Fernie Fix June 2020

JUNE 2020 | ISSUE 162

THE

SHIFT ISSUE

Feature Resident this month: Todd Loewen FTA announces a new Trail Manager A Fernie Scavenger Hunt by Wes Shaw Join the 100’s Club Movement Challenge with Maddy Alaric FERNIEFIX.COM

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Congratulations to the Class of 2020 From all of us at Teck, a heartfelt congratulations for the hard work and dedication that brought you to this important milestone. Although grad looks different this year, the resilience and creativity that you learn now will serve you for the rest of your life.

We look forward to sharing your future endeavours.

JUNE 2020 | ISSUE 162 THE

SHIFT ISSUE

City Corner - The Saturday Quarantine Social

by Ange Qualizza Planning Ahead - Don’t You Forget About Teens by Kerri Wall

RECREATION AND OUTDOOR LIFE p24

EDITOR’S FIX p3 BUSINESS IN THE VALLEY p7 Business News It’s in the Numbers by Roman Rybar, CFP No Secrets to Investment Success

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT p10

COVER: Learning to Fish.

Photo by Quentin Randall @q_randall THIS PAGE: A Place to Grow.

Photo by J. Raymond @jayray_sound

Feature Artist – Shaw Nielsen ArtBeat - Shifting into Neutral

by Michael Hepher At Peace and Yet On Fire – VS. by Sadie Rosgen and Camille Neal Events This Month

COMMUNITY p18 Feature Resident - Todd Loewen

by Krista Turcasso

Hitting the Trails - New Trail Manager with Julie Kelly Fernie Scavenger Hunt by Wes Shaw Fairy Creek Donation Box Fernie Mountain Mamas – Shifting Gears

by Yvonne Prest

HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE p26 Bark Break: It’s All in the Bond by Val Lanthier This is Life by Tyla Charbonneau The Courage to be Ordinary Elements of Movement – The 100’s Club Movement Challenge with Maddy Alaric

BITS AND BYTES p29 Astrology – June 2020 by Ashley Kristina The Answer Guy – Wireless Bridge

by Kevin McIsaac

FERNIE FUN p31 The Last Page FERNIEFIX.COM

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Contributors ANGE QUALIZZA is a nutty economist who has a passion for policy, governance and everything to do with municipal government!

Let’s lift up the carpet and take a closer look inside City Hall.

ASHLEY KRISTINA has studied astrology for over twenty years and has been reading/teaching for five.

For an in depth natal chart reading, email mountainashastrology@gmail. com.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Every month SADIE ROSGEN teams up with some of Fernie’s brightest young writers collaborating on a given theme. If you are reading this and think that you are that person, drop her a line at sadiepumps@gmail.com.

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

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

WES SHAW is a 14 year old avid biker and skier. After a great year competing at xc skiing at the provincial level his season finished abruptly with the cancelation of the National Championships due to Covid-19. He is already training hard for next season YVONNE PREST wears a lot of hats: New mom, writer, teacher, councillor, chips and salsa fanatic. Her favourite hat is being a Fernie-ite.

FERNIE FIX | FERNIEFIX.COM

CONNECT WITH US @FERNIEFIX

Published monthly by Claris Media.

To advertise and for general inquiries: info@clarismedia.com Box 1124, 361A 1st Ave. Fernie, BC V0B 1M0 p: 250-423-4062 | clarismedia.com

Editor’s Fix

By Krista Turcasso, Editor IT feels like lately I ‘shift’ more than I thought was humanly possible. I start the day as mom. Then I become teacher.

Sometimes I transition to yoga student.

Throughout the day I am a personal chef, promptly followed by housecleaner.

Mediator is something I am also gaining skills at. And when my partner comes home (just before, or sometimes shortly after I have completely lost it), I head to the office to be Editor. On the lucky days, I’m a biker… oh, Hi Krista!

These are such unprecedented times, and the demand for shifting is real. As we move into June, we are experiencing a different kind of shift… some might call it a shift back but I see it more as a shift forward.

We have choices… will our kids go back to school? Will we broaden our social groups, feel comfortable recreating with friends who have not been in our bubble? Will we decide to travel if/when the next phases are implemented? How can we support our local businesses and organizations?

I think what’s really important here is the word choice. Every individual, couple, family has to do what works best for their health, safety and comfort level. Having a choice is both powerful and empowering, especially if that choice is being kind. This choice is an easy one, a positive one, and the kind of choice that has been voiced by many of our leaders - from the Prime Minister to the Premier, the Provincial Health Officer to the Mayor. Kindness is where it’s at, and I don’t think I’m alone in hoping this is one of the shifts that is here to stay.

Editor | Krista Turcasso • Creative Director | Vanessa Croome • Associate Editor | Kevin McIsaac All content copyright Claris Media. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily the views of the publisher.

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

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Business in the Valley

Fernie Forest School Society Preschool 44 Mt Washburn St KRISTA TESSMAN, a born and raised local is very excited to announce that she will be the proud new owner of Fernie Forest School Society Preschool (Creative Minds Preschool) beginning July 1, 2020.

Fall Registration is now open, and their programs include The Littles- 3yr Old Program, Forest Program, and Pre- K Programs.

Visit their Facebook page (Fernie Forest School/Creative Minds), their website creativemindspreschool.ca or email Krista directly at misskristapreschool@gmail. com.

BUSINESS NEWS

NEW BUSINESS

Fernie Prep School fernieschoolagedcare.org FERNIE Prep School is a licensed PreK program that is opening its doors in September 2020. This new program will run on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8:30am-12:30pm in the Fernie school aged care classroom at the Max Turyk community centre.

Fernie Prep offers a perfect mix of child led, play based learning that has a nature play focus, with a research based curriculum led by qualified and experienced educators. A balanced program has been created for this new generation of children.

Fernie Prep is a one year program available for children who will be attending kindergarten the following September.

Enrolments for the 2020/21 school year start on June 1 via email, fernieprep@ gmail.com.

This curriculum includes its six main focuses of: STEAM Education, nature play, mindfulness, interactive stories and daily collaboration time, self-help focus, touch screen literacy and numeracy options, and community awareness.

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Business in the Valley

IT’S IN THE NUMBERS

No Secrets to Investment Success

by ROMAN RYBAR, CFP

done spectacularly well. But most new companies don’t achieve anywhere near that level of success. So, instead of looking for the next big thing on the “ground floor,” try to build a strong “foundation” consisting of a mix of quality investments suitable for your risk tolerance, goals and time horizon. This type of investing may not sound glamorous, but a strong foundation is better equipped than a possibly shaky ground floor to withstand the shifting winds of market forces.

MANY people look for the “secrets” to investment success. Is it timing the market just right? Is it finding those hot stocks or getting in on the “ground floor” of the next big thing? Actually, these types of moves have little relevance to the vast majority of investors — even the most successful ones. So let’s take a look at some steps you can take that can be effective in helping you work toward your financial goals.

It’s time in the market… not market timing. Some investors think they can succeed at “market timing” — buying when the price is low and selling when the price is high. And this would indeed be a good strategy if they could predict highs and lows. No one can accurately forecast these peaks and valleys, though. So, instead of ducking in and out of the market in a vain attempt to catch the highs and lows, simply stay invested. The more time you spend in the market, the lesser the impact you’re likely to feel from short-term price swings. And if you’re always invested, you’ll always be in a position to benefit from the next market rally.

It’s “buy and hold” — not “buy and sell.”

Even if you aren’t trying to time the market, you may be tempted to buy and sell frequently as you look for new and better opportunities.Yet, this constant buying and selling can be costly. Frequent trading, with all the additions and subtractions from your portfolio, can make it hard for you to follow a consistent,

Stock Photo

“instead of ducking in and out of the market in a vain attempt to catch the highs and lows, simply stay invested.” unified investment strategy.You’re better off purchasing quality investments and holding them for the long term, until either your needs change or the investments themselves no longer possess the same attributes they did when you purchased them.

It’s cool-headed thinking – not chasing “hot stocks.”

If you browse the internet or watch one of the investment shows on cable television, you are bound to read or hear about “hot” stocks. But by the time the news reaches you, these stocks may already be cooling off. Even more importantly, they might not be right for your needs in the first place.

Instead of chasing after hot stocks, which, by their nature, carry a strong emotional component (namely, the desire for quick, big gains), try to coolly and dispassionately analyze your situation to determine which investments are really most appropriate for your goals.

There really aren’t any shortcuts to reaching your desired financial destination.

But by taking the slow and steady path, you can work toward getting there.

It’s building a strong foundation — not getting in on the “ground floor.”

Many people regret not being one of the initial investors of a company that has

FERNIEFIX.COM

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Arts and Entertainment

FEATURE ARTIST

Shaw Nielsen I am an illustrator whose work aims to bring a bit of sunshine to magazines, advertising, books, and newspapers. I have been an illustrator for close to 10 years and over those 10 years I’ve been lucky enough to have worked with many wonderful clients from all over the world, including Disney, The New York Times, Dewar’s Whiskey, Major League Baseball, Usborne Publishing and Aspen Ski Co. to name just a few.

I’m originally from Denver, Colorado where I grew up always loving to draw and where I eventually studied illustration in College. While living in Denver I worked as a graphic designer and a web developer before quitting to become a full-time illustrator. In search of something new and a slower pace of life my wife and I moved to Crested Butte, Colorado - a small ski town in the southwest of the state. After several years in Crested Butte and in search of something new again

my wife and I applied for Canadian permanent residency. Once we got the news we would be allowed to move to Canada we sold our home and a lot of our belongings and headed north. Staying in Rossland, BC to start we had grand plans to head to a different town in the Kootaneys each weekend until we found a town we could think of as home. Fernie was the first town we visited and ended up being the only one we visited before deciding to make it home.

To me being an illustrator has always meant that I’m a blue-collar artist. People hire me to build images like you would hire a carpenter to build a chair. I draw images for clients like newspapers, book publishers and advertising agencies and they hire me because I’m a craftsman. My creativity has always found context and a home in the wider world not because of my singular artistic vision but rather through a process of collaboration with editors, writers, publishers and clients.

And it is through that blue-collar process of collaboration that I’m finding new meaning and purpose in my work these pandemic-tinged days. Getting up everyday and getting to work with people to tell stories feels special and exciting in a largely homebound world.

The artist Miranda July recently said in an interview that this moment in time is the ultimate creative prompt and I couldn’t agree more. I’m not sure what we’ll all create moving forward but I’m looking forward to being a part of whatever it is we all do build.

To learn more about Shaw and to view additional illustrations, visit shawnielsen. com or visit his instagram account.

FERNIEFIX.COM

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Arts and Entertainment

ARTBEAT

Shifting into Neutral

by MICHAEL HEPHER

ARTISTS are almost always operating under the pressure of a deadline. As a breed we are adaptable, resilient, motivated and above all creative, which means we often wear a number of hats to make ends meet. It also means we are almost always putting out fires while juggling an over-full schedule of things that need to get done.

Have you ever seen a performer spinning plates at the end of long wooden sticks? An artist’s life is often like that—not by choice, mind you—we are driven by necessity of creating enough work to make a living, but there’s almost always one plate spinning dangerously slowly as we rush over to give it a spin when the crowd gasps.

I’ve often caught myself in the midst of a stress-fuelled week wondering what I would do if I just had the time. There is this idealized notion that artists with time will create meaningful work, spend afternoons painting in the sun, generate endless ideas, and compose masterworks the likes of which the world has never seen. Well, now we’ve had the time and guess what I’ve made? Almost nothing.

This trend of COVID-inspired slovenly behaviour is not just happening to me, but to many of my artist friends as well. We’ve all longed for time, but our work turns out to be a much more complicated equation than a wealth of hours stretching out before us. I’ve spent the better part of eight weeks now analysing why I’m not painting up a storm. I’ve tried guilt and grace and everything in between to kickstart the making to no avail. Then I realized what I needed most was time, but not time to make things. I needed time to ground myself, to organize my studio, to stay up late and sleep in, to breathe.

Submitted Photo We all know intellectually it’s not healthy to push and push using deadlines as a motivator, but we all do it. With the pressures of clients and projects removed by this crazy virus, what rushed in to fill that void wasn’t more projects, but something far more important: nothing at all. Beautiful, wonderful, nothing. I cleaned my studio and waited. I organized some type drawers and waited. I set a fresh canvas on the easel and waited. After a while I realized it was the waiting I was waiting for. I didn’t need something to fill that time, I needed that time to be filled with nothing.

My projects have been goal-oriented for so long that I’ve lost track of the foundation of my creative practice. Why do I love making things? Why do I love the process of setting type or carving linoleum or setting a brush to canvas? All of these questions rattled around in my head as I puttered away at the menial tasks I’d been pushing to the bottom of the to-do list for years. After a while I subconsciously started coming up with answers: because it makes me feel whole, because it gives me a sense of my place in history, because it connects me to my community.

Following hot on the heels of the answers were new projects and ideas, but not the ones I expected: I started a project to sell studies and older paintings in a way that helped others and got the canvases out of my studio. I found some old journal covers I’d printed years ago, put them together and traded them for beer. I played guitar all afternoon to learn songs for a weekly concert stream. It turns out artists need a foundation of purpose on which to build goals as much as we need the time to build them.

As we come out the other side of the lockdown the lesson I hope to pull from this time is that I can’t build a creative practice on a foundation of stress and goals and deadlines, but I can build one on nothing. I’m starting to let the projects back into my life now, and I’m trying to incorporate the time to breathe into my day so the things I create are more meaningful.

In that way the down-time is also very meaningful.

‘When things get back to normal’ is a phrase I’ve heard a lot lately, and that makes me a little sad. There were hard days for sure, and there are likely some more hard days ahead for all of us, but during this time we’ve rediscovered passions for things that should be normal, but aren’t—baking sourdough, watercolours, or gardening.

My hope is that instead of going back to a stress-filled ‘normal’ life, we’ll take this opportunity to refocus what it means and how to shift into a new normal for ourselves. If we can do that, then we can hope to balance the bad with some good: namely the ability to stand back and feel our world collectively taking a breath, and breathe along with it.

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Arts and Entertainment

AT PEACE AND YET ON FIRE

VS.

by SADIE ROSGEN and CAMILLE NEAL IN FERNIE, even the garbage dump has views. In my five years here, my family and I have lived in a couple areas of town, all with breathtaking vistas. When we bought our (new to us) and very historical home (built in 1901), we gained so much more than property.

Leading up to our big move, some mutual friends asked us where our new home was and after we gushed about the home and location, they mentioned another family just one door down that we will LOVE.

Not a day after we moved in, a colorful birthday invitation was hand delivered to the side door. It was Beau Neal’s 3rd birthday and we were all invited. I had a chuckle and showed my husband. As we looked at our own son named Beau, we knew that life in our new neighbourhood was meant to be! Since then, our families have grown beautifully together with big Beau and little Beau playing raucously in the backyard, my older son taking care of their youngest.

At the centre of it all lies Camille and Zane, their love story with a Fernie beginning. They found each other in the mountains and built a life here, despite his Australian beginnings and her prairie pride.

My friends were right, we do LOVE them.

This month my dear friend, my co parent, my confidante, my neighbour and so many other wonderful things, Camille Neal and I teamed up to make sense of it all for our shift issue.

VS.

By Sadie Rosgen and Camille Neal

Movement 1 Discovering Truth

Movement 2 Opportunity for Improvement

Movement 3 Bird’s Eye View

kinder? wiser? safer?

different delivery same supports improvised fulfillment relinquish yourself, collectively

catastrophe? acknowledge interject accept shift your expectations authentic disconnected connection empowered empath

clutch shift accelerate

clutch shift accelerate

clutch shift accelerate reach your destination FERNIEFIX.COM

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Arts and Entertainment

EVENT CALENDAR

MONTHLY EVENTS

WEEKLY EVENTS

Sunday 7.6.2020

Mondays

Thursdays

Community Day @ Fernie Golf Club

StrongStart @ Zoom, 10:30am

InterActive Hour @ Zoom, 10am

Monday 8.6.2020

Parent-tot Funtimes @ Facebook Page

Bellies to Babies @ Zoom, 2pm

Regular Council Meeting @ City Hall, 7pm

Tuesdays

Reading Club @ Fernie Heritage Library

Thursday 11.6.2020

Block Builders @ Zoom, 11am

Baby Goose @ Zoom, 9:30am

Write It Down - Creative Writing @ Fernie Heritage Library, 6:30pm

Storytime @ Library Facebook Page, 11:15am

Saturday 13.6.2020

Try it at Home Challenge @ Fernie Heritage Library

Virtual Lone Wolf @ Stag Leap Fernie.

Six hours to run as many kms as possible!

Junior Open @ Fernie Golf Club

Monday 15.6.2020 Committee of the Whole Meeting @ City Hall, 1pm

Monday 22.6.2020 Regular Council Meeting @ City Hall, 7pm

Tuesday 23.6.2020 National Indigenous People’s Day @ Fernie Heritage Library, recognising and celebrating Indigenous culture and people in our community. Watch Facebook page for details.

Wednesday 24.6.2020 Men’s Special @ Fernie Golf Club Lemonade Social at Home @ Fernie Heritage Library, videos and crafts posted online with curbside grab bag.

Friday 26.6.2020 Tea and Talk Book Club @ Fernie Heritage Library, Zoom

Monday 29.6.2020

Parent-tot Funtimes @ Facebook Page Try it at Home Building Challenge @ Fernie Heritage Library FB or Instagram Ladies Night @ Fernie Golf Club

Wednesdays StrongStart @ Zoom, 10:30am Parent and Tot Funtimes @ Facebook Page Toddlertime @ Library Facebook page, 11:15am Drawing with Letters and Numbers @ Arts Station, 3pm ages 5-6 with Tara Higgins Virtual Book Club: The Templeton Twins Have an Idea @ Fernie Heritage Library, 2:30pm Curbside Craft @ Fernie Heritage Library FB or Instagram, watch DIY craft video, supplies available for pickup at library.

Fernie Women on Wheels @ Bike Gazebo, 6:30pm - subject to change due to COVID Men’s Night @ Fernie Golf Club Wing Take Away @ Bridge Bistro Virtual Open Studio @ The Arts Station, 7-9pm

FTA Trail Work @ Dirt Jump Park, 6pm Seniors Club @ Fernie Golf Club

Fridays Fernie Women on Wheels @ Bike Gazebo, 9:30am - subject to change due to COVID Parent and Tot Funtimes @ Zoom, 10am StrongStart @ Zoom, 10:30am Storytime Social @ Library Facebook Page, 11:15 Show and Tell @ Fernie Heritage Library, new theme each week. Post on FB or Instagram.

Art History with Jackie @ Arts Station YouTube channel Fish and Chips Take Away @ Fernie Hotel, 4pm

Saturdays Shawarma Take Out @ Fernie Hotel, 4pm

Sundays Pick-up Roast Dinner @ Infinitea, 6pm

As things change and evolve, additional events may be added to the calendar. Make sure to stay up to date by visiting FernieFix.com/calendar

Spring Break Kids Horse/Farm Camp @ Love it or Leave it Ranch (tentative)

FERNIEFIX.COM

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Community

FEATURE RESIDENT

Todd Loewen

by KRISTA TURCASSO

I MET Todd Loewen in 2010 on day one of the TransRockies. It was a wet day, and as we made our way down a very slick Hyper Extension he made sure I was okay as I narrowly escaped many a crash. It was my first mountain bike race, and knowing two Fernie doctors were close by eased my anxiety, especially after having spent the two years previous dealing with a painful back injury.

As it happens in small towns like Fernie, shortly after this event I began to realize Todd’s extensive involvement in the community… as a mountain biker, parent, soccer coach, fundraiser and in numerous other ways. Now, ten years later it comes to no surprise to learn of the additional hats he wears through his role as a physician.

Having lived in Fernie for the past 23 years with his wife and four children, Todd tells me over zoom that he “got into health care to help others, especially those less fortunate. I had some of my own misfortune with injuries so was exposed to it early on, which created a real desire to pursue it.”

As the lead of the East Kootenay Division of Family Practice, Todd was involved in a discussion a couple of years ago around the primary care network. Where were the gaps? One thing that came to light and was high on the list was chronic pain.

“There was a lack of access to specialists’ advice and a team of experts who could support them, such as physiotherapists, chiropractors, and RMTs. There wasn’t a model, no coordinated approach of how to support someone in a team-based way,” Todd explains. “We wanted to bring these pieces together, and then bring it together as a community. To support the person,

Submitted Photo and the care givers. Together we can work to address the complexity around chronic pain.”

Through funding, they were able to hire Charlie Sawatzky as the Chronic Pain Project Manager for the East Kootenay Division of Family Practice and create a team of local specialists to develop programs to improve physician knowledge.

In February, they hosted a two-day conference in Fernie which provided educational opportunities for both physicians and providers, as well as a free public seminar which allowed residents and the community to learn more and to ask questions.

“It was really well-received,” Todd says.

They have also initiated programs for those dealing with chronic pain, some focusing on movement and others on understanding

cognitively what is going on. “These are ongoing programs people can attend, but patients sometimes have trouble attending these things.” They came to the conclusion that in order to continue, they needed to create a position to coordinate providers, receive referrals for helping with patients and to direct them in the right direction.

This coordinating role was given to a local social worker, Lois Elia who the team felt would be a great fit between physicians and health care professionals, who would also have access to and knowledge of funding to support those in need.

Talking with Todd, I shared with him my own journey with my injury and pain, and how lost and alone I sometimes felt.

We agreed that it is a needed and exciting addition to what is already on offer in our community.

“We want all private providers to be engaged and to work together. We have such a huge group of great providers - we are so lucky in the Elk valley with the calibre and skills of the professionals here,” Todd adds.

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

Like most things this spring, COVID-19 slowed their progress, but “it is still alive and we are committed to keeping it going.

We aim to get back at it and to support people as best we can with whatever COVID restrictions we have.”

Community and the amazing environment, both physical and work wise. They are all awesome.

Todd has been involved in primary care changes in our region and through his role is aware of opportunities for different projects. He has also received training around physician leadership, which has undoubtedly been an asset to this project.

But Todd is the first to say this is a group effort with many working to ensure there is continued collaborative support for those dealing with chronic pain in the Elk Valley.

Ya, I love skiing.

“As family doctors we all see the need.

The money was there, and we didn’t want to see the opportunity be missed. A lot of people suffer from chronic pain. We have a long ways to go to fine-tune this, but want to encourage the community to keep providing feedback, both positive and negative. We are open to improving.”

Wow, there’s some nice mountains here besides Coast mountains.

4. What keeps you here?

5. Do you have a favourite Fernie pastime?

With a robust, stable economy that can balance some more slow growth with environmental stewardship.

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

Exercising after work so that my mental health is tuned in before I reconnect with the family.

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

That I was dumb enough to do the TransRockies twice.

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

Well, you know what I love having all four seasons.Vancouver was rainy season and summer. Here we get full on summer, fall, winter and spring.

10. Quote to live by: While striving for your destination, remember to enjoy the journey!

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

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

Thank you, Todd and everyone involved.

This is undoubtedly going to be a fantastic resource for many residing in the Elk Valley.

If you’re interested in learning more or are in need of support, please visit panic.ca/ elkvalley.

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

When I first came here was as a family practice resident, in 1994.

2. Who did you first meet?

Dr. Forrest who I worked with as a resident.

The international symbol for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is the Iris.

Wear purple on June 15 as a way of acknowledging your support to shine a light on this significant issue.

At this time, more than ever, we all need to help keep our elders and community members safe and treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.

www.evcnpvoice.com FERNIEFIX.COM

19

Community

CITY CORNER

The Saturday Quarantine Social

by ANGE QUALIZZA I AM loathe to admit that I am a creature who craves schedules, happiest when I get to roll through months and seasons with regularity. When my girls were younger, I threw my outdoor enthusiasm into adventure Wednesdays; biking, hiking and skiing with gal pals from 9-11:30am. It was a period of pure bliss.

Things shift though, many of us re-entered the workplace. Some of us are supporting our athlete children and travel most weekends. I almost never see those ladies anymore, and it devastates me how quickly patterns can change our relationships and impact our sense of community health.

I asked Anie how they decided to set us free. “SQS is built around a model of an accessible audience (that is staying at home), local support, and novel circumstances. As Canada begins to change its stipulations of social distancing and as spring weather draws us outside, more options of connection are open to folks on a Saturday night.” When I hear her explanation, I know it makes sense but can’t help but feel a little vulnerable and quietly hope they do the opposite, continuing to offer us virtual hugs and connection.

Submitted Photo I asked them both to share an event that made their hearts swell over the past seven We didn’t set out with a specific idea, and weeks, Anie jumped in. “The night that On March 17, 2020 Dr. Bonnie Henry, honestly the thought of doing a weekly both our teens got involved in the evening’s BC’s provincial health officer declared a hour of fresh music seemed overwhelming concert, was a full circle moment. Our public health emergency and with one at first, so we started inviting friends into kids have not always been a part of our measured press release, suddenly and the stream starting with our friends Clayton performing lives-often been brought to dramatically it meant that all of us would and Joelle of The Parsons, then some farther grandparents or babysitters during a gig. be changing our patterns and staying home afield guests. Once we got into the rhythm, So, with Wren as a performer and Finn as for an undetermined length of time. While the format seemed to shape itself. We’d sound tech, it felt like even we (as a family) the rest of us were feeling lost and adrift, chat on Sunday about a theme for the next were all in this together.” the musicians were thinking of a way to show, and then song ideas would show support us. A quick conversation between For Mike, “it wasn’t a single moment, themselves to us through the week.”

Anie Hepher of Red Girl and Sage but the ongoing feeling of seeing the The first show on March 28 had over McBride of Shred Kelly and the Saturday community rally around the event. We’ve 320 live viewers, was shared 57 times Quarantine Social was born. spent a lot of time walking and would often and resulted in 7600 views. Surely, this have people jog past and say, ‘Thanks for I wanted to dedicate this article to Mike must mean I was not alone looking for the music!’ Or we’d find little prizes left on and Anie Hepher from Red Girl because something more meaningful than Netflix our front step—bottles of wine, sourdough their effort to perform weekly for us was to anchor me. To help me appreciate the bread, produce, homemade bagels. These such a grounding force for my family it felt stillness and stay connected. small gestures are the real-life currency of almost like an old fashioned radio program, community and the quarantine time has The surprise for Anie and Mike was that a nod to an era where families would really rekindled that in a way I think we’d they thought they would be entertaining a gather intentionally around a story. local audience and couldn’t have been more all forgotten about. We’ve felt buoyed by all those unexpected gestures. Our town is I was also buoyed by the courage of Anie surprised to see regular engagement with rich in community and it’s been touching and Mike to play around with an unfamiliar viewers from Australia and Boston. “The to see everyone rally together.” platform and allow us all into their homes idea that we’d have regular viewers in faras they gave themselves permission to learn flung places like that really showcases the I know that tuning in for seven weeks a new path to find their audience. opportunity-in-disguise that a quarantine is sharpened my gaze and gave my family a for musicians at a strange time like this.” routine that we settled into very easily. We Mike explains that, “It felt very organic.

gathered around Facebook - which sounds awful - but what a platform for musicians right now! After the performance, we paid for our appreciation with a delivery of homemade bagels. It felt beautiful and challenged me to think how I manage my time in the future, to stay connected with loved ones with more intention.

Pay Debit And Support

Local Charities June 2020

I asked Anie if there was something about the process that sharpened her message, or what lessons she wanted share.

“Such a great question! For me I have been thinking about the role of musicians and performers in society. I was reminded of the genuine sense of responsibility that a performer has to their audience.

During a performance, the audience has a choice to trust the performer/musician to in some way take care of them. With this gift of trust, the performer is given permission to act as a sort of tour guide.

And so, we allowed music and stories to transport us—either to escape from our present circumstances, or go deeper into the experience we are in. All moving together. The strangely unseen SQS audience (each in their own home) gave us their full support as we sang, giggled, cried and muddled our way through the blind corners of this unique time. It felt like over these seven weeks we were all holding hands during these shows. In an unpredictable and sometimes troubled world - that was a profoundly moving experience.”

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If you allow yourself to listen, there are teachers everywhere. Mike reminding us that small gestures are in fact the real-life currency of community makes my heart sing.

Anie explaining that to walk on a journey requires trust is powerful, because for the next while here in Fernie we are going to be walking around a bunch of blind corners, hoping we don’t fall.

If you are still lost, Anie asks us all to move in the direction of unity, or as Bruce Cockburn says, “Open your heart, and grow with what life sends.”

FERNIEFIX.COM

21

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Community

PLANNING AHEAD

Don’t You Forget About Teens

by KERRI WALL

THE general population is more tuned in to the needs of our elders than we have been for a long time. We are helping neighbours, we fret about those who have lost jobs, and our hearts go out to moms and dads of small children who have to juggle parenting and working from home.

But do you know what population is largely forgotten right now? Teenagers.

“I definitely feel more isolated and alone,” a graduating teen told me. “Nobody in my home is having the same experience as me with this pandemic, and I’m not around people who can relate.” Teenagers can feel a bit different from the rest of society because we treat them differently. Adults don’t usually know what to make of these almost-grown-ups. With the corona crisis thrown in, teens are dealing with more than one major life shift.

For this month’s piece I was able to talk separately with two young women who attend Fernie Secondary School in normal times. Now they are doing online learning and wondering what the future holds.

“When I first heard about the coronavirus it seemed far away and I never imagined it would impact my own life,” the girl in grade 11 described to me. She said reality hit during spring break at the end of March, and when she found out schools would be closed she was shocked.

When I asked about her feelings at that time the first thing she told me is how grateful she was to be living here. “I think we are lucky to be able to go outside. I could still snowmobile with my family. We have fun ways to isolate ourselves.” The girl in grade 12 reported similar thoughts, “I feel privileged to have the option of staying

teen in grade 12 reported that not seeing friends or connecting with peers and other people she knows is the most difficult.

She said, “I miss my friends, and grad will probably be cancelled. That’s a big deal.”

Emily Pullen Photo home and being safe with my family. I’m grateful for the forest and natural spaces, and how easy it is to get outside and be active with fresh air.”

A recent post from the FrameWorks Institute points out, “From preschoolers missing interactions with gentle and attentive playgroup staff to high schoolers bereft without their friends and activities, our children are reminding us that young people grow in an environment of relationships.” Although many of us are cherishing extra time with our teenagers, we can’t forget the teen years are about expansion and exploration. Getting locked down at home isn’t exactly the shift that nature has in mind for adolescents.

The young woman in grade 11 told me the hardest part of dealing with COVID-19 is not being able to interact with her friends and others in her community circle. She also said she worries about how dramatic the situation is in the United States, and the risk that might pose to Canadians. The

Both youth shared that they are unsettled about such an uncertain future. The graduating student wonders about all the plans she’s been making to attend postsecondary in Alberta come September.

The grade 11 student said, “What will next year look like? How will the world be changed?” These are concerns that most young people haven’t felt in over a generation.

On the upside? The older teen expressed how wonderful it is to spend so much time with her family right now because she will (probably?) be moving away in the fall. She also said, “It’s been a great opportunity to learn about motivation and self-directed learning; those are skills I’m going to need in university.” The younger teen revealed, “I am definitely much less stressed and my anxiety is way down.” When I asked how come she explained the pressures of high school and stated, “It is full-on over there.”

She also appreciates the time and space to get better acquainted with her own thoughts and feelings.

The shift into young adulthood is a big one for teenagers. The current situation makes it even more daunting. Remember the teens in your life are processing a lot right now, and they are missing their village.

FERNIEFIX.COM

23

Recreation and Outdoor Life

HITTING THE TRAILS

New Trail Manager

by JULIE KELLY, FTA AS we shift into a new season the Fernie Trails Alliance (FTA) is also moving into a new direction with hiring of a Trail Manager. This individual will be responsible for managing and coordinating volunteers, coordinating the inspection and maintenance of existing trails, managing budgets and providing weekly trail reports.

This role is key to our trail network, as it will help us manage our volunteers more effectively, improve our reporting to funders and landowners and to the community at large.

The FTA received many strong resumes, and after a thorough interview process the position was rewarded to Ben Martin.

Ben shows a real passion for trail building, with five years of experience volunteering on the Trails and Maintenance Committee. In addition, he has led the Thursday night work parties and has been involved in various FTA

Fernie Scavenger Hunt The Mushroom/ Fairy Donation Box

by Wes Shaw

WHILE we are unsure what the future will look like, we are sure we have beautiful wilderness surrounding us with well-maintained trails providing access to many inspirational spots. Each month, we will provide an image and some directions to a location which is also the home to one of the artistic donation boxes in Fernie’s trail network. Hike or bike to any two of these this June through September, get your picture taken and claim your prize at Edge of the World.

Reach all four by the end of the season

Submitted Photo sub-committees. Ben also sits on the board of the Fernie Ski Touring Club, one of our member clubs.

Paul Attalla, former Trail and Maintenance committee member and a key contributor to developing this role said, “I am so excited that the FTA was able to get the Trail Manager role in place for the people of Fernie. This position has been crafted with help of other communities like and enter a draw to win the grand prize pack!

Here is the first challenge.

1.The Mushroom/ Fairy Donation Box at Fairy Creek Falls Starting at the Visitor Center trail head on Highway 3, follow the signs to Fairy Creek Falls. Keep an eye out for the mushroom donation box to your left just before the falls. This trail is recommended as a hike but can be biked part of the way.

Kimberly and Nelson, who are successfully utilizing this role. The summary from both communities is that they have less problems, save money and have better trails. This position is well-defined with a significant emphasis towards trail building, maintenance and repair. The individual will take direction solely from the FTA and Trails and Maintenance committee. The manager will be instrumental in preparing projects, motivating and organizing our volunteer community and reducing stress from our hard-working Committee and board members. The end result will be a better trail network for our community.

A big thumbs up to the current FTA board members, it was their hard work and vision of a better process and trail network that turned years of intention into great works.”

We are thrilled to welcome Ben to the team.

These are all two-way trails so make sure you make lots of noise when hiking or biking to let other trail users and wildlife know you are coming. Always follow the rules of the trail, wear proper safety attire and make sure your bike is in good working order. Trail maps are available for free on the Trailforks app, with additional descriptions and directions to trailheads.

Download it before you go. Remember these trails are built and maintained by a volunteer organization so please feel free to leave a donation in one of the custom FTA donation boxes.

To enter the grand prize draw for completing all four challenges email proof of completion to wesrobinsonshaw@ icloud.com or johnnypshaw@hotmail. com

Recreation and Outdoor Life

FERNIE MOUNTAIN MAMAS

Shifting Gears

by YVONNE PREST FIRST they roll over, camera-ready, each small change a delight of awe to a new parent. A thousand photos later and you’ve lost friends on Facebook but to you it is still magic. Then they start to scooch or crawl, eventually stand, then walk and in Fernie, they begin to climb, ski and bike.

A natural progression. A marvel to witness.

Infants and toddlers shift and change without resistance and without fear.

These little beings can teach us so much when we take the time to see them.

In light of Father’s Day this month, I thought that I would interview a father who understands and embodies these principles perfectly.Victor Spicer is a Fernie parent who follows his son’s intuition and drive towards adventure: “The instinct children have to explore is amazing.” Spicer is impressed by how simple tasks such as following a bug along its path, picking up sticks, or throwing rocks can be so satisfying to his son, Silas. Being outdoors “is a release of pure endorphins aiding with their learning and growth” all at the same time. Since Silas was born, both Mom and Dad have made it a priority to spend a lot of time with him outdoors. Spicer feels that by starting young he can facilitate a “connection between fun and the outdoors early” for his child. Spicer is not the only parent concerned that with more and more exposure to screens in our modern world, children may lose their own sense of wonder and connection to nature. As Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods states, “Time in nature is not leisure time; it’s an essential investment in our children’s health.” Spicer also believes it is vital that children’s attention be driven outdoors. “Being outside also tires them out so they have better sleep; it is a win-win” for all.

One of the Spicer family’s favourite spring activities is to go biking along Fernie’s many family-friendly trails. A few beginner trails for children are the Kootenay Elk Trail, the Great Northern Trail and the Coal Creek Heritage Trail. The scenery alone is a great backdrop for a photo opportunity.

The day could end with muddy hands and grass stained knees but certainly full hearts.

The Montane Trail system and the Fernie Dirt Jump Park are also great spots for kids to get started on their bikes and spend the day as a family.

I asked if Spicer had any advice for new parents wishing to teach their children how to bike and I loved his response. Spicer’s first tip was to “take it easy.” I think that this is wonderful advice for anyone wanting to start a new activity. Take it slow and be sure that your child actually enjoys being on a bike before jumping into a strenuous long ride. “Take a ride around the block and see if it is something they even enjoy.”

Submitted Photo Spicer began by taking Silas along the dyke but warns that cruising along the river may result in toddlers preferring to stop and throw rocks into the water instead. A great purchase to get your child started would be a Chariot or a Shotgun Mountain Bike Seat. These tools are incredible as they allow parents to enjoy a bike ride while easing toddlers into the feel of being in momentum on a bike. At the end of the day, Spicer’s philosophy is to “have fun with it as that’s what it is all about.” I think Silas would happily agree.

Happy biking!

Are you also a Fernie Mountain Mama?

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

FERNIEFIX.COM

25

Health and Lifestyle

BARK BREAK

It’s All in the Bond

by VAL LANTHIER OH Molly! She’s one of those dogs who everyone falls in love with the moment they meet her. She’s a Portugese Water Dog with the kindest eyes and the sweetest soul.

She oozes with happiness and love, putting a smile on any stranger’s face.

Although Molly spends most of her time in Fernie, she also hits the open sea on her dad’s sailboat. Her favourite sport is paddle boarding, too. Talk about a water dog! As a professional cuddler, pleaser and avid traveller, she’s living the life she deserves.

For anyone who has had an extra special dog in their lives, the type who understands you without asking, who shines bright without trying, each would agree it is one of the most rewarding connections. Molly is such that she’s able to share that with multiple people. What makes these connections standout is that deep bond that forms effortlessly. It’s when a dog’s actions go beyond obeying to meet instinctual needs like food and shelter.

There are endless stories that showcase the compelling power of the human-canine bond, from dogs pulling their family out of a burning home to military dogs making the ultimate sacrifice. Even basic actions like a Labrador fetching a bird in exchange for its owner’s affection or the famous story of Hachiko who waited at the train station for his owner to return every single day for a decade without success.

Bonds can develop naturally, but they can also be enriched to grow stronger, which means they can be worked on for those dogs who haven’t yet quite reached their full potential. Too often we hear people say they don’t believe their dog would ever be able to accomplish such greatness, but the reality is that the innate desire to work with humans has been hard-wired into

Val Lanthier Photo our canine friends and it’s up to us to let it thrive.

The foundation of a solid bond is built on trust, understanding and respect. There is no limit to how deep these can build up to be. Strengthening them will improve any dog’s behaviour and it is more predictable to achieve than one might think.

Failing to provide boundaries, routine, dependability and training will inevitably weaken your connection. Dogs look for guidance from us and the opposite is true in thinking that they will be unhappy with proper structure. In fact, a lack of parameters causes uncertainty and anxiety.

Teach your dog what you see fit as being both appropriate and inappropriate within your own boundaries and they will learn to respect them because they instinctively want to.

Build trust by being a positive figure to your dog. Avoid situations where you know

your dog is listening to you because they are afraid of the potential consequences.

This can be subtle and often unintentional, like using a harsh tone can cause your dog to obey because they are fearful of the repercussions in you being impatient.

Instead, notice the difference between your dog listening to you out of pleasure and they will learn to focus more on you overall. Remember that in each situation, your dog will never be able to trust you if you don’t trust them.

Create opportunities that allow for you and your dog to rely on each other and learn together, like trying a trick or sport that is new to both of you, or visiting unfamiliar places. The key to a strong bond is patience, it’s impossible to achieve good results without it. Allow your dog to reach their full potential, it’s the greatest gift you can give them in return for their undeniable loyalty.

Health and Lifestyle

THIS IS LIFE

The Courage to be Ordinary

by TYLA CHARBONNEAU YOU read that right, the courage to be ordinary. Not the strongest, fastest, smartest, prettiest, or best. Ordinary and good enough.

A few months ago I listened to a Tim Ferris podcast interviewing Brené Brown.

She exclaimed that people relate to her because she is not afraid to be ordinary.

After agreeing with Tim that she is far from ordinary, my perfectionistic brain went into overdrive. What would life be like if we stopped trying to be everything to everyone? Or if we looked at ourselves and said, “I am enough.” If we considered giving up on perfection? If we had the guts to embrace being ordinary? Would we be okay if we lived life on our terms and not by following a nagging voice in our head that tells us how inadequate we are on a daily basis? There were two distinct outcomes in my mind from these thoughts, one was peace. The other was, “What? You cannot do that, you will be a lazy person who does nothing! Now go do something useful.” Guess which one my critical voice was.

I learned recently that 90% of the population has a core belief of “I am not good enough.” Ninety percent, let that sink in. This is likely on a continuum of how it effects most of us but that still means there are a lot of incredible people walking around with a belief that they are not doing enough, attractive enough, being enough. This thought may evoke some level of sadness in you because it means you and the ones you care about most give in to negative ideas about who they are constantly.

This month’s Fix theme is Shift. The idea prompted me to think about goal setting or life improvements in a ‘be more’ frame

Rock artist unknown,V. Croome Photo

“Give self-compassion a try, you just might find that ordinary or enough is actually pretty extraordinary.” of mind. Shifting to an idea of being enough makes sense in life right now too. Overcoming the critical voice in our mind is no easy feat and I will not pretend to have a quick fix. However, there are small steps that we can take to turn the volume down on that voice. Step one involves observing our negative thoughts.

Examples include analyzing a conversation long after it is over about what you said or what the other person might think of you, apologizing profusely if someone has to wait for you on a trail, or filling the blank on statements like, “I am such a…” Once we start paying attention to these thoughts, we take away some of their power simply

by being aware. Step two involves challenging these thoughts. How accurate are they? Would I believe the thought about a friend if they said it me about themselves? How is this thought actually helping me right now? Finally, we can learn to talk back to that voice. We can tell it to back off or that it is not helpful right now or that we will not blindly believe it.

Embracing the idea of ordinary does not mean you will not achieve your life goals or engage in activities that you are passionate about.You can still run a marathon, open a business, or get an education. Being enough does not mean giving up, it just means allowing ourselves to be kind as we do. Think of it this way, would you ever motivate your loved one with the unkind words you find in your own mind? If you did, would it work?

Give self-compassion a try, you just might find that ordinary or enough is actually pretty extraordinary.

FERNIEFIX.COM

27

Health and Lifestyle

ELEMENTS OF MOVEMENT

The 100’s Club Movement Challenge

by MADDY ALARIC JUNE seems like a nice month for a challenge. How does completing 100 reps of different movements each day throughout the month sound? This number may sound rather intimidating to begin with, but I assure you that as the month goes on, it will become easier. This is coming from the gal who, at one point in time, did one hundred naked air squats everyday for an entire year. I speak from experience when I say to you, it does get easier. Take a look at the big picture and remind yourself that one month is a rather short amount of time and that you can do it. As the days get longer with increased hours of sunlight, there is no reason why we can’t all head outdoors, catch some rays and squeeze in a quick one hundred reps.

Right?

Monday

Personally, a 6am rise and shine with the birds, paired with squats or pushups and a coffee sounds quite lovely. There’s something so magical about those early hours of the morning. The colours, the sounds, the smells… I could go on. I’m certain some of you are reading this shaking your head thinking ‘What? People actually do that sort of thing at that time of the day?’ I’m here to tell you that yes, indeed they do, and I am willing to bet that those people would agree that it’s quite possibly the best time of the day. Now, the enjoyment likely doesn’t happen overnight, it takes some time to get into the groove.

They say 21 days to form a habit, which works perfectly for us all, because we are doing this for 30 glorious days together.

If you happen to fall into the category of people who think nothing good could Lateral hops

possibly happen before 9am, or that early morning fitness isn’t your time to shine, no problem. Find time in the day that works for you to spend a few minutes getting the reps in and the heart rate up. It doesn’t matter when you do them, but that you do complete them. Can you find a buddy to do the 100’s Club Movement Challenge with you who will hold you accountable?

Maybe you meet up from a distance each day, put on some tunes and see how fast you can do them. Social media is also a great form of accountability, so by all means, use it. #100club.

One last thing - remember that with all of these movements you are more than welcome to modify to a number that will make sense for your body.

I.e. If 100 is a big reach, start with 50.

Shoulder tap

100 air squats (knees track over the feet, chest stays up, no wobbly knees)

Tuesday

100 shoulder taps (in plank or from knees, alternating hands to touch shoulder)

Wednesday

100 lunges (forward or reverse alternating legs)

Thursday

100 push ups (plank, knees or elevated torso all count)

Friday

100 burpees (spicy, I know)

Saturday

100 mountain climbers.

Sunday

100 lateral hops over home object (think laundry basket or two pillows stacked)

Lunges

Bits and Bytes

ASTROLOGY Libra

June 2020

by ASHLEY KRISTINA Aries

Integrity of self is a very important theme.

Especially for the times where society is attempting to create some movement. It’s a time where nobody knows the best way to be so one can only simply be! Keeping yourself insular is helpful.

Taurus

This is a time of expansion for you in many different ways. Deep understanding into another realm of life can come at this time and following your intuition will be important. Be open to the new and fresh way of being!

Gemini

Happy birthday Gemini.You see the truth as you see through the illusion. Many people can’t comprehend what you try to speak. Scorpio energy will understand you in these retrograde times.

Like a photograph in the developing room, there is the photograph and the ‘negative’ and the same goes for the reality that we experience.You are starting to comprehend this occult knowledge and both exist at once. Learning our individual place in this space and time continuum is a great adventure!

Scorpio

A theme of duality rips through, watching two worlds colliding. I wander how many people can look at their outer reality and recognize their role as creator or creatrix?

To take true responsibility for ‘self ’ is a grande endeavour.

Sagittarius

Wisdom is knowing that one can not know what comes next, and that the future does not exist and neither does that past. Most people sit oscillating between the two nonexistances and wandering why they are unhappy. Moment after moment, within the moment, is a life worth living.

Capricorn

Rely on traditional methods that have worked for you in past. Look to the past for intelligence on matters of the future. If you have seen something repeatedly work or not work, extrapolate this data for future endeavours.

Aquarius

Now is a good time to drive a stake into the ground and bring an idea into fruition.

Your forward-thinking mind is a benefit: what futuristic ideals do you see society benefiting from? Spring is the time!

Pisces

Contemplation marks the theme for you.

Your own inner intelligence guides you the best way, not the weight of outer circumstances. Occult energy and the teachings of hermetics have a puzzle for you to solve. Thoughts only take us so far, tune in to the place of ‘knowing.’

Visit ferniefix.com for the full article which includes the June astrology introduction.

Cancer

We will see the response of people’s actions from the end of May and beginning of June manifest in the community by the end of June. Good or bad is totally dependent on the integrity of the individual within the community. Remain cautious and remind people to do the same.

Leo

There is great importance of individual responsibility for communal health. People love to follow you whether you realize it or not. People look up to you. Setting a good integral example is an important part you can play in this time.

Virgo

It is a time of contemplation for everyone on earth however there is a defining of self, a mastery of self that occurs and this correlates with your virgo energy.You have the important teachings of times like this, people will benefit from what you have to say so speak up!

Our offices are open again for routine care!

Things will be a bit different for a while, but we look forward to seeing and helping everyone again soon.

FERNIE: 250-423-4467 • BLAIRMORE: 403-562-7174 • ELKFORD: 250-865-2022 FERNIEFIX.COM

29

Bits and Bytes

THE ANSWER GUY

Wireless Bridge

by KEVIN MCISAAC I RECENTLY had a friend call me up about a network connectivity problem in their house. Their second bedroom/ occasional office upstairs has terrible WiFi connectivity and no ethernet port.

Consequently, the office wasn’t nearly as useful as it could have been. It might work fine for some web browsing, but in these days of almost continuous streaming video Zoom meetings, everyone needs pretty good and reliable internet service.

So, how do you get decent internet service in that remote area of your house? The solution is often a WiFi repeater.

First, a bit of terminology because you may hear devices being called Wifi repeaters, extenders, bridges, or access points.

A WiFi repeater (often called an extender) works by connecting to your wireless network, the same way your laptop or phone does, and then it amplifies and rebroadcasts that connection. This is what you want when you have a remote room with poor WiFi. A WiFi bridge works by connecting two different wireless networks and making them appear as one. This is what you want when you have non-wireless devices that you want to plug into ethernet, but the ethernet router needs to connect to your network wirelessly.

A WiFi access point is any router that you can connect to with your wireless device that allows you access to the network.

Most of the time what you’re looking for is a WiFi repeater that also has an ethernet port. This means it can connect to your existing wireless network, rebroadcast WiFi for you to connect to (usually from a place where it was difficult for you to get WiFi before) and allows you to plug in a

non-wireless device and have it connect to your network wirelessly.

This sounds like quite the magical device and it is. The best thing is these tend to be small (a bit bigger than a deck of playing cards) and affordable (less than $100). And finally, they’re usually pretty straightforward to setup. I won’t get into that as it’s different for each make and model, but suffice to say typical instructions are to plug it in and use the provided login instructions to connect to it wirelessly and then in a settings page put in the WiFi password for connecting to your existing network. And that’s about it.

TP-Link makes a number of different versions of a WiFi repeater/extenders. At the pricier end of the scale is the TP-Link

AC2600 (RE650) runs around $140.You can plug in one wired device for a 1Gb connection. It has 4 antennas so great connectivity. It has dual-band wifi, so it can communicate with your network on one band and with your devices on a separate band so they’re not sharing bandwidth.

At the more affordable and of the scale is the TP-Link ac750 (RE205) at $60.

It supports much of what the RE650 supports but with a little less power and capacity.

If you have a wifi weak or dead spot at home, a WiFi repeater just may let you turn that space into another location for Zoom cocktails or possibly even being productive.

Majic, Purdy Law Corporation

Trusted Legal Advice for over 30 years George S. Majic, Q.C. (d. 2003) • Glen A. Purdy, Q.C Caeli H. MacPherson, JD Providing a full range of legal services, including:

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

www.majicpurdy.com

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

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