their hatred, which is an almostprefect reversal of the Third Reich.

Garry Gust

. Self-appointed Rights of Insensitivity

Satire: to ridicule or scorn

Freedom of expression: to utter what onechooses no matter the consequences

Provocation: an inane compulsion to satirize

Retaliation: a freedom of expression

Garry Gust

Happy 35th Year!The Carnegie Community Centre turns 35 on

Tuesday, January 20,2015. To celebrate thismilestone I encourage you to check out at least

1. one of the many programs that Carnegie has tooffer - especially one that you have not triedbefore! Pick up a Program Guide from the dis-play near the main reception desk to findsomething that interests you.There is plenty to choose from: yoga. First

Nations Cultural Sharing, ballroom dancing,drawing, bingo for Seniors, pickleball, choir, aweight room, two pool tables (1 snooker & 18-ball), two writing groups, a room of comput-ers, tutors to help with almost any subject andmuch, much more. All this for only a dollar ayear! Which reminds me: Have you purchasedyour 2015 membership card yet?

One special event that you definitely do notwant to miss is the Story-Telling evening thathas been organised by Sharon Kravitz. Peoplewho have been paid staff, volunteers and partof Camegie Centre over the last 35 years havebeen invited to share their memories with us.The event will be held on Tuesday, January

20th from 7:00 to 9:00pm, on the rd floor.Refreshments will be served and everyone iswelcome to attend.

By LISADAVID

IIIIIIiI comeshare you r carnegie memories: with us on TuesdayJanuary 20th! II J

celebrate 35 years of thecarnegie Community Centre

Join us on the 2nd floor and hear some storiesfrom the old days ...

From 7-9pm

~,

From the LibrarYIt might sound like a morbid topic to begin the New

Year with, but Near Death Experience (NDE) can be areally hopeful and fascinating subject. Today (Jan. IS)at 11am in the Carnegie Theatre two leaders, RossWaddell and Nina Shoroplova from the Vancouversection of the International Association for Near DeathStudies are presenting stories and research from peo-ple who have literally "seen the light at the end of thetunne\." If you can't make the lecture, VPL has manybooks on NDE & these items are here at Carnegie:Glimpsing Heaven: The stories and science of lifeafter death by Judy Bachrach (133.9 B 12g), is a re-cent book by an investigative journalist. Bachrachaccumulated stories from those who experiencedclinical death, as well as observations from the doctorsand nurses present, and scientists who are trying tounderstand the patterns. She acknowledges the life-changing joy behind such phenomenon.Heaven isfor Real (236.2 B96h) by Todd Burpo, hasrecently been made into a movie. The book is cata-logued in the religion section because a four-year oldboy and son of a pastor loses consciousness during anemergency, and shares a story of entering heavenwhen he is revived and the people he meets. The storyis endearing, hopeful and mysterious.Proof of Heaven. A neurosurgeon's journey into theafterlife by Eben Alexander (133.9 A37p), is an excit-ing read because a skeptical doctor is plunged intoNDE debates after he experiences a medical miraclewhen his brain is attacked by a rare illness. He recallsa magical journey and divine beings, which forces himto address beliefs regarding heaven and the soul.

As well, another reminder that the Main & HastingsBook Club meet-up is on Tuesday January 20th atIO:30am in the Classroom on level 3. We'll have an-other round of sharing and recommending favouritebooks and authors!

Your librarian,Natalie

STATEMENT FROM THE NDP ON THE INTER·AMERICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS

REPORT ONMISSING AN·D MURDERED INDIGENOUS

WOMEN IN BRITISH COLUMBIAThe Official opposition critic for aboriginal affairs,

Jean Crowder (Nanaimo-Cowichan) made the follow-ing statement:

Today's report from Inter-American Commission onHuman Rights says that the "disappearances and mur-ders of indigenous women in Canada are part of abroader pattern of violence and discrimination againstindigenous women in Canada."The Commission reiterates calls for a national inquiryinto missing and murdered Indigenous women andgirls and for the government to comprehensively ad-dress the underlying factors that exacerbate the vio-lence against Indigenous women.It is time for the Prime Minister and Minister BernardValcourt to stop ignoring the sociological phenome-non of missing and murdered Indigenous women andtake federal action to address the crisis.

In Canada, Aboriginal women are seven times morelikely to be murdered than non-Aboriginal women.This is unacceptable. The Conservatives need to ac-cept that this violence is systemic and we need to dealwith the underlying causes.It is unconscionable for the Conservatives to continue

to ignore the growing demands for action and an in-quiry."

JANUARY 24, 7:30 pm: There will be a fabulousfundraising concert for the Carnegie Newsletter at StJames Anglican Church, 303 E Cordova, featuringGeoffBerner, Twin Bandit, Vancouver City Operawith clarinettist Johanna Hauser, Harmony of Nationsdrummers, the Creaking Planks and the SolidarityNotes Labour Choir. Tickets are $0-$20 and can bepurchased at the door or in advance athttp://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1148015

Refreshments will be served by donation, and therewill also be a silent auction in support of this greatpublication, which has been the voice of the Down-town East Side for 28 years.

NEWS FROM OPPENHEIMER PARK

Featured weekly programs• Art program: Oppen-arts Studio (Thursdays, workshop 10:30-1 :00, open studio 2:30-4:30)• Kids & parents program: Inside Out (Saturdays, 11 :00-1 :00)

Special programs• Foodmentary project: Tuesdays, 1:00-2:00

Bring your own food stories and participate in an in-camera interview! The completed film will be scr.eened at theHomeGround Festival.

• Cooking it DTES Style - HomeGround Cooking Contest: Tuesday, January 13,20 and 27, Starts at 2:00The DTES Cook Off will be a gameshow-like cook off between 4 park patrons competing for prizemoney. The winner will also get to cook for a City of Vancouver event in the summer (please follow upwith Carrie/Sandy on this one). The game will be every Tuesday from 2:00-3 :30. Contestants will have20 minutes to shop for ingredients at the market under a budget and will base these ingredients on thechosen dish for that day. Each Tuesday the contestants will be presented a dish they have to make intotheir own style i.e Chicken and rice, Steak and potatoes ... etc. If you are interested in participating as achef, please sign up at the Park. Otherwise please come and cheer on the chefs! There will also be skilltesting questions for the audience to win prizes.

• Sushi Making Workshop: Saturday, January 24, 2 workshops 1:30-2:30,2:30-3 :30Learn how to make California rolls and nigiri sushi from Oppenheimer Park's in-house sushi chefYasushi Kurashima! Space is limited; please sign up in advance at Oppenheimer Park.

Park's Monthly Birthday Party: Thursday, January 29 at 3pm

Oppenheimer Park would like to share one of our volunteers, Yasushi Kurashima's speech made at our Christmas Dinner.Yasushi started VOlunteering at the Park early 2014 & has been preparing sushi platters for many of our events and programs.At the Dinner, he shared his experience as a volunteer. Oppenheimer Park is thankful for Yasushi's presence and spirit!

This year has been the best year of my life. This is because I got involved in Oppen-heimer Park & Carnegie Community Centre community. Especially, you - DTES com-munity members' & Oppenheimer Park staff members' friendliness, heart-warminghospitality, and positive attitude moved me a lot. I am very thankful to become a partof Oppenheimer Park family and I finally found the joy of living after retirement.This year was also special as the tent city protest occurred at the Park. I respect theway the City of Vancouver and Carnegie Community Centre handled this situation &resolved without any violence.

Finally, I would like to share this word with other Oppenheimer Park volunteers: "thejoy of being appreciated." I believe the joy produces our happiness and sharing thejoy will help us overcome the difficulties. I believe this attitude will resolve any conflicts& will build peaceful community. This is what I call Oppenheimer Park spirit and whatI learned through volunteering at the Park!Thank you very much and Happy Holidays!

Join us on facebook - Oppenheimer Park - DTES Communities' Back YardOppenheimer Park I 488 Powell Street I 604-253-8830

Metro Vancouver Alliance (MVA) Update

EVERY MEMBER OF THE CARNEGIE COMMUNITY CENTRE ASSOCIATION is invited to attend the fol-lowing Metro Vancouver Alliance events and meetings. Please mark your calendars to come to the Transit Forumon January 27th (please RSVP on the website http://metvanalliance.nationbuilder.com)', you can pick a Team tojoin, and also you can come to the DTES MV A Caucus meeting on February 6th. The 9 hr. Leadership Trainingon January 30th and 31 st is also FREE for ALL CARNEGIE COMMUNITY CENTRE members.

Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at 06:00 PM Holy Trinity Cathedral Hall in New Westminster, BCTransit ForumThe Metro Vancouver Alliance invites you and members of your community to our first transit forum. We'll bediscussing the upcoming transit and transportation plebiscite and working in groups to build relationships in thecommunity and develop strategies to campaign. It's important to everyone in the region that this referendum pass-es. Transit service is suffering and this is our opportunity for increased funding.

Friday, January 30,2015 at 07:00 PM through January 31 Capilano University Library in North Vancouver, BCLeadership TrainingNote: 1 evening plus 1 day training takes place Friday Jan 30, 7 to 9 PM & Saturday Jan 31 9:30am- 3:30pm.The training is for those who share an interest in strengthening civil society and working together for the commongood. Part of the training experience will be working with other community leaders from diverse institutions onthe universals of broad based community organizing. This is FREE FOR ALL CARNEGIE COMMUNITYCENTRE members. Lunch is provided on Saturday. RSVP at: http://metvanalliance.nationbuilder.com

RSVP on the website http://metvanalliance.nationbuilder.com to attend anyone of these Team meetings. Becauseof the time commitment we suggest you pick just one Team to serve on. Full descriptions are on the website.

Wednesday, February 04, 2015 at 06:30 PM Gordon Neighbourhood House in Vancouver, BCTransit Team MeetingThe transit team will be working on a campaign to encourage people to Tote to pass the transit referendum; advo-cating for affordable transit in the region for all; and organizing MV A forums (first one is Jan. 27 - see noteabove) on transportation issues before and after the referendum. The transit team meets Wednesdays as often asneeded during the transit referendum campaign and monthly thereafter.

Thursday, February 05, 2015 at 07:00 PM Gordon Neighborhood House in Vancouver, BCPoverty Team MeetingThe Poverty Team meets the first Thursday of every month to work on MV A's poverty campaign, and to ensureVancouver's municipal government lives up to their commitment to make Vancouver a living wage city.

Thursday, February 12,2015 at 06:30 PM St. Augustine's Church in Vancouver, BC, CanadaHousing Team MeetingThe team will be working on ways to support MVA's housing campaign and hold Vancouver's municipal govern-ment to their commitments to a) making covenants a component in all new developments, and b) strengthening,enforcing and extending by-laws which ensure decent standards of maintenance and protect tenants from reno-victions. The housing team meets the 2nd Thursday of the month.

MVA DTES Caucus (4 meetings per year):DTES members of the MVA will meet again on Friday, February 6th at 6:30 pm at Jacob's Well (239 Main St.)Food provided, EVERY MEMBER OF CARNEGIE COMMUNITY CENTRE is invited to attend. Please RSVPto Pat McSh~rry, Board Member, 604 687 6844 or patmcsherry@telus.net because Jacob's Well needs to knownumbers fer the food. Also, I will send you the notes from the last 2 meetings.

The RITUAL of a Single YearSo another year has come and gone they seem to getshorter am I right or am I wrong the seasons changealmost as much as the landscape, premature blueshave me 'in a bind' I watch streets get rearranged as Islowly lose my mind from the bottom to the top thereis no escape, the Progress Enforcement Committeecan make us bleed but we won't cry every fist thrownat us is just another reason why we the poor will sur-vive your abuse, like laying the groundwork betweenyour teeth for a new set of lies yet to come all povertypeople shall reignite the fires that meld us into oneyour selfishist ways will I hope be of no use, each newyear we are told of good things to come but the onlychanges we see is in your income while minimumwage lifers pay more for less, another year of beingtold what is best for us I'd rather be out walking thanwaiting half an hour for a fully-packed bus there areonly so many truths I can confess, soon the rich willhave their unsecret service police force full of bravadobrutality and their sworn loyalty to only use deadlyforce just asking for directions will be punishable bydeath, They will claim the universe is their very ownbackyard going for a night time walk by yourselfcould be more than a little dangerous catching allthose itchy trigger fingers off guard could make quitea mess, dilapidated buildings will be our new play-grounds with special rooms from which there can becrying & screaming but outside you won't hear asound such unknown pleasures we will have plenty tofill upAt QuickEndings 'R Us there will be a wide assort-ment from which to choose soon being outside whenthe sun is out might be a serious crime, like an Emo-tion Disaster Area with $30 an hour workers standingall around no work being done cuz they drink theircoffee by the pound time flies when nothing produc-tive is deemed ajob well done, look up then down 'inthe sky why it's Superstition Man avoiding any dis-tress 'It's a new year and he has other plans like onlylooking after Number OneIf 20 15 is the year this planet explodes do not feel badour stories let alone this universe will continue to un-fold we are curious creatures of habits just waiting tobegin again, so I will shed not a single tear as for eve-ryone else I beg of you to find it in your hearts to atleast try to have a good new year & avoid activitiesthat coerce mass depression I truly hope that your be-

ginnings come complete with a very far off yet enjoy-able end.

By ROBERT McGILLIVRA Y"Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body."

-Sir Richard Steele

Review: Who Stole the Spirit of the Carnegie- Christmas Edition.

This play was originally part of the Heart of the CityFestival. I couldn't see it at that time, so I was thrilledto hear that an encore would be presented on Christ-mas Eve with a Christmas twist, written by authorslim Dewar and Adrienne McCaIIum.

The play is written in a 1950's detective style, thinkMickey Spillane or Ross MacDonald. The detective -Nick Grant played with gusto by Mike McNeeley -wanders through the various rooms and departmentsof the Carnegie Centre looking for a woman whosepicture he has seen. The action of the play is set up bythe narrator off stage with the action and dialogue tak-ing place on stage. We visit the weight room, the poolroom, the art room, a hilarious board meeting whichcaptures exactly how boring these meetings can reallybe, as well as other nooks and crannies of our belovedCarnegie. '

A number of scenes had me busting a gut laughing .•Especially the scene where Nick Grant tries to order acheeseburger from the cafeteria on a day not Tuesday!Christmas eve being on a Thursday last year this wasimpossible, as any Carnegie regular would know.There were lots of jokes for Camegie regulars like

the scene about the fast elevator, where the unfortu-nate Nick has a run in with some locals, trips to thesmoking patio with a mooching Alfredo Hastings andother inside jokes that had members of the audiencefalling off their chairs (although it was Christmas eveso there may have been another cause.)The narrator was an important part of the production,

and Roger Stuart kept things moving along at a goodpace and provided a number of laughs.

The actors seemed to be enjoying themselves whichwent a long way toward making the audience enjoythemselves too.I think the play should be a regular production at the

Camegie theatre. The script is great & with a bit morerehearsal this little gem could really shine. I reallyenjoyed it! I hope they can do it again.

By 10 McRobb

CLUNK~N£w YcAR- cltes 2015

~R.i GETTING- P£OPI.~-(0 I.AU6H IN TH'S~I''''t.yIr1PoV£R,s"'£Il,NEJ6H8oURHOO'D.

"SNIFFL£

W~M£NTRANSFORMNGC TES.~g

IWomen Transforming Cities (WTC) is an organisation ofwomen, girls & allies working together to make our citieswork for everyone. In pulling together over 20 Cafes inneighbourhoods across the Lower Mainland, we haveheard the key priorities for women & girls living in cities.

We have learned, with our community partners, eventparticipants, and through our national conference that citiesmust put an equity/intersectionallens on their policies,programs & finances. Our goal is to transform our citiesthrough community engagement, inclusive policies andequitable representation.Intersectionality: Another word for equity & diversity.When we talk about equity & intersectionality in policy-

making, we are talking about recognising women & girls asa diverse group who have distinct & varying needs.(we are& we do.) For example, policies may impact women & girlsdifferently based on their education, age, race, income,class, immigration status, ability or sexual orientation. Thisbroad framework is needed for policy development &evaluation. Data must be collected that reflects the diversityof women & girls and their needs.Aboriginal initiatives: Transforming the experiences ofAboriginal women & girls.

Require leaders & all those who interact & work directly orindirectly with Aboriginal women & girls to develop culturallysafe approaches to services. Review the core fundingrequirements of services specifically for Aboriginal women& girls and enhance their compatibility with Aboriginalapproaches to social development strategies. Ensurefunding requirements emphasize program sustainability.Award grants to increase the number of culture, community

. identity & capacity building projects that are run byAboriginal women & girls.Environment: Make 'green' work for everyone.

Green initiatives such as recycling, composting, buyinglocal & reducing energy consumption are important to theearth & future generations. In the home much f the 'green'work is done by women & girls. Out in the community the

interests of women & girls are often overlooked. Create'Green' policies that include all women's work & responsi-blities. Increase women's & girls' access to recreation &community centres & playing fields, including dedicatedspaces & programs.Immigrant women: Strengthening the commitment todiversity & inclusiveness for newcomer women& girls.

Having access to essential socia services is crucial toensuring the safety & well-being of non-status, refugee &immigrant girls & women. Make Vancouver a SanctuaryCity for all women & girls regardless of immigration status.Appoint an advocate to highlight important issues &solutions for newcomers & engage their participation in thedecision-making process.Violence against women & girls must stop. Zero tolerance.

Vancouver is known internationally for the prevalence ofviolence against women, particularly against Aboriginalwomen. Anti-violence policies & programs are criticallyneeded to keep women & girls of all ages safe.Adequate, affordable housing. A basic right.

Generate a housing strategy that addresses the distinctive& diverse housing & homeless circumstances of women &girls, such as vulnerability to violence, income inequality &family responsibilities. Implement sustainable low-incomehousing options thaffocus on women and children Requestthat federal & provincial governments reinvest resourcestoward housing strategy development & housing supply &maintenance with a focus on supporting the diversehousing needs of women & girls.There is much more to learn, discuss and work to

implement; areas like transit, quality & affordable childcare,wages, work & the fostering of young women in working forchange. Womentransformingcities.org is a good place toget involved.

THIS NEWSLETIER IS A PUBLICATION OF THECARNEGIE COMMUNITY CENTRE ASSOCIATION

Articles represent the views of individualcontributors and not of the Association.

•

WANTEDArtwork for the Carnegie Newsletter

Small illustrations to accompany articles and poetry.Cover art - Max size: 17cm(6 %")wide x 15cm(6')high.Subject matter pertaining to issues relevant to theDowntown Eastside, but all work considered.Black & White printing only.Size restrictions apply (i.e. if your piece is too large,it will be reduced and/or cropped to fit).All artists will receive credit for their work.Originals will be returned to the artist after beingcopied for publication.Remuneration: Carnegie Volunteer Tickets

Please make submissions to Paul Taylor, Editor.The editor can edit for clarity, format & brevity,but not at the expense of the writer's message.

•••••••••

COMPUTER ADVICE ,Vancouver Community NetworkCost-effective computer & IT support for non-profitsVCN Tech Team http://techteam.vcn.bc.caCall 778·724-0826 ext2. 705-333 Terminal Ave, Van

(Publication is possible only withnow·necessary donations.)DONATIONS 2015Terry & Savannah ·$100 Michele C.-$100Leslie S.-$100 Bob & Muggs -$100Catherine C.-$100 Glenn B.-$200Vancouver Moving Theatre -$100Harold & Sharron 0.-$100 Usa -$50Michael C.-$100 Eleanor B.-$50Cindy L.-$200

~~~~~~~-~:~~0~;-'~~~rWe acknowledge that Carnegie Communi~ Centre: and ~<~~=J"Never doubt that a small group ofthoughtfulcommitted citizens can change the world. Indeed,it is the only thing that ever has." -Margaret Meade

Next issue: SUBMISSION DEADLINE

THURSDAY JANUARY 29TH

Jenny Wai Ching Kwan MLAWOrking for You

'1070 - 1641 Commercial Dr, V5L 3Y3Pbooe;004-775-0790

WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION• .AIDS• POVERTY• HOMELESSNESS• VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN• TOTALITARIAN CAPITALISM• IGNORANCE and SUSTAINED FEAR

Vancouver'snon-commercial,listener supportedcommunity station.