Fernie Fix January 2017

JANUARY 2017 | ISSUE 121

The Purpose Issue Patty Vadnais of the Fernie Chamber asks us to reflect on an important question in business - Why? Feature Artist Vince Mo on what gives him purpose in photography Shred Kelly’s Sage McBride fills us in on what drives them this winter in, From the Road Shelby Cain tells us about her new revolution Plus more...

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Haul Truck Operator Program Classroom-based in Fernie.

Mobile Simulator can bring the program to anywhere in Western Canada.

Tuition:

$7500

Program Length: 4 week program prepares you for work as a haul truck operator at a surface mine.

Dates:

January 30 – February 24, 2017 March 27 – April 21, 2017 To learn more call: Fernie: (250) 423-4691 Toll-free: (866) 423-4691 haultruckfernie@cotr.bc.ca To learn more visit: cotr.bc.ca/haul-truck/

Contact the Fernie campus today!

250-423-4691 • cotr.bc.ca/Fernie • fernie@cotr.bc.ca

EDITOR’S FIX | 5 BUSINESS IN THE VALLEY | 7 Business News/New Business Business Advice with Patty Vadnais – Why Passion?

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT | 14 Feature Artist – Vince Mo Fernie Reads with Anie Radish: Digital Literacy Month From the Road: Wintery Purpose by Sage McBride Rental Fix – The Magnificent Seven by Andrew Vallance Musical Notes – Mission: Your Soundtrack by Carolyn Nikodym

COMMUNITY AND EVENTS | 24 FernieFix.com Events Calendar / January at the Arts Station Feature Resident – Kim Goodsell by Krista Turcasso You’ve Got Male: What Feels Right by Adam K MacDonald Family Stoke – Daily Revolution by Shelby Cain New Faces to Fernie: Elizza Hunter by James Peeters Transitions – Pursuit of Happiness by Micah Morris

OUTDOOR LIFE | 36 Never Have I Ever –A Day (or Two) at the Spa by Jesse Bell Triathlon Challenge: Leave it All On the Course with Emily Sauvé Hitting the Trails with the Fernie Trails Alliance – Gimme Shelter

by Terry Nelson

HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE | 45 Fit to Challenge – February Events

by Sarah Ingram, Practicing Kinesiologist Healthy, Naturally - Finding Your Purpose

by Dr. Taina Turcasso, N.D., R.M. Beauty and Fashion in a Fix – Purpose by Solange and Zoe

BITS AND BYTES | 51 The Answer Guy – Tech Resolutions

by Kevin McIsaac Astrology with Yann Loranger

FERNIE FUN | 54 Fix Trivia

COVER: Nick Morris leading an adventurous group higher into the alpine at Island Lake. Photo by Matt Kuhn Mkuhnphoto.com THIS PAGE: When Adam Laurin isn’t rocking out with Fernie’s #2 band, he enjoys big dumps... of pow.

Photo by Kyle Hamilton Kylehamiltonphotography.com

JANUARY 2017 ISSUE 121 THE PURPOSE ISSUE

January 20 - 22 It’s cold. It’s dark. It’s January in Fernie...

Vogue Theatre Fernie’s 9th Annual

5 It’s the perfect time to escape the elements and enjoy a weekend of film!

F E A T U R E

5 Feature Films Visiting Special Guests

Hey Kids! (14 & under)

Visit our website to find out about our Young Filmmakers’ Contest... deadline Fri. Jan. 6th.

Young Filmmakers’ Contest

Short Films Opening & Closing Receptions

301 Hwy 3 | 250-423-3002

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Dessert & Drinks Specials & more info:

Open daily

5

Get your Festival Passes NOW for just $40 each at the Arts Station. Single Show Tickets available at the door.

7 6 9 10 50 3 8 7 7 2 4 1 6 18 For full festival details, movie info, trailers etc.:

ReelFilmFest.ca

F I L M S

9 5 624382 3

GPI Chartered Professional Accountants in Fernie offers a full range of accounting and taxation services for the communities of Fernie, Elkford, Sparwood, throughout the Elk Valley and beyond for a wide variety of business and personal customers.

602 2nd Avenue Fernie, BC 250-423-6881 fernieaccountant.com

EDITOR’S FIX When I run after what I think I want, my days are a furnace of stress and anxiety; if I sit in my own place of patience, what I need flows to me, and without pain. ~ Rumi

and then doing something about it he says.

“All of life is like this,” he adds, following with, “I call bullshit.You already found your passion, you’re just ignoring it.”

We all tend to be hard on ourselves, especially in January with the New Year upon us. We put the pressure on, and take ast fall, I came across an article called, a magnifying glass to our lives. Are we Screw Finding Your Passion by Mark happy? Are we doing our best? Do we love Manson. It intrigued me, yet I was on the what we do? Are we contributing to our defensive from the get go. “It’s great to have community? Are we good kids/friends/ passion, why is this Manson dissing having partners/parents? What more should we such a fundamental purpose?” After the be doing? This kind of thinking keeps us first couple of paragraphs, I found myself looking for more, both in ourselves and in nodding in agreement. Mid-way, I was everything around us. And while we may shouting, “Yes!” at my computer screen. think it’s giving us purpose, it’s more than And by the end, I was sharing on FaceBook likely setting us up for disappointment. and sending to friends as a “must read.”

Mark finishes his article with this statement As a popular writer and blogger, Manson that really hit home for me. received numerous emails from fans asking “If you’re passionate about something, it for help. They didn’t know what they will already feel like such an ingrained wanted to do with their life. “How can we find our passion?” they asked. Eventually, he part of your life that you will have to be reminded by people that it’s not normal, hit a breaking point, which instigated the that other people aren’t like that.” article. The whole point is not knowing,

L

ANDREW VALLANCE is a cinophile nerd who currently lives on the wet coast. Girlfriendless, he spends his time going to movies, buying DVDs and flirting.

CAROLYN NIKODYM hopes you have a fantastic and music-filled 2017.

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.

SAGE MCBRIDE is one of the lead vocalists in Fernie’s Stoke Folk band, Shred Kelly. As the band makes its way across Canadian provinces on its winter tour, Sage will be sharing stories “From the Road.”

ANIE RADISH is a community Librarian at the Fernie Heritage Library. She finds meaning in music, stories, conversation and the Great Outdoors. When not pedaling her library books and ukulele about town, Anie strives to live a full yet simple life with her ginger-bearded husband, two scallywag children and rather opinionated Jack Russell terrier.

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 JAMES PEETERS is a 28-year-old photographer from Australia, looking forward to sharing with Fix readers some of the diverse new residents living in town this season.

JESSE BELL heads to Trillium Day Spa for a mani, pedi and body scrub, among other things, and discovers that she would be quite happy going to the spa every week.

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.

After ten years, SARAH INGRAM is shifting gears and focusing on local races. Give yourself some purpose and find out how to get ready for February’s events! If you need help developing a program individual to you, call 250-4239167 or visit www.sarahsactiverehab. com.

I would wager that this has you thinking, too. About those things that you do so regularly and with such an ease, that they have become almost mindless. Beginning today, let’s make an effort to acknowledge these parts of ourselves. Let’s be grateful for their presence in our lives, and enjoy the peace that comes with knowing that we are passionate, we do have purpose, and by being kinder to ourselves and others, what we need will continue to flow to us.

Happy 2017.

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.

EMILY SAUVÉ has discovered that she is at her best when making the most of this mountain town and all it has to offer.

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.

Operators and sisters of No.3, SOLANGE and ZOE have a passion for fashion and beauty combining their expertise into their salon and boutique.

ADAM K. MACDONALD wishes everyone a wonderful 2017.

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 ALPINE RESORT

PHASE ONE 15 lots available at Fernie Alpine Resort Starting at $254,000

Where families gather, for generations to come

Carol Cohen 250-278-0678

carol@fernierealestate.com www.fernieresortrealestate.com

Carol Cohen with Fernie Real Estate Company Ltd

Office: 250-423-2000 Toll Free: 1-877-423-2001 1602 - 9th Avenue, Fernie, BC

591b 2nd Ave

Rehabilition and physiotherapy for sport, orthopaedic, and spinal injuries and conditions, focused on quality care with a full understanding of your condition and needs.

Handpicked • Quality • Goods

250-423-3423 www.ferniephysio.com

• • • • •

Physiotherapy Registered massage therapy Kinesiology Custom orthotics Women’s health issues (pre and post natal care) • Treatment for vertigo (BPPV) • And, in the new year, Fernie Physio will once again have IMS and Acupunture available

Rocky Mountain Health Centre 901 5th Ave, Fernie, BC (2nd floor, first door on the right)

Now booking appointments on Saturdays

Business in the Valley

ing!

Open e R d n a Gr

It’s a new year, a new you, and a new spa!

This winter we have a new look and an improved spa experience.

Receive 15% off all treatments in January * *Valid for any spa treatment not redeemeable for cash, mention this ad at the time of booking, vaild until January 31, 2017

Fernie Alpine Resort

Fernie Physiotherapy 901 5th Ave 250-423-3423

O

perating for over fifteen years, Fernie Physiotherapy provides an array of expertise in the assessment, diagnoses and treatment of sports injuries, orthopaedic and spinal conditions.

Their physiotherapists work closely with physicians to help alleviate pain, restore function, and work with clients to achieve specific goals.

BUSINESS NEWS

Fernie Physiotherapy is excited to announce that they are now open Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Crowsnest Pass, alongside its Fernie and Elkford locations. They also welcomed Laura Rankine BScPT to their practice as a physiotherapist, and Deanna Zelinka as a Kinesiologist.

For more information on Fernie Physiotherapy, please visit Ferniephysio. com

The Fernie Shuttle Thefernieshuttle.com 250-423-4023

T

he locally owned “Fernie Shuttle” has been meeting customers’ transportation needs since 1999. They provide scheduled, affordable and reliable shuttle service between the Calgary International Airport and Fernie, BC. Private charters are available upon request.

This summer, they also began offering a summer Calgary airport shuttle charter service, to allow visitors to reach Fernie to enjoy world class hiking, mountain biking, and more.

The schedule is currently up for the winter season, keeping rates the same as in past years as the Fernie Shuttle is committed to keeping prices as low as possible. The

shuttles leave Fernie between 11 and 11:30am daily, and arrive at the Calgary airport at 3pm. They leave the Calgary Airport at 7pm daily, and drop off in Fernie between 10:30 and 11pm. For additional information, or to book a shuttle to Cranbrook, visit their website or call them directly.

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A world of adventure starts under our roof.

Cushman & Wakefield Ltd and Remax Elk Valley Realty Ltd. are pleased to announce the opportunity to acquire 42 acres in the highly desired city of Fernie, BC. Located at 95 Brickers Road, the Property offers investors development sites with stunning mountain views to the south and views of the Elk River to the east.

For further information, please contact: CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD LTD. + 1 403 261 1163

Thunder Meadows MASSAGE THERAPY

REMAX ELK VALLEY REALTY LTD. +1 250 423 1921

After a long day at work, on the hill or anytime at all... we're here to help you feel your best.

& ACUPUNCTURE

Our Therapists:

Jeremy Grassick, RMT Rebecca Vaughan, RMT Eleanor Tweddell, RMT Alysha Clarke, RMT Laurie Sibbeston, R.Ac.

Helping you find your way.

Come visit us at 671 Second Ave

Open 7 days a week.

632 2nd Ave. 250-423-2673

Online booking and more at: ThunderMeadowsMassage.ca

Business in the Valley

BUSINESS NEWS

Mountain High Travel & Tours 652 2nd Ave 250-423-6916

M

ountain High Travel & Tours is extremely excited to announce it is now under new ownership, with Lori Caravetta becoming new owner August 1, 2016.

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Key Advice and Services Keyadvice.net 250-521-0454

E

veryone loves to write. Right?

Wrong! But Kate Harrison Whiteside does, and that’s why writing and editing are the focal point of her business Key Advice and Services.

Kate moved from Rossland to Fernie and instantly connected with the entrepreneurial energy. Kate helps government, businesses, organizations and institutions improve their client connections through clear communication – her specialty. She draws on her journalism, adult education, and marketing backgrounds. With experience in Canada, the UK, and the EU, in print, social media, and website content projects, Kate’s clients select from a varied services menu. College of the Rockies campuses and Plainlanguageacademy. com offer her workshops. She consults with local company CENTURY 21 Real Mountain Living, a regional health services organization, and national firms, taking advantage of new technology to work in person and virtually.

Kate looks forward to connecting with you, and learning more about East Kootenay businesses.

Mountain High Travel is a full-service travel agency with a storefront located in downtown Fernie open 10am-5pm, Monday through Friday. They also accept appointments on Saturdays to accommodate local clients and their families and friends across Canada.

Mountain High Travel offers a safe, professional environment for clients to book all types of travel including allinclusive vacations, cruises, guided tours, destination weddings, and more.

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“We take great pride in being a part of our clients’ journeys, celebrations, and their support in the wake of crisis. We are here, we are local, and we are waiting to hear from you!”

Outdoor Connections Outdoorconnections.ca

B

eyond 4 Walls Forest Preschool is Outdoor Connections’ newest program for children aged three to five.

The organization has currently launched a Go-Fund-Me campaign to help with the purchase of a yurt. The yurt will allow the organization to expand the program to be able to reach more children. The yurt will provide shelter during inclement weather and will be also be utilized by after-school youth programs, classroom education programs and summer camps.

For the past three years, Outdoor Connections has created new programs for children and youth in the Elk Valley to get them outside and experience the benefits of the natural world. All of the programs provide the opportunity for participants to increase their physical activity, mentalhealth, self-esteem and resiliency. The

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programs foster a connection to natural spaces and development of communication and interpersonal skills.

Please visit Gofundme.com/forest-schoolyurt to learn more or support the project.

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start your undiscovered journey ... uncove ryour be styou

c h r i s t i n a ke t c h e n . c o m yourbe st@chri sti nake tche n.com

Ketchen

Business in the Valley

NEW BUSINESSES

Four Cubs Kit & Clothing Inc. 661 2nd Ave 778-519-5277

I

n December, 2016 Four Cubs Kit & Clothing Inc., opened its doors in downtown Fernie. Owners Sheena and Milo raise four children, and understand what it’s like to constantly be looking for apparel and goods for their family.

They decided to create a fresh and unique shopping experience for quality name brands and goods at affordable pricing, which would also put money back in the hands of parents in an easy and convenient way.

clean name brands children’s apparel and goods to the store. For items accepted, you can either receive cash the same day or opt for a store credit. Clothing runs from brand new to age 12, and Four Cubs will also sell footwear, active wear, strollers, baby carriers, high chairs, monitors, books and more.

Seven days a week, between 9-10am you can bring gently used, freshly laundered/

Visit Fourcubs.com for more information, or stop by and say hi!

Peaknutritionconsulting.com 807-355-3314 iffany Schebesch, owner of Peak Nutrition Consulting, is excited to announce the opening of Fernie’s only registered dietitian private practice.

Specializing in weight loss and sports nutrition, Tiffany also has experience in prenatal nutrition and a variety of chronic conditions including IBS, IBD, diabetes and heart health.

301 2nd Ave 250-430-0399

L

Those who have already discovered the joys of Indian/Asian cuisine will find familiar names on the menu. What will delight the taste buds is the distinctive

Peak Nutrition Consulting

T

Himalayan Spice Bistro

ocated in the Central Hotel building, the Himalayan Spice Bistro offers signature plates of southern Asia, prepared with the flair and spices traditional to Nepal. The chefs are from that region and have over 15 years of experience cooking south Asian dishes for clients in India, the Gulf States, and Canada. They chose Fernie for its obvious connection to the majesty of the Himalayas. They also have a location in Nelson, called Bougustown India Grill & Lounge.

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touch of the authentic Himalayan spices and ingredients, plus the use of fresh and, as much as possible, local products.

Take-out service is available, as well as dine-in (12-2pm, Mon-Fri, and 4-10pm, daily). Delivery is available for a nominal fee.Visit Himalayanspicebistro.com for more details including the menu.

Tiffany has a vision of helping clients to feel healthier and rediscover their love of food and cooking. With a basis in mindful and intuitive eating, she helps clients create lasting changes towards their nutrition goals. More than just educating, Tiffany focuses on listening to clients and learning about their health issues. This leads to overcoming barriers and concerns to help them discover real solutions and regain control of their health.

Dietitian services are often covered under extended health benefits – so no need to pay out of pocket.

Contact your local Fernie dietitian for all your nutrition needs. tiffany@ peaknutritionconsulting.com FERNIEFIX.COM

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LOCAL KNOWLEDGE. LOCAL DISCOUNTS. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

Do you lead a team to provide service to clients/guests or customers?

AMBASSADOR PROGRAM SNOW VALLEY MOTEL King Fir Spa

& WELLNESS dee + nick

dee + nick

778.519.5262

778.519.5262

591B 2nd ave fernie, bc

591B 2nd ave fernie, bc

coaltowngoods@gmail.com coaltowngoods.com

coaltowngoods@gmail.com coaltowngoods.com

• Ambassador Course January 11, Wednesday, 2:00pm - 6:00pm Pre-register by calling the College at 250.423.4691.

• Ambassador Course February 17, Friday, 8:30am - 12:30pm Pre-register by calling the College at 250.423.4691.

Resort Municipality Initiative Investing in B.C. Resort Communities

www.ferniechamber.com/ambassadorprogram

Further is: Strengthening our safety culture off-site At Teck, safety is a core value and we believe in everyone going home safe and healthy every day—even outside of work.

That’s why we support Avalanche Canada’s Local Field Observers, who collect backcountry snow data in the Elk Valley for the detailed South Rockies avalanche report.

Check the conditions before you set out at www.avalanche.ca www.teck.com

4 Moments of Power Seminar

Join Mark Colgate as he presents “The Whistler Experience: Moments of Power 1-4”.

WHEN: January 18, 9:30-3:30 WHERE: Fernie Best Western Mountain Plus.

COST: $79 for Fernie Ambassadors, $99 for Chamber Members, $129 others REGISTER: Go to: ferniechamber.com/4mop or call Fernie Chamber 250-423-6868 WHY? You will gain understanding on how human psychology applies to service & sales, a deeper understanding of human interaction, professionally and personally, and how to build better relationships to deliver world class service.

Business in the Valley

BUSINESS ADVICE

Why Passion?

by PATTY VADNAIS

D

o you know why you do what you do? Not what you do, but why you do it. Does your company know its why? Is it important for your company to know its why? Well, according to Simon Sinek, author of Start with Why, the best companies and the longest-lasting companies in the world know their why.

His clear example is Apple. We all know Apple – they make computers. But why are they so innovative? Sinek argues it is because they understand their why, which is Apple exists to challenge the status quo and they refuse to believe that things cannot be improved upon. So when Apple talks about what products they are going to produce, they talk about how to challenge what exists. Apple does not simply say, let’s build a new technology gadget that is pretty and user friendly. And it has worked very well for them. It creates loyalty in customers who want to be part of what Apple is.

Developed from Sinek’s research is the Golden Circle. Imagine a bullseye target.

In the middle is why, second ring is how, outside ring is what. Companies often focus on what they do, sometimes thinking about how they do it, and rarely thinking about why they do it. To ignite passion in your teams and in your customers, organizations need to start with the why.

Just as Apple has started with our passion is to change the status quo and thus luring in customers who believe they won’t accept the status quo.

It is easy to think about things in terms of “what.” What do you do? Sell vacations, sell skis, build houses. We could get into the “how.” But how many times do you find an organization that says: We help people visit their dreams, we give people tools for excellent outdoor adventures, we create homes for your family to build a life in. When you find those organizations,

BANTER, BUSINESS, AND BEER AT THE LOAF | FERNIE CHAMBER PHOTO

how do you react? “People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.” – Simon Sinek.

What happens without the why? After reading Sinek’s book a few years back, I asked the board of the nonprofit I was working for, “Why does this organizations exist?” I was told, “We hold networking events and we educate business owners,” – the what. It was pretty uninspiring, I tell you. I continued to push, looking for a purpose to the organization rather than just “we have dinner parties.” The activities, or the what we did was very similar to what we do at the Fernie Chamber. But there was no purpose to it, there was no passion, there was no why. I did not stay with that organization long.

Working at the Chamber, the organization has a mission to strengthen commerce in Fernie. That is the Chamber’s why. To strengthen commerce is to make business easy, to support business owners

in their success, to educate business owners so they can do better. Our actions are guided by the fact that we are passionate about supporting businesses, which will strengthen commerce.

January is often a time to review goals and plans and dreams. I challenge you to think about your goals in terms of passion. In terms of the impact that you want to make, and the impact you want your company or organization to make.

Here is a little snipet from the website Startwithwhy.com that can help with this exercise. Fill in the blanks to create your personal why statement.

your contribution To so that

your impact

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FEATURE ARTIST

The Computers

Arts and Entertainment

VINCE MO

London Fashion Week

My journey with photography began much later in my life compared to many other shooters.

I didn’t receive my first camera as a gift from my parents, nor did I spend hours after school dabbling with film negatives and development tanks in the darkroom.

It was whilst in the university rowing club that I started striving to create images with a meaningful purpose. Time in usual fashion passed by quickly through this short chapter of my life. The club, sport, and the people connected to it felt nearly as significant to my university life, as was coming out with a solid degree. As such, I endeavoured to capture my time and the moments within, from the early morning training, socials, victories, and losses (plenty of losses) as a continual visual story.

Photography felt like the most natural medium.

Finding inspiration is a common challenge amongst all artists. I seek mine by coupling photography to my other life passions: sport, music, and the outdoors. It is easiest to connect

to the subject when they possess personal meaning and significance. This model has stuck all the way to the day that I started shooting more seriously as a profession.

Early jobs included a plethora of music and festival shooting, and sporting events for print and online publications. These were often jampacked with other photographers representing different agencies and clientele. It was a fantastic opportunity to mix three of my loves, call it work, plus take home a pay cheque. More importantly, this was my chance to engage, network and learn from a wealth of others in the trade and essentially develop myself further as a photographer.

Alongside my photography work, my actual career was in science, working as a Forensic DNA Analyst. While elements of photography are frequently called upon in the job, the thought process in taking a photo wildly differs.

Capacity for creativity is somewhat restricted considering the nature of the occupation, and

The Computers

Southampton FC vs. Espaniol

compared to the high-octane level of shooting a live band on stage, subjects were relatively (and, in some cases, literally) lifeless.

Priorities shifted over time from the original planned career path in forensics, to a new direction where I could dedicate more time chasing more serious and growing passions. The huge decision to break away from a seven-year career in my chosen field of study in addition to taking time out from a photography business I built was a tough and necessary choice. To reanalyse my path and purpose was only part of the reason for taking a winter away travelling, and in truth – I just wanted to go to other countries, takes loads of photos along the way, and snowboard LOTS. Fernie first came to my attention whilst shooting at a music festival six summers ago ­– visualize soggy English fields getting trampled by middle-class punters in designer wellies to the sound of indie-rock. I was chatting about skiing with Dave, a fellow photographer from Scotland. His accent was strong but key words like, deep powder, no lift lines got my attention, and the name “Fernie” embedded itself into my memory. Coincidently, it was music and photography that set my path to this town.

Bo Bruce

It was never my intention to stay longer than a winter here, and that was in 2014. This has probably been heard by the so many Fernie folk that it’s starting to become cliché.

Dave’s description of skiing here nailed it right on the head, but I was totally unprepared for the town spirit, the diverse arts community and culture that came packaged with it.

Alexz Wigg - Trails

Initially, it was a fairly intimidating experience mingling with such an amazingly multi-talented peers group who were simultaneously genuine and modest of their skills. Yet, it is now these people and the environment around me that I look towards to inspire and evolve my art.

At present, I work and shoot for Tourism Fernie, where I hope my pictures will influence people to visit this town for more than the just the standard superficial reasons. However, on a personal level, I hope my images serve to document my journey from scientist to artist, emphasising that, regardless of background, your purpose is completely malleable by your own motivation and drive.

--mofotophotography.com FERNIEFIX.COM

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Spending some serious time on your feet?

BOOKED! Fernie Writers’ Series 2016 Presented by the Fernie Heritage Library

MICHAEL HELM 2 2 2 2 2 AFTER JAMES CUSTOM FOOT ORTHOTICS improve comfort, enhance sport performance and are covered by most health plans.

• Reduces or eliminates foot, knee, hip and back pain • Improves posture, stance and balance

Friday Jan 13th, 7:00 pm

Fernie Heritage Library Doors at 7:00pm Reading at 8:00pm “A spectacularly good storyteller…with a range and nerve that set him apart from almost every other writer of his generation.”

–Barbara Gowdey

You deserve the best.

Book residential, vacation home, move-out and post construction cleaning.

• Injury rehabilitation • 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

FernieAthleticTherapy.com

250-423-4800 1-888-423-9006

Located within Fernie Chiropractic Rocky Mountain Health Centre 901 5th Avenue, Fernie

Goldstar C L E A N I N G S E RV I C E S

Call us: 250.423.4029 | www.goldstarservicesgroup.com

Arts and Entertainment

Digital Literacy Month

by ANIE RADISH

J

anuary is Literacy month at the Fernie Heritage Library, and this year’s focus is on digital literacy. We have some special programming in partnership with Elk Valley CBAL, the Senior Citizens Drop-In Centre, Fernie Early Years and others to bring you Thursday evening discussions, all ages storytimes, teen-tech talk/pizza night, Senior Cyber Sleuths and after-school coding sessions for kids. In the meantime, to keep your mind humming, here are a few books on our shelves being featured this month. Come sign one out today! Free Library memberships are always available, visit Fernie.bclibrary.ca for more details.

Facebook Fairytales by Emily Liebert Starting off on an inspirational note!

This is a collection of true Facebook stories to fortify any spirit that is feeling blue. Facebook Fairytales is full of connections made around the world that will surprise, amuse and give you cause to ponder. iRules by Janell Burley Hofmann Do you have a new techy device in the house and are looking for ways to manage boundaries and expectations?

This is a great howto text with some ideas for parents. iRule #11: “If it rings, answer it. It is a phone. Say hello, use your manners.

Do not ever ignore a phone call if the screen reads ‘mom’ or ‘dad’.” If this sounds on point for you, consider attending our discussion night on the topic of “Digital Footprints in the first Six Years” at the library on January 12, 6:30pm.

The Cyber Effect

by Mary Aiken, PhD and i-Minds by Dr. Mari Swingle On the more sobering side are two books addressing how technology, specifically cell phones, is changing our minds. Literally.

Both authors – one a cyberpsychologist, the other a psychologist – document their experiences in the field of human connection and how cell phones have unequivocally altered the way digital natives are interpreting the world. To further this conversation, join us January 19 at 6:30pm for discussion night on the topic of “Digital Immigrants vs. Digital Natives” at the library.

My iPad for Seniors by Gary Rosenzweig and Gary Eugene Jones Did someone unwrap an iPad this year and not have any idea what to do next? This is a great basic and beginner text to help you navigate your way with your new device… and all those apps the grandkids will help you download! Should you prefer a live person and a group discussion on “Senior Cyber Sleuths,” join us at the Senior Citizens Drop In Centre on January 20, 2017 at 10am.

FERNIE READS

Coding Games in Scratch by Jon Woodcock and Hello Ruby

by Linda Lukas.

Two easy-to-read, brightly illustrated books for kids interested in coding, these books are geared towards ages 8 plus (...and their parents) and offer a fun way to learn some programming basics and understand coding at its basic level.

These are especially relevant as these skills enter the BC school curriculum and our daily lives!

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

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

Contact us to place a special order FERNIEFIX.COM

17

Arts and Entertainment

FROM THE ROAD

Wintery Purpose

by SAGE MCBRIDE

I

am currently sitting in the van driving on the icy highways to Red Deer, Alberta. We are supposed to arrive there at 5:30pm today for soundcheck – but with each semi we catch up to going 60km/hr down the icy #3 Highway, we add a few minutes onto our drive. We’ll be lucky if we get there by 6:30pm, just as everyone arrives for dinner to escape the -30 degree Alberta cold.

We check the road conditions again, and it appears that Highway 22 is snow covered. Not good news for us. So instead of our usual route, we are heading to Fort McLeod to take Highway 2… which will likely add another 20 minutes to the trip. I imagine the restaurant to be even busier at this time. Dinner guests watching, the initial excitement quickly turning to annoyance as we repeat “check. check. check” into the mic for 30 minutes while they eat their steak sandwiches.

But alas, the show must go on.

We are currently on an eight-day winter tour, and it looks like we will truly be experiencing Canadian winter conditions at their best, with -20 degrees and colder forecasted across the map! We should’ve known, but somehow it still surprises us when winter is in fact, wintery.

Touring in the winter has its challenges.

Short days mean that we spend all of our daylight hours in the van, living on a steady diet of coffee, gas station snacks, and an average of five to six hours of sleep. A recent major win is discovering that you can download Netflix episodes and watch them WITHOUT an Internet connection!

This is a huge victory in the life of a touring musician. News that your data plan will remain under the monthly limit AND you will have hours of entertainment might seem like a small joy, but, for those of us who seem to spend half their lives in a van, it’s one that deserves celebration.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

A recent major win is discovering that you can download Netflix episodes and watch them WITHOUT an Internet connection!

Between long hours in the van, driving in questionable road conditions, loading hundreds of pounds of gear in and out of venues in sub-zero temperatures, and existing on a poor diet of pub food, chips and coffee you can begin to question your purpose. Luckily this tour has us making stops in Red Deer, Jasper, Fernie, Banff, Canmore, Golden, Revelstoke and one surprise birthday show in Rossland, which means we get to visit not only our beloved hometown, but all of our homes away from home. Where the shows feel more like a reunion of old friends and family. Where the sweat, dancing, and joy of the people in every room quickly erases the memories of rest stop bathrooms and icy highways.

We work all day, driving, loading in, setting

up just for that one hour on stage. And it makes it all worthwhile. The euphoria we get when connected with an audience big or small, whether it be with one person or 500, really makes it all worthwhile.

This tour we will also be doing a fundraiser for Music Heals, singing Christmas telegrams and surprising people’s loved ones at home, work and school and donating the money to an organization that supports music therapy, something we wholeheartedly believe in.

I am excited to surprise people and bring music to unconventional places. This will add an additional element of fulfilment to these short dark days.

I am grateful everyday that I get to do what I do. I recognize that this is not the path for everyone, that not everybody would feel the same fulfilment or be able to cope with the travelling hours in between. For me, nothing fills me with more happiness.

Albums Currently on Heavy Rotation in the Van: Yukon Blonde – On Blonde Woods - City Sun Eater in the River of Light The War on Drugs - The War on Drugs July Talk - Touch New Pornographers - Brill Bruisers Scenic Route to Alaska - Love Keeps Canadian Indie Spin Class Playlist: Chromeo – “Fancy Footwork” Repartee – “Die B4 U” Attica Riots – “Misery” July Talk – “Beck + Call” The Darcys – “Miracle” Yukon Blonde – “I Wanna Be Your Man” Derrival – “Original Script” Metric – “Breathing Underwater” Grimes – “Kill V. Maim” Bear Mountain – “Hopeful” Wildlife – “One For the Body” Upcoming Shows Fernie Stoke Fest - Saturday February 18 at the Fernie Community Centre with Fred Penner and Shred Kelly. All ages show at 5:30pm, tickets available at Ticketfly.com and Freyja Lifestyle Fashion.

The winter sports season is here!

If you struggle with glasses under goggles or your glasses fogging, we can help you.

From contacts to goggle inserts to antifog treatment, stop in and ask us about your options!

FERNIE 250-423-4467 BLAIRMORE 403-562-7144 ELKFORD 250-865-2022

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Arts and Entertainment

THE RENTAL FIX

The Magnificent Seven

by ANDREW VALLANCE

T

he Magnificent Seven was originally a 1960s American film directed by John Sturges, starring Yul Brynner, Eli Wallach and Steve McQueen. It was an old-style western remake of Akira Kurasawa’s 1954 Japanese film Seven Samurai.

The stars, along with Charles Bronson, Robert Vaughn, James Coburn, Brad Dexter and Horst Buchholz, portrayed a group of gunfighters hired by a small Mexican village to protect the people from a band of marauding bandits and their ruthless leader, Calvera.

The movie was not a domestic box office hit, earning only $250,000 more than its budget of $2 million. It was, however, very popular in Europe where it made most of its profit, and it did eventually become a cult classic in North America.

For all that it has been hailed as aesthetically and historically significant by the Library of Congress and that it had a memorable musical score composed by Elmer Bernstein, the movie was of mediocre quality with wooden performances by Brynner and McQueen.

Buchholz is forgettable in the role of the token teenage heartthrob. Wallach on the other hand, stands out as the most flamboyant and entertaining as the bandit chief, Calvera.

Because of its cult status, it is no wonder that studio executives have decided to remake the film more than half a century later, this time with a new generation of actors including Denzel Washington, Vincent D’Onofrio, Chris Pratt, and Ethan Hawke, and directed by Antoine Fuqua (The Equalizer, Olympus Has Fallen). Of course, the modern version has again found it necessary to include the token teenage heartthrob, this time in the form of the beautiful Haley Bennett.

While many modern reimaginings of classic movies are better than the originals (The Italian Job springs to mind), the people behind this film were not successful in doing the same. The characterization is flat, rather like in the original. The main actors generally play themselves, as in the original.

The aim is to replace character and plot development with explosions and gun play, as in the original, and Peter Sarsgaard, as the villain, seems to be having much less fun playing the role than Wallach did in his earlier portrayal of Calvera.

The two main characters in the film are played by Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt. Washington’s work in action films includes Training Day, American Gangster, and most recently The Equalizer. Generally speaking his previous work has been excellent, but in The Magnificent Seven, while his performance is good, it is limited by a script that creates only a paper thin character for him to inhabit, and he isn’t able to achieve his potential. The same can be said for Chris Pratt. Although he has not appeared in other action films, he has had good performances in such movies as Jurassic World and Guardians of the Galaxy.

The script of this film has created a rather limited performance.

However, for all that the script is sub-par, the action sequences are well done, and they make the movie well worth seeing.

FERNIEFIX.COM

21

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Arts and Entertainment

MUSICAL NOTES

Mission: Your Soundtrack

by CAROLYN NIKODYM

W

hen I was going to journalism school in Edmonton at the beginning of the century, I had a weekend tradition.

It could happen on Saturday or Sunday morning, and it could involve the best greasy-spoon breakfast at The Silk Hat but it always included a trip to A+B Sound downtown. Every weekend I would peruse the giant upstairs CD selection – we’re talking some 5,000-square feet of CDs, and some weekends I would leave the store with a classic album to add to my collection, but many times I would pick something just because it looked interesting.The few blocks back to my apartment above a law office were marked by a spring in my step.Why? New music!

At home, I would rip open the cellophane, pop the CD into my player, hit play and crank the volume (one of the bonuses of living above an office was having weekends and evenings to enjoy music loudly!).Yeah, there were a few duds, but for the most part, I discovered music that I really, really liked – even a few that I could safely say would be my deserted-island albums.You know, if you were stuck on an island and could only bring five albums …

Before all of that, as a teenager, music was incredibly important.The type of music I listened to defined the clothes I wore, the tribe I aligned with. In my 20s, that still held true – there was a definite soundtrack to my life – but that Edmonton tradition of flipping through racks and racks of CDs was one of purpose. I wanted – needed! – to expand my musical horizons. Because music had started to shape my life from a very young age, I didn’t want to stop discovering it, discovering where it brought me deep down. It isn’t that there is anything wrong with replaying the same old songs (I mean, who doesn’t love singing along to the songs of their youth?), but for me, music keeps me young, keeps that

V. CROOME PHOTO

spring in my step. I did not want to turn into one of those people who says, “the music kids today are listening to? That’s not music!”

Because I feel that when I say stuff like that, I am diminishing someone else’s experiences.

Nobody wants to hear that the things they really like are deemed dumb or unimportant.

I’ve done this here before – entreated readers to broaden their horizons, go to one of the many venues in town to check out a band with nothing more to go on than that it seems interesting – but it’s a New Year and a perfect time for a new start! You want to get in shape? How about finding music that inspires a hot and heavy workout? You want to have more dinner parties? Make an evening more memorable with the right background music.

Discovering new artists and albums or finding your nostalgic classics is incredibly easy. Online subscription and/or streaming services often have great “if you like this, try that” type algorithms. All you need to do is add one band (say, one of the bands you liked that played Wapiti last year), put on your sense

of adventure and pick one of the suggested bands that you’ve never heard of and give it a listen. I mean, give it a good listen. I can’t count the number of times when I’ve bought an album for one song, only to discover other much stronger tracks on it.

I know the reason many of us older folks stop discovering new music is because life gets busy.We simply do not have the time to sit and listen to music the way we did as teens, mooning over band posters taped to our walls and doodling our crush’s name in a journal. But music is the original antidepressant.When you’re having a crappy day, you know which album will lift you from your funk or release your frustration.When you want to momentarily escape a miserable winter day, you know which song will bring you back to a sunny summer day.

Your purpose, your mission if you choose to accept, is to discover a new soundtrack to your life this year. And if you find something that you really, really love, I would love to hear about it. Happy New Year!

FERNIEFIX.COM

23

Community and Events

FEATURE RESIDENT

Kim Goodsell

by KRISTA TURCASSO

“

To perfect the art of moving and restore meaningful mobility to our disabled community,” Kim says of her life’s purpose. It’s inspirational on its own, but even more so when you discover the complicated and challenging path that lead her here.

From the age of 12 through to her first two years in college, Kim competed and coached gymnastics. While at college, she began distance running, cycling and open ocean swimming. She also met her partner, “CB” at this time whom introduced her to the new sports of mountaineering and expedition kayaking.

“In 1982 we caught the dramatic collapse of Julie Moss being passed in the last 20 yards by Kathleen McCarthy in the 1982 Ironman. We had never heard of the Ironman, but thought it might be fun since we were regularly doing the distance to stay in shape for our more serious endurance exploits.”

Just a year later, Kim became a world ranked triathlete, but confesses she wasn’t much for competition. “I have an insatiable appetite for wandering. I had no concern for time or distance covered, but rather sought out the deep felt experience of being an organism.” So she quit racing, but not the distance.

In 1995, during a bout of bronchitis Kim began to experience the first symptoms of Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia (ARVD). While sprinting up hills on her bike, she felt a sudden loss of all energy with her heart bouncing wildly within. When the events became more frequent and severe, she didn’t think much about them. “I behaved as though I could train through it.”

The bronchitis persisted, causing Kim to see her family doctor. She “casually”

Medscape.com PHOTO

mentioned the cardiac symptoms, but he reflected her lack of concern and suggested getting it checked out by a cardiologist. While at the cardiologist’s office running on a treadmill, she precipitated a ventricular tachycardia (VT) event, raising serious concerns. Wearing a 24 hr heart monitor the following day captured several VT’s. Referred to a cardiac electrophysiologist, it was recommended that she undergo immediate heart surgery to implant an internal cardiac defibrillator (ICD).

That mountain adventure is what led Kim and CB to Fernie. It was the summer of 1996, they were looking for a place to live and fell in love with Fernie. “A friendly small town with a backyard of mountains!”

18 months later, Kim experienced a sustained VT while cycling and was transported to hospital, where the same cardiac electrophysiologist performed cardiac ablation but was unsuccessful. An MRI revealed the diagnosis of ARVD, and it was inevitable… she finally agreed to an ICD implant.

“It’s a computer with a lead into the ventricle. When it detects a life-threatening arrhythmia it delivers a powerful shock.

At the time (1996) it was as large as a cigarette package. I did not have enough fat to implant it in my chest so he said he would implant it in my abdomen. He was exasperated by my concern that it would interfere with wearing a backpack.

This was important to me so I rejected his recommendation. I thought I could hold out a few more weeks and then we would take off to the mountains and we did.”

Being diagnosed with ARVD is rare. What is even more rare is also being diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT). 4 in 10,000,000 to be exact. “You have a better chance of getting hit by lightening,” Kim says. Confronted with the seemingly impossible, Kim decided to actively accept the challenge. “I always ask myself, ‘what kind of an interesting thing can I do with this set of circumstances?’

It evokes free will and you become a cocreator with fate.”

This set Kim on her next journey, to crack her genetic code. “Seizing my opportunity in this digital age of information I hacked online genetic mutation databanks, targeted a suspected culprit, self financed its sequencing, and cracked my genetic code. I discovered the root cause to the conundrum of rare diseases I present, wrote a white paper thesis: Recapitulation of a Disease Continuum and in collaboration with my Mayo Clinic physicians, my genetic discovery was accepted for publication in the peer-reviewed Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology (JCE).”

Kim continued along this path, invoking the ancient wisdom of Hippocrates, “Let food be thy medicine” and created a successful dietary treatment strategy which not only lessened but reversed much of her disability and cardiac instability. She also created ROVA – “a walker… a kart… an artful, utilitarian, high-tech, sporty, walking companion with an infectious friendly character which dispels the stigma of disability.”

Kim’s journey, passion and continually evolving purpose are remarkable to say the least. With a firm belief that the future of medicine in our hands, Kim is committed to this journey and the ride of the Patient of the Future: the Expert, the Maker, the Collaborator.

For more on Kim and the ROVA, Crowdrise.com/rova.

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

1996, and the mountain community.

2. Where did you first live in town?

Polar Peaks, at the base of the ski hill 3. What was your first impression?

When I first arrived in Fernie I was just passing through on my way from a wedding in Calgary. The bride’s father told me I should check it out so I did. I drove up to the ski hill to take a hike and was greeted by Linda Socher who was tending

her flower garden. It was enchanting and reminded me of the Alps.

4. What keeps you in Fernie?

Great friends… the best people!

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

Winter. I love the balance of extremes… cold, hardcore activity and the cozy warm nights and early mornings writing and studying.

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

I’m living in California now which allows me to cycle most days early in the morning.

7. Quote to live by: “Greatness is not some rare DNA strand… it’s not some precious thing. Greatness is no more unique to us than breathing… we’re all capable of it. All of us.”

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Community and Events

YOU’VE GOT MALE

Follow What Feels Right

by ADAM K MACDONALD

I

t’s 8am on Saturday morning. My kids are reading and playing beside me, and I am in cobra pose. I can’t help but notice all the dog hair on our floor. My mind starts to wander. Maybe I should vacuum when I’m done.

I’ve started doing yoga. Just at home by YouTube, but I’ve been doing it most days for a few weeks now. With two young kids, I find scheduled classes hard to commit to, but the video is on my own time. And if I get pulled away, I can always hit pause. I like that I can move at my own pace and adjust some of the poses to match my ability. I like the relaxation part too. “Shavasana” (lying flat on your back) sounds like a much more Zen accomplishment.

I enjoy yoga because it’s something different, requires minimal prep, and is not weather dependent. I am not good at it. I do not say that in a self-deprecating way, more as a matter of fact. My flexibility is weak. That being said, I do get to see improvement quickly. And I love the sense of accomplishment on the days when I do a session first thing in the morning.

My sessions can look pretty hilarious. One morning, I was doing a cobra pose, but I had my three-year-old using my back as a slide, my one-year-old throwing her toys at me and laughing, all while our dog was using me as an underpass. It was at that moment that the yoga instructor announced, “No expectation, just enjoy this time to yourself.” I laughed while managing not to land on the dog.

I don’t have one clear purpose for starting yoga. There are several reasons and motivations for my sticking with it.

V. CROOME PHOTO

I like improving my flexibility and my posture. Of course there is the good feeling that comes from any exercise. And as I mentioned earlier, the yoga videos fit into my life well at the moment. I mostly use Yoga with Adrienne. I find her videos just the right blend of encouragement and pushing myself. Her videos are quality yet she manages to laugh at herself often.

She touches on the spiritual, mental and physical aspects of yoga, but I always feel like her message is pretty concrete and grounded. The physical aspect of yoga is the biggest draw for me, but the exercise certainly improves my mental health and my spirituality. Exercise feels good. I didn’t set out to find yoga. I just heard about the video and tried it. Sometimes we don’t need a big meaningful purpose, we just slow down life enough to allow ourselves the time and opportunity to follow what feels right.

The video ends. Perhaps I am improving the spiritual side of my practice more than I think. I decide not to get the vacuum… too many attachments.

250.430.1070 www.LoraleeThomas.com FERNIEFIX.COM

27

January 2017 MONTHLY EVENTS

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

MONDAY 2.1.2017 Griz Kidz Holiday Activities: Winter Craft Night @ Fernie Alpine Resort, 6pm. Skifernie.com The Castle movie @ Infinitea, 7pm WEDNESDAY 4.1.2017 Stitch and Bitch @ Fernie Heritage Library, 10am. Drop-in knitting, crocheting and any yarny endeavor.

Fernie Nordic Society Toonie Race @ Elk Valley Nordic Centre, 7-9pm THURSDAY 5.1.2017 Beautea Night with Spa 901 @ Infinitea, 6-9pm. $10 massages and manicures.

FRIDAY 6.1.2017 Black Magic Night with Slideshow & Nightmare @ The Royal, $2 cover Rob, Dylan and Lee Live @ Infinitea, 8pm SATURDAY 7.1.2017 Ukulele 101 @ Fernie Heritage Library, kids workshop from 1:30-2:10pm and adult workshop from 2:15-3:15. Registration only.

All Around Colouring @ Fernie Heritage Library, 3:304:30pm. All ages, BYO colouring book or use one of theirs.

Pencil crayons provided.

2nd Annual Fernie on Fire @ Fernie Aquatic Centre, 4-9pm.

Put your Christmas tree out on Friday evening, and the Fernie Fire Department will collect them to create Fernie’s biggest bonfire! Enjoy a BBQ, music, street hockey, tobogganing and hot chocolate. This is a free family friendly event.

The Runs @ The Northern, 10pm. Don’t miss out on this “explosive” local punk rock band!

Fernie Ghostriders Vs. Castlegar @ Fernie Memorial Area, 7:30pm The Marwills @ The Royal. Rock n Roll, shady blues from Toronto, Ont. $7 before 11pm, $10 after.

SUNDAY 8.1.2017 Indie Films Fernie @ The Vogue Theatre, 5pm.

MONDAY 9.1.2017 – FRIDAY 13.1.2017 Five Day Yoga Soup/Juice Detox @ Essential Yoga Studio.

Reboot your health for 2017. $125 per person.

Kenny movie night @ Infinitea, 7pm WEDNESDAY 11.1.2017 Senior Story Time with Creative Minds Preschool @ Rocky Mountain Village, 1:15pm.

Fernie Ambassador Program @ College of the Rockies, 2-6pm THURSDAY 12.1.2017 Thursday Evening Social and Discussion: Digital Footprints for the First Six Years @ Fernie Heritage Library, 6:30-8pm.

Full Moon Ski @ Elk Valley Nordic Centre, 7-9pm FRIDAY 13.1.2017 Booked! Fernie Writers’ Series: Michael Helm @ Fernie Heritage Library, 7pm. Author of In the Place of Lost Things, join this distinguished author and enjoy an evening of live readings, entertainment and refreshments.

Live DJs @ The Royal Karl Schomann Live @ Infinitea, 8pm SATURDAY 14.1.2017 Raging Elk Kinky Rail Jam @ Fernie Alpine Resort, Skifernie.com Dawson Rutledge Featured at Open Mic Night @ The Fernie Hotel, 8pm. Patrons will be invited to take the stage to showcase their talents.

The Guru @ The Royal, $2 cover

Rosie & The Riveters Live @ The Arts Station, 8pm. Enjoy uplifting folk music with a 1940s vintage flair.

Fernie Ghostriders Vs. Kimberley @ Fernie Memorial Area, 7:30pm FRIDAY 27.1.2017 - SUNDAY 29.1.2017 Mozart Festival @ The Arts Station. Screening Mozart’s most loved operas, Cosi fan Tutte, Le Nozze di Figaro, Don Giovanni, and The Magic Flute plus a workshop with live music. Email opera.fernie@gmail.com for more information.

FRIDAY 27.1.2017 Tea and Talk Book Club: Born on a Tuesday by Elnathan John @ Fernie Heritage Library, 1:30pm. All welcome, copies of the book available at the library.

Story Feast: Family Literacy Day @ Fernie Heritage Library. 11:15 ABC Story time for all ages, 12:15 – 1:30pm Free Alphabet Soup, 2pm Storytelling for all ages, 3:30-5pm Scrabble, Alphabet Craft, letter pancakes, crafts and more.

Wildlife Party Masquerade Night @ The Royal, with a special early start at 7pm for $10 including food, or $5 after 10pm SATURDAY 28.1.2017 – SUNDAY 29.1.2017 Avalanche Awareness Days @ Fernie Alpine Resort, Skifernie.com Slynk @ The Northern with Mister Moffat. From Australia, Evan Chandler of Slynk is known for his “unsigned party style ghetto funk bootlegs, remixes and edits.”

Class Action @ The Royal, Ska music from Calgary, AB. $5 cover SUNDAY 29.1.2017 Fernie Ghostriders Vs. Grand Forks @ Fernie Memorial Area, 7:30pm Roger Roger Live @ Infinitea, 8pm MONDAY 30.1.2017 Priscilla Queen of the Dessert Movie Night @ Infinitea, 7pm

SUNDAY 15.1.2017 Community Appreciation Day @ Fernie Alpine Resort.

Skifernie.com MONDAY 16.1.2017 Little Critter Race @ Elk Valley Nordic Centre, 5:30-7pm.

Babe movie night @ Infinitea, 5pm Wildsight Wild Ideas @ Infinitea, 7pm TUESDAY 17.1.2017 Fernie Ambassador Program @ College of the Rockies, 8:30am-12:30pm WEDNESDAY 18.1.2017 Four Moments of Power with Dr. Mark Colgate @ Fernie Best Western, 9:30am – 3:30pm. Learn how to recognize and apply four key principles of human behavior to win and keep customers. Register at Ferniechamber.com THURSDAY 19.1.2017 Pizza League @ Fernie Heritage Library, 6-7:30pm. Drop in for pizza and discussion about Tech Teens.

Beautea Night with Spa 901 @ Infinitea, 6-9pm. $10 massages and manicures.

FRIDAY 20.1.2017 – SUNDAY 22.1.2017 9th Annual Reel Canadian Film Festival @ The Vogue Theatre. Pick up your RCFF Festival Pass at the Arts Station, which provide access to all five feature films, shorts program, kids’ program and opening and closing galas.

Reelfilmfest.ca FRIDAY 20.1.2017 Senior Cyber Slueths @ Fernie Seniors Drop-in Centre, 10am. An open discussion on how technology is impacting your life.

Fernie Ghostriders Vs. Creston @ Fernie Memorial Area, 7:30pm SkiiTour @ The Northern. Fresh off the mountain electronic music addicts from Whistler, bc.

Big Shake Presents: Kaly Yuga and the Genesa Project @ The Royal. Calgary bass music, $5 cover.

SATURDAY 21.1.2017 Lizard Skinner Ski Mountaineering Race @ Fernie Alpine Resort, 9am. A race for all levels and ages, visit Skifernie. com for more details.

Kokanee Snow Dreams Festival @ Fernie Alpine Resort, Voted Best Deck Party by Ski Canada magazine. Skifernie. com Pigeon Hole of Sweatshop Union @ The Royal. Vancouver Hip-hop mash with bass music. $10 cover MONDAY 23.1.2017 Two Hands Movie Night @ Infinitea, 7pm TUESDAY 24.1.2017 Aussie Pie and Sausage Roll Cooking Class @ Infinitea, 6pm WEDNESDAY 25.1.2017 Walkie Talkie Book Club: The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton @ Fernie Heritage Library, 10am. Meet at the library and walk along the river path, chat as we go. Copies available at library in early January.

Northcote with Seth Anderson @ The Northern. A punk, country, rock influenced band from Victoria, BC. Tripple J Hottest 100 Countdown Live @ The Royal, starts at 6pm for the full countdown.

THURSDAY 26.1.2017 – MONDAY 30-12017 Advanced Teacher Training: Cueing, Sequencing and Adjusting @ Essential Yoga Studio THURSDAY 26.1.2017 Thursday Evening Social and Discussion: Digital Natives vs. Digital Immigrants @ Fernie Heritage Library, 6:30-8pm.

THE ARTS STATION www.theartsstation.com info@theartsstation.com 250.423.4842

IN THE GALLERY Gallery Opening: Abstract Thoughts by Peggy Black Thursday January 5th 7pm Next in the Gallery: Lindsay Vallance. Tuesday 31st January 7pm OPERA Friday 13th January Opera Screening 6pm Mozart Festival @ The Arts Station. Friday 27.1.2017 - Sunday 29.1.2017. Screening Mozart’s most loved operas, Cosi fan Tutte, Le Nozze di Figaro, Don Giovanni, and The Magic Flute plus a workshop with live music.

Email opera.fernie@gmail.com for more information.

Times: 27th- 6-9pm, 28th-6-9pm, 29th 3-9pm REEL FILM FESTIVAL January 20-22nd - Reel Canadian Film Festival; The Reel Canadian Film Festival returns to the Vogue Theatre for its 9th annual edition on the weekend of January 20 – 22nd, 2017. Enjoy five award-winning feature films, hand-picked short films, our first ever Young Filmmakers’ Contest, opening and closing receptions and mingle with visiting special guests CONCERT Concert: Rosie and the Riveters ​Thursday 26th January​8pm

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

January 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 $6 Meals all Day @ Infinitea 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 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 WEDNESDAYS Wings 50% Off Single Order @ Boston Pizza Wine Evenings @ The Brickhouse Trivia Night @ The Fernie Hotel. 8pm Pint night @ Kodiak Lounge $10 Smokie, Beer and Fries @ The Pub Bar & Grill Tarot Card Readings w/ Miss Janeil @ Infinitea 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 THURSDAYS Large Pizza for Price of Medium @ Boston Pizza Jam Night @ The Brickhouse Spiced Rum Specials @ Kodiak Lounge Featured Pub Burgers @ Max Restaurant & The Pub Bar & Grill

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 •Prenatal Yoga @ Essential Yoga Studio, 6-7pm

Burger and Beer Special @ The Fernie 2 Medium Pizza Special @ Elk Valley Pizza 6oz Cocktail Jugs $20 @ The Northern Espresso Martini specials @ Infinitea Store and Tasting Room Open @ Fernie Brewing Company, 10am – 6pm Pub Team Trivia @ The Pub Bar & Grill Blitzkrieg Day @ Rusty Edge, bratwurst & Stiegl pint $14 Naturalist/Jenn Frost Jam @ The Royal, alternate weeks Winter Lunch and Spa @ Island Lake Lodge, $69/person. Children 50% off, tots free. IslandLakeResorts.com FRIDAYS Cactus Cut Nachos $12.50 @ Boston Pizza Live Music Fridays @ Infinitea 8pm TGIF & Chicken dinner draw @ Kodiak Lounge Fish & Chips plus Rib Night @ The Pub Bar & Grill $13 Fish and Chips, Meat Draw and Members Draw @ The Fernie Hotel. Supporting FTA. Live bands and DJs @ The Royal Date Night Special @ Spa 901 Store and Tasting Room Open @ Fernie Brewing Company, 10am – 6pm Winter Lunch and Spa @ Island Lake Lodge, $69/person. Children 50% off, tots free. IslandLakeResorts.com Live music from 6-9pm @ The Loaf SATURDAYS Desserts $2 off @ Boston Pizza Meat Draw & Bar Quiz @ The Legion Tequila Specials @ Kodiak Lounge Rib Night @ Max Restaurant & The Pub

Seniors Programming

Kids Programming

•Knits, Knots & Yarns @ Fernie Heritage Library, 3:30-4:45pm, ages 8+.

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

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 •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

Open Mix and Live Music @ The Fernie Live bands and DJs@ The Royal Songwriting Workshops and Wine Specials @ Infinitea, 5pm Coffee and Baileys Special @ The Bridge Bistro Store and Tasting Room Open @ Fernie Brewing Company, 10am – 6pm Winter Lunch and Spa @ Island Lake Lodge, $69/person. Children 50% off, tots free. IslandLakeResorts.com Talk like a Pirate Day @ Rusty Edge, Fish n Chips for $13 SUNDAYS $4.99 Kids Meals @ Boston Pizza Caesars on Special @ The Brickhouse All day breakfast @ The Fernie. 9am-4pm $10 Roast, 6-9pm @ Infinitea CLOSED (available for special events/private parties) @ The Royal Dinner & Swim Special @ Fernie Stanford Resort Steak Sandwich & Caesar Specials @ The Pub Bar & Grill Caesars Special @ The Bridge Bistro Winter Lunch and Spa @ Island Lake Lodge, $69/ person. Children 50% off, tots free.

Fernie Friendship Club @ The Royal, games prizes and great music.

Sunday Roast @ Rusty Edge, Feature Roast Dinner for $18 after 5pm Roast dinner, family-style from 3-10pm @ The Loaf. $15 adults, $7.50 for kids

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 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

29

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Community and Events

Daily Revolution

through my rearview mirror, a mini Yoda in a booster seat. She casually responds, “Well, if you’re making up the rules of your own life, and you mess up your plan, why do you have to be out of the game and then go back to the start? Why don’t you just let yourself get back in the game at the same place and start playing again?”

by SHELBY CAIN

I

t’s a new year! Every January we get this amazing gift – perfectly wrapped and waiting to be opened – a shiny, brand new year. Why is it so special? Why isn’t the first day of this New Year like any other, regular day? Because nestled inside this wonderful gift of a new year is a little nugget of something we sometimes misplace as the old, worn out year batters us around. Hope.

Hope that this year things are going to be better. WE are going to be better. As we wake up on the morning of January first, maybe slightly groggy from the night before, we can feel it. That little buzz inside that says – hey, clean slate. Clean slate!

Wipe away the bad luck and bad deeds of the old year – who cares about that now!

It’s a NEW YEAR. And therefore – I will be a new me. A better, shinier, fitter, nicer, richer version of that old me from LAST year. Forget about her, she’s history. I’m here in this New Year now and I’m going to do it better. All of it. The living and the parenting and the everything.You won’t even recognize me in this New Year, I’m going to be so awesome. This is day one.

As the first few days of this New Year pass by, we start to implement the changes we’ve vowed to uphold taking over. We make lists, things that we’re going to accomplish and ways that we’re going to improve. We follow through on things.

We organize the Tupperware drawer and clean out the freezer and don’t yell that loud when the kids make a game of shaking the Christmas tree and watching the needles fall to carpet the carpet. We take down the Christmas tree. We tell our partners and our families to get ready for the new version of ourselves – this is going to be something to see. Stand by for awesomeness. We feel good.

And then, eventually, something happens that is not part of the new master plan.

Some type of road bump, or block, or

FAMILY STOKE

V. CROOME PHOTO

Every January we get this amazing gift – perfectly wrapped and waiting to be opened – a shiny, brand new year.

Yup. I was right. Teaching moment. I exhale and ponder this revolutionary idea.

Instead of resolving our intentions for how we want to live, and who we want to be, on a yearly basis, what if we did it a little more frequently? What if we woke up every day with that buzz of hope – the renewed purpose to live better – and then go out and do the best we can? If that day ends with you on the couch eating chips and yelling at your kids, well, there’s always tomorrow. And tomorrow. But let’s not write off the whole year because of a little slip. Let’s reset, and then get back in the game and kick some bad-habit butt!

maybe the whole frickin’ road blows up. A challenge presents itself, and old habits we thought had been buried in that dirty old former year resurrect themselves. What do you do?

I asked my girls, ages six and seven, what they thought about making new year’s resolutions and then trying to stick to them for as long as you can. Then I spent fifteen minutes explaining what resolution meant. And then why re-VO-lution is different. And then I got a headache. But here’s the thing – when we finally got all the definitions straight, they looked at me with confusion on their sweet little faces, and Six said, “Mom, if you mess up on your revolution, why do you have to be out? Why do you have to wait until the NEXT year to play again?” My spidey senses start tingling as I become aware this might be one of those moments when my children teach me about life.

“What do you mean ‘be out’, honey?”

I anticipate her answer as I stare at her

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Community and Events

NEW FACES TO FERNIE

Elizza Hunter

by JAMES PEETERS

E

lliza Hunter is a 24-year-old female from the Gold Coast, Australia. She is currently enjoying her second winter in Canada after spending her previous season in the mountains of Kananaskis, Alberta.

How did you hear about Fernie?

Last year, while I was living in Kananaskis, a group of fellow snowboarders and I researched the best neighbouring ski hills around Alberta and British Columbia, and we found Fernie! I spent one weekend here and absolutely fell in love. I knew I had to come back for the next winter season, and here I am!

What do you do for employment?

I am currently working the front desk at Evolution Gym and Fitness. It’s great because I get to meet new people everyday who are always super friendly.

How did you find the process of finding a job in such a small town like Fernie?

Well I was expecting it to be quite difficult because I arrived during the shoulder season and everything in town was quite slow. I was fortunate enough to be walking past the gym one day and decided to enquire if they were hiring. Luckily they were looking for someone and that someone turned out to be me!

Ski or Snowboard?

Snowboarding, but I have found Fernie to be a more ski-orientated hill and would eventually like to give skiing a crack too. If it’s anything like my first time snowboarding then it might not end well, haha.

What do you hope to achieve with your time in Fernie?

Well, of course, snowboarding. Coming from Nakiska last season, I experienced a fairly straightforward and icy hill. I valued my intact bones too much to really push myself to get better and take more risks, so

JAMES PEETERS PHOTO

this season hopefully I can get in some good powder runs and work on my technique.

put my Sims days behind me and enjoy my downtime crocheting.

Do you have a favourite place in town and why?

Every time I have been to The Elk I have always enjoyed the atmosphere and had a good time. I thinks it’s more my style; chilled and laid back. I also like the cheap beers, haha.

What has been your favourite experience in Fernie so far?

Honestly, just being here in general is one of my favourite experiences; small towns are the best towns. The Gold Coast back in Australia is a difficult place to live sometimes, being surrounded by an overly touristy, superficial and materialistic environment is not an ideal place for me personally. I find Fernie and its locals to be more nature bound, relaxed and far friendlier.

Tell us something surprising about you I once played Sims for 18 hours straight. As a kid I found building their lives was more important than building mine. I have now

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Community and Events

TRANSITIONS

Pursuit of Happiness

by MICAH MORRIS

F

inding a purpose for your life is a huge, intimidating, and a seemingly insurmountable thing to ask of someone. As a high school student excited to graduate, but uncertain of what the future will hold, it seems an impossible concept to contemplate. Nonetheless I have found myself questioning my purpose. Maybe that is because I haven’t had enough time to figure it out or I’m too scared to give an answer because my purpose might change.

I asked multiple people my age what their purpose was and their answers were equally as uncertain as mine. I think that a lot of young people have found themselves in a position or situation that forces them to question their motives. I myself have struggled with this idea of a singular purpose – a purpose that seems elusive often appearing to be just beyond my grasp. But I realize that I have a lot more time to find out what I want out of this life, a lot more time to feel like I have finally found it, then in a simple change of events, to maybe lose it again.

Before sitting down to write this article, I researched how purpose plays a role in helping people lead meaningful lives. I discovered that most articles are linked to a person’s will to succeed. People who are successful or have found a purpose have loved the journey equally as much as they have loved getting to a point where they could say that they have found their purpose.

It seems that finding passion in life gives you stability to become confident in the things that you enjoy and it is what gives people’s lives more meaning. Persistence in the face of challenge is what can enlighten you and give you the reason to keep doing the things you love.

NICK NAULT PHOTO

To start with, focus on the little things that give you meaning and fulfilment, like reading a good book, spending time with family or friends, spending an entire day skiing or biking, helping someone to see their potential, making the world or your community a better place, and being a positive role model. These small things amount to personal fulfilment and may in turn lead you to find that elusive purpose.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

I have thought about how purpose is measured and what one person may think to be valid versus what someone else thinks.

For example, maybe your purpose is to go to school and become a doctor and to one day save lives, or perhaps you are content with the idea that your purpose is to live in a ski town and ski powder every day.

Finding a purposeful life is not something I believe comes naturally, but it is something you must work at and it might make you question the person that you want to be or who you are.

I found it interesting comparing high school students who are under pressure to meet expectations and make decisions, and people who have already gone through the process of graduating, who might have children, who already have a steady job, a house, or even just more experience. I asked them all what their opinion on purpose was and what I learned from these comparisons is that your purpose doesn’t have to be one thing, it doesn’t need to inspire, and you don’t even have to be certain. The one thing that was clear is that purpose may be as simple as finding the things that make you happy.

FERNIEFIX.COM

35

Outdoor Life

NEVER HAVE I EVER

A Day (or Two) at the Spa

by JESSE BELL

T

he only spa I’m truly familiar with is spaghetti.

However, I’m not at the spaghetti factory enjoying meatballs and garlic toast. Instead, I’ve just had a Brazilian (Google it). For the first time I now understand why Andy from The 40-Year-Old Virgin yelled out Kelly Clarkson’s name while having his hairy chest waxed (you should Google that, too).

Sweet glorious goodness the things people do to feel good ­– and smooth.

My beautiful friend Chantel Belanger, owner of Trillium Day Spa, invited me on a full-service spa day several months ago, but it seemed perfect to schedule it on a day just before Christmas.

JESSE BELL PHOTO

I head to the spa at 632 2nd Avenue (above Freshies) mid-morning and prepare for the day’s events. I’m vaguely aware of what to expect, but she says the words “full-body scrub” and that can’t be a bad thing.

Chan greets me downstairs for coffees with her hugely contagious smile and then we head up for the first job of the day, an eyebrow wax and tint.

to distract me with conversation but it’s not enough to help me forget the tearing of each strip. I find myself channelling my deep yoga breath to get through the hour.

After we’re done, I tell her I need a cold compress and a stiff drink.

“You should have had the drink before,” she says. Indeed.

I’ve never had my eyebrows waxed, and the blue heat from the wax feels quite nice on my face. That is, until she rips the wax off and the teeny tiny eyebrow lashes come with it. The tint looks great, though.

I plucked my eyebrows to oblivion as a teenager and they’ve never fully grown back. After, she tints my eyelashes; I didn’t even know that was a thing.

Now clothed, we head to the other room where Chan proceeds to give me a pedicure, a pleasant change from the very recent wax trauma. I select a couple different shades of red from her plethora of polishes and sit back as she (the brave soul) tackles my toes using a coconut oil and sugar scrub.

We then prepare for the Brazilian wax.

“Ninety per cent of spa clients say I didn’t take off my polish, I didn’t shave my legs, or they apologize for having funny baby toes,” she replies. “It’s totally fine.”

“You need to help me write my waxing memoirs,” Chan says as she drapes wax over – quite literally – everything. She tries

“I’m sorry I didn’t take off my old nail polish,” I say.

Chan tells me she moved to Fernie from Comox in 2007, after spending several years working at spas in other parts of BC. She also lived in Europe for two years. When she came back to Canada she realized she had grown and needed a change. She moved to Fernie and worked as a lifty at Fernie Alpine Resort, but never imagined opening her own spa. And then things fell into place.

Cheers to another epic winter in Fernie!

This past August Chantel celebrated her sixth year of Trillium Day Spa. She gives me a manicure, filing and shaping before she paints my fingernails a dark ruby red. The time has flown by and it’s after 5 pm. We decide to postpone the facial and body scrub until Tuesday and agree to meet for dinner at Yamagoya.

Like so many relationships in Fernie, Chantel and I have always intended to hang out. We know we like each other, but time gets away from almost everyone and before you know it you’ve been making plans for two years and never actually followed through. I’m happy this spa day has vetoed that pattern.

We have an incredible meal before heading out for drinks. My spa day has produced new self-confidence and I put on a dark shade of lipstick (gasp!). Sassy Spa Jesse is not single, and not mingling, but still.

We recover from Saturday’s events and meet back at the spa on Tuesday night for a fullbody scrub and facial. I’m covered in oil and nearly fall asleep on the table. The only thing missing is a strong physique of a man feeding me grapes and another one fanning a big green leaf my way.

Chan asks how my three days post-Brazilian is holding up, and I tell her it’s quite nice.

As it turns out, spas might even be better than spaghetti (maybe).

Additional spas in Fernie include 901 Fernie, Amore’s Esthetics, Enchanted Esthetics, Island Lake Spa, King Fir Spa, Lizard Creek Spa, and the Three Sisters Day Spa.Treat yourself this 2017!

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37

Health and Lifestyle

TRIATHLON CHALLENGE

Leave it All On the Course

by EMILY SAUVÉ

F

licking through the Fix last winter, I came across an article by Brendan Morgan about training for a triathlon. I had raced in the Elkford Triathlon a few times, with limited preparation, and wanted to see if there was a more challenging triathlon that I would have to commit to training towards. The Wasa Lake Triathlon provided the level of challenge I was looking for.

I signed up for the Olympic distance, a 1.5km open water swim, 40km road bike and 10km run.

Brendan put me in contact with swim coach Tara Beck, and I signed up for her six-week triathlon training course. I was a competitive swimmer in high school but funnily enough my technique was very 1990s and I had some work to do. I swam twice a week and managed to bike and run once a week. I practiced the open water swim at Surveyors Lake in May and got over my irrational fear of turtles. Once swimming training was over, I picked up the biking and running.

In March, Abi and Mike Moore invited me to join the trail team for their newly formed Stag Leap Running Co. I joined the Thursday night group runs and really enjoyed the running community that was forming. It was much easier to find other people to run with and it was always more social.

For the bike leg, I mainly trained on my mountain bike. I increased the distance of my rides and biked more and chatted less.

I find road biking on the highways here terrifying. As a result, I only got on my road bike three times before Wasa. I had a few “brick” sessions where a bike was followed by a run to get used to the heavy legs.

The Elkford sprint triathlon was the weekend before Wasa and I used this event to get rid of some nerves, fine tune my gear

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

and transitions and figure out what fuel I liked during a race. The following week I was correctly fitted to my road bike by Bob Maudie at Fernie Physio, ensuring a more comfortable ride for the duration of the 40km race. By the time race weekend rolled around, I was ready. My goal was to cross the finish line. I knew I could do each leg individually but I had no idea how I would go when I put it all together. I went

for a light swim in the lake and light jog around the campground. I slept great that night.

The race day weather was perfect. I had left all my nerves in Elkford and was ready to enjoy the race. Swimming in a pack was an incredible experience and I didn’t get kicked at all! The wind held off for the bike and the run was a blast with the

The most rewarding part of all the training was when other Mums came up to me and said, “If you can do it, so can I,” and then messaging me after they had been for a run. As parents, we get caught up in raising our little people and forget to look after ourselves sometimes. I’ve always felt my best when I am exercising and have a race to work towards. It’s too easy to have an excuse for why you don’t have time to exercise, but when you sign up for a race, exercising becomes a priority. And with the incredible training ground in our backyard and the community support we have available, training couldn’t be more accessible.

Once you start exercising, it becomes part of your daily routine and missing a session feels like you’ve forgotten to brush your teeth. My goal for 2017 is to leave it all out on the course and break three hours. And perhaps enter an Xterra Triathlon. Anyone want to join me?

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highly motivated aid stations. My husband and kids were my cheer squad and the kids yelled out the best motivational messages as I raced: “Mama, hurry up. We’re hungry,” “Mama, can you get me a cookie?” I crossed the finish line with energy to spare after just over three hours of racing. It was so worth it!

My preparation for the triathlon not only increased my fitness levels but I felt like I was waking up from the years of sleep deprivation that comes with having babies.

My mind was clearer and I slept more deeply. Since I work full-time, have two young children, and a husband who also wants to get outside and exercise, I had to find time to train in our busy schedule.

This means letting some things go. My house was a disaster most of the time and evening meals had to be ready in a matter of minutes so I could get out the door.

Socializing with friends involved a bike or run, but there was always time for a Fernie Brewing Co. beer at the end. We deserved it, after all.

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Embrace the

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2017

Outdoor Life

HITTING THE TRAILS WITH THE FERNIE TRAILS ALLIANCE

Gimme Shelter

by TERRY NELSON

C

ould there actually be any better purpose in life than to provide shelter for someone in need?

The member clubs of the Fernie Trails Alliance have ceaselessly worked to provide warm places to hunker down after an outing on any one of the many trails in the region, that access powder skiing fields, alpine mountaineering ascents, smooth Nordic pursuits, and splendid forested hikes.

The Fernie Trails and Ski Touring Club (FTASTC), founded in 1991, celebrates its 25th year of providing shelter for people exploring the vast outreaches of the Elk Valley. From the humble beginnings of the first Thunder Meadows shack cabin, to the upscale log cabin, to the now seemingly luxurious mountain getaway, the evolution of the Club’s hut provision continues, including the recent addition of the Tunnel Creek Cabin, with all of its fancy additions, and now the recent construction of the Harvey Pass Warming Hut. With the exception of the Harvey Pass Hut, which is not for overnight use, the other cabins can be booked for extended stays, by checking in at the Guides Hut in downtown Fernie for reservations.

Many thanks must go out to the many volunteers who donated money, time and materials to bring this project to reality.

Special thanks to Todd McDermid for his skilled and determined participation in the construction efforts, and to the Fernie Snowmobile Association for its significant contribution. Many others have given financial assistance, and many hours of time to make this multi-purpose facility comfortable for all.

Not to be understated is the welcoming Montane Hut, situated on the Parastone Property, overlooking the sprawling Lizard Range. This hut, which is also provided thanks to the FTASTC, can be accessed

NORDIC CENTRE HUT | SUBMITTED PHOTO

THUNDER MEADOWS | SUBMITTED PHOTO

by following the Montane trail for approximately 5km to the south of town.

The trail to the hut is track set for Nordic skiing in the winter, and a wood stove can be stoked up to warm your bones before heading back out onto the trails. Multi-use trails meander through the forest for dog walkers, snow bikers, and snowshoers, so no one is left out in the cold.

The Fernie Nordic Society, with the help of many appreciated volunteers, is celebrating the completion of the Elk Valley Nordic Centre Hut. This architecturally fashioned building fits nicely into its surroundings in the Cedars Subdivision, adjacent to Mount Fernie Provincial Park.

Access is from the overflow parking lot at the Park, and is a short walk, slide, or roll up to its door. The Nordic Centre Hut becomes the race control office during the many scheduled loppets, is a refuge for the chilled Nordic skiing public, is being used for club member meetings, and can be rented for special occasions. Overall another success story by this highly motivated group with a purpose of providing quality Nordic opportunities for Elk Valley residents and its visitors.

The Fernie Snowmobile Association maintains a number of huts in the region.

Notably the new Coal Creek warming shelter in the Rolling Hills area, which complements the Wranglers Cabin, and Ram Creek Cabin. They make for wellestablished, well-situated places to get out of the cold.

Either for social get-togethers, overnight stayovers, or as remote emergency shelters, these back-country amenities are indispensable features on our landscape.

Enjoy yourself out there this winter, and feel free to donate to any of the local clubs that are purposed with the task of maintaining these great shelters along the many trails of the Elk Valley.

FERNIEFIX.COM

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register on-line or drop in!

www.thecastleonfirst.com 461 1st Avenue | 250.278.8478

www.soarcyclestudio.com 250.423.1677 | 461 1ST AVENUE

Montane Nordic Ski and Multi-Use Winter Trail Map AQUATIC CENTRE

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MULTI-USE Fat bikes, snowshoes, hiking/running, dogs DIRT ROADS Multi-use, non-motorized DIRT ROADS Motorized Warming Hut (4km from parking area)

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• Montane Nordic Ski groomed trails (Montane Green) are for Nordic skiers only.

• Please use Multi-Use trails for fat bikes, snowshoes, hiking/running, and dogs. into some more single track, crossing Destination of the Month • All Montane property trails below River Road Extension are non-motorized.

• The Warming Hut is open to the publicand and is maintained by the multiple bridges meandering

by Julie Kelly – Fernie Trails and Ski Touring Club. through the trees.

Cross the powerline SNOW BIKE MONTANE Trails maintained and ON winter groomed by the Fernie Trails & Ski Touring Club. Please donate to grooming at fernietrails.com.

Distance: 15km Time: 1-1.5 hours Difficulty: Blue A sense of purpose can be achieved by ripping some sweet single track on your snow bike. One of my favourite trails in the winter is Montane. The views are spectacular and the trail is normally nicely packed down.

Start at the barn, either bike or drive there. Follow the Montane signs and single track along the river. Continue on Montane past the Uprooted junction.

Climb up the double track until you get

and enjoy some fun corners and descending before you climb back up to Montane Hut. If it’s a cold day, head in to the hut for a warm up.You may get lucky if the fire pit outside has been sparked up.

Cross the road and continue climbing up Roots then turn left on For Evyr just before the road. Enjoy some fast, smooth descending. Keep an eye out; there can be two-way traffic. Take a left down Uprooted for some more fun cornering and great flow. Follow this back to the barn, staying on the single track and avoiding the groomed Nordic track.

FERNIEFIX.COM

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Health and Lifestyle

FIT TO CHALLENGE

February Events

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

D

oes it seem like there is always something going on in Fernie? That’s probably because there is! This year we are focusing on training for local events and here are next month’s events so you can get ready for them.

Feb 1 - Fernie Nordic Society Toonie XC ski race The low down: If you haven’t done much XC ski racing and are hoping to do more this winter, this casual race series is an excellent way to get started. Race starts at 7pm at the Elk Valley Nordic Centre. Just show up with your XC stuff, a toonie and go for it!

Training musts: While getting out XC skiing itself is essential training for any XC race, try to make sure you remember to incorporate high intensity bouts of cardio to simulate racing. If you go hard in training, it is much easier to go hard when racing!

Feb 10-12 - Jr. Freeski Competition Skifernie.com The low down: Competitors will display their skiing skills on natural terrain while being judged in five categories – Line Choice, Control, Fluidity, Technique and Style/Energy. The event is open to skiers ages 7-18.

Training musts: While competitors for this event have age on their side to help prevent injury, core exercises using the ball are huge for keeping them strong, stable and powerful day after day. Best big mountain ball exercises: side crunches, back extensions, pushups, bridge and roll in, Russian twist, kneeling side ball toss.

RAVEN EYE PHOTOGRAPHY/WINTER WHEEZER

If you go hard in training, it is much easier to go hard when racing!

Feb 12 - Winter Wheezer. XC ski event - Fernietearsandgears.com The low down: Winter Wheezer is an annual duathlon race mixing cross-country skiing or snow biking with trail running.

Race as a team or solo.

Training musts: Both legs of the Duathlon are endurance (last year’s total race times ranged from 65 minutes to three hours) so getting out and doing a few oneto two-hour endurance sessions weekly is very helpful. As soon as you are doing this much cardio, cross training at least once

weekly becomes more important. This ensures the muscles you aren’t working when XC skiing or trail running are being worked and prevents injury. Important exercises to include would be singleleg squats to ensure good knee tracking, bridging to get your hamstrings balancing your quads, and back extensions to keep your posture upright.

Feb 14 - Valentines Day The low down: Come on, surely you know about Valentine’s Day! I am proposing you get organized now to do an active Valentine’s date. Now is the time to book a lunch and cat ride at Island Lake Lodge, as well as get some XC skis or snowshoes rented. A XC ski or snowshoe in, followed by a lovely lunch at the Lodge and cat ride down sounds like a pretty good date, no?

FERNIEFIX.COM

45

Health and Lifestyle

HEALTH NATURALLY

V. CROOME PHOTO

Finding Your Purpose

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

F

or many people, January is a time of renewal, of hope, and of change. We reevaluate, we take stock, and we resolve to makes things better. When we inspect our lives so closely, it is inevitable that “purpose” comes up as a personal theme, especially as we look at ourselves as a small piece of the greater world around us. What role do we have? What are we doing to make it better? And what does any of this have to do with health? Well, having a purposeful life appears to result in health benefits such as improved cardiovascular health and increased longevity, in addition to resulting in behavioural changes such as increased

exercise and healthier eating habits, which of course lead to further health benefits. The challenge is finding this purpose in our day to day lives, and having the courage to make the big changes that bring these big rewards.

Here are five ways to find your purpose and improve your health simultaneously: Find Out What Matters to You The first place to start when it comes to finding your purpose is trying to figure out what is important to you. This may be challenging place because it is so easy to get wrapped up in our own little worlds that we don’t even see what is happening around us, and removing the blinders can be overwhelming. Start by making a list of everything that is important to you, and then narrowing it down to the top two or three to tackle.

Read Reading is an opportunity to expose ourselves to the outside world without leaving the comfort of our homes. Fiction, non-fiction, newspapers, and even blogs all offer us different perspectives and information. If you have no idea what matters to you, start reading and don’t stop until you find something that moves you to action.

Travel If you are able to see the world with your own eyes, do it! Travel, even domestic travel, gives us the chance to meet new people and share their unique experiences with them.

Wherever you find yourself, be immersed in the culture around you and open up your mind to allow your perspective to be shaped and moulded, considering so much

more than what is happening in your own world. Be brave, and nudge yourself past your comfort zones because that is where the true growth and the opportunity to find your purpose really exists.

Give Once you figure out what it is that is important to you, whether it is maternal health, animal rescue, support for refugees and so on (it really is an endless list), then give. Give your time, give your ideas, and give your money if you are able. We all have a unique set of skills that when applied properly to the right project, are invaluable.

Give without expectations of any return, even though what you will get in return is a greater sense of meaning in your life and an idea of what your purpose might be. Spending time doing what you love, and working towards an end goal that matters to you will result in many other opportunities, including travel, relationships, and employment.

Share Share your experiences with the people in your life. Our families and friends are what matter most to most of us (if we are truly lucky) and sharing our purpose with them will result in an exponentially greater return and will hopefully spark an idea for them about what they can do to make their lives more meaningful.

The idea of finding a sense of purpose is a vague one, I know, but I also know that most of the people in my life are feeling pretty fortunate, even in the face of their own problems, and are looking for a way to make things better for the less fortunate people in our world, locally and globally.

We want to make a difference, and make the lives that we lead more meaningful and purposeful, and in doing so, make our lives more rewarding and our bodies and minds healthier.

My wish for you all is that you have a healthy and happy new year, and take your blessings and pay them forward to those who need them more.

Helping you make the right move.

Lori Russell 250-278-6444 lori@fernierealestate.com

• Respected agent with over a decade of experience • Reliable, efficient and productive • Enjoying the Fernie community for 14 years

1602 - 9th Ave., Fernie BC Toll Free: 1.877.423.2001 Phone: 250.423.2000

FERNIEFIX.COM

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Health and Lifestyle

BEAUTY AND FASHION IN A FIX

Purpose SOLANGE AND ZOE

Whether we realize it or not, getting ready each day, or shopping for the next outfit, next haircut or colour, or new lipstick, we do it all with purpose. A purpose of projecting our intention or objective. Maybe our purpose that day is to snag that new job we have been wanting, or maybe it’s to let that special someone know that we’re interested.

Whatever that intention is, we express it through our clothes, our hair, our face, and in our expression.

Whatever your mood let that purpose shine.

Here is our inspiration this month.

*Be bold in your accessories and have fun with them. *Mix and match colours and textures. *We love stripes! Add a skinny striped top with some denims and a cute casual jacket, some short boots and cute accessories. Bam! Outfit done and done! *Be confident in your choices; go outside your comfort zones and own it.

FERNIEFIX.COM

49

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Bits and Bytes

Tech Resolutions

It’s just a matter of time. Make sure you use different passwords for different sites.

Use a password manager like KeyPass, 1Password, or Lastpass. They store your passwords securely and now you only have to remember one password.

by KEVIN MCISAAC

I

t’s a new year, traditionally the time for resolutions. It’s normal to make resolutions about personal, work, and family issues, but perhaps you have time for a few tech resolutions as well.

Resolve to backup. Backup your phone.

Backup your computer. There’s almost no end to the options for free and low-cost space being handed out these days. Between Google drive, iCloud and Dropbox you can have 15GB for nothing.

If you’re very ambitious and have high data needs you can look at Amazon Web Services storage. Backing up 50GB or so there costs about $0.50 a month. Or grab an external hard drive. A couple of Terabytes can be had for less than $200.

For your phone, install iTunes on your computer and plug your phone in.

Let it do a backup. If you’re going to backup your computer too, then make your backup local and then backup the computer. I did a column last month on alternative ways to backup your phone.

Resolve to contribute more signal and less noise online. In the communications world, signal is useful, noise detracts from the signal.You can think of them as wheat and chaff if that analogy works better for you. We’ve all been guilty of having our heart strings yanked by some tragic story, or having our safety antenna tweaked by some online danger revealed, or perhaps worst of all the “The Top 5 Things You Have To Stop Doing Online;You Won’t Believe Number Five!”

Take a moment. Identify if you’ve seen this issue in a different guise before. Is this relevant to you? (I’m thinking here of the people in Switzerland responding to an Amber Alert in Alberta.) Try checking one of the anti-hoax websites. Snopes. com and Hoax-slayer.com come to mind, but Truthorfiction.com and Politifact.com

THE ANSWER GUY

V. CROOME PHOTO

Resolve to backup. Backup your phone. Backup your computer. There’s almost no end to the options for free and low-cost space being handed out these days. are also good. A quick look here will save you from reposting the, “Muslims Attack Christmas Tree in Sweden” (which was actually Christians in Egypt participating in an annual Tree Plundering celebration).

At a minimum make sure your online banking and email have their own passwords. Once hackers have cracked some minor site that you’ve logged into, they will immediately try hundreds of others with the same email and password.

In seconds they will know every website that you are a user on and have your information. That will be used to gather other information, and so on. Don’t be a victim. Use separate passwords and change them every year.

That’s it. Have a great New Year. p.s. If you have any specific questions for the Answer Guy send them to info@clarismedia. com. Chances are good that if you want to know others do too.

There are many good causes that you can support and promote online. Don’t let the posting of bad ones drown them out.

Resolve to clean up your computer. It’s been a while since I’ve posted a list of programs for keeping your computer running tip-top, but most of the good ones haven’t really changed much. Grab CCleaner. It, and most computer cleanup tools, is available on FileHippo.com. Run it and run the registry cleaner. Just doing these two things is likely to clear up a bunch of space.

A simple way to make your home project more efficient.

Make sure automatic updates are on and run them. There are constant fixes from the OS makers. Take advantage of them. Check the programs that you use regularly. Are there newer versions?

Finally, resolve to change your passwords.

If you are still using the same password for everything: stop.You are wandering down a busy highway wearing a blindfold.

www.buildtrain.ca 250 430 1872 FERNIEFIX.COM

51

GASTRO DINER

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established 2000

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Breakfast, brunch, lunch and new this winter Thursday thru Saturday dinner service.

On February 11-12 2017, the Nordic Winterfest presents:

The Teck Kootenay Cup #4, Full Moon Social and the Annual Winter Wheezer.

Co-hosted by Fernie Nordic & Fernie Tears & Gears www.fernienordic.com www.fernietearsandgears.com

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 11 Teck Kootenay Cup #4: Open to all ages and levels!

Full Moon Social: Ski & Social at Fernie Golf Course SUNDAY FEBRUARY 12 4th Annual Fernie Winter Wheezer: Fun Trail Run, Nordic Ski & Fat Bike, Team or Solo, 12yrs+ REGISTER ONLINE: www.zone4.com

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Visit us on facebook for current hours and menu updates.

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@ the Arts Station

Kootenay Cup

Bits and Bytes

January 2017

by YANN LORANGER

A

s the New Year arrives, it’s time to reveal why the famous 2017 square between Jupiter and Pluto is seen as a major generator of intensity. It’s explained by the almost exact opposition between Uranus and Jupiter. This is unique to 2017, because the influence of Uranus on Jupiter is like a snapshot taken in January and especially January first, the first day and month of the year, as those that will leave an impression on the whole year! The actual aspect between Uranus and Jupiter will fade, but since the impact takes place at this special time, it will be on for the whole year, while Jupiter will be playing his game with Pluto.

As you’ve probably realized, Jupiter energy will be key in 2017. Jupiter is a great generous leader, giving a lot to his people and enjoying being loved by them. He uses the power of feelings to make everything look big. He can use patriotism, family bonds, a noble (or not) cause, or any idea to connect the feeling of its people to the goal he is pursuing. Jupiter is in Libra and will be for most of 2017, this is where he uses this last mentioned aptitude more than in any other sign, behaving like a skilful diplomat. On a personal level, this energy helps us to rule over our own personality.

It’s an energy that allows us to unite all our tendencies towards one goal, to find and realize our deepest purpose.

January itself is the perfect moment to get accustomed with the mark, the seal that Uranus puts on Jupiter for this year. Uranus is showing Jupiter all the upcoming tremendous fast pace changes.

We are talking about technologies, means of communication, of doing business, of developing communities, of eating, of travelling, etc. All this is right in the face of Jupiter and, coming from Aries (where Uranus is), it puts an enormous pressure on Jupiter to include all this into its way of

ruling and leading. Jupiter will be powerful and unstoppable, giving his square with Pluto an incredible strength that will grow as the aspect develops through the following nine months.

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) Innovation You want to experiment with new green technologies and challenge the old ways of doing things.You are eager to experience the progress, the genius of mankind.

Taurus (April 20 - May 20) Imagination You are pondering on the role of women for the times to come. What is the sacred feminine? How will it be reinvented in this relentless wheel of progress?

Gemini (May 21 - June 20) Re-assessment Your mind is preoccupied by yourself, finding out that your own personal interests will have to be in tune with your deepest purpose.

Cancer (June 21 - July 22) Observer You can freely choose to get involved or not in the issues happening this month.

If you decide to participate, choose well where you invest your energies for they may make the difference.

Leo (July 23 - Aug 22) Engagement You understand how serious this year will be as you connect with your deepest purpose. It’s time to make a commitment towards it.

ASTROLOGY

Virgo (Aug 23 - Sept 22) Secret You are a bit left aside and quiet, which gives you the opportunity to use your qualities to prepare great surprises for those who feel overwhelmed right now.

Libra (Sept 23 - Oct 22) Discernment All powers are in your hands! The omnipresent question in your head is, “What should I do with my vast social life?”

Scorpio (Oct 23 - Nov 21) Bifurcation You can use your unique drive towards two goals, and both would be fruitful.

Choose well between your usual personal interests, fed by your usual habits and your emerging deepest purpose.

Sagittarius (Nov 22 - Dec 21) Overview From all the agitation arising from a close future knocking at our door, you must hold a solid vision of the whole.

Capricorn (Dec 22 - Jan 19) Edification Your actions determine everything.

Volunteering for a good cause might be a good idea.

Aquarius (Jan 20 - Feb 18) Limitless Thrilling, but you should keep exploring, deepening your understanding of the collective and globalization’s purposes, as they are key for the future.

Pisces (Feb 19 - March 20) Juggler You will be attracted by various forces. Use these attraction games wisely to remain inspired.

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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?

JANUARY WORD SCRAMBLE

lsuoenrtio defoun ewn reya taryp seuppro koeirsfw unf netirw FIND THE Somewhere in this issue are the numbers 2017 in Party font. Can you find it?

DECEMBER WORD SCRAMBLE ANSWERS celebrate, holiday, santa, tree, party, egg nog, wreath

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