Fernie Fix March 2020

MARCH 2020 | ISSUE 159

BOLD + THE

ISSUE

The Bold Issue Special Feature: Jess Hotter, Freeride World Tour athlete, her journey and what’s next.

Feature Resident Jill Barclay on her new volunteer role with the Women’s Enterprise Centre.

Michael Hepher shares his perception on gender equity in the art world, in ‘Trading Places.’

Maddy Alaric believes women empower other women, so grab a workout partner and lift each other up.

FERNIEFIX.COM

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Book your free 20min consultation to see what Japanese Acupuncture can do for you.

poku.ca

A new way to recycle is in the valley.

Tips For a Quick & Simple Visit.

Most recyclables generated by an average home will go into either the paper/cardboard bin or the containers bin, so we suggest having a box or container set aside for each of those categories. For your flexible packaging try using a good sized zippered bag and stuffing it full. Do the same with the plastic bags/overwrap materials, take a bread bag or shopping bag and fill it up. Set aside your glass containers the same way as you always have. As for styrofoam, just set it aside. While pre-sorting at home isn’t required, it will make your drop-off simple and fast.

PLASTIC BAGS & OVERWRAP

PAPER & CARDBOARD PRODUCTS

CONTAINERS

FLEXIBLE PACKAGING

Kimberly Salzgeber R.Ac. kim@poku.ca

balance is everything

GLASS & STYROFOAM learn more

engage.rdek.bc.ca/recycle

If you have any glass containers or rigid styrofoam, bring it along for the ride. We’ll gladly take it …yep, we said styrofoam

MARCH 2020 ISSUE 159

EDITOR’S FIX | 5 THE BOLD ISSUE SPECIAL FEATURE | 6 Jess Hotter, Freeride World Tour Athlete by Danyal Taylor

BUSINESS IN THE VALLEY | 9 Business News/New Business It’s in the Numbers by Roman Rybar, CFP - Women Investors

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT | 18 Feature Artist – Megan Haeusler ArtBeat - Trading Places by Michael Hepher At Peace and Yet On Fire – Slugger by Sadie Rosgen with Ange Qualizza Rental Fix – The Irishman by Andrew Vallance

COMMUNITY AND EVENTS | 26 Feature Resident – Jill Barclay by Krista Turcasso City Corner - Ford Versus Ferrari by Ange Qualizza Planning Ahead - The Pain in Parenting by Kerri Wall

THE BOLD ISSUE

RECREATION AND OUTDOOR LIFE | 35 Hitting the Trails - Fernie Women on Wheels with Julie Kelly and Cyprus Trail by Brittney Tracey Prehab Challenge - Running by Bob Maudie Fernie Mountain Mamas – Get It From Their Mama

by Yvonne Prest

HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE | 41 Bark Break: Dog Days of Winter by Val Lanthier Family Wellness - Feeling Empowered During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period by Dr. Taina Turcasso, N.D., R.M. Elements of Movement – Women Empowering Women with Maddy Alaric A Look Down Second Ave – Shop Swag by Emma Polit This is Life by Tyla Charbonneau - Just a Girl and Her Dog

BITS AND BYTES | 51 The Answer Guy – Passwords by Kevin McIsaac Astrology – March 2020 by Ashley Kristina

FERNIE FUN | 54 Fix Trivia

COVER: Long time pro skier Rachael Burks is one of those people who is always smiling, given’er and inspiring. Here she is at Island Lake Lodge recently with a good ol’ crowd-pleaser.

Photo by Mike McPhee @mcphoto99

THIS PAGE: Sisterhood of Shred.

Photo by Nicole Matei, @nicolematei

Fernie Pre Kindergarten Program Now accepting registrations for September All day learning 9am-3pm Ages 3-5

Register by May 1st.

Classes: Full Time Mon-Fri 3 Day M/W/F 2 Day Tues/Thur

Email: littlemefernie@gmail.com

Building the Best Foundation for Your Child’s Educational Future!

Wood Protection Never Looked So Good NATURALLY PERFECT ™ WOOD PROTECTION For over 30 years, home owners and builders have chosen Sansin Enviro Stains for their extraordinary beauty, proven performance and exceptional ease of maintenance. Whether it’s your deck, cottage or home, visit Nufloors Fernie to ensure your project gets the lasting protection it deserves.

sansin.com

Nufloors Fernie 391 1st Avenue, Fernie, BC Phone: 250-423-6399

www.nufloorsfernie.ca

EDITOR’S FIX

CONTRIBUTORS ANDREW VALLANCE is a cinophile 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.

BOB MAUDIE is the owner and lead Physiotherapist at Fernie Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic.

He has been known to ski 120 day a year, run on a fractured leg for two months, and not miss a day skiing through an ACL injury. He has learned a lot from his own stubbornness and would like to share his wisdom with the people of Fernie.

BRITTNEY TRACEY is a local born, winter-hating ultramarathoner who spends her free time eating beef jerky and trying to get people out on the trails. She sits on the board for the Sparwood Trails Alliance and hosts their Thursday Night Run Club.

DANYAL TAYLOR is an adventure photographer and documentary film maker based here in Fernie, BC. When he isn’t working, you can find him lost in the mountains with his camera by his side.

EMMA POLIT likes to wander the world, swim in the seas and ride in the mountains. You may also find her sipping margaritas and eating tacos.

JULIE KELLY is the Manager for the Fernie Trails Alliance and loves spending time on the Fernie trails.

KERRI WALL specialises in group facilitation, mediation, parent coaching, and leadership training. She welcomes inquiries at kerriwall.ca.

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

MADDY ALARIC is a lover of putting things down and picking them back up again, whether it be weights or her children. She loves inspiring people through her classes at Soar Studios and looks forward to sharing this love through her column, “Elements of Movement.”

A Woke Us

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

Too emotional and far too weak.

‘Let me help you,’ silent defeat.

ROMAN RYBAR has worked in the financial industry since 1996. He became a Limited Partner with Edward Jones in 2004. When he is not helping clients he can be found enjoying bike trails or manning the bbq for family and friends.

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.

DR. TAINA TURCASSO is a naturopathic doctor and midwife practicing in Calgary, Alberta. She spends most of her time catching babies, and is inching her way back to Fernie.

I am a woman.

Look at me.

Here for all your scrutiny.

Repetitive censorship chips away.

Pay it no mind, you’re fine, you’re okay.

Stop. The End. That’s enough.

Through with it. Skin is thick, so so tough.

Stand up, speak the truth.

You are strong, no need to prove.

To be emotional is to be human.

So is to reason, let that sink in.

One and the same, shift the focus.

Kindness, generosity, empathy… a woke us.

Krista Turcasso, Editor

TYLA CHARBONNEAU is a Registered Psychologist (CPBC2385), dog momma, and nature lover.

She loves talking with others about mindfulness, self-compassion, and human nature.

VAL LANTHIER is the Vet Tech behind local pet sitting and dog walking services, Pet Tech Care. For her, it’s animals all day every day, with a focus on how we can enrich their lives.

YVONNE PREST wears a lot of hats: New mom, writer, teacher, councillor, chips and salsa fanatic. Her favourite hat is being a Fernie-ite.

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 Associate Editor | Kevin McIsaac All content copyright Claris Media. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily the views of the publisher.

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Special Feature

THE BOLD ISSUE

Jess Hotter, Freeride World Tour Athlete Story and Photos by DANYAL TAYLOR

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ess Hotter grew up in Ohakune, a small mountain town in North Island of New Zealand. Her development as a skier started off with her first day at the local ski hill Tukino and over high school she grew her skills further at Turoa Ski Field in the race team and into the park. It took her a few winters to put up the courage to enter competitively, but at 22, Jess entered her first competition after a little encouragement from a friend.

“I spent the 2015/2016 winter season working in Japan. I rode with three Americans for a week one of which was an ex-freeride coach. He suggested I give competing a go which was something that was always on my mind but it seemed so overwhelming with work, leave, logistics and nerves. The 2016 winter I entered my

first competition at The Remarkables in New Zealand, the 2* and 4*.”

The Freeride World Tour is an international competition hosted at five locations around the world. It sees some of the biggest names battling Extreme Big Mountain terrain in hopes of being crowned World Champion. Committing lines, 30 foot cliffs, tricks are standard.

“After that first competition I thought maybe I should keep doing this and give it a go after placing third. I liked the vibe and people in the competitions, everyone was really lovely. I am quite a competitive person too but this was different. It was a competition against myself, not against other people.

“I would’ve started competing earlier if I did it again. For anybody that is unsure if they want to do something, just go and do it. There is no point waiting around. I um’d and ah’d about it for years and you just need to go and do it, no matter how old you might be.”

Her results improved over two years of competing and in the 2018/2019 winter, Jess spent the season in Europe riding against the freeride heavyweights and getting the royal flush – three first places in freeride competitions in the European syndicate, automatically qualifying her for The Tour.

Having a spot on the tour speaks volume on your skills and ability.Your technique in all snow conditions is dialled down, balance and control in the air is perfected, and you have fluidity and speed in your riding – all things the judges critique your line on.

Like many who pursue skiing as a diehard passion, being able to finance your passion into a career is a careful balance between working hard in the off season and frugal budgeting during the winter months. This year the Freeride World Tour has followed the growing trend between sporting competitions announcing equal prize money between female and male competitors.

“We do the same amount of work, invest the same amount of money and train just as hard as the men to be there, so it felt like we should be rewarded equally. It shows that they respect us equally as an athlete.

The more they show that they respect us, the harder we will work because we want to show our potential.”

All of the hard work, time and money put into transforming her passion into a career has paid off. Jess placed 6th place in Hakuba in January and rode an incredible line to win the Canada leg in Kicking Horse in early February. The next stop is Europe for the last three legs so we wish Jess the best of luck!

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Celebrating our Winter Heritage March 6-8, 2020 Join us for all the fun!

Vince Mo photo

FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

www.ferniegrizdays.com and The Free Press, Thursday March 5 edition grizdays

@ferniegrizdays

Resort Municipality Initiative Investing in B.C. Resort Communities

FR Rentals, Leavitt, Sysco, Claris Media, Park Place Lodge, Gear Hub, Save On, The Drive B104, Patti Party Rentals, Grow, Rockies Law, Fernie Home Hardware, Mow & Snow

Business in the Valley

New Roots Hair Co.

Fernie Parenting 571B 2nd Ave 514-884-5406

B

eing a parent may be one of the most joyful experiences imaginable.

Although, we sometimes forget about the joy of being parents among all the tantrums, whining and fighting. The days feel too short, we are tired and our patience level can be low.

Now offering product loyalty points.

With every product purchase earn points towards discounts.

Being a parent is a full-time commitment that comes with its share of challenges.

We do our best to raise our kids with the tools we have, but sometimes extra support can help us create a better environment.

check out our new product fatboy.

Ashley Reid & Kelly Williams

To see permanent changes in your kid’s behaviours and to acquire extra tools to become the best version of yourself as a parent, Leonie Galarneau, parenting specialist, is offering parent coaching programs in Fernie.

661 C 2nd Ave. Downtown Fernie (Fernie General Store) 250-423-8066

newrootshairco.ca aily

D Open

Great

NEW BUSINESS

View

s

Are you interested in saying goodbye to screaming, punishing, arguing, whining, repeating, fighting, threatening and a lot more? Book a free 30min session or contact Leonie for more information. Her office is located at Inside Out Fernie Wellness. fernieparenting@gmail.com

Business in the Valley

301 Hwy 3 | 250-423-3002

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BUSINESS NEWS

Canada Revenue Agency Community Volunteer Income Tax Program

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Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Dessert & Drinks

We do Breakfast! from 9am Sat. & Sun.

$13 Lunch Specials Monday - Friday

Specials & more online at: thebridgebistro.com Follow us:

s your income under $45,000 for families and $35,000 for individuals? The CRA community volunteer income tax program can help you file your 2019 income tax.

Volunteers will be available March and April on Saturdays and Tuesdays.

Saturday clinics start March 7 at the Fernie Heritage Library board room, from 1-4pm until April 25. Tuesday clinics begin March 3 at the Fernie Senior’s Centre in the back room from 11am-2:30pm until April 28. Bring your 2018 Notice of Assessment and 2019 information slips.

Contact Terry 250-423-4905, Bill 250-423-4758 or John at 250-423-7063 with any questions or if you need to meet at another time or place.

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Marilyn Brock

Managing Broker/Owner/RealtorŽ 250-423-8650 • marilyn@c21fernie.ca marilynbrock.com 362B 2nd Avenue, Fernie, BC

Canyon Peaks Townhouse

437B Canyon Trail Reduced $549,900

3 Bed/ 3 Bath with garage Hot Tub & Private Office/Den MLS#2436932 for Video Tour

Fresh Caramel Apples Over 20 varieties to choose from

581A 2nd Ave., Downtown Fernie 250.423.2680

OPEN DAILY Locally owned and operated.

Business in the Valley

BUSINESS NEWS

Fernie Alpine Resort 5339 Fernie Ski Hill Road 250-423-4655

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Dominion Lending Centres - East Kootenay Mortgage 462 2nd Ave 250-423-1864

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ominion Lending Centres - East Kootenay Mortgage located in downtown Fernie has been ensuring home owners of the Elk Valley have had access to all mortgage products available at the lowest rates and best terms for 18 years.

Zonya Knooihuizen offers everyone including non-residents and those who are new to Canada more choice and access to hundreds of mortgage products. As a result, her clients benefit from the trust, confidence and security of knowing they are getting the best mortgage for their needs.

Whether you’re purchasing a home for the first time, taking out equity from your home for investment or pleasure, or your current mortgage is simply up for renewal, Zonya can assist you in making an educated decision with professional unbiased advice.

For more information visit eastkootenaymortgage.ca or email zonya@ekmortgage.ca.

hen Claire Smallwood from SheJumps first approached Fernie Alpine Resort (FAR) to collaborate on an event to empower young girls, FAR jumped at SUBMITTED PHOTO the opportunity. Claire brought the passion and drive that SheJumps encompasses, to encourage young girls in the outdoors and FAR was excited to team up on an event that would mentor young girls in mountain safety and first aid.

The Wild Skills Junior Ski Patrol event is a full-day camp for girls where they are taught a range of outdoor skills that are utilized by ski patrollers to keep the mountain safe. Topics included first aid, avalanche control, snow science, weather stations, toboggans, avalanche rescue techniques, avalanche dogs and more. There are also plenty of snack breaks, high fives and unicorns delivering hot cocoa!

Wild Skills is an experience to remember, sparking a lifetime of passion for the outdoors and reminding them that they are capable of anything. Taking place March 23 from 9am4:30pm, registration is $55 and can be done online at skifernie.com/blog/events/juniorski-patrol-2/.

Fernie Nordic Society fernienordic.com

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he 3rd Annual Griz Days Snow to Ice (cream) event has the community completing four challenges within 72 hours - and proving it by taking a time-stamped selfie at each of the SNOW TO ICE signs! The Fernie Nordic Society trails will be free for non-members Friday March 6 to Sunday March 8. Meet everyone and claim your ice cream prize at the 7pm full moon ski on Sunday at the Elk Valley Nordic Centre.

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On March 14, the Nordic Society is also hosting the first Fernie Flying Viking Challenge!

This free style event has skiers completing a loop that starts at the Elk Valley Nordic Centre, goes to Fernie Alpine Resort (with a chairlift ride included) and back! Ski one lap (25km) or two (50km) and finish with a feast at the Nordic Centre. Lots of prizes with the biggest ones for costumes (find your inner Viking).

Visit the website or follow @fernienordicsociety on facebook for more details.

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Work Here.

Play Here.

Canada’s largest diversified resource company is hiring at its operations in the Elk Valley.

View our career opportunities at teck.com/careers

Business in the Valley

BUSINESS NEWS

Fernie Wood Finishing 1542B 10th Ave 250-423-1981

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n the light industrial area of the Annex, Fernie Wood Finishing found a home. Five years ago, after an extensive remodel to what once was a commercial laundry, Michele SUBMITTED PHOTO Kremer opened her doors providing the custom builders in Fernie with the option of pre-finishing their doors and trim.

As a Red Seal Cabinetmaker and with a BFA degree from Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, Michele brings a fine eye and the hand of a craftsperson to every piece of wood that moves though the shop. Her finishing jobs have ranged from custom tables for the Urban Settler to the floors of Nevados to numerous trim packages in the new homes of Montane and the Cedars.

With the capacity to deliver a perfect finish from her shop to the special needs of on-site finishing, Michele meets the divergent needs of both local contractors and residents.

Gina Rino Fernie Family Acupuncture 571b 2nd Ave 250-899-4120

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ina Rino, born and raised in Fernie, BC recently moved back to her hometown with her husband to raise their daughters. She has opened a family acupuncture practice at Inside Out Wellness and with 20 years in the field, she has experience in all facets of acupuncture.

Gina has closely studied women’s issues surrounding fertility and menopause and is equipped to track a women’s needs from childbearing to post pregnancy to change of life. Moreover, her specialized studies in prolotherapy gives her a well-rounded approach inclusive of both men and women. She also offers vitamin therapies, ozone and scar reduction treatments.

Mother Nature Doulas 250-946-6322

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other Nurture Doulas is excited to welcome Jade Elford to its team.

Jade is passionate about family, friends, the outdoors, and everything about birth. Her journey to becoming a doula was paved through her own birthing journeys which included a wonderful midwife assisted water birth where she felt loved, supported, informed, connected, strong and confident.

After this birth in particular Jade found herself hoping for all women to have a birth that not only gave them a healthy baby but also the confidence and intuition to navigate the early days of motherhood.

Jade is honoured to join Mother Nurture Doulas, and is currently completing her doula certification with DONA International with goals to complete further training in Spinning Babies optimal fetal positioning. “I look forward to supporting Elk Valley families as they welcome their beautiful babies.”

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Gina is glad to be back in the mountains and passionate about growing her practice and presenting families with options and an alternative choice in their healthcare and wellness program.

To arrange a free meeting, contact Mother Nurture Doulas directly. mothernurturedoulas@gmail.com, @ferniedoula.

Evening, weekend, and online bookings available at GinaRino.ca FERNIEFIX.COM

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Elk Valley Realty

Time for a Toque-hair tune up!

250.430.1070 | loralee@ferniehomes.com

ferniehomes.com

Book online www.sparrowhair.ca 250-423-7175 | 641 7th Avenue

Embrace the

Outdoors 598 2nd Ave. Fernie BC | 250-423-3709 | elevationindustries.com

Business in the Valley

BUSINESS NEWS

Teck RR#1 Hwy 3 Sparwood, BC

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eck is committed to supporting an inclusive and diverse workplace that recognizes and values difference.

Teck recognizes that their diversity—the many different and unique things that are individually and collectively brought to work SUBMITTED PHOTO each day—contributes to building a stronger workforce and makes Teck a better company. As such, they consciously work to create an environment that respects and values the diversity of the people and communities around us.

Teck proudly employ 1,516 women in the Elk Valley and have partnered with various local, national and international organizations and programs aimed at supporting increased diversity within our industry and beyond such as the Minerva Foundation, Women in Mining Canada, Forum for Women Entrepreneurs and many more.

Their focus on inclusion and diversity aligns with their company’s core values of integrity and respect. teck.com

Thunder Meadows Health and Wellness 632 2nd Ave 250-423-2673

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aurie Sibbeston, registered acupuncturist, is now a certified acudetox specialist. She is currently practicing out of Thunder Meadows Health and Wellness. Ear acupuncture is an extremely effective treatment that can help with symptoms of anxiety, stress, PTSD, trauma and addictions. It is an extremely safe and non invasive treatment that involves five tiny needles in the ear. It is commonly used in trauma relief and group healing settings such as addiction treatment centres.

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Laurie will be learning and volunteering over the next couple of weeks in Nicaragua for people experiencing PTSD due to civil unrest. If you’re interested in trying it or are interested in knowing how it can be incorporated into a community based program please contact her at Thunder Meadows Health and Wellness. thundermeadowshealth.ca

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Wild Heart Therapies and Farmacy 561M Hwy 3 250-531-0154

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fter practicing in Alberta for five years, Dr. Tricia Breckon, Naturopathic Doctor, is joining the team at Wild Heart Therapies and Farmacy as Director of the Pain Management Program.

Dr. Breckon is passionate about helping people who are suffering from acute/ chronic pain to reduce or relieve symptoms so they can get back to living an active life. For the past two years, she has been mentoring with one of the top NDs in the field in Calgary. She will be bringing exciting new and effective therapies to the clinic, including regenerative medicine treatments such as prolotherapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Dr. Breckon was born and raised in Fernie (nee Palmer) and is looking forward to returning to her hometown and serving the community that helped shape who she is today. She will start seeing patients in April. To book an appointment, please call the clinic.

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The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. — Mahatma Gandhi

APPLY NOW! HEALTH CARE ASSISTANT The Health Care Assistant program is one example of how we respond to the employment needs of the Elk Valley and its residents. Contact us to learn more about all of our program options.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

cotr.ca/Fernie

APPLY NOW FOR FALL 2020

FERNIE CAMPUS

Business in the Valley

IT’S IN THE NUMBERS

Women Investors

by ROMAN RYBAR, CFP

M

ost of us would probably agree that men and women frequently behave differently, and these differences often show up in professional, family and social situations. Of course, this certainly doesn’t mean either gender has an advantage in these areas. However, here’s an interesting question: Do women possess attributes that may make them better investors?

Some evidence suggests this may indeed be the case. Consider the following: Long-term focus Women seem to focus more on long-term goals, according to some studies, whereas men may concentrate more on short-term track records of potential investments.

Generally speaking, taking a long-term approach to investing is a good strategy because it can help you maintain discipline and avoid subjecting yourself to the dangers of overreacting to market swings.

One such danger is selling an investment whose price may have dropped but may still have strong fundamentals and good prospects.

Less frequent trading Women do significantly less buying and selling than men. This tendency is important because frequent trading can undercut a long-term, cohesive investment strategy. If you’re constantly buying and selling, you won’t give some investments a chance to achieve their full growth potential, and you might disrupt the diversification necessary for long-term success.

More thoughtful decisions and more receptiveness to professional advice An Edward Jones poll discovered that 63% of women recognize that developing a financial strategy for short- and long-term goals made them feel more confident

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Here’s an interesting question: Do women possess attributes that may make them better investors? about the future. The poll also found that individuals who are “very confident” in the level of their financial knowledge are more likely to consult a professional financial advisor in the first place. Given the number of factors involved in successful investing – setting long-term goals, evaluating risk tolerance, navigating volatile financial markets, diversifying investment portfolios, and so on – it’s important to get solid financial and investment advice from trained, experienced professionals.

Greater risk aversion When it comes to savings and investing, women are generally more risk averse than men. According to the ‘Women and Wealth’ study conducted by Strategic Insight, women focus on predictable financial outcomes as opposed to the assumption of risk and the achievement of specific performance objectives. Having a greater risk aversion can help women

investors reduce the likelihood of incurring short-term losses from highly volatile or speculative investments. Nonetheless, it’s not really possible to avoid all investment risk – and it’s probably not even desirable.

In fact, there may well be a flip side to women’s risk avoidance, in that an overly conservative portfolio won’t produce the growth potential needed to achieve longterm goals. And this indeed is a danger to which women investors should be alert.

Generally speaking, neither excessive risk nor excessive caution will serve investors well.

A long-term perspective, avoidance of excess trading, willingness to take advice from professionals, and careful risk management – these characteristics of women investors can be of value to everyone. Consider putting them to work for yourself. * Edward Jones does not provide tax or legal advice. Review your specific situation with your tax advisor and/or legal professional for information regarding, or issues concerning, the tax implications of making a particular investment or taking any other action.

FERNIEFIX.COM

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Arts and Entertainment

FEATURE ARTIST

Megan Haeusler I love painting Fernie’s historic streets and snowy landscapes. I use expressive brushwork and colour to illustrate the natural and built world that surrounds us, capturing the light and colour of the snow weighing down the trees and the way Fernie’s man-made structures interact with the wild landscape. My artwork portrays a sense of place, not just a time or location, but the feeling experienced when in the landscape.

Growing up in rural Saskatchewan, I was always drawn to the creative arts. I studied drawing and painting at the University of

Saskatchewan, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art History and Studio Art. During undergrad, I started creating imagined dreamscapes, bright coloured objects with layered washes of paint.

Once I left the prairies for the mountains, I used the same style to capture the natural beauty surrounding Fernie.

After completing my degree, I backpacked through Europe with my engineer sister. I forced her to visit all the major art galleries, giving her art history lessons at each, from the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam to the impressionist painters at the Musée

d’Orsay in Paris. We also explored the historic architecture of castles in Scotland, palaces in Venice, and Gaudi’s buildings in Barcelona. It was thrilling and enlightening to see the brushworks of famous paintings in real life and to stand inside buildings I had only studied in books. Walking the historic streets and viewing the vivid paintings by famous artists influenced my series of Fernie’s streetscapes which mix the historic stone and brick buildings with impressionistic colour.

I returned to Saskatchewan to complete a diploma in Architectural Technology

and Interior Design, combining my love of art with the problem solving of design. I enjoyed working in a field that combined art and math, painting and geometry. The manual and computer drafting lessons mixed with my painting background helped me create the perspectives of my streetscape paintings accurately while keeping the paintings loose and abstract.

After a few years working in an architecture firm in Saskatoon, designing and drafting schools and hospitals, my husband and I decided to uproot our lives and move to Fernie. He had always wanted to move back after spending a season here as a ski hill lifty. Living in Fernie inspired me to dive back into painting, not only due to the majestic environment but also because of the vibrant and supportive arts community. I have been a member at the Fernie Arts Co-op for several years and love the creative atmosphere to work and display art.

I work mainly with acrylic paints which are fast and vivid.

The high-speed nature of acrylics is ideal because I now schedule my painting around the demands of raising two busy little boys. Acrylics help me emulate the Group of Seven, famous Canadian painters who used bold brushwork and colour to showcase our country’s beautiful landscapes. Acrylics capture the bright changing colours of the seasons, as well as the transparency and drape of Fernie’s legendary snow.

I draw inspiration from the architecture and nature of my surroundings to create paintings that show the everevolving history and unique character of my adopted home, this small town nestled in the Rocky Mountains.

“Three Sisters in Winter” The Three Sisters are three prominent mountain peaks north of Fernie. As the legend goes, an Indian chief had to choose a wife between three young women. Due to the chief’s indecision, the gods punished him by transforming the chief into Mt. Proctor. The three women were so upset that they asked the gods to turn them into mountains as well. As a feminist, there are many lessons to be taken from this problematic story. Your worth as a human is not dependent on being wanted by the opposite gender, and, although The Three Sisters are majestic and iconic in Fernie’s landscape, no man is worth turning yourself into a mountain over.

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Arts and Entertainment

ARTBEAT

ARTWORK BY JEN FARRELL

Trading Places

by MICHAEL HEPHER

W

hen I got my first vintage press in 2003, one of the people already making waves in the modern letterpress community was Jennifer Farrell of Starshaped Press. After learning the basics in Chicago’s independent media scene, in 1999 she founded her own print shop.

With talent, tenacity and hard-work, modern pioneers like Jen have pushed the medium forward from obscurity into a vibrant and growing historic craft—laid on a foundation of knowledge sharing and built back to legitimacy through innovation.

I set out to write this article about how progressive the letterpress community has been at supporting generational talents like Jen regardless of gender, but what I’ve learned has been startling and discouraging: we still have so far to go. It turns out that

my own male privilege has me seeing my own craft through a grimy, rose-coloured lens.

In my dialogue with Jen about her experience I have discovered that through her career as a printmaker she has faced, and continues to face, all kinds misogyny, prejudice, and discrimination. She has been passed over, pushed aside and undervalued by gatekeepers in the arts world and business world alike. She sees less accomplished men being considered first for shows. She sees women being offered less for equivalent projects—it is assumed women will be grateful for underpaid opportunities despite their talent or accomplishments. Even now, it seems that many men who call themselves ‘woke’ do so to appear progressive, but do not take any action to give substance to their words.

As male in a small-town arts community, I’m an unlikely minority. At any given artists’ gathering I’m often one of few men, and I’m invariably surrounded by creative,

talented, competent, hard-working, and knowledgeable women. When we discuss our process or technique, we discover our differences are irrelevant: we are just humans pursuing a craft. Our art scene, and subsequently our lives, are richer because of the inclusion of all ways of seeing art. In Fernie, without our bold women, our arts scene would be all but non-existent. As an artist I’ve had to fight for my place in the greater art world, but the strong women around me have never made me fight for my place amongst them. How much harder would it be if I had to fight for gender equity also?

I find it strange that we still struggle to value humans based on superficial things like gender or ethnicity. We consider ourselves to be rational beings—do we not have enough examples of people that break these barriers to consider them irrelevant?

How many Jen Farrells do we need to know before we respect the women we work with? Why do we drag our feet about

paying women equally for the same job?

What entitles us to set standards higher for women than for men to occupy the same cultural spaces?

These questions are rhetorical of course because we already know the answer: pride.

Power clings to pride in order to maintain a sense of importance, but what we stand to gain in diversity is far greater than any perceived loss of control.

As a white male, it has been a difficult journey for me to write and rewrite this article—I’ve learned so much about my own bias and privilege. I don’t presume to speak on behalf of women because it’s clear to me I cannot live their experience, but I do speak on behalf of men wanting to change. I believe that when we come to the table there is no priority seating. Each of us, regardless of gender, have important parts to play in our world. What’s incredible is the work that Jen Farrell and so many other women have been able to do in spite of the inequity of their experience. Imagine what would happen if every artist started at the same jumping-off point, or ran with equal loads on their shoulders?

If the idea that we have so far to go makes you feel defensive, I challenge you to take an honest look at what that feeling is about.

There are no logical external reasons to propagate this system. Why do we keep buying in? We learned cultural stereotypes about all kinds of people, but so what? We can unlearn, and relearn. We can choose to step back and make room for others that are fighting to have a voice. Change is hard, but we’ve done hard things before, and it will be worth it when we see our daughters, wives, friends and ourselves reaching our potential in a world rich with that diversity.

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I’m grateful for Jen Farrell, Tanya Laing Gahr, Anie Hepher, Krista Turcasso and Vanessa Croome for their perspectives and encouragement through the writing of this column.

To find out more about Jen Farrell and Starshaped Press, visit starshapedpress.com.

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Arts and Entertainment

AT PEACE AND YET ON FIRE

Slugger

by SADIE ROSGEN with ANGE QUALIZZA

I

celebrate all women. I seek the very best parts of them and feel empowered to be better. Women are, without a doubt, better together than against one another. I had the honour of working with my friend, her worship the mayor, Ange Qualizza (that’s pronounced “quality pizza” for those readers feeling perplexed). Ange and I have had the luxury of hanging out during the best of times. Christmas parties, birthday bashes, concerts, plays, and drag shows top the list.

Ange and I have written policy, approved agendas, and hustled in the name of the arts together. We are wives and mothers. We are daughters and sisters. Our intersecting existence has brought us to this point and I am thankful for it. So many aspects of our lives are the same and in many ways, contrary. She’s a “run into the fire” kind of person. We value authenticity over tenacity. This poem is a celebration of now. Its invention comes from a deep desire to connect and be authentic. It comes from us to you as a gift in every way. For women, for everyone. Thanks, bestie.

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Arts and Entertainment

The Irishman

by ANDREW VALLANCE

F

rancis Joseph Sheeran (October 25, 1920 – December 14, 2003), known as Frank “The Irishman” Sheeran, was an American labour union official who was accused of having links to the Bufalino crime family.

In his capacity as a high-ranking official in the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), Sheeran was a dominant figure, enabling the corruption of unions by organized crime. In a lawsuit stemming from the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), the US government named Sheeran as one of only two non-Italians who conspired with the Commission of La Cosa Nostra, alongside such figures as Anthony “Tony Pro” Provenzano and Anthony “Fat Tony” Salerno.

Shortly before his death, Sheeran claimed to have killed Teamster leader Jimmy Hoffa in 1975. Author Charles Brandt detailed what Sheeran told him about Hoffa in the narrative nonfiction work I Heard You Paint Houses (2004).

The truthfulness of the book, including Sheeran’s supposed confessions to killing Jimmy Hoffa and Joe Gallo have been disputed by “The Lies of the Irishman,” an article in Slate.

Martin Scorcese found Sheeran’s story so fascinating that he chose to make The Irishman, a sprawling three hour epic, costing a monstrous $159 million. Much of the money was spent on the revolutionary de-ageing technology developed by Scorcese specifically for the film. The Irishman features Robert DeNiro as Sheeran, Al Pacino as Jimmy Hoffa, and Joe Pesci as crime boss Russell Bufalino. Also featured in the cast are Ray Romano, who plays Bufalino’s brother, Harvey Keitel as mobster Angelo Bruno, and Anna Paquin as Sheeran’s daughter, Peggy.

This is quite a good film. The three leads give excellent performances, with DeNiro and Pacino essentially playing the same roles that have made them famous for over thirty years; and Pesci giving one of the most quiet, nuanced and frightening performances of his career, reminiscent of his roles in The Good Shepherd and Goodfellas. It’s interesting that Scorcese had to drag Pesci out of retirement in order to get him to play this role.

The interesting thing about this film is that unlike Scorcese’s other efforts (Good Fellas, Casino,Wolf of Wall Street) it doesn’t glorify criminals or criminal behaviour. It is quite clear that Sheeran and his compatriots suffer for the crimes that they commit, and the film justifiably leaves them isolated and miserable.

THE RENTAL FIX

One major problem I have with The Irishman is its lack of significant female characters. Anna Paquin, for all her acting potential, has no dialogue. Other female actors are allocated very minor shrewish roles. I also find the film’s portrayal of Jimmy Hoffa to be inaccurate. We are constantly told throughout the movie what a great and admirable person Hoffa was, but his legacy disproves this. He may have been a good union leader to a certain extent, but his mob connections provided the establishment with a stick they used to brutally beat the American labour movement, a stick which has been used to this very day. In the end, Jimmy Hoffa did more to hamstring the union movement than any right to work law.

In spite of my criticisms of the film, The Irishman is worth watching, and it is on Netflix right now.

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Community and Events

FEATURE RESIDENT

Jill Barclay

by KRISTA TURCASSO

I

n Fernie, there is no lack of inspiring, bold women. As business owners. As community advocates. As volunteers and pioneers. It is truly a privilege to work, recreate, create, parent, and live among them.

Recently, one of these woman, Jill Barclay took on an inspiring volunteer position with the Women’s Enterprise Centre (WEC) as a Regional Ambassador. A nonprofit organization, WEC is “devoted to helping BC women start, lead and grow their own business.” They can provide business loans up to $150k, with access to an additional $100K through a partnership with the BDC. Many women in business in our community, including Jill have attended the annual Forum for Women Entrepreneurs E-Series event in Vancouver.

This is a three-day conference for women entrepreneurs and business owners to help them gain the necessary tools to grow their business. Teck announced in early February that it is offering eight grants to allow women in business in BC, Alberta and Alaska to attend the forum.

Jill is a fantastic fit with WEC, having owned and operated Goldstar Cleaning Services for over 15 years. Managing a large team and a multitude of contracts, locally and regionally, Jill has an abundance to lend others finding their way in business.

Like many in our community and other mountain towns, Jill first spent time in Fernie seasonally to ski. At the time she worked in reforestation as a project manager for half the year so it worked well… until she wanted to transition out of being in the bush. “I thought it was time to look for long-term work,” she tells me.

“I had applied for a job at Fernie Lodging Company as the Suite Care Manager, and didn’t get it so took a seasonal job with Island Lake Lodge.” A few months

KRISTA TURCASSO PHOTO

later, Fernie Lodging took over 30 new vacation homes and contacted Jill to see if she would be interested in the cleaning contract and on December 23 of that year, Goldstar Cleaning was born.

“There weren’t a lot of opportunities to earn a decent income back then. Owning a business offers flexibility. I could still participate in some of the lifestyle pieces that originally drew me to the Valley,” Jill says, and as she holds her nearly two-year old who is too sick to attend daycare, she recognises that things have definitely changed. “Between work responsibilities and family, I can’t do the things that brought me here! But, that speaks to life.”

Jill is a mother of three children under six.

As Jill progressed with Goldstar, she recognised that many women hit either a professional ceiling or growth ceiling within their business. “How can women do business with big business?” is a

question she has been contemplating, and is fundamentally why she is involved with WEC. “It allows me to provide peer-topeer mentoring, bringing women together to see how much they have in common even though they feel so alone.” Thus far there are eight women in Jill’s peer group.

“Sometimes it can be hard to think big, but that’s something I would like to see change. Start big, and scale it down.”

Jill is enjoying broadening her view and engaging in different ways with our business community. “It’s a breath of fresh air after having owned a business for 15 years!” Jill also sits on the board for the Fernie Child Care Society and has been creating discussions about the long-term vision and a strategic-fundraising plan.

“You need to create a network, it’s key to your success,” she adds.

What are her own long-term goals? “To keep my children alive right now,” she

says with a laugh. “But really, I’m focused on what Goldstar can be in five years.

Maintaining my business with the current elements and stage of my life.” Jill is also dedicated to working with WEC and women in business to, “look at the ten-year picture and break it down.”

No pressure, Jill but we fully anticipate a ripple effect of boldness and inspiration throughout the Elk Valley, and look forward to what this brings to our communities.

Thank you.

our routine of Sunday laps on the Mini and Mighty Moose as a family, finished off with fries, hot chocolate’s and a beer at Rusty Edge and then on to a swim and hot tub at the Aquatic Centre and heading home in pj’s.

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

I still love winter the best - it feels more extreme... and then I love a big trip away in the off season.

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

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

I arrived in January 2000 for the ski season. I was a project manager for a reforestation company and working seasonally. I had spent the previous three winters travelling and working extensively through South and Central America. I was going out with a guy who lived here in the winter and decided to join him for a season of skiing.

I struggle with this kind of question sometimes because so much has changed over my time living here but so much hasn’t changed for both good and bad - a lot has to do with the stage of life I was in and that perspective. However from seasonal treeplanter/ski bum, to homeowner, business owner and parent I think the appeal has always been that very strong sense of community. I hope that Fernie continues to support community through encouraging engagement, inclusivity and accessibility. I hope people will still stop their car to let pedestrians cross the road and say hi to strangers in the grocery store!

2. Who did you first meet?

Haha...one of the legends...James McCabe aka “Chicken.” It was a pretty social first few years and a big part of our life was at the ski hill. We also ski hosted on Saturdays at the hill to earn our ski pass and met a lot of great ‘locals’ and original hosts that to this day are a big part of my network and Fernie story.

3. Do you remember your first general impression of Fernie?

It snowed a lot, everyone had a dog and we went to a lot of potlucks, bonfires and costume parties. If we were not skiing we were dog walking.

4. What keeps you here?

I have an established business, three young children and access right out my door to an amazing natural playground for all of us.

5. Do you have a favourite Fernie pastime?

Everything is in stages, right now I love

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

Wishing I was more organised and then trying to figure out which jacket and shoes/boots to wear based on the weather?!

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

It’s not a perm - I’m Scottish and immigrated to Canada when I was five.

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March 2020 MONTHLY EVENTS SUNDAY 1.3.2020 Clay as Canvas II - Mono Print @ The Arts Station Wapiti Lineup Release and Tickets Sales @ wapitimusicfestival.com MONDAY 2.3.2020 City of Fernie Snow Policy Update Stakeholder Engagement Session @ Operations Facility, 10am City of Fernie Snow Policy Update Stakeholder Engagement Session @ Seniors Centre, 5:30pm German Sparkle Party #9 @ The Royal, 8pm TUESDAY 3.3.2020 Fernie Wine Club Event-Kootenay Tuxedo @ Infinitea, 6:30pm. Tickets $55 WEDNESDAY 4.3.2020 Fernie Youth Art Collective @ The Arts Station Griz Days - Cask Night @ Fernie Brewing Co, 4pm THURSDAY 5.3.2020 Griz Days Kitchen Party @ Jack Carter Northstar, 5:30pm IF4 International Fly Fishing Film Festival @ The Vogue Theatre, 6:30pm Learn to Latin Dance with Adriana @ The Arts Station FRIDAY 6.3.2020 The Gruffalo Story Walk @ Fernie Heritage Library, 11:15am. Movie at 3:45pm Griz Days Snow to Ice Challenge Begins @ Fernie Nordic Society Family Yoga Retreat Weekend @ Fernie Stanford Resort Griz’s Hot Dog Pub Crawl @ Fernie Bars, 3:30pm Afternoon Grizzly Curling @ Fernie Curling Club, 3:30pm Lani Folkard and Paul Pichurski Live @ The Loaf, 6pm Fernie Ski Heritage Wall of Fame Induction Gala @ Fernie Best Western, 6:30pm Sierra Noble hosted by Home Routes @ Elkford, 7pm Griz Days Fun Spiel @ Fernie Curling Club, 7pm Hark Raving Sirens Live @ Infinitea Ben Fox @ The Royal The Denim Daddies @ The Northern, 10:30pm Naturalist Griz Days Party with Case of the Mondays @ The Central, 10pm SATURDAY 7.3.2020 Griz Cave Flap Jack Breakfast @ Fernie Seniors Centre, 9am Riding Clinic #3 Advanced @ Elk Valley Snow Shepherds, two-day snowmobile clinic Fernie Craft Fair @ Community Centre, 10am Griz Days Snow Golf @ Fernie Golf Club, 10am Fernie Snowmobile Society Sled Drags @ 1800 Railway Ave, 10am Garage and Bake Sale @ Fernie Family Centre Extreme Griz Competition @ Rotary Park, 12pm Baby Griz Crawl @ Fernie Family Centre, 12pm Snow Sculpture Creation @ Downtown Fernie, 1pm Junior Griz Training Ground @ 2nd Ave, 1pm All Shapes and Sizes Rugby @ City Hall Grounds, 1pm Log Carver Demonstrations @ Griz Town, Downtown Fernie 1pm Smoothing Races @ Downtown Fernie, 3pm The Testers @ The Griz Bar Grizzly Gruel Challenge @ Station Square, 3pm Grizzly Hot Wing Challenge @ Fernie Hotel, 4pm Bed Races @ Downtown Fernie, 4:30pm Griz Days Parade @ Downtown Fernie, 6:30pm Twist and Shout, Lumberjack Shows, Live Music @ Station Square, 5:30pm-late.

Tim Ketchum and Cam Kennedy Live @ Infinitea, 7pm International Women’s Day party with Mihajic Touch and Jenn Frost @ The Royal SUNDAY 8.3.2020 Snow Sculptures @ Fernie Alpine Resort, Base Area Raging Elk Dummy Downhill @ Fernie Alpine Resort, 11am Project Fire Elk Performance @ Fernie Alpine Resort, 3pm The Testers @ The Griz Bar Indie Films Fernie: Clemency @ The Vogue Theatre, 5pm Mindful Mall Necklace Workshop @ Living YogAdventures 6pm Kellan Said and Bend Crosby Live @ Infinitea, 6pm Full Moon Social/Snow To Ice (Cream) Challenge Finale @ Elk Valley Nordic Centre, 7pm Sunday Supper Club Buffet - Chinese @ Cast Iron Grill.

Reservations required.

MONDAY 9.3.2020 Start From Scratch Pottery Workshop @ Elkford Art Studio, 6pm Fernie Pride Society AGM @ Parkplace Lodge, 6:30pm Fernie Friends of Opera: Faust by Gounod @ The Arts Station, 6:30pm TUESDAY 10.3.2020 Fernie Trails Alliance AGM and Social @ Fernie Seniors Centre, 7pm WEDNESDAY 11.3.2020 Soiree Souper - Cinema: Monsieur Lazhar @ Infinitea, 6:30pm with free pop corn and babysitting by donation.

THURSDAY 12.3.2020 Learn to Latin Dance with Adriana @ The Arts Station Write It Down Creative Writing Circle @ Fernie Heritage Library, 6:30pm Monthly Poker Tournament @ The Legion, 6:30pm Community Services Spring Registration Fair @ Fernie Community Centre, 5:30-8:30pm FRIDAY 13.3.2020 Blue Tansy Live @ Loaf, 6pm Ryan Mildenberger (Shred Kelly) Hosts Live Music @ Infinitea SATURDAY 14.3.2020 Rail Park Trick Scavenger Hunt @ Fernie Alpine Resort, 10am Fernie Flying Viking Challenge and Feast @ The Elk Valley Nordic Centre Elk Valley Rugby Football Club hosts 6 Nations Watch Party @ Fernie Curling Club. Was v. Scotland, Italy v. England, France v. Ireland. 1pm, with 9am Bonspiel. Cash Bar Drawing with Liza @ The Arts Station SUNDAY 15.3.2020 Slow Pitch Jam @ Fernie Heritage Library, 3pm MONDAY 16.3.2020 Club Cre8 @ The Arts Station, 9am Spring Break Kids Horse/Farm Camp @ Love it or Leave it Ranch TUESDAY 17.3.2020 Shine Performing Arts Camp Begins @ The Arts Station St. Patrick’s Day Karaoke Gong Show @ The Royal St. Patrick’s Day Party @ The Parkplace Pub Special St. Patrick’s Music Hosted by Karl and Pauly @ Infinitea

CHECK OUT THE FERNIE FIX EVENTS CALENDAR ONLINE AT FERNIEFIX.COM

WEDNESDAY 18.3.2020 Business, Banter and Beer @ Sparrow Hair, 5:30pm THURSDAY 19.3.2020 Tango King and the One Hit Wonder @ Mountain Side Community Church, 7pm Beautea Night @ Infinitea, 6-9pm with $15 massages/ manicures/facials FRIDAY 20.3.2020 Tiffanie and Chanel Live @ Loaf, 6pm Cecile Doo-Kingue in Concert @ The Arts Station, 8pm Redgie Hosts Jam Night @ Infinitea Funky Necklace Party @ The Royal SATURDAY 21.3.2020 Raging Elk Kinky Rail Jam @ Fernie Alpine Resort, 9am 2nd Annual Fernie Gumball Snowmobile Event @ Fernie Snow Mobile Association, 9am Fernie Stoke Fest with Shred Kelly @ The Community Centre, all ages show and 19+ show Ferning Man @ The Royal SUNDAY 22.3.2020 Beers and Broads Stand Comedy @ The Legion, 7pm Sunday Supper Club Buffet - Ukrainian @ Cast Iron Grill. Reservations required.

MONDAY 23.3.2020 Club Cre8 Spring Break @ The Arts Station, 9am She Jumps Wild Skills Junior Ski Patrol Day Camp @ Fernie Alpine Resort, 9am TUESDAY 24.3.2020 Kids Spring Extravaganza Ski and SB Camps Begin @ Fernie Alpine Resort Cooking Class @ Infinitea, 6pm $40 THURSDAY 26.3.2020 KYTAMI @ The Royal FRIDAY 27.3.2020 Tea and Talk Book Club @ Fernie Heritage Library, 1:30pm Spring Break Family Dance Party with Jayray @ The Central, 2-5pm Alton Hosts Jam Night @ Infinitea Wad jit @ The Royal The Frontiers @ The Northern, 10pm Techno Friday with Jayray @ The Central, 10pm SATURDAY 28.3.2020 Kokanee Retro Party @ Fernie Alpine Resort, 1pm Space Camp @ The Northern Dirty Dancer Banked Slalom @ Fernie Alpine Resort SUNDAY 29.3.2020 Spice it Up Pottery Workshop @ The Arts Station Dirty Dancer Banked Slalom @ Fernie Alpine Resort MONDAY 30.3.2020 CBT Our Trust Our Future Community Engagement Session @ Jaffray Community Hall TUESDAY 31.3.2020 Tourism Fernie AGM @ Best Western Plus Fernie Mountain Lodge. 2pm CBT Our Trust Our Future Community Engagement Session @ Fernie Community Centre, 2pm WEDNESDAY 1.4.2020 Hot Dog Day @ Fernie Alpine Resort

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March 2020 WEEKLY EVENTS

DINING, NIGHTLIFE and SPECIALS MONDAYS Pool Tourney & Tacos Special @ The Pub Lasagna Specials @ Elk Valley Pizza Shoppe $8 Meals @ Infinitea Ladies Night @ The Northern Local Jam Night @ The Kodiak Lounge Monday Mayhem with Goffles @ The Royal Store and Tasting Room Open @ FBC Happy Hour @ Loaf, 3-5pm Pizza and Beer Specials Pizza Specials @ Fernie Pizza and Pasta Kick Off the Week Americano Specials @ Freshies Jam Night @ The Rusty Edge, 4pm Happy Hour @ Cirque, 3-5pm TUESDAYS Pasta Night @ Boston Pizza Wing Night @ The Pub Bar & Grill Pizza Night @ Elk Valley Pizza Shoppe Beer, Burger and Bingo Night @ The Northern Cheap Night @ The Vogue Theatre Karaoke @ The Royal Store and Tasting Room Open @ FBC Happy Hour @ Loaf, 3-5pm Pizza and Beer Specials Toonie Tuesdays @ Freshies Pizza Specials @ Fernie Pizza and Pasta Happy Hour @ Cirque, 3-5pm Pasta and Wine Night @ The Cirque WEDNESDAYS 1/2 Off Wings @ Boston Pizza Wine Evenings @ The Brickhouse Trivia Night @ The Fernie Hotel Wing Night @ The Northern

OUTDOOR & FAMILY MONDAYS Dominoes, Duplicate and Mahjong @ Seniors Centre Indoor Walking @ The Community Centre Ladies Only @ Fernie Old School Boxing Parent Tot Funtimes @ Fernie Family Centre Public Swimming @ The Aquatic Centre Active Fit @ Fernie Aquatic Centre, 8:40am Drop-In @ Elk Valley Gymnastics, 11-12pm for ages 0-4 Strong Start @ IDES, 9-12pm for ages 3-5 (Mon to Fri) Pickle Ball @ Fernie Community Centre, 10am Adult Shinny @ Memorial Arena, 8:45am Les Tiguidous, French Story Time @ AFRoS Office, 11:15am ages 0-4. Free Club Baguette @ Isabella Dicken Elementary School, ages 8-12 3:15pm, French Games Club Baguette Adultes @ AFRoS Office, 7pm, French conversation for adults CBAL Drop-in Learning @ Fernie Fresh Food Share, 11am with free lunch, technology and more TUESDAYS Crib/Whist, Chess and Drop In @ Seniors Drop in Centre Storytime Ages 3-5 @ Heritage Library Ladies Archery @ The Elks Hall Junior Boxing @ Fernie Old School Boxing Club Indoor Walking Program @ Fernie Community Centre Open Climbing @ Evolution English Conversation Cafe @ CBAL Office Drop in Climbing @ College of the Rockies Free Guided Meditation @ Soar Studios Public Swimming @ The Aquatic Centre Gentle Fit @ Fernie Aquatic Centre, 10:30am Teens Drop in @ Elk Valley Gymnastics,7:45-8:45pm Strong Start @ IDES, 9-12pm for ages 3-5 (Mon to Fri) KinderGym @ Fernie Family Centre, 10-11am Pickle Ball @ Fernie Community Centre, 7pm Adult Shinny @ Memorial Arena, 8:45am Public Skate @ Memorial Arena, 10:30am Family Connections @ Isabella Dicken School Snowshoe and Dine @ Fernie Alpine Resort Lego Club @ Fernie Heritage Library, ages 7+ 3:45pm Nanny Network @ CBAL, 9:30am Free Adult ESL Class @ CBAL, 6pm

Wax On Wednesday @ 901 Spa Store and Tasting Room Open @ FBC Zak’s Jam Night @ The Royal Happy Hour @ Loaf, 3-5pm Pizza and Beer Specials Coffee With a Friend @ Freshies, two for one coffee Wine and Beer Specials @ Sushi Wood Taro Readings from 7pm @ Infinitea Featured Burgers @ The Pub and Bistro Restaurant Wine and Beer Specials @ Sushi Wood Happy Hour @ Cirque, 3-5pm Waffle Cone Wednesdays @ Happy Cow, buy a regular or kids scoop and the waffle cone is free Half Price Ice Bar @ The Cirque THURSDAYS Jam Night @ The Brickhouse Featured Pub Burgers @ Max Restaurant & The Pub Burger and Beer Special @ The Fernie Medium Pizza Special @ Elk Valley Pizza Store and Tasting Room Open @ FBC Pub Team Trivia @ The Pub Bar & Grill Thirsty Thursdays @ Kodiak Lounge Happy Hour @ Loaf, 3-5pm Pizza and Beer Specials Create Your Signature Mocha @ Freshies Cocktail Specials @ Infinitea Fundamentals of a Wellness Lifestyle @ Infinitea, 7pm Happy Hour @ Cirque, 3-5pm Two for One @ Happy Cow FRIDAYS Fish & Chips @ The Pub Bar & Grill Meat Draw and Members Draw @ The Fernie Hotel Fish & Chip Night @ The Pub Outdoor

Seniors

Kids

Live Music @ Loaf, 6-9pm Happy Hour @ Loaf, 3-5pm Pizza and Beer Specials Live Music @ Infinitea Prime Rib Night @ The Old Elevator Chinese Restaurant DJ Jim Paul @ The Fernie Hotel and Pub Happy Hour @ Cirque, 3-5pm Prime Rib Special @ Cast Iron Grill SATURDAYS Meat Draw & Bar Quiz @ The Legion Coffee and Baileys Special @ The Bridge Bistro Pint Night with Overtime Beer Works @ Infinitea Roast Dinner and Natty Light Special @ The Pub Happy Hour @ Loaf, 3-5pm Pizza and Beer Specials Early Bird Breakfasts @ Freshies Dragon Cod Fish Night @ The Old Elevator Central Saturdays @ The Central with DJ Sweet Irie, 10pm Live Music @ The Griz Bar Open to the Public @ The Smokehouse Prime Rib Special @ Cast Iron Grill SUNDAYS Caesars on Special @ The Brickhouse Mini Jugs and Caesars @ The Fernie Hotel Sendy Sundays @ The Pub Caesars Special @ The Bridge Bistro Happy Hour @ Loaf, 3-5pm Pizza and Beer Specials Dinner Buffet @ The Indian Kitchen, Stanford Inn 4-9:30pm Early Bird Breakfasts @ Freshies BBQ and Beats @ Infinitea, 6-9pm Sunday Skool DJ @ The Fernie Live Music @ The Griz Bar Happy Hour @ Cirque, 3-5pm

Arts Station

WEDNESDAYS Crib, Gentle Exercise and Tai Chi @ Seniors Centre AA Meetings @ The Anglican Church Basement Competitive Boxing @ Fernie Old School Boxing Club Toddlertime Ages 0-2 @ Fernie Heritage Library Indoor Walking Program @ Fernie Community Centre Open Climbing @ Evolution English Conversation Café @ CBAL office Celebrate Recovery @ Mountainside Church Drop-In @ Elk Valley Gymnastics, 11-12pm for ages 0-4 Public Swimming @ The Aquatic Centre Active Fit @ Fernie Aquatic Centre, 8:40am Adults Drop in @ Elk Valley Gymnastics,7:30-9pm Yoga @ Lizard Creek Lodge Strong Start @ IDES, 9-12pm for ages 3-5 (Mon to Fri) Unpredictable Wednesdays @ Ghostrider Adventure Riders, 5:30pm KinderGym @ Fernie Family Centre, 10-11am Cyber Seniors @ Heritage Library, 1:30-2:30pm Fernie Youth Art Collective @ The Arts Station, 6pm Badminton @ Fernie Community Centre, 7pm Open Studio Time @ The Arts Station, 7-9pm.

Adult Shinny @ Memorial Arena, 8:45am Parent and Tot Skate @ Memorial Arena, 10:30am Skate and Shoot @ Memorial Arena, 1:15pm FMBC Fat Bike Ride @ Bike Park Gazebo Fernie Youth Art Collective @ The Arts Station, 6pm Free Adult ESL Class @ CBAL, 9:30am (childcare provided) THURSDAYS Morning Yoga, Drop in, and Cards @ Senior’s Centre RC Club @ Fernie Community Centre Mixed Senior Recreational Boxing @ Fernie Old School Boxing Bellies to Babies @ Fernie Women’s Centre Open Roller Skating @ Max Turyk Gym Indoor Walking Program @ Fernie Community Centre, Public Swimming @ The Aquatic Centre Gentle Fit @ Fernie Aquatic Centre, 10:30am Kid’s Café @ Mountainside Community Church, 9:30-11:30am.

Everyone welcome!

Strong Start @ IDES, 9-12pm for ages 3-5 (Mon to Fri) Baila Baby - Latin Dance @ The Arts Station, 10am for kids under five

Swim

Skate

Library

Other

Latin Dance @ The Arts Station, 7-9pm Pickle Ball @ Fernie Community Centre, 10am Adult Shinny @ Memorial Arena, 8:45am Public Skate @ Memorial Arena, 10:30am Family Connections @ Isabella Dicken School Fat Bike Ride and Dine @ Fernie Alpine Resort Knits and Knots @ Fernie Heritage Library, ages 9+ 3:45pm Baby Goose @ CBAL, 9:30am, parents and kids 0-18 months Winter Running Club @ Stag Leap Running, 6:30pm FRIDAYS Cribbage @ Seniors Drop in Centre Jitney Darts @ Fernie Legion Toddlertime Ages 0-2 @ Fernie Heritage Library Storytime Social @ Library, 11:15-12:45pm ages 0-5.

Adult Heels and Pump @ Solebeats, 8pm for 18+ Strong Start @ IDES, 9-12pm for ages 3-5 (Mon to Fri) KinderGym @ Fernie Family Centre, 10-11am Home School Fridays @ Fernie Heritage Library. 1-3pm Public Swimming @ The Aquatic Centre Active Fit @ Fernie Aquatic Centre, 8:40am Gentle Fit @ Fernie Aquatic Centre, 10:30am Public Skate @ Memorial Arena, 12pm (No School Fridays) and 6:45pm Free Adult ESL Class @ CBAL, 9:30am (childcare provided) SATURDAYS Karma Meditation Class @ Essential Yoga Studio Open Climbing @ Evolution Prenatal Yoga @ Essential Yoga Yoga and Stretching @ Lizard Creek Lodge Public Swimming @ The Aquatic Centre Public Skate @ Memorial Arena, 2pm and 6:45pm Kids Pool Party and Movie Night @ Lizard Creek Lodge Night Skiing on the Mighty Moose @ FAR, 4pm SUNDAYS AA Meetings @ The Anglican Church Basement Public Swimming @ The Aquatic Centre Drop-In @ Elk Valley Gymnastics, 3:45-4:45pm ages 5-12 Public Skate @ Memorial Arena, 2pm Nordic Sundays @ Lizard Creek Lodge FWOW Fat Bike Ride @ Bike Park Gazebo, 12pm

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29

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Community and Events

CITY CORNER

Ford Versus Ferrari

by ANGE QUALIZZA

S

ervice level reviews, examining needs, swimming through the sea of wants.

It’s really an everyday process in local government, one that keeps us balancing strategic priorities designed to insulate our community from poor investment choices that do not support our infrastructure needs, against the always present ‘emerging needs.’ Or are they wants? Some days, it is truly a balancing act.

If we do it right, moving through a service level review is about improving the service, finding efficiencies, changing the service potentially, and perhaps -most importantly setting the actual service level at a place the community can and will support.

What would it look like if we used the same amount of resources to serve the community better, does this mean some people might get less while some people get more? We will only find out if we have the courage to start having these conversations as a community.

Last week there was a movie playing called, Ford Versus Ferrari and I thought. That’s it!

That is service level. How do we balance providing a service like snow removal that is essential, while keeping taxes low?

As we navigate any service level review, some people will choose a Ford Escort, completely comfortable with a level of service that matches affordability, while some will want a Ferrari. Both vehicles will serve your needs, but one comes at a much higher cost.

Council’s responsibilities are varied and include; maintaining the financial integrity of the municipality, ensuring operations are accountable, developing and evaluating the policies of the municipality, and to ensure the current practices and procedures are in place to implement the directions of Council. Thus, it is perfectly appropriate we are moving through the exercise of

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No one said evaluating service levels and updating policy was going to be easy, or it wouldn’t have taken twenty years! updating a Snow and Ice Removal Policy that is over twenty years old!

The challenges we face with our current policy are vast, this process is clearly no longer serving the needs of our community. It does not incorporate different modes of transportation, focusing solely on vehicles. A lack of prioritized routes, which means access to some of our own facilities gets cleared at a later date.

The list is long of the challenges faced by both staff and our community, please head over to our web site to read more.

What can we expect during this process?

I’m going to guess a little bit of friction.

A lot of concern. Some uncertainty, and

high expectations. No one said evaluating service levels and updating policy was going to be easy, or it wouldn’t have taken twenty years!

What does it mean for you though specifically? There will be plenty of opportunity to be engaged about what kind of service you feel Fernie needs.

There will be a suite of public engagement tools designed to gather your feedback. So, remember to show up and participate.You might feel all of those feelings about this process, but together we will stand a much better change at designing a snow and ice removal process that suits the needs of Fernie in 2020.

For more information about the process please go to fernie.ca and then click on What’s New - Snow and Ice Management - Pilot Project - then click on the link to ‘learn more about the proposed changes.’

Let’s work together to improve this essential service!

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31

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Community and Events

The Pain in Parenting

it?” This woman knew she was a model for her teen, and could tell she was pulling a ‘do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do’ act. It was time for her to be honest about the pain she was in.

by KERRI WALL

W

“Men dominate sometimes!” the mom exclaimed. “They just force you to do what they want!” she continued. “I am scared my daughter doesn’t know how to stand up for herself. If boys take advantage of her it will definitely be my fault.” This was another brave person who was ready to level up her parenting.

hen something really matters we throw ourselves into it. People can passionately persist, sometimes against huge challenges. If things go well, we feel on top of the world! But what about when thing don’t work out? Your heart might get broken.

Recently I was coaching a parent and I said he was brave to reach out for help. “Either brave or stupid,” he replied, assuring me that if his other dad friends knew he was getting parent support they would think he had a screw loose.

This dad noticed his anger was alienating his teenage son, and he told me his own father had been a rage-aholic. Even though he swore to himself as a young person he would never be that way with his own kid, he realized a family pattern was repeating.

“It doesn’t make sense for me to be so mad at my son; it’s like my anger has a life of its own,” the man explained.

This caring, thoughtful dad had all the right ingredients to make a change:

V. CROOME PHOTO

It’s not our fault that we carry subconscious attitudes and behaviours that have been passed down through generations. But we can stand up proudly and proclaim that our children deserve better.

• Awareness about his feelings • A desire to alter his behaviour • Curiosity about the pattern he was caught in Although he feared his peers would judge him, there we were in a deep discussion.

This dad detailed his emotional pain. “I co-parent with my ex,” he told me, “and I look forward to the weeks I have my son.

But if I blow up on the second day and he won’t talk with me for the next two days, I’ve lost half the week. If I don’t get this sorted out my teen is old enough that he’ll just decide it’s not worth coming to dad’s place anymore. That’s what I’m most afraid of.”

PLANNING AHEAD

I meant it when I called this man brave. It’s a bold move to do something your friends could mock, and it’s especially courageous to openly declare what you’re most afraid of. When an adult takes the project of parenting seriously they put a lot on the line.

Deciding to develop as a parent, to be humble enough to learn - these are bold choices.

I worked with a mom a while back who wanted to support her daughter in developing clear boundaries around consent, but she herself struggled to be assertive. “How am I supposed to help her say no and mean it when I can’t always do

By focusing on your growth as a mom or dad you are putting the spotlight on something you can control – your reactions. It’s easy to tell yourself that teens are inherently difficult and they are the source of any problems in your home. But we all know you can’t control other people.

A heavy hand with discipline creates animosity and disconnection. In contrast, taking a sincere look at your own fears is the bold parenting move that can make a genuine difference with your family.

Our society is still reaching for gender equity, so the two examples I used above are typical of dynamics moms and dads can wrestle with. Men aren’t always in charge, but male patterns of dominating space or conversation or decision making persist.

Similarly, most women continue to notice times when they don’t use their full voice or power. It’s not our fault that we carry subconscious attitudes and behaviours that have been passed down through generations. But we can stand up proudly and proclaim that our children deserve better.

Being a parent is a hugely important role.

I am so proud of all the bold mothers and fathers out there who bust their buns to juggle the demands of family life and give their kids all the love in their hearts.

FERNIEFIX.COM

33

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Recreation and Outdoor Life

HITTING THE TRAILS

Fernie Women on Wheels

by JULIE KELLY, FTA

H

ave you ever noticed how empowered you feel after getting a good dose of fresh mountain air? It can be as simple as a walk with the dog, a stroll down main street or hitting the trails on your bike, snowshoes or skis.

It can also be empowering to enjoy these activities with a group. For example, the Fernie Women on Wheels (FWOW) brings a group of ladies together to enjoy the outdoors. It all started in 2013 with a bunch of friends wanting to have a dedicated night to ride. This organically grew into a scheduled group ride where ladies would always have someone to ride with in a supportive and encouraging atmosphere. These rides have now grown to approximately 15-20 ladies. All levels are welcome and a variety of trails are ridden

Sparwood Trails Alliance Update

by BRITTNEY TRACEY

D

espite our less-than-ideal winter, STA has seen a huge amount of folks out on the trails this winter. The Sparwood streak was a huge success and our snowshoe meet ups were through the roof, with four-plus bold and community minded women out leading the charge and getting people out moving through the woods and enjoying winter as much as possible. It’s been incredible watching as they led group after group out onto the trails and out of their comfort zones.

Now, STA is looking ahead to the coming months, and coming events. The return of spring will mean the return of workparty Wednesdays and of course, The Elk Valley FatAss race. On top of all this, STA

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with Coal Heritage and Lazy Lizard being two of the frequent choices.

Watch for upcoming FWOW rides this winter on Wednesdays and Sundays depending on the weather and conditions.

You can look forward to the weekly Wednesday night and Friday morning rides during the summer months.

To stay informed with rides and events you can join the FWOW Facebook group page.

is greatly looking forward to expanding its trail network this spring and summer, and adding some new members to the Board at our AGM in April. Date to be announced. Keep up with our latest news and information about these events and more on our social media.

Featured Trail: Cyprus Located on Matevic Road, the trailhead begins just to the right of the wooden stairs. This trail is a bouncy, winding lollipop style loop that’s sure to deliver fun in a short distance. It’s friendly to all levels of ability and all modes of transportation (non-motorized) with 2.75km and 53 metres of elevation gain for the whole loop. It’s a nice add on to a larger outing, or a good way to get out for a quick loop in the woods.

See you out there.

FERNIEFIX.COM

35

Recreation and Outdoor Life

PREHAB CHALLENGE

Running

by BOB MAUDIE

I

can count on one hand the number of running injuries I have treated at Fernie Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic in March over the years, and I would say almost every one has been from the same household…take your best guess Fernie runners!

Running injuries usually do not start trickling into the clinic until mid May. There is a good reason for this… most people put away their running shoes from November to April in favour of snow sliding sports which do nothing to prepare the body for the tissue loading demands of running. Some time in April, these people will sign up for a race, scour the internet for a free training plan, pull out their running shoes, and start running WAY too much. So, to stick on the Prehab theme lets see what you can do in March to avoid having a running injury in May! Here are some tips and exercises to get you started.

Key Tips 1. First off, go running today! Don’t wait for the snow to melt or the weather to be nice. If you have ambitions of doing a running race any time this summer, start running now so you have time for tissue adaptation to take place.

2. Do not run every day! Only run three times a week and always with one day between runs, unless you have been running year-round for numerous years, this will allow time for your body to repair itself from the stress of running and mitigate overuse injuries from developing.

3. Strength training is your number one defence from developing injuries and improving your running performance.

4. Stretching and rolling can assist in recovery, but if you feel the need to constantly stretch and roll on a daily basis try to strengthen the area instead.

5. 10% Rule: Only progress your total run time from one week to the next by 10%.

6. If you always run on one surface progress slowly when you transition onto another i.e. snow to asphalt, or treadmill to dirt. It is best to vary the surfaces you run on to change the stresses on the body.

7. Cross train with lower impact activities like mountain biking to improve your fitness on the days you don’t run.

1. Weighted Step Ups Step ups are a great exercise to strengthen the majority of muscle used in running, which will improve your running economy. Start by loading all of your weight onto the step leg, avoid vaulting yourself up from the ground foot.

Try to pull yourself up with your hamstrings to start the movement. Finish the movement with a slow controlled marching motion. The slower you do this exercise the harder it is. Aim for 3 sets of 8-10 repetitions per leg with a challenging weight.

2. Monster Walks Monster walks target your hip stabilizing muscles which are important in maintaining proper knee alignment as you land and load your leg during running. Align your hip, knee, and second toe in one line as you move side to side or forward and back. Place a resistance band around your feet, ankles, or knees depending on the tension of the band and your strength. Aim for 3 sets of 30-60 seconds or until you feel a strong burn.

3. Single Leg Calf Raises If I was to choose one exercise to minimize foot and achilles injuries in runners it is calf raises. Be sure to do them both with your knee straight and your knee bent to 30 degrees to target both parts of your calf.

Standing on a step raise and lower through your full range of motion at the ankle. As you raise up ensure equal pressure remains on your big and little toe joints. Aim for 3 sets, 10-15 repetitions of both variations. If you can do 15 repetitions start adding weight on your back or in your hands.

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4. Single Leg Bridge Single Leg Bridges target the muscle on the back on your body, as well as your core and hip strength. All of these being important for maintaining good limb alignment while running and propelling you forward. Start with one leg extended and raise using your gluts and hamstrings to create a straight line down the front of your body. Hold this position for 5 to 10 seconds. Aim for 3-5 repetitions per side.

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Recreation and Outdoor Life

FERNIE MOUNTAIN MAMAS

Get It From Their Mama

by YVONNE PREST

T

here is nothing more rewarding than watching your children thrive on the mountain. Seeing their genuine enjoyment of snow, skiing and shredding. To watch them fall in love with exactly what you love: Fernie powder.

Mountain Mama, Tara Hatch, had both of her boys on skis by the time they were one and a half. While you can learn to ski at any age, the younger you are, the easier it will be. Kids have the advantage of being flexible and fearless. Both of Tara’s boys, Rylan and Ethan, took to skiing right away as Tara made sure that it was “always fun.”

Her enthusiasm for winter was contagious.

She celebrated their triumphs whether they lasted five minutes on the hill or thirty.

She knew that by keeping her boys’ skiing experiences positive, she could ensure that they would want to go skiing again.

The best tips Tara can give to other parents with toddler-skiers are to bring lots of snacks, high fives and to finish the ski day with a hot chocolate. Most importantly she suggests to never compare your child to anyone else’s. “Children are like popcorn, some will pop early, others might be a little later.” When they fall over, which they will, have a laugh and keep it light. Be the first to cheer them on and keep them moving forward. Tara shared that her kids’ successes were due to the fact that she and her husband, as parents, erased all expectations.

Their goal was simply to be together, outside, enjoying playing in the snow.

Tara found that putting her oldest son in a few private lessons was a real “game changer.” Afterwards, Rylan was able to link his turns, use his edges and get up the T-bar all by himself. She realized that an instructor could bring out the advanced skills that he was capable of as, “sometimes as parents we underestimate what our

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kids can do.” Children can often respond differently to teachers and coaches. “We do not teach skiing for a living, so we need to rely on the people that do.” Now her oldest son has moved onto the chairlift and loves riding runs along the Deer and Elk chair.

Tara can “honestly say that [she] has more fun watching [her] kids laugh and play, skiing down the hill than [she] does on an epic powder day!”

walls if there are no walls to bounce off of.”

After a day of fresh air, Tara notices that her boys are much more calm and have longer attention spans. The benefits know no bounds. Tara recommends bundling up and heading up the hill to make lasting memories. As her four year old would say, “Let’s go on an adventure!”

Not only is it satisfying watching her boys conquer new runs, but Tara knows that being outdoors is the best thing for her sons’ cognitive development. She raves about Fernie’s Outdoor Connections: Forest School and notes that it is not uncommon for her boys to be outside from 9-4, no matter what the weather. Her theory is that “kids can’t bounce off the

Are you also a Fernie Mountain Mama?

Please feel free to share your outdoor adventures, family stories and photos by writing to ferniemountainmamas@gmail.com, or hashtag #ferniemountainmamas to encourage more parents to take their little ones outdoors and share in all the fun that Fernie has to offer.

Happy Shredding!

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39

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Health and Lifestyle

BARK BREAK

Dog Days of Winter

by VAL LANTHIER

I

s your dog snuggling by the fire, dreaming of fresh grass, alpine meadows and sunny days at the lake? Not all dogs are built for Rocky Mountain winter weather and by this time of year, some are feeling the effects of the long cold days. Take this good looking trio for example. Kyara and Chance are Rhodesian Ridgebacks, they have some of the shortest hair of any dog.

The little one is Gemma and although she carries thicker fur, she’s originally from the streets of India. All three are very active dogs and sure, you can dress them up all you want with fleece liners, puffy jackets and boots, but ultimately, their seemingly naked bodies just don’t match up to our harsh conditions. And that’s ok! They’ve got some cures for the winter blues that they’re willing to share.

If your dog is social and friendly like Kyara, make the most of indoor fun by visiting some pet-friendly locations right here in Fernie. Bring your dog along to run errands at Canadian Tire and Home Hardware. On the way home, stop in for a treat at BARKSiDE. Each time you visit a public place, be courteous by keeping your dog on a short leash and enable their curiosity by letting them sniff around outside and relieve themselves before going in.

Chance likes to enjoy his favourite activity year round - a good old day at the beach! Don’t forget we have easy access to the other side of the tunnel, where the temperature is often a little warmer with more sunshine and a much lighter snowpack. Take advantage of it and hit the road for a day trip.

For homebodies like Gemma, give your dog a bone while they curl up on their favourite blanket. A daily opportunity for chewing helps your dog’s natural urge to gnaw all while fighting boredom and

ROBYN BALDREY PHOTO

Be creative and do whatever you feel will help your dog enjoy the most out of six months of the year. practicing healthy mental exercise. With so many chews on the market, nothing is as healthy and durable as a natural raw bone. A dog’s digestive tract is designed to consume raw bones, never feed them cooked and only give them when you are home under supervision. There are two types of raw bones - meaty and recreational. Meaty ones are soft, nonweight bearing, and usually from small animals, like chicken wings, quail carcasses and turkey necks.Your dog can safely consume the entire portion, which means you can feed it as a meal, and it only takes a few minutes to chow down. Recreational bones are the hard weight-bearing kind like beef femur with marrow or elk knuckle. They are intended for chewing,

not eating and they can keep your dog busy for hours. They are solid bones that are just as hard as your dog’s teeth and should not be given daily. When the piece gets worn down, take it away.

Meaty and recreational bones can be given two to three days a week and in between, give your dog a frozen rubber Kong or Toppl toy for unlimited fun ways to keep them chewing. Make mealtime more challenging by replacing their food bowl or giving them as a separate snack. Avoid commercial, artificial chews and rawhides, they are not usually safe, natural or healthy.

Once again, check out BARKSiDE for some great ideas.

If you have a backyard, do your dog a favour and shovel some areas to make it more enjoyable for them, plus they’ll track less snow in the house. Be creative and do whatever you feel will help your dog enjoy the most out of six months of the year.

They deserve it.

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41

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Health and Lifestyle

Women Empowering Women

by MADDY ALARIC

F

eminism is a word that holds a lot of value for me. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that I am raising two little girls, or how incredibly grateful I am to live in a time when women’s rights are regular topics and major priorities.

As a person involved in fitness, I am lucky to witness women empowering women every single day. Trust me when I say there is something electric about a group of females coming together to reach a

Partner Workout P1. Holding bottom position of a squat.

P2. 30 Body weight squats.

• Find your tripod foot position. Press just below big toe, baby toe and in front of heel of foot.

• Screw feet into the floor, causing the knees to stay tracked over top of foot.

• Switch as soon as Partner two is done their squats.

ELEMENTS OF MOVEMENT

common goal. Spending time side by side, working hard, pushing their own limits, often without realizing the motivation they are creating amongst one another.

The feeling of positive energy contagiously spreads throughout the room, allowing people to push past negative thoughts or self-doubt, creating a desire to strive for more. This is just one example of how a collaboration of like-minded people can make a difference.

shift? Changing the common mindset from comparison to connection, choosing to feel inspiration over jealousy, building a rapport while we form a sense of community. It can all start right now by doing or saying something to make another person feel good. I think of my daughters and what I can do today to show them how women can empower other women, that equality is important and that they hold the power to lift others up. What they say and do matters.

We all have the capability to help others feel good in the things we do, say and express. Living in a time when social media is more present than ever before, it is incredibly easy and accessible to place judgement and comparison on ourselves or others. But what if we started to create a

This month I encourage you to get inspired with a partner in this sweaty at home workout!

Repeat twice. (Both partners cycle through movements twice.)

Rest Two minutes P1. Holding plank position • From palms or forearms, pressing through the heels while lengthening through crown of head, keeping the body as long as possible.

• Modify to knees if core stability begins to give out.

P2. 10-15 push ups.

• Elbows stay towards the body. Think about bringing them back towards bottom of ribcage.

• Ensure a solid core through entire movement. No arching or over extending. Modify to knees or elevating upper body against a wall, bench or ledge.

• Switch as soon as Partner two is done their push ups.

Repeat twice. (Both partners cycle through movements twice.)

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Health and Lifestyle

FAMILY WELLNESS

Feeling Empowered During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period

by DR. TAINA TURCASSO, N.D., R.M.

P

regnancy is one of the most precious times in a person’s life. Biologically, the process of building another human inside of your body is simply amazing.

Emotionally it’s often an exciting time, getting ready to welcome another person into your family. Maybe you spent years waiting for this moment or maybe it took you by surprise but either way, pregnancy is sacred. And yet it’s also very difficult.

Even if you are happy to be pregnant, it can seem almost impossible both physically and emotionally. First there is the “morning” sickness that often happens day or night and can result in a diminished capacity to work (or function in your life in general), limited food options, and potentially dehydration requiring hospitalization. Many people find relief with medication but these can have their own side effects, such as fatigue. Then, this phase may end and you are faced with a rapidly changing body, headaches, dizziness, and further fatigue over the next several months and that is if everything is normal.

Finally, the baby is born and pregnancy is over but what comes next? Postpartum which we often refer to as the fourth trimester because it truly is another three month period requiring special care.You don’t just go back to your life immediately after having a baby, but have to figure out the new normal while navigating caring for a new human, recovering from delivery, managing changing hormones, and figuring out who you are again. All of this in and of itself can be a lot to handle,

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even with the best support system, but it’s even harder with all of the judgement and shame that comes from the world around you.

The things that my clients tell me about the unsolicited advice and criticism they get from people, including complete strangers, shocks me on a daily basis.

Somehow, we have arrived in a place and time where a pregnant woman’s body is community property and so is their baby.

Even worse, the pressure to do a good job and to look good while doing it is so great that it turns us on one another, leading to “mom-shaming.” We are all in this together and the last thing any of us needs is to be shamed by someone who more than likely just needs a bit of extra support themselves.

Though all of the above may be true, it is still possible to feel empowered throughout your pregnancy and yes, even the postpartum period. The first step is to become an active participant and not just let it happen to you. Sure, you may not be able to control everything (or even most things), but it will make you feel empowered to understand pregnancy, the different tests that are offered and why, who your care provider is, and why the changes that are happening to your body are occurring. Do some research and think

about what is important to you when it comes to your birth, to parenting, and to postpartum recovery. Try to figure out ways to eat that will alleviate the nausea or at least make it more bearable, and take small walks in the outdoors to get some fresh air and a fresh perspective. Buy clothes that fit your changing body.

These all seem like small things but the underlying theme throughout all of it is to take the time, daily, to think about yourself instead of the baby even for a few minutes and do things that will make this process easier and better for you. A nap.

A day off of work. French fries. Exercise.

A new dress. Help. Make these decisions and then don’t look back. It doesn’t serve you to feel shame about the decisions you make for your family. There is no one right way to move through pregnancy and the postpartum period, so just have faith that you are doing it in the best way possible for your family. Find empowerment in the little things that happen daily to make you feel like the confident, strong person you are and when you can, offer words of encouragement and support for another parent who may be struggling with the same.

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Health and Lifestyle

A LOOK DOWN SECOND AVE

Shop Swag

by EMMA POLIT

E

very day Fernie receives visitors from around the world. Gone are the days when town was only busy in winter and these days, we don’t really have downtime.

This is wonderful for the local folk who rely on visitors and it means that businesses have the opportunity to thrive year-round.

If you take a walk down 2nd Ave, especially on the weekend, you will see many a posse making their way up and down, stopping by all of the one-of-a-kind stores we’re known for.

I often hear that people are surprised by the selection. It’s a wonderfully unique collective of originality and inspiration.Yes, we have many gear stores to supply sports enthusiasts with their hearts’ desires, but we also have little surprises at every corner that will fulfil your Fernie swag dreams. If you are looking for the perfect memento from your time here, you’ll find quality, locally made items that you’ll be proud to own or even better, share with your family and friends. Oh, AND shop swag! I looove a good logo tee from a board (snowboard, skateboard surfboard - I’m not picky) store from a distant land.

Shop swag is definitely getting more sought-after, and these days most stores in town have some kind of product with their logo on it. Here’s how you can support local, look good and keep your friends at home happy.

If you know of the Legend of the Griz, then you have likely seen the infamous image of this mountain man. Did you know that this image was initially designed by the original owners of the at Ski Base?

Yep, Heiko Socher (who was also the original owner of Fernie Snow Valley ski hill) drafted a sketch of the Griz, which was then refined by Ken Schneider and local artist Jack McLean finalized it. When Heiko and his wife, Linda sold the Ski Base

GRIZ DAYS SWAG AT SKI BASE

to Zuzana and Ralph Simpson, the rights to the Griz logo went with it, so to this day when you walk into the store, you see a wall of t-shirts dedicated to the great bear/ man who delivers the legendary snow to Fernie. He’s on tees, hoodies, mid-layers, hats - just about everything. If the Griz isn’t the perfect Fernie memorabilia, then I don’t know what is.

This year Edge of the World celebrated its 20th-anniversary, and over the years, they’ve had 22 different logos. How do I know that? I counted them. They printed a commemorative t-shirt with all 22 logos.

It’s a very cool idea and a great way to remember this Fernie institution. They also have a range of tees and hats with their current logo.

Commit Snow & Skate has a brand-new line of hoodies and t-shirts. The artwork was designed by Josh Lloyd and is very cool. I love how Commit always takes a step outside the box; it really shows. They also have Commit logo hoodies, hats, t-shirts and even technical streetwear tees that are designed for all climates. Perfect for our extreme mountain town.

It was fun chatting with the guys in Straightline and to hear a little more about what their best-selling shop swag is.

I wonder if you can guess... it’s their socks!

Yep, they sell hundreds of pairs ever year. I love that! They also have hats, biking jerseys and even t-shirts with a local Fernie design that incorporates all that we love.

I love a good basic block letter logo, and if you’re the same, Boardstiff has you covered. They also have a good range of t-shirts and hoodies with a few different designs, from their current logo, to a Three Sisters hoodie that was originally designed by their Rip Curl rep.

When it comes to local clothing, Giv’er Shirt Works is a must. Since 2003, Giv’er has been delivering the most extensive range of Fernie swag in town. With inhouse design and screen printing, you will find every wall is covered in hoodies, tees, hats and toques celebrating this wonderful little town of ours. This is the place when looking for Fernie branded gear.

Every now and then, a product comes along, and it feels like everyone in town owns it, and the Coal Town trucker hat is just that. The ladies at Coal Town

know what looks good, and they’ve done a brilliant job at keeping it simple but making it work. The hat is very worthy of its ‘most worn’ title! Psst, I heard that they are working on launching a collection of new Coal Town sweatshirts and t-shirts. I can’t wait to see what they come out with I’ll keep you updated!

I was pleasantly surprised when I walked into No. 3 Boutique to see how many different Fernie/mountain swag they have.

From fridge magnets, flasks, bottle openers, coffee and wine cups, caps, beanies, candles, luggage chains, key chains, beer cozies, tees, hoodies – I guarantee that they have the perfect little keepsake for you. I love the keychain that says, ‘Take me to the mountains!’ I feel like that’s a memo you should abide by.

One last mention, they’re not on 2nd Ave, but I feel like I can’t write this column without mentioning Fernie Alpine Resort and Fernie Brewing Company.

Both companies will have your bags filled up with iconic swag that will help you remember the good times you had, and the good beer you enjoyed!

passes & Line up available march 1st!

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Infinitea this March Licenced Lounge, all ages, homestyle cooking, board games, musical instruments 0pen noon-late every day except Tuesday

Monday's Free Movie Night 7pm $8 Meals. Free popcorn.

Wednesday's Tarot reading's from 7pm Thursday's All 2oz Hot & Cold cocktails $8 - Beautea Night March 19, 6pm $15 massages/manicures Friday's Live music from 8pm Saturday's $5 pints from Overtime Beer Works (rotating taps) Sunday's $10 Roast Dinner 6-9pm (book!)

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Your place to party this March 6th - Ben Fox and Griz Days Pub Crawl Final Stop 7th - Griz Days/International Women’s Day Party Mihajic Touch + Jenn Frost 13th - Illustrator (aka Cool Aaron) 14th - TBA - check Facebook for details!

17th - St Patrick’s Day Karaoke Gong Show 20th - Funky Necklace Party - Benanas, Dahly Llama, Super Glue 21st - Ferning Man - Burning Man theme party 26th - KYTAMI - Live violin with DnB! 27th - Wadjit + Kootenay Junglist Movement 28th - TBA - check Facebook for details!

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Health and Lifestyle

THIS IS LIFE

Just a Girl and Her Dog

by TYLA CHARBONNEAU

A

year ago this month I lost my best friend, Fezzik the Dog. He loved me like nothing else I have ever known and taught me to love myself. He was full of what we called “character” and acted like a goofy puppy until the last weeks of his life.

Fezzik’s sole purpose in life was to provide joy to anyone who crossed his path, and to find ways to steal and eat butter.

Fernie is a dog town. Most people understand what losing a pet means to us humans.

Anyone who tells you, “it’s just a dog” has never been blessed with unconditional dog love. They likely do not know what it is like to have a wet nose wake you up in the morning to say I missed you. They would not know the power of staring into a dog’s eyes on a difficult day for comfort, or how wonderful ear snuffles can be to generate laughter.

The death of any pet can greatly impact our lives. When Fezzik died the physical pain was so strong it felt like all 100 pounds of him was sitting on my chest. I felt lost and threw myself into my work to avoid accepting that he was gone. I was numb. I talked to anyone who would listen about what he meant to me. There were “Fezzik waves” when I saw his collar hanging by our front door, or when I walked into Barkside without him. I wanted nothing more than to look over at his favourite spot by the fireplace and see him grinning back at me.

I share this story to normalize the sadness that comes with saying goodbye and as a reminder that however you grieve is okay and that there is no timeline, no rules.

I have moments of deep regret. Did I do the right thing? Did he really have cancer?

Did I miss something? Is there something more I could have done? The responsibility of choosing a compassionate end for your

SUBMITTED PHOTO

furry friend is incredibly heartbreaking. It was, to date, the hardest thing I have ever done, but I would not trade my almost eleven-year friendship just to avoid that discomfort. Logically, I knew it was cancer and that my friend was very sick. In my heart I wanted him back, so I questioned my actions. In conversations with others I have since found common humanity in this process; we all wonder if we did enough, knowing they gave us so much in their short lives.

A year later I find comfort in imagining him on a mountain peak behind our house.

I think of him running free and healthy with the dog friends who went before him.

Every day I look up, say hello, tell him I miss him, and I thank him for all that he taught me in life.

If you are struggling with loss, here are a few things to consider: • Find a way to honour your friend. Mark a favourite spot (with permission if necessary) with a sign or plaque.

• Lean into your feelings, every single one you feel is okay: sad, anger, regret, etc.

• Give yourself time and permission to be sad.

• Talk to others about your loss. Seek out people who will truly understand.

• Remember there are no rules or timelines for grief. This includes when and if you welcome a new pet into your life.

For anyone who is contemplating a compassionate end for their friend, reach out to your vet for advice and check out this list for signs that it may be time topdogtips.com/when-to-put-your-dogdown-checklist/.

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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March Events & Activities MARCH 8 - Griz Days Snow Sculptures (resort base area) MARCH 8 - Raging Elk Dummy Downhill MARCH 21 - Raging Elk Kinky Rail Jam MARCH 23 - SheJumps Junior Ski Patrol MARCH 24-27 - Kids Spring Extravaganza Ski & SB Camps MARCH 28 - Kokanee Retro Party MARCH 28 & 29 - Dirty Dancer Banked Slalom

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Bits and Bytes

Passwords

by KEVIN MCISAAC

I

recently had a conversation with a couple of friends about passwords and what makes a good one. I realized during the discussion that there’s still a general impression that is not quite accurate about passwords. It’s not surprising. There are many computer science academic papers written annually about passwords because picking bad passwords is easy. Picking good passwords is hard but can be easy. It helps to understand a bit about entropy and psychology first.

Many of the aforementioned academic papers discuss the psychology of passwords as well as the science. They have to because a key factor of computer passwords is that they are mostly created and input by humans. And humans are very very bad at random.

Human brains are wonderful pattern matching machines. We excel at linking cause and effect. Our brains are so good at it that they often find patterns that don’t exist. This is how conspiracy theories, “bad things come in threes,” thinking 3,5,8,13,21,44 is a better lottery pick than 1,2,3,4,5,6, etc., all happen.

We tend to think that complexity is what makes a good password, but we don’t really understand complexity. We think if it looks more complicated then it must be better, but entropy is a better measurement of difficulty in guessing than complexity.

Entropy is the lack of order or predictability. Simple entropy beats complex predictability every time. For example in my lottery numbers above, 1,2,3,4,5,6 is simple and predictable, but 3,5,8,13,21,44 is also very predictable if you are familiar with Fibonacci numbers.

3,17,25,29,31,35 doesn’t look anymore complicated, but those 6 numbers were randomly selected. There’s no pattern to predict the digits.

...a key factor of computer passwords is that they are mostly created and input by humans. And humans are very very bad at random.

That’s the secret to good passwords.

Entropy or alternatively, randomness.

G00dP4SSw0rd looks like a more complicated password than GoodPassword, but because number/letter substitutions are so common (back to how predictable humans are) it’s actually no better.

So, how do you pick a good password?

The secret is to provide the medium for the password, but use random selection to create the password from the medium. Or use a tool that uses randomness to create passwords. I’ve written lots about Lastpass and KeyPass, which are password databases that also support password generation, so I won’t write about them again. But here are a couple of easy ways to create a good password.

Grab a book off the shelf. Any book. Grab a six-sided die. Roll the die twice. The two rolls are your page number. Say you rolled a two and a five. Open the book to page 25. Roll the die twice again. Those two numbers together are the word. If you rolled a six and one then pick the 61st word on the page. (If the word is just one or two letters, try again.) Do this four times. Now you have four random words from a book page. That’s your password.

This is a good, strong password that’s pretty easy to remember and easy to type in.

You can also write down all your rolls and be able to look up your password again (assuming you keep the book).

Here’s another way. Use an online word based password generator like egansoft. com/password/ It basically accomplishes something similar to the dice rolling.

THE ANSWER GUY

Here’s another way. Take a quote such as, “Anyone who hates children and animals can’t be all bad.” - W. C. Fields Now take the first letter from each word: Awhcaacbab. This is a decent password that is easily remembered and typed. Its entropy is decent because, despite the structure of English which makes word prediction in sentences easier, the use of just a single letter makes it much more random. And by the way, you don’t have to use the first letter. This single phrase could be used for several passwords by using the second letter or last letter.

Longer passwords are better, but random passwords are best.

Finally, more important than picking good passwords is not reusing passwords. Never reuse a password.

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Bits and Bytes

March 2020

by ASHLEY KRISTINA

P

olitical and economic upheaval marks the time as big change is manifesting globally. March continues the theme of work, enterprise, government and the polarization of new dimensions. Mercury is retrograde until March 10 and creates a time of revisiting the past. Themes from the beginning of February will be prominent towards the middle and end of March because of this.

The full moon this month occurs March 9 just before noon with a celestial recipe of ‘a transfer of Spiritual Power and movement towards a spiritual goal. Trust the process at this time.

Mars governs our momentum, drive, force and endurance to attain our goals and sits in Capricorn, alongside Saturn, Pluto and Jupiter, making it another powerful month. Work is at the forefront. Capricorn is sturdy, sober and sombre; the mountain goat who gets up the mountain. This is the month to finish up and clear out any bad habits for good.

personal life, and that of Earth at this time.

Reflect and remove all that is not you from your life.

Gemini Use your acute skills to follow deep intuitive knowings at this time as many aspects in your life might not make sense or feel opposite to what they should.

Follow your instincts and listen to the guidance that does come.

Cancer Your care goes towards your community this month, and your intelligent foresight defines how you can make a difference.

You see where humanity could do better so pioneer this! Group consciousness is the new era.

Leo Discarding the past means a certain time in a void before the new energy manifests.

Trust and faith through the void is necessary. As the Sun moves to Aries, we rebirth the Astrological Year which will be a parallel for you. New energy will come.

Saturn, the planet that governs tradition, restriction, responsibility and time moves from Capricorn to Aquarius on March 24, which is also the day of the new moon. This will be felt by the masses as ‘resonance’ of wholeness is established; knowledge and sovereignty go hand in hand and we are at a pivotal time on earth.

Virgo Virgo directly opposes the Sun in Pisces, balancing you if you let it: what is solid, practical and tangible becomes ethereal, mystical and illusive. The universe will meet you with the same force you place upon it. Femininity and receptivity is a great teaching. Relinquish control and judgment.

Aries The end of the month will feel like a rebirth for you however while the Sun remains in Pisces, you may feel like you are drifting through a mystical dream. The energized revival brings new dimensions to experience for you. Happy birthday!

Libra Focus your energy this month inward and pay attention to the balance of your inner environment then watch how the external environment transforms. Balance of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of self are important.

Taurus The communal spirit is strengthening.

Health, group consciousness and progress for sustainability is the theme in your

Scorpio This month brings a theme where a crowd is drawn together to strengthen communal spirit and requires you to show up from

ASTROLOGY

behind the scenes.You are the sign of Power, may you recognize the Power you hold within your thoughts and beliefs, and manifest accordingly.

Sagittarius March is a month for the welfare of society.

One can do lots of work for the whole by spending time in meditation and elated states of expression as our energy affects the energy that is around us. Stay uplifted this month! Exuding peace and love benefit all.

Capricorn Societal welfare and health for further generations to allow for security is the biggest theme at this time, it is being seen all over the news and will be manifesting its own way into your life in your own special theme. Using your energy and knowledge to create and support sustainability is key.

Aquarius Mark this transition down in the books as you will look back and say, ‘I knew it.’

Great knowledge and advanced ways are settling down to the earthly realm, finally!

People will gain from you teaching your knowledge.

Pisces Happy birthday! This month marks the path of enlightenment, understanding that the external is a manifestation of the internal. It is time for those who recognize and have learned and practiced this to become fully established before the public eye.

For deeper interest in the astrology of the times, join Ashley’s FB group: Plutonic Astrology.

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Fernie Fun

FIX TRIVIA

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE Can you find five differences between these two pictures?

Have a picture to submit for Fernie Fun? Send it to info@clarismedia.com.

ferniefix

FernieFixMag

ANSWERS FEBRUARY SPOT THE DIFFERENCE FIND THE Somewhere in this issue is a little clover. Can you find it?

NAME THE BUSINESS OR BUILDING These businesses and buildings are located somewhere in Fernie, can you name them?

Answers: Name The Business/Building February The Fernie Memorial Arena, The BC Liquor Store, Sparrow, Stick and Stone Cannabis Co.

FernieFix

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