Fernie Fix February 2022

FEBRUARY 2022 | ISSUE 182

THE

CONNECTIONS ISSUE

IN THIS ISSUE: Special Feature: Drew Swan on his diametric guitars, Feature Artist Jolene Miner and her creative passion, paper! Learn about Feature Resident Ron Lakeman, everyone’s favourite weather forecaster. Also this month: Subterranean Connections with Sylvia and Sarah, connecting to culture and community through meaningful travel with Patrick Robertson, and the importance of human connection through these trying times with Dr. Taina Turcasso.

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EDITOR’S FIX p7 CONNECTIONS ISSUE SPECIAL FEATURE p8 Drew Swan of King Vulture Diametric Guitars

by Michael Hepher

BUSINESS IN THE VALLEY p11 Business News Networking in the Pandemic Era by Brad Parsell

FEBRUARY 2022 | ISSUE 182

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT p16 Feature Artist - Jolene Miner ArtBeat – Kick the Door Open to Creativity

by Michael Hepher At Peace and Yet on Fire – The Ritual of Theatre by Sadie Rosgen and Sending Love from the Badlands by Joe Vickers Rental Fix – The Last Duel by Andrew Vallance

THE

CONNECTIONS ISSUE

COMMUNITY p24 Feature Resident – Ron Lakeman City Corner – 2021,Year in Review

by Ange Qualizza Science and Everyday Life - Critical Thinking

by Fred Gietz At the Ground Level – Subterranean Connections by Sylvia Ayers, Illustrated by Sarah Pullen

EVENTS CALENDAR p29 HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE p34 Slow Travel – Meaning by Patrick Robertson Pelvic Health Through the Lifespan – The Postpartum Years by Stephanie McDowell Family Wellness – What Does Human Connection Mean to You?

by Dr. Taina Turcasso This is Life – Shame and Relationships

by Tyla Charbonneau Mentorship in the Mountains – Good Judgement by Claire Smallwood

BITS AND BYTES p47 The Answer Guy – Antivirus

by Kevin McIsaac Astrology – February 2022 by Ashley Kristina Through the Lens – Connections Issue Photo Gallery The Social Page

FERNIE FUN p54 The Last Page

COVER: Chairlift Romance.

Photo by Sara Previte, @saraprevite THIS PAGE: Nordic skiing on Montane Trails.

Photo by Vince Mo, @findingvmo FERNIEFIX.COM

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Contributors ANDREW VALLANCE is a cinephile nerd who currently lives on the west coast.

Girlfriendless, he spends his time going to movies, buying DVDs and flirting.

ANGE QUALIZZA is a nutty economist who has a passion for policy, governance and everything to do with municipal government! Let’s lift up the carpet and take a closer look inside City Hall.

ASHLEY KRISTINA has studied astrology for over twenty years and has been reading/teaching for five. For an in depth natal chart reading, email mountainashastrology@gmail.com.

BRAD PARSELL is the manager of the Fernie Chamber and loves working with our local vibrant business community. He is also a music nerd with an ever-growing collection of records in his basement.

CLAIRE SMALLWOOD is an avid skier, mediocre snowboarder, former personal chef, and newly-minted hockey fan. When Claire’s not on the slopes or whipping up red chile sauce, you can find her at the helm of SheJumps, the nonprofit she co-founded in 2007 with a mission to transform the lives of women and girls through outdoor experiences.

FRED GIETZ is a selfprofessed science nerd and lover of all things outside.

KEVIN MCISAAC haunts the coffee shops and streets of Fernie to find his column source material.

MICHAEL HEPHER is a painter, printmaker, sculptor and musician living and working in Fernie. His work is collected internationally and can be seen at Clawhammer Press and a variety of galleries in Western Canada.

PATRICK ROBERTSON is a travel writer and long-time resident of Fernie. He is an expert in planning independent travel and finding budget travel deals.

Visit his website at budgetslowtravel. com and on Facebook at facebook.com/ budgetslowtravel.

Every month SADIE ROSGEN teams up with some of Fernie’s brightest young writers collaborating on a given theme.

If you are reading this and think that you are that person, drop her a line at sadiepumps@gmail.com.

SARAH PULLEN is a grade 12 student at Fernie Secondary with a passion for all things creative. She looks forward to pursuing some form of artistic studies post-secondary.

STEPHANIE MCDOWELL is a physiotherapist with Fernie Physiotherapy. Aside from work, she is an outdoor enthusiast, and enjoys soaking up all the baby giggles from her son.

SYLVIA AYERS Sylvia is a tenacious naturalist and believes each one of us can have a big impact on making things better if we just know how.

TAINA TURCASSO is a naturopathic physician, midwife, and new mama who is at long last practicing in Fernie. She is enjoying getting reacquainted with all of Fernie’s offerings with her family.

TYLA CHARBONNEAU is a Registered Psychologist (CPBC2385), dog momma, and nature lover. She loves talking with others about mindfulness, self-compassion, and human nature.

Claris Media acknowledges that the land on which we work, gather and recreate is the traditional and unceded territory of the Ktunaxa people.We are very grateful for this place and the abundance it provides.

Editor’s Fix

By Krista Turcasso, Editor Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom. ~ Aristotle Over the last few years, especially during this pandemic, I have finally developed and embraced a deep connection with who I am. What I believe, my values, who and what are important to me. And this has helped me to feel more confident across aspects of my life.

I used to have a hard time voicing concerns, sharing my opinion, standing up for what I believed to be right or the best choice for me, my friends and family, my community.

I didn’t want to ‘rock the boat’ or to cause problems and would avoid confrontation at all cost.

This connection, or as Aristotle calls it wisdom, has given life more depth and meaning… even if sometimes that depth is frustrating, disappointing and challenging.

But isn’t that the point? Not to go day by day, through the motions, checking off the list and instead to learn more, be engaged, ask the hard questions, fight the good fight?

These have been extremely difficult times, but they are also times that have taught us what in life is important and worth fighting for. While it varies for each of us, I think we can all agree that this kind of connection and love for ourselves is critical and perhaps by looking inward, we can then turn outward and tackle those bigger challenges together.

FERNIE FIX | FERNIEFIX.COM Published monthly by Claris Media. To advertise and for general inquiries: info@clarismedia.com Box 1124, 361A 1st Ave. Fernie, BC V0B 1M0 p: 250-423-4062 | clarismedia.com Editor | Krista Turcasso Creative Director | Vanessa Croome All content copyright Claris Media. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily the views of the publisher.

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THE CONNECTION ISSUE SPECIAL FEATURE

Drew Swan of King Vulture Diametric Guitars

by MICHAEL HEPHER

The most interesting discoveries often happen because the person at the helm is dogged enough to chase their dream regardless of the obstacles. Drew Swan of King Vulture Guitars has organized his life around this journey to build his unique diametric instruments, and to do that he has created a woodworking shop in a 26’ trailer. Utilities worker by day, Drew parks his mobile guitar studio wherever he can find a place. When I came upon his setup, I found the side door open, a quaint cafe table and chair outside, and a small generator purring quietly. When he met me at the door dressed in a bright red leather jacket and a utili-kilt I knew the next hour of my life was going to be fascinating. I wasn’t wrong.

even though it’s thin it projects so well that people always ask where I put the batteries.

The next model that’s coming is going to be cast aluminium and bolt together. The sound board will bolt between the two halves.

MH: How did you get into building guitars?

DS: I was learning to make Violins, but I had a woodworking accident and lost the use of most of my left hand. After that I threw all my tools away—I couldn’t stand to see the chisels because I almost died from blood-loss. Roughly 10 years ago I started dabbling again, but because I was travelling a lot, I wanted something that didn’t need a case. I came up with the idea of using an aluminum frying pan and building a dog-bowl resonator with a wood soundboard. Then I had the idea of using a pressure cooker, so I spun off the lips of the pot on the lathe and mated the two together again. That was the first time I put the sound board inside the tone box and surprisingly it worked! I decided to take things more seriously and make something that was more of a finished product, so I started making wooden ones. My prototypes went through many changes, and I was experimenting with the resonance of different materials. One day I drilled that extra hole and I thought, holy crap, what a difference. That’s when the bass really started to come out.

MH: So, first things—what is a Diametric Guitar?

DS: I had to come up with a name because it’s new. It took me a couple years to figure out what I was going to call it.

There is a soundboard bifurcating the whole instrument so there are essentially two guitars there—each with its own soundhole so the two halves are alternating airflow between the two soundholes. The biggest difference being that I can control the speed that the soundboard vibrates at by altering the ratio between the soundholes.

MH: So, the bridge passes through the top of the guitar to the inner soundboard which vibrates in the middle of the guitar body?

DS: That’s correct. This model is the first one I’ve built in this size and shape. It’s about 2” thick and looks more like an electric guitar than an acoustic guitar, but

I was lucky enough to live through my accident, so I wanted to come up with something of my own—that will leave a legacy.

Michael Hepher Photos

MH: How long have you been working on your legacy project?

DS: About four years now. I’m stepping it up now with those cast aluminum models I’m talking about.

I’ve got a foundry that’s going to cast the bodies and I’ve got enough soundboard material for about 700 instruments. I have to grow, and to do that I have to scale up a notch. I don’t want to be building guitars in this trailer forever. My vision was always to get to the cast metal guitar.

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If becoming a foster caregiver has been on your mind, please reach out to Halina Wloka at 250-423-9718.

MH: Do you finish them by hand?

DS: Yes, all the parts will be assembled by hand, but I’m pursuing tone, not finish. Many other guitar builders pursue finish, but it’s the tone I’m after. I think if I make it too perfect, people won’t play it—or they won’t play it often. They certainly won’t take it down to the beach. My guitar goes everywhere, but also has the sound of a great instrument. Tom Proctor, one of my sponsored players, describes it as the love child of a Baby Taylor and a banjo. I’ll always have a custom shop, but my dream is to have one of these in the hands of everyone who plays guitar.

To find out more about Drew and his guitars you can see more of his work at: FB: facebook.com/kingvulture IG: instagram.com/king_vulture_guitar

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BUSINESS NEWS

22

Business in the Valley

Submitted Photo

Submitted Photo

NEW BUSINESS

Elk Valley Suicide Acceleration Coaching Task Force accelerationcoaching.ca

evstf.ca

Acceleration Coaching is a new cycling coaching business offering training plans customized to each athlete.

FEB 25-26

2022

After 2021’s long lockdown Isabella GiaVulva and her Drag gal pals wanted to take an active role in helping the Elk Valley Suicide Task Force (EVSTF) break the Coach Julie Kelly has been in the fitness stigma around suicide. So, they approached industry leading people in a group or one Fernie Alpine Resort with a unique on one setting for 20 years. As a personal fundraising idea, to challenge a couple of trainer and fitness instructor she has learned Drag Queens to lap the Mighty Moose what motivates people and how to work ALL NIGHT LONG in the name of with various fitness levels. mental health awareness.

Julie’s twelve years of mountain bike racing Born of utter ridiculousness the fundraiser and training with a high-performance was a roaring success and raised over $10k coach has taught her what it takes to be to create a grief support group, providing a a competitive athlete. She has completed safe place for people to share grief and loss. various types of races including Stage Races, 100 Milers, Six to Ten Hours, XC This year the Dragathon returns, with some and 24-hour Solos.You can check out special in town events leading up to the her blog (rollinginthedirt-julie.blogspot.

Mighty Moose Dragathon at Fernie Alpine com) for more details on Julie’s racing Resort on Friday March 11. background. She looks forward to working Keep an eye on the EVSTF’s social media with you accelerating forward to reach (@ElkValleySuicideTaskForce) to see your goals. what’s happening for the Second Annual Dragathon. And remember, it is OK to not be OK.

www.ferniefilmfestival.com FERNIEFIX.COM

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10 Year Anniversary

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August 5th & 6th, 2022 • fernie, bc visit our website for ticket sales wapitimusicfestival.com Scan for our covid policies

Business in the Valley

BUSINESS NEWS

Submitted Photo

Welcoming our great new stylist Paige!

Paige specializes in blondes and is accepting new clients.

Call 250-423-2181 or email us at no3fernie@shaw.ca to book with Paige.

No.3 Hair Salon

& Mountain Boutique 522 2 Ave, Fernie, BC 250-423-2181 www.no3fernie.com

Submitted Photo

Miner’s Mud

NEW BUSINESS

1390 McLeod Ave

VM Travel Treasures

Miner’s Mud combines East Coast coffee with West Coast Mountain living, bringing you premium coffee on-thego to fuel your adventures.You can find them just off Highway 3 in West Fernie en route to Fernie Alpine Resort.

vmtravel.ca 250-423-5023

Along with fresh-brewed fair-trade organic espresso and drip coffee, hot chocolate and tea, they offer “overthe-top” add-ons like house-made marshmallows and maple whipped cream.

Be sure to pick up some of their freshbaked muffins, scones and Nova Scotia Oatcakes to pair with your coffee.

Follow Miner’s Mud on Facebook and Instagram @minersmud and head to their stories to see their daily baking specials!

Since 1999, Corinne and Natascha of VM Travel Adventures have been offering small group travel off the beaten track around the world. Due to travel restrictions they shifted to importing handcrafted items from artisan friends in Morocco and Turkey, two of their destination countries. Hand chiseled lanterns, etched tray tables, handwoven textiles, cooking tagines, Beni Ourain wool carpets, leather poufs and purses are coming in from Fez, Morocco. From Istanbul vintage carpets, pillowcases, hand painted ceramics, mosaic lamps and hanging lamps are featured items.

VM Travel Treasures offer these items for sale at popup bazaars in Fernie, on consignment in some of the local stores, and through catalogue pages emailed to those interested in authentic décor items and unique gifts. Contact Corinne at info@vmtravel.ca or call directly and follow them on Instagram @corinne_ vmtravel for details. Watch for a Summer Bazaar of global imports at the Funky Old Medina here in Fernie.

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Business in the Valley

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

Networking in the Pandemic Era

by BRAD PARSELL We’re all pretty done with this pandemic, huh? Indubitably. It’s been a lot and has dragged on for way too long. One of the many things that have had to take a back seat in the interest of public safety these past two years is the traditional idea of networking and connection. One of the many key functions the Fernie Chamber of Commerce delivers for its member businesses and organizations is networking opportunities. These are so crucial to running a successful business – the ability to connect with other business owners or managers in the community to compare notes on a range of issues and opportunities that we collectively face.

We know how much value there is in these less-formal events that provide this platform for business leaders to engage with peers that they may not otherwise have the opportunity to do in their busy everyday lives. The Fernie Chamber team has tried extremely hard to keep those connections going against the backdrop of a global pandemic which has made getting together in person challenging. We were quick to embrace video technology platforms like Zoom, which has been a powerful tool for us to keep businesses connected while staying apart. Our weekly Zoom calls helped keep business and community leaders informed during the early days of the pandemic, and since we have used the platform for information sessions, roundtables, workshops and even to stage events like the Fernie Business Excellence Awards.

But hard as we might try, this kind of digital networking really is weak tea compared to getting together in person.

We attempted to move our pre-pandemic monthly networking event Business, Banter

Submitted Photo

“It’s our great hope that we finally arrive at a place real soon when we can get back to carefree and in-person networking events with lots of our members.” and Beers (BBBs) online, but it felt stilted and not as free flowing as gathering in a proud local business owner’s space and mingling. There is something undeniable about a good sidebar chat with someone you barely know but shares the same

interests as you. And this far in, to say that we all have Zoom fatigue is probably the understatement of the year and we’re only in February.

It’s our great hope that we finally arrive at a place real soon when we can get back to carefree and in-person networking events with lots of our members. In the meantime, we’re only a phone call or Zoom call away if you need to bounce ideas of us. Stay tuned to the Fernie Chamber website and social media accounts for upcoming business networking opportunities, whether they are virtual or IRL. We need them!

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Arts and Entertainment

FEATURE ARTIST

JOLENE MINER Creative pursuits have always been a part of my life. One of my earliest memories is of making paper - moving the heavy screen around in the thick slurry, hands cool and wet, soggy fibers coalescing as the fledgling paper starts to take shape.

The teacher had mixed orange zest into the water, and it coloured the finished sheet a soft peach and left it with a bright citrus scent. I was utterly enchanted.

This is probably why I’m a PAPER NUT (yes, ALL CAPS). I don’t love paper. I’m

NUTS about it. And anyone who is nuts about paper can tell you it verges on obsession, the intensity of which can’t really be explained — except to say that its origins are probably rooted in a sparkling moment of childhood which means the love of it will be profound and enduring.

And this brings me to present day.

I am a proud Fernie resident and member of the Fernie Visual Arts Guild, although this is still a relatively new thing I get to

say. I had lived in Saskatchewan my entire life until fate brought me and my husband to this incredible mountain town the summer of 2019. While I completed my BFA at the University of Saskatchewan many, many years earlier, I had kept my art practice private, and it wasn’t until I came to Fernie and was welcomed into its art community that I felt compelled to bring my work into the public eye.

The public eye took a number of forms over the last two and a half years. Several

group-shows at the Arts Station here in Fernie. An honorable mention in the Emerging Artists category at a Kimberly Arts Centre 64 regional exhibition.

A banner in both Sparwood and Fernie.

And now…

My first solo exhibit! The Arts Station Gallery. February 2022.

The medium of the work? You guessed it, you clever thing. PAPER. The show is called Paper Mountains. It probably needs no explanation why I would find inspiration in the mountains surrounding me in my new, incredible home. But, in addition to that, mountains are the perfect subject for exploring certain concepts I currently have a crush on. The richness of layers. The flattening of planes. The power of sharply defined colour areas, just to name a few. And, of course, I’m delving deep into these concepts using paper.

If I had to describe my current body of work, I would say there is an element in it I have heard called the touch of the hand. This is a gentle rawness that leaves evidence of the process and makes these pieces feel approachable. There is a warmth to them that invites the viewer in, to come closer and get acquainted with them, get lost in them. There are no

pretenses, no posturing, nothing trying to elevate them. They were just made to explore, to let loose the sense of wonder and see what happens, to play.

In these bizarre and challenging times, I think a little warmth goes a long way. It’s easy to forget how to play, especially as grownups, and play is honestly what living is for. As good as it feels to list off a bunch of accolades, it’s the fun I had creating these pieces that feels like the success.

So, if you have the opportunity to see my work, I hope you feel a bit of the sparkle I felt making it and that this tiny, playful spark of connection helps shine just a little warmth on you. Or a lot. Either way.

Jolene’s exhibit, Paper Mountains opens at the Arts Station on January 27, 2022 at 7pm and will be on display until February 24. To learn more about Jolene and her art, visit her on Instagram @joleneminerart.

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Arts and Entertainment

ARTBEAT

Kick the Door Open to Creativity

by MICHAEL HEPHER The average human brain weighs roughly three pounds and contains about 85 million neurons–all connected by a complex network of ganglia. The electrical and chemical messages that are sent along those neural connections allow for blazing fast parsing of extremely complex data.

Sometimes the results our brain comes up with are so complex, and so definitive, that there isn’t even a way for it to let us know short of triggering a feeling of unease, or triumph. We typically call this ‘trusting your gut’ but it actually has nothing to do with your guts. We feel anxiety or euphoria when our brain wants to tell us don’t do it! or go now! or that’s perfect! but the message is too complex or important, so our brain gives us a physical exclamation point to drive it home.

As artists we rely on this kind of intuition on a regular, but very subtle level. Our brain gathers complex information about an emerging piece, peers into the future, and then bridges the gaps to allow us to see the path to that finished picture in our head. This intuitive process is nourished by experience, training, and persistence, but for every artist the way they respond to these ‘gut’ feelings is unique—ergo every artist’s style is unique. Try this! and that was a mistake! and don’t use that colour! are all artistic imperatives delivered to us as gut feelings.

“You can analyse the past, but you need to design the future.” –Edward de Bono

Learning to hear the subtle messages is key to refining our work, because the path to that finished piece is rarely linear. Some of the problems that arise are simple and solvable using experience and technique.

Knowing what complimentary colours are, for example, will stop every new piece from being an experiment in I wonder if this will work?

Where the connections are just not coming, though, we need a different solution. Creative block is a real hurdle and can be crippling for long periods for many artists. It’s going to be impossible to address all the possible causes for creative block in a short column, but I will share one of the best tools I’ve found: lateral thinking.

ThinkTank: analog random word generator imagined by Edward de Bono | Mike Hepher Photo We typically think of problem solving as a linear concept. A to B to C to D. Problem solved. But creative problems sometimes require a different approach. Imagine your brain is downtown New York and your creative block has you sitting in a cab in the gridlock of rush hour: time for a change.You’ve got to climb out of the cab and grab a bike, duck through an alley, or find a park to cut across to get to your destination. Lateral thinking helps jump-start that process so we can solve the problem by moving A to G to M to Z to D instead.

Edward De Bono, the psychologist who coined the term lateral thinking identified this jump-start as random stimulation. We typically try to block out all the things going on around us so we can focus on the task at hand, but in order to be good problem solvers we actually need some external stimuli which is why we work better with breaks. How often do we sit around a campfire to have a good think?

The soothing flow of the flames is that random stimulation that allows our brain to relax and explore—to unfurl our troubles and let them flow away into the dark crevices of our mind where they find alternate paths to solution.

The poet who flips open a book and puts their finger down on a word, the band that uses an online word generator to pick a name, the artist who closes their eyes and flings paint at a canvas to start a painting: all are engaging in random stimulation to get themselves to new places, artistically.

These lateral connections are not voodoo, they are neurological science at a level beyond our current understanding: we don’t have to fear them. When we create a relaxing space to work in, and feed our brains a variety of stimuli, and give ourselves time for that potent mixture to stew, we will eventually find our way around the blockage.

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Taxis are an important mode of transportation, but no one ever got anywhere interesting sitting in the back of a cab stuck in Manhattan traffic. So, kick open the door and let yourself be guided by your gut.You might not end up where you expected, but with some time and after hitting a few dead ends, you’ll end up somewhere a whole lot more fascinating.

Resources: Word Generator App: InspireMe (search Apple Store)

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LizardCreek.com / 250-423-2056 Photos by Nick Nault & Matt Kuhn

FERNIEFIX.COM

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Be Prepared.

Start Here.

FIRST AID AND SAFETY z Foodsafe Level 1 | February 7

BUSINESS, LIFESTYLE AND LEISURE

z St. John Standard for Industry | February 8 | February 14

z MS Word Level 3 | February 7

z Transportation Endorsement | February 10 | February 16

z Wills, Powers of Attorneys | February 7

z Occupational First Aid-Level 1 | February 11

z Cultural Painting | February 10

z Occupational Health/Safety P2 | February 11

z CORE Hunter Training | February 12

z Air Brakes | February 12

z Stir It Up Bartending | February 12

z St. John CPR A | St. John CPR C and AED | February 17

z Becoming a Home Herbalist | February 22

z Avalanche Skills Training Level 2 | February 22

z Conversational Spanish | February 23

z Occupational First Aid Level 3 | February 22

z MS Excel Bundle | February 23

z Forklift Certification | February 25

z European Cheese | February 24

z Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 | February 28

z Canadian Firearms Safety | February 26

z Basic Fall Protection | February 28

z Indoor Growing of Cannabis | February 26

z Red Cross Emergency Child Care | March 5

z Fast Track Outdoor Photography | February 27

?

check out all our courses online, please visit our website at cotr.bc.ca/ConEd or phone 250-423-4691

Arts and Entertainment

AT PEACE AND YET ON FIRE

The Ritual of Theatre

by Sadie Rosgen

and Sending Love from the Badlands

by Joe Vickers

When you plug the name Joe Vickers into your favourite search engine, you’ll learn that Joe is a punk rock folk musician who’s on seasonal rotation as both artist and farmer. You’ll learn that this travelling troubadour is a coffee roasting, story boasting legend who is as talented as he is kind, funny as he is charming, and as a father and friend, one of a kind. I wanted to engage Joe and have him put into words the connection he has with his audience when performing and I would do the same. As we swerve in and out of being allowed to perform live right now, how might this be affecting all of us who’ve mustered up the courage to engage with a live audience? This is what we came up with.

The Ritual of Theatre

Sending Love from the Badlands

by Sadie Rosgen

by Joe Vickers

Chest heaving, lying down, breathing.

The scent of a sharpie permeates the room, as I write the names of people, places and postal codes from near and afar.

The lights hang ready above my gaze.

“The house is open,” a sotto whisper from a stage manager.

My prowess and poise.

For now.

For money.

Packaged inside a twelve by twelve vessel, my offerings await a needle, and await your ears.

The many evenings cafes and basements became opera houses.

A venue without a stage, nothing to separate audience from performer.

It’s my little bit of forever.

In isolation, in the absence of ceremony, you graciously accept.

The concert, a conversation, a call and response, a dialogue we surrender to as we exchange our vulnerability and hold space for perspectives beyond our own.

5 minutes now!

My stomach, a crisis of nerves.

Resurrecting my breath, the curtain unveils us, we begin.

From Fernie to Hamburg, Halifax to Fort Worth, the couriers trace the course of my travels

The mediator is the melody of human emotions, spoken in the universal language I am fluent in, yet cannot read.

A community so vast, compact and devoted, the music is our bond.

My gratitude is endless.

As I write your name, I become the ink for you to hold in your hands until we meet again.

As I write your name, I am reminded of what I long for: the late nights, the sweaty hugs, our voices unified in chorus.

Please check out Joe and his music at joevickersmusic.com

Transportation by imagination: The ritual of theatre.

Breathing each other as the story unfolds.

Audience to actors.

As we end, our bows, discovering gratitude.

FERNIEFIX.COM

21

Three new beers are in the forecast.

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Arts and Entertainment

THE RENTAL FIX

The Last Duel

by ANDREW VALLANCE The Last Duel tells the story of a trial by combat between Sir Jean de Carrouges, Norman knight, and Jacques Le Gris, his squire, in the year 1386. The men had been best of friends, with de Carrouges naming Le Gris his son’s godfather, but after the two were invited into the court of Count Pierre d’Alençon, jealousy created a rift between them as Le Gris became d’Alençon’s favourite, rewarding him with land and wealth. While de Carrouges was away fighting in England, Le Gris took advantage of his absence and visited Marguerite de Carrouges. Marguerite accused Le Gris of raping her and her husband wanted revenge.

A decision was handed down by the Count Pierre d’Alençon, but de Carrouges believed that d’Alençon unfairly favoured Le Gris. De Carrouges then appealed the decision to King Charles VI and suggested that rather than proceeding to a criminal trial, he would challenge Le Gris to a trial by combat, a fight to the death in which the survivor would be deemed by God to be right in the matter. By 1386 trial by combat was no longer permitted, but after parliament could not determine who was guilty, the duel was allowed. Le Gris was knighted just prior to the duel so that the men would be equal before God, and the king forbade anyone from interfering in the duel. In addition, if de Carrouges lost the duel, his wife would be burned at the stake as punishment for her false accusation of Le Gris.

It was the last recorded duel in French history, and the case has become an important cultural legend. The guilt or innocence of its participants has been the source of great debate among historians and jurists.

It is a grim, bleak, brutal tour de force that features Matt Damon as Jean de Carrouge and Adam Driver as Jacque Le Gris. Ben Affleck plays a minor role as Le Gris’ selfish, arrogant and undeniably aristocratic friend, Pierre d’Alençon. All are excellent in their roles.

Jodie Comer gives an Oscar winning performance as Marguerite de Carrouges, portraying her as an extremely intelligent and capable young woman who intellectually out matches most of the men in her life.

“This is not an easy film to watch, but I would absolutely recommend it. It shows how men are rewarded for heinous acts of violence, and how little things have changed over the last 600 years...”

The film is based on a novel by Eric Jager.

The script was written by Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Nicole Holofcener, and it was directed by the legendary Ridley Scott.

The story is told from three different perspectives. We see the events from de Carrouges’ point of view, secondly Le Gris’ point of view, and finally from the point of view of Marguerite herself. Unfortunately, this means that we are forced to watch a graphically depicted sexual assault twice, which, in my opinion, is an unnecessary artistic indulgence by Ridley Scott.

This is a well-crafted movie. The fight scene is well choreographed, with the sadism and nastiness of the duel itself rendered in excruciating detail. We are shown how dirty, both literally and figuratively, a duel would have been at the time.

This is not an easy film to watch, but I would absolutely recommend it. It shows how men are rewarded for heinous acts of violence, and how little things have changed over the last 600 years when it comes to dealing with the survivors of rape.

Two thumbs up.

FERNIEFIX.COM

23

Community

FEATURE RESIDENT

Ron Lakeman

by KRISTA TURCASSO During the winter season, many of us start our mornings by checking the Mountain Weather on skifernie.com. After so many years, forecaster Ron Lakeman feels like a trustworthy old friend, who puts honesty first whether it’s rain or massive amounts of snow he’s sharing with us that day. Ron is how we stay connected with the weather, how we make our plans for the week ahead… “okay, well ‘heavy at times’ on Tuesday night. Wednesday morning office chair it is!”

spot, a typical Pacific system gets the lift and heavy precipitation.

“The other one, the classic is the Arctic airmass coming down from the Yukon or Territories, and the prevailing flow moves to the east as it comes south. It follows the terrain and is funneled by mountain ranges – the big one being the Rocky Mountains. It never crosses the Continental Divide into BC but occasionally it comes into Southeastern BC. When it all comes together – the Pacific and Arctic combined, that’s when you get the Fernie Factor and more snow than other locations. But it’s all about timing! It’s a fine line, and computer models have a tough time showing it. It’s all about fine tuning whether it’s a big dump or not.”

So, just who is Ron and how did he get into meteorology?

Ron is originally from Ontario, “don’t hold that against me!” he says, and moved to Calgary for his post-secondary education.

He has been interested in natural sciences from a young age, and when his wife saw a posting in a college magazine that Environment Canada was hiring, she immediately thought of him. “I applied, and it was a long process with a whole lot of training. I got the job and found that I really enjoyed it!” His first posting was in the Northwest Territories, where he spent three and a half years until he was transferred to the Castlegar office in 1988.

“I have resided in the West Kootenays ever since and love it here!” he shares with me.

Ron worked with Environment Canada for ten years, and then in 1998 started working with the Provincial Government, BC Wildfire Service until he retired two years ago.

“We’ve always had a presence with winter forecasting in Fernie, even with the Province we covered ski resorts and snow avalanche programs. When I retired, Robin [Siggers] approached me to ask if I could continue forecasting as a private

Submitted photo consultant,” Ron says. “It’s a challenging job, as it’s as much of an art as it is about science. It’s really rewarding when you get it right! Fernie is one of those unique places, with the Elk Valley forecast being produced for Sparwood… and Fernie and Sparwood are apples and oranges most of the time. Pattern recognition goes a long way when forecasting!”

So, just how does the weather work in Fernie?

“There are a couple of things. If you look at the climate in Cranbrook, Fernie and Sparwood, they’re not that far apart but the climates are night and day. Pacific moisture comes over the coastal range to the east moving over several ranges. Fernie is on the edge of the Rocky Mountains, where the system is forced to go up. It’s the prime

When it comes to longer term forecasting, whether it’s for a wildfire or a ski/ snowboard season, “We try, but in reality what we have to our availability is quite limited beyond seven days,” Ron says.

The first thing forecasters do is to explain the limitations. For example, in Southern BC El Niño commonly means a mild season with an early spring. La Niña on the other hand is cooler than normal and commonly results in more snowfall and a later spring. “This year is a La Niña winter, and so far it has relevance with frequent Arctic outbreaks. It’s good to know before a season, but we still need to do five-day forecasting.”

In regard to the wildfire season, Ron tells me that as much as snowpack has an impact, it all comes down to the weather patterns. “Snowpack can be irrelevant with an early heat wave. If you look on a year-to-year basis, and you say Fernie gets this much precip on average and look

back, it’s not common to have a year 1020% outside of that average. If we have a few months of dry, we’ll likely have a few months of wet. It averages through that way. Regardless though, June can be a key month.”

It’s so wonderful finally meeting (over the phone) and talking to Ron, his passion and knowledge are inspiring and I appreciate my daily forecast even more. Ron starts each day at his computer pulling out all of the models, satellite imagery, and radar, analyzing it and then writing his forecasts.

He continues to consult with three clients in the East Kootenays and does some work for the Ministry of Transportation avalanche program. Interestingly, Ron is not a skier! “I’m more the hockey player,” he tells me. “I was into sledding and snowbiking but now that my son has grown up, I don’t get out as much.”

He and his wife really enjoy living in the Kootenays. “It’s the perfect location as far as I’m concerned. Having lived in a city and in the Arctic, it’s the perfect in between. We have all of the outdoor activities just out the door and the amenities without the crowds.”

And can we continue to depend on Ron, and the connection he provides us throughout the winter season? “I really enjoy it. I spend 3-4 hours on this, and the rest of the time is mine. It’s a breath of fresh air, and now I can do it at home which is super convenient. It gives me a routine, but I can still get out and do the things I like and am not tied to the desk like I had been,” he tells me. It seems we can, at least for awhile!

1. When did you first arrive in the Kootenays and what brought you here?

1998 and it was a transfer within Environment Canada.

2. Who did you first meet?

Robin Siggers and Dave Aikens, he’s the guy who phoned us every morning before Robin was involved.

3. Do you remember your first general impression of the Kootenays?

Spectacular outdoor opportunities. That and the climate was quite hospitable, we don’t get really cold winters! We had moved from the Territories where -30 or -40 was quite common! It felt warm.

4. What keeps you here?

We find the area to be the perfect in between.

Cheers to another epic Winter in Fernie!

5. Do you have a favourite pastime?

In the winter I’m more of a hockey player, in the summer boating. My son got me into dirt bikes eight years ago and in the last few years we are dual sports, I got my motorcycle license and have gotten into touring about. Golf has also become big the last few years.

6. What time of the year do you love most and why?

The month of October, as a kid it used to be August. Having been a fire weather forecaster it became too busy and no longer my favourite… I actually started to dread it. In October, fire season is over, winter hasn’t come yet and you can still get out and enjoy the outdoors.

7. Where do you see or hope to see the Kootenays in five years?

I hope it doesn’t change much!

8. How do you start your day or what is one of your daily rituals?

As far as winter, it’s a cup of coffee, let the dog out, light the wood stove and start pulling up computer models.

9. Tell us something people might be surprised to learn about you.

That I’ve never skied Fernie.

10. Quote to live by: As far as weather forecasting, it’s that we strive for perfection, we rarely achieve it, but we never stop trying.

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Water is important to our local communities, Indigenous People, and to North Coal.

We are proud to announce our partnership with the Columbia Basin Water Hub, an innovative open data platform for housing waterrelated data collected in the Canadian Columbia Basin. By making water data easily accessible, the Water Hub is helping build a holistic and transparent approach to water management in the region.

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Community

CITY CORNER

2021, Year in Review

by ANGE QUALIZZA After a thorough analysis of our financial health in 2020 where we saw years of organizational change, gaps in policy and practice, years of staff turnover, and 5-7 years of incomplete financial information, we started 2021 by establishing a budget and work plan that refocused the City on the fundamentals.

The extreme weather and flooding earlier this year were a reminder of just how important flood protection projects are to our community, and how far we’ve come in emergency preparedness as we coordinate with the Regional District on emergency management. We’re proud to have completed the Mountview Dike improvements to protect the Airport neighbourhood, and to have grant funding for the Annex Dike project to protect hundreds of homes and buildings, and to have combined that with active transportation funding creating an accessible path from bridge to bridge and extending the Fernie Valley Pathway to Provincial Park Road at a total value of $7.178 million.

We complete the Ghostrider Commercial Area infrastructure renewal this year replacing underground utilities, roads, and lighting, and further extended active transportation options from the Fairy Creek Trail.

The Planning department saw another record year in building, where we processed over 250 building permits, totalling a construction value of over $50,000,000. This challenge was met all while the department went through major changes as Derek Cimolini took on the manager role, and just recently welcoming Erika Hornquist as Planner and Allie Winter in GIS. All of this was managed

Manager of Operations and Manager of Sustainable Service delivery completed a comprehensive redevelopment of snow and ice management, one of our largest and most contentious service areas.

City of Fernie Photo

“...we started 2021 by establishing a budget and work plan that refocused the City on the fundamentals.” during a COVID environment. We also secured just over $171,000 in grant funding to improve our processes, policies, bylaws and documentation, and look forward to this work advancing over the course of 2022. The Bylaw enforcement team have also risen to the challenge, receiving over 480 requests for service this year and processing over 840 business licenses, all while modernizing some important municipal bylaws and policies.

We furthered our commitment to occupational health and safety this year, moving safety management to the core of our organization, and are proud that 2021 has been our second year running without any workplace accidents leading to lost time.

We welcomed Mark Rowlands to the City, taking on the lead role in Operations and advancing our critical analysis and planning work on water, wastewater, and our transportation network. And our

Just like so many organizations locally, we have faced some major supply chain and equipment challenges this year, with vehicles ordered in June yet to arrive, and our team has done admirably meeting those challenges with innovative solutions, including building parts and implementing interim repairs that have helped us provide continued services to the community.

Finance and Corporate Administration have continued to deliver on improving the fundamentals, with huge improvements in reporting to meet all legislative deadlines and requirements, and improved processes, controls, and reporting putting us in a much better position moving into 2022.

We’ve also been able to undertake amongst smaller improvements and enhancements that support our community. We’re excited to have completed work like improved designs for the Annex Pond outflow and emergency measures for our treatment plants. We are also proud to be supporting our active community with projects like the Dolphins swim club new starting blocks at the Aquatic Centre, supporting enhanced winter grooming, and implementing a seemingly daily set of changing COVID-19 restrictions in our recreation facilities.

It’s been a challenging year, but I am extremely proud of staff for their incredible contribution to the community. We’ve got a great team at the City of Fernie, and through every iteration of the pandemic we rose to the challenge.

FERNIEFIX.COM

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EVENTS CALENDAR

MONTHLY EVENTS

Make sure to stay up to date by visiting FernieFix.com/events. Send your events to krista@clarismedia.com for inclusion!

Tuesday 1.2.2022 Love for the Trails Challenge Begins @ Fernie Mountain Bike Club, bikefernie.ca

Ghostrider Hockey Night @ The Pub Pre-Game Beer & Ticket Special Hockey Ticket and Pint Deal @ Kodiak Lounge

Tuesday 1.2.2022 – Sunday 6.2.2022 Reel Canadian Film Fest @ fernielovesfilm.ca.

Continuing virtually.

Friday 11.2.2022 – Sunday 13.2.2022 Junior Freeski Tournament @ Fernie Alpine Resort Sunday 13.2.2022 Superbowl Sunday @ The Pub

Wednesday 2.2.2022 Fernie Art Streak Meet Up @ The Arts Station Pottery Wine and Wheel @ The Arts Station

Monday 14.2.2022 Council Meeting @ City of Fernie

Friday 4.2.202 2 Fernie Ghostriders Hockey @ Fernie Memorial Arena Live Music: SheVa @ Loaf Ghostrider Hockey Night @ The Pub Pre-Game Beer & Ticket Special Hockey Ticket and Pint Deal @ Kodiak Lounge

Tuesday 15.2.2022 Full Moon Ski @ Elk Valley Nordic Centre Fernie Ghostriders Hockey @ Fernie Memorial Arena Ghostrider Hockey Night @ The Pub Pre-Game Beer & Ticket Special Hockey Ticket and Pint Deal @ Kodiak Lounge

Saturday 5.2.2022 Canadian Fat Bike Day @ Fernie Mountain Bike Club, bikefernie.ca Cody Hall Live @ Kodiak Lounge

Wednesday 16.2.2022 Full Moon Ski @ Elk Valley Nordic Centre

Tuesday, 8.2.2022 Born This Way Parent/Caregiver Group @ ferniepride.ca, 7pm Wednesday 9.2.2022 Intro to Animation @ The Arts Station Friday 11.2.2022 Fernie Ghostriders Hockey @ Fernie Memorial Arena Live Music: Lani Folkfard @ Loaf

Thursday 17.2.2022 Full Moon Ski @ Elk Valley Nordic Centre Friday 18.2.2022 Club Cr8 – No School Friday @ The Arts Station Climbing Wall – No School Day @ Uplift Association Fernie Ghostrders Hockey @ Fernie Memorial Arena Live Music: Gary and Barbara Horne @ Loaf

Saturday 19.2.2022 Corbin Vintage Snowmobile Poker Derby @ Fernie Snowmobile Association Raging Elk Silk Slide Virtual Nordic Event Begins @ Fernie Alpine Resort Fernie Ghostriders Hockey @ Fernie Memorial Arena Ghostrider Hockey Night @ The Pub Pre-Game Beer & Ticket Special Hockey Ticket and Pint Deal @ Kodiak Lounge Saturday 19.2.2022 - Monday 21.2.2022 Family Weekend Activities @ Fernie Alpine Resort Sunday 20.2.2022 Fernie Sled Drag Races @ 1800 Railway Ave, Fernie Snowmobile Association Tuesday 22.2.2022 Committee of the Whole Meeting @ City of Fernie Friday 25.2.2022 Live Music @ Loaf Exhibit Opening: Get Outside by Tyra Collombin @ The Arts Station Friday 25.2.2022 – Saturday 25.2.2022 Fernie Mountain Film Festival @ Fernie Community Centre Sunday 27.2.2022 Virtual Kinky Rail Jam Series #2 @ Fernie Alpine Resort, video submission deadline

Ghostrider Hockey Night @ The Pub Pre-Game Beer & Ticket Special Hockey Ticket and Pint Deal @ Kodiak Lounge

Monday 28.2.2022 Council Meeting @ City of Fernie

Mondays

Wednesdays

Fridays

Parent-tot Funtimes @ Facebook Page Les Tiguidous French activities for toddlers (0-5yo) 10:30am @ the Cokato Park playground Club All Play – Fernie Pickeleball @ Max Turyk Courts, 8:30-10:30am Le Club Baguette Junior @ Rotary Park, outdoor activities and games in French ages 7-12, 3:30pm After School Adventures @ Branch Out Learning, 3-6pm Jam Night @ Kodiak Lounge, 9pm Poutine & Pool Tourney Night @ The Pub

Club All Play – Fernie Pickeleball @ Max Turyk Courts, 8:30-10:30am Seniors Walking Program @ Fernie Community Centre, 11:15am Curbside Craft @ Fernie Heritage Library, Pickup is from 10am each Wednesday Toddlertime (Ages 0-2 years) @ Fernie Heritage Library Live Instagram and Facebook After School Adventures @ Branch Out Learning, 3-6pm Fernie Youth Art Collective @ The Arts Station Open League @ Fernie Curling Club, 6:30pm Inclusive Kids and Teen Mindfulness Yoga Classes @ Branch Out Learning Trivia @ Fernie Hotel Pub

Club All Play – Fernie Pickeleball @ Max Turyk Courts, 8:30-10:30am Storytime (ages 0-5) @ Fernie Heritage Library Live Instagram and Facebook Fish and Chips @ The Pub Fish and Chips Take Away @ Fernie Hotel, 4pm Meat Draw @ The Fernie Club Cre8 @ The Arts Station After School Adventures @ Branch Out Learning, 3-6pm Open Mic Night @ Fernie Distillers, 7pm Equine Assisted Learning Life @ Fernie Therapeutic Horse and Pony Club through Branch Out Learning

WEEKLY EVENTS

Tuesdays Storytime (ages 3-5) @ Fernie Heritage Library Live Instagram and Facebook Seniors Walking Program @ Fernie Community Centre, 11:15am After School Adventures @ Branch Out Learning, 3-6pm Open League @ Fernie Curling Club, 6:30pm Seniors Only League @ Fernie Curling Club, afternoons Fernie Options for Sexual Health Clinic Open @ Elk Valley Hospital, 6:30-8:30pm by appointment Parent-tot Funtimes @ Facebook Page Burger and Beer Night @ The Northern Wing Night @ The Pub Fernie Options Clinic @ Elk Valley Hospital, 6:30-8:30pm

Thursdays Seniors Walking Program @ Fernie Community Centre, 11:15am Bellies to Babies @ Zoom, 2pm Club Baguette Junior French tutoring and activities 3pm @ Isabella Dickens library Club Baguette Adults learn and converse in French for adults 7pm @ Zoom Pub Team Trivia @ The Pub After School Adventures @ Branch Out Learning, 3-6pm Open Mic Night @ Fernie Distillers, 7pm

Saturdays Meat Draw @ The Legion Pint and Ghostrider Hockey Game Deal @ Kodiak Lounge and Parkplace Pub Ski Under the Lights @ Elk Valley Nordic Centre, 6-8pm

Sundays Roast Dinner Special (includes Beer Pint or Glass of Wine) for $20 @ The Pub

FERNIEFIX.COM

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The purpose of the Communities of Interest Advisory Initiative is to foster dialogue and communication between the four coal operations and community representatives within their area of influence.

Did you know?

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Community

AT THE GROUND LEVEL

Subterranean Connections

by SYLVIA AYERS, Illustrated by SARAH PULLEN

In a forest, large trees act as hubs, or home bases, feeding seedlings and sending out messages to other trees.

Using a vast interconnected underground web of fungal threads called the network, these large trees supply seedlings with what they need to grow.

When you see a mushroom, you are look ing at the tiny, above ground portion of the massive internet of the soil!

Dr. Suzanne Simard of UBC calls these large, nurturing trees ‘Mother Trees.’

The connections between Mother Trees and neighbouring trees act as a supportive part of the forest. We can k eep these relationships intact by maintaining their network of connections, ensuring that forests will be more resilient to change and be productive, healthy, diverse and here for many generations to come.

Grow a Plant, Start a Garden Find a tree - any tree - and see if you can identify its ‘mother’.

Look for the bunches with large trees and the seedlings.

Plant more trees than you cut down.

Next time you walk in the forest or through a park notice the connection of one tree to another. Imagine the busy network of fungus under your feet sending messages back and forth.

mothertreeproject.org | Photos courtesy of Terry Nelson

FERNIEFIX.COM

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Community

SCIENCE AND EVERYDAY LIFE

Critical Thinking

by FRED GIETZ crit·i·cal think·ing noun 1. the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment.

Why is it important to be scientifically literate? Well, it allows us to better understand issues that we come across in daily life, in news stories and government debates. Not least of all, it should help us sort out some of those “I heard that …” stories we hear while having coffee with our friends and colleagues.

However, a crucial skill in sorting out the ‘fact or fiction’ stories is critical thinking.

This is the process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, analyzing, and evaluating information gathered from observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or listening to “I heard” stories from our buddies. Easy? No, not really. With everyone able to easily post or re-post stories or pictures, we tend to be inundated with all kinds of information – both fact or fiction – and it is becoming ever more important to apply some critical thinking skills. After all, wouldn’t it be nice to know if that Nigerian prince really wants to share a million dollars with us … or if we should send $5,000 in Bitcoin to the Canadian Revenue Agency before the RCMP comes knocking on our door!?

Now here’s where things may become a bit controversial; critical thinking does not imply that everyone will be in agreement over an issue. Let’s take vaccines (gasp!) as an example. Much to the frustration of some, we have a significant number of people who question our current vaccination program… and some of those questions are legitimate and are examples of some valuable ‘critical thinking.’ Rather

Screen capture from YouTube video

“With everyone able to easily post or re-post stories or pictures, we tend to be inundated with all kinds of information – both fact or fiction – and it is becoming ever more important to apply some critical thinking skills. ” than simply follow the herd, these people have forced scientists and politicians to clarify and explain such things as how these vaccines were manufactured so quickly, the possible side effects to those who may have immune issues (cancer treatments, etc.),

and many other reasonable questions. I would humbly suggest that questions about genitals falling off due to the vaccine (yes, I’ve heard that) and others like this are not examples of critical thinking.

Good critical thinking and questioning can often ‘spoil the fun’ of many social media posts. The internet picture of a giant great white shark jumping for a helicopter by the Golden Gate Bridge might be amusing but deserves some serious questioning.

Again, picking out the fake information is not always easy. Here’s one you can try at home and use your critical thinking skills. A recent YouTube video shows a janitor riding a wheeled mop-bucket by using a leaf blower and umbrella (Google search “Florida Man Brian Mop Bucket, leaf Blower, Umbrella Ride”). Great fun to watch and easy to believe – but is it

accurate or fake? My initial thought was that this was believable, but my engineering buddy suggested we try it because “something doesn’t seem to make sense.”

Hmmm… grab a skateboard, a leaf blower and an umbrella and try it! You may want to dust off your old high school physics notes to help try to explain what’s going on!

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Health and Lifestyle

SLOW TRAVEL

Meaning

by PATRICK ROBERTSON Slowing down your travel allows you to see more and gain a better appreciation of the local area and culture. A meaningful traveller researches and learns about the place and people before their trip. They proceed as a guest respecting and open to the traditions and culture of the land.

There are a few easy steps to begin meaningful travel. Start internally by slowing down. Practice daily meditation and mindful breathing. Live in the present and savour the simple things around you.

Plan your trips so that the money you spend is having a positive impact on the local economy and people. Simple things like taking tours from local people, eating in local restaurants and shopping at local markets. Travel to areas that practice sustainability. Meaningful travel enriches your life and opens your mind.

Meaningful travellers give back to the community in a variety of ways like volunteering for environmental and social projects. There are numerous places now working on efforts to inspire meaningful travel. Hawaii has developed the Mālama (care for) Hawaii initiative.You can volunteer in various projects in aquaculture, habitat stewardship, reforestation, and sustainable farming. Dozens of major hotels and accommodators will give you a free night if you participate in Mālama Hawaii.

There are many organizations you can join for meaningful travel. Service organizations like Rotary International have cultural exchange programs.Volunteer organizations like Habitat for Humanity (Habitat.ca) and Volunteer Optometric Services for Humanity (VOSH.org) do meaningful work all over the world.Voluntourism is becoming a major trend in travel.

Submitted photo

“Meaningful travel gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in a local community, meeting new people and experiencing community issues that lead to a better understanding of the complex nature of poverty and sustainable development.”

We went on an Impact Cruise aboard the Fathom, a small 250 passenger ship owned by Carnival Cruise Lines. Leaving Miami, we docked in the Dominican Republic for a week. Each person could pick the daily impact activity that suited them best. The activities included teaching English, pouring cement floors in houses, reforestation, working in a cocoa factory and helping to make local jewelry out of recycled paper. I was a little suspect at first as it was an impact program run by a corporation, but it was well thought out and we were working side by side with local people to improve their lives through economic development. The people were so friendly and appreciative. It was very rewarding.

Responsible travellers are staying away from popular and overrun areas. They recognize that mass tourism is destroying these wonderful places and are respecting the decisions that authorities of these overly popular destinations like Venice are putting in place.

Barcelona, Santorini, and Angkor Wat have also put in place tourist restrictions. If you do choose to visit these immensely popular sites, do so outside of peak travel times to reduce the pressure for more and more accommodations and activities and all the ecological problems that come with each.

Venice has created its #EnjoyRespectVenezia campaign to protect the daily life of residents in concerns to the rapid decline of a fulltime population as more and more places are bought up by investors and used for short term rentals in addition to the massive overcrowding of day time visitors.

A multitude of changes are being adopted.

For example; quick food stands are no longer allowed, and visitors must eat in a restaurant in an attempt to reduce daytime visitors and preserve the way of life for locals.

Meaningful travel gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in a local community, meeting new people and experiencing community issues that lead to a better understanding of the complex nature of poverty and sustainable development.

Next month we will look at the understanding that comes with Budget Slow Travel.

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Health and Lifestyle

PELVIC HEALTH THROUGH THE LIFESPAN

The Postpartum Years

by STEPHANIE MCDOWELL Maybe it was a few weeks, or even years ago, but regardless of when you’ve birthed your baby you’ve entered the postpartum phase. For the purpose of this article we’ll be discussing the immediate postpartum period (0-12 weeks), but any pelvic floor concerns that have arisen after delivery are never too late to address.

You have this new baby, new body, and new self-identity, now what? You are probably wondering when can you return to your normal activities, like walking, running, or sport? You’ve most likely heard about “Kegels” but aren’t sure if you are doing them correctly. And it has been six weeks, so why does sex still hurt?! These are a few of the most common questions among new moms.

Early on we want to encourage connection with your body, core and pelvic floor.Your body dramatically changed over the past nine months, so it is not a race for recovery.

Be kind to yourself, do what you can, ask for help when needed, and know there are people to support you at every step along the way.

Right, so what are “Kegels.” It is a term used to describe the contraction or tightening of the pelvic floor muscles, but that is only part of the picture when it comes to pelvic floor functioning. Ideally, we also want to be able to relax and lengthen these muscles. We cue contracting your pelvic floor muscles with a squeeze and lifting action, almost like an inner vaginal and butt clench, for lack a better description. Remember to emphasize relaxation to achieve optimal function.

Initially, regaining sensation from these muscles is priority, followed by developing strength and endurance.

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“Your body dramatically changed over the past nine months, so it is not a race for recovery. Be kind to yourself, do what you can, ask for help when needed, and know there are people to support you at every step along the way.”

“Inner core” strengthening is another common concept for recovery, but what exactly does this mean? Transversus abdominis is the main muscle being referred to. It is the deepest layer of our abdominal muscles, running horizontally along our trunk and its action is to draw our abdominal contents inwards. Initially our main goal is to restore your connection to this muscle. To not over complicate this exercise, you simply want to gently draw your belly in, and hold, while breathing.

This can be done laying on your side, or on all fours while you are playing with your little one.You can combine this with your pelvic floor contraction, as the two muscles work together.

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Exercise is very individualized, and there is no specific postpartum strengthening program that is more beneficial than another. Find something you enjoy, start with gentle movements that feel safe within your current capacity, and gradually build up your tolerance. High-impact activities are (usually) recommended to begin after 12 weeks, but if a woman is showing signs of a speedy recovery and is properly assessed, then there may be minimal risks to returning to this sooner.

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Dyspareunia (painful sex) can be common but should naturally improve and resolve with each encounter. If it is not, there may be a multitude of reasons for the continuation of pain. These can include; sensitivity of scar tissues, vaginal dryness secondary to breastfeeding, or pelvic floor overactivity. Possibly, you aren’t mentally ready to be intimate, and your body has gone into a protective mode. If pain with sex continues, it is worth mentioning to your doctor, or seeking help from a pelvic health physiotherapist.

As always this is general information that I hope will be useful for some, or even just spark a conversation in others as we discuss the journey of pelvic health through the lifespan.

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Health and Lifestyle

FAMILY WELLNESS

What Does Human Connection Mean to You?

by DR TAINA TURCASSO, ND RM

Connection. We certainly talk a lot about connection, especially in a connectionthemed issue of the Fernie Fix, but what does it mean? Why is it important? Well, fundamentally, humans are reliant upon other humans in order to have their needs met. None of us could exist in a bubble devoid of all human interaction, contact, or input. Not all of these interactions have the same meaning, however, and now more than ever, when every interaction is precious, we need to focus on making these interactions as meaningful as possible to maximize their benefit.

This strange (and seemingly endless) time has taken a toll on all of us. To me, it feels like along with the different waves of the pandemic has come waves in how difficult it has been to cope with this and the timelines don’t necessarily match up.

It’s difficult and will have a long-lasting impact, perhaps even in ways we can’t even begin to understand or appreciate as we are still very much in the thick of it. We have been forced to alter our natural inclination to work together, to touch one another, to share our lives with each other and it’s been challenging to find a substitute for the connection that we have built our lives around.

Social connection clearly improves physical health and mental and emotional wellbeing and without it, we will collectively see rising rates of anxiety and depression, lower levels of empathy and self-esteem, and a decline in physical health manifested as depressed immunity and increased inflammation. Loneliness and social isolation can increase your risk of hypertension, obesity, heart disease, cognitive decline, and even death. If

V. Croome Photo

“We are all lost without human connection and even small gestures of connection to someone who really needs it, whether they know it or not, can be more impactful than we know.”

this seems serious, it’s because it is. It is critical that we find ways to replace the connection we have lost and now, not when this is over and things shift into our new, post-pandemic normal.

We can only do so much to control our environment, in this case following public health orders and participating in the immunization campaign. Initially it seemed like all we needed to do was hunker down for a short term, cutting off most of our connections temporarily, and we’d come out the other side unscathed but we didn’t

lay any groundwork for how we would maintain our day to day interactions in a meaningful way, other than introduce Zoom for meetings, birthdays, etc. In fact, it started out as a novelty for a lot of us, getting to stay in our pj’s all day, being with our families, trying our hands at sourdough and the latest trends on Tik Tok. For countless others, though, having to stay home meant suffering without reprieve at the hands of an abuser, not getting a school meal that was so desperately needed, and missing out on the close contact with the people in our lives who keep us moving forward, one foot a t a time.

At this point, two years in, most people acknowledge some of the challenges that were not anticipated when recommendations to isolate/quarantine/ work from home/close schools began but the scope of the damage remains to be seen. What is there to do at this point?

Recovery work. We can all start right now, regardless of our isolation status or where we are in the current wave.

Our kids, our family, our friends; we all need the connection. Start by sitting down and making a list of the important people in your life. When did you last speak with them? How? What types of interactions are your children having? Do they connect with their peers? Are they in school or out of school and if they are out of school, where are they finding that connection? Ask them how they are doing.

Who their friends are. What they miss about pre-pandemic life. Consider ways you could help with your kids’ schools.

A lot of people rely on food programs that are often offered through school and without access to them are at risk for food insecurity.

having a good day/week/month, take the time to reach out to these people and make connections. When it’s your turn to need a little extra help, you will likely have planted the seeds to receive help from those who are up for reaching out.

It can feel like a daunting task, putting another thing on your list, but once you’ve organized who might need the extra connection, the job of reaching out, even via text, is easy and can make an impact that ripples far beyond just today. We are all lost without human connection and even small gestures of connection to someone who really needs it, whether they know it or not, can be more impactful than we know. Consider February a trial month for increasing connection with those you might not have as much time for as you’d like. Reach out in a small way, just to check in and see how they are doing, or offer to grab them something from the store if you are there anyway. What might seem like a small gesture or minor inconvenience to one person can be life-changing to another. Stay connected.

Y A M A G O Y A

Think about family members you have who may live alone or may have accessibility challenges, particularly during the winter. It is a difficult time to have anything extra layered on top of what is already present for most of us. People who are going through medical treatments, new babies, and loss all need extra support when they are more likely to be feeling the effects of the isolation. When you are FERNIEFIX.COM

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Stories about remarkable people and places in the Basin.

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Health and Lifestyle

THIS IS LIFE

Shame and Relationships

by TYLA CHARBONNEAU What is the purpose of living? Why are we here?

self, ex. I yelled at my partner - I am not a good person. Guilt can actually be a helpful emotion because it may prompt us to change or rectify our behaviour. Shame, however, is problematic because it impacts the core beliefs we have about ourselves and thus the behaviours we engage in.

These meaning of life questions are ones I used to ask myself often. Through research and conversations with others the answer that makes the most sense to me thus far is simple, connection. The point of life and being on this earth is to connect to others, in whatever way that looks and feels best for each of us. In Brené Brown’s newest book, Atlas of the Heart- Mapping the Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience I read something that prompted some serious reflection on the challenges to living this purpose: “Shame is the intensely painful feeling or experience of believing that we are flawed and therefore unworthy of love, belonging, and connection. Shame thrives on secrecy, silence, and judgment.” (p. 137).

My understanding of this definition is that shame greatly impacts connection and our reasons for living. Furthermore, when we feel shame we hide it from others, until it comes out in behaviours that breach our integrity such as being unkind, isolating ourselves, or judging others and usually ourselves. Over the new year I had an incredible conversation with a good friend about the ways in which we shame each other when it comes to appearance, parenting skills, choices to be a parent or not, and really anything that we can.

What happens is that so many of us were conditioned to be critical of ourselves my body is not fit enough, I am not good looking enough, social enough, funny enough, overall good enough. Then in turn our shame convinces us to shame others in the same way. This has two problems: one, we feel our own shame and two when we judge others our own sense of shame

V. Croome Photo

“Whenever someone feels shame it is because they were taught negative and harmful beliefs about themselves, either directly through language or indirectly via the behaviours they witnessed or experienced. ” increases when we consider how we may have impacted the emotions of others.

We often use shame and guilt interchangeably. Guilt is about our behaviour, ex. I yelled at my partner - my behaviour is not okay. Shame is about the

My heart breaks when I am in the presence of someone who is experiencing shame and who believes that they are not worthy of love and belonging. Sad, because this is not a biological response, it is learned. Whenever someone feels shame it is because they were taught negative and harmful beliefs about themselves, either directly through language or indirectly via the behaviours they witnessed or experienced. We can work to unlearn it, mostly through the use of selfcompassion, vulnerability, and standing up to our inner critics. We can stop the cycle in our families and friendships.

Catch yourself when you feel judgement (or jealous which is usually judgment in disguise) towards someone else. Ask, what is being triggered for me here? and then use self-compassion to meet the need within yourself and provide yourself some comfort. When you hear someone you care about shaming themselves, check in with how they are doing and what is causing the shame. Give space to it and promote the opportunity to talk about it. If shame thrives on secrecy, silence, and judgement then the opposite is true too. Connection thrives on visibility, talking to the people we care about and trust, and acceptance.

The content provided in this article is for information purposes only. It is not meant as a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you find yourself in distress, please reach out to your local physician who can provide mental health resources in your community.

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Health and Lifestyle

MENTORSHIP IN THE MOUNTAINS

Good Judgement

by CLAIRE SMALLWOOD “Good judgment comes from experience and experience comes from bad judgment.” —Rita Mae Brown The mountains, quite frankly, don’t follow you on Instagram. They don’t know how rad you got last week during the powder cycle, or that you have the latest, greatest gear.

Time spent in the mountains unlocks potential through experience in adventure.

What’s a bit odd about this is that the more you know, the less you know. In risk management, the term is known as the “levels of mastery.” At the basic layer, is unconscious incompetence. Basically, you know so little that you don’t even know what you don’t know. Ignorance is bliss!

As your skills develop, so does your imagination for what could go wrong.

For many, including myself, what I’ve uncovered in the backcountry is more than just fresh turns that I lived to tell about. After years of close calls, injuries that could have been worse, and losing far too many close friends to the mountains, I’ve learned to adjust my risk tolerance based on a few simple guidelines. This level of mastery is conscious incompetence.You know enough to recognize that there is so much more to learn. Recognizing your skillset between unconscious incompetence and conscious incompetence is how meaningful dialog (leading to informal mentorship) happens. By leveraging all of the information at hand—and recognizing that we all have blind spots—we can have meaningful and empowering conversations around seeking adventure in the mountains through basic risk management.

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Claire Smallwood Photo

“What are the hazards and how can I manage them?

This simple phrase is effective for breaking down complex pieces of terrain while considering all the many factors that go into risk management as a whole. ” backcountry skiing, I wanted to offer a phrase that helps decipher decision-making in complex terrain and navigating group dynamics: What are the hazards and how can I manage them?

This simple phrase is effective for breaking down complex pieces of terrain while considering all the many factors that go into risk management as a whole.

The definition of a ‘hazard’ is a potential source of danger. With this definition in mind, risk tolerance is the degree of risk you are willing to undertake in order to reach a goal. Everyone has their own level of risk management and it should not be a source of judgement towards ourselves or others. The important thing to recognize is that you need to talk about this with the people that you choose to venture into the mountains. This is how mentorship shows up in a way that everyone can participate in.

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No single layer of risk management can protect you from everything.

If you are going to ski or snowboard in the backcountry you should take an avalanche course, have backcountry gear and practice with it, and know how to read a map. In addition to reading and understanding the avalanche report, here are some guidelines to consider for managing risk in the mountains and developing practices that lead to meaningful conversations.

Choose partners whose risk tolerances are closely aligned with our own.

And discuss this on a daily basis with your adventure buddies. If you are having an “off-day” and want to choose an easier objective, say so. Sometimes we want to go fast and light, and sometimes we want to take selfies and eat snacks. Risk tolerance will help us recognize where we are vulnerable.

traverse this hazard one at a time. Or, another really great option? Just avoid this line completely as it is not the right objective for the group due to the group’s skills and the mountain’s conditions. Being honest with yourself and your group about individual and group vulnerabilities is important and will help you choose appropriate objectives for yourself and your friends.

When holes in your risk management layers line up with one another, an accident can occur. Through honest dialog about risk tolerance and the vulnerability of you and your group, everyone can feel good about having an awesome adventure in the mountains that keeps you coming home each day.

This curriculum is adopted from the Alpine Development School course by Christine Feleki (ACMG Ski Guide) and SheJumps, available for purchase at shejumps.org

For example, if part of your trip includes being exposed to a big cornice while skiing, then you need to consider the vulnerability of you and your group in this terrain. Does everyone in the group have the technical skills to ski through that piece of terrain quickly and efficiently? Even if only one person in the group is technically a weaker skier, this increases the vulnerability of the whole group because it potentially increases the exposure time all skiers will spend hanging out under the hazard. In this instance, you may want to reconsider your objective or figure out an appropriate way to manage or mitigate the cornice hazard. Maybe this means you choose to leave earlier so that you are under that cornice when temperatures are cooler. Possibly ski or

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Vulnerability Assessing your vulnerability as a group or an individual means considering the ability of you and your group to manage the hazards you will encounter on your trip.

This means considering things like fitness, technical ability, knowledge, training and so on.

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THE ANSWER GUY

Antivirus

by KEVIN MCISAAC It’s been a few years since I’ve written about antivirus programs. Things have changed quite a bit since then. It used to be that installing a good antivirus program was one of the first things you did to your new PC when you took it out of the box.

These days not so much.

Before I get to that I feel it necessary to stand on the backup soapbox and remind everyone that it is far, far easier to restore a recent backup than it is to recover from ransomware and the like. If you’re not backing up, you’re at risk.

Having said that a good antimalware program can ferret out a lot of programs that you don’t want running on your computer. I recommend Malwarebytes - malwarebytes.com/mwb-download.

If you’re running Windows 8 or newer, Windows Defender is preinstalled and set up on your computer. Back in the day, Windows Defender was a bit of a lightweight but these days it’s among the best free antivirus programs around. In addition to being free, it almost never causes problems on your computer; something most other antivirus programs have a more difficult time saying with confidence.

There are very few occasions where another antivirus program is needed.

One example where you would need one is if it is mandated by your employer.

Corporations often have very specific standards for applications run on computers used for work, even those used by employees at home. On the upside, when corporations mandate software they often have a corporate rate for that software.

If you’re not required to put antivirus software on your computer, don’t. Having two antivirus programs running will at best slow your computer down somewhat and at worst cause crashes while they compete to scan files and applications.

An additional challenge with antivirus programs is you may be getting more than you bargained for and not in a good way.

Recently Norton 360 started including a cryptocurrency mining program with its suite. Having your computer chewing

It has a free and paid version. The free version is all you need if you’re going to scan occasionally. The premium version will constantly scan everything automagically for you. The freeware version starts up as a premium trial which will eventually expire. When it does expire you can still scan your computer for malware, but you have to start it up manually.

Stock Photo away mining bitcoin or some other cryptocurrency is a good way to slow it down and a good way to burn extra electricity. If you want to start crypto mining on your computer, I suggest educating yourself on what to use and how and leave Norton to its area of expertise: antivirus.

Antimalware is a slightly different beast.

Viruses are malware, but a specific kind. In this case, malware refers to adware, trojans, bots, ransomware, spyware, and the like.

Most antivirus programs do not pick many of these up, including Windows Defender.

Consequently, I do usually recommend that people install an antimalware program and run it occasionally.

How often should you scan? Well, it depends a lot on what you’re doing on your computer. If you have a family computer being used by a number of people, or you’re the kind of person that enjoys some of the darker corners of the internet, I’d suggest getting the premium version and leaving it running. If you’re more like me with a private computer and spend most of your time in editors and spreadsheets, then every couple of weeks is probably plenty.

Try running it a couple of times and see how many issues it finds. If you notice it’s finding quite a few things each time then maybe scan more frequently. Or conversely, if it’s not finding much, you can stretch out the time.

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Bits and Bytes

ASTROLOGY

February 2022

by ASHLEY KRISTINA

February begins with a New Moon at 12º Aquarius, indicating a spiral ascent of consciousness as a theme for the month (and year).Venus is direct as of 01/29 and Mercury is ending its first retrograde of the year (02/03). February 16 is the Leo Full Moon with a theme of regeneration of love and authenticity of emotions. The Sun ingresses into Pisces early this year (02/18) so babies born at this time this year, which would typically be considered Aquarians, are actually Pisceans!

The astrology of 2022 is looking to be the best astrology I have seen since 2011/12 so prepare for a huge relief! The major

“The astrology of 2022 is looking to be the best astrology I have seen since 2011/12 so prepare for a huge relief!” themes of February are Spirit and Love.

The planets are set up to make it nearly impossible not to follow your heart’s truth at this time.

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The Sun travels in the sky conjunct to Saturn for the first part of the month and then conjunct to Jupiter for the last part so there will be quite a different energy with this change. Saturn is stern and traditional/ regimented while Jupiter is expansive and joyous. Mercury and Pluto also travel together for the first three weeks making communication intense.Venus and Mars also travel in tight conjunction and Pluto joins them near the end, signifying that love and actions are aligned, and people will be following their heart.

Aries A month of illumination and regeneration on a heart-felt level. There will be accelerated growth in nearly all aspects of life. Enjoy!

Taurus A month of momentum - watch as emotions, life, and love moves and how quickly this all can happen. A pilgrimage up the proverbial (spiritual) mountain can take a lifetime or it can take days, luckily it is to happen quickly.

Gemini It’s a time of mastery on earth and you are a sign that picks up the undercurrents of affairs and energy. It’s an exciting time on earth and the inner power is coming to fruition for all to see. How are you noticing your power is refined at this time?

This arena is most likely your dharma.

Cancer Emotions are the deep sea of the lower realm that can literally drown us. Emotions can bring us to heights, or one can drown in them, constantly reacting to them and having to deal with this veil of illusion

every day. It is a time to master this realm of emotion.

Leo Think back to 2011/2012. How was your life then? Take that energy and multiply it and you have the theme for 2022. It’s a wonderful year. Happy, joyous, love… these are your themes as you are ruled by your heart. Once again, the heart’s truth is grounded.

Virgo Accelerated growth is your major theme.

Although you are selfless in action and serving is your motive,Virgo energy still has work to do to lose their prejudices and judgements. The trade-in of this energy is compassion, understanding and higher love.

Libra A month to focus on romance and creativity while maintaining a happy balance in the home. It’s a great time to follow your heart and do what is fun children play a major factor in this.

Scorpio Scorpios are sacred portals between the realms of both heaven and earth and hell and earth. Scorpios can be saints, or they can be sinners, and this duality is often experienced internally. Wherever one sits in this realm, which is based on individual karma, it’s a time of cleansing and raising to higher states of consciousness

Sagittarius Sagittarius energy is similar to Scorpio however slightly less intense. There is still a polarity of black or white which is based on belief. Belief is preached to be beautiful and that one is spiritual, but it can actually create harm. Delve deep into your beliefs and ask for truth. It’s a transformational time.

Capricorn

structures, especially beliefs. Aspects you knew to be true may be shifting to higher frequencies. Be open to this change.

Aquarius An open mind is a sign of intelligence. To consistently think “perhaps I am wrong” or “perhaps there is more to learn” is a sign of an advanced soul. This motto carries you to higher planes of existence. Those who cling to the old will struggle.

Pisces Piscean energy is the realm of divine love however it can feel like an illusion. Pisceans sense other’s emotions and thoughts and rarely have a chance to experience their own unconditional love. 2022 is a time when higher levels of divine and unconditional love are palpable to all, especially the sensitive Pisceans.

Mountains do crumble! This is a time when we are watching structures that we believed to be solid begin to crumble.

This includes internalized systems and

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THROUGH THE LENS

Connection, Through Your Lens

Photo by Emily Park @emilyparkphotographyfernie The connection between twins is fascinating.

I hope this image makes their enigmatic connection feel somewhat tangible.

Photo by Austyn Moi @siriuslywildstudios A beautiful sunset over Fernie Ridge and a great view of the town. Reminding us to connect with our surroundings and get to know the super cool heritage sites and old buildings around town.

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SOCIA L PAGE

Out in the Community: How do you maintain relationships and stay connected during these difficult times?

Michael Wilson For family and friends abroad, FaceTime and Zoom calls have been clutch and more regular than before the pandemic, which has been really nice. I think we’ve all had to slow down a bit and be more strategic in our communication and for me that’s meant connecting and reconnecting with family and pals more often. Locally the outdoors have provided a safe meeting ground for hanging out! Walks, fishing, XC skiing, camping, hitting the mountain have all helped maintain and build relationships. We are so lucky to have ample space here in the valley to recreate and enjoy!

Mandy Nemanishen We try to stay active and involved in the community. We found if we stay connected to our church, school, and business community we can see who is missing from the picture and reach out. I ask myself, who haven’t we heard from or seen in a while and check in with them.

Clayton Lamb I’m so fortunate to live and work in a place like the Elk Valley that has such abundant outdoor recreation.

In these pandemic times, the outdoors has not only been a place to stretch my body (and mind) after sitting at my desk too long but it’s a place to connect with my favourite people as well now. I have really enjoyed hiking, skiing, biking, paddling, and dog walking with friends and colleagues. We used to have dinner and drinks and now we do a P9 lap, or plan an overnighter on Heiko’s Trail.

I look forward to the unmasked days, but I’m also thankful that I can connect with so many amazing people while outside, where we can talk about many things. Of course, my favourite topic is how special the Elk Valley is and how we can find innovative ways to keep it special.

FYI February kicks off with the popular 14TH ANNUAL Reel Canadian Film Festival, celebrating the creativity, diversity and independence of the Canadian Film Industry with feature films, shorts and more. Due to the Omicron wave, this year’s festival will continue with the virtual component which begins streaming at 5pm on Friday January 28 and continues through to February 6 at midnight. Visit fernielovesfilm.ca for your pass and for details on this year’s films!

Later in the month, the Fernie Mountain Film Festival 22 is back, hitting the Fernie Community Centre February 25 and 26. Dedicated to filmmakers who spark awareness of mountain cultures, fragile environments, and the passion and perseverance of global explorers, visit ferniefilmfestival.com for this year’s features and to purchase your tickets (also available at the door).

Did you know that there is a group on Facebook called Fernie Early Years Team, which offers information for families to learn about the events and activities for children in Fernie? With the shifting from in person to online to back in person, this is a great resource to stay on top of what is available, and also connect to virtual opportunities for you and your kids! @FernieEarlyYears

Two years ago, the Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) shifted to the current Columbia Basin Management plan, which they are extending for another year.

Taking the lead from the people of the Basin, in 2020 six priorities were developed to guide how the Trust would focus its efforts, while continuing to respond to emerging issues in the region and pursuing its existing work in social, economic and environmental initiatives. These six strategic priorities also include two integrated priorities – climate resilience and working with Indigenous peoples. Visit ourtrust.org/about/ strategic-priorities to learn more!

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Fernie Fun

THE LAST PAGE

Griz Days Fun!

FIND THE

The Griz was up to lots of shenanigans last year! What do you think Griz will get up to this year? Find out during Griz Days, March 4 - 6, 2022.

See details here: ferniegrizdays.com

Somewhere in this issue is a little Griz Pin. Can you find it?

Spot the Difference

Name the Location

Can you find five differences between these two pictures?

Can you figure out where in Fernie The Griz has been hanging out when not deep in the mountains?

Thanks to Tannis McDonald and The Griz for the photos!

Answers Last Month Stemhouse Floral, Hempire, House of Gato, Rocky Mountain Chocolate