MAY 2020 | ISSUE 161
THE
COMMUNITY ISSUE
FERNIEFIX.COM
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MAY 2020 | ISSUE 161 THE
COMMUNITY ISSUE
EDITOR’S FIX p3 THE COMMUNITY ISSUE SPECIAL FEATURE p5 Stronger Together by Johnny Strilaeff, President and CEO of Columbia Basin Trust
BUSINESS IN THE VALLEY p6 Business News It’s in the Numbers by Roman Rybar, CFP How Much Will Market Volatility Affect You?
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT p19 Events This Month Feature Artist – Alexandra Kozak ArtBeat - Islands in the Stream by Michael Hepher At Peace and Yet On Fire – Dear Fernie by Sadie Rosgen Rental Fix – Little Women by Andrew Vallance
COMMUNITY AND EVENTS p26 Community Perspectives Feature Resident - Joy Falk by Krista Turcasso
COVER: Schmidt Family. Photo by Gabriela Escobar Ari, IG: @gaesari
City Corner - The Little Distiller that Could by Ange Qualizza Planning Ahead - In the Company of Community by Kerri Wall
RECREATION AND OUTDOOR LIFE p32 Hitting the Trails - FTA News and Riding to Morrissey with Julie Kelly Fernie Mountain Mamas – Making Lemonade by Yvonne Prest
HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE p34 Bark Break: Teaching Old Dogs New Tricks by Val Lanthier This is Life by Tyla Charbonneau - Creating a Deeper Connection Family Wellness - Managing Stress While Pregnant (or Postpartum) During a Global Pandemic by Dr. Taina Turcasso, N.D., R.M. Elements of Movement – Movement for Mental Health with Maddy Alaric
BITS AND BYTES p40 Astrology – May 2020 by Ashley Kristina The Answer Guy – Netflix Party by Kevin McIsaac
FERNIE FUN p43 The Last Page THIS PAGE: Keep On Keeping On. Photo by V. Croome
EDITOR’S FIX By Krista Turcasso, Editor FOUR or five years ago, my sister gave me a book for Christmas. “You shouldn’t have!” I said. “I thought we were only doing Secret Santa?” not so secretly delighted to be receiving another gift. I turned it over. The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown… um… is she trying to say something? The defences were up. But then I dove in, chapter by chapter. Underlining, writing along the sides of pages, “ah ha” ing to the annoyance of my family. I needed this book. And honestly, I need to read it again! You see, it’s all about wholehearted living. Letting go of expectations, self-doubt and everything we’re “supposed to” be doing, and owning who we are and knowing that’s enough. Today, we are six weeks into #stayinghome for the safety of our community. Daily, I feel as though I fail at literally everything… but I try to keep in mind that this is new territory for us all. I mean, have you experienced a global pandemic? This week has been especially hard, as our hours at work ramp up, navigating change and the unknown while still being there for our readers, advertisers and community. But like
guess what? She has an acronym (of course she does) for what we’re going through! FFTs - “effing first times.” And here is the strategy… Name it! This is a new and uncomfortable situation, it’s not permanent, and I can reality check my expectations.Yes. So, I guess what I’m trying to say is…. You’re all doing a fantastic job. Just look around at what’s being done in our community, families reaching out to support one another, volunteers leaping to be there for our more vulnerable population, businesses reinventing themselves to not only make it through this but to be there for us during this time, the Elk Valley Hospital, City of Fernie, Fernie Taking home schooling to new heights. Food Share, Salvation Army, Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Fernie… and countless most of you, I’m doing this while at home additional organizations working around with the kids, trying to teach them and take the clock to ensure we are safe, healthy, them outside and feed them and have fun feel secure, and that we’re going to make it with them… Right before I start to spiral, through this. Brené enters stage left…. “you’re enough.” Thanks, Paula. For the gift of Brené. And to That’s when I ask for help, and am honest everyone else, do yourself a COVID favour with my family about how I am feeling… - pick up one of Brené’s books, subscribe and guess what? Help arrived. I even got to her podcast, listen to her TED talks.You out for a bike ride today, and listened to won’t regret it. Brené’s new podcast Unlocking Us, and
About this Issue So, this is different, hey? Ya, we know. It’s different for us, too. But it’s just for now… to ensure you get your Fix… to ensure the Valley businesses can share their news without overextending themselves… to ensure we all feel connected, as a community. We’ll be back in print, don’t you worry about a thing. But until then, enjoy the Fix online at ferniefix.com, either in the flip page viewer or on our new, cool all-devise-friendly mobile magazine, and remember, if you love what you read and what we’re doing over at the Fix, and you are in the position, we are raising funds for the Elk Valley Hospital’s efforts to bring ultrasound services to our community - find the link on ferniefix.com. Be safe, stay healthy, take care of one another. We love you.
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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. JOHNNY STRILAEFF is the President and CEO of Columbia Basin Trust, a regional organization that supports the efforts and ideas of the people in the Basin, now and for future generations. 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.” 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. 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.
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 Creative Director | Vanessa Croome
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. 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.
CONNECT WITH US @FERNIEFIX
FERNIE FIX | FERNIEFIX.COM Editor | Krista Turcasso
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.
Associate Editor | Kevin McIsaac
All content copyright Claris Media. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily the views of the publisher.
Special Feature
THE COMMUNITY ISSUE
Stronger Together By Johnny Strilaeff, President and CEO of Columbia Basin Trust FERNIE and other Columbia Basin communities are vibrant, welcoming places thanks to the people who live here, the opportunities they provide and the resources they offer that support wellbeing. As all communities respond and work together to meet the new challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, Columbia Basin Trust is here to help.
opportunities like low-interest loans through our new Small Business Working Capital Loans and increased assistance through several existing programs: Impact Investment Fund, Basin RevUP, Summer Works, Career Internship Program, Basin Business Advisors and Training Fee Support. The benefits are far-reaching: to the businesses themselves, their staff and ultimately the wider Basin economy.
In April, we announced $11.7 million to immediately support the region through this extraordinary situation. The additional resources are helping: • Community social service organizations, like food banks, housing providers, hospices and licensed child care operators, adapt their services to continue helping our most vulnerable and meet people’s basic needs. • First Nations communities and Metis associations meet the needs of their members. • Food recovery groups to ramp up their programs to reduce food waste and help families eat nutritious meals. • Farmers’ markets to operate this coming season to ensure they can continue providing locally grown, nutritious food. • Expand the BC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program, which offers coupons for farmers’ markets to lower-income families, seniors and pregnant women. • Local food producers meet growing demand for their products.
Local businesses, services, communities and people are stepping up to the plate in countless ways. I’m inspired by their resiliency, ability to adapt and their creativity. We are stronger together. Photo courtesy of The Trust • Community organizations address young children’s healthy development and the needs of their families, including developing online workshops for parents and activities for youngsters. • Local colleges assist students experiencing financial hardships. We’re also looking at the broader ways people connect. The pandemic has highlighted the increased importance of, and demand for, high-speed internet. To this end, we’re helping internet service providers undertake projects to better serve Basin communities, complementing support recently announced by the provincial government.
Twenty-five years ago, the Trust was created to support the efforts of the people of the Basin, then and for the future. The people and communities of the Basin have proven their resiliency time and again, and now, during these unprecedented times, I am confident in our collective ability to persevere and come out stronger than ever. We’ll continue to monitor the situation, including how we can address any gaps. Check out the resources available at ourtrust.org/covid19 or call 1.800.505.8998. Most of all, may we all be kind and compassionate to one another and follow the advice of our public health professionals. It’s the key to making communities like Fernie vibrant once again.
Throughout the world and at home, we’ve also seen how businesses and employees are being impacted. To assist, we’re offering
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Business in the Valley
BUSINESS NEWS
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The Arts Station
Barkside Pets
Big Bang Bagels
601 1st Ave | 250-423-4842
791A 2nd Ave 250-423-4332
502 2nd Ave | 250-423-7778
WHILE The Arts Station building is closed for now, the organization is very much still open for business. There are many virtual opportunities to connect, create and get inspired. Highlights to watch out for include Art History with Jackie, a new episode each Friday introduces a prolific artist to viewers. Suitable for all ages and can be found on The Arts Station YouTube channel.
BARKSIDE is currently open for curbside pick up or delivery from Monday through Saturday 10am - 6pm and closed on Sunday.You can call, email, or Facebook message whatever supplies you may need and they will get them ready for you. Payment can be made by either calling 250-423-4332 or e-transfer to info@ barkside.com. Supplies can be picked up at Barkside or daily delivery can be arranged (in the Fernie area).
BIG BANG BAGELS was very sad to close its doors in March. Big Bang is a business that prides itself on being open every day of the year but three (Christmas day and their two staff days), but due to current Covid 19 circumstances Big Bang felt like closing, to encourage staff and customers to be social distancing, was the best thing they could do to keep people safe and to get Fernie back to fewer restrictions as soon as possible. Big Bang hopes the restrictions are lifted in some capacity soon, and they hope to open in some capacity in June, even if it’s just take out and delivery by bike with very minimum staff and hours. Big Bang would like to thank Fernie, they know you are just waiting in isolation to support Fernie businesses again.
The Arts Station’s first virtual gallery Bare it All is available for view and purchase via theartsstation.com.You can also register for art workshops such as Drawing with Brina via the events page. Now is also the perfect time to get outside and see Fernie’s public art, with banners lining downtown and the highway, painted dumpsters around alleyways and behind buildings, and unobstructed views of the All Kinds of Beauty mural for the perfect selfie. Be sure to tag @fernieartsstation and #ferniemuralproject on Instagram and Facebook.
Business in the Valley
BUSINESS NEWS
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Birr Agency
The Bridge Bistro
wearebirr.com
250-423-3002
birr agency launched less than two years ago by long time residents Jude Smith and Kyle Hamilton. The aim was to provide Kootenay based businesses with professionally qualified marketing services, on par with “big city” offerings, but understanding the nuance of the Kootenays. In their short time in operations, they have already worked with a variety of clients, including some of the largest organizations in the region, including Teck, City of Cranbrook, the Ktunaxa Nation, and Columbia Basin Trust.
THE staff at the Bridge Bistro are doing what they can to continue to offer support, food and services to the community of Fernie. They created an online store with new items added regularly. This includes pre-made meals, fresh vegetables, flour, yeast, beer, wine and liquor with pick up on Monday and Friday from 4-5pm or delivery Monday and Friday 2-4pm for those in need. Delivery in Fernie is free for orders over $20. They are also hosting weekly wing night on Wednesdays! Order your wings, fries and/or poutine between 5-8pm and pay/pickup at a table in the parking lot.
With the increased challenges of operating and marketing a business in a pandemic climate, birr has created a free template for business owners to develop their own marketing plan that utilizes all of the same tools that they use with their clients. You can download the files and presentations at wearebirr.com/freemarketing-plan-template
All precautions are in place to ensure this is a safe process for staff and customers. Stay safe, and be kind.
C21 Mountain Lifestyles. Inc 362B 2nd Ave | 250-423-2121 “BUSINESS has changed, but we are still here to help!” The provincial government has deemed the Real Estate Industry an essential service and the team at CENTURY21 Mountain Lifestyles remains available to serve you. Their staff is complying with recommendations from the Provincial and Municipal Health authorities, modifying how they conduct business. All realtors are working from home. For those with real estate needs, call the office or one of the C21 team members. “Most importantly, our team wants everyone in our community to remain positive and vigilant in following the provincial and municipal guidelines in order to keep you, your family and all members of our commuting safe and healthy. In this time of uncertainty, it is important to show compassion and empathy to everyone,” say Martin and Marilyn Brock, owners.
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Business in the Valley
BUSINESS NEWS
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Coal Town Goods 562 2nd Ave | 778-519-5262 COAL TOWN GOODS would like to express their thanks for the incredible amount of support they have received from the community of Fernie and beyond. “Owning a small business is a constant work in progress, which keeps you on your toes at the best of times… and these are not the best of times. But holy smokes, do people and communities ever show up for each other when the going gets tough.” Visit Coal Town on Facebook and instagram to keep up to date with the new products arriving, specials and more and shop online at coaltowngoods.com. Free delivery in Fernie.
College of the Rockies Copper Tip 342 3rd Ave | 250-423-4691 Plumbing and Heating THESE are hard times for sure, but our communities are strong and people in the Elk Valley can get ‘er done! Let’s start thinking about better days to come when we are back enjoying the lifestyle we love. If your future involves training for a career change or starting your post-secondary education, College of the Rockies – Fernie campus can help. They’re working a little differently these days, but their team is still available to help you plan for your future. Register now for full-time programs beginning this fall: Mountain Adventure Skills Training, Health Care Assistant and UACE (ABE). Continuing Education fall courses will be available in late summer. Connect with College of the Rockies via email at Fernie@cotr.bc.ca, call 250-423-4691, or visit cotr.bc.ca/Fernie for more information.
copper-tip.ca | 250-423-6937 TO ensure the safety and well-being of their customers and staff, Copper Tip is only available by phone and email at this time. To book an appointment for assistance with any plumbing and heating emergencies or to make changes to an existing one, call them directly. They recommend paying invoices over the phone via a credit card or by e-transfer. “Thank you to our loyal customers, we appreciate your patience. Our CopperTip team will continue to serve anyone experiencing plumbing and heating emergencies.”
Business in the Valley
BUSINESS NEWS
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Dominion Lending Centres - East Kootenay Mortgage 462 2nd Ave | 250-423-1864 DOMINION LENDING CENTRES East Kootenay Mortgage has been ensuring home owners of the Elk Valley have had access to all the mortgage products available at the lowest rates and best terms for over 18 years. During these difficult unprecedented times Zonya continues to serve the community with purchases, renewals or refinances to facilitate budget adjustments and make payments more manageable if necessary. Rates continue to be very low.
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Edge of the World
Elevation Showcase
421B 2nd Ave | 250-423-9292
598 2 Ave | 250-423-3709
EDGE OF THE WORLD remains open for on-line shopping with free contactless delivery for Fernie and Sparwood. During this time, Edge of the World decided to close the store front and continue on-line sales at edgeoftheworld. ca. As a thank you for supporting the shop, Edge is having a weekly draw prize for everyone that purchases any item on the on-line store. Those who have made purchases from April 8 to May 30 will also be entered into the larger draw of a new snowboard! To keep tabs on what the prize of the week is, follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
ELEVATION SHOWCASE has modified their business to ensure customers can continue to peruse and purchase the items in store. From FaceTime “live” shopping, to call in ordering and pick up, to the regularly updated website showcasing the new spring and summer attire and gear… they’ve made it safe and fun to shop local! Visit elevationshowcase.com and get in touch directly with any questions.
“Together we will get through these difficult days and the amazing community spirit we are known for will prevail.” Contact Zonya via phone, email at zonya@ekmortgage.ca or online eastkootenaymortgage.ca.
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Business in the Valley
BUSINESS NEWS
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Elk Valley Furniture Studio
Essential Yoga Studio
Fernie Alpine Resort
441C 2nd Ave | 250-423-0560
761 7th Ave | 250-423-9672
skifernie.com
DUE to the Coronavirus Pandemic, the Elk Valley Furniture Studio doors are closed at this time, however they are servicing customers by appointment only from 11am to 4pm Monday though Sunday. With over 5000 square feet of showroom space they have a large selection for you to view and shop when you come in for your private shopping appointment. Deliveries are still free of charge to Fernie, Sparwood and Elko.
ESSENTIAL YOGA STUDIO continues to offer a variety of interactive classes online via zoom for minimal cost, as well as free classes on their YouTube channel. They are also offering workshops and other great places for you to continue with your practice and deepen your knowledge of the spiritual tools of yoga.
MAYBE it’s the mountains, the river and forests, or the fresh air – but Fernieites are something special.Visitors to Fernie praise the friendly locals, a consistent message that FAR staff receive from resort guests year after year.
The team is practicing safe social distancing and safe cleaning schedule before and after each appointment for the safety of their customers. Visit evfurniturestudo.com to browse through all the brands they carry and don’t hesitate to contact Jody or Joe to make an appointment. Jody: 250-423-8624, Jody@evfurniturestudio.com Joe: 778-952-4847, joe@evfurnitrestudio.com They are also available on Instagram and Facebook.
This May, join the Core Challenge! Do ten yoga classes in 21 days and receive a unique face mask.Visit essentialyogastudio.com for more details.
But Fernie is more than friendly. Over the past weeks, the community has banded together, looking after each other, offering help to those in need, and saluting the essential workers who are keeping the town safe and healthy. During these unprecedented times, Fernie Alpine Resort is following the recommendations of the BC Provincial Health Officer. With social distancing measures in place, resort staff continue to plan and work on required projects to ensure that the resort is ready to welcome its community back to the mountain. Until then, Fernie Alpine Resort thanks the community of Fernie for supporting and being kind to one another – stay safe!
Business in the Valley
BUSINESS NEWS
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Fernie Salvation Army
Fernie Cardlock
Fernie Fox Hotel
1592 9th Ave | 250-423-7205
2021 Hwy #3 | 877-447-6788
741 2nd Ave 250-423-4661
THE FERNIE CARDLOCK remains open for your fuel needs 24/7, but ask all customers to respect physical distancing by allowing the other customer to finish refuelling before starting their transaction. If you don’t have gloves or sanitizer, they have bags that can be used to protect your hands. “If it’s good enough for poo…” (who doesn’t like a little dog poop humour during a pandemic?)
THE FERNIE FOX HOTEL is the recently rebranded hotel property of Jeremiah and Marina Pauw. As long time owners of the hotel, the rebrand is their opportunity to focus on delivering a better guest experience and provide them more opportunities to be involved with, and support, local events and charities. Their involvement with supporting local events from Wam Bam Dirt Jump Jam, to scholarships for employees, to helping fund the fencing of the Fernie Railyard Offleash Dog Park area has shown a consistent commitment to the community.
IN these uncertain and challenging times, the Salvation Army Fernie is still offering its Food Bank and Food Share programs with some slight changes given the COVID-19 pandemic.
Every month Fernie Cardlock donates 4¢ per litre of fuel purchased using Interac Debit. For the month of May your purchases will be supporting the Fernie Fresh Food Share. The Fernie Fresh Food Share redirects food that would otherwise be heading to the landfill to the people in our local community. No account is needed to use the Fernie Cardlock. They accept Visa, Mastercard and Debit. 100% locally owned and operated!
In following this community-first ethos, with the outbreak of Covid-19 they have made their hotel available to any front line essential worker or healthcare professional who needs a place to stay so they can isolate themselves. They have graciously offered the rooms free of charge.
The Food Share is open to everyone without restrictions or questions. This is a program where food recovered from grocery stores and other commercial enterprises is provided without cost in their facility. The hours for this program are Monday and Friday 11am-1pm and Wednesday 4-5:30pm. The Food Bank is a program in which they provide food hampers to persons and families in need. The food bank operates TuesdaysWednesday and Thursday 11am-1pm. Please phone 250-423-4661 if you require additional information and or assistance.
Visit ferniefoxhotel.com, or email stay@ ferniefoxhotel.com for more information about the hotel, or the offer.
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Business in the Valley
BUSINESS NEWS
Jason Dalsgaard Photo
Freshies Café
GearHub
632 2nd Ave | 250-423-3833
401 1st Ave | 250-423-5555
Freshies continues to be open every day from 7am-2pm offering takeaway and online ordering for pickup and delivery… and they say they’ll be open for as long as they can because a little dose of normality really helps sometimes.
GEARHUB is committed to its customers and their health and well being. They are taking serious measures to meet, and exceed when possible, all PHO health guidelines and have been inspected by local officials who are ensuring that all Federal and BC health policies and protocols are in place for the health of their staff, customers and community.
Visit freshiesfernie.com/order-online. To get people baking, and sharing their efforts, Freshies has also launched the Great Fernie Bake Off. There are still a few weeks left to run, find them on social media to take part, and then secretly drop off your baked goodies on your friend’s doorstep. Instagram: @freshiesfernie Facebook: @freshiesferniecafe #greatferniebakeoff
Gearhub is operating with reduced hours of 10am to 5pm daily. Their online store gearhub.ca is open 24/7 and always has amazing deals, with free pick-up in-store and free local delivery upon request. Gearhub will cater to most any customer requests or requirements. “We offer a range of shopping experiences from in-store to contactless and everything in between to accommodate personal comfort levels. Please call or email us if you have any questions or requests,” says Mark Hall, owner.
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Gina Rino Fernie Family Acupuncture ginarino.ca | 250-899-4120 GINA would like to extend a thank you to all the essential workers keeping our mountain community going during these uncertain times. Gina is offering her support to the Elk Valley via tele-health wellness consults to existing and new patients. All consults are by donation where all proceeds will go to the Elk Valley Hospital Foundation. With 20 years in the field, Gina has gathered experience in all facets of Holistic East Asian Medicine. With specialized studies in acupressure, Qigong, meditation, local foraging, vitamin therapies, and nutrition, customized telehealth wellness consults are inclusive for all. Gina is glad to be back in the mountains and passionate about helping the Elk Valley community through this difficult time. We will get through this, together.
Business in the Valley
BUSINESS NEWS
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Giv’er Shirt Works 672-A 2nd Ave | 250-423-6615 IT’S ironic that the community month aligns itself with this crazy time in our lives. Now more than ever, an elevated sense of community is what we should all be striving for. When Giv’Er first opened in 2003, it was the community that allowed them to succeed. People in the Elk Valley gave them a chance and supported this new local business. Why? Because community matters to the people of Fernie and the Elk Valley. “We’re proud of where we live and we love to show it off to our friends and family,” say owners, Kieran and Erin Summers. When things slowly return to normal, our community will be vital in returning the small business economy to its former glory. “Some of us have been kicked down the ladder a few rungs, but with community support we’ll be able to climb back to the top.” Check out Giv’Er Shirt Works’ online retail store, including the ability to purchase branded and personalised masks. giver-shirt-works.myshopify.com/
Grow Children’s Boutique
Happy Cow
482 2nd Ave | 250-423-4769
“THERE’S something special about holding a fresh copy of the new edition of the Fernie Fix. It’s a great souvenir/keepsake for so many people that live here, have lived here, and those who have visited here. We are glad we will still be able to get our Fernie Fix in the future even if it’s a different format. It’s a real anchor in our community, keeping us entertained and connected.
GROW is missing seeing all the beautiful faces coming in to the store, but they are so happy to be able to deliver and ship to their customers near and far. “We are bringing all of our new items on the webstore, and look forward to seeing you all again soon! We are grateful for all those who are working to keep us safe and healthy, and also to all of those who are looking to support local businesses now and into the future, we wouldn’t be here without you!” says owner, Alicia Clarke.
561 Hwy 3 250-423-8381
There is a common unity in our community. There are so many groups and businesses adapting and flowing with the current times. We are all in the same boat. We will get through this. We will weather this storm,” say owners Wendy Lyn and Dan Worth. Wendy and Dan are grateful and happy to be able to continue to serve the community handcrafted ice cream and sorbets. Happy Cow is open for takeout daily from 12-8pm, and is also offering deliveries on Fridays and Saturdays. Currently on offer are pints, litres, 2 litres, ice cream and sorbet cakes, and ice cream sandwiches. “It’s wonderful to be able to share some happiness and joy in this amazing part of the world. We wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. Fernie rocks! The Elk Valley rocks! Kootenays rock!” FERNIEFIX.COM
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Business in the Valley
BUSINESS NEWS
Mike McPhee Photo
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IGS Value Drugmart
Island Lake Lodge
Infinitea
441 2nd Ave | 250-423-4511
islandlakelodge.com
501 1st Ave | 778-519-5258
IN response to the Covid-19 crisis, IGS Value Drugmart has implemented operational changes with the goal of keeping everyone healthy while continuing to provide pharmacy and retail services to Elk Valley customers. Operational changes include maintaining appropriate distancing, sanitizing after each transaction, and allowing one customer to enter the store at a time. Store patrons will be asked to wait in the entrance while staff get what you need. Services offered include prescription and personal shopping services.
“WE hope you are staying safe in these challenging times. Stress is at an all-time high for us all these days and we count our lucky stars that we are surrounded by nature and beautiful scenery. Though none of us have experienced something like this before, we are all resilient and will survive this and be stronger for it. The mountains and nature will be there for us when this is over, as we will be at Island Lake Lodge. Though we don’t know what our summer business will look like yet, we will try hard to offer the most we can, given the ever-changing situation. For now, stay home and be safe, dream about mountain adventures and we will look forward to seeing you at some point soon.” ~ The Island Lake Team
INFINITEA has always had an emphasis on homestyle comfort food. When the restaurant restrictions were put in place and people were encouraged to stay home as much as possible, they decided to shift to heat@home meals. These meals are hearty one-pot meals like curries, chilis, and stews that come in freezable, microwaveable containers so people can have cooked food ready whenever they need.
Call to order your prescription and/or provide your shopping list. Staff will have your products ready for pick up at the front door.You can also provide credit card details and staff will process orders before pick up.Visit their facebook page for more information on great items to enjoy while spending time at home. facebook.com/IGS-Value-DrugMart-170147223079065/
Infinitea felt this format would help those with limited cooking facilities, limited time or people that simply weren’t used to cooking every day. They are affordable at 24oz - $13 and 16oz - $9 with new items for pick up Wednesday to Saturday, 4pm-10pm or delivery over $50. Infinitea is still doing limited hot take out and their famous $10 Roast Dinner for pickup every Sunday 6-9pm by text. Find their menu on their Facebook page: facebook.com/ InfiniteaTBarBoutique/.
Business in the Valley
Isosceles Business Solutions
BUSINESS NEWS
Noresca noresca.ca | 250-531-7364
992 8th Ave | 250-423-1037
AS a family-run Structural and Civil Engineering Consulting business, Noresca ISOSCELES BUSINESS SOLUTIONS would like to send out a heartfelt thank has been providing IT and tech support you to all the essential service workers on to Fernie and the surrounding area for the front lines. over 25 years. Having grown out of his parents’ garage, Ryan and Laurel Doehle “In the spirit of working through this now operate one of the largest IT solutions together, know that from one family to providers in the Kootenays. They have been another, we are dedicated to serving you actively involved in minor hockey for a during and through this time in a safe and number of years, and continue to support mindful way,” says owner, Robert Greczko, many local organizations and charities. P. Eng, MBA, PMP With the increase in demand for remote and work-from-home solutions, Isosceles is uniquely situated to help businesses and organizations of any size achieve their needs. They are also able to help individuals who may require assistance with hardware or connectivity issues. To contact Isosceles, please visit their website, isosceles.ca, or call them in Fernie at 250-423-1037.
Noresca continue to abide by the pillars that have always motivated their business philosophy and practice: 1. Well-written contracts and drawings. 2. A thorough plan. 3. Good contractors – it’s worth the investment and stimulates our city’s economy. 4.Value Driven Engineering. 5. Experienced Project Management that will look out for your best interests.
NEW BUSINESS
Not So Social Sam NOT-SO-SOCIAL SAM (Sew A Mask) is a homemade mask-sewing initiative started by Annica, Tyra and Jessica Collombin. The objective is to inspire others to create their own masks, and to share them safely with the community. Not-So-Social SAM is a call to action and a way for people to feel connected, while doing their part to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Each of the Collombin women are using their specific skills for the project: Annica, a former clothing designer, is sewing the masks; Tyra, the owner of digital design brand Ridge Line Designs (formerly Art byTyra) is doing graphic design/ managing social media; Jessica, a sales/ marketing professional is handling the communication and awareness. They are using social media to provide tutorials and as a place to collaborate on ideas, including no-sew options. Follow Not-So-Social SAM on Instagram @not_so_social_sam and Facebook facebookcom/notsosocialSAM
They look forward to working with you and helping the community thrive through these uncertain times. FERNIEFIX.COM
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Business in the Valley
Submitted Photo
Polar Peek Books 592 2nd Ave | 250-423-3736 AT this time Polar Peek Books and Treasures is offering on-line and phone in orders with pick-up at the front door Monday through Friday from 10am-2pm. They are also offering free no contact delivery within the city limits for those who are isolating at home. Visit their new webstore at polarpeekbooks.ca where you can access their puzzles and all of the books available either in-store or for special order. Polar Peeks is currently all stocked up on puzzles, games and children’s activity books. Give them a call or email today to order what you need to keep busy at home! The staff at Polar Peek would like to thank everyone who has continued to support Fernie’s independent bookstore over the last few weeks. “We really appreciate you shopping local and thanks to you, we have continued to stay busy.”
BUSINESS NEWS
Submitted Photo
Regional District of the East Kootenay
Rooftop Coffee Roasters
rdek.bc.ca
492 2nd Ave | 778-519-0789
THE safety of their staff and the public is a priority for the Regional District of East Kootenay. While their doors are closed, they’ve come up with other ways to connect and maintain essential services. Some staff are working remotely while others are socially distant at the office or out in the field. Board meetings have transitioned to being held electronically, and are still open to the public via virtual platforms linked on the agendas page of the RDEK website. The RDEK salutes our healthcare workers, essential service providers and the wonderful, caring community we have as we all support each other through this.
ROOFTOP is now offering curbside ordering and pick up at the Rooftop Coffee Bar. The process is - visit rooftopcoffeeroasters.com/orders and click on ‘curbside.’ Place your coffee, pastries and/or beans order and pay online.Your order will be ready within 15 minutes and waiting for you to pick up just outside their front door!
When we as a community work together to make these short-term sacrifices, we will all be better off in the long run.
Rooftop is also offering online free home delivery of freshly roasted coffee beans! We all know coffee is one of the things helping to get us through these different times make sure to stay stocked up on Fernie’s own locally roasted beans.
Business in the Valley
BUSINESS NEWS
Submitted Photo
Spirits Cold Beer and Wine Shop Park Place Lodge
Stick and Stone Cannabis Cos.
Valley Vitals
891 7th Ave | 250-423-8718
742 6th Ave | 250-423-0685
SPRING break this year was a whirlwind to say the least. The staff at Sick and Stone has tried their absolute best to respond to the Provincial Public Health Emergency with grace, courage and a smile.
VALLEY VITALS is a budding new business that is passionate about growing local, organic food. This summer, they are proud to be offering a community supported agriculture (CSA) program. Valley Vitals will be offering weekly door-step deliveries; the food boxes will contain seasonal fruits and veggies, eggs, and poultry. All of the produce and poultry will be grown in Fernie or Elko using “Beyond Organic” techniques. The weekly deliveries will also include the opportunity for residential compost pick-up.
DUE to the Covid-19 situation, Spirits Cold Beer & Wine Shop has updated hours of operation from 10am to 8pm daily. Customer and staff safety is their priority and with their updated ‘Walk Up Drive Through’ operations, customers can experience a convenient and completely contactless transaction. Please call to place your phone orders in advance so you can grab and go! Visit their website for a digital catalogue of all products available and information on how to conveniently purchase products. parkplacelodge.com/ spirits-cold-beer-wine-shop
They have reduced the shop space from 1200 ft2 to exactly 39 ft2 while only allowing only customer in at a time. The Province implemented policy change allowing to utilize the Click and Collect option which was very well received by our community. This essentially reduces the amount of time customers spend in store and with the tap option can be contactless. As new business owners, in a brand new industry they are grateful to be deemed essential providing a safe regulated product to our community.
250-423-9695
To learn more about Valley Vitals CSA program, their composting program, or other community sustainability projects you can visit Valley Vitals Facebook page @ValleyVitalsFernie or follow them on Instagram.
“Community is everything and our community is something to be proud of! We really love supporting local by making purchases to the businesses that provide the option. Stay safe, Fernie.”
FERNIEFIX.COM
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Business in the Valley
IT’S IN THE NUMBERS
How Much Will Market Volatility Affect You? by ROMAN RYBAR, CFP
the effects of market volatility. For example, to supplement your retirement income, you might consider a fixed annuity, which can provide you with a guaranteed interest rate and, depending on how it’s structured, an income stream you can’t outlive.
THERE’S no way to sugarcoat it: If you’re an investor, you haven’t liked what you’ve seen in the financial markets recently. The effects of the coronavirus triggered a “bear” market– a decline of 20 percent or more – and more volatility is almost certainly on the way. But instead of fretting over your investment statements, you could consider some more positive approaches to this situation. For one thing, ask yourself this: When do you really need the money from your investment accounts, such as your RRSP or LIRA? These are retirement accounts, so, depending on your age, you may not need to tap into them for 20, 30 or even 40 years. If so, your losses may be “paper” ones only for now and aren’t subjecting you to imminent financial jeopardy. This isn’t to minimize the effect this downturn will have on you, of course – it always takes time to recover lost ground, and there are no guarantees with investing. However, although past performance does not guarantee future results, it is useful to note that, over its long history, the stock market has typically trended in one direction – up – despite serious and sometimes lengthy declines such as we saw in the Great Depression and, to a lesser extent, the bursting of the “dot.com” bubble of the early 2000s and the financial crisis of 2008-09. Nonetheless, you may have shorter-term goals – a wedding, down payment on a home, overseas trip, etc. – for which you need to save. For these goals, though, you wouldn’t want to touch your RRSP,
V. Croome Photo
“Keeping things in perspective is a good move in all of life’s endeavours – including investing.” anyway, as you’d likely face income and withholding taxes. Instead, you’ll want your money invested in liquid, low-risk accounts that will be minimally affected, if at all, by declines in the financial markets. These vehicles might include Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs), money market accounts and even good oldfashioned Government of Canada Savings Bonds, all of which offer the protection of principal and can pay higher rates than traditional bank savings accounts. But you might also have longer-term goals that can be addressed through investments that may be somewhat or largely free of
Apart from the issue of when you might need money from your investment accounts, you might want to ask yourself another question: Just how much of my net worth is tied up in my portfolio? If you’re like many people, you have other assets apart from your investments. If you’re a homeowner, consider your house: Has it dropped in value at all during the recent market decline? Probably not. Do you still have just as much equity in it as you did a month ago? You might have even more. In other words, the value of your investments may have dropped a certain percentage, but the decline in your overall net worth may well be significantly smaller. So, here’s the bottom line: Large drops in the financial markets aren’t much fun for investors – but that doesn’t mean the bottom has dropped out on your financial future. Keeping things in perspective is a good move in all of life’s endeavours – including investing. For more market insight articles, visit our website. * 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.
Arts and Entertainment
EVENT CALENDAR
WEEKLY EVENTS
Toddlertime @ Library Facebook page, 11:15am
Storytime Social @ Library Facebook Page, 11:15
Mondays
Drawing with Letters and Numbers @ Arts Station, 3pm ages 5-6 with Tara Higgins
Art History with Jackie @ Arts Station YouTube channel
StrongStart @ Zoom, 10:30am Parent-tot Funtimes @ Facebook Page
Tuesdays
Virtual Book Club: The Templeton Twins Have an Idea @ Fernie Heritage Library, 2:30pm
Baby Goose @ Zoom, 9:30am
Wing Take Away @ Bridge Bistro
Block Builders @ Zoom, 11am
Virtual Open Studio @ The Arts Station, 7-9pm
Storytime @ Library Facebook Page, 11:15am Try it at Home Challenge @ Fernie Heritage Library Parent-tot Funtimes @ Facebook Page
Wednesdays
Thursdays InterActive Hour @ Zoom, 10am Bellies to Babies @ Zoom, 2pm Reading Club @ Fernie Heritage Library
Fridays
Popcorn Fairies @ Vogue Theatre, order by Thursday prior Fish and Chips Take Away @ Fernie Hotel, 4pm
Saturdays Quarantine Social @ Facebook with RedGirl, Shred Kelly, Fernie Legion and more Shawarma Take Out @ Fernie Hotel, 4pm
Sundays Pick-up Roast Dinner @ Infinitea, 6pm
StrongStart @ Zoom, 10:30am
Parent and Tot Funtimes @ Zoom, 10am
Parent and Tot Funtimes @ Facebook Page
StrongStart @ Zoom, 10:30am
MONTHLY EVENTS
Saturday 9.5.2020
Tuesday 19.5.2020
Friday 1.5.2020
Acyurvedic Workshop @ Essential Yoga Studio
Committee of the Whole Meeting @ City of Fernie, 1pm
Core Challenge Begins @ Essential Yoga Studio
Monday 11.5.2020
Thursday 21.5.2020
Teen Top Chef Challenge @ Fernie Youth Action Network
Fernie Banner Project Submission Deadline @ Fernie Arts Station
Virtual Annual General Meeting (AGM) @ Fernie Chamber of Commerce
Art History with Jackie Video Launch @ Fernie Arts Station
Regular Council Meeting @ City of Fernie, 7pm
Monday 25.5.2020
Monday 4.5.2020
Thursday 14.5.2020
Teen Banner Project Session @ Fernie Arts Station
Community Business Update @ Fernie Chamber of Commerce, 1:30pm
Saturday 2.5.2020
Virtual #writeitdown @ Fernie Heritage LIbrary, 6:30pm
Focused Wheel Throwing @ Fernie Arts Station Regular Council Meeting @ City of Fernie, 7pm
8-hour Core Yoga Teacher Training @ Essential Yoga Studio
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Arts and Entertainment
FEATURE ARTIST
Alexandra Kozak I am a multi-media artist focused on portraying the essence of Fernie’s natural spaces. I love to depict movement and states of flux. The seasonal changes in Fernie provide a constant inspiration with every week more beautiful than the last, in its own unique way. I spent the summers of my childhood backpacking in the Albertan Rockies. This passion culminated in an 11-day backpacking trip through the Ya Ha Tinda, providing me with a deep connection
to Mother Earth which I’ve carried ever since. During the winters, I was a child in Fernie’s earthly playground. My love of skiing encouraged me to study design, as a life-long dream of mine is to make art for skis, surfboards etc. While I was studying illustration and animation at the Alberta University of the Arts, I spent my summers working here. I found myself spending most of my free time painting outdoors. During university I empowered myself with a strong foundation in the arts. Design taught me to distill information to an essence, which has guided my fine art
practice. My studies in animation bring movement and vitality to my work. Since moving on from the digital lifestyle of design school, I have been interested in creating analog art. As I explored this peaceful town and looked brightly towards my future, I was yet again drawn to portray the essence of nature. Now I work as a devoted landscape painter. Painting outdoors (en Plein Air) is my passion, and I’m in the wilderness working as often as possible. I love to combine my love of hiking and art in a meditative union focused on observing nature.
I have also been developing a graphic novel set in Fernie, which I hope to get published someday. Fernie is a wellspring of ideas for me, and I find Coal Creek especially magical with its fascinating history and secluded waterfall. Fernie is ripe with an endless bounty of inspiring subjects from the way the sun shines over the river to fresh flowers of the mountain market in the summer. Fernie is also flush with opportunity and inspiring people. From galleries to guilds to markets, there are so many ways to evolve and engage with the community, which inspires me to persist. I believe this is a town where one can live their dream. Fernie replaces competition with community. After I completed my first collection of fine art, I noticed bare space on the walls of a thriving restaurant. The owner’s of The Loaf were gracious enough to host my art. It was wonderful to receive feedback and get local eyes on my work. I sold a painting of Matheson Falls to a lovely couple who got engaged there. I love how potent and sentimental landscape painting can be in Fernie because everyone spends time outdoors. In the future I hope to be a part of the creative spirit that revitalizes Fernie after the Coronavirus plays out. With the crisis comes another chance to focus on art and prepare to burst out like a butterfly when the time is right. It’s exciting because we get to rebuild our town from the ground up, with a foundation in gratitude. Studying Fernie’s scenery is a mindful and fulfilling practice, and by unifying art and nature I am satisfied to no end. You can find my work on Instagram (@Moss_Fae) and Facebook (Alexandra Kozak Art).
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Arts and Entertainment
ARTBEAT
Islands in the Stream by MICHAEL HEPHER
NOW that we’ve completed our 90 day free trial of 2020, I’m left wondering if I can cancel my subscription until 2021 comes out... If you read ArtBeat in the April issue, you’ll remember I talked a bit about how art helps us cope with hard things. At the time of writing, we were at the precipice of an epidemic in North America and there were big questions looming about next steps to slow the spread. Since then we’ve been sent into isolation as a country—a historic ask by our government to ease the burden on healthcare and protect our vulnerable population. As predicted, our artists are struggling to find income without gigs, galleries, and disposable income. And as predicted, they are also rising to the challenge of helping us all through this time by posting painting workshops, creative inspiration, and concerts online. For centuries artists have been adapting mediums to suit their own needs. Letterpress printing, for example, was created as a practical communication tool to duplicate words and make books quickly. From about 1450 until 1950 that remained the primary use of the process, but when offset lithography started taking over as the primary technology, the artists started buying up cheap printing presses and old type and turning it into an art form—repurposing the wonderful machines, seeing beauty in the patina of vintage type, and reimagining the process into something wonderfully new and creative. The modern letterpress-printing industry is growing and the creative spirit continues to push the envelope of what’s possible, artistically speaking.
“For centuries artists have been adapting mediums to suit their own needs.” In this age of quarantine and social isolation, it’s interesting to note that the artists are doing the same thing. Perhaps it’s one of the byproducts of innate curiosity, or maybe it’s necessity pushing us to invention, but in this lockdown you can see the artists casting about for available technology to get the message out: Facebook, Instagram, and now Zoom (how many people had heard about Zoom before March?) have all become new platforms for art distribution. The problem is; that’s not what they were designed for. Because we have these glowing pixel panels on our desks and in our hands, much of the technology used to drive them is visual. YouTube has become an entertainment giant by essentially creating a market for grassroots video documentaries and that has changed the way we think about entertainment from creating through delivery. If you’re a visual artist, or a motion-graphics artist, you’re in luck because these mediums suit you perfectly. If you’re a musician, on the other hand, there are some real challenges because we are all working on limited bandwidth, and video content is bandwidth-heavy. When content is coming downstream to us our internet connection is designed to reserve more bandwidth so we can stream 4k movies with hi-fi sound, but when our
content is going up, there is less real-estate allotted in the stream. As a result, many streaming technologies like Facebook Live and YouTube Live choose an algorithm that emphasizes the video part of the stream, and compresses the audio. What happens is there is this little bit of software that decides what parts of the data are critical to send on, and which parts need to be dropped from the stream. That bit of software, to this point, has been focused on clarity in the speaking range, so as long as you can understand the words of someone streaming, the algorithm is happy, even if they sound a bit like a robot. The slower the up-stream, the more like a robot they sound (see figure 1 for a visual representation). What this means for musicians is that you will look good on stream, but you won’t sound good. Until the big players decide that the audio quality of live streams is as important to the feed as the video and adjust the algorithm to compensate, we are unfortunately stuck with terrible-tomediocre sound. Our band RedGirl, which fortunately consists of my wife Anie and I, have streamed a few concerts and I’ve been getting questions from musicians everywhere about how we got reasonably clear sound from our stream. I thought I’d share a few tricks here to make sure we can all get to the mediocre end of the clarity scale and hopefully Facebook and YouTube will adjust their algorithms sooner rather than later. If they do, it will be because of pressure from musicians and avid listeners during this time. With this many fun things coming right to our living rooms, we may never want to leave again.
Michael Hepher Illustrations
Improving Sound Quality of your Streams: Plug it in: If you can plug your laptop or desktop directly into your router with an ethernet cable, that will help. Wires are still faster than wi-fi so plugging in makes sure your stream speeds its way to the interwebs. Most of us have a fibre-optic connections so once it’s at the router the journey to the server happens at lightning speed. Don’t get too close: There is an audio term called ‘headroom’ that is used to describe how much volume you can get out of a microphone. If you picture a person standing beside a helicopter, the taller they are, the less headroom they have. If you move really close to the microphone you make the person taller until at some point their head gets pushed into the rotors. The signal at that point is like the person’s head: it’s not bent, it’s just cut off. Capice? (See figure 2). This makes a horrible sound at the listener end (as you can imagine) that sounds like loud static or like nothing at all because the algorithm cuts the volume completely to stop the chaos. Instead, stand back from
the mic and turn the volume up on your computer so you have a reasonable amount of volume, but it never ‘clips.’ Try making a sound that’s a bit louder than anything you’re planning on your stream to test the headroom. If it ‘clips,’ back up from the mic a bit. Take Control of the conversion from analog to digital as much as you can by adding an external microphone, which gives you way more control of audio quality. This requires a bit more technical proficiency, but I’ve created a diagram (figure 3) so you can see it’s just an extra step or two if you have the right gear. We’ve been using a high-quality condenser microphone which is a very sensitive mic that picks up a lot of ambient sound. As a result they are not great for stages or loud environments but they are great for controlled sound stages like studios and living rooms and kitchens where you can control the background noise.You have to be careful of headroom (see above) but it can help you get more nuances into the up-stream.You also have to be conscious of background noise—if you have small
children or pets around it will pick up everything. Use a third-party streaming app: We’ve been using a service called StreamYard (streamyard.com) and it is a wonderful piece of software.You can sign up for free and use many of the features without ever having to pay a cent. It allows you to invite friends into your streams and monitor Facebook comments in real time. It streams directly to Facebook Live or YouTube Live (or both, if you upgrade) and records your stream for later. For musicians, in the audio settings make sure to check a box named ‘Disable Audio Processing’ which really improves the sound for music by adjusting the compression algorithm (see #3). There are other similar services so read up on the ups and downs of each. Be Gracious: Both with yourself and with others who are streaming. We’re all in this together and we’re all learning. The important part is to know that there’s another person on the other side of the stream so go and have fun connecting! FERNIEFIX.COM
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Arts and Entertainment
AT PEACE AND YET ON FIRE
Dear Fernie by SADIE ROSGEN
Hey there! There you are. I’m thrilled you’re checking us out online this time! Good for you. Things are certainly different now. I’m doing my best to lean in and I know you are too. I want to say that I’m proud of you.Yes, I am. This is a time in our lives that we will never forget. What are our memories right now? How will we recall a time so isolated, so inconceivable, so true? Fernie, here is my love letter to you.
Dear Fernie, We are beginners, animals too. As we navigate compassion, try something new. A hobby, a craft, an afternoon nap, stretched out in a hammock with a book in your lap. Do something, anything or nothing at all. Cook, clean, grow something green. Stop wishing for the past in your mind’s time machine. Teach school, take a class, and if you’re not sure what moves you, you can find it at last! But what else? What ELSE? WHAT ELSE CAN WE DO? Do stop that mantra and just let it stew. Brave women and men are out there for YOU! So go home and stay home, (I know, I know, you already do). I promise we’ll get it, we’ll figure it out, until then, my sweet friends, seek what life is about. Lean into your passion or find it anew, ‘cause I know you are missing your old life and crew. So spend time with yourself, or your kids or your stress, and don’t get consumed if your life is a mess. This time, it too, shall pass in a flash, so take out the trash and grow out that stash, at the end of this blow, we’re due for a bash! Your community is here, waiting for you. Love Sadie
Arts and Entertainment
THE RENTAL FIX
Little Women by ANDREW VALLANCE
Louisa May Alcott was an American novelist, short story writer and poet best known as the author of the 19th century novel Little Women (1868) and its sequels Little Men (1871) and Jo’s Boys (1886). She began to receive critical success for her writing in her late 20s, when she wrote novels under the pen name A.M. Barnard. The novels were for young adults and focused on spies and revenge, but her greatest success was achieved in 1868 when, at the age of 36, she wrote Little Women, a novel loosely based on her childhood experiences with her three sisters. She died in 1888, at the age of 56, not long after writing her last novel, Jo’s Boys. It’s worth noting that Alcott grew up among many of the well-known intellectuals of the day, such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. She was an abolitionist and a feminist. She remained unmarried for her whole life and active in such reform movements as temperance and women’s suffrage. Her political and feminist views are reflected in her thoughtful characterization of young women growing up in the mid-19th century. Little Women follows the lives of the four March sisters. It details their passage from childhood to womanhood in the period just after the American Civil War, and it highlights the limitations placed on women in a patriarchal society. It was actually written as two volumes, the first titled Little
The director, Greta Gerwig, has created a dual timeline narrative that begins in the present as depicted in Good Wives, and moves back and forth between the stories in Alcott’s two volumes, making Jo the central character in this adaptation.
Women and the second titled Good Wives. The two volumes were issued as a single novel in 1880 under the title Little Women. The novel is still popular today and has been adapted many times to the stage, film and television. The first adaptation was a silent film (1917) featuring Daisy Burrell, Mary Lincoln, Ruby Miller and Muriel Byers. The first sound film (1933) starred Katharine Hepburn, Joan Bennett, Frances Dee and Jean Parker. The first colour adaptation (1949) featured June Allyson, Margaret O’Brien, Elizabeth Taylor and Janet Leigh. A 1994 adaptation starred Winona Ryder, Trini Alvarado, Samantha Mathis, Claire Danes and Kirsten Dunst. The film received three Academy Award nominations, including Best Actress for Ryder. The 2019 adaptation features Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh and Eliza Scanlen. This adaptation is excellent with wonderful costume design and a script that is masterfully written.
All of the actresses give good performances, but the standout is Florence Pugh who plays Amy. Pugh recently came to prominence after an excellent performance in the wrestling movie Fighting with My Family. She will play a supporting role in Black Widow which will be released in May of 2020. Laura Dern is also terrific as the mother, and Timothy Chalamet is worth mentioning for his role as the movie’s love interest. Dern achieved international recognition following her role in Jurassic Park (1993). Earlier she received an Academy Award nomination for her role in Rambling Rose (1991) and, later, Golden Globe Awards for her performances in the television film Recount (2008) and the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in Marriage Story (2019). Regretfully, Greta Gerwig was not nominated for an Oscar for Best Director at the year’s Academy Awards. Her work is outstanding in this film and deserved to be recognized. Two thumbs up.
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Community Perspectives While we are all being socially responsible and practicing social distancing, it can be tough after the days, weeks and months pass us by. We reached out to members in our community to see how they are practicing social distancing in an effort to inspire us and help us to feel connected in our efforts. Share your own practices with us over social media! @ferniefix on Facebook and Instagram.
Todd Shipley, The Northern Q. What tips can you offer on keeping the peace while isolating at home with your family? A. Quarantine two families, closing a business, working from home and homeschooling five children has taught me about epic parenting fails. We initially attempted to recreate our routines but realized we couldn’t sustain the pace, so agreed the only routines to keep are morning coffee, daily exercise, limited screen time, regular family mealtimes and as much laughter that we can fit into the day. Soon enough life will resume, my business will open and we want the kids to look back and remember COVID19 as a time of family fun and not stress and fear. In the words of Robert Fulghum, “Don’t worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you.” So raise a drink from our family to yours.
Steve Kuijt, Canadian Avalanche Association Q. What has been your biggest take away from this experience so far? A. How lucky we are to live in Canada, with the added luck of being from BC, and to top it all off we live in Fernie! We are truly fortunate.
Jikke Gyorki, Tourism Fernie Q. How do you stay motivated and productive working from home? A. I continually remind myself that we are fortunate and lucky. If the only thing I have to complain about is lack of real exercise and trying to keep my kids entertained while getting some homework done then all is ok because it could be worse. We have a roof over our heads, we still have our jobs and everyone is healthy. We will get through this, I just want to do all I can to help our tourism businesses get through it as well.
Lisa Tessler, GP Q. What has been your biggest take away from this experience so far? A. Appreciate what you have.
Pierre Dupont - Le Grand Fromage Q. What changes have you made at your business to adapt to life as we currently know it? A. Customers have the option to order online from our website or to phone in orders for pickup. I will deliver within Fernie on request. The in-store shopping hours are reduced to 11am-3pm daily, and the prices on all cheese and meat products have been reduced by 20%, and some by as much as 50%. I have also been publishing a daily “Cooking with Cheese” recipe on our FB page in case people are running short of ideas on what to make at home besides sourdough bread (facebook.com/ferniecheese).
Mike Delich, Fernie Lodging Company Q. How do you stay motivated and productive working from home? A. I just get up, some exercise, then go... I am lucky that I have a job that I have loved for over 30 years, my family and friends are healthy and so I “just do it.”
Nicole Neufeld, Principal IDES Q. What has been your biggest take away from this experience so far? A. I think now more than ever we are realizing the power of connection and belonging. I see it from our school staff who are missing their students and have worked hard to find new ways to connect with them, their families and each other. I also see it in our community when people wave at you from their windows or cars or pass by you in the aisle at the grocery store. There is a sense of “we are in this together” and people are reaching out more to connect with a smile, a wave, a text, a phone call or a virtual meeting. For me it’s the happy take away of COVID-19.
Emily and Rosemary Brydon Q. What is something you do daily to help sustain your emotional health? A. Take a moment to immerse yourself in nature and let your mind take a break from the chaos and uncertainty of today and focus on the simple beauty of our backyard. Stepping away from the relentless news, inputs and opinion is an important and critical moment for our mind, body and soul to reset and breathe. I can’t think of a better country, province or city to be in right now. FERNIEFIX.COM 27 27 FERNIEFIX.COM
Community and Events
FEATURE RESIDENT
Joy Falk by KRISTA TURCASSO
THIS winter, I had the opportunity to spend some time at Brooks Creek Ranch. We were in search of a quick winter escape and time together as a family, and even though it was just a 20-minute drive from our front door for only one night, it was a rejuvenating vacation. It was here that I met Joy Falk, as she was our morning chef. Joy and her husband Stacy are co-owners of Brooks Creek. “We moved here six and a half years ago because we purchased this property,” she tells me. Interestingly, her family had been living in West Africa for two years prior as part of an international Christian school. Joy was teaching kindergarten and elementary art and Stacy doing construction and maintenance. The school was located in Niamey, Niger which is a developing country ranking near the bottom of the UN Human Development Index. “Our girls were 10 and 12, and attended the same school. It was a life-changing experience for us all and broadened our eyes to the privilege we have as Canadians,” Joy says. “As we’ve watched COVID unravel, there’s a different perspective. We have space and soap and water that is clean for washing hands. Our lifestyles are so different. When we find ourselves grumbling and complaining, we are able to adjust our perspectives.” This ability helped Joy to move into action as COVID began impacting our community, specifically as the team lead for the Elk Valley COVID Support Team (EVCST). “We were acutely aware of the needs that would arise as a result,” Joy tells me, adding that it was their business partner Kevin’s ‘brain child.’ The structure comes out of the Mountain Side Church.
Red Flannel Photography Photo “There’s seven of us on the lead team, and then another five who are part of the bigger picture. Under that, Fernie has 100 volunteers and Sparwood and Elkford 80. There has been incredible response, with people looking to help and support our community in any way they can.” Those involved realized they would have time, and redirected their energy into something that would provide life and support to others. “Kevin came up with a flowchart and layout of how the team would operate. We discussed the needs we felt we could meet, and how we could provide support but still keep people safe. We had a local doctor advise us, and we laid out the safety precautions.” They created a thorough document on how calls would be processed and filtered, the need matched with a volunteer, reported back as completed, and the file closed. “If that
individual has another request, they can call in and the process starts again.” Overall, everybody has been understanding and grateful to have this service available in the valley. “On the one hand we’re thrilled that we have so many volunteers. Fernie has had just over 60 requests that we’ve been able to meet. It would be great if it was higher so we could use all of the volunteers, but we’re also happy because it means that things are going well,” Joy shares. Their main method of communications has been through Facebook, “but we have also approached the grocery stores so they are aware and can share when needed.” They now have sandwich boards and are working at getting them set up. “From there, it’s been word of mouth. We’ve had “keep in touch” letters to the Tom Uphill,
Trinity, Rocky Mountain Village… but we might not be able to deliver groceries there, we are just waiting to hear back. We have to be on the safe side, as we don’t want to compromise anybody and want to work together as a community - how can we help to meet these needs?” When I ask Joy if she has had previous experience in anything similar, it’s a quick shake of the head. “I’ve never been involved in anything like this especially in this capacity. I’m a doer, I like to meet needs and to help. To be on something of this size, community run is a first. It’s been so incredible to see the response on both sides, and it has been such a positive experience all around. Definitely the situation is not great, but working with people so willing to help others is a huge blessing.” So what are the plans for the EVCST? “Right now, we’re really adapting as things evolve. We have weekly meetings to discuss the challenges, the needs arising, concerns and new ideas. There is no definitive end, but as long as we’re needed, we’ll be there.” If you or someone you know is in need of support at this time, from looking for someone to talk to to needing groceries or a prescription picked-up, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Elk Valley COVID Support Team. They are here to help as best they can. Find them on Facebook at facebook.com/EVCST2020, email at hello@evcst.com, or call at 250423-4112. 1. When did you first arrive in the Valley and what brought you here? So we arrived July 2014, and it was our first time ever being to Fernie! We had purchased the land for Brooks Creek Ranch, and had rented a house in the Airport! 2. Who did you first meet? Well, I guess the first people we met were our landlords in the Airport and from there we got involved with the Mountainside
Community right away, and Kim and Tom Hopkins as they live just down the street. Kim and I still run together. 3. Do you remember your first general impression of Fernie? We lived in Invermere before so we were familiar with a small resort community. When we moved from Calgary to Invermere, I remember thinking it was very active and outdoors. When we moved to Fernie, we thought Fernie was Invermere on steroids. It’s next level. We love the youth, the vibrance, the active lifestyle. It encouraged us to be more active and to pursue a healthy lifestyle. And we just love the mountains. It’s physically a beautiful place with a vibrant community… there’s life here. 4. What keeps you here? We do love Fernie, absolutely but also the passion for our job for sure, to help provide holistic rest and renewal. My passion has always been to care for those around me. I love cooking for people, seeing them relax, get the renewal they need to be their best possible self. That’s my passion in Brooks Creek Ranch. Come and feel loved, important, a priority and not worrying about the needs being met. People can relax and enjoy this beautiful environment we live in. 5. Do you have a favourite Fernie pastime? I love the small town life. The things coming to mind… Art after Dark, we did that last year and we absolutely loved that. Or, a few winters ago the Lantern Festival… just so many amazing familyoriented fun events Fernie does that we love to participate in. Those are the things that stand out, as they’re the things we would likely not do living in the city.
realize the beauty of fall colours. Fernie is spectacular! Going out for a run, the crunch of the leaves, still feel the warmth of the sun. Spring - crisp snow on the mountains, the blue skies, the mountains just pop. Winter is not my favourite, it has its place. I have found my winter activities - snowshoeing, skate skiing, running. It makes it beautiful and enjoyable. 7. Where do you see or hope to see Fernie in five years? I hope to see Fernie back to life really. Being the vibrant community that it was. 8. How do you start your day or what is one of your daily rituals? I start my day by getting up and dealing with the dogs. Once they’re settled, I take a 30-40 minutes of pause and quiet. After that, doing 30-45 minutes of exercise. And then, breakfast with my family. That’s life right now, when I’m working it looks a little bit different. 9. Tell us something people might be surprised to learn about you. People seem to be surprised when they find out I have a daughter that’s 20! But something that most people don’t know is that I had the opportunity to run with the Olympic torch in Calgary 1988. 10. Quote to live by: Well as a family we joke that my motto in life is work first, play later (of which there never seems to be enough time leftover for play). But on a more serious note, I believe that each day is a gift from God and there is always something to be thankful for.
6. What time of the year do you love most in Fernie, and why? Oh, summer is my forever favourite season as I love heat. But every season has something about it. Fall - I didn’t FERNIEFIX.COM
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Community and Events
CITY CORNER
The Little Distiller that Could by ANGE QUALIZZA
MANY businesses woke up to an alternate reality this month, wondering how they would even survive the impact of COVID-19, trying to see a path through nothing but uncertainty. Distillers across Canada were no different, wondering if COVID-19 was going to see their dreams and hard work destroyed. Unlike other business however, distillers found themselves stepping into an arena they had never considered for no other reason than they felt a moral obligation to serve the immediate needs of Canadians by producing hand sanitizer. Our own Jill Rutherford of Fernie Distillers had to learn how to make hand sanitizer while laying staff off and watching 75% of her business dry up. It wasn’t easy to navigate finding ingredients, packaging and the paperwork required, but Jill said a private Facebook group with other distillers was set up so they could support one another with information sharing as they all tried to navigate how to make sanitizer. For a small distiller, the production of hand sanitizer is very labour intensive, and very expensive to make but when Jill heard about the thefts of sanitizer at our local hospital she couldn’t help herself, “It really drove home the point to me there is a lot of fear and people can behave desperately under those circumstances.” Responding to the need for hand sanitizer felt immediate and urgent, so alongside the fears of losing her new business Jill relied on community partners to source her first batch. All three pharmacies in Fernie participated, donating bottles and hand lotion. Fernie Brewing Company donated beer to be distilled.
The Fernie Distillery now holds all the licenses they need to produce and sell hand sanitizer, and again, the goal is simply to get it into local stores, so the product is in front of people who need it. This new recipe is following the stricter World Health Organization guidelines and hopefully, producing hand sanitizer is one small way Jill, and distillers across Canada can slow the spread of COVID-19. The Fernie Distillers is in the same position as many small businesses across Canada, waiting to see if applications for business assistance will be successful. The stress is mounting, “I do feel overwhelmed and am struggling with my mental health. I know [producing hand sanitizer] is something that needs to be done and will, but am dealing with all the fears of losing my new business, Submitted Photo not being present enough with my family which is in a new reality of its own, and the “...there has never been constant worry about my elderly parents in I have waves of anxiety and I want a better time to support Ontario. to hide under the covers.”
our local businesses. They have always been the heart and soul of our community, and they need us more than ever.” “It was going to be impossible to continue my business in its new life using my regular supplies, because it would only accelerate my demise. There is no economy of scale for making hand sanitizer in a craft distillery.” Jill’s goal was to just make sure as many people that need hand sanitizer have access to it and nothing more.
Despite this, Jill and so many distillers across Canada persist. They continue to serve the needs of Canadians. Right now, there are many examples of people using whatever expertise they have to work on community solutions to help us with our response to COVID-19. Many retooling into products they had never considered. For this reason alone, there has never been a better time to support our local businesses. They have always been the heart and soul of our community, and they need us more than ever.
Community and Events
PLANNING AHEAD
In the Company of Community by KERRI WALL
ONE of the first things adults are anxious to teach a young person is sharing. Apparently greed is still a deadly sin, and we hate to see our kids deny siblings or friends a chance to try their toys. But this makes sense because the ability to distribute and sometimes ration food and supplies was a survival skill for our ancestors. It’s an important concept to pass on because it has gotten our species through a lot of rough times. Sharing is a cornerstone of community. With those we love, the opportunity to share a meal, tools, or a listening ear brings us closer. And when we share with strangers we get to expand our circle of care and the human family feels a little cozier. It doesn’t really make sense to get uptight about wanting our children to share. Parents can also be rigid with our expectations for saying please and thank you. We can even get downright UNgenerous about needing our young people to act willing to give and take. Personal congruence As I’ve said before, teenagers have terrific radars for justice. If they see something unfair or hypocritical they can be quick to call it out. When I was young my dad demanded that I share with my sister, but this insistence didn’t jibe with how he treated us. Why was he asking me to be generous when he wouldn’t be that way himself? I also heard, “say something nice or don’t say anything at all,” regularly from both my parents, but I saw them talking nasty about extended family and politicians. As a teen I asked myself, “what kind of backwards world am I living in?”
said, “I’m staying with my mom right now, and because she’s sick – maybe COVID-19 – we aren’t leaving the house. My dad lives close by and he’s been dropping off groceries for us, but he keeps telling me that my mom is exaggerating and a quarantine is unnecessary.” This teen was playing a key role in her household while her mother was out of commission, and she was frustrated with her father.
Emily Pullen Photo Aligning our words with our actions – being congruent – is a crucial parenting skill. Whoever coined the phrase, ‘do as I say not as I do’ obviously had no idea how children actually learn about integrity. All those talents that go into being community-minded – sharing, looking out for neighbours, putting others needs before your own – young people don’t pick them up from lectures or lessons. Children learn about community development by observing it and experiencing it. Young does not equal dumb In March I took part in an international young leader’s conference over Zoom. We were supposed to meet in Boston, but due to the novel coronavirus we gathered in front of our computers from seven different time zones and five continents. On the second day I was in a session where a teenager from Denmark told a story about how her dad used to encourage her to speak her mind, but now he was acting decidedly unsupportive. The young woman
The facilitator of the session asked the teen what she felt most proud of. The young woman replied, “I am trusting my thinking and doing what I know is best, even if that means my dad disapproves or mocks me.” Then the facilitator asked what’s been the hardest part. She answered, “I’m not just concerned about the health of people in my home; I’m concerned for the whole community. It’s difficult for me that my dad is making this personal when we should be thinking about everyone.” Then she added, “It’s so typical that grown-ups think teenagers don’t know what we are talking about. But you know what? None of the adults have ever faced a global pandemic before, so we are all learning this new world together. I hate getting treated like I’m stupid just because I’m young.” Walk your talk When parents actively demonstrate what it means to share, our young ones will integrate the value of community. Children and families need community to survive the frenzied early days of parenting, but in order to thrive community also needs us – young and old can play a role.
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Recreation and Outdoor Life
HITTING THE TRAILS
FTA News and Riding to Morrissey by JULIE KELLY, FTA FTA News IN this challenging time we want to keep you up to date on the current status of trails in the Fernie area. Effective April 8 BC Parks closed all provincial parks until further notice in response to COVID-19. More information can be viewed on their website. We have included a map of our trail network to show the Mount Fernie Provincial Park property boundary. Please
refer to Trailforks for a complete list of trails that are closed in our area.
Please see the attached map and their website for further details.
In addition, Nature Conservancy Canada has closed their properties until further notice. In the Elk Valley they own and manage three main areas in our region including:
Finally, please be advised there are logging trucks on River Rd. due to logging in the area. Canwel has made their logging crews aware of the potential of users on the road. If you choose to go out on a solo mission, please be aware of the increase in traffic and stay safe.
1) Hosmer between Fernie and Sparwood; 2) Morrissey area; and 3) Mount Broadwood.
Trail of the Month - Cokato to Morrissey Time: Approx. 1.5- 2 hours | Distance: Approx. 30 km | Difficulty: Blue Looking for a ride close to town this time of year? Cokato Road to Morrissey is a great option. A gravel bike is ideal for this ride but a mountain bike also works well. Start on Cokato Road heading past the Aquatic Centre and continue on the pavement until you hit Thomspon Rd. From there it changes to gravel with a few hills until you hit a longer downhill section to the cattle guard. If you are looking for a longer ride continue all the way to Elko for a 50 km return ride. Otherwise, turn around here climbing out back to town enjoying the views along the way. Visit FernieFix.com for a video of Julie biking this route.
Recreation and Outdoor Life
FERNIE MOUNTAIN MAMAS
Making Lemonade by YVONNE PREST WHAT an unbelievable time to be alive! For the first time in over a hundred years, we are witnessing new and trying times as we step forward into the uncharted territory of a global pandemic. As a community, and in true Fernie fashion, we are coming together to support one another and make the best of an unknown situation. I have seen friends throwing drive by birthday parties, sending take out meals to those in need and social media chains, that are spreading like wild fire, encouraging local shopping. It is beautiful to witness the generosity, compassion and love that neighbours have for one another in this town. Amongst these new found forms of connection, life as we know it has temporarily changed and readers may be asking themselves: What are Fernie Mountain Mamas to do? There are twelve hours of wake time for the typical infant or child. Twelve hours without coffee shops, without play groups, and without parks. Not two, not six, but twelve. If you are pulling out your hair, stop, and take a big breath.You’ve got this! As parents in Fernie, we are lucky in that we have an incredible trail network guiding us into the wild in our own backyards. With the current sunshine of Spring in the air, take solace in long walks, hikes and bike rides. Collect rocks. Seek shapes in the clouds. Catch bugs. Take this time to be a kid again yourself and remember the magic that exists outside. Even when the weather does not cooperate, remember the old sage advice of our grandparents: When it rains, play in the rain! Slap on a muddy buddy and have a time. Go on. Jump in the puddles, you know you want to… Staying home and keeping our distance may seem extreme, but it is in the best
son as a family. This is time that we are not taking for granted and that we are going to cherish. And for the other seven hours in the day where you might find yourself inside, may I suggest the following activities that are easy, fun and most importantly, cost effective. • Plan an indoor scavenger hunt • Research your family tree • Finger paint (mix yogurt with food colouring and you’ve got yourself art supplies and a nutritious snack!) • Build a house of cards Submitted Photo • Play balloon volleyball • Learn magic tricks and put on a show
“I’m going to look at the COVID-19 crisis not as a tragedy but as a moment of opportunity.” interest of not only your family but everyone you’ve ever met and hold dear. Flattening the curve will allow us to eventually get back to the lives that we love and surely miss. I’m going to look at the COVID-19 crisis not as a tragedy but as a moment of opportunity. A chance to create a joyous environment and experiences that will live vividly in our kids’ memories, so that in other times of uncertainty, they’ll remember fondly how their family was able to pull together and make the most of a bad situation. Hopefully, later on down the track, they will be able to do the same for themselves. As my partner and I see it, this is the first time where we have no distractions, no prior engagements and nowhere to be but simply here with our
• Bake a cake or muffins • Read to your grandparents (Via Skype, Zoom or FaceTime) • Build a fort and camp out in the living room • And most importantly, plan some quiet and independent play I hope that these ideas help or at least spark your own creativity. Take your lemons and make lemonade. The sky, heck, build a cardboard rocket ship and let’s say space is the limit. Either way please stay safe, stay sane, and stay healthy. Happy family time! 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. FERNIEFIX.COM
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Health and Lifestyle
BARK BREAK
Teaching Old Dogs New Tricks by VAL LANTHIER CHILI, short for Chilcotin, is a wellknown long time canine community member. She was adopted from the BCSPCA as a pup and she’s been calling Fernie home for the past 13 years. Back in the day, Chili used to start almost every morning by trotting over to her neighbours’ houses and jumping on their beds so she could sleep in with them. Mornings have never been her thing. With well over a thousand miles of hiking, biking, snowmobiling and skiing under her belt, Chili has ridden just about every single trail in the area, and beyond. When she reaches a peak, she zens right out to enjoy the views as if it’s all mapped out in her head. She knows her way around, from sneaking behind the meat market hoping for some scraps to making her way directly home from the top of Big Steep Mother if she hears even the faintest sound of thunder. She’s far from being a guard dog but she sure is a true Fernie dog.
Val Lanthier Photo
As her face turns white and she begins to slow down, Chili has fallen into real retirement. She no longer enjoys car rides or straying far from home but she’s lucky to live on an acreage where she can frolic to her heart’s content.
one sessions and introduce new tricks into their routine, like before mealtime which is ideal as your dog will be motivated in knowing what’s coming. Think back to the puppy stages of being patient and keeping things simple, consistent and recognize your dog’s limits. It’s ironic how as we age, we become needy and less independent, like a déjà-vu of our younger days.
It’s common for senior dogs to develop anxiety and it’s not always as easy to adapt as one might think. Keeping things routine can be helpful as new or unusual things can make them feel insecure while the senses they rely on start to change. It’s also important to balance out routine with mental stimulation in order to support your dog’s inevitably declining cognition. The opposite is true that you can teach an old dog new tricks and in fact, it’s the best way to help maintain their smarts without major change.You can have short one-on-
The physical changes are the most recognizable signs of ageing as they develop right before our eyes. Pain is one of the most common reasons behind these changes, yet it can be very difficult to detect simply because dogs can’t tell us they’re hurting. Thankfully, there are ways to help them through it. Omega oils are an excellent supplement as they are an essential part of nutritional requirements. They are beneficial for inflammation, which is one of the reasons your dog feels pain, and overall they help support tissues
throughout the body, which makes up everything that takes a toll over time. They are an easy way to help keep your senior dog comfortable. For increased discomfort, your veterinarian is the best tool for pain management with options ranging from medications to acupuncture and other alternatives. Staying active is necessary for your old friend.You just need to adjust to their capabilities. Remember these wise words from George Bernard Shaw, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.” Giving your dog as much freedom as possible during exercise allows them to go at their own pace and you can do that by switching roles and letting them take the lead. Go a little slower, follow along, go a little less further but most importantly, go play!
Health and Lifestyle
THIS IS LIFE
Creating a Deeper Connection by TYLA CHARBONNEAU VULNERABILITY. Brené Brown defines it as, “uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure” and “the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, and creativity.” She also admits that is it terrifying in practice! Right now we are physically distanced from the ones we love and we are all feeling the heaviness of this. Now more than ever we are engaging in video chats and phone calls in efforts to stay connected to our community. On these calls many of us are working hard to put our best foot forward in order to instill hope and positivity. We need this right now. With one caution, if we only present our best selves, we can unintentionally promote a culture wherein we cannot be honest about tough days which can create isolation, feelings of inadequacy, and harsh thoughts in our minds. We can feel even more alone. And yet when we take a chance and share something about our experiences, we invite the other person to feel comforted and say, “me too.” This common humanity allows us to connect to each other and we need that more than ever right now. This issue about community is the perfect time to present two challenges to the community that centre on being vulnerable and allowing ourselves to see and be seen with others. Challenge number one. I love this video of a woman asking people how they are doing, really. Watch and then be inspired to take a chance and tell someone you trust how you are really doing. Resist the urge to say fine or good or put on a brave face. Be honest and share your thoughts, feelings, and/or insights. In return ask how they are really doing and then sit back and truly listen.
What is the biggest surprise you have ever had? In what situation would you most like to be invisible in? What is the best advice anyone ever gave you? What is the best date you have ever been on? If you could select a role model for each of your kids who would you pick, and why?
“...if we only present our best selves, we can unintentionally promote a culture wherein we cannot be honest about tough days...” Challenge number two. This challenge is called the “Banana Challenge” and it was born out of two separate circumstances in my life where the word “banana” is used when one person needs a break from the conversation. As my Zoom meetings grew and I became exhausted talking about COVID-19 I decided to up the ante on banana with a creative game. I organized a meeting and asked each friend to bring a few questions to ask the group. To get things started I sent a few examples from questions books written by Evelyn Mcfarlane and James Saywell. Examples included:
If you could suddenly be irresistibly charming for one day only, what would you do? This challenge has dual purposes, one it allows you to learn interesting facts about your friends and family, and two it will promote conversations about more than the news of the day. When you plan a phone or video call prepare a list of questions ahead of time to ask and ask your friends to do the same.You might be surprised what you do not know about the people you are close to. To help generate a list and get this challenge started I encourage you to share a creative question to the Fernie Fix facebook or instagram feed. Let’s get to know each other better, Fernie! The content provided in this article is for information purposes only. It is not meant as a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you find yourself in distress, please reach out to your local physician who can provide mental health resources in your community.
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Health and Lifestyle
FAMILY WELLNESS
Managing Stress While Pregnant (or Postpartum) During a Global Pandemic by DR. TAINA TURCASSO, N.D., R.M.
THIS is a distinctive time in all of our lives.Very few people alive today have lived through a global pandemic before now, and certainly none of the currently pregnant or newly pregnant people have. We are all navigating this together and for the very first time so we don’t know whether or not there is a “right” or “best” way to do it and if there is, what that might be. Pregnancy and the initial postpartum period are already among the most stressful times in a person’s life without the added stress of all of this uncertainty and fear. No one really knows how long this will last or what it will mean for your birth and beyond, including how your prenatal care is structured, who you can safely have at your birth and what kind of support you can welcome into your home postpartum, not to mention the toll that being isolated in your home can have on your mental health. So, what can you do to cope? What will help?
One Day at a Time Really, this is a good motto for life. All you can really do is take one day at a time, especially during these times of acute stress. It’s too much to think about and manage all at once, so every morning wake up, check in with how you are feeling, and proceed to move through your day with intention and grace. Some days will be easier than others, so meet yourself wherever you are. Hopefully your harder
Raven Eye Photograghy Photo
“Some days will be easier than others, so meet yourself wherever you are.” days are different than the people in your life so you can support one another. Depending on how you are feeling, make a plan for your day to fill it with a mixture of activities that will keep you busy but not exhausted. Some days all you can manage is reading a book and eating chips while
your toddler watches their iPad and that’s ok. At night before you go to bed, remind yourself that tomorrow is a different day. You will feel different and so will the world around you.
Information Be mindful of how much information you take in and what your sources are. Try to limit your exposure to mass media and stick to your local/regional/ provincial health authorities. Utilize your care provider in whatever manner they have established (likely remotely)
and ask questions. I’ve been writing a weekly email for all of my patients full of updates as things are developing and changing on a daily basis. This may not be possible for every provider (or even most) but we all know that it helps everyone for our patients to be informed about what to expect when it comes to your prenatal care, the birth of your baby, and postpartum care. Prepare for your experience to be different than what you expected but know that, even behind our PPE (gowns/masks/shields) we still care and are doing what we can to keep YOU safe. We still want this to be a beautiful, positive experience for you and are doing our very best to preserve that.
Health This is not the time to completely forget about looking after yourself.You need to continue to nurture and grow your baby during pregnancy, and into postpartum, especially if you are breastfeeding. Keeping healthy will also help your body cope with extra stress. Now is the time to focus on feeding yourself healthy whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and quality meats and seafood, exercising, sleeping, and staying hydrated. If you want to go a bit further and add supplements to your diet, I would start with Vitamin C and D, Calcium/Magnesium, DHA/EPA as well as a good quality prenatal or multivitamin and continue all of these supplements into the postpartum period.Your nutritional
needs do not decrease postpartum if you are breastfeeding (or even just recovering from delivery, vaginal or cesarean). Does this mean no treats? Of course not! Treat yourself, but be mindful of your choices and eat the healthy food first. I find it helpful to start my day with a smoothie that has a good amount of protein, frozen fruit, frozen spinach, a scoop of a greens supplement, vitamin D, an adrenal supplement, and sometimes cacao powder or almond butter to mix it up. I put everything I can in my smoothie because I find taking supplements really difficult. Once you start your day with a protein forward meal, you are both more likely to make healthy choices throughout the day and if you don’t, at least you’ve gotten the essentials in. Keep in mind that specific food choices might be more difficult to get at certain times and that’s ok, try something different. We are so lucky to continue to have these food options.
Support Mamas, you need other people, now more than ever.You might need to be creative and support might come in a different form than what you were planning but make a plan for how those around you can help (childcare during delivery, support during delivery in case your partner can’t make it, support during the initial postpartum period). Maybe you have a friend who can be available for weekly checkins, which will likely support them
as much as it does you. Maybe you need things for you baby that you can’t afford to buy or can’t get online right now. Ask for it! Most items can be cleaned and passed on by someone who no longer needs it. If you need help buying food or paying your bills, reach out. There is help available, sometimes in the most surprising places.
Movement I touched on the importance of exercise for general health but really, exercise is probably one of the number one methods of stress reduction.You might have to get creative but try to move your body for at least 30 minutes every day. Walk outside if you can do so safely or consider an online workout in your home. There are so many options. Try something for a week and if you don’t like it, move on to something different. Make it a family affair if that is what works. Some days you might move slowly, other days you can move a little more. Stay in touch with how your body feels and use caution as you are more prone to injury during pregnancy and in the initial postpartum period. Above all, be kind to yourself. None of us know how to do this. It’s ok to grieve the loss of things as your life has changed so dramatically.You can both understand why things have to be this way for now and also feel some sadness around it, simultaneously. It’s ok. One day at a time. Stay safe and stay healthy!
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Health and Lifestyle
ELEMENTS OF MOVEMENT
Movement for Mental Health by MADDY ALARIC
HOLY crow it’s May! A few things that stick out for me this month include fresh flowers, earlier sunrises, bike rides, and longer days with warming temps. The month of May is also when outdoor workouts start to become a regular occurrence in my household. Unlike last year, where friends would come over everyday for an hour of fitness, we will be doing it a little differently this time around. Many of you have already shifted to an online platform that has allowed us to keep up with fitness and movement from home, while still feeling a sense of community. It has been incredible to witness so many people choosing to prioritize their health and wellness by keeping up with a fitness routine of some sorts. Committing to move, setting online sweat dates and keeping a sense of normalcy in the current situation we are all living through.You are impressive Fernie, truly impressive.
High Knees
Whether we are aware of it or not, movement is a form of medicine and staying active helps reduce stress and anxiety. Getting your heart rate up and sweating once a day releases the feel good endorphins that I’m going to go ahead and say, we could probably all use right about now. Choosing to focus on the positive over the negative is a technique that could aid in feeling happy during times of uncertainty. I can’t speak for anyone else, but the amount of quality time I’ve got to spend with my partner and kids, long walks with no timeline, embracing the feeling of no obligations, mid-day coffees, reading books, afternoon yoga, morning workouts. Many of us now have time in our day for these types of activities. Time to unwind and discover the silver lining, and for that, I am grateful. Since being home, my family and I have been doing this workout a few days per week. Being home creates a perfect opportunity to add fitness into the family’s daily routine. Ask your partner or children to join you in this spicy Tabata style workout that can be done at home and modified as needed with no equipment. So please, stay home, stay safe and whatever you do, don’t stop moving.Your mental health matters and will thank you.
Submitted Photos
Watch Maddy’s video online at FernieFix.com
Hover and Push up
Warm up: 2 rounds: 30s of each movement with a 10s transition into the next. • Jumping jacks. • Squat to jump backs. • Inchworm to plank * hands walk back to feet. • High knees • Reverse lunge to high knee with a 1s pause at top. * 30s left and right.
“Whether we are aware of it or not, movement is a form of medicine and staying active helps reduce stress and anxiety.” Push Up
• Plank shoulder taps.
Squat
Workout: 4 rounds: 20s on 10s off • Burpees. • Squats * opt to add jump. • Mountain climbers. * opt to go slower or faster.
Mountain Climbers
• Alternating reverse lunge * opt to add jump. • Opposite knee to elbow. • Push ups. * come to knees or elevate torso. Reverse Lunge
REST 1 min. Repeat 3 more rounds.
Finisher:
Opposite Knee to Elbow
3 rounds: • 20s hover hold immediately into 20s max push ups. * modify by coming to knees or elevating body to wall for hover and push ups.
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ASTROLOGY
May 2020 by ASHLEY KRISTINA
WE are in the birth canal of a new world with evolutionary years ahead bringing change to our personal relationships, interpersonal relationships and relationship to resources. The Council of the Thirteen (Indigenous) Grandmothers stated several years ago: “tie into the energy of your mother’s mother’s mother” because this is how slow life is about to go on Earth (again). The Hopi prophecies state they would see America come and go. Now is the time to recognize how much the individual and collective are one and of each other. If a single individual is sick, the entire collective is also. It is a time of healing and purging, and every human must participate. It will be a lonely endeavour while each individual is forced to face themselves. Once the personal is transitioned through, the masses will meet in higher realms of consciousness. Pluto retrograded in April, and on May 11, 13, 14, Saturn,Venus and Jupiter turn retrograde (respectfully), alongside Pallas, the asteroid of great wisdom, all in the last degrees of Capricorn (with Saturn now sitting at the first degree of Aquarius). In short, we have exponential growth coming our way and it is a restricted time of Spiritual Law. Maintaining inner integrity is paramount. Help each other. This time is unfamiliar and shocking and requires acceptance and adjustment. Growing food is the best way to use your energy. Maintain a healthy schedule. Be open to a new ideology. The indigenous spoke a great truth: you can not eat money.
Aries
Gemini
Leo
Chiron, the wound, has been travelling through Aries for several months, alongside the asteroid Black Moon Lilith, the shadow of the feminine. Every person feels this energy however it will affect you strongly. There is a theme of polarization and separation, with an urge for inner stability. Relationships of all kinds are changing.
Venus turns retrograde in your sign on May 13 which gives an inward energy with regards to love, what you love and how you love.You will analyze both sides of a situation and re-evaluate. Love will feel stagnated until the end of June. The New moon of May 21 has an energy that awards faith -those whom have stayed true to their hearts.
These times can be brought to fruition through creative expression. Grab a paint brush or get online to poetry groups or acting groups, even singing groups. We have the internet at times like this, which is so lucky. Gardening is also a form of expression and strongly recommended.
Taurus
Cancer
Happy birthday! With the Sun travelling though your sign most of the month, it is natural to feel some extra support to align with your own energy. Make the best of this time and plant an extra big garden this Spring, with lots and lots of (extra) potatoes.
Home is the place you love to be. Expressing your love to your loved ones whom you can’t see at this time can be done by cooking and baking for them. It’s a way you can nurture others. May you also be planting as many seeds as possible in your garden this spring.
Virgo It’s a great time of cleansing, spiritually, emotionally, energetically. It’s especially important at this time that the home is clean and organized which is great for someone who loves these tasks. All the todo lists around the home getting done will feel extra satisfying.
Maintaining inner integrity is paramount. Help each other. This time is unfamiliar and shocking and requires acceptance and adjustment. Growing food is the best way to use your energy. Maintain a healthy schedule. Be open to a new ideology. The indigenous spoke a great truth: you can not eat money.
Libra
Sagittarius
Have faith in the divine for direction and balance. The physical and spiritual always co-exist. Earth will be a better place when this culminates however the transition may not be easy. Spend time within your own self each day.
Virtuousness, a true attribute of your sign and energy is very important at this time. Everyone must recognize that the individual affects the entire earth. Each individual energy sends waves out and the outside reality of you responds to you. Heal thyself and heal the earth.
Scorpio May 7 brings the full moon in your sign and many deep aspects of the rooted consciousness of each individual are illuminated. The 17 degree of Scorpio is a degree known for its spiritual strength and often deals with powers hidden in the depths of the subconscious. It’s a good month to share your wisdom.
Capricorn The occult energy will be palpable to the ones willing to receive. The teachings of the underground are rising and deep psychic and intuitive energies will be in the natural environment for those listening. Only release the thoughts you wish to create in your environment.
Aquarius Saturn is retrograde in the first degree of Aquarius so it’s a time where many Aquarians should spend time in meditation, looking in, being retrograded and disciplined. How are you not meeting your divine truth? Get rid of all the habits and ways not aligned with your divine self. Pisces Neptune, Mars, Ceres and Nessus travel in your sign all month. Spiritual Law has come down on Earth and with Nessus, the asteroid of abuse sitting there. It’s a time to sit with the truth of the soul and allow the soul to be at home with its truth, the nourishment is there. Are you living your truth? If not, it is time to go there or else it will feel like more of an abusive time than a soul-nourishing time.
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THE ANSWER GUY
Netflix Party by KEVIN MCISAAC LIKE most of you, I’ve been spending a lot of time online lately. Unlike most of you, I normally spend a great deal of time online, so I have been perhaps a little less off-kilter than some of you have in moving most of my social life online. However, despite my comfort level even I enjoy a little group socializing now and then.
A box will pop up with a URL in it. Below you’ll see a Copy URL link. Click on it to copy the URL.
Those very few of you who regularly read my column will have read last month about using an online tool to hang out with others. (Yes, a dreadful pun I know,)
Both you and they should now see a chatroom window on the right side of the movie window. This is so you can make quips while the show is running. Just don’t be the guy that chats the entire movie. This is useful to request a bathroom or drink refresh pause. Or the very occasional “does the director think we’re all idiots?!” comment.
Now email or text the link to your friends. Once they have the link, they should click on the URL and then click on the red NP link on the URL bar at the top of Chrome.
This month I’d like to tell you about another online socializing tool, Netflix Party. Netflix Party is a Google Chrome add-on that synchronizes the watching of a movie or episode on Netflix between remote locations. In other words, if you’d like to watch a movie with someone else that isn’t in your household you can use this tool to synchronize both of your computers so you can watch together. To accomplish this you’ll need to first install the Google Chrome web browser if you haven’t already. Then you’ll need to go to netflixparty.com and look for the Install Netflix Party button in the upper right corner. This will take you to the Google Chrome webstore. Now click on the Add to Chrome button.You will be asked if you’d like to add the extension to Chrome. Say yes.
Stock Photo
“Just don’t be the guy that chats the entire movie.” Keep in mind you’ll need the other party or parties that you intend to watch with to also perform these steps. Now that you’ve all installed Netflix Party, open up Netflix and pick your show. Start it playing. Now click the red NP button on the URL bar at the top of Chrome. Now click the Start the Party button.
And there you go. Now you can watch the latest episode of Ozark with your pals that you haven’t seen, except at the end of your driveway, for a month. Finally, this is much easier to set up and get working on a laptop or desktop computer than on an internet-connected big screen TV, unless you have browsing capabilities on the TV or if the TV is having the show streamed to it. It works fine on tablets and phones that support Google Chrome.
Fernie Fun
THE LAST PAGE
Spot the Difference
FIND THE
Can you find five differences between these two pictures? Have a picture to submit for Fernie Fun? Send it to info@clarismedia.com.
Somewhere in this issue is a little crocus. Can you find it?
Name the Location
Answers Last Month
These businesses, buildings or locations are located somewhere in Fernie, can you name them? Rotary Park, Lysh Hair Salon, Scoop Dog, Elk Valley Gymnastics
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