September 15, 2003

Disability Issues

UBC's President

Notes from the Library

In The Dumpster

Tribute to Harry

LifeSkills Centre

IN THE DUMPSTER

by mr. mcbinner

vanbinner@netscape.net

gringostarl .tripod.com

Greetings, fellow binners and binnerettes.

  I know I haven't been writing for a while but with all the crap in the world and my own, I just lost it for a while. I am aware, though, of most everything that has been happening down here.

  The main thing that bothers me is the Loft 6 shooting. I wonder if Shitty Hall is going to pay for the funerals of the innocent victims of this 4 a.m. tragedy? It should haunt Mayor Campbell all his miserable, cotton-picking life.

  Keeping clubs open till 4 a.m. is senseless and very dangerous to the public. There were b1nners and tourists -  not to mention homeless people - walking in the area of the shooting. A bullet went out the window and could've ricocheted and killed someone walking along the streets, including yours truly.

 "Educated men are as much superior to uneducated men as the living are to the dead." said Aristotle.  With this in mind, I cautiously refer to a letter [is s/he legitimately on about the 'slummers' disregard for residents' rights or seeking further gentrification?] and invitation going around by a person addressing    

"Residents of Gastown:

  In order to combat the situation I have been out actively recording a number of infractions in the by-laws and laws and combed through city hail and the province. I had spoken to Libby Davies and frantically called the Mayor's office predicting bloodshed in Gastown in the very near future the week before.

  The events of Loft Six was what I feared would ultimately happen. I had worked furiously to clear the congestion of cars due to Loft Six's Valet service for weeks on end. Cars were left in the middle of the road for five minutes or so resulting in a three car back up blocking access to ambulatory, police, and fire trucks. The police would clear cars when they could. City property was being used to park patrons' cars and the valet collected money for this and threatened and fought with Gastown patrons who tried to park their cars.

  . I feared pedestrians would have no where to run or be obstructed in fleeing from gun fire, not to mention the obstruction of police in an emergency crime situation. - This is one example of infractions of our laws in the area

If you or anyone you know may have documentation of incidents, Mr. Hamilton of Hammerberg Altman Beaton and Magllo has asked for these and yours at

this first meeting at Tellier Tower's common room, 16 East Hastings Street on Seotember the 15 at 7 pm Dera has graciously allowed us to use the room free of charge - I have asked the director of Dera to attend; he is well versed in the history of bars and related problems for residents in the area."

[The letter also asks for people to donate money to cover the lawyer's fee of $500 to do research and get input on strategy. Given the penchant of the Gastown Business or Merchants Association to always lump the 'undesirable'  locals in with any push or plan to clean up, it gets tiring and frustrating to attempt joint talks. Remember the "Carrall Street Corridor" when the hard-core class junkies got upset with all the social shit Dera and Carnegie wanted to deal with and called a press conference to demand that all funding be stopped for anything that helped the locals - housing, treatment, harm reduction....  We'll see, as the Mighty McBinner reports back.]

. Binners or assholes? - you be the judge. Where I live there are lots of people going through the bins; some are neat and quiet, while others are loud and messy. Some nights they make more noise than the trains and party-on-ers together - just plan rude.

It is comforting to know most of us b1nners have respect for our fellow D.E. neighbors.

  Got word from the neither world that Tom Lewis and Dave McConnell are now being managed by George Nicholas. They are to open soon at the next Bob Hope special. By the way, nice work on that story on Tom. Thanx D.W. for sharing..

May the bins be with you and hey' let's be careful out there.

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UBC's President wants to hear from you

UBC's President wants to hear from you

  On Friday September 19 from 2:30 to 4:00, Martha Piper, UBC's President, and Dennis Pavlich, UBC's Vice-President of External Affairs, will be at the UBC Learning Exchange at 121 Main Street. They want to get input from Downtown Eastside residents about how the university can build on the work that the Learning Exchange has done since opening its doors almost three years ago. If you are interested in having a say in how UBC should develop its programs in the community, come to the Learning Exchange at or before September 19 at 2:30 and sign up for a time with the President. Or you can sign up to take part in a later interview with the consultants who are coordinating UBC's efforts to get community input about the renewal of the strategic plan that gave rise to the Learning Exchange.

 The Learning Exchange currently provides free access to the Internet, the on-line resources of the UBC Library, and other computer resources to 40 to 50 local residents every weekday afternoon. The Learning Exchange has sponsored courses such as Music Appreciation 101, Entrepreneurship 101 and Self-Advocacy 101. Other courses such as Peer Mentorship for Women and Media 101 are being developed, in partnership with a variety of community organizations. Other educational events have also been held, including workshops on basic computer skills, four free musical performances each year, Friday night lectures and films, and talks by community development advocate, John McKnight.

  Last year, 300 UBC students did volunteer work in 30 different east side non-profit organizations through the Learning Exchange Trek volunteer program. Most of these students did volunteer work each week throughout the school term. Some of the students did special community projects during spring break; others did summer projects in partnership with community organizations. Students in the program are encouraged to examine their assumptions and stereotypes and to think critically about the contexts surrounding the issues facing the Downtown Eastside and other communities they work in. 

For more information about the UBC Learning Exchange, drop in to 121 Main Street from 1 to 5, Monday to Friday or go to www.learningexchange.ubc.ca.

 A brief discussion paper about UBC's strategic plan will be available at the Learning Exchange, for those who want to read it before meeting with the President or Vice-President.

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Notes from the library

Notes from the library (new books)

My Invented Country by Isabelle Allende

In this wonderfully readable narrative, Allende discusses her family and the events that altered her life.  She captures the spirit of the Chilean people dealing with the country's violence and explores the role memory plays in shaping her life and her books.

That Old Ace in the Hole by Annie Proulx

This engaging story follows Bob Dollar, out of college and aimless, as he ends up in a bunkhouse on the Texas Panhandle trying to figure out his life. With gentle humour, the book traces the waves of change that have shaped the American West over the last century.

Six Days of War: June 1967 and the Making of the Modern Middle East by Michael B. Oren

Oren reconstructs the lightning fast battlefield action  and the electrifying political shocks that arose from the six day Arab-Israeli war, leading directly to every crises that has ripped through the region and is ongoing still. The detail and coverage of extraordinary personalities make this a towering work of history and an enthralling human narrative.

Sightings: The Gray Whales Mysterious Journey

            by Brenda Peterson and Linda Hogan

The authors,  an award winning Native American writer and an acclaimed writer and naturalist, interweave strands of legend and lore, science and symbolism, wonder and controversy inspired by the gray Whales as they follow their Pacific odyssey from Mexico to Alaska.

Stan Douglas : Every Building on 100 West Hastings

This fascinating book details the recent history of one block of West Hastings through a series of essays written in response to artist Stan Douglas' monumental sized print of the street. The writings examine the marginalization of an area and the people within it and touches on the myriad of social issues personified there.

Inside Out by Elise Title

An intense thriller that is based in a halfway house for about-to-be-released convicts. A transsexual recently released to the house is found beaten into a coma. Investigation reveals that Natalie Price, who runs the house, has a determined killer on her hands.

The Tibetan Art of Positive Thinking by Christopher Hansard

In this inspiring book, Hansard shares simple meditation exercises for taking control of our thinking and creating the life we want to live.  He shows how, by applying these techniques to all areas of our lives, we can learn from our own inner wisdom and direct ourselves towards greater meaning, success and happiness.

Womankind: Faces of Change From Around The World by Donna Nebenzahl

A remarkable book containing short essays about 45 incredible individuals who are making a difference to others. From famous activists to those who come from grassroots organizations, the essay on each woman transports the reader into her world, offering words of advice, experience and hope. Each accompanying evocative photograph tells a story on it's own.

These are a few of the many new books in the Carnegie Reading Room. Come in and check them out!

Beth and I [Natalie] have really enjoyed being here. Mary Ann will be back on September 18th.

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Tribute To Harry

Tribute To Harry

Harry Charles Hunt. He was born April 28, 1925 in Alert Bay, B.C. His parents were Stanley Hunt and Mary Hunt. (nee Harris).

  At the age of eighteen he enlisted in the Canadian Army December 6, 1943. He was trained for a short period of time and was sent over to Europe for active duty in WWII, He fought for Canada along with the United Kingdom on the Continent of Europe, in France and Germany. When discharged in 1946, (because the war had ended), he received medals and decorations awarded in respect of service.

  He returned home to civilian life in Canada, in a time of great uncertainty in his life. He shared that, even to this day, he could still hear bullets whizzing by his head and could still smell and see all the atrocities of the war in his head.

      He was known to party a lot, fight a lot and do things such as stealing from his Uncle when they were drinking.

  In 1953 his father Stanley Hunt passed away.. Shortly after that, in Harry's words, "Christ came to Alert Bay in 1953 looking for the worst/baddest guy he could find" - he found Harry Hunt. It was during this time that Harry's life began to change. He accepted the call of God. In 1955 he entered the British Columbia Bible Institute which is an affiliate of the Pentecostal Assembly of Canada. He continued his studies for the next three years. During this time he was called a Warrior, a soldier of the cross.

  For 50 years he preached as an ordained minister. During his time in the ministry he helped so many people: he fed people, he'd always reach out his hand; he inspired so many. He prayed for people and encouraged people. He made a commitment to serve the Lord..

  Harry loved to travel and spread the word. The Legacy that Harry left behind was one of dedication, commitment, caring and love.

He is predeceased by: Parents: Mary and Stanley   Hunt, Siblings: Samuel, David, Sampson (died as a baby), Lizzy, and Bessie. Survived by: Youngest brother Stanley and many nieces and nephews.

                  Submitted by your niece, Margaret

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LifeSkills Centre

"Do or do not.  There is no "try ".

                                                Yoda

  The changes within the community of hard-drug users in the Downtown Eastside over the past several years have been truly astounding, as this group of people who suffer extreme degrees of prejudice, bigotry, and demonization are standing up against this formidable current of oppression to claim their humanity. In a movement that was initiated for the most part by the revolutionary spirit in the soul of one brother Bud Osborn, who created the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users in 1998, and who's inextinguishable fire of rebellion fomented the groundswell of change through the mid 90's, drug users here have dramatically shifted paradigms.

 The VANDU organization maintains impeccable integrity, and is a veritable juggernaught in its politics. The opportunities to contribute to community that VANDU creates for itself are typically met with a clamor of enthusiastic commitment from participants, effectively shattering any myth that hardcore drug-users are not up to challenging endeavours. This is just the beginning; we are continually gaining momentum.

  When the Portland Hotel Society-run LifeSkills Centre opened last winter it instantly became a bustling hive of activity, where the brooms and rooms get little rest. In less than a year the LifeSkiIIs Centre has enabled countless addicts to incorporate significant positive action into their lives, and has ignited initiative and inspiration in the hearts of many.

 Chuck Parker and Doug Buyers are two who represent this growth and change succinctly. They are the newly elected president and vice-president of VANDU respectively (congrat's!). Chuck has been a central force in the Hep. "C" support group for some time now. You may have seen Doug in a photo in the PIVOT publication "To Serve and Protect" wherein he looks hard enough on the pipe to cause even the most stolid of abstainers to lose bowel control. This guy's a veritable geyser of energy and ideas, and has lobbied hard for the establishment of a (much needed) non- profit, temporary work placement agency in the neighbourhood. He has been at the center of activity for some time now, and is currently busy with (among other things), establishing VANDU satellite groups in the Downtown South and Grandview areas.

  The Portland Hotel Society is smacking the nail right on the head with opportunities for drugusers to work that are tailored to their specific needs. Anyone who's eager to change their lives with a resume that consists solely of twenty or thirty years of street-life is pretty much excluded from the traditional job market no matter how motivated they are. The Portland's policy of advocating and allowing considerate peer placements in the work, to ameliorate the untenable conditions of poverty and its attendant hardships here, is exactly what this community needs.

Shawn Millar

LifeSkills Centre

Disability Issues

Three different articles; three different viewpoints.

   In The Vancouver Sun daily newspaper, on Tuesday, August 12, was an article titled "Most disabled pass scrutiny."  It claimed that the provincial government has found, after a year long review, that virtually all people who claim disabled benefits are entitled to them.

   But Victoria advocate Crawford Frank of the Action Committee of People with Disabilities said, "Everybody is still wondering why [the review] was done."

   Ministry of Human Resources head Murray Coell said, "For the first time in over 10 years we have certainty that public resources are going to those most in need."

   MHR found that of 61,932 people, 60,775 were found eligible to collect benefits.

   No mention was made in the article about possible future reviews, although this possibility seems quite likely.

   The second source for the take on this story was found on the provincial government's web site, in a news release dated August 11. It confirmed the numbers of eligible disabled as of September 2002.  But it went on to say that as of July 2003, 65,516 people now received assistance.

   No word was said here either about future reviews, which makes me think these are indeed possible.

   The third take on this story came from Bill Tieleman's column, Political Connections published in the August 21-28 issue of The Georgia Straight.  It made no bones about the disability review process, calling Coell "a mean-spirited bastard who is trying to save money on the backs of those least able to afford it..."

   But the article claims only 12,539 cases were reviewed, not the 60 some-odd thousand claimed by the other two articles.  Margaret Birrell, executive director of the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities, claims that now many of the remaining 49,393 who were initially exempt from the review will undergo it at some point.  Furthermore, Birrell says, "The 6,400 people with mental illnesses who were exempted from the first disability review will likely be the first reassessed with the same 23-page form as before.  They'll do it again, but they won't do it in bulk.  They won't make that mistake again."

   MHR staff claimed a document leaked to the press saying that there was a target or quota on how many people could collect disability benefits was in error.  But the government's own budget cut for MHR comes to $254 million, and Tieleman rightly points out, how are they going to come up with the money?

   So, who to believe?

Disability Issues