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NEWSLETTER 401 M a ~ n S t r e d Vancouver V6A

2l7 (604) 665-2289

MARCH 15,2003

'l'hcse women were nominated for the 100 Wonderful Women Award. In rmognition ol'lhc inspiring work and contribution they have made in and around the Ihwntown 1:astsidc Community. Thank you no~riincesfhr the $0 many ways you are inspiring to our community. Nominms attended an evening of entertainment, hod. and presentation event at C'arnccie - Centre on Inlcrnational Women's Day March 8, 2003. -

Denise Herara

Debbie Fenson

Karen Reid

Ruth McGibbon

Marie Raker

Sue I3luc

Julia Mark

Carol Martin

Felicity Dawn

10.

Susan Gordon

I I.

Charlie Ikschamp

12.

Sister Elizabeth Kelliher

14.

llaedy Mason

15.

Ilebbie Miller

18.

Tcny Brewer (deceased)

16.

17.

DonnaWilliams

Miranda Mallinson

19.

Women of Crabtree Corner Daycare

22.

Ada Dennis

25.

Joyce Morgan

20.

Bridge I lousing Society for Women

2 1.

Women of Portland 1 lotel Society

23.

Ann Suddaby

24.

Ruth Wright

26.

Nicole pasquino

27.

Dawn Patterson

30.

Dr. Sue Burgess

28.

Myrna Walkis

29.

Jessica Abel

3 1.

Ann Ihingston

32.

Marguerite 7'.

33.

Florence Grwn

34.

Betty Williams

35.

Mavis Brass

36.

Moira 1)enman

37.

Liz Evans

38.

June Rose

39.

Victoria Rull

42.

Peggy Wikon

45.

Farah Jamal

48.

1:awnNgo

5 1.

Sara livaris

54.

Margaret Prevost

Catrions Moore

40. 43.

Valencia Bird Mary Ann Cantillon

41.

--.

44.

Audreytlill I

1,aurie Robertson I

47.

Kathy I

49.

Rebecca Kobbins

50.

Kelly Price I

53.

Irene Loughlin I

55.

Muggs Sigurgeirson

56.

Marilyn Tsinnegie I

58.

Jacquie Cannon

59.

Irene Schmidt

60.

I)om Sanders

6 1.

Shannon Stevens

62.

Sue Ihggan

6.3.

('orinthian ('lark

64.

Gail Howen

65.

1,orraine I,aMar-re

66.

I)ixie Vance

67.

Ahjahla Nelson

68.

Gens Thompson

I'hillipa Ryan

Collwn (iorrie

73.

Savannah Walling

I 76.

Jane ('anieron

74.

1 77. 80.

Joan Morelli

13arb (iray Sandy MacKcigan

83.

I3onnie st even^

Sharon Krawtz

85.

Iklanye Azarael

Luha Joli~coeur

Katherina ('hcng

4 .

95.

Susan Sopcr

Yvette Y ardanotT

1 00.

l ' i lBny Anderson

75.

I 78.

Teresa Fennema

98.

Diane Brown

101.

l.isa David

(

93.

I.ucy Alderson

Ingrid Mendez de ( ruz

h~;l,~;;,Au\tr~a

1 YO

I -- -

(

I'aula Potter

1 ::

Iliane Wood

Karenra Wall

Marlene I rich

81 .

7.ola Novah

Pauline Johnson

I 03.

7-lore 31 lciwhwlin\ - -

70.

Mary Hrogan

Happy International Women's Day

I ) Y esterday, the 1 lospitat 1Jmployccs' I lnion released a study written by ('C'I'A researcl~asstxiate and board rnember Marjorie (i ri f'fin ('ohen entitled

IN' is not meeting its obligations to worncr) urrdcr international human rights law. 'l'hat was the clear message ofthe Ilnited Nations C'orrmritteu orr tl~c t:limiiration of Discrirninatioil Against Womerr I r l comments issued last week in New Yorh ('it)--~ust in time for lr~terndtionalWornen's Day (March 8 ) . 'l'he I J N (.'ommiltee singled out the provirrce of l3ritisli Columbia f'or criticisrrr in its review 01 ('anada's compliance with the llnited Nations ('vtlv~,n~io on n flre L'liminu~ionof All l.i)rrn\ / I / ~ ) ~ . ~ c ~ r ~ t ? i. i~t ~ l ~U~IlIiJ Iof,it\)~ tI ? w t(~( '1 .I )A w/ '1 11e C'ornniittee is concerned about the di\proport io,~atel j negative impact on women and girls of' a rrur~rher01 recent changus in Hritish ('olumbia. includirig: fundirrg cuts to legal aid and welfare assistance; narrowed eligibility rules b r weltire; the elimination of the tieestiinding Ministry of Women's !:quality; the ahtr lition of the indepcrrdent t lurnan Rights ('o~nrrri\\~or~ the closing ol'a number of'courthouses; cut\ I r l support programs li~rvictims ofdorncsric violence; arrd proposed changes regarding prosccutior~i n ca\c\ of donrestic violence. I'he c.'onimittee recomn~endsthat the IN' (Iovcrllmerit ~.hangethese labs and pcdicies i n order to elinrir~~ite the discrimina~orjinipact oil N O I I I C I I

"Destroying I'ay Equity: The effects of privatizing health care in British Columbia." As

the title suggests, the study Itxks at how the contracting out of hospital work (jobs held mostly by women) sets pay cquity gains back 30 years. The tidl sludy can be fi)und at: www.heu.org/ There was a filll page in the Saturdaq l i ~ t i ~ ' o u Sloi ~ ' ~ 'detiii t. ling rcsults of this study arrd giving f ( ~ u to s women in this proviirce on what ('amphell's controllers want.

singles out RC Government on women's rights

The CEDA W ('ommittee reviewed Canada's 5th Report on its compliance with the ( 'otiviwlir,n oti lhc Eliminulion of!IXscriminulion Aguirisl Won'c~ti

during its 28th session, held in New York ci;y from January 13 to January 3 1. Canada ratified the ('otivention in 198 1 , ohligating federal, pro\ incial and territorial governments to comply with its terms and to report on their compliance every four years. Their concluding comments, which are the endprcduct of the review, provide the Committee's assessment ofCanada9scurrent performance in satisfLing the terms of the treaty. 13C is the only province targeted for specifit: criticism. But the Committee also finds that Can;ida overall is not living up to its ohligations to bornen. In questioning Canadian representatives during the day-long session devoted to the review of Canada on January 23rd. Committee members repeatedly expressed shock about the high poverty rates of Canadian women. In a country as wealthy as Canada, poverty rates of 54 per cent for single mothers, 43 per cent for Aboriginal women, 37 per cent for women of colour, and 48 per cent for women who are recent immigrants were found to be unacceptable. Given the fact of women's vulnerability to poverty and their overall economic inequality in ('anada, Committee members were concerned that government cuts to social programs are deepening women's social and economic vulnerability, since these cuts eliminate women's good johs, increase wornen's burden of unpaid work, and make women less able to leave abusive relationships. The Committee was also trouhled by the absence of any institutional mechanism that would ensure governments observe international human rights norms across Canadian jurisdictions. While clearly holding each government responsible for meeting these obligations within its own jurisdiction, the (hmmittee also holds the federal government responsible for ensuring that the provinces arid territories do not introduce measures that drive women's conditions hclow treaty standar(]s, as H(' has done. The ('ommittee thus criticizes the federal government for backing away from attaching conditions to the transfer of filnds to the provinces, recomniending that the federal government reconsider change made

in the 1905 Ilrrtlxcr Itril)lc~mc~ti~i~~iorl .4c.1 repealing national standards Ihr social assistance and some social services. and ending the targeting of'transfkrs to particular social programs. 'l'he ('ommittee rcconiniends that the federal government re-establish national standards to ensure that commitments to women's equality are niet across the country. The ('ornmittee's deliher;itions were wide-ranging and a number of other recommendations fbr government action were made: Accelcration ofe1ti)rts to eliminate discrimination against Ahoriginal women: provision of sufficient legal aid t i d i n g fhr civil and frimily law matters; elimination of sex discrimination from the Immigrtrlioti c r t d Re/irxc,cl I'rolclcviot~ Ac.1; change the terms ofthe I .ive-In ('aregiver I'rogram; provision of adequate fi~ndingto women's crisis centres and shelters; adoption of measures to hring women out of non-standard employment and into secure jobs; expansion ofafkrdahle child care; reconsideration ofeligihility rules fhr Employment Insurance; assurance of access fbr vulnerahlc women to social housing; increasing women's representation in political arid public life; and assistance to victims of human trafficking. The IN' Government and the federal government have igiored their international human rights commitments to women. l'hey have cut social programs and social protections that are essential to ~anadian women's enjoyment of their rights to equal social and economic citizenship. In unmistakable terms. the IJN expert htxly on discrimination against women has recommended that current patterns of women's social and economic inequality he reversed. We should expcct our governnients lo move women forward, not hackward: the international community certainly docs. I3y Sheli~ghI h y and Margot Young

Shcdtr~hDig' i.s t r 1)itwlor.c f l h ~ ,p o ~ ~ c ~trritl r g Ilimrt~tl ~ Kighrs I'rojcc~.h f u r ~ o llimncqc-urr.~vil!)'holds lhc' Wtrllcr O u w ~( 'hoir in I'rrhlic. /,ow (11 /hc I lnivc~rsi?'(!/ Rrilish ('ol~nihiir.Roll1 1)cl.v uml )i)lrrlg tlrcl H P S L ~ ~ J ~ . ~ ~4sso~~it11c~s w i ~ h/he, ('utitrdim ( ' ~ v w c , / i )Ir' o I i ~ : ~ ' Allc~rni~riws, utitl holh h~dpcd10 wrilc' lhc .srrhnli.~~iOtl m& hy 12 /I( ' uonic~i:s or,q~~t11z[j/jotr,s 10 /he11 hdc'd Nulions ('b.'l):l W ('onitnillc~~.

N e w tiom the I .ibrary

..ls nVecelebr~teInternutionul Ni)mcn'.s Duy, the following works br- writers in our mi& in the Downtown Eustside ure nwrth hrugging ubour! denotes uurhor hu.5 other tic'les uvuilublr)

Anderson, K a y .I Va~icouver'sChinatown ( I09 I) Ihxter, Sheila l k i h r !he V%I~_UI~ .( 1991) * Henoit, Cecilia Marginalized voices o f the [)owntown Ikdside (7-(101 ) Currie, Sue.. .(with 1)EYAS) Assessing the violencc against strccl wonwn ( 1905) Daum, Kimhcrly (with D E Y A S ) A cast ofContradiction( 1997)' Downtown Eastsicle Women's Writing Group Gadd Maxine I ost I m g i r a g (1982)

E!LI~IS !)f' Kc@ ( !007)

- -

Itter, Carole Whistle Daughtcr W h M e ( 1982)* Kimberly, Laurel &stings and Main ( 1087) Lau, Evelyn Runaway: Diary o f a Street K i d ( l980)* I x e , .loAnne Sttidy on 1 lo~isi!lgNeeds ~f~SSlr..\k*ier~ !I!the I_)c_!\1.711o_u1ll_astsi?e ( I()XO) Marlatt, Daphne O ~ e f i i n yl h ~ ( 1979) s * Swanson, Jean Poor f3ashing: The Politics o f txclusiqn ( 2 0 0 1 ) WcnKlsworth, Ellen. ..It's time women speak out: for wages and hcwseworh ( 1987 International Women's Day ( 8 March) is an occasion marked h!' wonien's groups around the u o r l d Ihi\ dare is also conirnenwrated at [he IJnitcd Nations and is designated in many countries as a National holiday. Whcn women 011 all continents, oftcn divided by national boundaries arid by ethnic, linguistic. cultural. euorlorr~icand political ditTerences, come together to celebrate their I)ay. they can look back to a tradition that represent\ at least nine decades of struggle fbr eqt~ality,justice, peace and development.. International Women's I h y ir the story o l ' o r d i ~ l a rwonieli ~ as niahers o l ' l ~ i ~ t oi rt ~is: rooted i n the ca:turies-old struggle of uonlcrl to participate in society o n an equal footing with Inen Mary Ann, your l~hrarian

Recall Point Grey Comments? Concerns? Contacl Jenny

H'ai (%ring Kwan, MLA

will begin collecting signatures in its bid to oust Premier Gordon Campbell on Friday, Mar 14. The group will open its campaign headquarters at 2668 West 4th at noon. Elections BC documents authorizing the recall campaign will be delivered Thursday March 13, giving the group until May 12 to collect more than 14,000 signatures in its bid to ~rnseatthe premier. Campaign workers will begin canvassing the Point Grey riding almost immediately. ITo Volunteer: 604-2 16-02321

We art. p r o ~ ~todilllrlotlllce M i k e as our V o l t ~ n t ~ corf the Year! ('arncgic is liominilting Mike to Volr~ntccr

I l p to 15 million people on five continents marched on 1:cbruary 15 to oppose war on Iraq. In fact, the media have dubbed the people ofthe world the 'other superpower'. We must keep up the momentum at this crucial time, so please help by circulating this announcement as broadly as possible.

Join us for

ANOTHER INTERNATIONAL

DAY OF ACTION To Say :

"No to War on Iraq" &

Peace and Justice in the Middle East

Saturday March 15th

<;ather 12:W p.m. library Square 1.30 p.m. Rally at Vancouver Art Gallerv

Speakers: David Suzuki and Others. MIISIC' For information o r to join the coalition e-mail <iremac(a!shaw.ca> o r phone 604 737-1299 or 604 687 3223. http://stopwar.ca

.. 1here have been 10,000 review forms returned. 4000 forms have not been returned yet. Ihere are 6000 new applications that are also being Itwked at. 'l'he 4000 people who habe not returned their forllr\ w i l l be contacted by ministry employees by phone or by horne visit.. There is no Mar. 15 deadline because they have their benefits until June I5 and they can reapply fiw benefits any time befbre the end o f June. t i e said the ministry funds advocates acro\s the province to help people with their forms. The nrinistry changed the definition of'disabled to be in line with human rights case law. C'M' asked why, i f t h e IN311 designation was permanent. why did they not just grandfather people who already had disability benefits. t i e said that there are 3-5000 people who are on continuous benefits who come and go off'benefits. l l e said that with medicine and operations some people lose their disability. ('BC' asked him what his goal was with the rea\\essment. l l e said that i t uas 10 make sure benefits are sustainable and that there is a fair. opcn prow\\ ('RC' asked how much money was saved. l i e said there has been a 7% increase in those applying arrd receiving their stat us. And that they had made it easier li)r people with disabilities to work part-tirrrc. C'M' asked about people with disabilities bcirrg anxious and scared by the reassessment prtce\\. M u r r a j ('oell said they had a g(xd response irr that they had 16,000 fhrms that "bey were prtxessing ( 10.00d returned + 6000 new applications) and that they were going to make contacts with all the people who hadn't returned the firms. That tney wanted to make sure people who need the money get the money, and that those who are able lo work. rhat they assist them as well. l'he above notes are only fi)r your general infiwnration. do not quote from them as there may be wme inaccui-acies in the wording. Ilowever, the rrunlher\ given r re all correct.

Pretend

I'retend you've got it made in a leaden shade and that you've no worries; there's no hurry, Pretend the wind's blowing at your back Make believe you're here.. you're where it's at. I n an unreal world i t can be hot or cold In the scheme of things you're either young or old I f t h e sun's not shining it's dark and you're s t ~ ~ c k e n At the bottom oftlie bos it ain't ea\y pichin's I'retend the dance o f your lik w i l l never ever end .lust wish to receive what the Angels w i l l send tlave you ever cared Ibr a fallen kitten'? O r Itmked up and become suddenly smitten'?

1'0tour the stars of an open and shining mind 1'0 scale mountains belbre your desires decline When firccs combine to create a hopeless despair I m p up, mount I'egasus, float on air.

I f you don't care to play this simple game o f pretend or would rather chase the Tale without end I recommend a trick to cure your lingering malaise 'l'ake a deep long breath and lay down in a soft hazc.

Bottleworld

Kobyn

'I'hings get weird and twisted I'aces out or' fixus I.ots ol'weird ass chaos N o real rhy me or reason Strangeness is in season At home and everywhere when you live in l3ottleworld 13oltleworld, oh 13otlleworld 1,iltle Ilappy I'lacc I,cxked inside your mind Magical i t seenis yet it's all lictiori In a dark and narrow space Alone with your only lricnd and love A H 1:vil Spirit you call Addiction ()dd and wonderous Are the hces of it's I h n o n s Memories lost or shilted You're in a new 1)irnension now l'ormerited you know not why or how ('ontilsio~iis your companion When you live in 13ottlcworld Lola Novak

when the needled limbs Iolt and blonde grass-lieads move like flan~es I am live and grasshoppers clack snapping their hot wings near my eye and 1 am five and breathing the body smell ol'tliis placc the skin of ti-uit-warm cedar. while adolescent pines wrestle the wind; 'l'hey know everything but I am tive and don't know that this burning inside is loneliness

A Battle Won ['This came in just before publication of the March 1 issue but there was no mom. Good W M ]

Back in March '99, John Ahn bought the Empress Hotel (235 East Hasting). It took less than a month before the tenants were complaining about the new owners. By June, DERA had helped the tenants take John to Arbitration about a dozen times, including a group action, for things like illegal rent increases, getting repairs done, restoring the maid service and so on. All of those were won. Tenants were also encouraged to call the City Insp ectors whenever needed. And it was needed. Lack of heat during the winter, one toilet for seven floors, dirty halls, no garbage removal. And it went on and on. And on. Well, it may be slow to take notice, but the City finally did last summer. The first we knew of the City's interest was when the City's Law Department called and asked if we had ever had any complaints about John Ahn and the Empress Hotel. One thing about paperwork, it piles up. And in John's case, we were able to provide the City of Vancouver with a lot of information. The file is seven inches thick with complaints about John. It was enough for the City to call John's business license into question. There have been hearings going on since last December. John must have realized the seriousness of the hearing because he actually went out and spent money on a lawyer. As a result of the final hearing on February 13th, John Ahn did not have his 2003 Business License renewed. In their decision City Council stated that it was because he has continuously failed to comply with the Residential Tenancy Act, failed to maintain clean and sanitary conditions, failed to maintain fixtures, equipment, fbrnishings and appliances in good repair, failed to maintain room temperatures as required, and failed to comply with life safety provisions of the Fire BY-law. Further, not only did they deny him a 2003 License but, to quote the decision, "shouldanyfirther business application he suhmitted to the City of Vancouver by Ahn (e Sons Holdings Ltd., or by its directors, C'houng Ho Ahn and/or .Jeong Hong Ahn, also known as John Ahn and Susan Ahn, to run a hotel or residential premises, that such application be referred to a City of Vancouver Business License Hearing Panel". You'll note that there's no time limit as to when John won't have to go to a hearing

to get a License. In order to keep the Empress open a third party has been hired at John's expense, to manage the property. That part of the decision ensures that the third party will have "control over receipt of rents and damage deposits, screening of lenants, cleaning and maintenance of the premises and hiring ofstaff lo the sati.faction ofthe Deputy C'hief License Inspector". The decision also states that "Ahn(e Sons Holdings Ltd., Choung Ho Ahn, Jeong Hong Ahn, also known as John Ahn and Susan Ahn, and other members of the Ahn family shall not have any involvement, direct or indirect, in the day to day operations ofthe hotel or any contact, direct or indirect, with tenants, residents or stafof the hoter'.

Almost four years have gone by. It's been a long battle, but it looks like John Ahn and his family have been effectively banned from managing residential property in Vancouver for life. And all because tenants fought back. Henry Dutka Community Legal Advocate, DERA PRIME TIME "We are proceeding with initiatives that are comprehensive and progressive, which are aimed at redresssing some of the hndamental problems confronting the poor. We've lowered the minimum wage. We've reduced the benefits of thousands on welfare, and eliminated any benefits to many others. We have passed-on these savings in the form of our highly popular tax-breaks. You asked about the economy? Well, it's growing. People are optimistic again. Thousands of jobs have been created. We are going to once again make this the great province it used to be. This government is working ceoperatively with business, and people are paying less in taxes. Yeah, that's too bad about the salmon, but we've got fish f a m -and that just goes to show you what freeenterprise can do once government gets out of the way. Yeah, but they are a minority. More people support us than are against us. We are a very open government and we consult and dialog with all groups in society. Oh! I got a 'close this now.' No more questions, please. WP have to get to our next meeting. Thank you." Ken Morrison

Carnegie Community Centre and Vancouver Moving Theatre have joined forces - with a host of other downtown eastside organizations, artists and residents - to create a Community Play about the whole downtown eastside. The Downtown Eastside Community Play will celebrate the history and peoples, the struggles and triumphs, the art forms and cultures of all the neighbourhoods (Chinatown, Main and Hastings, Gastown, Hogan's Alley, ~uk'luk'i Strathcona, and Japantown) that make up Vancouver's downtown eastside. This new and original play features a unique fusion of popular theatre styles and cultural traditions and will play to over 1000 people in eight perform ances at an historic location within the Downtown Eastside. Vancouver Moving Theatre (co-directed by Terry Hunter and Savannah Walling) will produce the play according to guidelines determined by Carnegie Community Centre; they will also help fundraise. The 2 % hour play is being specially written for the community by a team of four artists, who are talking to residents; listening to their stories and concerns; and researching historical events, issues and art forms that interest the community. The playbuilding process is guided by a dedicated core of experienced theatre professionals from a variety of cultural traditions. They will work together with a cast of up to 150 volunteers, plus hundreds of people - children, youths, adults, and seniors from all walks of life in the downtown eastside neighbourhoods - to create a work of art that expresses their community. Our community play is directed by Jimmy Tait (also co-writer), who directed and co-wrote the highly successful community play for Enderby, B.C. He brings with him experience and enthusiasm. The co-writers are Savannah Walling (also Artistic Director); Adrienne Wong (also Assistant Director) and Renae Morriseau. Marina Szijarto will design costumes, props, puppets and set. Stage manager Dorothy Jenkins (who worked on the Enderby community play) has agreed to join the production team. Terry Hunter will act as producer. The play will have lots of action, aims to be very accessible, uses popular theatre styles and includes lots of local allusions. The play will feature an unlimited number of characters for up to 150 actors, theatrical justification for crowds, opportunities for audience participation, and flexible staging (the simplest possible) that involves the audience as much as possible. The storyline and presentation style will incorporate issues, history and art forms that interest the residents, bringing local concerns to the surface while maintaining a positive feel about the community. The project reflects our mutual belief in the power of the arts in enriching people's lives, bridging social and cultural differences, and Pro viding avenues for personal and political expression, building creative capacity, beautifying and revitalizing.

The goal of Carnegie Community Centre and Vancouver Moving Theatre is to create exciting theatre and build new connections in a shared community experience that bridges historic DTES neighbourhoods. The twelve month process includes lots of special events and public workshops to generate popular support and community participation. Our Community Play project will utilize cultural development methodology throughout, involving hundreds of residents from the community working together with a small team of professional artists on every aspect of the play from research to acting, music, costume and prop making, set and staging, publicity, rehearsing, building, performing and production.

Working Schedule in 2003 Research play, write script, community outreach, build giant puppets + banners; Jan. July August. Assemble equipment and supplies, and organize rehearsals and building; Cast show, rehearsals, build masks, puppets, costumes, develop music Sept. - Oct. Rehearsals culminate in eight performances at a historic location in the DTES November Return equipment, store props, organize documentation, prepare reports. Dec. Feb.

A Wind is Rising in the Downtown Eastside

In order to write the play, We need your storie; and voices. Because this is about you! Tell us about the land and trees and animals, Ghosts and urban legends, The buildings and alleys, Our struggles and triumphs, Laughter and tears, Our heroes and heroines, The survivors. Your issues! Your concerns! Your hopes! And what gives you the courage To get up and keep going Rising up like a phoenix from the flames!

Share it with us! Witness it in the play!

Historic events and characters that we are seriously looking at: 1867: Gassy Jack arrives at Gastown; St,lmps' saw mill is in full production 1873: first brothel is opened by Birdie Stewart at Water and Abbot 1886: The Great Fire; Vancouver is incorporated; vote denied to Chinese and natives 1887: The arrival of the CPR 1903: Frank Rogers is killed by a CPR hired guard at Gore St. during UBRE strike 1907: Anti-Asian riot; imposition of first anti-drug law in North America 1935: The occupation of Carnegie by relief camp workers; the battle of Ballantyne Pier 1938: Bloody Sunday (post office strike) 1971 : Militant Moms vs the Northern Burlington

Other events I want to understand more about: 1868 :native chiefs of lower Fraser petition BC gov. against reduction of reserves 1884: passing of anti-potlatch law; head tax on Chinese (1885) 1888: laws make it illegal for natives to sell salmon commercially 1894: Fraser River flood backs up into False Creek (and pollution of False Creek) 1917: police Chief MacLennan and 9 year old boy are murdered by Robert Tait 1933: Bombing of the Royal Theatre 1942: relocation of Japanese Characters: Gassy Jack Deighton, his native wives, and his son nicknamed the "Earl of Granville" Birdie Stewart (opens first brothel) Georgia Sweeney (first teacher at Hastings Mill school) Josephine Sullivan, husband Philip, son Arthur (blacks who open Gastown businesses) Charles Montgomery Tate (Methodist preacher) Gregorio Fernandez (Portuguese grocer) Police chief John Steward (dismissed for taking protection fees from prostitutes 1903) Mr. Powell (property developer, Indian agent, initiated anti-potlatch laws and head tax) W.S. Gore George Keefer (CPR contractor in charge of slash burning crew that triggered Big Fire) Paula McCabe (former wife of US senator; prostitute, drug addict; dies 1921) Andrew Carnegie (personal details) Police Chief North (dismissed for taking protection fees from prostitutes) Yip and Nellie Gong, Vancouver's first inter-racial (Chinese) couple; she was midwife Mayor Gerry McGeer Mayor Lyle Telford Willis Shaparla Sites we want to learn more about: Native sites of Luk'luk'l and Kumkumalay (we think they were seasonal villages) and the ancient sweat ceremony site, located around the foot of Princess Street and overlooking old False Creek Hastings Mill, Dupont Street brothels, The Sing Kew Theatre; the Grand Theatre; Savoy Music Hall and the Pantages Theatre, Woodwards. Carnegie Library, The Fountain Chapel (Jackson and Prior), Hogan's Alley, Schara Tzedeck Synagogue, Ukrainian Hall, Strathcona School, Shanghai Alley Hobo Jungle on site of former dump (now Community Gardens) Cultural Groups we are aware of British Isles (arriving in l86O's-1880'~);Americans; Italians (arriving 1900's-1940's); Jews (since the gold rush); Negroes (since gold rush; big influx 1930's- 1940's); East Indians ( 1904-08); Ukrainians (early 1900's) Japanese (arrive 1870's); Chinese (since gold rush); Portuguese (since gold rush); Vietnamese (1970's ... ); ~candinavians;Russians; Yugoslavians; Hispanic (lots of Chilean benefits at Ukrainian Hall in 70's)

DOWN'I'OWN EASTSII)E Yorrrrrl

NEE1)I.E EXCIIANGE - 221 Main: 8:30am - 8pm every day N K K I I I , ~ KX('IIAN<;E VAN - 3 Routes: ('itv - 5:45pm - I I :45pm Overnipht - 12:30arn - 8:30am Downtown Eastside - 5:30pm - I :30am

2003 1)ONA'I'IONS

L i b b y I).-$60 b r r y for S~III H.-$50 E:\e I<.-$I X Nancy tl.$30 Margaret 11.-$25 l l u l d a I<.-$5 V a l A.618 W m H-$10 M a r y (1-$50 I'auIa K-$ I5 H o l f A.-$55 Bruce J.-$50 BCTF-$I 0 Wes K.-$15 Charlcy I&$5 Hay<'an~-$25(;ram -$I00 I'adcly -$50 Sarah K.-$ I0 Charles F.-$5 Hoscmary 2.-$20 Joanna N.-$20 Jenny K.-$ I(I Nancy C.-$25 (;len B.-$75 t+nny (i.-$20 1.i~S.$5 Cclcste W.$30 Sandy <'.$20 Ellen W.-$150 .lim (;.-$I50 Allonymoua -$7

Submission Deadline for next issue: Thursday, March 27

Welfare problems; Landlord disputes; Housing problems;

The Latin American Society In Action People have been coming to Canada from 1,atin An~cricufor many years. 'They come as immigrants and refugees, as there is rnuch unemployment, poverty and oppression in 1,atin America. Since the heginning o f Vancouver, the Oowntown fastside has heen a community where people from rnany di flieren1 countries have settled to start a new life. A small group o f people, including (iustavo Carcuz, Ijyron ('ruz. and f i o d o l h Marroquin realized that an organization fix 1,atino people i n the I h w n t o w n l'astside was needed iftheir voices were going to be heard by those with power. 'l'hey kncw how diflicult it was to lind a decent job at a decent wage, especially fix a pcrson who did not speak English well. 'l'hcy kncw that more housing was needed i n the [)owntown ICastsidc. 'l'hey knew that people needed more infbrrnation about how to survive in a d i f i r e n t culture. 'l'hey undcrsttxxi the need for leadership and they knew that people standing together are much stronger than a person standing alone. 'l'his I.atino group was part o f Community Ilirections and it worked with other groups to build a stronger co~nmunity. It became known as the 1,atin American Working Group. I n 200 1, this 1.atino group got six apartments h r I,at in American people i n the Downtown Eastside. I n I)ecember, 200 1, the group went to see Partners t lelp (I'tJAC'I 1). .l'he li)r 1:conomic And ('on~~nunity group had a proposal fior a I.atino Residents' Association, and I'tSA<'I I gave them a grant to help them get started. I n April, 2002, the I,atino group organized a public meeting at C'ornniunity Directions to discuss the idea o f a I.atino Kesidents' Association. Only ten people came to this meeting. Then i n May, 2002, the 1,atino group organized a strong campaign to give inlbr~nation to people about a possible 1.atino Kesidents' Asstxiation. O n M a y 3 1, another meeting was held at the 1:ranciscan Sisters to give people a chance to talk about comtnunity needs, and to select an interim organizing committee fbr the development o f a fortnal Stxiety. About Ibrty-five people showed up. a huge improvement from the April meeting. I n early July, 2002, the members o f the interiln committee attended a retreat on I3owen Island to work on the ob.jcctives o f t l i e new residents' associa-

tion, and in Octoher, 2002, the 1.atino group otlicially hecame "'['he [.atin Anicrica~iSociety In Action". 'l'he Latin American Society I n Action supported the Wodward's Squat, and donated finxi to the people living there. It worked with First Nations people to sponsor a Friendship b a y at Oppenheimer I'ark. I t helped to orgiinize two very successlid C'ommunity Iiealth Fairs. It continues to work for more decent, affordable housing. It's also thinking o f starting a soccer team i n the neighhourhocxl. The IA i n o group nieets every Monday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Community 1)irections. Everyone i n the I.atino community is welcome. As the Community IXrections ollice w i l l he closing at the end ol'March, the I.atitlo group is I t ~ ) k i n gfbr another place to meet. 1;veryone w i l l be infornied as scwn as a new place is Sound. Every Thursday fro1114:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. a l a t i n o group meets with (iustavo at the g4111 on the second floor o f Carnegie. The group plays soccer in the gym. so check it out i f you're interested! 'I'he I ~ t i n Stxiety o also holds stxial events to hring people together. The Christnias Party at Kay-Cam ('ooperat ive ('entrc (020 I f . t Iastings] i n 1)eccmber. 2002, was a wondzrful event. The Society is hoping to promote more h m i l y events at Kay ('am in the future. The 1,atin American Society I n Action i s still i n the prtxess o f organizing itselt: It hopes to increase leadership training and is planning fhr a I.alino 1)ropln Centre i n the 1)owntown 1:astsidc. It is beginning to estahlisli com~nittecsso niorc pcoplc can become involved in the running ol'thc Stxicty. It needs your support. 13y SANDY ('AMISKON

OUR STRUGGLE HAS No BORDER! f.i)r tttorc. it~fi~rtnntim cotttncr ( b h c t i w Oppostvi to Police Rrirtuli[~~ Chcou~~r ca, I:'ntail: copb- w t ( a ~esist. 7i.l.: (604) 682-3269 ust. 8.397

heat re workshops at Carnegie Kvcry Friday Aftcrnoon, 1 pni to 3 prn T h i r d floor.

< 'lawroom 1 2

[,earn to Act, 1)irect o r \5 rite a I'la) I%ecomePamiliar with t hc Y ut\ and Ilolt\ of l'heat r e - - cwfftv* w r ~ -~- d

ABOUT THE FOOL'S SOCIETY Since 1980. the Fcx)lls Society has played a key role

ill civic politics, prtducing tree, joyfully absurd events celebrating the cultural role ofthe Ftxd as honoured critic. transtijrrner, and salkty valvc. I n true service, I:cx)ls are apt to appear at the riiost solclnn o f occasions, to let out a nose-thumbing, pic-throw ing roar o f outrageous gloe. 'l'he 1:cn)ls have parodied the Olympics; been diving lbr dollars in the "I lltiniate I>~rrnpstcrI)iveU; connived with our gotxi Mayor to proclaim t'oolishness Weck; and sailed gaily off'as usual in the "Ship o f I:ools" to a new and bctter world. t3csides April lst, our roster ofthe c;~rnivalcsque includes the annual "Alice's Mad l'ea Party". and a till-time "Fei~stOf Fools" in the downtown core.

A LITTLE FOOLISH HISTORY

The 23rd Annual

FOOL'S DAY PARADE Sunday, M a r c h 30th at High Noon; Theme: T h e 'FOOL OF T H E Y E A R ' Contest (<:WlE AS 'tClJ11 FA\~C111il5FCCL). Stiltwalkers, giant puppets, & H u m a n Beings

/rv S/LL Y CQ5iU4Y/,=S gather at Noon beside the Aquatic Centre (1050 Reach, by the Big Tree) to parade the English f h y Seawall, led by the beloved Carnival Rand

M o r e info: www.fools-society.com, o r call (604) 444-MIJSE.

1:very 1:ool's Day, liwls o f a l l stripes rally thr a spring frolick at the [lsual Spot - to show oft'tlieir tix)lish finery, throw pies at old Sriends, arid reinvent tlic possible! Princes, potenlattws and b t x h niay exploit their li)olish talents o n this day, where o ~ i cis freely invited to "unleash your inner fool". 'l'his absurd and uniquely 'Vancouver' tradition is '.jusI a regular day'to promote h l l y as a vital ('anadianpractice. uguitt ... At lligh Noon, on Sunday, March 30th. tlic 'I'welityThird Annual f:ool's Day I'arnde w i l l be otl; wit t i its absurd assembly ofstiltwalkers, giant puppets, and t lunian I3eings In Silly ('ostunics fdlowing the Seawall to Ihglisli Hay, along with the rollicking music ol'tlie '('arnival I3and'. So doti't ??iissthe zmic*st cwJ?itof 'tlic~~ w ~ r !

1st Annual Heart of the City Parade and Street Party Sunday, April 27th

('Al.1, FOR PARTICIPANTS '1'0 celebrate the ('arncgic's 100th Anniversary on Sunday. April 27th. a I'AKA1)lS starts at 13 Noon. going tiom Victory Square to Mail1 & Iliistings. 'I'lic parade w i l l Iiavc giant p~ppcts.llo;~ts.stiltwalkcrs, t i istoric;iI p;ige;mtry f'Ton1 t he original Muscull1 C% I.ibrary, and lircworhs! Musicians w i l l includc native dr~rnimers,()Sawogi 'I'aiko. and I ' h c ('arnica1

13and. Ilat and costunw making workshops at Victory Square start at I 0 A.M. The entire day w i l l be a great S'I'Kll t:I' PAK'I'Y for the whole neighbourhotd. closing Ilastings Street to traffic fi)r several hours. and fbllowed by a fill1 day ofcvents in and around the building. The street will be fill1 o f l i v e music, dancing, arts & crafts displays. f i n d and snacks. and many performance stages.

HELP CREATE T H E PARADE! 'l'he "Ileart ofthe ('ity" parade is a great place to show your colours! ('osturne yourself as a character fiom 1)'l'l~S history (you could be one of('arncgie's Founding Fathers & Mothers), animate a giant puppet (the Phoenix. the 1)ragon. Jesse the I'mk, and more!), wear a mask, or carry a banner in the parade. Your group could create a whole ensemble of'rnagical, tintastic or historical characters from the 1)owntown f k t s i d e . I.txk fbr workshops at the ('arnegie and other Iwations right up to the day. "1,atinos tin Accion" w i l l be buildinp'<iigantes' puppets. kites. and pinatas; Bikeworks (at llnited We ('an) ;ire hosting a decorating workshop Ihr bikes. carts, wheelchairs and anything that rolls, and there w i l l be hat. costume and flag creation workshops fi)r all ages. '1'0 help out with the whole day's kstivit ies. call Sharon at (604) 665-2274. 1.0get involved in the parade. as a pertbrnier or Illaker. or to fitid out about workshops. call the l'aradc ('wrdinator. 1)an. at (604) 253 - 3207.

T h e following excerpts a r e from 7'hr l'uncwuver Province, Feh. 24.

"When Premier (iordon ('ampbell hired 3 0 deputy ministers in June 2001 following a nationwide hunt. he offered them record annual salaries of up to $203,000.. ." "Ile also threw in a little incentive package. M e c ~ certain performance standards and you get bonwxs ot'up to 10% of your pay .... "Deputy tluman Resources Mini.;ter Robin ('iceri was to get a $1 5.400 bonus if 4he reduced the growth rate in disability assistance by t u o per cent. As well as cut the number o f uelliire recipient\ by two per cent during her first year ... ." ('iceri.4 task was to cut the numbers - regardlws ol'dcmographics, eligibility or the economy. And she did! 'lhere were 123.000 fewer people on as\ist;tnce la\t I k c . I than when the 1,iberals ttwk oflice in Sune 2001. a 22 per cent drop. C'iceri's total u l a r y and borlus: $169,400. She was one o f only two deputy ministers to get full bonuses.... Dumpster divers in the Victoria region h i l l no doubt be relieved that she will not be competing with them for redeemable collectibles. I n the movie 'Ihe Assassination I3ureau. a secret club diligently wts about to eliminate unworthy people. M\. ('iceri ha\ combined this noteworthy endeavoirr \s it11 t he t irnehonoured ancient ('hinese torture o l death by a thousand cuts. Advocates at 1)15RA, First Ilnited. 'I he WornCrl's Centcr, The Kettle among other.; are doing their level best to stay one step ahend ($thew asw\sins. As deadlines for disability applications driiu near. ir is more urgent than ever to contact thew people it' you haven't already done so to make abvdutcly sure you have done everything you possibly can to get that level ofsupport. 1)on.t take no li)r an an\wer liom Ministry staft.. They've hccn told to deny everyone; Robin C'iceri's reputation i \ at stake. ' l o date. about 5000 people have yet to re-applk f t w Disability T w o t i m i n g the Mini\tcr to keep extending the deadline. lust bec;iuse they don't know what they're doing doesn't rnean the! can't knock you o f f if you let them. 1)on't let the ha\tard\ get you down! f%yI A N MacKAI

ilell burns with an icy blue flame Your teeth cllattcr Your fket R wet alla time Your h w t s chalk the red skin on your heels Your eyes sting with smoke Your lips H brittle 62 broken & automatically utter please's and thank-you's it'sl i me;i~ii~igless ~~. lor so niariy co1'fi.e~ KL ~ i t ~ i d w i ~ You take your clothes o f f Ibr doctors & lovers only when the alternative is worse Security guards remind you torment you taunt you You're lidlowed in stores by clerks with Xray eyes You can't rcn~cmberwliat's an apology 6i what's an alibi I:very tinic YOII notice the sky is lillirlg, someone calls you "chicken" 'l'he eyes in the backa your head wanna sleep You wake in the 'l'wilight %one with a scream power

I'ISS AI-I-IY Sliarnans arc doctors of'mystcry and witchcrafi I:nthrall you in spells on your careening life-raft Sail into Port on suggestive winds or arc carried by Angels o'er societal brine;

weapons high-tech trash

a cyber-age ~iigl~tnlare a reputation

Not in Piss Alley with shrieking sirens Not i n I'addywagoris o r jails o r courts I<ccovcringfiom Ilate I.aws which numb the sense I'crsuading only ' 1,ibcrals' o f 'gtmd governance' As Poor get ptwrcr and Rich niore disdained Sonic cniotions, like drugs, nlniost relieve pain .lust to set in niotion this cycle again.

think that t11ere is

Kings and Queens cnioycd luxuries 'l'hat supposedly made niorc human their pedigrees And sparked, through envy, loyalty. What miserable grandeur n~ugstiot'sas perversity '('ausc ( h o d ain't good, so f3ad is what you see.

what about yo11

Arid what good is poetry without a discerr~irigcar Ikrhaps a pull'would make i t clear Hut celibacy, asceticism, have roots deepcr tlian eyes that pccp at loaded men "Why Not?" It'd surely be good luck. but n o evil word shatters our spell. 'War in Iraq'?' O h well. 'l'his system ain't Ileaven, IT'S I1I:l.I ,!!

so i nlgtit not see you again

call attention t o it quickly think with a reason

i know

it's been too long a little conli~scd? i'll live in paris

verve and the wivcrsc jirst the way i am solneone Illat you knew but i said that i'ni not 1 0 lillh I ~ ~ c110' rCilsOI1 s

For many o f us. the week follou ing check i\$ue i \ a daily nightmare o f frustration, pain and powerle\\ness, as we cry to th Creator to bring our loved one\ thru another drug run safe and alive. 1 tell mywlf' I can't go thru this again, yet I know in my put\ I can't stop this dance of death where. like \he kid\' game o f rnusical chairs. we l o w or~othcrpersou every time the music stop\. I'wtry and prayen and tears and our own open arm\ don't wem to \top the game, even tho we have faith they w ~ l l N o glo\\j b(wh from I3anyen on y i r i t u a l ~ t can j rca\vlre u\. and we hnou you don't 4 i l L C atij hodj h ~ I I I ~aI I I tambourine and wrearnin "\irlner'" at them l3ut why can't we stop believing there'\ vmething we can do. When do we quit and say '.no, not again" or maybe the questior, is nr/lj, do we quit? ('an you stop loving the addict because the disappoinirnent and fear i s breaking your heart again and again'! You can't. Once you reali7e how much you love someone. you can't say "tx)ps, I made a mistake here" and tell yourself to stop. It's emotional constipation if you do. Can we just go "click" and turn the bolt i n the d m r and I t x k them out d o u r lives'! I t takes love to heal years ofabuse and addiction, the kind o f love and understanding a person w tio's lived that life themselves can give. unless we get \elfrighteous about our own recovery and condemn the addict for "not getting it". I l o w many of 11.; needed that first, second or third "wake up call"'? 'l'he threat o f dcath never scared me. I.ihe many OI.LI\ that hove lived thru suicide attempts. I've heard myself w y "I couldn't even get /hut right!"

comk"nity

Event calendar

A S of April I", 2003, &ps.or w i l l he bunching an interactive (.onllnunity i(vent calendar for the I)()wntc;wn [(astside, .Ibis calendar is another way for C()m~nuni ty lllcmbers to find out about what is h a ~ ~ n i around ng their ncighbourhcxd IfYW know about any upcoming events You can "lbnlit the inhrmntion online yourself! 11's fast and ""'Y A l l you have to do is go to: ~ . d t e s . c a

to the hottom ofthe page. and click on endar Event Submission Forrn

When I heard one ofthe friends I'd beer1 worried sick over say that last week. I was angry. becatrsc I wanted a promise I wouldn't tlavc to go ttiru thi\ tiell again. By leaving myself open to low thc addict, do I allow himher to steal my soul? .lewellery, V('K\, yeah, they can do that. A broken heart is like an unlocked door or an open window. Our role i\ to stand out of the way and allow a point of entry

Friday, March 2 1''

with the return of

? ,

1 ! !,,;

Alfredo Flores, Joanne Hamen, Ken Tobata & 1)avid Botten

a wiirili hrcntll of'n~usicalair fro111I.at i n A ~ i i c r i c a

T.----h i s is Joanne's last gig i n Vancouver be!i,rc

m d enjoy sonre 1ri.sh Culture ---:

--A

Monday M ; ~ r c l l 17'" (St Patrick's [)a\ !)

Fotos of' C':irncgic f d k in their teenaged days

1 . 1 ' . d r o p year 1 ,illlerich d f ; i t the I e a r n i n g Centre o r I,ihraly and w i n charlcc o f a prize fi-0111 T h e [)raw. ' I ' r a d i t i o n i ~Irish l 1)ancinp; A c ~ o r d i ~I)ald , ~ ~ I:icjcjle hlusic: Songs.Stories; I'ocnls alld marc.

K C ; / ~ C ~ . \ / I I ) I ~ , ~ I I . IYI Y I I

hc,p o ~ l i & ~ .

.. b

March I 5-April 12. 2003

'I'hird floor art gal Ierjl ((J.I~;I

O~CIIIII~

S,II

M;ircll I i (, ~ I I I \ '111 NCILOIIIC )

\ \ 1 1 1 ~,111dLIICCW prt