Fernie Fix November 2021

NOVEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 179

THE

Kindness

ISSUE

IN THIS ISSUE: Kindness Issue Special Feature with Lynda Bird and her take on faith in kindness. Feature Resident Melanie Wrigglesworth discusses an important initiative for the community. Feature Artist Jamie Inman takes us through her evolving journey with photography. And read additional perspectives on this month’s theme, from the importance of words to the physical benefits of being kind to ourselves.

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NOVEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 179

THE

Kindness

ISSUE

EDITOR’S FIX p7 THE KINDNESS ISSUE SPECIAL FEATURE p8 Faith in Kindness by Lynda Bird

BUSINESS IN THE VALLEY p10 Business News Taking Care of Business – Being Respectful, Patient and Kind

by Brad Parsell

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT p16 Feature Artist - Jamie Inman Musings of a Bookworm – Come from Kindness by Jessica Bozoky ArtBeat – Strong Words by Michael Hepher At Peace and Yet on Fire – Giving Me Something That I Need

by Sadie Rosgen and Strangers Rental Fix – Bill and Ted Face the Music by Andrew Vallance

EVENTS CALENDAR p25 COMMUNITY p30 Feature Resident – Melanie Wrigglesworth City Corner – Fall at City Hall by Ange Qualizza

RECREATION AND OUTDOOR LIFE p35 Hitting the Trails – Trail Etiquette by Julie Kelly

HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE p36 Family Wellness – Be Kind to Yourself with Primary Cardiovascular Prevention by Dr. Taina Turcasso This is Life – Another Perspective by Tyla Charbonneau

BITS AND BYTES p41 The Answer Guy – Reader Mode by Kevin McIsaac Astrology – November 2021 by Ashley Kristina Through the Lens – The Kindness Issue Photo Gallery The Social Page

COVER: Frolicking in the fall.

Photo by Born to Adventure - Leanne Nanninga @born.to.adventure

FERNIE FUN p46

THIS PAGE: Everyone needs a little help from a friend.

Photo by Born to Adventure - Leanne Nanninga @born.to.adventure

Claris Media acknowledges that the land on which we work, gather and recreate is the traditional and unceded territory of the Ktunaxa people.

We are very grateful for this place and the abundance it provides.

The Last Page

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We Will Remember To those who served on the frontlines of conflict; thank you for bringing us to today.

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Editor’s Fix

Contributors ANDREW VALLANCE is a cinephile nerd who currently lives on the west coast.

Girlfriendless, he spends his time going to movies, buying DVDs and flirting.

ANGE QUALIZZA is a nutty economist who has a passion for policy, governance and everything to do with municipal government! Let’s lift up the carpet and take a closer look inside City Hall.

ASHLEY KRISTINA has studied astrology for over twenty years and has been reading/teaching for five. For an in depth natal chart reading, email mountainashastrology@gmail.com.

BRAD PARSELL is the manager of the Fernie Chamber and loves working with our local vibrant business community. He is also a music nerd with an ever-growing collection of records in his basement.

JESSICA BOZOKY quit her editing job in Australia to chase the snow. Having settled in Fernie, she’s found herself at home surrounded by mountains (of books).

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

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

LYNDA BIRD and her husband moved to Fernie in 1975 and raised their two daughters here. During the past forty-six years, Lynda has been a teacher, an active participant in community theatre, a volunteer and a long-time member of Knox United church.

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

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.

TAINA TURCASSO is a naturopathic physician, midwife, and new mama who is at long last practicing in Fernie. She is enjoying getting reacquainted with all of Fernie’s offerings with her family.

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

By Krista Turcasso, Editor When we are young, we learn the meaning and value of kindness. We learn about bucket filling* and how our actions can have a direct impact on how someone else feels. And we carry this fundamental lesson within us as we move through the world. We may stumble now and then but generally we move towards wanting the best for everyone.

Lately the negative resounds, dampening the kindness out in the world. But we know it’s there. We know that the majority of humans have the ability to empathize and practice compassion. We know what Aristotle meant when he said, ‘the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.’ And while we may continue to struggle from time to time, we know kindness begets kindness.

This November, I challenge you to practice one act of kindness daily. Involve your family and see the impact it has on you and others. These little acts will ripple through our community, drowning out the negativity, and filling buckets as we head into the winter season. *Have You Filled a Bucket Today? A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids by Carol McCloud and David Messing is available at Polar Peak Books and Treasures, for all ages.

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

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THE KINDNESS ISSUE SPECIAL FEATURE

Faith in Kindness

by LYNDA BIRD

“Be kind,” we are told by Dr. Bonny Henry.

What does it mean to be kind? According to Canadian Oxford Dictionary, kind means: showing friendliness, affection or consideration. During these last nineteen months of dealing with COVID-19, we have had opportunities to show kindness, but many of us are struggling to continue to make that effort day after day.

I believe people are inherently kind. Most of us do many kind things for our children, our friends, our parents and for society at large on a daily basis. I have often been the recipient of kindness when I am waiting in line at the grocery store with one or two items and someone ahead of me with a full shopping cart notices that I have very few items and offers to let me go through the check out before them. I have passed this kindness on to others in similar situations.

At Knox United Church, our mission statement is, “Open to the Spirit, love and justice, united in our diversity we live our faith serving each other and the wider community.”

Over many years, we, as a congregation, have been kind to each other in the running of our church. Many of our congregants have shown their kindness in giving their time, talents and money to help our church be a viable entity within Fernie. We have served on many church committees; raised needed funds; worked at teas and church suppers; arranged for professionals and helped to keep our Knox church building a usable space; we have welcomed people from Fernie and area as well as visitors to our various services, concerts, weddings, funerals, Celebrations

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“It is due to all of us working together and showing kindness to one another that makes Fernie the wonderful, caring and vibrant community we have all come to love.” of Life and our Shared Ministry celebration in 2019. We have reached out to the Community of Fernie as a whole. We have participated in collecting and handing out baskets of food and presents to those less fortunate; we have taken part in preparing and handing out hot chocolate at the Christmas Train events; our choir has been part of the Christmas kick off campaign singing Christmas carols on Second Avenue; we have sung and provided Church services at Rocky Mountain Care Home; our “Knit and Natter” group has knit prayer shawls which have gone to people in our community and beyond who need that loving hug; We have participated in Chautauqua events and kept our building open to the public for viewing and learning about our history; we became an inclusive and affirming church by engaging with the community during the process.

We at Knox have also been the recipients of kindness from the community of Fernie. The people of Fernie have showed their kindness through their support of our dinners and teas; they have attended our services and donated money; many contractors and businesses have donated their expertise and/or their time to help us with our financial oversight; working on our roof, bell tower, boiler and furnaces to keep them all in working order. The people of Fernie have supported the arts in our presentations of musical groups, both instrumental and choral as well as small theatre productions by various renter groups.

It is due to all of us working together and showing kindness to one another that makes Fernie the wonderful, caring and vibrant community we have all come to love.

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Business in the Valley

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BUSINESS NEWS

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Fernie Brewing Company

Fernie Chamber of Commerce

Fernie School Aged Care

26 Manitou Rd 250-423-7797

ferniechamber.com 250-423-6868

44 Mt Washburn St 250-430-3155

The season isn’t the only thing changing around here! Fernie Brewing Co. welcomed a new recipient to their Cheers to Peers initiative in October, the Uplift Community Support Association.

The Fernie Ambassador Program was designed to enhance the customer service level in Fernie. It is a four-hour program where attendees have an opportunity to learn basic customer service skills and also learn all things Fernie! The first half of this session is in the class room with the second half consisting of a walking tour of Fernie’s Historic Downtown.

This fall, Fernie School Aged care turns 10, providing 10 years of after school care for Fernie kids.

New to the Elk Valley, Uplift hopes to bring the community together by providing support to individuals and families to help them achieve success, positivity, quality of life and enjoyment. With exciting and educational services like Parent Coaching and Behavioural Intervention, this is an organization that helps the whole family, and one which we can all raise a glass to!

Proceeds from FBC’s Cheers to Charity Flights will be going towards Uplift’s programming until December 31, 2021 – so swing by the Tasting Room this fall and grab yourself a flight of brews in support of this amazing local organization!

The Fernie Chamber understands how hard this past year has been and is aware of how beneficial this program can be to local businesses and are offering 10 paid seats per session (50 total) so that Chamber Members can send their staff to the 2021 Fall/winter sessions for no cost. Email jesse@ferniechamber.com for details.

This program was created simply because there wasn’t after school or vacation care in Fernie. Starting with only two full time registrations in October 2011, it has grown from one little empty classroom to three classes, a lot more kids and many amazing staff throughout the years who have shaped FSAC to become what it is today.

FSAC has consistently grown to meet the needs of Fernie’s families. Latest additions are a second room to accommodate the families on their waitlist, as well as creating a unique Pre-K program ‘Fernie Prep school’ which embraces outdoor learning, STEM and mindfulness each day. Opening new programs in the midst of a pandemic has not been an easy feat but true to their original goal (to provide professional care for Fernie’s young families) FSAC has persevered and succeeded.

Business in the Valley

BUSINESS NEWS

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Fernie Kindergym 521 4th Ave Kindergym is back, but a little different due to COVID-19. It is not running as a drop-in program for the time being and instead will be running one month at a time with registration required. The board has also made a number of changes to ensure it is as safe as possible for those in attendance, including proof of vaccination for adults to attend.

The program runs Mondays and Thursdays, 10am-11am at the Fernie Family Centre.

There is a maximum of 20 children per program, and one parent or caregiver. No water or snacks provided, please bring only water for children.

Visit Fernie Kindergym on Facebook for more information and to keep updated, or email kindergymfernie@gmail.com to register.

#FernieStreak After three successful years, the January #FernieStreak is back. What started out as a January incentive to get outside for 30mins, throughout the often coldest and least-inspiring month of the year, has evolved into so much more: a way to check-in with friends; try a new activity; spend time with family; set a personal goal; and come together as a community to raise funds.

The 2021 #FernieStreak, deep in an uncertain pandemic, proved to be a much-needed addition to many people’s calendars, with 459 adults, kids, and dogs getting their streak on – raising $6,775.22 for the Kootenay Foundry Starlight Campaign. Looking forward to January 2022, the #FernieStreak committee is asking, who would YOU like to support?

Watch out for an online submission form for a chance to submit a deserving recipient of your choosing.

Full 4th Annual #FernieStreak information will be available online shortly, at stagleaprunning.com or via the #FernieStreak Facebook group.

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REACH Parenting reachparenting.ca 250-423-0601 Andrea Ormandy is a Certified Hand in Hand Parenting Instructor and is part of a global network of Instructors. For her, finding Hand in Hand Parenting happened out of necessity, as she has two strongwilled children who required her to up her parenting “game” so she could become the parent they needed her to be.

Connection is an essential need in our daily lives, and children are no different. Andrea teaches simple tools aimed at providing this for our children. Parenting is often unsupported and exhausting work. Parents deserve to be supported and she teaches parents how to find this. Andrea brings passion and enthusiasm to her teaching, providing first-hand examples of the Hand in Hand Tools in action.

You can contact Andrea through her site and follow her on Facebook @ Reach Parenting - A Hand in Hand Parenting Instructor.

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CONTRACTING SERVICES

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Commercial & Residential Snow Removal Available Call for an estimate: 250-423-1964 rkcontractingltd@shaw.ca 9847 Stephenson Road Fernie BC www.rkcontractingltd.com

Business in the Valley

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StrongStart Fernie 1601 2nd Ave Outdoor StrongStart began in October, in its new location next to Bright Beginnings!

This free early learning program for families or caregivers and their children, ages birth to five years old, supports the development of young children prior to school entry.

You must sign up for a weekly spot the week prior, and with smaller group sizes only one parent/caregiver can attend. Additionally, only two adults per household can be listed to register. Sessions are Monday to Thursday, 9:30-11am.

Join their Facebook page (@StrongStart Fernie) for updates and any changes to this schedule and remember that adults and children need to complete the Daily Health Check each time.

BUSINESS NEWS

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Sparwood Chiropractic and Wellness sparwoodchiro.com 250-425-6330 Sparwood Chiropractic and Wellness would like to welcome the newest member of their team, Dr. Kallie Doucette, Naturopathic Doctor. Kallie is passionate about helping people prevent chronic disease and optimize their health.

Common complaints Kallie works with are unexplained fatigue, difficulty sleeping, chronic stress, low mood, poor digestion, headaches, and women’s hormonal concerns. If you have never seen a Naturopathic Doctor before, Kallie is offering free 15 minute meet and greet visits if you would like to learn more about her services.

Sparwood Chiropractic and Wellness is a one-stop hub for multidisciplinary health care in the Elk Valley providing Chiropractic, Physiotherapy, Registered Massage Therapy, Custom Orthotics, Nutritional Counselling, Shockwave Therapy, and now Naturopathic Medicine under one roof. They pride themselves on providing personalized, one-on-one patient care for all types of injuries and conditions.

Uplift Association The Uplift Association, founded by Brenna, Shelley, Tabitha and Cari, is a community hub where the coming together of hearts and minds provides support and programming to the youth and family in the Elk Valley in a mindful and meaningful way.

Their vision is to support individuals and families toward independence and their own personal ideas of success, positivity, quality of life and enjoyment.

Services include: Behaviour Intervention Academic Support Parent Coaching Respite Coming Soon...

Thrive Guidance for teens Social Groups Job Coaching Life Skills Visit them on social media @upliftassociation and send them a direct message for more information!

Online booking and direct billing available.

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Business in the Valley

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

Being Respectful, Patient and Kind

by BRAD PARSELL Back in September, the Fernie Chamber of Commerce launched a campaign to support Fernie’s businesses and their frontline workers. The campaign encourages residents and visitors to be “respectful, patient and kind” with staff as our local businesses navigate unprecedented worker shortages, lack of attainable housing for staff, and evolving public health guidelines in response to the pandemic.

Fernie’s frontline staff are absolutely critical to the success of our businesses and local economy. Hundreds of people in our community work behind the scenes to keep our tourism engine going – housekeepers, kitchen staff, servers, and retail clerks. Without this amazing team of people, Fernie would not be the vibrant community and destination that it is today.

Unfortunately, there have been many instances of staff in local businesses being treated poorly by customers. We understand that people are tired, and frustrations are high. But there is no excuse. Fernie businesses are doing their best to provide exceptional customer service, but there are strong headwinds that some of our businesses are navigating.

Labour shortages were no stranger to Fernie prior to the pandemic, but the ripple effect of 18 months of public health measures have certainly compounded the issue. Border closures have severely restricted the free movement of foreign workers, which resort towns like Fernie completely depend upon to power our businesses. With an aging population in Canada, we have more Canadians leaving the workforce each year than those entering the workforce – so immigration is key to our success. The Fernie Chamber (along with the Whistler Chamber) has

THANK YOU FOR BEING

RESPECTFUL PATIENT & KIND. Fernie businesses are doing their best to provide exceptional service while short staffed and adapting to ever changing COVID-19 Guidelines. #FernieSuccess

#FeelinFernie

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“Despite our best efforts, we recognize that operations and service delivery for a lot of businesses will be extremely challenging this ski season. We need to go out of our way to be kind and supportive to the workers we do have that show up every day...” been strongly advocating at the federal level for less friction in the immigration process and more quotas for rural resort communities like Fernie. We have also worked tirelessly with Tourism Fernie

on our workforce attraction efforts to promote Fernie as an incredible place to work, live and play – using the platform workinfernie.com and associated marketing campaigns.

Despite our best efforts, we recognize that operations and service delivery for a lot of businesses will be extremely challenging this ski season. We need to go out of our way to be kind and supportive to the workers we do have that show up every day and try to deliver a remarkable experience while on the backfoot. Thank them. Let them know they’re appreciated and that these ever-changing challenges are not their fault. Taking out your frustrations on frontline workers is completely unacceptable, regardless of your situation or your ideology. We need these folks. Thank you for being respectful, patient and kind with our businesses this winter.

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Arts and Entertainment

FEATURE ARTIST

Jamie Inman

My journey with photography began with the kindness of many generous people.

People who gave me their support, knowledge, trust and even my first camera.

Growing up in Fernie, a community rich in arts with so many brilliant photographers and artists definitely fueled my passion for creative expression. The lovely and talented Ms. Stead introduced me to photography and I soon became infatuated. That Christmas my dad gifted me a beautiful pre-owned Canon ae-1 with a bunch of lenses and that’s when my passion for the medium really progressed.

Not long after, we set up the old dark room in the old high school that would eventually lead me to starting a lunch hour “photo club” which consisted of me and my two best friends eating lunch under the red safe light and developing whatever film we could afford to buy with our after school jobs.

After high school I pursued snowboarding and somehow, in that magical way of life I continued to get pulled back into photography and studying photojournalism at SAIT. Later I completed a diploma in professional photography at Western Academy of Photography in Victoria, BC.

I moved to Nelson and quickly got a serving job, ready to begin my photography career… but without the confidence needed to take the first step.

Cue fate, serendipity, the kindness of the Universe, whatever you want to call it... an old friend from Fernie, Mike Berrard was in town and we met up for a beer. He told me that Baldface Lodge was looking for a professional photographer who could snowboard.

“Ya, right.” said the little voice in the back of my mind. “I’m not good enough yet.” But like Henry Ford said, “Whether you think you can or cannot, you’re right.” Mike convinced me that

I was perfect for the job and called the owner to put in a good word. I got the gig and it was an incredible start to my career. Combining my love for snowboarding and photography was a dream come true. In my first month they had me shooting photos of the Red Bull SuperNatural snowboard course from a helicopter... I wanted to pinch myself.

After a few years in the West Kootenays I moved home and did a couple of seasons at Fernie Wilderness Adventures, fell in love with my husband and started a family together. After a short hiatus to have our two beautiful babies, my focus from action sports photography transitioned to family and wedding photography.

During the beginning of 2020 I had a new baby and COVID was making its first appearance. I had a lot of time on my hands and a yearning to revamp my

photography business into a more familyoriented direction which now resonated more with my life. I educated myself with some online family photography and creative courses by some of the industry’s leading women and was so energized! With a new sense of inspiration and so much motivation I began working with a mentor/business coach to rebuild my business to suit my morphing focus, and it just felt so right.

Combining my love for lifestyle and documentary photography to capture authentic moments between people is something that brings so much joy to my heart. The subtle kindness towards one another and just the magic of the organic moments that unfold in front of me is something that I feel very fortunate to witness and freeze in time forever for my clients.

As far as the future goes, I will keep on the path of what I love doing and continue to grow, learn and blossom as much as possible. I am a firm believer that whatever you focus on expands, so I will stay focused on continuing to photograph the love and connection between my clients and keep growing my business to help support my little family with the kindness and support of everyone around me.

Discover more about Jamie Inman at jamieinmanphoto,.com, or follow her on social media, Instagram: @jamie_inman_ photo, Facebook: Jamie Inman Photo.

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Arts and Entertainment

MUSINGS OF A BOOKWORM

Come from Kindness

by JESSICA BOZOKY It’s plastered on t-shirts, peppered through media announcements, a popular hashtag, and Ellen DeGeneres even turned it into a subscription box: ‘be kind.’ The word is so heavily used - and now monetized - it has become somewhat mundane.

Yet kindness is more than its nice definition: ‘the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.’ Kindness is inspiring, connecting, creative, humbling, transforming, comforting, it can even be confronting and challenging in positive ways.

It may be free to give, but the feeling of both giving and receiving kindness nourishes, invigorates, and uplifts us. Think about when someone has shown you kindness, remember how it permeates, its vibration, that feeling. Poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou said it best: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Kindness can be found in many forms: paying it forward, caring for our earth, sharing, lending a helping hand, or giving without expectation. Now turn this narrative inward. Kindness begins with us, how we fill our own bucket, how we care for and speak to ourselves. Our inner-voice is important, and just like a muscle, it can be strengthened. This voice is part of both our conscious and subconscious minds and can be composed of outdated voices if we don’t continually practice kindness to ourselves.

The Fernie Heritage Library (FHL) is a public institution responsible for supporting our community. Right now, we know our community is struggling (read October’s Fright issue to jog your

Poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou said it best: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” memory). As a whole we feel fatigued, but this does not mean kindness should fall to the wayside. Especially the kindness we show ourselves through self-care, wellness

Submitted Photo and mindful practices. These should be embraced and encouraged to support our rest, relaxation and rejuvenation.

Through the pandemic lens, we as individuals have become clearer in our values and perhaps even shifted them to align more authentically. This is true of institutions like FHL as well. Our response to COVID was kindness. We furthered accessibility and inclusion by exploring our online platform. We implemented Curbside Pick-Up for patrons to arrange pick-up during business hours. We’re printing and laminating BC Vaccine Cards for free. We

update our displays regularly to keep the community informed and entertained.

These are all simple things that brighten people’s day just a little bit.

November is a dark month, so it’s important to take time to brighten your own day and speak kindly to yourself.

When we come from kindness, others feel it too. If you wouldn’t say it to a close friend, don’t say it to yourself. If you need permission, here it is: don’t do that thing.

Don’t ‘go get it.’ Rest. Read or listen to a light-hearted, feel-good, funny book, and take time to just be.

Share the Nuggets Share your kindness and support of Fernie Heritage Library by donating money or adopting a magazine for the community to enjoy; following, liking, or leaving a comment on our Facebook (@fernieheritagelibrary), Instagram (@ fernie_heritage_library), or Tiktok (@ fernieheritagelibrary); or volunteering at FHL. For more information please email information@fernieheritagelibrary.com.

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

Today, We Remember On this day, November 11 Remembrance Day, take time to remember those who have sacrificed for this country. Lest We Forget.

www.evcnpvoice.com

Keeping You Cozy & Fueled From Town To Trail!

New Winter Gear Arriving Weekly Open 7 Days A Week 791 A 2nd Ave, Fernie 250-423-4332 www.barkside.com FERNIEFIX.COM

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2021

FERNIE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Congratulations to all of the nominees, finalists and recipients of the 2021 Fernie Business Excellence Awards

A special thank you to all the sponsors who make these awards possible.

TITLE SPONSOR

FEATURE SPONSORS

www.ferniechamber.com

Congratulations 2021 Award Recipients Community Tourism Achievement

Business Innovation

Outstanding Customer Service

Sponsored by Tourism Fernie

Sponsored by East Kootenay Community Credit Union

Sponsored by Western Financial Group

Fernie Trails Alliance

Fernie Catering Co.

Freshies Café

Employer of the Year

Businessperson of the Year

People’s Choice

Sponsored by College of The Rockies

Sponsored by The Free Press

Sponsored by Rockies Law Corporation

Dave Morrison

Fernie Distillers

Sponsored by North Coal

Community Group of the Year

Chamber Business Legacy

Sponsored by Columbia Basin Trust

Sponsored by Claris Media

Fernie Brewing Co.

Fernie Family Housing Society

Canyon Raft Company

Environmental Sustainability

New Business of the Year

Citizen of the Year

Sponsored by Fernie Fox Hotel

Sponsored by Fernie Alpine Resort

Fernie Brewing Co.

Local

Nupqu Resource Limited Partnership

Business of the Year

Sponsored by the City of Fernie

Krista Turcasso

Strengthening Commerce in Fer nie FERNIEFIX.COM

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Arts and Entertainment

ARTBEAT

Strong Words

by MICHAEL HEPHER We’ve used the aphorism sticks and stones may break my bones wrong all these years.

Since Alexander William Kinglake first published the phrase in the early 1800’s it has been used to downplay the impact of verbal insults on playgrounds everywhere.

We all know it’s a lie: bones heal, cuts scab over and grow fresh skin, but those invisible injuries—caused by thoughtless words—can have life-long impacts on our journey. Words can always hurt me.

Recently I heard an interview with a counselor who specialized in teaching people to regain confidence in their ability to sing. Her patients came to her because they ‘couldn’t sing,’ but the truth behind each story was that they all stopped singing very consciously when someone told them they couldn’t carry a tune. For some, a teacher asked them to mouth the words in the Christmas concert. For others, a friend casually quipped “don’t quit your day job!” at Karaoke. In the end the result was the same: they felt too self-conscious to sing.

Singing, especially singing with other people, has been a part of human culture for millenia. Campfires, concerts and congregations have always been safe places to join together in melody, and right now we have very few of those outlets. There have always been people who are more and less gifted, but singing is a fundamentally human joy that everyone should get to experience. Taking singing away from someone is a kind of casual cruelty that is hard to match.

Singing, painting, drawing, creating—all the things that grow from within us—are very personal. They start as tender shoots joyfully springing up from the rich soil of our souls. If those shoots are not carefully tended they can wither, and a single

“If we look and listen carefully, there is always something positive to point out in a work: I love your passionate brushstrokes, those are beautiful lyrics, the colours in this piece are stunning, I love the message behind this one—all authentic ways to encourage growth rather than foster self-doubt.” comment can yank them out at the roots never to grow again.

Ellie Matthews & Carl Youngmann The North Press • Port Townsend,WA. www.thenorthpress.com Does this mean we should never discuss or criticize art? Certainly not, but fledgling artists and hobby artists operate under a different dispensation. Do we ever tell a hobby skier they shouldn’t quit their day job? Have you ever heard someone criticising a weekend mountain biker for not being top-ten on a Strava segment?

Of course not. We encourage them and tell them they are doing great. Why, then, would we do the opposite to a hobby singer or artist?

On the other hand, if I choose to enter a race I hold myself to a different standard.

As I’ve progressed through the various stages of my artistic career I’ve had to

The truth is that most of us are hobbyists, and all of us have been beginners. How many great artists have we lost because someone lacked the kindness to hold their tongue, or focused on sour notes rather than the unbridled enjoyment?

Our creative journeys are deeply personal and add richness to our lives. I’ve figured out that confidence makes up 90% of our ability to perform, and when we are nervous, uncertain, or anxious things like singing simply don’t work well. We need to learn our crafts in a safe environment to overcome the hurdles of confidence. It’s only when someone asks me for pointed commentary that I know they are ready to hear more detailed and constructive evaluation—their seedling has grown into a stable plant, and I am honoured to be part of the pruning that helps them flourish.

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learn to deal with growing criticism and rejection at every level. It never gets easier to hear your work doesn’t measure up, but by the time I started facing it my seedling had grown to be more robust, and the battering has made my work—and my resolve—ever stronger. By the time I chose to put my work up for evaluation, I’d been soaked in years of encouragement from teachers, parents, and friends.

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My personal policy has been to err on the side of kindness. I noticed early on that my work improved when people I admired paid me a thoughtful compliment. My own internal critic is loud enough that a careless word can send me back down the mountain several steps. Conversely, a kind word can silence the clamor for a while and help me climb to the next plateau. If we look and listen carefully, there is always something positive to point out in a work: I love your passionate brush-strokes, those are beautiful lyrics, the colours in this piece are stunning, I love the message behind this one— all authentic ways to encourage growth rather than foster self-doubt. Kindness is a gift that costs us nothing to give, but will pay us back many times over with beauty and wonder.

FERNIEFIX.COM

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Be a Part of the 2022 Fernie Wedding Guide.

Do you have a beautiful wedding story to share? Are you a photographer, vendor or business interested in sharing your products or services with the growing number of couples planning their weddings in Fernie?

Get in touch with Krista at Krista@clarismedia.com to discuss and learn more about this annual publication.

Arts and Entertainment

MONTHLY EVENTS

EVENT CALENDAR

Make sure to stay up to date by visiting FernieFix.com/events. Send your events to krista@clarismedia.com for inclusion!

Monday 1.11.2021 Teen Clay Camp Ages 12-15 @ The Arts Station, 3:30pm

Wednesday 3.11.2021 Pottery Wine and Wheel @ The Arts Station, 7pm

Thursday 4.11.2021 Virtual Author Event: Nobodoy Ever Talks About Anything But the End by Liz Levine @ Fernie Heritage Library, 7pm

Friday 5.11.2021 “Blue” Call for Entry Deadline @ The Arts Station. More details at theartsstation.com

Saturday 6.11.2021 Professional Development for Artists @ The Arts Station, 10am

Monday 8.11.2021 Kids Clay Ages 8-12 @ The Arts Station, 3:30pm Regular Council Meeting @ City of Fernie, 7pm

Tuesday 9.11.2021 Makey Makey @ Fernie Heritage Library, 3:45pm craft, engineering and science for ages 7-10

Wednesday 10.11.2021 Artist Video Workshop @ The Arts Station, 7-9pm

Friday 12.11.2021 FAST Ski Swap @ Fernie Community Centre, gear drop off 6-8pm

Fernie Ghostriders Hockey Game @ Fernie Memorial Arena, 7:30pm

Saturday 13.11.2021 FAST Ski Swap @ Fernie Community Centre, 10am Fernie Ski and Board Film Fest @ Fernie Community Centre, 6:30pm

Saturday 13.11.2021 - 28.11.2021 Gift Giving X2: A Pop-Up Art Sale & Heritage Fundraiser @ Fernie Museum

Monday 15.11.2021 Teen Clay Camp Ages 12-15 @ The Arts Station, 3:30pm Committee of the Whole Meeting @ City of Fernie, 4pm

Tuesday 16.11.2021 Fernie Ambassador Program @ College of the Rockies, 12:30pm Makey Makey @ Fernie Heritage Library, 3:45pm craft, engineering and science for ages 7-10 Read Local Book Club: Confessions of a Failed Environmentalist by Jennifer Ellis @ 7:30pm

Thursday 18.11.2021 Lifelong Learners – DIY Group for Adults @ Fernie Heritage Library, 7pm

Saturday 20.11.2021 Fernie Ghostriders Hockey Game @ Fernie Memorial Arena, 7:30pm

Monday 22.11.2021 Intensive Pottery Workshop @ The Arts Station, 7pm Regular Council Meeting @ City of Fernie, 7pm

Tuesday 23.11.2021 Makey Makey @ Fernie Heritage Library, 3:45pm craft, engineering and science for ages 7-10

Thursday 25.11.2021 “Blue” Group Exhibit opening @ The Arts Station

Friday 26.11.2021 Tea and Talk: Butter Honey Pig Bread by Franvesca Ekwuyasi @ Fernie Heritage Library, 1:30pm Holiday Kickoff @ Downtown Fernie, ferniechamber.com Holiday Kickoff @ Fernie Heritage Library Garden, 5pm for holiday cheers, music, cider, lights and decorations.

Saturday 27.11.2021 Movember FatBike Social Ride @ Fernie Trails, FMBC.ca Fernie Ghostriders Hockey Game @ Fernie Memorial Arena, 7:30pm

Tuesday 30.11.2021 Teen Book Club: Displacement by Kiki Hughes @ Fernie Heritage Library, 6:30pm

WEEKLY EVENTS Mondays Parent-tot Funtimes @ Facebook Page Les Tiguidous @ AFRosFernie, outdoor activities with songs, stories in French ages 0-5. 10:15am Club All Play – Fernie Pickeleball @ Max Turyk Courts, 8:30-10:30am Le Club Baguette Junior @ Rotary Park, outdoor activities and games in French ages 7-12, 3:30pm After School Adventures @ Branch Out Learning, 3-6pm Tuesdays Storytime (ages 3-5) @ Fernie Heritage Library Live Instagram and Facebook After School Adventures @ Branch Out Learning, 3-6pm Open League @ Fernie Curling Club, 6:30pm Seniors Only League @ Fernie Curling Club, afternoons Fernie Options for Sexual Health Clinic Open @ Elk Valley Hospital, 6:30-8:30pm by appointment Parent-tot Funtimes @ Facebook Page Burger and Beer Night @ The Northern Wing Night @ The Pub

Wednesdays Club All Play – Fernie Pickeleball @ Max Turyk Courts, 8:30-10:30am Curbside Craft @ Fernie Heritage Library, Pickup is from 10am each Wednesday Toddlertime (Ages 0-2 years) @ Fernie Heritage Library Live Instagram and Facebook After School Adventures @ Branch Out Learning, 3-6pm Open League @ Fernie Curling Club, 6:30pm Inclusive Kids and Teen Mindfulness Yoga Classes @ Branch Out Learning Team Trivia @ The Fernie Thursdays Bellies to Babies @ Zoom, 2pm Club Baguette Adultes - Practice Speaking French @ AFRos Fernie via Zoom, 7pm Pub Team Trivia @ The Pub After School Adventures @ Branch Out Learning, 3-6pm Open Mic Night @ Fernie Distillers, 7pm

Storytime (ages 0-5) @ Fernie Heritage Library Live Instagram and Facebook Fish and Chips @ The Pub Fish and Chips Take Away @ Fernie Hotel, 4pm Meat Draw @ The Fernie Club Cre8 @ The Arts Station After School Adventures @ Branch Out Learning, 3-6pm Open Mic Night @ Fernie Distillers, 7pm Equine Assisted Learning Life @ Fernie Therapeutic Horse and Pony Club through Branch Out Learning Saturdays Shawarma Take Out @ Fernie Hotel, 4pm Meat Draw @ The Legion Pint and Ghostrider Hockey Game Deal @ Kodiak Lounge and Parkplace Pub

Fridays Club All Play – Fernie Pickeleball @ Max Turyk Courts, 8:30-10:30am

FERNIEFIX.COM

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Water is important to our local communities, Indigenous People, and to North Coal.

We are proud to announce our partnership with the Columbia Basin Water Hub, an innovative open data platform for housing waterrelated data collected in the Canadian Columbia Basin. By making water data easily accessible, the Water Hub is helping build a holistic and transparent approach to water management in the region.

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Arts and Entertainment

AT PEACE AND YET ON FIRE

Giving Me Something That I Need

by Sadie Rosgen and Strangers

“Kindness begins with the understanding that we all struggle.”

-Charles Glassman “What wisdom can you find that is greater than kindness?”

-Rousseau “We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery, we need humanity. More than cleverness, we need kindness.”

-Charlie Chaplain

This month, I engaged people all across the country to talk about kindness. In order to accomplish this social experiment, I cold called Canadians, simply put, I picked up the proverbial phone books from across the country and started dialing. This was not a simple task and I found many people were quite unkind! After being hung up on, sworn at, and on the off chance that someone would talk to me, quite eye opening. In both French and English Canada, folks are feeling tired and confused, overjoyed and overcome. As I dialed random phone numbers (calls were made from Cape Split, NFDL and spanned the country to Kitimat, BC), I found that those who had time to chat were quite delighted by my little project. It felt great to laugh with strangers near and far and no matter who I spoke to, it all came down to kindness.

Thanks, strangers! I couldn’t have done it without you.

Giving Me Something That I Need

By Sadie Rosgen and Strangers let kindness crack open your heart let kindness guide you in the dark let kindness be the ember light the spark giving me something I need finding out how kindness is learned or buried deep within ourselves burned into our very being sprung from the memories of our ancestors reflecting us just as we are kindness lets light in kindness is what I’m all about finding out how desire to be kind no going back pause rewind when I die, they’ll know me ‘cause I’m kind...

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Watch for

magazine in your mailbox this month.

Remarkable stories of people and places in the Columbia Basin.

Jaffray enhances Community Hub with timber-frame gazebo.

College of the Rockies innovates to support students.

Mama’s Dumplings expands with help from Columbia Basin Trust programs.

New affordable rental units in Fernie take a bite out of the housing crunch.

Golden’s Shred Sisters gets business advice that strengthens its presence on the trails.

ourtrust.org/magazine

Arts and Entertainment

THE RENTAL FIX

Bill and Ted Face the Music

by ANDREW VALLANCE In 1989, Orion pictures released Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, a low budget comedy that details the adventures of Bill (Alex Winter) and Ted (Keeanu Reeves) as they attempt to complete a project for their high school history class, with the help of their grizzled, ultra-cool mentor Rufus (George Carlin) and a time machine shaped like a phone booth.

reprise their roles as Ted and Bill. In the final film in the trilogy, our heroes are asked to create the song that will prevent the destruction of the universe and save the human race. Frustrated by their inability to do so, they decide to travel into the future to ask their future selves how they wrote it. In the meantime their daughters, Billie and Thea, played by Samara Weaving and Bridgette Lundy Paine, travel through time in order to assemble the greatest band in history to write the song themselves.

Weaving won a Screen Actors Guild Award in 2019 for her supporting role in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.

This was Keeanu Reeves’ first acting success, and for years he tried to shake the stigma of playing the wacky Ted by taking on serious projects that included My Own Private Idaho (1991), Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) and Much Ado About Nothing (1993).

He became a big-budget action star with the release of Speed (1994), and he struck box-office gold again in The Matrix (1999) and its sequels. His more recent successes are John Wick (2014), and John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017).

Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure was a good movie, and it became an instant success. It cost $6 million to make and earned $40 million at the box office. It was simple to understand, funny as hell, and Reeves and Winter were wonderful as the slightly dim yet undoubtedly sympathetic heroes.

Its sequel, Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey was released in 1991 and was more existential, with Bill and Ted using the time machine to visit Hell, as well as other plains of existence, meeting aliens and playing twister with Death, played by the great William Sadler. It was, unfortunately, a weird, confusing film which was not as successful at the box office. This explains why the third film in the Bill and Ted saga was not released until this year, 31 years after the original.

“If you are a fan of Bill and Ted’s earlier adventures, I strongly advise that you satisfy your desire for nostalgia by rewatching the much more exciting Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure. ”

I would like to say that this film is as good as the earlier ones in the series.

Unfortunately, it is not. Winter and Reeves are great, and Paine and Weaving give wonderful performances, so good in fact that I believe they deserve to be given their own movie. Sadly, the script is dull, which is odd, given that the movie is about preventing the apocalypse, a subject that should make us sit up and pay attention.

The film also suffers mightily from the lack of George Carlin, who passed away from a heart attack in 2008. The writers have tried to replace the character of Rufus with that of his daughter Kelly, played by Kristen Schaal, but it doesn’t quite work.

If you are a fan of Bill and Ted’s earlier adventures, I strongly advise that you satisfy your desire for nostalgia by re-watching the much more exciting Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure.

One thumb up.

Bill and Ted Face the Music was released via Video on Demand in August 2020, and this new effort sees Reeves and Winter FERNIEFIX.COM

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Community

FEATURE RESIDENT

Melanie Wrigglesworth

by KRISTA TURCASSO Cycling Without Age began in 2012

by Ole Kassow, who was interested in helping older people experience biking but was limited by their mobility. Through the use of the trishaw, he was able to begin offering free rides to nursing home residents in Copenhagen. From there it spread throughout Denmark, and since 2015 to 50 other countries.

Across the world, in our own little town an individual was thinking of creating something similar which led to a Cycling Without Age chapter in Fernie!

Melanie Wrigglesworth is originally from Northern Ontario but, “literally moved every 18 months and has lived everywhere in Ontario,” she tells me. “Until I was in grade ten and we moved to Calgary.”

Mel’s dad worked for Shell, and while in Ontario she had a passion and interest in ski racing, it wasn’t possible. With the move to Calgary, Mel immediately got into racing out of Nakiska. She attended University, but as she was still racing and then coaching, “it took a really long time to finish! I started in 1994 and graduated in 2008.” With a Bachelor of Science in Geography, Mel was interested in GIS and satellite imagery and began working in that field. “I was surrounded by three screens and thought, ‘this sucks!’ so I changed jobs to train people how to use the software and enjoyed it much more!”

Mel and her husband Mike moved overseas for ten years, mainly in Lybia where Mike inspected leaks in water pipelines for the company he works for, Pure Technology.

When the Civil War broke out in 2011, they moved back to Canada. “It was too dangerous,” and then to Turkey for a few more years until they decided to settle down in Canada. “We were in Calgary at

Melanie, on the right. Submitted photo first, but I got a job with the Fernie Alpine Ski Team and we were commuting all of the time. I said, ‘let’s just move to Fernie!’

Mike doesn’t have an office - he just needs a phone and an airport!” So, the family made the move in 2018. With Mel’s parents retired here, and her brother and his family here as well, Fernie is definitely home for the long-term.

Mel quickly became involved in the community through the ski team, running the U12 program, helping to organize the Ski Swap, getting involved in communications and newsletters, running dry land training and summer camps. “It’s such a great club to be a part of. While we still produce great athletes, we are inclusive and it’s like a big family.”

After living in the City, Mel wasn’t interested in driving her kids around so purchased a cargo bike. One evening, she was out with friends and gave one of them a lift home on the bike. She said, “Did you know they make these kinds of bikes to take seniors around?” and something clicked. Mel discovered the Cycling Without Age program, and touched base with a physio in town who was also keen to get involved, Lynn Ferguson. They had heard that another group had been working on something similar, who passed on all the work they had done. “They had a completely different approach, so it was super helpful,” Mel tells me. “I had most of the things I needed to be accepted as a chapter and through grants and a fundraiser, raised enough money to order a trishaw, and created a lot of awareness… and then COVID hit and we couldn’t take out any seniors.”

Mel shifted the focus to recruiting volunteers, creating a training program, and developing relationships with Rocky Mountain Village, Trinity Lodge, Fernie Family Housing and the Tom Uphill Home. They consulted with them to make the bikes safe for seniors, and in April of this year, they had their maiden voyage.

“It’s amazing how many people took the course! We have 30 pilots who are fully trained and can take out eight people a day!”

Mel has always been passionate about inclusion, and knowing seniors have been locked away in homes, this was an opportunity to get them outside in nature and back into our community again.

“They have the wind in their hair and are so excited. One of our clients has been non-verbal the last year and a half. We were biking around the annex and she started freaking out, and the pilot – Shelly Moulton yelled, ‘she said she is having fun!’” Mel says, with tears in her eyes. “All of the staff at these homes say the seniors are so much happier and these rides give them something to look forward to.” The organization also calls seniors who live independently within our community to connect and offer rides, and while they

have online booking many aren’t able to use it, so a lot of volunteer time goes into coordinating the clients and creating the schedule.

The weather is changing, and the goal is to go as long as possible. “We have a lot of cozy blankets,” Mel says. “Unfortunately, our two bikes are down and we’re waiting on parts from Denmark. Luckily, we fundraised enough this summer to put a deposit down on a third bike. We will definitely have enough demand next year to use all three!” Mel shares with me that Ian and the staff at Straightline have been extremely supportive, spending a lot of time figuring out the bikes and volunteering to complete monthly mechanical checks.

Fernie’s Cycling Without Age team dreams of expanding to support seniors in the Elkford, Sparwood and Tobacco Plains communities. For this they would need to purchase a trailer to allow them to transport the bikes. They are more invested than ever, having seen the positive effects this program has had on individuals who were the most isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic. They also see these rides as creating inter-generational opportunities and in future think this could be expanded to things like pairing seniors with youth and pre-school aged children in our community. “They were all like us at one point in time, it is so amazing to hear what they have to say and share,” Mel adds.

How can we help? “People can support by giving their time. We always need help with phoning seniors each week. And we need help fundraising!” If you are keen to volunteer or would like to donate directly online, visit cyclingwithoutagefernie.bike.

Thank you, Mel and the team at Cycling Without Age Fernie. It is such a joy seeing your trishaws around town and we look forward to seeing even more smiling faces and wind in hair in future!

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

We arrived in summer of 2018 and why wouldn’t you move here?

2. Who did you first meet?

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

There is a kindness filter in Fernie, everyone thinks about what they’re going to do and how they are going to treat others, because the likelihood of seeing that person again is quite high versus in the city.

4. What keeps you here?

All of the activities that are right outside our door. I couldn’t picture myself living anywhere else.

5. Do you have a favourite Fernie pastime?

Depends on the season, in winter for sure it’s Alpine or Nordic skiing and summer it’s biking. Anything fast!

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

I love fall, because we just finished an amazing season of biking but it’s still going and everyone is pumped for winter and when it snows.

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

No COVID! A more accessible community with a pathway system that no matter what kind of human powered thing you are using, you can access it.

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

Waking up and going for a run with Eden.

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

I built a house for the first time and learned a whole bunch of new trades!

10. Quote to live by: I’ll sleep when I’m dead.

FERNIEFIX.COM

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Vet care is the most expensive part of an animal rescue organization. We need monetary donations from friends, businesses, grants, and community sponsors to offset these costs. At TMARS, we vet every animal that comes into our care as we feel there is a responsibility to make sure our animals available for adoption are in good health.

For the month of November, Fernie Cardlock will donate $0.04/per litre, on all debit purchases.

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Community

CITY CORNER

Fall at City Hall

by ANGE QUALIZZA

Submitted Photo It’s always sad to say goodbye to summer and the bounty that goes along with it. Our Giving Garden at City Hall is gorgeous and serves a real purpose. All summer long the food it produces is given to the Fernie Food Share, a program designed to divert food that is headed to the landfill. Having a municipal garden contribute to someone’s healthy food basket is especially important right now, and a great way to make sure our public service extends a bit further into the community.

City Hall is mirroring what many of you are doing right now, shifting into a

different season. Our gardens are getting put away for the winter, crews across the organization are busy getting us ready for winter.

With winter coming around the corner, Council is headed into a workshop to review our Snow and Ice Management Pilot. Last year we reviewed the snow removal service with a goal of improving the service and making it more sustainable.

Fall is also when Council heads back into our budget cycle, municipalities are required to prepare a balanced budget each year. Local governments cannot incur a

deficit to fund our daily operations, and as we look at our critical infrastructure needs, and balancing the community’s service level expectations, working through a budget is one of the most important things Council does.

Just like your homes, at City Hall we will be busy transitioning into winter and getting ready for the white stuff to start falling.

Don’t forget to put your winter tires on!

FERNIEFIX.COM

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Recreation and Outdoor Life

HITTING THE TRAILS

Trail Etiquette and Fairy Creek Hike

by JULIE KELLY, FTA The trails managed by the Fernie Trails Alliance (FTA) are multi-use, year-round.

This time of year, you may see hikers, bikers, runners and snowshoers using the trail network. Every user is out there likely for the same reason, to get some fresh air, exercise and enjoy the views. Keep that in mind when you are out on the trails, and be kind and respectful to all trail users.

Here are a few tips to make it enjoyable for everyone.

1.The uphill rider has the right of way. We have numerous multi directional trails in Fernie so this is a key thing to keep in mind. Downhill riders should slow and/or pull over for uphill traffic. Making noise on two-way trails, especially on blind corners is a great idea!

2. Clean up after your dog. We love seeing your furry friends out there enjoying the trails, too but no one likes stepping or riding over a pile of poop. It’s also not very good for the environment.

3. Use common sense. Sometimes the rules of the trails may need to be modified.

For example, if you see a young person or someone new to the sport you may need to give them the right of way even if you are climbing. Have compassion for those who may be trying the sport for the first time.

4. Do your best to yield to nonmotorized users (runners and hikers) and again, making noise especially downhill is helpful.

5. Be kind to yourself. Dress warm, layers are key this time of year. Bring enough fluids and food so you can enjoy your adventure.

This month’s route is along the new Fairy Creek Falls trail completed in August of this year. Start at the Fernie Visitor Centre and enjoy a beautiful hike along the creek to the waterfalls. It’s a very gradual grade with lots of opportunities to take in the views and enjoy nature.

Fairy Creek Trail, Krista Turcasso Photo Time: 30 – 60 minutes Distance: Approx. 5km Difficulty: Green

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Health and Lifestyle

FAMILY WELLNESS

Be Kind to Yourself With Primary Cardiovascular Prevention

by DR TAINA TURCASSO, ND RM Kindness is an incredibly important part of the human experience. Kindness towards others, of course, but also kindness towards ourselves. We are entering into the part of the year when we are often more inclined to be selfless and give, give, give, without turning the tables and directing that same care inwards. I’ve shifted the definition of self-care in my mind and now consider it to be less self-indulgent and more health-focused. How can you better care for yourself than by promoting improved mental and physical health?

Cardiovascular health is an important consideration for all of us, but I might argue that it is more important for women because it is not what one typically thinks of when they think about women’s health. As a result, women’s cardiovascular screening, treatment and presentation of cardiovascular events (such as MI’s) are not at the forefront of any prevention campaign.

Heart disease is not a single condition, but a group of conditions affecting the structure and function of the heart with a variety of root causes. These conditions include coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, angina, and myocardial infarction (heart attack). There is even a heart condition that is called “Broken Heart Syndrome” (or stress cardiomyopathy) because it can occur in people after the death of a loved one, or after a particularly stressful life event.

There are a lot of different risk factors for developing heart disease, and many of them are within your control. In fact, even if you have a known family history of cardiovascular disease, you can still

be active for at least 60 minutes daily. It is interesting to think about the difference between activity levels in youth now compared with 20 years ago because we didn’t even need to think about fitting in activity; our lives were active. Things have changed so much that many kids don’t grow up naturally incorporating movement into their lives, and it has had a definite impact (along with diet) on the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes in that population.

V. Croome Photo

“Be kind to your heart and start thinking about preventing cardiovascular disease now and not in 10 years.” mitigate that risk, or even reduce the risk of potentially compounding co-existing conditions, such as diabetes.

Two of the most important things you can do to decrease your risk of cardiovascular disease are to have an active lifestyle and maintain a healthy weight. It is important for adults to incorporate at least 30-40 minutes of moderate aerobic activity, at least 4x/week (150 minutes/week). The recommendation for those under 18 is to

Maintaining a healthy weight is more challenging than just including a specific amount of exercise because determining what a healthy weight is for an individual is more subjective. We talk about BMI (body mass index) and waist circumference as guidelines for being at a “healthy weight” but they are so limited in terms of accounting for the vast differences that occur in body type and should be used as just that; guidelines.

Eating a healthy diet is also key in reducing risk and is connected to maintaining a healthy weight, as well as in preventing diabetes, which is another risk factor for cardiovascular disease. It is important to eat a diet that is high in fiber (ideally food based fiber, rather than fiber supplements), low in sugar and refined, simple carbohydrates, and high in whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and lean proteins. Replace table salt with unrefined sea salt and use sparingly, and avoid all processed forms of sodium, including monosodium glutamate (MSG). Most of these recommendations come more naturally when you move towards a whole foods diet, free of any processed foods.

Not smoking is another way that you can improve the health of your heart and significantly reduce your risk of developing heart disease or having an adverse cardiac event. Of course it is ideal to not start smoking in the first place, but there is a lot of good research supporting the benefits of quitting smoking at any stage of the game.

If you are a smoker, quitting smoking is the single most important thing you can do to improve your health and increase your lifespan.

Stress management may be relatively new to the table when discussing cardiovascular disease risk reduction and management, but that makes it no less important to the topic. Managing stress effectively, particularly when you do it through the practice of yoga, meditation, or any form of martial arts emphasizing deep breathing techniques, will help you to manage hypertension, decrease your risk of a cardiovascular event as well as some types of cardiovascular disease, improve your quality of sleep and improve your overall well-being. Start by incorporating only 10 minutes daily, and you will start noticing benefits within only a handful of days.

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Elevated cholesterol, hypertension (high blood pressure), and diabetes are all risk factors for cardiovascular disease so reducing your risk and/or effectively managing these conditions will be cardioprotective as well. While lifestyle modifications are important to managing risk of a cardiovascular event, sometimes it is also helpful to incorporate medication to help you to manage some of these conditions. There is a lot of good evidence for decreasing both mortality and morbidity by lowering lipids and blood pressure, and managing blood sugar with the use of medication.

Cardiovascular disease needs more attention, particularly in women and younger and middle-aged adults who perhaps think that these risks don’t apply to them. Be kind to your heart and start thinking about preventing cardiovascular disease now and not in 10 years.

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Health and Lifestyle

THIS IS LIFE

Another Perspective

by TYLA CHARBONNEAU You are not responsible for the feelings of other people.

What happened for you when you read that sentence? Did you agree? Did it feel uncomfortable? Is this something you know and live or does it feel foreign?

As you ponder those questions think back to when you were young and were told to say, “I am sorry” to another kid who was upset and crying. On first glance this looks like kindness, and in some situations, it is. More often than not, however, it is one of first instances in life where we are taught to take responsibility for the feelings of others. Soon after this we would hear things like, “well if you do that how will that make someone feel….” If this is said in efforts to check in on your own behaviours this can be healthy, but for me, and many others I have spoken to, it was a sentence that primed us to focus on the feelings of others and my influence on them and not my own actions.

This month’s article may make you feel uncomfortable. My hope is to encourage you to look at how you interact with others, what you own, what you do not, and how you change your behaviours as to not upset someone else, even if it will upset you in the end in some way. The irony in working to protect the feelings of others is that it often does not even work. This is because people are going to feel what they feel regardless of what you do or do not do, and it is okay to feel. Just like you are responsible for providing yourself comfort and owning your own feelings. This is not to say that we do not support each other in difficult times. It also does not give us a licence to engage in behaviours that intentionally cause harm.

V. Croome Photo

Submitted Photo

“You are not responsible for the feelings of other people. ”

If you hear yourself saying “I do not want someone to feel…” catch yourself. When you go out of your way to make sure someone is not feeling a certain emotion you are inadvertently believing two things: that the person cannot take care of their own feelings and that some feelings should or should not be felt. There are no good or bad emotions and in life we need to feel all of them. I do not want to live in a world where I do not feel sad when someone dies or feel hurt when someone is unjust. These are important parts of our lives.

This is also important to consider when someone shares their feelings with you.You do not have to take on their feelings, or even fix them. In these moments you can listen, acknowledge how they are feeling, and allow them to sit in their emotions.

One of the major causes of exhaustion in life is carrying the weight of other people’s emotions or trying to fix these feelings when they may not be asking you to do so.

Then we feel like a failure because it was not helpful.

Think of it like a backpack of rocks. In this pack you carry the weight of your own emotions (rocks). If you spend all day also carrying the weight of other people’s rocks, then by the end you will feel really tired and worn out. The irony is though that even if you think you are carrying someone’s emotional rocks for them the rocks are actually in their pack at the same time. So, when someone brings out their rock to show you, talk about it, acknowledge it, and then let them put it back in their pack to carry.You have your own to take care of.

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The content provided in this article is for information purposes only. It is not meant as a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you find yourself in distress, please reach out to your local physician who can provide mental health resources in your community.

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Bits and Bytes

THE ANSWER GUY

Reader Mode

by KEVIN MCISAAC

Back in the dark ages when the world wide web (remember when we used to call it that) was young there were very limited ways to modify the appearance of a web page. HTML at the time included a few things such as the <blink> tag to make text within the tag blink. This was widely considered a “bad thing” after giving it a bit of thought. Flashing text on a web page is annoying and distracting. The <blink> tag was deprecated and most modern browsers will ignore it if it is in the code.

Flash forward to 2021 and the ratio of useful information on a web page to stuff that’s annoying and distracting is far worse.

Most of us would be thrilled to just have the <blink> tag back if it meant getting rid of the myriad of banner ads, video ads, text pullouts, etc. that all distract from us just trying to read what the author of the web page wanted to share with us.

Welcome to Reader Mode. If you’d like to just read the web page you’re on Reader Mode is what you’re looking for. Next time you open a web page on your iPhone or iPad with the Safari browser take a look a the top left-hand corner.You should see a little ‘A’ next to a big ‘A’ icon. Press the icon and either the page will immediately switch to Reader View or a drop-down menu should appear. At the top may be an option for Reader View. If the option is disabled then Safari cannot convert the page. Pressing the AA icon again will disable Reader Mode.

that Reader Mode works for them too.

Users of Google Chrome will be less delighted.

Users of Chrome Android can get a simplified view, but it may not be available by default. To enable it: 1. Launch Chrome for Android.

2. Tap on the vertical 3dots icon for options.

What Reader Mode does is strip away everything that’s not considered part of the article. It removes any text formatting and gives you the Sergeant Joe Friday version of the web page: “Just the facts, Ma’am.” the page using sensible tags to distinguish sections of the web page, but it does work remarkably well a lot of the time.

To go one step further, if you have a website you use regularly and you always want the Reader Mode you can configure this using the same drop-down menu from the double AA icon.

What Reader Mode does is strip away everything that’s not considered part of the article. It removes any text formatting and gives you the Sergeant Joe Friday version of the web page: “Just the facts, Ma’am.”

Go to the website. Press the AA icon and in the drop-down menu look for Website Settings. Click that and a Settings page will appear which lets you choose Use Reader Automatically. Once set Reader Mode will always be on for the website you are currently on.

It’s not foolproof, as it does depend on the web developer properly developing

Users of Microsoft Edge and Firefox on their phones will be delighted to discover

3. Select the Settings menu from the available list.

4. Scroll down and tap on the Accessibility menu.

5. Enable the check box against the Simplified view for web pages.

Now when you open any website or news article in Chrome for Android you can tap on the bar at the bottom saying show simplified view.

One last tip for iPhone/iPad Safari users.

The same AA menu has another nice feature: quick font size adjustment. Web page developers tend to be on the younger side with young eyes. They tend to want to squeeze more information rather than less on a web page. The combination of those two things means often web pages have tiny text.You can use the AA menu to expose two buttons on the top left and right of the settings menu. There is a small A and a big A. Clicking the big A will instantly increase the text size on the web page. Clicking the small A will decrease it.

This can be very helpful if you’re trying to read a recipe off your phone in Save On and don’t have your reading glasses. Or so I’ve been told.

Happy Computing.

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Bits and Bytes

ASTROLOGY

November 2021

by ASHLEY KRISTINA November blessings!

Cancer

Sagittarius

The important note is that most of the planets are out of retrograde after another six months of internal and restrictive time on Earth. I am certain most people are frustrated at this point and patience is so paramount, along with protection of your energy.

With all the energy continuing in Scorpio for most of this month, plus Pluto, the ruler of Scorpio, opposing your energy, it’s truly a time of depth in your life. Depth of emotions especially. A lot may rise to the surface for you and I suggest writing or dancing. It’s truly a time of vulnerable expression for you.

A passionate month for you. Passion is a form of aliveness that is truly based on Scorpio energy. This creates a fuel for creativity. Both the Sun and Mercury enter your sign toward the end of this month and communication of this passion and fuelled creativity will be your major theme.

The new moon occurs November 4, where the sun and moon sit at 12º Scorpio.

I suspect this will be a major time as the symbol and theme of this is Sovereignty.

Leo

November 19 brings the full moon and partial lunar eclipse with the sun and moon sitting at 27º Scorpio and Taurus, respectively.

Scorpio energy is a squared energy to Leo. Leo is lighter and brighter, warmer.

Scorpio is cool, dark and dwells in the emotional depths. The movement into Sagittarius in the last week of November is probably relieving for you.

Aries

Virgo

Mars rules your sign, and it is also co-ruler of Scorpio making Aries and Scorpio placements actually having a special bond of energy. The Sun, Mercury and Mars in Scorpio are supportive to you and give courage to your endeavours.

Venus and Mercury co-rule your sign and as you do not have any planets directly affecting your energy this month, it’s a month that can feel fairly mundane for you.Venus is in Capricorn for most of the month, so duty and work is the beneficial focus.

Taurus All the Scorpio energy continues to oppose your energy, and this means two things: balance or frustration. Uranus also remains in retrograde in your sign. Uranus is an erratic energy, ruler of Aquarius and full of surprises, which can be unsettling for you.

Your theme is Change.

Gemini In astrological lore, it was only the planet Mercury, which is your ruling planet, that could go into the underworld and come back up with the message for humanity.

Scorpio rules the underworld. Pay attention to the messages and truths that come this month.

Libra Scorpio is an intense energy with an ability to bond that creates a sense of completion between two people: mind, body and soul.

Many wish for this connection however do not have the emotional capacity to truly create it. A month of learning in partnership.

Scorpio November continues to support your energy and with Mars travelling through Scorpio all month, this can give you the extra fuel to your fire. Huge momentum can happen in your life at this time.

Capricorn Venus, the planet ruling love enters Capricorn November 5 making love and love relations your major theme. What do you truly love? Focus your energy there.

Aquarius Both Jupiter and Saturn are out of retrograde and travelling through Aquarius. This gives the themes of these energies in your life, which is both expansion and restriction. If you remain noble, do things properly and follow the rules, this can give you incredible luck.

Pisces Neptune, your ruling planet, remains retrograde in Pisces. Neptune rules all forms of illusions, delusions and magic.

Retrograde always means internal energy, and aspects from the past to revisit. Pallas, the planet of wisdom also travels in your sign. Notice the “knowings.”

Bits and Bytes

THROUGH THE LENS

Kindness, Through Your Lens Photo by Leanne Nanninga, @born.to.adventure We can’t heal the world today but we can begin with a voice of compassion, a heart of love, an act of kindness. ~ Mary Davis Until I became a parent, I don’t think I ever used the word ‘kind.’ ‘Nice’ was the word I would have chosen.

Now, I like kindness better. It’s an action word. It takes intention and commitment to be kind, but the benefits of a person being encouraged or affirmed by kindness are enormous.

Photo by Summit Ambeault, @summitambeaultphoto Kindness- defined as the quality of being kind, generous, and considerate. Kindness, a feeling we’ve all given and received, a feeling experienced daily when spending time around animals.

I haven’t spent a day without animals and have spent countless hours mourning the passing of my furry friends, and even longer around rescue animals which were at the end of the road. My mother, and many other lovely people started a local animal rescue, which was not helped by the pandemic. But what these last two years have taught me is the unconditional kindness that animals bring humans. This is something I wish humans could carry on. I wish humans could look at each-other and be kind, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation and many other factors. I wish we could learn something from animals and the sense of love, passion and kindness that they bring us all.

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Bits and Bytes

SO CIAL PAGE

Out in the Community: Q. What is one act of kindness someone did for you that you have never forgotten?

Jay Carter On my way to ski Lake Louise once I went in the ditch. There was a pack of wolves chasing elk by Red Earth Creek, I got distracted and drove right in at highway speed. Right up to hood, I had to crawl out the window to get out of the truck. No one would stop (pre cell phone, too), I started digging with my trusty avalanche shovel. Dude stopped, had a radio, called a tow truck and paid for the pull out on his credit card.

Katie Keast I had an opportunity to hike for a month on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) with a friend who was doing the full six months from Mexico to Canada. We were hiking somewhere in Northern California heading towards a town and came across a lightweight tent on the side of the trail. We thought about everyone we had passed and determined that the person who had dropped it was going the same direction as us, and we would leave it in the next town and write a post in the PCT groups.

Early in the day we had stopped for lunch next to a river and met three guys from Texas. They were really kind and friendly and much faster hikers than our group so we didn’t think we would ever see them again.

It was a really hot, sunny day and we were hiking down a steep shaley mountain when we saw one of those guys hiking back up with a man we didn’t recognize. He asked if we had found a tent. We were so excited to say that we had! The other man with him realized what was going on and started crying and hugged our friend with the tent. Turns out he was deaf and had hiked all the way down before realizing he had lost his tent. He was understandably distressed and after some difficulty with communicating he was able to tell those three boys from Texas that he needed help, one offered to hike back up to look with him, while carrying his pack in case they had to share a tent for the night. He said, “He needed help so of course I’m going to help him. We’re all in this together and we need each other for support. I hope that anyone else would do the same as me.”

Klyde DeGroot Years ago, during a year- long bike packing trip in Western Samoa - Australia and New Zealand, halfway up the east coast of Queensland my bike was stolen. Through an ad I placed in the editorial section of the local newspaper hoping the culprit would return my bike, a random person (among many) offered me cash or an old bike. I offered to help by planting sugarcane on his family farm to help offset the cost of the replacement and eventually completed the journey. He provided room and board, transportation and memories to last a lifetime! True Ozzy hospitality. Thank you Neal Edwards of Eaton, QLD. This was me on my brand new Merida heading North on the Bruce Highway.

FYI With November brings more snowfall and the work to prepare for all things winter! Alongside checking to make sure everyone’s gear still fits and is tuned and ready to go, make sure to get your memberships FERNIE TRAILS ALLIANCE and passes to ensure when the terrain is ready to go, so are you! Fernie Fernie Nordic Society is doing its annual Membership Drive for 2022 at fernienordic.com. You can purchase annual or day passes for individuals or family, or corporate passes.

The Fernie Trails Alliance is also doing its Membership Drive at fernietrailsalliance. com/get-involved/trails-pass/ for the Fernie Trails Pass. These memberships help these non-profit organizations to build and maintain Nordic and multi-use trails, something we are all grateful for!

Stock Photo The City of Fernie will be offering programming this winter season, at both the Aquatic Centre and Memorial Arena.

Family Skate, Parent and Tot and Family Skate and Shoot will be offered at the arena, and Parent and Tot Swim and Public Swimming at the Aquatic Centre alongside classes such as Active Fit, Lane Swim and Therapeutic Swim. Visit the City of Fernie ActiveNet Site to register, find the link at fernie.ca.

Holiday Kickoff

Don’t miss the Annual Holiday Kick Off event this November 26!

It was missed last year due to COVID, and it’s more important than ever to continue to shop local and support our small businesses. An evening full of lights, celebration, knocking those items off your Christmas list, and so much more. Make sure to visit ferniechamber.com for full details!

Big thanks to the Fernie Chamber, City of Fernie, Fernie Museum, Fernie Heritage Library, the Arts Station, Fernie Pride Society and the Fernie Seniors Society for making it possible.

In 2020/21 over 2,400 projects received Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) support with $71.2 million to support the region! The CBT also offers non-profit organizations support through its Non-profit Advisors Program as well as resources on their site. AND they support business through Small Business Working Capital Loans, Basin Business Advisor programs, Career Internship Program, Wage Subsidy Programs, Training Fee Support and more! Find out more at ourtrust.org.

As the snow continues to fall and accumulate on the mountains, we’re all getting ready for the winter season! What better way to celebrate and ensure we have the gear we need than to attend the annual Fernie Alpine Ski Team (FAST) Ski Swap taking place November 13 from 10am to 2pm at the Fernie Community Centre.

Once you’ve got all of your gear sorted, make sure to head on back for the Fernie Ski and Board Film Fest starting at 6pm. Visit the events calendar at ferniefix.com to see what this year’s lineup is!

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Fernie Fun

THE LAST PAGE

Spot the Difference

FIND THE

Can you find five differences between these two pictures?

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

Somewhere in this issue is a poppy.

Can you find it?

Name these Buildings/ Locations These buildings or locations are located somewhere in Fernie, can you name them?

Answers Last Month

Fernie Alpine Springs, Bridge Bistro patio, Shaw building, Snow Valley Mini Storage

Avalanche Skills Training 1 December 6

UPCOMING NOVEMBER / DECEMBER CONTINUING EDUCATION IN FERNIE: First Aid and Safety

Business, Lifestyle and Leisure

z OFA 3 Practice and Exam Challenge | November 8

z MS Word Bundle | November 8

z Occupational First Aid Level 1 | November 15

z MS Word Level 1 | November 8

z Air Brakes | November 19

z Canadian Firearms Safety | November 13

z Canadian Red Cross CPR A | November 19

z MS Word Level 2 | November 15

z Canadian Red Cross CPR C | November 19

z Residential Tenancy | November 15

z Forklift Certification | November 20

z Fernie Ambassador | November 16

z Occupational First Aid Level 3 | November 22

z Interview Skills | November 16

z St. John Standard for Industry | November 22

z Intro to Quickbooks Online | November 16

z Transportation Endorsement | November 24

z Consensus Decision Making | November 20

z Basic Fall Protection | November 29

z MS Word Level 3 | November 22

z Avalanche Skills Training 1 | December 6

z Food Safe Level 1 | November 26

z Occupational First Aid Level 3 | December 6

z Microsoft Onenote | November 29

z Standard First Aid and TE | December 20

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For more information on courses, please visit our website at cotr.bc.ca/ConEd or phone 250-423-4691

Holiday Kickoff NOVEMBER 26th Save the date for a fun filled day to kickoff the holiday season and get your shopping underway!

#SpendItInFernie

Head to ferniechamber.com for full details.