Taiwanese Cultural Festival and dragon boat race this weekend!



The Taiwanese Cultural Festival is pretty cool... It is not the watered down Chinese and multicultural stuff you find at the Alcan Dragon Boat Festival.  Taiwanese youth exploring Taiwanese pop culture is evidenced by the Taiwanese rock bands imported for this year's show.

Past years have seen a parade of Taiwan's aboriginal culture, that distinguishes themselves from the imported Chinese culture, and as a distinct country and culture from the People's Republic of China.  And in Vancouver, the Taiwanese Cultural Festival have often brought in local Canadian aboriginal arts and culture.  This is a good way to help assimilate Taiwanese ex-patriates to become more aware and understanding of Canadian aboriginal or First Nations culture.  Wouldn't it be great to see a First Nations canoe team paddling in a Taiwanese dragon boat and a Taiwanese dragon boat team paddling in a First Nations war canoe?

This year's festival also promises a showcase of Taiwanese Hakka people.
Also check out: 

- 19th-century model steam train exhibit also hosted by Kaohsiung.

- Barbie and Me II, a new exhibit showcasing the dolls through a series of historical perspectives, including Taiwanese aboriginal, the Japanese occupation era and the Chinese era,

check out the Vancouver Sun story by Karen Gram:
http://www.canada.com/cityguides/vancouver/story.html?id=bb82c40a
-3b40-4aa7-9468-0c51ff9ef7e0&k=65469

For dragon boat action check out the race schedules on www.dragonboatassociation.ca

The Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team will race at 10am in the first heat, in a Hong Kong style teak boat.  These are some of the re-conditioned dragonboats that were originally raced in 1986, when the Hong Kong Pavillion at Expo 86 donated 4 dragon boats to the city of Vancouver.

Our second race at 11:45am, is in a Taiwanese dragon boat, which was donated to City of Vancouver in 2003.  These boats feature flag grabbing to determine the winner.  But this is the NOGARD race (Dragon spelled backwards).  Instead of paddling up to the flag and grabbing it, you have to paddle past the flag, then back the boat up for the flag grabber to get the flag.  Many of the team simply turn around in the boat, and paddle forward while facing backwards in the boat... got it?

Our third race of the day will be a straight 500m race in a Taiwanese boat with a flag to grab before crossing the finish line.  But the time of the race is dependent upon our placement in our first race... so look for us in the 1:30, 2:00 or 2:30pm Taiwanese dragon boat heats.

On Sunday, teams will be settled into A, B, C or D divisions.  Semi-final races in the morning, and consolation and race finals in the afternoon.

Hip Hapa and Happening: Intercultural activities for Aug 31 to Sept

If my back wasn't bothering me today, I would be at the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Gardens on Friday night, as my friends Qiu Xia and Andre Thibault put on a very special music concert with their erhu playing friend Ji-Rong Huang. 

Andre and Qiu Xia have a very special place in the world of Gung Haggis Fat Choy.  Silk Road  Music Ensemble performed in the CBC Vancouver television performance special, and Silk Road Music Duo have performed at Gung Haggis Fat Choy Robbie Burns Chinese New Year dinners over the years.

Enchanted Evenings

featuring Silk Road Music Duo

Dr. Sun Yat Sen Chinese Classical Gardens

Silk Road Duo is a new music performance that introduces audiences to different cultures through the experience, discoveries, and travels of Qiu Xia He with her Pipa, accompanied by multi-instrumentalist Andre Thibault. The pipa, a Chinese lute with a wide range of expression, will be the focal point. This husband and wife team is well equipped for this cultural mission. Both have lived passionately as professional musicians. Their common bond and love of music have taken them on tours all over the world.

Georgia Straight: Todd Wong 30 year library employee interviewed

I arrived at the Library Square picket line just before noon today, as I had spent the morning in a picket captains orientation meeting.  Some of my co-workers were wondering if there had been a misprint in the Georgia Straight because I couldn't possibly have worked in the library for 30 years.  Todd couldn't be that old!

I explained that I had actually started working for the library in uetero, while my mother was working in the library catalogue department, before I was born.  Officially, I joined the Vancouver Public Library staff when I was 15 years old, back in 1975.

Today, the Georgia Straight published a news story, Boss and union tell different tales, about the library strike containing an interview with me and a picture from my website.  The picture shows myself with fellow picket captain Alexis Greenwood, smiling with city librarian Paul Whitney, while on the picket line on Monday.  We have the friendliest picket line - we don't try to block anybody.  I have known Paul for many many years...

Even though he is library management and our Union bargaining committee has to talk tough with him and the library bargaining representatives, I would prefer to get along with everybody.  We still have to go back to work with management when the strike is over - the city negotiating team doesn't.  Paul told me personally, "It's not about you and me, there are bigger things at play."

Hmmm... maybe this explains why our formal employer "Vancouver Public Library Board" had an in-camera meeting last night but have been conspicuously absent from advocating for the library.  Many of the CUPE 391 picketers are now sporting picket signs that say "Where is the Library Board?"

see Boss and union tell different tales - Georgia Straight

Boss and union tell different tales

City Councillor Raymond Louie meets CUPE 391 library workers

Picketers in Pink with Raymond Louie: Nancy, Sherry, Jean, Margaret + Randy
at the Aug 29, 2007 Civic Strike rally at Vancouver City Hall - photo Todd Wong

It was a busy day at City Hall on Wednesday, Aug 29, as three civic unions marched from Science World to City Hall for a rally.

After the speeches were made, City Councillor Raymond Louie was seen talking to some of the city workers.  One of my library co-workers suggested giving Councillor Louie one of our "My Civil City has Pay Equity" buttons.  I walked over to Raymond, gave him a button, and offered to introduce him to CUPE 391 Vancouver Library workers, as I don't think he knew any of our library workers, nor was aware of the Vision-CUPE conspiracy that was earlier reported in the Georgia Straight: Vision using strike for political gain.

Raymond was pleased to be introduced, and shared that he was a union member with CEPUC, the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada, as he had worked for the Pacific Press Group for many years, and also endured many strikes.

Some of our members asked Councillor Louie what he was doing to end the civic strike, as last week Louie had called for a mediator to help bring the unions and city back to the bargaining tables. At that press conferience Louie had said:

"We're asking the parties to agree to a mediator, as negotiations seem to be heading in a negative direction and the duration of this strike is unacceptable... 

"The buck stops with the mayor! He should be the one to make the first move in terms of calling on a mediator."

 - but the City had still not responded days after the call, while the unions have said they would welcome a mediator.  Louie also said that Mayor Sam Sullivan and the NPA caucus have been very locked into their thinking and difficult to budge.

Louie also asked me how important pay equity was to our union because it would be expensive.  I explained that entry level librarians in Toronto are making $7 more than entry level librarians in Vancouver, and that library salaries were far below academic wages at UBC,

"Our former Human Resources Director left for the business sector, and one of the HR assistants went with her!" I explained as I pointed out that the corporate sector pays more for similar positions.  Salaries for Vancouver Public Library employees have fallen behind for 30 years.  Our union would accept the Burnaby contract, because it has pay equity.  Can we please have the same contract as Burnaby?

Todd Wong with Raymond Louie at the Aug 29, 2007 Civic Strike rally at Vancouver City Hall - photo Todd Wong

Aug 29 Rally to City Hall, Day 35...

see Labour relations strain under NPA reign - Vancouver Courier

see Vancouver's Library Strike: Women's Pay on the Line - The Tyee

see Boss and union tell different tales - Georgia Straight

Library workers join civic strike march from Science World to City Hall

It was a busy day as CUPE 391 Vancouver library workers joined the civic strike march from Science World to City Hall.

See my flickr photos

Aug 29 Rally to City Hall, Day 35...

Globe & Mail: Fiona Tinwei Lam has an essay about her music, her mother and dementia

Fiona Tinwei Lam was a finalist for the Vancouver Book Prize in 2003 for her poetry collection "Intimate Distances.  Over the years we have become friends, and have shared our joy of Robbie Burns poetry, things Scottish, and discovered we were related through shared cousins.

Fiona was born in Scotland, moved to Canada as a young child, and has been a guest for both Gung Haggis Fat Choy: Toddish McWong's Robbie Burns Chinese New Year Dinner and also the Gung Haggis Fat Choy World Poetry readings.  She has a younger sister who is a librarian, and whom once paddled on the Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team.

I heard about when Fiona's mother was moved to a care home, as her sister Shona gave me some of their mother's old accordion music.  I regret that I was never able to play my accordion for their mother, as she used to play accordion in addition to piano.

The following is a very touching story that Fiona has written for the Globe & Mail.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20070828.FACTS28/TPStory/?query=Fiona+Lam

Playing for time

Although dementia often made my mother's speech nonsensical, she could sustain a wonderful musical dialogue through rhythm, tempo and volume

I used to wake up some mornings as a teenager to the sounds of my mother playing the piano. But it was never Rustle of Spring or a gentle Minuet in G. Rather, it was the thunderous chords of Chopin's Funeral March. Either it was time to get up, or someone - probably me - was in deep trouble.

My petite mother would be perched over the keyboard, small hands hammering down, creating sounds that made the room shake. If I tried to close the door, she'd only open it again and return to the piano to play even louder.

What my mother played always signalled her mood. A waltz meant all-clear. A nocturne meant she needed to be left alone. But the opening bars of the Funeral March spelled doom and had me racing for cover.

It was expected that I take piano lessons and piano exams, even stumble through recitals, despite my mortification. Worse yet was the year I was required to play the national anthem at high-school assemblies.

One time, I misplaced the score. As I had played it so often, and almost had it memorized, I thought I could manage. After everyone stood up to sing, I began to play. When I reached "the True North strong and free," my panicked fingers faltered and stopped. People kept singing, but the right notes eluded me. It happened again another time. I decided I'd had enough of the piano.

After I left home, my mother had to retire early because of deteriorating eyesight. Eventually, she couldn't read music. I hardly noticed this, as she had committed so many pieces to memory.

She then developed Alzheimer's disease. Her repertoire began to shrink along with the rest of her memory. But it didn't stop her. Once, while we were visiting a care facility, my mother spotted an ancient upright piano in the corner of the room. She marched over faster than you could say Battle Hymn of the Republic, and launched into a medley of pub tunes intermingled with hymns, ending with a rousing rendition of Ten Little Indians.

I smiled wryly at the doctor as she arrived. "Sorry about this."

"No one minds! It's wonderful that your mother still plays!" She went over to lavish her with praise.

Delighted with her audience, my mother played on.

As I watched song after song evaporate from her memory, I decided to take up lessons again as an adult. But my performance anxiety was almost insurmountable. At the introductory audition with the new teacher, I tried to avoid playing a single note.

"Do I have to actually play?" I asked the teacher in desperation.

When I finally learned one of my mother's former pieces, the adagio from Beethoven's Pathétique sonata, I played it for her. She listened for a while, nodding but looking confused. After a few moments, she stood up: "Can I go home now?"

Other attempts failed as well. Classical music just couldn't keep her attention. I resorted to Christmas carols, whatever the season. I'd urge her to clap or la-la along, trying to recover even a small portion of the mother I had known growing up.

Later, I started playing the piano on my mother's secure floor at her care facility, sight-reading and stumbling my way through Red River Valley and Tea for Two. Slowly, the other residents would find their way over from the TV lounge. A few (usually mute) residents would suddenly start to sing; others would even dance. My mother would pat my shoulder appreciatively or pound out the time on the dining table. One time, she stood up at the end of a song to applaud.

As my mother's dementia deepened, our family arranged private one-on-one music therapy for her. Although my mother's speech was often nonsensical, she could sustain a wonderful musical dialogue through rhythm, tempo and volume that would deeply satisfy and calm her.

During my mother's last weeks, as she lay unconscious in palliative care at the hospital after suffering a stroke, I talked to her, held her hand, read to her, played her favourite tunes on the CD player. But it didn't feel like enough.

So one day, I started to sing, self-consciously, quietly, so no one outside the room could hear: "Now you are come, all my cares are remov'd./ Let me forget that so long you have rov'd./ Let me believe that you love as you loved./ Long, long ago./ Long ago."

Suddenly, it felt as though my mother were singing to me, even while I was singing to her. Every phrase became clear and alive. Years of occasional tension, of living on opposite sides of the country, a decade of dementia - it all fell away, leaving only the essential truths.

Recently, I've been searching for a piano of my own. In stores, I look around furtively to ensure no one's around, choose a piano and sit down to play Chopin's Funeral March. The major piano stores must know me as the Morbid One.

Although I doubt I'll ever learn a third of my mother's extensive classical repertoire, I'm going to make the effort, piece by piece. It's my way of remembering her - not so much how she telegraphed her dark moods when I was growing up, but how she could create such beauty through her hands.

Fiona Tinwei Lam lives in Vancouver.

Author Daniel Gawthrop (Rice Queen Diaries, Highwire Act: Power, Pragmatism and the Harcourt Legacy, Affirmation: The AIDS Odyssey of Dr. Peter) and also a CUPE national worker, comes to read at the Library Square to library workers.

Daniel talked to the Vancouver Library workers about how important their jobs are to the community, especially when it comes to promoting and supporting writers.  He complimented the reading events put on by VPL, and said that "No matter if you are a major figure like Alice Munro or Margaret Atwood, or little me... everybody gets the same poster!"

He also gave words of support to the striking library workers, telling them to hold tight, speak their truth, and get their message out.  He criticized the city of Vancouver's use of the Wilcox Group PR firm, to create a media spin on the labour dispute, instead of using their resources to manage a resolution.  He praised the creativity of the CUPE 391 library workers in getting their message out and getting recent media attention:

see: Globe & Mail: Library workers picket with pizzazz
see video: "Grandeur on Georgia"  Wilcox Group vs Pay Equity
see video: "Pay Equity - Recipe for Disaster"

Daniel Gawthrop then told the assembled library workers that he had brought a number of short articles to read from and offered them a choice:  a story about The Curse of Leni Riefenstahl, the killing of Theo Van Gogh, an article about post 9-11, an article about 9-11 in Thailand... but the winning vote was for an debut reading for a soon-to-be-published story titled "Marriage: Why I took the plunge."  It was an entertaining and enlightening story about gay marriage, and the social impact of it both personally and culturally to somebody who had said that he would never get married.

Check out pictures of Daniel Gawthrop reading at Library Square:
Aug 27 CUPE 391, Daniel Gawthrop comes to read

Paul Whitney, city librarian stopped briefly by the picket line to say hello.  Okay, Paul is management and the union doesn't like some of the things he has said to the media.  I have known Paul for over 20 years, mostly by association, but he's always been a nice guy and supportive of some of the events I have organized.  He's probably caught between a rock and a hard place as the City negotiates with our Union... so in his own way, he's walking the line.

Paul Whitney, City Librarian, with picket captain Alexis Greenwood and library employee/accordionist Todd Wong

Tom Hansen, retired library finances officer, union rep and former VPL board member also came by.  But Tom was not diplomatic in his criticism of the city's handling of the civic strikes.  Tom congratulated on us going on strike to stand up for what we believe in, and to tell city hall what we think.  He told me that the city is saving a big whack of money every week we are on strike.  "$1 million dollars every two weeks," he told me.  Hmmm... so much for the library's motto " Inspiration through information. Access for all."
http://www.vpl.ca/general/collDevPolicy.html

Tom Hansen, retired library worker, former union organizer and former VPL board member comes to give support.

Author Stan Persky speaks to library workers because his books are "locked up" during the strike


Stan Persky, spoke to Vancouver city library workers on Friday August 24th.  He told his audience of picketers, lunch time loungers, and visitors to Vancouver that he came to speak at the library because his "books are locked up."  Stan read from his latest book Autobiography of a Tatoo.

The BC Book Prize winning author of  The Short Version: An ABC Book, was one of my political activist role models and College instructors.  I was taking his classes in Political Science at Capilano College when the Solidarity movement was happening, and I was a member of the Capilano Courier student newspaper collective.  He has written many books such as Then We Take Berlin, Son of Socred, Bennet II, and Buddy's.

Stan is no stranger to strike or bargaining action.  He was a member of CUPE while working up north, and he was the original editor of the "Solitarity Times" during the BC Solidarity movement of the 1980's.   He has also author a book about the Polish Solidarity movement titled "At the Lenin Shipyard" and the "Solidarity Sourcebook"


CUPE 391 president Alex Youngberg is surrounded by media as she speaks to Vancouver library workers.  Alex told us that with recent positive and understanding articles and columns about library worker issues, she feels that the tide is turning.  She cited the recent Globe & Mail article "library workers picket with pizzazz" and Don Cayo's column in the Vancouver Sun.

Daniel Gowthrop will speaks today on Monday, August 27th.
Gawthrop is the author of Affirmation : The AIDS Odyssey of Dr. Peter, Highwire Act : Power, Pragmatism and the Harcourt Legacy, The Rice Queen Diaries and also Vanishing Halo: Saving the Boreal Forest.  Daniel also works in the CUPE national office.  Hmmm... what a coincidence.

More pictures at: Todd Wong's Flickr site

For more information on the Vancouver Library workers strike:

Check out www.cupe391.ca
and www.fairnessforcivicworkers.ca

Barb Waldern is a beloved member of the Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team. She is currently teaching English in South Korea. ~~~~~~~~ Masan City is located on the southeastern tip of the Korean peninsula in a subtropical zone. It is a 4 to 5-hour drive to the capitol from here. All of Korea is mountainous. Masan is an industrial harbour town of 1/2 million people nestled against the hillsides with their terraced farms and lush mixed forests of coniferous and deciduous trees. Most industry is not located right in the boundaries of the city proper.   more »

I am back from a weekend in Victoria celebrating Chinese-Canadian and Scottish-Canadian activities such as the Victoria dragon boat races, visiting Craigdarroch castle, a Chinese banquet in Chinatown with a Portland dragon boat team, and kilt wearing in the Irish Time Pub.   more »

Vancouver authors, writers and poets come to Library Square to address striking Vancouver library workers

"Writers for Library Workers"
1 pm reading/speaking program
South Plaza of Library Square
Robson and Homer St.

I have only made this program up this past week...



Terry Glavin was our first speaker, on Tuesday August 14th.  Terry addressed pay equity issues, his life experience with strikes and the importance of libraries... and how he had planned to do some research at the library - but couldn't because we were on strike.


Tom Sandborn was our 2nd speaker a week later on Tuesday, August 21st.  It was very timely because Tom had just written a piece on CUPE 391's call for pay equity, in The Tyee.  Vancouver's Library Strike: Women's Pay on the Line
http://thetyee.ca/News/2007/08/20/LibraryStrike/

Tom spoke about the importance of pay equity and how it works.  He compared the Vancouver library to other comparative systems.  He also spoke about how the media works and how it is important for Vancouver library workers to keep their support strong and write letters to get their views across, and ensure that correct information and perspectives about their contract struggles are presented.

Tom joked that if the library workers settle before next Wednesday, it will ruin his column for the Vancouver Courier.  After speaking to CUPE 391 library workers, he took some pictures of us waving at cars on Georgia Street, then he reappeared on his bicycle waving to us... and everybody yelled "Thank you Tom!"


The World Poets wrote original poems and read them to the audience, (l-r) Jan, ??, Alejandro and Ariadne - photo Todd Wong

The World Poetry Society presented poems specifically written for the Vancouver library workers on Wednesday.  Ariadne Sawyer and Alejandro Mujica Olea have organized World Poetry Nights at the Vancouver Public Library for over 5 years usually on the 3rd or 4th Monday of each month.  Ariadne was one of the first people I called to come speak/read to Vancouver Library workers, as their group is one of many small community organizations that rely on VPL for a venue and adverstising of their events.

The World Poets received heart-felt and appreciative applause from their library worker audience.  Ariadne's poem mentioned many of the library workers whom she specifically works with in setting up a World Poetry event at the library.  Barbara who does the bookings, Adrienne who does the posters, Paul who presents ideas... It was a very touching tribute.  Alejandro closed it up with a passionate fiery speech that implored library workers to stand up for the issues they believe in and not to back down... "because you deserve it!" he cried out.


Ellen Woodsworth gives words of support to CUPE 391, while strike leader Peter DeGroot holds Ellen's bicycle - photo Todd Wong

Ellen Woodsworth, former COPE city councillor, gave words of support to the striking city library workers.  I got to know Ellen through her assistance with the Joy Kogawa House campaign and we became supportive friends.  Woodsworth encouraged library workers to stay visible, and keep up their campaign - because they are winning public sympathy and public opinon.  She urged the library workers to write to city councillors and to newspapers to ensure that their views were included and that correct information was being presented.

Chuck Davis speaks through the make-shift PA system that is Todd Wong's boom-box - photo Todd Wong

Chuck Davis spoke today.  He opened talking about the second most stolen book in VPL history, his self-penned reference book The Vancouver Book.  He told many funny anecdotes including phoning up the Vancouver Public Library to ask when the first traffic light was installed.  "Well... according to the Vancouver Book... it was..." came back the answer.

Chuck told some fascinating stories about how Vancouver history has been recorded, researched and recycled.  The library plays an important part of that as a cultural and historical storehouse of information and archives, he told the listening audience.  We also joked about how the first strike in CUPE 391's 77 year history will have to go onto Chuck's website: www.vancouverhistory.ca

Stan Persky, is coming on Friday August 24th.
The BC Book Prize winning author of  The Short Version: An ABC Book will speak on  Friday, August 24th.  Stan was one of my political activist role models and College instructors.  I was taking his classes in Political Science at Capilano College when the Solidarity movement was happening, and I was a member of the Capilano Courier student newspaper collective.  He has also author a book about the Polish Solidarity movement titled "At the Lenin Shipyard" and the "Solidarity Sourcebook"

Daniel Gowthrop will speak next week on Monday, August 27th.
Gawthrop is the author of Affirmation : The AIDS Odyssey of Dr. Peter, Highwire Act : Power, Pragmatism and the Harcourt Legacy, The Rice Queen Diaries and also Vanishing Halo: Saving the Boreal Forest.  Daniel also works in the CUPE national office.  Hmmm... what a coincidence!

Globe & Mail: Library workers picket with pizzazz
- Todd Wong interviewed with accordion!


Library workers picket with pizzazz - Globe & Mail story by Laura Drake

It seemed like an interesting angle to story about the Vancouver civic strike.  Why are Vancouver Library workers so cheerful with high morale on their first picket line in their CUPE 391 Union's first strike in 77 years?

"We are creative, literate, entrepreneurial, child-friendly and community oriented people," I told G&M reporter Laura Drake.  She had heard about my accordion playing on the picket line and had found my blog reports and pictures on www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com. 

"Writer Tom Sandborn spoke to us yesterday, Terry Glavin last week, and today the World Poetry Society is coming to address our library workers."

They wanted a picture of me playing accordion, and I immediately suggested that videographer/library worker James Gemmill should be in the picture too.  James videoed me playing some songs... just like he did when he has created some of his videos of library workers on the picket line - which can be seen on www.cupe391.ca/blog2

Today we have author/historia Chuck Davis coming, and Stan Persky on Friday.  Chuck  Davis's "The Vancouver Book" was the second most stolen book in Vancouver Public Library history.  Persky was the original editor of Solidarity Times during the BC Solidarity movement.  He also wrote books on the Polish Solidarity movement.  Daniel Gawthrop, author of the Rice King Diaries, will be reading/speaking on Monday.


James Gemmill, Globe & Mail reporter Laura Drake, G&M photographer Laura Leyshon and Todd Wong - pose after Leyshon took pictures of James videoing Todd. - photo T.Wong collection.


Ross Bliss and Todd Wong - gypsy jazz guitar + classical concert accordion = fun

Check out the G&M story below:

http://theunionnews.blogspot.com/2007/08/striking-govt-union-workers-picket-with.html

VANCOUVER -- The song Happy Together was not meant to be played on the accordion, nor is it traditionally considered a union protest song, but as striking Vancouver library worker Todd Wong pumped out the tune yesterday for fellow picketers yesterday in Library Square, it was a little bit of both.

"People thank me because they enjoy the music and it creates a wonderful ambience," said the library assistant, who had his picture snapped by fellow strikers and tourists alike.

A 30-year veteran of both the accordion and the Vancouver Public Library, Mr. Wong is just one example of the artistic temperament that has decidedly flavoured the library workers' strike.

Today marks the start of the fifth week of the first strike ever in Vancouver's library union history. The smallest of the Vancouver unions currently on strike, CUPE 391's 800 members have taken a unique approach to walking the picket lines - one that involves very little walking and more knitting, reading, singing, barbecuing, listening to lectures and practising tai chi.

Mr. Wong admits he's been slack with his performance schedule - mostly because he's been busy organizing for poets, choirs and authors to come entertain the striking workers.

"People are more than willing to come and perform for our picketers. They have an appreciative audience that's cultural and literate," Mr. Wong said.

And just like the weekly Friday barbecues and daily tai chi in the mornings led by librarian Tim Firth, the presentations are open to all.

"We do this because we want to continually engage with the community," said Peter DeGroot, CUPE 391's job action co-ordinator.

"We feel compassionate and proud about the work that we do and we can't just stop reaching out and being involved with the community."

Many of the striking library workers have been answering questions on the line that they would usually answer at reference desks, using wireless laptops and cellphones to help confused passersby.

"It's very difficult to take the library out of the library worker," laughed CUPE 391 president Alex Youngberg.

Ms. Youngberg pointed out that librarians and those who work with them are generally of an artistic temperament, something that has become evident during the strike. For example, she said, striking workers have knit more than 80 hats, which are being sold for charity or will be donated to Downtown Eastside residents.

"People who work for the library are a very creative, eclectic bunch," said Mount Pleasant children's librarian D'Arcy Stainton. "We have all these creative people coming up with all of these things. Every day on the picket line is different."

Mr. Stainton and James Gemmill, another library worker, have created a series of black-and-white videos posted on the union's website. While Mr. Gemmill's videos serve as artistic depictions of life on the picket line, Mr. Stainton's videos are humorous send-ups of the city's position on key union issues, set to Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries and narrated in an old-time newscaster voice.

While the videos serve as a creative outlet and a morale booster for other library workers, they also allow Mr. Stainton to show his support for the issues that are keeping the library workers on strike, such as pay equity.

"I spent five years as a single dad working in a female dominated profession and it's hard when you look around and see other city employees with master's degrees making $20,000 more than you," he said.

Most of Mr. Stainton's cohorts are equally as devoted to achieving pay-equity language in their collective agreement, something Mr. Wong said they've been seeking for 30 years. At a recent union rally, the library workers were by far the rowdiest bunch in the crowd, giving Ms. Youngberg louder support than any other speaker.

"That spirit is still there," Ms. Youngberg said yesterday. "This is their first strike, and I wasn't sure how they would feel about it four weeks in, but if anything, they seem to be more passionate."

Today, we have a visit from writer Tom Sandborn to come speak to library workers at Library Square. I have met Tom on various occasions, and after last week's visit by author Terry Glavin, Tom was recommended by former Vancouver city councillor Fred Bass. ~~~~~~~~~~~ Check out Tom's article in www.thetyee.ca Men get nearly $6 more hourly for similar work, says union. By Tom Sandborn   more »

On Saturday night... I organized a Chinese dinner for 40 paddlers from Wasabi Team Huge and Wasabi Mixed. I brought my accordion and taught them to sing Scottish songs and recite Robbie Burns "Address to the Haggis" - just like last year in Victoria for the Dieselfish team, the Cultus Lake Dragonflyers and the Pirates/Gung Haggis team... Everybody loved the dinner. On Sunday, people kept thanking me for organizing the event, and saying they had fun.... and there was lots of dragon boat racing too + pictures links    more »

If I was in Vancouver this weekend, I would be going to see the Orchid Ensemble in the Enchanted Evening music performance series... at the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Chinese Classical Gardens.   more »

Generations: The Chan Legacy on CBC Newsworld Aug 19: Discover Toddish McWong's ancestral Chinese-Canadian roots



Hi everybody

You can catch me in action on CBC Newsworld television
Sunday, August 19th, 4pm pst (7pm est)
(or on the picket line at the Vancouver Public Library - see www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com)

Watch:
Generations: The Chan Legacy
http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/generations

It's the story of how my great-great-grandfather Rev. Chan Yu Tan and his wife came to Canada in 1896, and how they, their children and grandchildren overcame racism and challenges, to integrate and help create the fabric of our Canadian mosaic.

It's an incredible Canadian story, told through the voice of a family that has lived through 7 generations of Canadian history.
it's about the past, the present and the future.

Meet:
- WW2 Veteran Victor Wong - president of the Chinese  Canadian eterans Association in Victoria.
- Helen Wong - who lived in Nanaimo with her grandparents Rev. & Mrs Chan Yu Tan
- Gary Lee, the "Chinese Sinatra" and pioneering actor
- Janice Wong, author of CHOW: From China to Canada
- Tracey Hinder, teenage inaugural BC regional CanSpell Champion

and of course:  Todd Wong aka "Toddish McWong"
- creator of Gung Haggis Fat Choy, Robbie Burns Chinese New Year dinner,

See me with:
-  my accordion in the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Gardens
- CBC Vancouver television performance special
- 2006 Terry Fox Run in Richmond BC
- Joy Kogawa and the 1st open house event at Kogawa House

The show has had great responses from everybody across the country, friends, family and community members... and even strangers!

Set you vcr
Sunday, August 19th
4pm pst, 7pm est
CBC Newsworld
(channel 26 in Vancouver, channel 20 in Victoria)

Peace & Blessings, Todd

The Georgia Straight has just printed an interesting story about the Vancouver Civic strike, finding an NPA vs Vision Vancouver angle. Both city councillors Raymond Louie and Suzanne Anton have attended and loved my Gung Haggis Fat Choy: Toddish McWong's Robbie Burns Chinese New Year Dinners. And they are both well-respected figures in the community. ~~~~~~~~~~ See Georgia Straight article: Suzanne Anton: Vision using strike for political gain   more »

Monte Paulsen has written a nice in depth story about Vancouver's civic strike. He examines and compares each of the sides... the City's, the Union's, the GVRD Labour Relations Bureau, and the role of the Wilcox Group - a PR firm. Check it out: http://thetyee.ca/News/2007/08/16/EndlessSummer/   more »

Civic Strike: send a letter to Mayor Sam Sullivan and city council



The Vancouver civic strike is affecting many aspects of life in Vancouver.  From community centres, garbage pick-up, permits, parking, city business and of course libraries!

This is the first strike in our union's 77 year history!!!  In previous years, we have worked without a contract to ensure the smooth operation of library services.  But now.. the process is turned upside down.  The Library board is not in charge of negotiations. 

City Hall's human resources is directing it with the GVRD Labour Relations Council, with the aid of the Wilcox Group - a PR firm hired to handle labour disputes, crisis management as well as VANOC.  Why has the city hired a PR firm to create political spins on contract negotiations instead of hiring a mediator to find resolution.  Why hire a PR firm that advertises a "War Room" on their website, when we should be seeking "Peace".... I thought that Vancouver's nick name was "City of Peace."  Check out the information found by CUPE 15, released through a Freedom of Information application:
http://cupe.ca/news/Wilcox_Group_reveale

For information about the strike please check:
www.cupe391.ca/blog2/
www.fairnessforcivicworkers.ca

Main issues are pay equity, respect and bargaining fairly... not asking for more concessions!

Here is a letter that you can download, and send to Vancouver city council and your friends. It reads:

Community support for CUPE 391 Vancouver Library workers from Author Terry Glavin and Dr. Fred Bass - former city councillor


Author Terry Glavin speaks about the important role library workers have in aiding authors for their research - photo Todd Wong

Renowned author, columnist, journalist and UBC faculty intructor -  Terry Glavin came by to give words of support to striking Vancouver Library workers.  Former city councillor Dr. Fred Bass also attended and gave words of support too!

Glavin says he probably spent a year of his life on the picket line, during 15 years of work including 3 strikes at Pacific Press when he was a writer for the Vancouver Sun.  His first union strike experience was 30 years ago for pay equity at the Daily Columbian newspaper where he discovered veteran female workers earning far less than brand new male workers.

Aliza wrote on the CUPE 391 blog:


Glavin is a self-admitting fan of Gung Haggis Fat Choy and wanted to interview me for a piece he is writing about diversity.  Earlier this year, he recommended me to a German Public television company ZDF TV, which is making a travelogue about multiculturalism in Vancouver.  It will be aired in Europe in December.  Hopefully we can have Terry as a featured Canadian writer of Irish-Celtic descent at a Gung Haggis Fat Choy dinne in Victoria one day.

Read Terry's blog at http://transmontanus.blogspot.com/
or check out his new column in The Tyee :: Views :: thetyee.ca



CUPE 391 Vancouver City Library workers wave to cars in the Tuesday afternoon rush hour - photo Todd Wong Other strike issues can be found on
www.fairnessforcivicworkers.ca

My library friends on the picket line

The biggest plus about being on the picket line is having lots of time to socialize and chat with my fellow co-workers.  Usually I am always so busy answering questions or helping patrons with their books, or even shelving books onto the shelves that sometimes we don't get a chance to talk and catch up with each other.


Ross Bliss' gypsy jazz guitar and Todd Wong's classical accordion meet for cultural fusion - photo T.Wong collection

I have known Ross Bliss for a few years... usually we pass at Central Branch, in between organzing programs.  Ross has created the Jazz 101 series and also plays gypsy jazz guitar in the style of Django Reinhardt...  okay maybe not that incredible... but incredible for us non-guitar players.  Ross often plays at the Kino Cafe in Vancouver on Cambie St.  It was great to try some duets with Ross - even though he improvises gypsy jazz and I sight read classical.  We worked out some nice stuff on O Sole Mio, Avalon and Carnaval of Venice.

Every Friday night at Robson Square in Vancouver, there is dancing... Last Friday night was tango night. I joined some Gung Haggis dragon boat food and social club members,for dinner at Primataste Singapore style restaurant. 570 Robson Street, ~~~~~Then we walked the block over to Robson Square. Tonight was Tango Night. While I have played tangos on my accordion such as La Cumparsita and El Choclo... I have never before danced a tango. "Step, step, step, stop, rock, rock, back..." The instructors were good and Asian!!!    more »

Here are today's (Saturday's) results at the 2007 World Pipe Band Championships, Glasgow. Regards, the other Ron 1st Field Marshal Montgomery (Northern Ireland) 2nd Simon Fraser University (Canada) ~~~~~~~~ Choosing Scotland's Future Scotland's First Minister, Alex Salmond MSP launched a White Paper today inviting the people of Scotland to join in a national conversation on the nation’s constitutional future ~~~~~~~ Scots 'mither tongue' goes online An archive of the Scots language is now available all over the world thanks to a comprehensive new website. Researchers at Glasgow University have completed work on the online resource, which contains more than four million words in Scots and Scottish English.    more »

Scripting Aloud is organized by film-maker Kathy Leung and writer/actor Grace Chin, two friends that originally met in my dragonboat and Ricepaper circles. It is a fun event that encourages both writers to bring developing scripts and actors to come help read them... a fine collaboration that helps build community.   more »

Yesterday I met Donald Law while I was playing my accordion on the picket line. Donald came up to me and asked "Are you Todd Wong?" ~~~~~~~~~ Meanwhile... We are disappointed with the labour negotiations for the library. Our union has told us that the library board finally presented us with their "opening offer" - 9 months after CUPE 391 submitted an offer back in Nov. '06. In all the months since, they kept saying make something "more reasonable" without constructive guidelines.   more »