Fernie Fix April 2017

APRIL 2017 | ISSUE 124

The Green Issue

Tanya Malcom discusses food security in the Elk Valley | Feature Artist Anita Braconnier and her passion for capturing the natural environment out her front door | Feature Resident Sharon Switzer and her passion for reducing our community’s footprint | Micah Morris on being an environmentally aware athlete

FERNIEFIX.COM

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STRENGTHENING COMMERCE IN FERNIE

Organizing and Managing Partner of Fernie’s Ambassador Program.

FERNIE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

AGM

Thursday, April 20, 2017 8:30am – 10:30am Best Western Plus Fernie Mountain Lodge To register: 250-423-6868 or members@ferniechamber.com

Welcoming all to Fernie.

Resort Municipality Initiative Investing in B.C. Resort Communities

Helping businesses save money and make money

Proud Community partner delivering Griz Days and Sunday Socials Photo: Michal Grajewski, Rick Mercer Report

www.ferniechamber.com

• • •

Saving members money on group insurance Advocating for a better business environment Building members businesses through - education courses - networking events

Fernie Chamber of Commerce

ferniechamber

APRIL 2017 ISSUE 124 THE GREEN ISSUE

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EDITOR’S FIX | 5 SPECIAL FEATURE | 7 Food for the Masses

by Tanya Malcolm

BUSINESS IN THE VALLEY | 9 Business News/New Business Business Advice with Patty Vadnais – Turning Green into Green

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT | 16 Feature Artist – Anita Braconnier Fernie Reads with Casey Brennan: The Man Who Planted Trees

by Jean Giono Rental Fix – X-Files

by Andrew Vallance No Musical Influence Wasted

by Carolyn Nikodym

COMMUNITY AND EVENTS | 24 Feature Resident – Sharon Switzer

by Krista Turcasso You’ve Got Male: 17 in ’17

by Adam K MacDonald FernieFix.com Events Calendar / April at the Arts Station Family Stoke – Growing Up Green

by Shelby Cain Transitions – Appreciate Your Planet

by Micah Morris

OUTDOOR LIFE | 35 EA Sports – Elk Valley Gymnastics

by Erin Summers Never Have I Ever – Elk River Apiaries by Jesse Bell Hitting the Trails with the Fernie Trails Alliance – The New Green

by Terry Nelson Destination of the Month – Swine Flu by Julie Kelly

HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE | 40 Fit to Challenge – Get Ready for Spring by Sarah Ingram, Practicing Kinesiologist Food Intelligence: Eli’s Eco-Friendly Pursuit

by Tiffany Schebesch, RD, BASc

BITS AND BYTES | 44 The Answer Guy – Computerized Cooking by Kevin McIsaac Astrology with Yann Loranger

FERNIE FUN | 46 Fix Trivia COVER: Singing the Blues Photo by Anita Braconnier, eyeshadowsphotography.com THIS PAGE: Green Waterfall Photo by Terry Nelson

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Recreati,on,011 S,o,ccer for Youth a·91e 4 -18 AIII Levels Welco,me Play May 1st - June 27th Reg1istration ends APR] L 14th No, late registrations will be accepted.

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EDITOR’S FIX “Heal the world we live in, save it for our children.”~ Michael Jackson

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rowing up, we would often pack into our Suburban (my dad admitted to me recently he bought it so none of us would have to touch) and drive along the west coast of the US for Spring Break.

There were many artists we listened to as a family, including the Beach Boys and Roy Orbison, but I always packed my Walkman to ensure I had an outlet… and I always had my Michael Jackson tapes. Bad was my go to, until Dangerous hit the scene in 1991.

And I have this vivid memory of driving through the Redwood Forest, listening to “Heal the World” and for the first time thinking about the impact we as humans have on this earth. I was 12.

I recently watched Moana with my daughter, and a lot of those same feelings surfaced. It was such a touching story of a strong willed “daughter of the Chief ” who has a connection with the ocean 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.

CAROLYN NIKODYM goes on a world music tour in an interview with Sultans of String.

PATTY VADNAIS is the Executive Director of the Fernie Chamber of Commerce, a winter-time wanna-be ski bum, and summer-time golf slice professional.

TANYA MALCOLM is a community organizer who loves the planet. On the board of Wildsight Elk Valley she works alongside passionate folks who advocate for protecting biodiversity, wildlife conservation and sustainable communities. She stands up for food justice and raises her hand for a fair local food system.

CASEY BRENNAN is a happy Fernie father, husband, skier, biker, SUPer and volunteer. He likes to read things that change the way he sees the world.

and a destiny greater than she could have imagined. She follows her intuition and through this, is able to save her people from environmental devastation. Throughout the movie, my nearly four-year old daughter peppered me with questions. I watched as her emotions and expressions moved alongside the film, wondering why Moana had to fight so hard to make her people see.

Scared when she feared Moana’s journey was impossible and one that might hurt not only her, but all people. Sad for the Goddess (the Polynesian version of Mother Earth) and her broken heart. And hopeful once Moana returns to her home and having proven herself, her people are prepared to live a new way of life.

The feelings may have been similar to those that I felt staring at giant and ancient trees to the tune of MJ’s emphatic lyrics, but 25 years later, with my daughter by my side, they feel much graver. It’s a realization that during this time, a length of time I would have thought we could have made a major impact, we seem to have continued down the same path. The path to destruction.

SHELBY CAIN was raised in the East Kootenays. After spending a decade wandering the prairies - she’s back, baby.

Writing and mothering and enjoying her daily dose of #ferniestoke. Her first novel, Mountain Girl, is now available! Tweet her @ShelbyCainWrote ERIN SUMMERS loves skiing, good times, watching sports (especially October baseball), t-shirts and to Giv’ Er! She has a slight obsession with trips, and is heading to Panama in February for some yoga, surf and her favourite - good times!

With spring just around the corner, JESSE BELL reminds us of the importance of dandelions and wildflowers while beekeeping with local honey maker Elk River Apiaries.

MICAH MORRIS is back, but this time she’s navigating her last year of high school, contemplating what’s next, and taking us along for the ride.

SARAH INGRAM is here to help you get prepped for hitting the greens- fernie’s opening golf tourney’s are next month!

If you need help with developing a program individual to you, call 250-4239167 or visit sarahsactiverehab.com.

But, I am still hopeful. Especially after having read this edition, and spoken to members of our community about the efforts, work, and determination many are putting forth to ensure our children and those to follow indeed have a better place.

And knowing that these children, who have the opportunity to live and play in Fernie, will have a deep connection with the earth and all that it offers. A connection that breeds on mutual respect and love.

And every time I get a request for MJ, and my littles are singing along in the back, my heart is full. Even though a Suburban may be in our near future.

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

The FERNIE TRAILS ALLIANCE is a non-profit organization that works with outdoor recreation groups, government and private land owners to enhance and maintain the Fernie trail network.

TIFFANY SCHEBESCH is a registered dietitian and owner of Peak Nutrition Consulting located in Fernie, BC. With a basis in mindful and intuitive eating, she helps clients create lasting changes towards their nutrition goals.

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

ADAM K. MACDONALD wants to say, “Roses are red, violets are blue… happy Poetry Month.”

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

YANN LORANGER from Happy-Culture Inc. is your local resource for Astrology, Tarot and Apitherapy. Astrology courses are offered at the College of the Rockies in Fernie. happycultureinc@gmail.com

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Fernie Fix 1/2 page horizontal (7.1x4�)

We have a range of long-term properties available for rent immediately. | 250 - 423 - 6855 | www.rangepropertymanagement.ca |

SPECIAL FEATURE

Food for the Masses

by TANYA MALCOLM

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egardless of your cultural background, preparing food and sharing meals is a tradition we all have in common with one another. But food is much more than nourishment; it is the gesture through which we communicate sentiments, express our creativity and create memories. And it is the sharing of food with others that keeps us connected.

Food is a basic human right; yet we are subjected to a food system that does not function to support humanity, quite the opposite it functions to make money. We first heard the term ‘food sovereignty’ at the Earth Day 2016 Eco-speaker series.

Kerri Wall, Community Health Facilitator with Interior Health, argued the case that the food systems we live under are unfair to many people. “Food systems” are the chains of commercial and non-commercial players – from suppliers to consumers, regulators to advocates for system change – who collectively determine how we grow, process, distribute, acquire, and dispose of food. In a time when we’re fighting to end inequality and celebrate diversity, one of our most culturally meaningful traditions - sharing food - has been left on the back burner.

In the Wildsight Elk Valley branch we’re passionate about food justice and strong advocates for food security. The Elk Valley has a lot of work to do before we come close to meeting the widely-used definition of food security: Local, Healthy, Affordable and Culturally Appropriate Food For All! How can we move forward to change a food system that is so widely accepted that many don’t know it exists? Policy. We need our municipal and regional leaders to become food system thinkers themselves.

We need community champions to form a Food Action Committee, and we need

GROW LOCAL, BUY LOCAL | JESSE BELL PHOTO

a Food Security Strategy customized to our geographical region and community demographics. How do we encourage our leaders to become local food thinkers? We translate our food system challenges into municipal priorities. Wildsight Elk Valley branch wants to feed local people with local food. Food for the Masses.

What can you do to support Wildsight Elk Valley’s branch vision of a thriving, resilient, knowledgeable local food culture?

Here are a few ideas.

If we want regional and municipal policies to be implemented the question to ask is: how can food systems thinking help municipalities achieve their goals?

Municipalities are not going to undertake food policy work to feed themselves and that’s okay. The fact is that shifting the dynamics among food system players to improve environmental sustainability, health promotion, and economic development will address many local priorities.

Write a Letter – Let your local, provincial and federal leaders know that food security is important to you.

Unfortunately, municipalities have limited jurisdictional authority over the food system, yet they are faced with the consequences of the loss of agricultural land, the local effects of pollution, farmers’ financial struggles, residents’ uneven access to food and affordability, public health problems associated with inadequate or poor quality diets, shrinking local food infrastructure, and reduced employment and tax revenues from food related businesses. *

Become a Wildsight EV Member – Join a community of individuals dedicated to sustainable communities.

Buy Local – Whenever you can purchase food produced and grown locally. Access the East Kootenay Local Food Guide to connect with local players. wildsight.ca/ localfoodguide Grow Local – Wildsight Elk Valley is offering a series of educational and hands on workshops across the Elk Valley focused on growing food in cold climates.Visit wildsight.ca/keepingfoodreal to join in and contribute to your local food system Raise Your Hand – Passionate about Local Food? Get involved. elkvalley@ wildsight.ca *capi-icpa.ca/pdfs/2013/Municipal_Food_ Policy_Entrepreneurs_Final_Report.pdf

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Trashy but Flashy Fashion Show fusing trash & fashion on the runway

22nd

@community center

doors open 3:30pm fashion show 6pm

Seed Swap

earthdayfernie

saturday April

Root

APRIL 15 & 16 FREE CONCERTS IN THE PLAZA TH

Challenge

@ferniealpineresort

RESPECT, EXCELLENCE, LEARNING

Kindergarten to grAde 12, consider the Academy.

Call to book a tour!

wildsight.ca/earthday

250.423.4655

the fernie academy

Kids

Challenge

Raging Elk Powder Pedal Paddle Relay

Emily Brydon Youth Foundation Fundraiser

Games & Art

Trash Bash

Backroad Traveler Band & Skratch Bastid

Coca-Cola Slope Soaker

Roundup

Get Wild

Wide Mouth Mason

BC/DC

Cellar

Free Trees

TH

250.423.0212

Located in the heart of historic downtown Fernie BC this Ministry of Education recognized independent school offers a full complement of high standard academic programming combined with a focus on athletics and the arts. Hosting students from Kindergarten through Grade 12,The Fernie Academy focuses on individual students preparing them for the challenges of today’s demanding world.

To book a tour please call: 250-423-0212 451 2nd Avenue, Fernie B.C. CONTACT OUR PRINCIPAL Jocelyn Sombrowski at: jocelyn@igsco.ca

Business in the Valley

BUSINESS NEWS

Burma Road Estates Burmaroadestates.com 250-423-1174

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itting on the river bench at the base of Mt. Fernie, the views run from Mt. Hosmer to the Lizard Range with the Elk River along the base.

The land is a mix of meadow and mature woodland.

Deer and elk are common. Foxes den nearby.

With a limited number of large lots, Burma Road Estates retains the natural character of the land with a scattering of homes. The roads are paved and all lots have full City of Fernie services—water, sewer, power, gas and data.

With one acre, after building a home, a garage, and planting a large garden, there is still room to stretch out. Where Burma Road Estates places four homes, others place dozens.

DANIELLE GIBSON PHOTO

Live for the land, the views and the character.

Phase Two, four one-acre lots, available early Summer 2017. Lots are fee simple with no strata or community fees. Call Chuck Shoesmith directly or email shoesmithenterprises@gmail.com.

Dr. Karley Denoon Community Volunteer Income Tax Program

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o you need a hand to prepare your tax return? Is your income under $40,000 for families and $30,000 for individuals? The CRA community volunteer income tax program can help you file your 2016 income tax. Bring your 2015 T-1 and 2016 information slips.

This service is being offered a the Fernie Heritage Library board room (bottom floor) from 1pm - 4pm Saturdays in April ending less April 15 for Easter Weekend, as well as Tuesdays at the Seniors Drop in Centre, from 10:30am – 3pm.

For more information, contact Terry at 250-423-4905 or Bill at 250-423-4758.

Please leave a message.

Drdenoon.ca 250-531-0154

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r. Claire Wilson is a board certified Naturopathic Physician providing care to families and individuals of all ages. She has specific interests and experience in sports medicine, hormone health, and digestive health. Dr. Wilson also focuses on pain management for both chronic and acute conditions. She uses various trigger point release therapies, acupuncture techniques, manual bodywork, yoga or movement therapy, and clinical nutrition. Dr. Wilson is certified in IV therapy, acupuncture therapy, and prescriptive authority.

Dr. Wilson has done extensive training in SUBMITTED PHOTO Yoga and is a competent and dynamic Yoga instructor. Her experiences traveling the world to practice medicine and yoga have given her a strong understanding that embracing challenge and willingness to learn are essential factors in our ability to thrive.

She looks forward to caring for patients at Dr. Denoon’s clinic in Fernie starting this April 3. To book an appointment call directly or visit the website.

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Fernie Puppy School Cathy Smith-Clark, CAPPDT • Professional Dog Training Instructor • over 25 years experience Start Your Puppy off Right.

Prevent Behavioural Problems.

Muck Boots The ultimate fernie Boot

rain • snow • mud

SPRING PUPPY CLASSES Private house calls encouraged.

Up to

40% off closeout

Patagonia check us out online at store.elkriver.ca Muck Boots for the whole family are available at Elk River Guiding Co in Fernie, BC 791 - 7 th Ave. • 250-423-7239

csmithclark2002@yahoo.ca 250.423.7257

for more details

'kitchen always open'

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ti q u e

Infinitea this April

Licenced, all ages, full fresh food menu, board games, musical instruments 0pen noon-late every day except Tuesday

Monday's Thursday's

Free Movie Night 8pm $6 Meals Beautea night with SPA 901 6-9pm $10 manicures/massages/facials (6th & 20th) Friday's Live music from 8pm Sunday's $10 Roast Dinner 6-9pm (book!)

Infinitea will be continuing Live Music Fridays & Roast Sundays right through the shoulder season Look out for our Summer Patio, menu & events

Check Facebook for all our events this month!

Book your private event at infinitea

Located on 5th St downtown

Business in the Valley

BUSINESS NEWS

Fernie Brewing Co. Ferniebrewing.com 250-423-7797

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pring is invariably a busy time of year in the world of craft beer. This year is no different, with five products launching in the month of April alone.

The Real Peel IPA is returning in a new format. This popular lighter unfiltered IPA, with bold citrusy and grapefruit flavours is available in 6-packs starting this April, all summer long!

been revamped - a new selection of brews, in brand new packaging!

The popular Eldorado Single Hop IPA is back in bottles and on tap for a limited time this April. Don’t miss out on this distinctive brew!

Last but not least, the Old Barn Saison bottle returns this month. A double award winner last year, this aromatic flavourful, golden brew is a perfect accompaniment to springtime.

Slow Drift Witbier, formally known as Ol’ Willy Wit, is now available in tall cans and the popular Summer Craft Collection has

So panic not, FBC has got your off season covered.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Fernie Alpine Ski Team – Kootenay Zone Finals

School District No. 6 – Rocky Mountain International Student Program

Ferniealpineskiteam.ca

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his April, the Fernie Alpine Ski Team and Fernie Alpine Resort are hosting the Kootenay Zone finals for U12, U14, U16 and U18. Disciplines include Slalom and Dual Slalom.

sd6.bc.ca

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romoting Fernie as a study destination for international students is a pretty easy project!

Each year, the Rocky Mountain International Student Program places 15 to 20 international high school students here, mainly from Germany, Spain and Mexico. When asked about their stay in Fernie, it’s likely those students will say with a great big smile, “It was the best time of my life!” They love the skiing and outdoor recreation opportunities here and the friendly teachers at Fernie Secondary School, but most of all they have a warm spot in their hearts for their host families. It’s often the beginning of life-long friendships and it’s incredible how many students later return “home” to Fernie to reconnect.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Each year, many hopeful international students are turned away from Fernie because of a shortage of homestays. Families interested in hosting students are invited to contact Martin Ross with School District 6 at 250-432-5904 or martin.ross@sd6.bc.ca.

On Saturday April 1, U12 racers will be competing on Emily’s run. U14, U16 and U18 will be racing on Spruce Lee, a two-run combined Slalom. Sunday, all categories will be racing Dual Slalom on Emily’s. The Banquet and Awards will take place Saturday from 5-6:30pm at the Rusty Edge.

For those interested, FAST is still looking for volunteers for this event.

Volunteers receive a complimentary lift ticket and lunch the day of the race, and can register using BC Alpine Volunteer Registration.

FERNIEFIX.COM

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VINYL PLANK

SALE

With over 20,000sf in stock and prices starting at $1.49sf there is something for everyone!

Loose lay, click together, or glue down installation.

Come and check out the most family-friendly products on the market today.

www.nufloorsfernie.ca 391 - 1st Avenue Fernie BC 250.423.4314 • 1.800.860.3136

Patio season is rockies notary & legal here!

A Division of Rockies Law Corporation Escape for just the weekend with our two night minimum stay.

Book online and save 10% fernielodgingco.com 1.800.667.9911 @fernielodgingco Photo by: Jenn Frost @jennexplores

Real Estate, Family Law, Business Law, Corporate and Commercial, Civil Litigation, Personal Injury, Tax Law, Wills and Estates

Karen Tse | Graeme R. Nunn | Marian Gravelle

Fernie

Sparwood

PO Box 490, Suite 202, 502 Third avenue Fernie, BC V0B 1M0 Tel: (250) 423-4446 | Fax: (250) 423-4065

PO Box 1886, #116 - 101 Red Cedar Drive Sparwood, BC V0B 2G0 Tel: (250) 425-2114 | Fax: (250) 425-2204

info@rockieslaw.com

www.rockieslaw.com

Business in the Valley

NEW BUSINESS

National Canadian Film Day Canadianfilmday.ca

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he committee who brings you Indie Films Fernie (IFF) and the Reel Canadian Film Festival invites you to attend Fernie’s edition of National Canadian Film Day (NCFD 150) on April 19 at 7pm at the Vogue Theatre.

NCFD 150 is a massive one-day, coast-to-coast-to-coast celebration of Canadian cinema in honour of our nation’s sesquicentennial.

register on-line or drop in!

www.thecastleonfirst.com 461 1st Avenue | 250.278.8478

The Canadian film being presented in Fernie is award-winning Water, a 2005 Indo-Canadian film written and directed

by Deepa Mehta. It was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2007 Academy Awards and received another 17 awards and 14 nominations. Set in 1938, it

explores the lives of widows at an ashram in Varanasi, India.

Water wraps up IFF’s Winter 2017 season and admission is free of charge. For all the details on this and other NCFD 150 events please visit Reelfilmfest.ca and Canadianfilmday.ca.

Lash Studio 250-423-0831

L

ocal resident Michelle Eagles has opened Fernie’s Lash Studio, located within the Vitality gym.

Michelle is a trained and certified lash artist in classic single lash application and Russian volume.

These are a semipermanent, synthetic extension of your own natural eyelashes. To achieve a beautiful, full, luscious and long set of lashes using specially formulated glue that lasts five to eight weeks. Michelle uses only the highest quality of products.

If you are planning a special occasion or are simply too busy for that day-to-day makeup routine, then spoil yourself and call Michelle to book you in or visit her Facebook page – Fernie’s Lash Studio.

“Lash naps are the best naps.”

www.soarcyclestudio.com 250.423.1677 | 461 1ST AVENUE FERNIEFIX.COM

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250-423-0007

Pick-up or Delivery!

Majic, Purdy Law Corporation

592 8th Ave. Fernie

Thank you Fernie for voting us the Best!

Trusted Legal Advice for over 30 years

7th Annual

2016

Fresh new menu items coming this summer...

Open for Lunch and Dinner. Pick-up & Delivery from Hosmer to the Ski Hill.

Extensive menu... more than great pizza!

Pizza + Wing Wednesday - Medium 3 topping pizza with 10 chicken wings - $22

All other Daily & Everyday Specials and

George S. Majic, Q.C. (d. 2003) • Glen A. Purdy, Q.C Caeli H. MacPherson, JD, Articled Student Providing a full range of legal services, including:

Real Estate, Personal Injury, Civil Litigation, Criminal Defence, Family Law, Business and Corporate, Wills and Estates Fernie Office 592-2nd Avenue P.O. Box 369 Fernie, B.C. V0B 1M0 T: (250) 423-4497 F: (250) 423-6714

www.majicpurdy.com

Sparwood Office (By Appointment Only) 119 Centennial Square Sparwood, B.C. T: (250) 425-7216 F: (250) 425-0400

Order online at: ElkValleyPizza.com

That feeling when winter is almost over...

Looking great and protecting your eyes from the sun’s damaging effects go hand in hand.

Be prepared for the summer with a new pair of sunglasses from Rocky Mountain Optometry FERNIE 250-423-4467 • BLAIRMORE 403-562-7144 • ELKFORD 250-865-2022

Business in the Valley

BUSINESS ADVICE

Turning Green into Green

by PATTY VADNAIS

I

t is often reported that the public perceives going green as an expensive undertaking. I would like to argue that actions toward environmental sustainability save money. And to do that, here are five green practices for businesses that will help the bottom line.

1. Encouraging less waste. When we reduce the garbage we create, we save money. This happens in a few ways. We have to purchase less – fewer paper coffee cups and plates, less paper, and fewer ink cartridges. One way this practice saves money that is often overlooked, is that it reduces tipping fees. Tipping fees are what you pay for garbage collection. If your company pays for a garbage bin, you are paying a tipping fee for the garbage to be picked up. Stretching out the time between tips save you big time. This is often a quick win for a business looking to go green.

2. Going paperless. Not only will you save on paper and ink, your customers will love you. I always take the email receipt option over the printed one. It is much easier to search my email for a receipt than to look through bags and cars to find that missing receipt. Paperless also works for office manuals and invoices. Switching from paper to email invoices saves on paper, ink, and stamps (that’s 85 cents a letter, multiply that by your monthly invoices, it results in huge savings). Do not be surprised if your postage expense is cut in half by this switch. And, the instant delivery versus days or weeks to deliver means you will be paid quicker.

3. Installing Eco-friendly lighting.

Efficient lighting can add up to big savings on your energy bills over the year.

The second advantage is they last longer saving you on replacement costs. While it may seem the extra expense to purchase

website for programs applicable to your business.

FILL UP AT THE CHAMBER V.CROOME PHOTO

There are many ways to go green. Take some time to review your operations. Are there ways you can reduce waste? Do you have upgrades that qualify for rebates?

Can you adopt paperless practices? Going green has many advantages for businesses.

From saving money to resonating with environmentally conscientious consumers, going green will benefit your business.

is hard to swallow, the long-run savings will quickly outweigh the purchase price.

Energy efficient lighting has come a long way and you can select a variety of designs that fit your business’ décor.

4. Buying second-hand. As businesses expand, downsize or evolve, furniture comes up for sale. When Target in Cranbrook closed, there was a large sale on a variety of furniture, racking, and display features. While not all second-hand options are as big as that, watching online buy and sell sites can lead to great deals to meet your needs. Not only do you save money on the price – it saves the environment as raw resources are not required to make new ones.

5. Looking for local rebates on energy saving programs. From BC Hydro to Columbia Basin Trust to BC Government, investing in energy efficiency costs may be offset by a grant, subsidy, or tax rebate.

BC Hydro has a number of programs and incentives available to business (bchydro. com/powersmart/business/programs.html).

It is worth the time to browse BC Hydro’s

301 Hwy 3 | 250-423-3002

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Apres Ski, Dessert & Drinks

Easter Brunch Buffet:

Sunday, April 16th 10am – 1pm Please call for reservations.

Specials & more info:

Open daily FERNIEFIX.COM

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Arts and Entertainment

FEATURE ARTIST

Anita Braconnier My interest in photography began at a young age when I got my first camera, a Kodak instamatic; I started taking pictures of everything and everyone I loved it, and I still do. I would babysit and use the money to buy film cartridges and flash cubes then patiently wait for the film to be developed to see how the pictures turned out. This excitement and curiosity led to a lifelong passion for the art of photography.

For a while, photography was set aside until my husband and I bought a new Pentax 35mm. This once again sparked my interest, and a few years later for Christmas my husband surprised me with my first digital camera. Now, I needed to learn how

to use this new technology so I started by attending local photography classes, doing tutorials online and learning everything I could about photography. I am still learning today, with a couple more cameras and lenses in my equipment bag, and an even greater curiosity and appreciation for the creative art of photography. And thanks to the digital age I don’t have to wait and wonder if I got the shot.

Living in Fernie allows me to spend hours behind the lens in the outdoors. I love grabbing my gear and going for a drive early in the day when the light is just right and capturing images of the natural environment we live in. But taking the pictures is only part of it, the images then get loaded onto

my computer and the editing process begins. This is where the translation happens before sharing a glimpse of the world as seen through my eye, revealing what can at times be taken for granted or go unseen. There are endless photographic opportunities in the Elk Valley as we are surrounded by the most beautiful mountains, rivers, lakes and wildlife, along side the historical downtown. We have the ability every day to look around and see something new and fresh, feeling an appreciation for the environment within which we live.

I prefer candid photography for photo sessions and weddings. I like to try and capture a more natural portrayal of expressions, personality and mood - the

intimate and happy moments. As a photographer, it’s very gratifying when a viewer can connect with one of my images and can see the story, as every picture has a story to tell.

Since September 2014, I have been a working member at the Fernie Arts Coop where my photography is on display. I have met some amazingly talented artists from our community and I consider myself lucky to have learnt so much more

about the art world from local artists who love to share their knowledge and talk about their work. My work has been published in Our Canada magazine, I’ve also been mentioned and published in an online edition of the Canadian Geographic magazine during Paddler`s Week, and am now attempting to write about myself as April’s featured artist in the Fernie Fix! What a great honour and opportunity to share a bit of my story and my interests and passion for photography.

I find photography to be ever changing as is my growth, knowledge and creative style. It’s a never ending learning process. To be able to do what you love, is to love what you do.... for me it`s a love for the art of photography and capturing visual feelings that the heart will forever remember. eyeshadowsphotography.com

FERNIEFIX.COM

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BOOKED!

An Independent Book Store A unique selection of books, gifts, award-winning toys, guide books & maps, stationery and special treasures.

Fernie Writers’ Series 2017 Presented by the Fernie Heritage Library

2017-2018 LINEUP!

2 2 2 2 2 Angie Abdou ~ September 2017 Lorna Crozier & Patrick Lane ~ October 2017 Adam Lewis Schroeder ~ November 2017 Joseph Boyden ~ Winter 2018

Open Everyday 592 2nd Ave., Fernie • 250-423-3736 polarpeekbooks@telus.net www.polarpeekbooks.ca

Esi Edugyan ~ Spring 2018

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Arts and Entertainment

The Man Who Planted Trees

by Jean Giono

remains vibrant and healthy. Our hero’s efforts go unrewarded but not unnoticed.

Books are wonderful things to give as gifts and to share with friends. Books are also a great way to help people gain new perspectives on and understanding of the world we all share. We can physically share books in print as a community and digitally as a global society to not only foster knowledge and spread insights but also to reduce our environmental impact.

by CASEY BRENNAN

I

was first introduced to this story by my friend Kevin McIsaac. He described it as his favourite book and he also spoke about the wonderful 1987 Academy Award winning animated short movie narrated by Christopher Plummer.

The book and movie are appropriate for pre-teen to adult readers and at 35 pages including illustrations it is a quick thought provoking read that I would recommend to everyone. The story is a classic existential fable of a rugged individual making a difference in a world distracted by war and violence. A solitary shepherd cum apiarist spends his days - during the first half of the twentieth century - planting 100 acorns a day along with seedlings of some other tree species. The unheralded hero singlehandedly restores a barren, windswept, highland landscape in France into a thriving forest ecosystem that in turn supports the socio-economic rebirth of communities in the region.

This tale of the positive impact one focused and determined individual can have on the wellbeing of the land and its people also highlights the dependence we human animals have on the health of our environment. As Nobel Peace Prize laureate Wangari Maathai says in her forward to the twentieth anniversary edition of the book, which Kevin generously gave a few of his friends, “Human beings cannot thrive in a place where the natural environment has been degraded.” Ms. Maathai also offers another valuable insight, “you don’t need a diploma to make a difference; everyone is qualified to save the planet.”

The anonymous narrator starts the story as a young man in 1913 who encounters

FERNIE READS

“you don’t need a diploma to make a difference; everyone is qualified to save the planet.” a shepherd, Elzéard Bouffier, while hiking in the barren foothills of the Alps. At that time the shepherd had been planting his 100 acorns a day for three years and was starting to develop other seedlings for planting. After fighting in World War I the narrator returns to the area to find Bouffier has shifted to tending over 100 bee hives rather than sheep as they are less damaging to the trees. He also finds a young forest starting to take hold and an inkling as to the effect a restored landscape could have on the human spirit. The narrator continues to return every year for the next forty years to visit Bouffier and watch not only a transformation of the landscape but of the once desolate and decaying communities in the region.

Running surface water and springs return to the formerly windswept and arid region.

By the time World War II has ended and Bouffier has recently died, young people are building new families and successful farms. Social harmony and peace has replaced acrimony and strife. The Ministry of Forests moves to protect this ‘natural’ forest in order to ensure that the area

The Fernie Heritage Library is a great place to access many wonderful books in its excellent print collection. The Man Who Planted Trees is available in both French and English at our library. A library membership also allows members to borrow from a vast provincial print collection through an inter-library loan system. Many different digital subscription services available through library membership provide access to e-books, magazines, movies and audiobooks.

Titles can be searched online and either downloaded or streamed through mobile devices, tablets or computers.You can go into the library to see the always helpful staff or check out their website – Ferniebc. libraries.coop for more information and connections.

While the movie of The Man Who Planted Trees is available online at vimeo. com/19426214 unfortunately the book doesn’t appear to be available through the very excellent Overdrive app that I use regularly to read books on my iPad. Overdrive has been a great way to read some classic literature and new releases and to listen to some amazing audiobooks while travelling. There are many environmentally focused titles available digitally and in print from the Fernie Heritage Library. I encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity to expand your mind while you shrink your ecofootprint.

FERNIEFIX.COM

19

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Arts and Entertainment

THE RENTAL FIX

X-Files

by ANDREW VALLANCE

T

he X-Files was a science fiction drama series created by Chris Carter for American television. It originally aired from September 1993 until May 2002 on the Fox network, and included 202 episodes that spanned nine seasons and a feature film of the same name. In 2008 a second film The X-Files: I Want to Believe was released to theatres. It was not a financial or critical success.

The series revolved around FBI special agents Fox Mulder (played by David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (played

by Gillian Anderson) who investigated unsolved FBI cases involving paranormal phenomena, otherwise known as the X-Files. Mulder believed in the existence of aliens and the paranormal while Scully, a medical doctor and skeptic, was insinuated as a spy by the upper echelon of the FBI administration to analyse and debunk Mulder’s work and thus return him to mainstream cases.

Over the nine seasons Mulder and Scully thwarted government conspiracies, tracked down creatures of myth and legend, and searched for aliens, all the while thrilling audiences with wonderful atmospheric story-telling that sometimes made you laugh, sometimes made you cry, and sometimes made your skin crawl. It is impossible to overstate the effect that the show had on the cultural landscape of the1990s. At its peak the show was adored by sci-fi nerds and others and catapulted David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson to fame. Unfortunately the series stayed on the air for too long. It became clear that the writers who crafted the story arc about government conspiracies and shadowy men in black suits had no idea how to end that story line. It became confused and tangled as the writers struggled to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion to the saga.

...the mere fact that the show now seems to have made a turn to the right is enough for me to abandon it completely.

The monster of the week episodes were much more satisfying, but even those seemed after awhile to lack the series’ original creativity. In the last two seasons of the show, which incidentally lacked the presence of Duchovny, and introduced the excellent but under-appreciated agent John Doggett (played by Robert Patrick) and agent Monica Reyes (played by Anna Beth Gish), the ratings of the show dropped by 40%. Suffice it to say that when the show ended, the fans breathed a sigh of relief and respectfully buried a program that had been part of their lives for almost a decade.

Sixteen years later Chris Carter has reemerged from the television wilderness and has attempted to restart the X-Files

franchise with a six-episode tenth season.

It is stupendously disappointing. As in the past it includes monster of the week episodes, but these are unfortunately of lesser quality than the most mediocre episodes of the last two seasons. Carter attempts once again to make us care about the conspiracy story line, which his audience no longer cares about, and introduces a hero in the person of a right wing television host, clearly based on Glenn Beck, in an effort to inspire new interest in the story.

I must admit that I am sick of The X-Files.

My original enthusiasm for the series has been lost and the mere fact that the show now seems to have made a turn to the right is enough for me to abandon it completely.

In my humble opinion, season ten is really not worth watching. If you want suspense and intrigue in your television viewing, watch The Americans instead.

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Arts and Entertainment

MUSICAL NOTES

No Musical Influence Wasted

by CAROLYN NIKODYM

“

We have a bunch of paints in our paint box and we start throwing it all at the canvas and we start seeing what looks beautiful and what looks like it would make your eyes hurt,” Chris McKhool says of the Sultans of String’s creation process.

“It’s just trial and error.”

McKhool’s band takes influences from around the world, maybe a little bit of Gypsy-jazz guitar with some Arabic folk.

Add a funky bass line and some Cuban percussion, and you’ll have the pieces to make a beautiful mosaic of sound. In so many ways, Sultans of String are the quintessential Canadian band, with each member drawing from the cultural palettes of lives before the journey to Canada.

Chris McKhool (violin) and Kevin Laliberté (guitar) cofounded the band, creating SoS’s signature sound as a duo in 2004, before being joined by Drew Birston (bass), Rosendo “Chendy” León (percussion) and Eddie Patton (guitar).

Sultans of String have also been joined by many special guests, including two of who will be joining the band in Fernie. Anwar Khurshid is a sitar master originally from Pakistan and whose music has been heard on screen, including in Life of Pi. He also was a key contributor to SoS’s latest album, 2015’s Subcontinental Drift. Jeff Faragher is a cellist out of Nelson and is the musical and artistic director of Symphony of the Kootenays.

...Sultans of String are the quintessential Canadian band, with each member drawing from the cultural palettes of lives before the journey to Canada. and go to the Junos and be really proud of her kid.”

On Subcontinental Drift, SoS takes on Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind,” interpreting the iconic song through its journey to Pakistan and back to North America.

In between their band’s jig through Western Canadian dates, the band will jag to Ottawa for the Junos, at which Subcontinental Drift is up for World Music album of the year.

“If you listen to [the album], it’s all about the experience of finding oneself,” he says, “Whether it be Chendy and Anwar or my ancestors coming to Canada as a place to find freedom and hope.”

“The Junos are really an amazing way for people to discover the band,” McKhool says. “And of course, a great excuse for my mother to get out her best shiny gold dress

“When I discovered that Anwar had known the song ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ back in Pakistan, I was amazed,” McKool adds, “but it also makes sense that a song,

SUBMITTED PHOTO

which is so well written and so powerful, could survive half a century and cross all politcal and linguistic and religious and cultural and musical barriers and that he would learn that there and then bring that knowledge to Canada and then we would create something that is really a Canadian rendition of that song. So for me, it’s quite fantastic.”

In an important way, Sultans of String are the beautiful antithesis to the politics of division. Instead of marking distinctive lines between musical legacies, the band playfully uncovers the similarities of each style. When the members get together to write their sonic stories, they never know what direction the music is going to take, but know that it will be an adventure, fun and revelatory and full of our shared humanity.

Sultans of String perform with special guests Anwar Khursid and Jeff Faragher at The Arts Station Tuesday, April 4 at 8pm.

FERNIEFIX.COM

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April 2017 MONTHLY EVENTS

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

SATURDAY 1.4.2017 - SUNDAY 2.4.2017 Kootenay Zone Finals @ Fernie Alpine Resort, skifernie.com SATURDAY 1.4.2017 Spring Into Nutrition @ The Castle on First with Peak Nutrition Consultation. Gain new ideas and inspiration to make healthy decisions in the kitchen. 11:30-1pm 30-Day Lifestyle Challenge @ The Castle on First. This challenge integrates mind, body and soul to help motivate you to move towards your best and balanced self. Includes month unlimited pass to complete 20 Castle classes in 30 days, free nutrition workshop and weekly recipes with Peak Nutrition Consulting, Know Your Mystery Workshop with Celeste Needham, Inversions Workshop with Heather Ivany and Julie Gallant and free prizes. Register at thecastleonfirst.com Todd Stewart Live @ The Griz Bar, 3-6pm Basement 332 @ The Rusty Edge, 4-6pm Film Screening: Seed – the Untold Story @ The Arts Station, 7pm. Protecting the future of agricultural bio-diversity and essential food sources.

SUNDAY 2.4.2017 Fernie Banner Project Call for Entry @ The Arts Station.

Submissions are due for this year’s banner project by 2pm today.

Indie Films Fernie: 20th Century Women @ The Vogue Theatre, 5pm Todd Stewart Live @ The Griz Bar, 3-6pm MONDAY 3.4.2017 Fernie Ambassador Program @ College of the Rockies.

8:30am - 12:30pm. Register at COTR. TUESDAY 4.4.2017 Sultans of String @ The Arts Station, 8pm WEDNESDAY 5.4.2017 Reading with Seniors @ Tom Uphill Manor with IDES Kindergarten Class, 1:30pm Stitch and Bitch @ Fernie Heritage Library, 10am use back door.

Kids Coding Club @ Fernie Heritage Library, 3:45-4:45 for kids 8+. Registration by email – fhlprogrammer@gmail.com Spring Registration Fair @ Fernie Community Centre, 6:30-8:30pm Hot Dog Day @ Fernie Alpine Resort. One of the best nonorganized events of the year. Just grab your best hot dog suit and hit the slopes!

THURSDAY 6.4.2017 Spring Registration Fair @ Fernie Community Centre, 6:30-8:30pm Beautea Night @ Infinitea, 6-9pm. Enjoy treatments for just $10.

FRIDAY 7.4.2017 – SUNDAY 9.4.2017 WineSpring 2017 @ St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino. A celebration of wine, food and wellness.

Introduction to Meditation @ Essential Yoga Studio, 7:309:30pm with yoga practitioner, entrepreneur and life coach, Francesca Ter Poorten.

FRIDAY 7.4.2017 Sandra Brigham live @ Loaf, 6-9pm SATURDAY 8.4.2017 Know Your Mystery Workshop @ The Castle on First, 11:301:30pm. Provides insight and meaning to the questions we inevitably ask ourselves at various times in our lives.

New Soul Duo Live @ The Griz Bar, 3-6pm The Frontiers Live @ The Rusty Edge, 4-6pm Heavy Airship @ The Northern. A Led Zepplin Tribute Band.

SUNDAY 9.4.2017 New Soul Duo Live @ The Griz Bar, 3-6pm WEDNESDAY 12.4.2017 Reading with Seniors @ Rocky Mountain Village Serenity Room with Creative Minds Preschool, 1:15pm

SATURDAY 22.4.2017 Know Your Mystery Workshop @ The Castle on First, 11:304pm. Heatherivanyyoga.com Earth Day Fernie @ Fernie Community Centre. A day full of activities to celebrate Earth Day. The Seed Swap, Root Cellar Roundup, Free Trees, Kids Games and Art, Get Wild Challenge, Trash Bash Challenge, and of course the popular Trashy but Flashy Fashion Show. Wildsight.ca/earthday An Evening of Yoga and Kirtan @ Essential Yoga Studio, 7-8:30pm. Two Sessions with Eastern musician Prashant Michael John. $29/session.

TUESDAY 25.4.2017 Good Grief @ Fernie Heritage Library, 4:30-6pm. The Elk Valley Hospice Society presents a short documentary and discussion about grief.

WEDNESDAY 26.4.2017 Walkie Talkie: Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur @ Fernie Heritage Library, 10am at the front steps.

Read it First Book/Movie Club: Peter Pan Peter Pan JM Barrie @ Fernie Heritage Library, 3:30-5:30pm. Film viewing with popcorn.

Elliot Brood @ The Northern, 10pm. Elliot Brood is back to get you on your feet.

THURSDAY 27.4.2017 The Small Glories @ The Arts Station, 8pm.

FRIDAY 28.4.2017 Tea and Talk Book Club: The Nest by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney @ Fernie Heritage Library, 1:30pm.

Fun Friday: Ukulele for Kids @ Fernie Heritage Library, 1-2:30pm for ages 7+. Registration required.

FRIDAY 28.4.2017 to SUNDAY 30.4.2017 Mandala Namaskara @ Essential Yoga Studio. Develop creativity in your routines. A course for yoga teachers.

SATURDAY 29.4.2017 Inversions Workshop @ The Castle on First, 11:30-1:30pm with Heather Ivany and Julie Gallant. Heatherivanyyoga.com

Kids Coding Club @ Fernie Heritage Library, 3:45-4:45 for kids 8+. Registration by email – fhlprogrammer@gmail.com Banter, Business, and Beer @ The Loaf. Hosted by the Fernie Chamber of Commerce. 5:30 - 7pm THURSDAY 13.4.2017 Beers and Queers @ The Valley Social. A monthly social event for the LGBTQ community hosted by the Fernie Pride Society and Valley Social.

FRIDAY 14.4.2017 to Monday 17.4.2017 Cultivating Courage @ Elk View Lodge, Hosted by Brandon Jacobs, Jennie Musani and Heather Gazley for a yoga retreat adapted from Dr. Brene Brown’s research on courage.

Koocanusa MudBogs @ Lake Koocanusa FRIDAY 14.4.2017 A Tribute to Tributaries @ Fernie Community Centre, 5-9pm. Hosted by Solebeats this is a Charity Benefit with all proceeds going towards the David Suzuki Foundation. Enjoy an evening of live entertainment, mocktail hour, a threecourse meal, silent auction and raffle prizes. Tickets are $35, $25 for Senior Citizens.

SATURDAY 15.4.2017 to SUNDAY 16.4.2017 9th Annual Fernival Festival @ Fernie Alpine Resort. The end of season party not to be missed, with the live music including Backroad Traveler Band, Skratch Bastid, Wide Mouth Mason and BC/DC, alongside the PPP race and Slopesoaker competition. This year, those in attendance will have the opportunity to contribute to the Emily Brydon Youth Foundation, which allows kids to participate in activities they otherwise may not have been able to. EmilyBrydonYouthFoundation.com SATURDAY 15.3.2017 Ukulele 101 @ Fernie Heritage Library, 1:30pm for teens, 2:30 for Ukulele for Educators.

All Around Colouring @ Fernie Heritage Library, 3:304:30PM. Raging Elk Powder, Pedal, Padal Relay @ Fernie Alpine Resort A Very Curious Affair @ The Royal. A Curiosity Music Festival pre-party with festival ticket giveaways for 2017.

SUNDAY 16.3.2017 Easter Brunch Buffet @ The Bridge Bistro, 10am – 1pm.

Easter Brunch @ The Best Western Fernie, 10am - 2pm.

Sloapsoaker @ Fernie Alpine Resort. Try to ski or snowboard across the pond or enjoy the laughs and cheers as others go for the best costumes, effort, crowd reaction and biggest splash.

WEDNESDAY 19.4.2017 Kids Coding Club @ Fernie Heritage Library, 3:45-4:45 for kids 8+. Registration by email – fhlprogrammer@gmail.com Fly Ting Social @ The Pub. A fun and social evening of fly tying with local guide Spencer Schey.

National Canadian Film Day (NCFD 150): Water @ The Vogue Theatre, hosted by Indie Films Fernie and Reel Canadian Film Fest committee, FREE. Reelfilmfest.ca, Canadianfilmday.ca All-Candidates Provincial Election Forum @TBD. 7-9pm THURSDAY 20.4.2017 Fernie Chamber of Commerce AGM @ Best Western Plus Fernie, 8:30-10:30pm. Call 250-423-6868 or email members@ ferniechamber.com to register.

Beautea Night @ Infinitea, 6-9pm. Enjoy treatments for just $10.

Community Cares Evening @ Fernie Secondary School, 6-7:30pm FRIDAY 21.4. 2017 to SUNDAY 23.4.2017 Mini Acro Yoga Immersion @ Essential Yoga Studio. Define and refine your skills in Acro Yoga as a base, flyer and spotter. Work on basic Acro postures, learn drills and conditioning methods and take your practice to the next level.

THE ARTS STATION www.theartsstation.com info@theartsstation.com 250-423-4842

CONCERTS Sultans of String. Tuesday April 4, 8pm Small Glories. Thursday April 27, 8pm SUBMISSION DEADLINES Banner Project Deadline for Submission - Tuesday April 4, 2pm Out of the Box Dumpster Project Deadline for Submission - Friday April 14, 2pm OPERA SCREENING Giulio Cesare. Friday 7, 7pm IN THE GALLERY Gallery Opening: The Canadian Youth Identity Project.

Wednesday April 26, 7pm. As part of the Canada 150 celebrations, 150 youth representing the region’s schools, will collaborate to create group art projects which explore the concept of youth’s identity as Canadians – what makes you proud to be Canadian, what individuals do they feel best represents Canada on a local, national and international stage, and what places, both locally and nationally, do they identify as uniquely Canadian … and why.

CONTACT INFO@CLARISMEDIA.COM TO SHARE YOUR EVENTS, BOTH ONLINE AND IN PRINT. IT’S FREE!

April 2017 WEEKLY EVENTS

DINING, NIGHTLIFE & SPECIALS MONDAYS Pair it up Appies @ Boston Pizza Fernie Jugs of Beer on Special @ The Brickhouse Lasagna Specials @ Elk Valley Pizza Shoppe Wing Night @ The Fernie Hotel Free Movie and Popcorn and $6 meals @ Infinitea, 7pm Mexican Mondays! Chicken or Beef Tacos $3 Happy Hour Corona (Bottles) $5.25 @ The Pub Bar & Grill Massage Mondays @ Trillium Day Spa, $60 for 60 min, $90 for 90 min Ladies Night: $4 House Red or White Wine, $5 $12 Mussels and $4 Wine @ The Northern Local Jam Night @ The Kodiak Lounge Free Pool and $4.50 Spice Rum @ The Royal Store and Tasting Room Open @ Fernie Brewing Company, 10am – 6pm Local’s Burger and Beer Day, $12 @ Rusty Edge $10 house-smoked wings and a draft beer @ The Loaf Jam Night @ The Rusty Edge with Zac, 3-6pm TUESDAYS Gourmet Pasta $11.99 @ Boston Pizza Kokanee Bottle on Special @ The Brickhouse Wing Night @ The Pub Bar & Grill $12 Pizza Night @ Elk Valley Pizza Shoppe Two for Tuesdays @ Trillium Day Spa, 2 pedicures for $100, 2 manicures for $70, 2 facials for $130, all three for $275 $10 Beer, Burger and Bingo Night @ The Northern Cheap Night @ The Vogue Theatre Dinner & Swim Special @ Fernie Stanford Resort Jameson Shotgon Karaoke @ The Royal

Half Price Appy’s @ The Fernie Hotel. 5pm Store and Tasting Room Open @ Fernie Brewing Company, 10am – 6pm Closed @ Infinitea, available for private functions Za Day @ Rusty Edge, buy one pizza and get second half price Tasting Night @ The Loaf. A four course tasting menu paired with wines for $40 Pasta & Wine Special @ Cirque Restaurant, enjoy the chef’s feature pasta and a glass of wine for $20 Industry Bingo @ The Northern, 9pm WEDNESDAYS Wings 50% Off Single Order @ Boston Pizza Wine Evenings @ The Brickhouse Trivia Night @ The Fernie Hotel. 8pm Pint night @ Kodiak Lounge Build Your Own Poutine @ The Pub Bar & Grill Essential Oils Workshop 6pm & Tarot readings @ Infinitea. 8pm Waxing Wednesday @ Trillium Day Spa, free underam wax with any other hair removal $15 Jugs and $8 Wings @ The Northern Wax On Wednesday @ 901 Spa, 30% off waxing services.

Store and Tasting Room Open @ Fernie Brewing Company, 10am – 6pm Zak’s Jam Night @ The Royal, with PBR and Old Mill specials.

Wing Day, Pound of Wings for $12 @ Rusty Edge Margherita pizza and two glasses of wine for $20 @ The Loaf 1/2 Price Icebar @ Cirque Restaurant. Try three of their favourite vodkas for $25

OUTDOOR & FAMILY MONDAYS •Dominoes @ The Seniors Drop in Centre 1pm •Mahjong @ Seniors Drop in Centre 7pm •Special Olympics Athletes Bowling @ Sparwood. 4pm •Duplicate Bridge Game @ The Seniors Drop-in Centre, 6pm •Seniors Drop in @ Senior’s Centre, 9am-2pm •Pickleball @ Fernie Community Centre, 10-11:30am ••Indoor Walking @ The Community Centre, 9-10:30am •Celebrate Recovery @ Mountainside Church, 7pm, open to everyone •Community Climb Night @ Evolution Climbing Gym, 7pm •Ladies Night Boxing @ Fernie Old School Boxing Club, 7:30-9pm •Discover Yoga @ Essential Yoga Studio, 7:30-8:30pm •Preschool Climbing @ Evolution Climbing Gym, 9:15-10:15am •Strong Start @ Isabella Dicken Elementary School, 9am-12pm •Parent Tot Funtimes @ Knox United Church, 9:30am-12pm •Adult Shinny @ Memorial Arena, 8:45am-10:15am •Public Swim @ Aquatic Centre, 7am-1pm and 3pm – 8pm •Lane Swim @ Aquatic Centre, 7am-1pm, 3-4pm, 6:30-8pm •Water Slide @ Aquatic Centre, 4-6pm •Active Fit @ Aquatic Centre, 8:30-9:15am TUESDAYS •Cheap Night @ The Vogue Theatre. $6.50 - 2D & $8.50 - 3D •Crib/Whist @ Seniors Drop in Centre 7pm •Storytime @ Library, 11:15-12pm for ages 3–5.

•Seniors Drop in @ Senior’s Centre, 9am-2pm •Adaptive Yoga @ Senior’s Drop In Centre 2:30pm •Chess Group @ Fernie Seniors Centre, 7pm •Ladies Archery @ The Elks Hall, 6:30pm •Public Drop in Climbing @ College of the Rockies, 7-9pm •Climbing and Bouldering @ College of the Rockies, 7-10pm.

•Mixed Boxing Recreational @ Fernie Old School Boxing Club, 7:30-9pm ••Indoor Walking Program @ Fernie Community Centre, 8:30-10:30am •Open Climbing @ Evolution Climbing Gym •Strong Start @ Isabella Dicken Elementary School, 9am-12pm •Kindergym @ Fernie Family Centre, 10-11am ••Never Bored for Tweens @ Fernie Heritage Library, 3:30-4:45pm for Grades 5-7.

•Adult Shinny @ Memorial Arena, 8:45am-10:15am •Free Admission Public Skate @ Memorial Arena, 10:30-11:15am •Public Swim @ Aquatic Centre, 7am-1pm and 3pm – 8pm •Senior Lane/Tot Swim @ Aquatic Centre, 1-3pm •Lane Swim@ Aquatic Centre, 7am-1pm, 3-4pm, 6:30-8pm •Water Slide @ Aquatic Centre, 4-6pm •Gentle Fit @ Aquatic Centre, 10:30-11:15am •Knits, Knots & Yarns @ Fernie Heritage Library, 3:30-4:45pm, ages 8+.

•Kids Coding Club @ Library, 3:45-4:45pm, 8+. Registration required.

THURSDAYS Large Pizza for Price of Medium @ Boston Pizza Jam Night @ The Brickhouse Spiced Rum Specials @ Kodiak Lounge

Date Night Special @ Spa 901 Store and Tasting Room Open @ Fernie Brewing Company, 10am – 6pm Live music from 6-9pm @ The Loaf SATURDAYS Featured Pub Burgers @ Max Restaurant & The Pub Desserts $2 off @ Boston Pizza Bar & Grill Meat Draw & Bar Quiz @ The Legion Burger and Beer Special @ The Fernie Tequila Specials @ Kodiak Lounge 2 Medium Pizza Special @ Elk Valley Pizza Rib Night @ Max Restaurant & The Pub 6oz Cocktail Jugs $20 @ The Northern Open Mix and Live Music @ The Fernie 2oz Espresso martinis $8 (1st & 3rd Thur Beautea Live bands and DJs@ The Royal Night with Spa 901 6-9pm $10 massages/mani$6 Glasses of Wine@ Infinitea cures @ Infinitea Coffee and Baileys Special @ The Bridge Bistro Store and Tasting Room Open @ Fernie Brewing Store and Tasting Room Open @ Fernie Brewing Company, 10am – 6pm Company, 10am – 6pm Pub Team Trivia @ The Pub Bar & Grill Talk like a Pirate Day @ Rusty Edge, Fish n Chips Blitzkrieg Day @ Rusty Edge, bratwurst & Stiegl for $13 pint $14 SUNDAYS Naturalist/Jenn Frost Jam @ The Royal, alternate $4.99 Kids Meals @ Boston Pizza weeks Caesars on Special @ The Brickhouse $1.50 Oysters, $5 Prosecco and $5 Kokanee @ All day breakfast @ The Fernie. 9am-4pm Cirque Restaurant $10 Roast, 6-9pm @ Infinitea Fatbike Ride and Dinner @ Cirque Restaurant, leaves Dinner & Swim Special @ Fernie Stanford Resort at 4:30pm every week.

Steak Sandwich & Caesar Specials @ The Pub Bar Pop Up Art Expo @ The Royal, 9-11pm. Featuring a & Grill different artist Caesars Special @ The Bridge Bistro FRIDAYS Fernie Friendship Club @ The Royal, games prizes Cactus Cut Nachos $12.50 @ Boston Pizza and great music.

Live Music Fridays @ Infinitea 8pm Sunday Roast @ Rusty Edge, Feature Roast Dinner TGIF & Chicken dinner draw @ Kodiak Lounge for $18 after 5pm Fish & Chips @ The Pub Bar & Grill Roast dinner, family-style from 3-10pm @ The $13 Fish and Chips, Meat Draw and Members Draw Loaf. $15 adults, $7.50 for kids @ The Fernie Hotel. Supporting FTA. Live bands and DJs @ The Royal

Seniors Programming

Kids Programming

WEDNESDAYS •Crib @ Seniors Drop in Centre 1pm •Gentle Exercise @ Seniors Drop In Centre 10:45am ••Adult Badminton @ The Community Centre. Drop in for $5 •AA Meetings @ The Anglican Church Basement, 7:30pm •Womens Drop in Climbing @ COTR, 7-9pm •Water Flow Yoga & Tea @ Infinitea, 10:30am •Mixed Boxing Recreational @ Fernie Old School Boxing Club, 7:30-9pm ••Toddlertime @ Fernie Heritage Library, 11:15am for ages 0-2.

••Indoor Walking Program @ Fernie Community Centre, 8:30-10:30am •Open Climbing @ Evolution Climbing Gym •Strong Start @ Isabella Dicken Elementary School, 9am-12pm •Kindergym @ Fernie Family Centre, 10-11am ••Unplugged @ Fernie Heritage Library, 3:30-4:45pm for ages 8+, drop in •Tai Chi @ Seniors Drop In Centre 6:30pm •Adult Shinny @ Memorial Arena, 8:45am-10:15am •Free Admission Parent and Tot @ Memorial Arena, 10:30-11:15am •Skate & Shoot @ Memorial Arena, 11:45-1pm •Public Swim @ Aquatic Centre, 7am-1pm and 3pm – 8pm •Lane Swim @ Aquatic Centre, 7am-1pm, 3-4pm, 6:30-8pm •Water Slide@ Aquatic Centre, 4-6pm •Active Fit @ Aquatic Centre, 8:30-9:15am •Read it First Book/Movie Club @ Library, 3:45-4:45pm for ages 10+.

THURSDAYS •Seniors Drop in @ Senior’s Centre, 9am-2pm •Morning Yoga @ Seniors Drop In Centre 8:00am •Canasta / Cards @ Seniors Drop In Centre 1pm •Pickleball @ Fernie Community Centre, 10-11:30am •Yoga @ Fernie Seniors Centre, 11:30am •Line Dancing @ Fernie Seniors Centre, 7pm every second week •Seniors Drop in Library Club @ Rocky Mountain Village Upstairs Lounge, 11am •Reading with Seniors @ Rocky Mountain Village, Upstairs Lounge. 11am.

•RC Club @ Fernie Community Centre. 7-9pm.

•Community Basketball @ Fernie Secondary School, 8:30-10:30pm •Mixed Boxing Competitive @ Fernie Old School Boxing Club, 7:30-9pm •Kids Sing Along & Play Group @ Infinitea, 11:30am •Youth Archery @ The Elks Hall, 6pm •Bellies to Babies @ Fernie Women’s Centre, 1-3pm every 2nd Thursday.

•Open Roller Skating Evening @ Max Turyk Gym, $2 drop-in fee. 6-7pm •Kids Boxing Boot Camp @ Fernie Old School Boxing Club, ages 8-16 5pm.

••Indoor Walking Program @ Fernie Community Centre, 8:30-10:30am •Climbing and Bouldering @ College of the Rockies, 7-10pm. $7 without rentals, $10 with.

•Preschool Climbing @ Evolution Climbing Gym, 9:15-10:15am •Strong Start @ Isabella Dicken Elementary School, 9am-12pm

Skate

Swim

Library Program

Other

•Bellies to Babies @ Fernie Women’s Resource Centre, 1-3pm every 2nd Thursday.

••Lego Club @ Library, 3:30-4:45pm for ages 7+, must register •Adult Shinny @ Memorial Arena, 8:45am-10:15am •Free Admission Public Skate @ Memorial Arena, 10:30-11:15am •Public Swim @ Aquatic Centre, 7am-1pm and 3pm – 8pm •Lane Swim @ Aquatic Centre, 7am-1pm, 3-8pm •Water Slide @ Aquatic Centre, 4-6pm •Gentle Fit @ Aquatic Centre, 10:30-11:15am •Classic Ski Lessons with Ange @ Elk Valley Nordic Centre, 7-8:30pm •Provincial Park Paradise Snowshoe Safari with Wild Nature Tours @ Mount Fernie Provincial Park, 9am FRIDAYS •Cribbage @ Seniors Drop in Centre 7pm •Jitney Darts @ Fernie Legion, 7:30pm ••Kids Sing Along & Play Group @ Infinitea, 11:30am ••Toddlertime @ Fernie Heritage Library Ages 0-2 11:15am •Women’s Writing Group @ Fernie Women’s Resource Centre, 2-4pm.

•Breastfeeding Mammas @ Library, first Friday of the month.

•Strong Start @ Isabella Dicken Elementary School, 9am-12pm •Kindergym @ Fernie Family Centre, 10-11am •AFRoS @ Fernie Heritage Library, 10-11am. Sing and play in French.

•Public Skating @ Memorial Arena, 12-12:45pm (No School Fridays) •Public Skating @ Memorial Arena, 7:15-8:15pm •Public Swim @ Aquatic Centre, 7am-1pm and 3pm – 8pm •Lane Swim @ Aquatic Centre, 7am-1pm, 3-4pm, 6:30-8pm •Water Slide @ Aquatic Centre, 4-6pm •Active Fit @ Aquatic Centre, 8:30-9:15am •Gentle Fit @ Aquatic Centre, 10:30-11:15am SATURDAYS •Karma Meditation Class @ Essential Yoga Studio 8:00am-8:45am •Open Climbing @ Evolution Climbing Gym •Public Skating @ Memorial Arena, 2-3:45pm •Public Skating @ Memorial Arena, 7-8:15pm •Public Swim @ Aquatic Centre, 12-6pm •Lane Swim @ Aquatic Centre, 12-2pm and 4-6pm •Water Slide @ Aquatic Centre, 1-5pm •Inflatable Toy Swim @ Aquatic Centre, 2-4pm •Prenatal Yoga @ Essential Yoga, 11:30am-12:30pm SUNDAYS •Fernie Pets Society Group Walk @ Fernie Aquatic Centre, 9am.

•AA Meetings @ The Anglican Church Basement, 7:30pm •First Sunday of the Month Family Climb Time @ Evolution Climbing Gym, 2-4pm •Public Skating @ Memorial Arena, 2:15-3:30pm •Public and Lane Swim @ Aquatic Centre, 12-6pm •Water Slide @ Aquatic Centre, 1-5pm

FERNIEFIX.COM

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Community and Events

FEATURE RESIDENT

Sharon Switzer

by KRISTA TURCASSO

S

haron Switzer was born and raised in Manitoba. Her dad, a contractor, moved to the Elk Valley to help build the mine at Fording along with her mom and brothers, but Sharon who was in Grade 12 at the time, decided to stay with her neighbour to finish the year. Soon after, she was visiting her family in Fernie and during that visit, she spent a day at Surveyors Lake.

Not able to swim, her brothers pulled her to the dock in a tube and while she was on the dock, some boys from the opposite beach came to retrieve it. “Not being able to swim, I couldn’t get off,” she remembers.

One of the boys was her future husband, Ken Switzer. “He sat next to me, with his curly dark hair and braces, and that was it.”

Sharon had plans of attending nursing school, but decided on dental school in Cranbrook to make the move to Fernie possible. Sharon and Ken were married and raised two children in Fernie, which is where her passion for the environment began.

When her eldest Trent went to Kindergarten, Sharon became acutely aware of the lack of recycling opportunities in the school. She put together a grant to have recycling bins in the classroom. In 1993, Sharon alongside Kathleen Graham, Gale Vallance and Bunny Samuelson created Circle Recycling Family and ran it as a non-profit.

“We were nominated as citizens of the year in ‘95. In 1997, we pitched it to the City to take it over and offer curbside recycling.

That’s how I first started with the city. I was working with them on this project.”

She is going on 19 years with the City of Fernie.

Sharon was first motivated to get involved with Wildsight when British Petroleum was interested in placing 500 Coal-bed Methane wells up Coal Creek through to Sparwood. “When Coal Bed

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Methane came onto the scene, I became really active,” Sharon says. “I love the organization (Wildsight) because it cares about the future of the valley.” She thinks it’s important to be involved with a group like this because she believes in speaking out for environmental change. “Habits, good or bad define people and speak to their values.”

More recently, Sharon has been concerned with waste produced and improperly disposed of at events and on construction sites. As acting President of Wildsight, she lobbied the City Council for support in creating a strong policy around these large impact areas on community life.

“Wapiti did it last year with 90 percent waste recovery at a sold out event, and internally in the Leisure Services Department we are working toward similar waste recovery in our buildings and at City events. Some construction sites have recycling for wood and cardboard but if they could be required to create a waste reduction plan at the permitting stage of a build, I believe the waste recovery rates would increase significantly.”

Sharon adds that the RDEK needs to include a Free Store for construction materials at the local landfill.

On March 14, 2017 Wildsight received a letter of support from Mayor Giuliano in leading this initiative alongside event planners, the local construction industry, the RDEK and other stakeholders.

Sharon continues to fight the good fight, but admits that she’s still really afraid.

“But I’m also hopeful that we can turn it around. There are a lot of issues that people gloss over. Because it’s so beautiful here, we think it’s always going to be that way.”

But it won’t always be, unless we all become stewards to our environment.

Speak up about what we believe in. And learn from community leaders. Thank you, Sharon.

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

walking out my door but my love and appreciation of family and home is what I hold most dear. They are here so I’m here.

5. Do you have a favourite Fernie memory?

My best day in Fernie is a bluebird sky with my dog Summit and my grand-dog Timber walking in nature. I can honestly say that is almost every day for me.

6. What is your favourite time of the year in Fernie and why?

I love the summer in Fernie. Our backyard is our sanctuary with a big garden and a water feature - no travel required! My house overlooks the river and the view is so green, we rarely leave town in the summer.

7. Where do you see Fernie in 5 to 10 years?

I’m involved with Wildsight because I’m concerned about the future of Fernie.

That said I’m hopeful that food security will move forward and we will be growing more food in our cold climate than ever before. Systems will be put in place to get our waste percentages down to acceptable levels. We will take action and make creative new solutions to address in a real way the affordable housing issues that young families face today, and enjoy continued good water and fresh mountain air.

I grew up in Manitoba, I was here for a vacation to visit my family when I met my husband at Surveyors Lake.

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

2. Where did you first live in town?

Every morning I read with a cup of good coffee, then I meditate, and walk my dog.

The Ridgemont Apartments, but I’ve been on 12th Ave. in the Annex for 34 years.

3. What was your first impression?

Being a prairie girl it took me about 5 years to get use to the lack of sunshine in the winter, but the summers and the mountains made up for it.

4. What keeps you in Fernie?

I love that I can get into nature just

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

I’m a gardener, I hang my clothes on the line until winter, and I’m not a big consumer, 90 percent of my clothing I buy used.

10. Quote to live by: Lead with your heart, let your inner compass be your guide.

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Community and Events

YOU’VE GOT MALE

17 in ’17

by ADAM K MACDONALD

T

hey say that March roars in like a lion, but goes out like a lamb. The lion worked extra hard this year. But with the melting snow, spring and even thoughts of summer, are creeping in. I’ve been thinking about how to make the most of spring and summer, about the things I want to accomplish. My list is not extraordinary, just a list of things that I look forward to accomplishing before winter returns. So, here is my spring/summer list of 17 in ’17.

A night out in a tent with my four-year old. Just the two of us. Maybe we’ll be in the bush, maybe a campground, maybe even the backyard, but I will make this happen this summer. We bought a camper a few years ago and we love it (her name is Jolene). But I do miss tenting.

An overnight family camping trip in the backcountry. With young kids, we have been doing more car-camping.

Car-camping is convenient and has its advantages, but I want to experience a more back-to-basics trip this summer too.

We have a beautiful canoe that we got out several times last summer. I want to continue that this summer. I can canoe a canoe, can you?

Slackline. Slacklining has been a humbling pursuit for me. I spent quite a few hours at it last year, and still felt like a beginner.

I look forward to improving more this summer.

Road hockey and/or outdoor basketball.

I keep threatening to make these happen.

This is the year.

My wife’s pita pizzas cooked over a campfire. Mmmmm… best meal ever.

Outdoor live music. Wednesday Concert Series, Sunday Socials, festivals, Wapiti, and lots more. Ahhh, summer. Live outdoor music is hard to beat.

WEDNESDAY CONCERT SERIES | V. CROOME PHOTO

BBQ lots. ’Nuff said.

A solo overnight camping trip. Having amazing friends and family, I sometimes procrastinate “me time.” And what better way than an overnight alone in the woods?

Yard games. I’m hooked; I love the yard games.

Camping at Mount Fernie Provincial Park.

Sometimes I forget just how beautiful this area is.

Curry Bowl rooftop patio. How have I not done this yet?

A post-ride drink at FBC. Another summer must.

Bike to Island Lake Lodge and enjoy a meal and beverage. The Lazy Lizard Trail is about my skill level, and what better motivation than a cold drink and stunning views?

Fisher Peak. This item is probably my most adventurous and challenging, and I’ll have to wait a couple of months yet, but this mountain has called to me for ten years now. This is the summer I answer.

Spikeball. I’m looking forward to trying this relatively new game on the sand. I’ve tried it indoors and enjoyed it, but it is really meant to be played outside.

I love identifying plants. Trees, wildflowers, shrubs, I love them all. I enjoy birding too, but the plants are much easier to chase. I want to learn some more plant names this year. With March’s lamb and lion done for the year, I am reminded of the expression, “April showers bring May flowers,” and I look forward to learning some of those flower names.

So there you have it. 17 in ’17. I’ll see you on the trails and at the patios. I’ll be the one with the plant identification book in my hand.

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29

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Community and Events

FAMILY STOKE

Growing Up Green

by SHELBY CAIN

W

hen I was a kid, the word green conjured up three ideas. A colour.

A greenhorn – as in being new, and usually not very good, at something. (I remember that term being thrown around a lot on my favourite childhood show – Little House on the Prairie. At the time, I thought it was something bad to call people, and I may have tried it out on my little brother once or twice. ) And finally, a feeling – as in being green with envy. This one was adopted into my vocabulary via The Berenstain Bears books. Remember the one where Sister was envious of Brother’s new bike? The green-eyed monster appeared. I’m still traumatized.

Nowhere in these three definitions was there any reference to the planet. I’m not sure if the adults were thinking about it much, but as a kid, being a global citizen and treating the earth with kindness was nowhere on my radar. I remember the first time I became aware we might be causing irreparable harm. It was when the scientists discovered that all the Final Net Hairspray required to keep our bangs reaching for the sky had actually put a hole in it. I cried. Not about the ozone layer, but about the rumour that they were going to stop making aerosol cans for hairspray.

Looking back on how my friends and I wore our hair, I can tell you there might actually be a significant hole directly over Mt. Baker High School in Cranbrook. I don’t know for sure. But in the words of the great Oprah Winfrey, “when you know better, you do better.” With a heavy heart, I freed my bangs from their life of crunchy confinement and let them blow in the wind.

That was the first time I was conscious that changing my personal actions was important to preserving the planet. It was a wake-up call. Everyone has a part in the responsibility of preserving our planet

SHELBY CAIN PHOTO

for the next generation. I might have to sacrifice something, even something as important at the time as my own style, to help the greater good. Since then, protecting the environment has become something most of us accept and take pride in doing.

My girls live in a different world than I did.

At the young ages of six and seven they are fully enlightened about conservation, recycling and climate change. Part of this comes from home, but I have to give a lot of credit to the wonderful programs that travel through the schools and help teach our children how important it is to be responsible global citizens.

Wildsight has the kids understanding how precious our water and vegetation and biodiversity are from the time they are old enough to wade in the river. In their own words, “Wildsight gives kids the knowledge and experience of the natural world that they need to protect, conserve and cherish it.” When my kids are on a Wildsight field trip they come home full of knowledge and invigorated about their environment.

I feel so lucky to not have to bear this burden of education and appreciation alone.

Another wonderful program we have in our community is Earth Rangers.

“Earth Rangers is the kids’ conservation organization, dedicated to educating children and their families about biodiversity, inspiring them to adopt sustainable behaviours and empowering them to become directly involved in protecting animals and their habitats.” The school programs and website encourage kids to get involved, sign up, and save animals. And it works. My seven-yearold is turning eight next week. Instead of presents, she has asked for donations to help the Western Painted Turtle. Seriously.

As a parent, I would never have had the time or energy to research local threatened animals and then figure out a way to get my kids passionate enough to donate money that will actually help conserve these little guys, so that the next time we’re at Surveyors Lake, they’ll be lining those logs basking in the sun.

My point? We’ve come a long way, baby.

And I know we have a long way to go, but I’ll tell you what - we’re raising some pretty awesome environmental stewards.

I like to think it all started with putting down that can of hairspray.

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Community and Events

TRANSITIONS

Appreciate Your Planet

by MICAH MORRIS

“

If you appreciate your planet, you will be more inclined to protect it.” This quote came from an article by Hilary Saunders about pro skier Angel Collinson and how she skies with a purpose. When reading this article I admired the writer’s ability to shine a light on climate change without covering up the very true facts that skiers leave a major footprint on our earth. I look up to people like Angel Collinson and Cody Townsend, their careers as professional skiers has given them not only a voice in promoting and spreading awareness about the rapid increase in carbon pollution but these athletes carry a connection with their surroundings that is very different from the average person. They are deeply immersed and connected with the mountains. Their passion and love for skiing and any other sport that allows them to be surrounded by the endless sensation of freedom, fear, and excitement in the outdoors has made them that much more in tune with the reality that climate change is affecting our earth.

Another athlete that I admire is Caroline Gleich, a professional ski mountaineer and environmental activist. Her connection to nature and the mountains has grown even stronger by her human-powered ski descents all over the world. The accomplishment of each ascent and her willingness to overcome failure empowers others to live healthy, active lifestyles and to protect the places that we love to learn and play. I learned more about Caroline through an article about SHIFT Summit Festival - an event that explores the challenges and opportunities of the nexus of outdoor recreation, and the conversations and ideas that are spread.

There is much that people do on this earth that isn’t environmentally friendly, and the unfortunate truth is that you are not going to stop driving your car to work or the ski hill because someone said that toxins

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Participating in the wonders that the world has to offer is the first step to fostering an appreciation for our earth... coming from your car are causing global warming, many of you aren’t going to cut beef from your diet because you watched a movie that told you that it takes 1799 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef and leaves an incredible water foot print on our earth. However, the point that I am trying to make is that major changes are not going to happen over night. The little changes that we make like biking the short distance to work in our small town, or challenging yourself to get involved in an

activity that leaves less of a carbon foot print like hiking, snow shoeing or ski touring make a difference. These activities are so accessible in Fernie, and easily allow us to feel a closer connection to earth and the simplicity and beauty that we experience through these activities empower us to look for solutions. Participating in the wonders that the world has to offer is the first step to fostering an appreciation for our earth, and creating impactful and mindful changes in the little things that we do day to day.

I came to a revelation that just because I’m a skier that rides the chair lift every day and drives to big mountain free ride events doesn’t stop me from making a difference or helping in the movement against climate change. Perhaps we are not willing to give up our ski passes, but maybe it’s not about doing less, but about doing more. It’s difficult to know what the right actions are.

Growing up in a world that is constantly changing, sustainable solutions have not been perfected yet. Therefore we must educate ourselves on the environmental changes, question the unknown, and create and contribute to new ideas. Most importantly it is essential to keep talking about our environment.

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Outdoor Life

Elk Valley Gymnastics

enough space to accommodate their tricks and routines and the club would love to expand some of their programs to see even more of the community be able to enjoy this amazing sport. EVGC is always looking to work and cooperate with other sports as they realize there is an overall shortage of training space for all organizations.

by ERIN SUMMERS

G

ymnastics as a sport has been around for over 2000 years. It is a complex sport that requires physical strength, endurance, power, flexibility, agility, coordination, grace and balance. All physical attributes that would translate well into other sports and assist young kids in body awareness, self-confidence, resilience, and bravery. Gymnastics is the only organized sport in which you can enroll your child in prior to the age of three and judging from all the new littles in our town, this is extremely beneficial. Not only does gymnastics teach fundamentals such as rolling and falling safely, it encourages kids to play. Knowing the caliber of young athlete’s we have in Fernie it comes as no surprise to know many of them are involved in gymnastics and we are very fortunate to have the Elk Valley Gymnastics Club (EVGC) in our town.

Formed in 2016 as a not for profit organization and ran by a parent board, the EVGC is the first GymBC certified club in the Elk Valley. This past fall they recruited Level 3 technical certified Coach and Manager Erin Hipkiss to head up their program. Born in a small town in Northern BC, Hipkiss had seen firsthand what it was like to fundraise, share space and grow a sport in a small town. Having been in Vancouver for the past while, once she came to Fernie she felt like she was home again and this was where she was meant to be. She is a super passionate and energetic young lady, one who not only has an extensive background in Gymnastics but also in Wakeboarding and is an avid snowboarder. She along with colleague Christina Leighton and part-time coaches Mim Evans and Hannah Sullivan, oversee the programming and administration for the club and its over 170 members.

EA SPORTS

Gymnastics is a foundational sport and one that EVGC strives to promote to also enhance and improve physical literacy for those involved in other popular sports in Fernie; skiing, snowboarding, biking and hockey to name a few. They know that strong kids build a strong community and we are so fortunate to have a place in Fernie for our kids to build strength and grow. We hope in the future of this organization, its programs and space can also continue to grow.

Check out elkvalleygymnastics.ca or their facebook page for more information.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Currently EVGC is housed in the converted library of the Max Turyk school. They make the most of their small space as they offer classes for toddlers to teens, six days a week including classes in Parkour. However, perhaps as a victim of their own success, they are bursting at the seams. Their Senior competition team is travelling to Cranbrook to ensure they can get training in a large

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35

Outdoor Life

NEVER HAVE I EVER

JESSE BELL PHOTO

Elk River Apiaries

by JESSE BELL

I

f you love honey, love your dandelions.

The bees certainly do - any wildflower and weed, really. While at Elk River Apiaries with apiarist Deborah Davidson last summer I learnt that the weeds we so often despise of are the ones little bees need.

Because it is those little magical bees that turn those weeds into sweet, delicious honey.

Deb has been an apiarist for 15 years. I meet her on her farm on Dicken Road on a hot summer day at the end of July.

Despite the heat she wears a long-sleeved flannel shirt; working with bees means covering up.

Her dogs hide in the shade of the truck as Deb dresses me in a beekeeping suit - a white pair of overalls, white hat and netting. Though certainly stifling, I’m happy for the protection when we walk through the electric fence and she opens up the first hive.

Honey bees buzz everywhere, their sound nearly deafening. They fly in front of my face and I fight the urge to run. Deb is calm, she doesn’t have that frantic fear of bees.

She pumps smoke from burning pine needles around the hive sporadically with a little hand-pumped smoke machine.

“We smoke the bees, they think it is a forest fire,” Deb explains. “Because they are so stressed at protecting their hive they are less likely to sting us.”

Deb tells me she first worked as a bee keeper 15 years ago, a summer job after university. Today her and her partner Doug

manage nearly 100 hives in and around the Elk Valley.

As we move through the hives sand check each comb for honey, I learn that there are roughly 50,000 bees per hive, and each hive produces 50 pounds of honey (depending on the weather and season, of course).

The spring of 2016’s unsuspected early sun and heat, followed by a rapid cooling make it more difficult for the bees to collect nectar for honey, try as they might.

Deb makes the hive frames and then colonies of bees make the honeycomb out of wax. They collect nectar from wildflowers (knapweed is a favourite around here), and deliver it to the hive.

When the combs are enclosed in a waxy top the beekeeper knows the honey is ready.

She takes some honey and leaves some for the bees. They will survive six months

during the winter with the honey they have made.

“Try this,” Deb says, handing me a dollop of fresh honey from a metal spatula. The honey drips from the frame where she has just punctured it. I slip the honey beneath my netting and taste the sweet, sweet nectar! A light sweetness, almost fragrant.

“It takes six bees their lifetime to produce one teaspoon of honey,” she says. That is 1/6 of a teaspoon per bee. How hard the bees must work to make a living. I begin to understand their plight; it is a fragile system.

After expressing concern for a little bee that has made her way into my neckline, Deb casually grabs the bee and sets her free.

We then search for the queen bee of one hive but can’t find her - it’s likely she is hidden deep within.

“I feel honoured to be a part of their world,” says Deb. “To spend time with them and witness the process.”

Indeed, it is hard not to feel honoured amongst the busy bees on a hot summer day beneath Proctor and Hosmer mountains.

Health. Beauty.

Happiness. Confidence.

We finish with the hives and close up the electric fence (8,000 volts), meant to protect the colonies from hungry bears in search of supper.

When I ask Deb what she loves the most about beekeeping she simply says, “The magic.”

On my way home I can’t stop thinking about how true it is - the magic of making honey, the resilience of the bee, the importance of a dandelion.

How to help the bees this spring/summer: 1.

Plant bee-friendly flowers in your garden and yard. 2. Bees are thirsty! Put out a small basin of freshwater for them to drink. 3. Don’t use pesticides and chemicals to treat your lawn. 4.

Weeds are a good thing. 5. Buy local, raw honey.

Yum!

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Outdoor Life

HITTING THE TRAILS WITH THE FERNIE TRAILS ALLIANCE

The New Green

by TERRY NELSON

G

reen can make you feel good. The word conjures up many different ideas for every individual. It could be the verdant green moss at the side of a stream, a leprechaun under a stump, the traffic light signalling to go, a sea turtle’s belly, a sour lime, or the surrounding soft grass as you lay in a field. All of these references excite the senses, the smell, the feel, the sight, and the sounds.

In the Fernie Trails Alliance circles, green symbolizes “Beginner Trails.” These “green trails” also fulfill the senses, as one moves along cautiously, exploring their personal limits. There is a lot more to be taken in than just getting a sweat up. A beginner trail user is expanding their horizons as they venture into the unknown, and they should feel comfortable and not intimidated.

The Trail Construction and Maintenance Committee of the FTA has been busy over the last couple of years to create just such an environment and experience opportunity.

The addition of the “Learning Loop” at the Aquatic Centre introduces new mountain bike riders to some of the features that they may encounter on any of the Fernie trails.

Green switchbacks, green ride overs, green boardwalks (not too high off the ground), even green trees to navigate.

The Ridgemont area has seen the addition of Kiddy UP and Queen V to make the area more accessible. Now if we can just get rid of that Cemetery Bypass hill, and those Boardwalks on Eco Terrorist, the three year old “Greenies” can really relax …

With the past re-route of the root infested Sherwoody steeps, a few more of the discontented can access this cruisey labyrinth. The Trails Alliance is working with BC Parks to see if permission can be granted to build a gentler graded green trail from the Lizard Creek Falls bridge, instead

TERRY NELSON PHOTO

Environmental stewardship is one of the Trails Alliance management objectives, so please help us to ensure that the trail network remains sustainable...

of the slippery grunt that presently gets you up onto the Galloway Green Trails.

The Elk Valley Trans Canada Trail is intended to allow even the most timid to extend their outings into Canada’s forbidding wilderness. Hikers will be pleased to know that their needs were kept

in mind when planning this route. Walk to Canmore if you’re feeling energetic.

The Fairy Creek Falls trail is a fun, family favourite where hikers and riders should be able to negotiate from town, the Fairy Creek Pedestrian Bridge, or Tourist Info Centre trailheads. The updated trail signage will be marked this summer with the eponymous green circles, which indicate a relatively “easy” route to the falls, and back.

We must not forget the Montane Trail network, which has evolved over the last few years, with its many green options that will direct you to the Montane Hut, where soft marshmallows, and “Green Drinks” will make the return trip home so much more enjoyable.

At Fernie Alpine Resort, the Double Creek Trail and Extension loop is a great green rolly (push up a few hills) path through a shady cedar / larch forest, that can be accessed right from the resort “base” parking lot. The thick canopy makes it quite dark in this forest, but look up as it’s dark green above (for the beginners, this should not be attempted when riding).

The Lazy Lizard trail on the Island Lake Property, and Connector in Mt. Fernie Provincial Park has become the go to trail for family outings. With gentle green trail grades, luxuriant green foliage, secret green mushrooms, and of course the green witches’ lichen, this trail sees a wide variety of ages, abilities, and nationalities exploring Cedar Valley’s offerings. As this is the FTA “Green Theme” article, I will not mention how fun Fat Biking and or Snowshoeing this trail in the winter is.

Don’t litter, avoid trails when wet and muddy, and enjoy the upcoming summer trail season.

Environmental stewardship is one of the Trails Alliance management objectives, so please help us to ensure that the trail network remains sustainable, by making healthy donations of the green bills at our website. Fernietrailsalliance.com

Destination of the Month

by JULIE KELLY

Swine Flu Distance: Approx. 6km Time: 1-1.5 hr Difficulty: Blue Spring is a great time to get out for a hike or trail run. Please be mindful of potentially wet trails. A classic Fernie trail that tends to dry out early is Swine Flu. Many will be “green” with envy of the views you can take in at the top.

Park at the Visitor Centre and head up Dairy Run, a fun single track climb with a gentle grade. Cross the cattle grade, turn right and continue up the single track.

After crossing the power line head back into the trees for some steeper climbing and switchbacks. At this point, depending on conditions and your energy level, you can continue climbing to the top or descend Far Side. Both are great descents and will take you back to the starting point. Please note: No dogs allowed in yellow zone as shown above.

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Health and Lifestyle

FIT TO CHALLENGE

TROY NIXON PHOTO

Get Ready for Spring

by SARAH INGRAM, BSC.HONS.KINESIOLOGY, BCAK PRACTICING KINESIOLOGIST

A

s I write this, it is dumping with snow and it’s hard to imagine that soon we’ll have to be ready for a different set of sports.

Don’t be caught unprepared, because it will melt! This month is a great time to begin your transition in the gym and start getting ready for summer, as with May comes the first golf and bike events of the season.

May 9: Ladies’ opening golf tourney, golffernie.com The low down: Two-person alternate

This month is a great time to begin your transition in the gym and start getting ready for summer as with May comes the first golf and bike events of the season. shot. Shotgun start with dinner and prizes to follow.

Training musts: Obviously time spent on the golf course is one of the best ways to get ready for a tournament, but with all this snow, this event could very well be opening day! Instead, get yourself to the gym as soon as possible and start working on flexibility and core exercises. Weighted torso twists

using the cables or bands, ball side-to-side crunches, single leg stiff-legged deadlifts, and rotator cuff theraband exercises should all be part of your pre-season program so you start out balanced and strong! Try for 10-15 reps of each slowly and with good golf posture. Start and end your session on the treadmill, either walking or running to boost your cardiovascular system. Arm circles five in each direction in a pain free range any time in the day will help improve flexibility. Even though you swing a club one direction, train both directions to avoid imbalances and make your swing stronger.

May 17: Men’s opening golf tourney, golffernie.com The low down: Two-person best net.

Shotgun start with dinner and prizes to follow.

Training musts: Same goes for the men as the ladies, see above!

May 20: Spring bike blitz and mud munchers kid’s race The low down: A celebration of the beginning of biking season!

7th Annual

Training musts: It is time to start preparing for biking season! Use April to address any nagging ski injuries and get your body strong so you can bike hard and not hurt. Improving your cardio in the gym on the bike or treadmill will benefit you on your first few rides. Getting your knee stability solid by doing single leg squats, hamstring curls and lunges will also help get you started on the right track. Push ups, lat pull downs and rows will also give your upper body a solid base to start your season and getting your core strong will improve your power. For the young kids, encourage them to go in the mud munchers race and get them excited for the Little Critters race series.

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Health and Lifestyle

FOOD INTELLIGENCE

Eli’s Eco-Friendly Pursuit

by TIFFANY SCHEBESCH, RD, BASC

E

li’s life up until now has been focused on his wife, two children and a successful small business. Living in Fernie, Eli has always made an effort to try and help the Earth through biking to work, using energy efficient light bulbs and choosing a reusable water bottle.

However, Eli has decided it’s time to do a little something more; he wants to know if his food choices might be having an environmental impact. He has decided to eat less protein because his friend told him it takes a lot of energy to produce beef and pork. In addition, his mother-in-law told him he should only buy organic produce and stop buying genetically modified foods… is Eli on the right path to helping the environment?

Environmental Eating Myths Debunked Myth 1: All protein has the same environmental impact Eli’s choice to eat less protein was the start of an environmentally friendly decision, however there’s more to it than simply eating less protein. On average, our protein needs are about 1.0 g/kg of body weight/ day – however, these needs vary for different types of athletes. If Eli starts eating less protein than he needs, he’s at risk of losing lean muscle mass and putting his immune system at risk. Instead of limiting his protein intake, he should consider the type of protein he’s eating.

Eli should start choosing more plantbased proteins such as beans, lentils and soy products like tofu instead of animal protein like beef, pork and chicken. The greenhouse gas emissions used to produce a gram of beef and lamb is a whopping 250 times greater than those of legumes.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Not convinced yet? To produce 1 kg of animal protein requires 1000 times more water than 1 kg of plant-based protein.

Legumes, such as beans and lentils, are the top eco-friendly choice – they require half the non-renewable energy to produce in comparison to other crops. Small changes are always the key to success; try starting with meatless Mondays and look for recipes at Pulsecanada.com!

Myth 2: Organic produce is always better than conventional In Canada, any food labelled as organic is regulated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. There are strict specifications to meet the organic standard including the

method of farming; use of pesticides and a regulatory body must accredit them. For many small-scale farmers, this is a lengthy, confusing and expensive process. Instead, they simply farm and produce crops as they’ve done for generations, which is often “organic” without the technical certification.

In short, rather than choosing strictly organic, try shopping local. Local produce will have to travel a much shorter distance from farm to plate. Not only is this an eco-friendly choice, you’re also supporting your local farmers and know where your food is coming from – win-win! Check out Bcfarmersmarket.org to learn what’s in season.

Myth 3: Genetically modified foods (GMOs) are less nutritious and bad for the environment GMO’s have been a hot topic in the news recently, but what the heck is a GMO anyway? GMO’s are plants, animals or microorganisms that have had their genes altered using biotechnology to express traits that wouldn’t occur naturally. In Canada, it takes about seven to ten years of testing before any new GMO’s reach the marketplace to ensure the public’s safety. GMO’s are used to create produce that won’t spoil as quickly; promote resistance to pests and diseases, which increases crop yield; and to enhance the nutrient profiles of plants. Although they seem like a big, scary science experiment; GMO’s have actually been shown to be more environmentally friendly. This is because crops will have to be sprayed less with pesticides and there’s reduced waste from crops lost to disease. Additionally, it would be very hard for Eli to “not eat anymore GMO’s” since the main GMO

crops include corn, canola, soybean and sugar beet. Because these four crops are so popular, we can expect to find GMO’s popping up everywhere in our food supply, especially in processed foods including soups, sauces, cereals and snack foods.

The better option would be for Eli to choose more whole foods like fruits, veggies and legumes, which are less likely to have added GMO’s. Again, this leads us back to trying to eat more local foods and produce. In Fernie, the Farmer’s Market doesn’t start until July, however try contacting local farms in the area to see what they have available year-round.

The Bottom Line To help be more environmentally conscious about your food choices try eating more plant-based protein, shopping local for your groceries and eating more whole foods. Good luck on your journey towards eco-friendly eating and enjoy some greens on your plate tonight!

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Bits and Bytes

THE ANSWER GUY

Computerized Cooking

used fresh tomatoes and for the steak sauce I used my recipe for Korean BBQ sauce.

It’s got a bit of a kick and a meaty umami that I thought would work well. I also used my own scotch bonnet/mango hot sauce.

Those are in Paprika already too.

by KEVIN MCISAAC

O

ne of my favourite hobbies is cooking and I had a sudden realization just how ‘computerized’ this hobby has become for me. I wrote a column back in 2008 about how computers were sold 30 years ago as ‘recipe organizers.’ Well, that has finally come to fruition, but, like so many other areas where computers have infiltrated, not in the way we in the industry expected. These days of course you may not own a single cookbook or recipe and yet have access to millions of recipes on the web.

I was invited to a potluck dinner with some friends recently and asked if I could do the pulled pork. The star of the show would be the baked beans, but I was still hoping to make my pulled pork stand out.

Now, I’ve done pulled pork before, but I usually cheat. I do the pulled pork on the BBQ for a few hours than switch to the slow cooker with some apple juice and BBQ sauce for a few hours. This yields a great moist pulled pork, but I wanted to shoot for something more traditional this time. Absent a real smoker I would have to do it on my gas grill with a smoking box.

So, onto the web I went.

The first thing to research is pulled pork. For this I did some googling with Evernote open. I’ve written before about Evernote. It’s a great application that works on the web and on my phone. I use it like a shoe box. Everything I find that I think might be useful, in this case: cooking times, pork cut options, rubs, smoking options, temperatures, which wood is best, thermometer choices, sauces, you name it; all of it gets copied into my ‘Pulled Pork’ notebook. This keeps me from having to remember where I found that page that said that hickory wood is best for pulled pork, but apple wood works too, and not to use mesquite.

PAPRIKA ECIPE MANAGER THEAPPNEWS.COM

These days of course you may not own a single cookbook or recipe and yet have access to millions of recipes on the web.

Now that I have a base of data I start filtering. I cross-check what I’ve learned with some of my more trusted cooking sources. In this case I compare Epicurious.com and Cooksillustrated. com and Amazingribs.com. These are my go to websites for food.

Having found out that fresh pork butt is the first step I headed down to the Fernie Meat Market and Mark hooked me up.

Step one accomplished.

Now, I need a dry rub. This isn’t my first BBQ so I checked my favourite recipe storage application Paprika, just in case I’ve already found the recipe I want and saved it. Paprika works on my phone and is easy to save recipes to, to search later, and convenient for checking for needed ingredients while I’m at the grocery store.

Sure enough I did have one.

Now, I need a sauce. The sauce recipe I settled on, which is a Kansas City style tomato / vinegar based sauce, called for adding ketchup and steak sauce?! What the heck. Sorry, but instead of ketchup I

Now I’ve got ingredients to pick up so I grab my grocery app Grocery IQ. It’s free on the app store. It’s nice as it remembers previous selections, lets me add different stores for the different types of things I may need to shop for, and it scans barcodes off products which makes it fast to add stuff I’ve just run out of.

At the BBQ now I’ve setup the burners for offset heating and set the knobs to 225F. I use a Taylor remote instant thermometer that alerts me when I’ve reached a set temperature. I’ve since ordered an iGrill from Weber. It supports two thermometers, a grill temperature and an internal meat temperature and displays both on your iPhone. If there’s a geekier way to BBQ I don’t know it yet.

Okay, butt is tied, rubbed, and cooking. I’ve got about 12 hours now to make the sauce.

I usually make sauces the day before and let them sit in the fridge as I find it really lets all the flavours incorporate well, but with 12 hours to kill I’ve got time.

12 hours later I’m eating pulled pork out of Parisian buns loaded with Kansas City style sauce. Everything turned out pretty well thanks to a little assistance from the internet, cooking apps, and some technology.

Cooking Assistance: Evernote.com Basil-app.com Groceryiq.com Product.weber.com/igrill Epicurious.com Cooksillustrated.com Amazingribs.com Interested in the recipes? Check the FernieFix.com website.

Happy Computing/Cooking

Bits and Bytes

April 2017

by YANN LORANGER

I

f you took a picture of the position of the planets in the nightly sky on April 1 and April 30, you would see very little change. As a matter of fact, almost all planets are going through a time of retro gradation at one point or another during this month. Retro gradation happens when, from the point of view of our beautiful planet, other planets seem to move backwards. This phenomenon literally shows the retrograding planets in the sky moving in the opposite direction they usually do.

The only planet not affected by retro gradation is Mars (this is excluding luminaries that never retrograde and very slow planets that move so slow we hardly notice their progression within a single month - Uranus and Neptune). If you are familiar with comic characters, this situation would make planet Earth and all that lives on it look like “The Flash” from DC Comics or “QuickSilver” from X-Men. Time seems to slow down and almost stop while our consciousness (Sun), imagination (Moon) and will (Mars) remain fully aware and active.

This is a great opportunity to complete what is behind, revise what seems odd, achieve what was impossible, and to do this extra travel that will allow us to get the special knowledge or advice we need.

The aspects are very beneficial, giving us a chance to catch up with all aspects of our lives.

All this sounds extraordinary, but, there is also a trap. While time passes throughout this special month, we may forget the usual rhythm of things. When this pause in time will resume to its normal pace, we have to be ready. It won’t be time anymore to do a quick fix. In other words, don’t be over ambitious. If you start a new project thinking, “There will be a magic that will allow me to do this,” but it’s only half

Time seems to slow down and almost stop while our consciousness (Sun), imagination (Moon) and will (Mars) remain fully aware and active. complete by the end of the month, it will probably never get finished and you will feel fooled by this April marvel.

Since we all have a little bit of each sign within us, consider each of the following as addressing a specific part of yourself. Read it all for every aspect within yourself.

Aries (March 21 - April 29) Paradise

ASTROLOGY

Virgo (Aug 23 - Sept 22) Reconnection This is a time to remember what is truly precious for you. Only you know, and you finally remember. Do something that will help to keep this at the forefront of your mind in all circumstances.

Libra (Sept 23 - Oct 22) Solution You can solve some established tensions with your surroundings. Don’t be afraid to give some offering to those having hard feelings towards you. The solution comes from a generous attitude.

Scorpio (Oct 23 - Nov 21) Prayer

This is your favourite time for quite a while! Be creative and enjoy!

This month is exciting for you.You feel like everything could happen, miracles included and you want to see them live.

Taurus (April 20 - May 20) Simple

Sagittarius (Nov 22 - Dec 21) Watchful

Your steady nature makes it a month like any other. By the time you realize what is happening, things will be back to normal already.

You feel like a guardian. As everything is shifting rapidly, you observe everyone and keep the laws in mind, hoping to correct some clumsy initiatives.

Gemini (May 21 - June 20) Quick

Capricorn (Dec 22 - Jan 19) Questioning

Now that you fully understand the overall situation, you can impress all with your multiple skills.

It is time for you to review your overall strategy. Is the direction you are following really serving your deepest interest?

Cancer (June 21 - July 22) Discovery

Aquarius (Jan 20 - Feb 18) Fellowship

A door will open. It will allow you to experiment new feelings. Choose wisely which door you’ll open since feelings bring a whole world along with them.

The best use of this special time for you is to visit someone special. Someone that will connect you to a world you only dreamed of.

Leo (July 23 - Aug 22) Power

Pisces (Feb 19 - March 20) Oneness

You have the opportunity to do great things. Make sure they are great, don’t let your pride make them big only.

You feel you are one with all that slows down. The connections of love that unite all beings and things strongly resonate with you.

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Fernie Fun

FIX TRIVIA ferniefix

FernieFixMag

FernieFix

SPOT THE DIFFERENCES There are 6 differences between these photos, can you spot them? Have a picture to submit?

Send it to info@clarismedia.com

APRIL WORD SCRAMBLE

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FIND THE Somewhere in this issue is a little leaf.

Can you find it?

SPOT THE DIFFERENCES MARCH ANSWERS

To

25 MARCH WORD SCRAMBLE ANSWERS strength, unity, equality, power hope, peace, women, diversity PPP | V. CROOME PHOTO

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Further is: Planning for closure before mining begins At Teck, we start planning how to close our mines before mining even starts. We engage with Indigenous Peoples and local communities on how best to restore mined areas and to determine productive post-mining land uses.

Learn more about how we are going further in responsibly closing and reclaiming mine sites at www.teck.com/aftermining