Fy Fa ' Pa Terrace Review — Wednesday, April 18, 1990 B13 ~ No ambiguity in Downtown Eastside poets _ by Stephanie, Wiebe "We're the most organized, most determined group of people for self-help and mutual aid,” said Bob - Sarti, organizer and tour guide for the Downtown Eastside Poets, addressing a Terrace audience last week. . The writers are | carrently touring “northwest communities, reading their poetry and talking with people about the Carnagie Com- munity Centre, a meeting place ~ that has become like liome to those people often referred to as "street people". "The downtown east side is the lowest income part of the city”, said Sarti. "Carnagie Centre becomes the living room of the community.” . When the idea of an east side community center was first raised, Vancouver council members said that it would be “like throwing money down a rat hole", according to Sarti. The center has now become a valuable resource to more than 2,000 people living in hotels, aileys and even under the Georgia Viaduct. Many of these people are not from Vancouver, but are shipped in from interior communities, Sarti says. "Welfare will give them a bus ticket and say 'go to Vancou- ver’, and then there’s more people ‘Terrace a NeEoWeS by Robert Q. Smith General Manager This new column will be a regular feature of the Terrace Review. Its aim is to keep you up-to-date on the many features, events and specials at the ‘‘new’’ Terrace Inn. BANQUETS & MEETINGS on the streets." The downtown east side has a non-literacy fate of about 40 percent, at least twice the city’s average. Eighty percent of the city’s licensed liquor seating is there, and 50 percent of Vancou-. ver’s murders occur in this area. Amid these discouraging statistics, the Downtown Eastside Poets rise with dignity: P.J. Flaming writes angry poctry, writing that oozes tesentment toward government bureaucratic agencies, society’s indifference to women and the lower class. She writes about the "hidden economy" of women’s work, saying "This economy does not wear a collar -- she irons the collars." Cuba Dyer speaks in a softer tone, reading her sad poetry about sexually abused children, and a single mother losing custody of her child due to poverty. In a more ironic tone, she read a Haiku about a five-week month, a month when the welfare cheque must stretch through five Wednesdays instead of the usual four. Margaret Prevost, .a cheerful writer, said, "I didn’t even like poetry. Then I found out it’s just like feelings." Her poems betray a charming optimism twinkling through subjects such as alcohol- ism and poverty. One piece encou- raged people to "Take the time to ZO nn ce II Hold your next get-together at the Terrace Inn. We have 3 fine rooms available for weddings, anniversaries, retirement parties, conferences, meetings and banquets. Rates are reasonable and we can accommodate all your needs from meals and bar service to music and special favours. Give us a call. Let us plan that very special event with you. Our Ban- quet Coordinator is Jane Torgalson. NEW DINING ROOM The beautiful new Kermodei Dining Room is now open. Relax in casual elegance for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Try the fast Lunch Hour Buffet with Soup, Salads and Hot Entre for only $6.25. Enjoy a new dining experience at the Terrace ‘Inn, ‘AFTER 5”’ WIND DOWN Terrace Inn. Piano stylings by Glenn Fossum and complimen- tary hot hors d’oeuvres, Its the perfect place to relax in a friendly cozy atmosphere. Monday through Friday 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. SUNDAY BRUNCH Try our new Sunday Brunch. A fabulous 24’ buffet table of hot and cold delicacies. Every Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., it’s Terrace’s best. Also a Sunday Evening Buffet is available from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday at the Terrace Inn — a true dining experience. f Phone: 635-6630 Fax: 635-2788 TOLL FREE: 1-800-663-8156 After a busy day, unwind in Augie’s Lounge at the new 7 4551 Greig Avenue, Terrace, B.C. say ‘hello’, to those who may not have worked here, or are native . ‘where we all come together to try wear clean clothes or look people from the area", said Bob and have some strength.” well-fed. "I've always wanted to Sarti. "Carnagie Centre is the place make a difference in the world," -said Prevost. The most inspiring reading of the evening was Eud Osbom’s writ- ings about: people. "The way we - talk to each other every day-is the . : = real poetry of our livés.” Osborn’s . } - writing touches real life in a way . that cannot be easily described. ‘His ‘tribute to the people of the downtown cast side, called "Down Here" is an insightful piece, one that describes the street people vividly, with their individuality despite iheir circumstances, the — horror of their situations, and often, their hopelessness. Osborn spoke of. the "greedy, rapacious city", with a voice that pierced the comfortable blur of statistics, The Downtown Eastside Poets are a “loose affiliation” of writers with a meaningful message to share with the northwest. "So many of our people are from here, (22 ‘Terrace Health Care Society Presents. “Len Fabiano”. “Caring For. The Mentally ~ Impaired Elderly” A Two Day Seminar - Mr. Fabiano is a nationally recognized educator in the fleld of geriatrics. This session is designed to examine elderly. Participants will find this personal presenta- tion provides each an opportunity to discuss and work through persona! problems encountered in caring for this type of individual. Everyone Welcome Place: Terrace Hotel _ Date: April 30 & May 1, 1990 ' Time: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Phone: Terraceview Lodge 638-0223 (Ramona) for Registration Information ener areas involved in caring for the mentally impaired —. >. Terrace Art Gallery — @. April. 18 :to- 21. — Terrace Hotel — @ Gigi’s ®@ April 19 — Inn of the West — L | Northwest Arts and Entertainment Calendar @ April 8 to 26 — Vikki MacKay and Joanne Thomson with “Sisters — Images of the North”; multi-media; oil, water, acrylic, pencil. ® April 28, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Spring Arts & Crafts Show. McColl Playhouse — two plays for one price! “No Problem” and “Forever Yours, Marie-Lou”. Tickets available at Sight and Sound. Northern Motor Inn, George’s Pub — ® April 1 to 21 — Charlie Wells Duo. — “The Manila Boys” '@ Augie’s — Gordon Hayman. Kitimat Mount Elizabeth Theatre — _ “Spud the Amazing”, Axis Mimic Theatre. Prince Rupert Performing Arts Centre — ® April 20, 7 p.m. — “Mad About Hats” dance recital ® April 25 — Secretaries’ Luncheon in Fanny’ s Lounge. Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 13 — @ April 27 and 28 — The Mothballs. = SUNDAY: Teth MONDAY: T HiGS/ASscciation | (First three ynth) , K WEDNESDA' THURSDAY: