Issue 6 November 2016
magazine
Art by Jeff Rasmussen
Editor-in-Chief Katie Stobbart
Publisher Anthony Biondi
Associate Editor Nick Ubels
Ad Sales Representative Dessa Bayrock
Events Coordinator Sasha Moedt
Communications Manager Jess Wind
FRESH curators Alex Rake - Fiction Aymee Leake - Art
Writers
Anthony Biondi Dessa Bayrock Sasha Moedt Katie Stobbart Nick Ubels Jess Wind
Raspberry publishes letters to the editor of 150 words or less. Letters should be sent via email to info@raspberrymag.ca. The editors reserve the right not to print a letter for any reason. If you have a tip for arts, culture, or community coverage, let us know.
Contents
An artistic exploration of Canadian landscapes Artists Nicola Tibbetts and Rosalie Luymes showcase their paintings at the Kariton gallery, Abbotsford this month.
p.8
On the cover Fresh Art contributor Jeff Rasmussen p.45
www.raspberrymag.ca
Features Your Christmas Market Guide p.14
Evolution of Your Local Library p.28
Columns November FRESH Picks p.26 Local Harvest: a review of books p.36 FRESH Fiction by Dustin Hoffman p.38 Art on the Wing p.44 FRESH Art by Jeff Rasmussen p.45
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Sponsors
Partners
Published by
red
PRESS
The Red Press Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering the growth of the literary arts in the Fraser Valley; publishing works which stimulate local arts and culture, including Raspberry magazine; and promoting awareness and readership of contemporary Canadian literature.
A local Christmas
Anthony Biondi Photo by: Alexey Kljatov/ flickr
W
hen we consider gifts we often think of the things we see on TV or in catalogues. We think, Dad would love some Tim Hortons coffee, or a brand new sweater. Mum would kill for a new pair of slippers or a Blu-ray player. In many ways we are still directed to buy what commercials tell us to buy. As we edge our way into November, Christmas market season comes into bloom, selling all varieties of locally created goods. With a selection of rustic décor, art, food, preserves, and kitschy trinkets, this is the first place to begin looking for gifts that go beyond the commercial norm. Malls are frighteningly crowded, manufactured places. Though Christmas markets are still
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busy, wares sold there are unique, and built with passion. Even if some things seem expensive, remember you are paying for an artist to create these items from scratch. There are also no shipping or handling fees. Here you are supporting local businesses and artisans. We need to think outside the box. Commissioning a painting or purchasing locally sewn or knitted textiles may not be as visible in advertising, but they are no less viable as gifts. When an artist creates, their soul goes into that creation, and is thusly passed on to the patron. It’s a romantic way of saying, ‘support your local artist this Christmas’. Not only will it make the receiver of the gift happy, it will help to grow your
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tradition
local arts community. If craft markets aren’t your jive, or you can’t afford to pay a local artist, you might instead follow the DIY mentality that is in vogue. In the infamous words of John Hammond from Jurassic Park (the film), creation is an act of sheer will. Though he was talking about making sweet dinosaurs to share with the rest of the world, perhaps you have the will and the means to create something equally great to share with your loved ones. With Pinterest leading the charge as a catalogue of DIY crafts and gifts, it isn’t hard to find recipes or instructions to assist in fulfilling your imagination. As I stated before, an artist’s soul goes into their creations, and by creating your own gifts — whether
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it is a sweater, painting, sculpture, or rock buddy — you can truly show how much you care for the recipient without having to spend a month’s worth of earnings. The moral of the story here is, think local this Christmas. Instead of throwing your money blindly into the global market, help to grow your local arts community and market scene. Locally made goods can be just as good, or better, than anything mass-produced. It may not be an iPhone or a Playstation 4, but it will still carry meaning, and perhaps be one of the most unique and meaningful gifts you could give.
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Land &
Sea
local artists depict the power of the natural world in landscape exhibit
Sasha Moedt Two starkly different landscapes will share an exhibition at Abbotsford’s Kariton Art Gallery until November 15, 2016. Held by the Abbotsford Arts Council, Land & Sea showcases work from local artists Nicola Tibbetts and Rosalie Luymes. Both artists depict realist landscapes: muted northern features in oil from Tibbetts, and lively coastal in acrylic from Luymes. While Land & Sea interprets uniquely different geographical landscapes, similarities arise in the almost insignificant touches of human life. Silhouetted figures, distant sailboats, or human structures arise, small among vast landscapes, and under wide skies. These human figures and structures serve as scale, and as context, depicting the power and influence of the natural world on who we are and how we live. At the opening reception, the artists mingled with viewers, sharing their stories, process, and inspiration behind their landscapes.
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Nicola Tibbetts Nicola Tibbetts spent a winter in Iqaluit, Nunavut, in which she shot and painted the world around her. In a severe, monochromatic and incredibly vast landscape, the smallest incident of colour or shape can draw the eye sharply. “I would go for walks most days. We didn’t have a car, so we’d walk…. I’d take my camera and the battery would last maybe 10 photographs, then I’d have to put it back into my pocket to warm it up.” Tibbett would search for “points of interest,” for example in “Small Landscape”: “I saw the little tiny orange ribbon, and I thought, ‘yes.’ It stands out from the simplicity of the landscape.” In “Landscape with Rocks,” the structure of the landscape drew Tibbetts’ attention. “I really liked that I had a very distinct foreground, middleground and background. I liked the craggy shapes, the colour and the contrast of the white and the blue.” In the north, a landscape can appear dramatically different simply because of the times of day. Tibbett found herself returning to locations in search of the perfect shot. “I’d just try to look for these moments. Every day the shadows would be different, the sky would be different.” Sometimes it wouldn’t be easy to find the perfect lighting; sometimes, a beautiful image would arise from simple shots, such as “Self Portrait,” where her eyelashes were laced with frost.
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Rosalie Luymes Rosalie Luymes had the opportunity to shoot coastal landscapes on both the east and the west coast. Her selection of landscapes arise from her studies in both art and geography. “Having that background, and being able to recognize certain geographical features, it kind of informs when I chose the landscape,” Luymes explained, though she describes her eye as more of an artist’s than a geographer’s. With such an array of inspiring content available from our east and west coastal landscape, Luymes must narrow her subject matter down. “I’d say, when I’m taking pictures, it’s composition, colour, and if I’m inspired by the area for sure. Often I’ll do a little investigation into the area. And if I feel intrigued, I’ll look at the geographical features.” Next, Luymes hopes to focus on a different kind of landscape — mountains. “I mostly focus on natural landscapes with elements of human influence; [I enjoy the] refreshment and rejuvenation of natural landscapes.”
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PETER CLAPHAM
by Adapted from the novel by Louisa M. Alcott
NOV 11 & 12, 16 – 19, 2016 @ 7:30 MATINEES NOV 12 & 19 @ 2:00 ABBOTSFORD ARTS CENTRE 2329 Crescent Way, Abbotsford www.gallery7theatre.com
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community snapshots
photo by Katie Stobbart
The Bottomless Pot There is little information to identify the story of the fountain shaped like a giant cooking pot at the Junction Shopping Centre in Mission. Yet the pot, surrounded by one of each standard utensil and pouring its clear water endlessly into a wide blue dinner dish, is prominently placed at the centre of the outdoor mall. Whether it was constructed as a complement to the Save On Foods store behind it, or as a semi-unrelated piece of now anonymous public art, perhaps passers by can allow it to remind them of our relative bounty here in the valley. It could also be taken as a suggestion to send a necessary staple to the local food bank, or to someone in need.
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’Tis the season to shop the markets Jess Wind
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You may not be decking your halls just yet, but for hundreds of local artists and vendors in the Fraser Valley the Christmas craft season is here. These markets bring together everything, from food and ingredients to ornaments and kids’ clothes, in one place for the season. From now until mid-December you can find these markets scattered throughout the Valley, and sometimes multiple on the same weekend. Looking for that perfectly unique gift for that hard-to-buy-for person on your list? Wanting to buy local and avoid the big-box Christmas rush? Trying to jump-start your Christmas spirit? Whatever your reason for taking part in the craft market circuit, one question remains: which one (or two, or five) do you attend? We’ve collected some of the main markets around the valley, from Fort Langley to Chilliwack. You can pick your weekend, your city, or try to hit ‘em all with this handy guide. Consider this our holiday gift to you.
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1 Mission Christmas Craft Market Nov 5 - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov 6 - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Abbotsford
Abbotsford
Plaza Christmas Market
Vancity Makers: Winter Chill Market
Nov 11 - 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Nov 12 - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Dec 2 - 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec 3 - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Abbotsford
Abbotsford
Maan Farms Two-Day Country Christmas Market
Pop-Up Artisan Market Dec 2 - 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec 3 - 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec 4 - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Nov 26 - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov 27 - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
11 Abbotsford Bakers Market: Winter Edition Dec 10 - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Fort Langley
Fort Langley
Christmas Market
Coast Salish Christmas Market
Nov 13 - 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Nov 27 - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
2 Chilliwack
6 Chilliwack
Christmas Market
Handmade for the Holidays
Nov 5 - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Nov 19 - 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
5 Chilliwack Christmas Craft Market Nov 18 - 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Nov 19 - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov 20 - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Legend 1
Christmas Craft Market Mission
November 5 and 6
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. / 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Clarke Theatre, 33700 Prentis Avenue, Mission Host: Mission Arts Council Years running: 35 Vendors: 100+ Admission: by donation (min. $1.00) The 35th annual Christmas Craft Market in Mission is advertised as the largest in the Valley with a raffle, live entertainment, and a Christmas cafĂŠ. Hosted by the Mission Arts Council and located at Clarke Theatre, this is the main market for those living North of the Fraser River.
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Christmas Market Chilliwack
November 5 10 a.m. 4 p.m.
Location: Landing Sports Centre, 9145 Corbould St #1, Chilliwack Host: Valley Markets Years running: 3 Vendors: 90+ Admission: Free The third annual Christmas Market hosted by Valley Markets in Chilliwack boasts raffle prizes and a kids craft table. Show up early to take part in a special pancake breakfast.
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Plaza Christmas Market Abbotsford
November 11 and 12
5 p.m. to 9 p.m. / 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Quality Hotel & Conference Centre (formerly Ramada Inn), 36035 N Parallel Rd, Abbotsford Host: Plaza Craft Market Years running: 4 Vendors: 80+ Admission: Free The Plaza Christmas Market in Abbotsford is conveniently located at the Quality Hotel & Conference Centre just off Highway 1. The market will have food trucks on site, gingerbread house decorating, and a gift basket draw by donation to the Abbotsford Food Bank.
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Christmas Market Fort Langley
November 13 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Fort Langley Community Hall, 9167 Glover Rd, Langley Host: ThinkReferrals Business Network Years running: 4 Vendors: 30+ Admission: By donation At the Fort Langley Christmas Market, all proceeds from table rentals and admission donations go to sponsoring families in need over the Christmas season.
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Christmas Craft Market Chilliwack
November 18, 19, 20
12 p.m. to 8 p.m. / 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. /10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Chilliwack Heritage Park, 44140 Luckakuck Way, Chilliwack Host: Chilliwack Community Arts Council (CCAC) Years running: 42 Vendors: 175+ Admission: $3 (kids under 10 free) CCAC Executive Director Patti Lawn highlights some highly anticipated changes to this year’s Christmas Craft Market. “We have tried to change with the time, watching trends, adding new vendors and increasing our floor space,” Lawn says. “We want the market to be familiar but at the same time new and fresh.” New this year, they’ve added a small selection of craft breweries and food vendor pairings to the list. The CCAC is a non-profit organization, and the Christmas Craft Market is their biggest fundraiser of the year. Proceeds support artists, arts programs, scholarships, and arts and cultural events throughout the year.
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Handmade for the Holidays Chilliwack
November 19 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Main Street Church, 9325 Main St, Chilliwack Host: Loving Local Vendors: 60+ Admission: $3 (kids under 12 free) The Handmade for the Holidays market focuses specifically on handmade items and offers gift bags including some of these items to the first 25 people through the door. You can also pick up breakfast or hot apple cider and take part in movies or craft activities for little ones.
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Maan Farms Two-Day Country Christmas Market Abbotsford
November 26 and 27 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Maan Farms, 790 McKenzie Rd, Abbotsford Host: Maan Farms Country Experience Years running: 2 Vendors: 60+ Admission: Free Head down to Maan Farms in Abbotsford for their two-day country-style Christmas market. This market offers gifts for everyone on your list, free wine tastings, and family fun, including hay rides and carolling from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
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Coast Salish Christmas Market Fort Langley
November 27 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Fort Langley Lions Hall, 23022 88th Avenue Fort Langley Host: Coast Salish Arts & Cultural Society This market blends the Christmas season with Aboriginal art, smoked salmon, and an array of work by local crafters and artisans.
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Vancity Makers: Winter Chill Market Abbotsford
December 2 and 3
5 p.m. to 9 p.m. / 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Show Barn, Exhibition Grounds, 32470 Haida Dr, Abbotsford Host: Vancity Makers Vendors: 90+ Admission: $5 The Winter Chill market is inspired with chilly holiday decor including string lights and Christmas trees in icy blues and greys. Jzabela from Vancity Makers says guests can expect free hot cocoa, Abbotsford's Jack Coffee bar, and a Caribbean style food truck on top of holiday goods from local vendors. "What sets this market apart is our passion to support the handmade community and our love for giving back to the community," she notes. "Our vendors have generously donated items towards gift boxes that will be raffled off. 100 per cent of the proceeds will go directly to the Empty Stocking Fund." The market will also feature a children's craft area and entertainment by a local dance school. Come for the vendors, stay for the entertainment!
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Pop-Up Artisan Market Abbotsford
December 2, 3, 4
5 p.m. to 9 p.m. / 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. / 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Highstreet, 3122 Mount Lehman Rd, Abbotsford Host: Abbotsford Arts Council Vendors: 25+ Admission: $2 This pop-up style market hosted by the Abbotsford Arts Council features local artisans, a gift raffle, and festive cider.
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Abbotsford’s Bakers Market: Winter Edition Abbotsford
December 10 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Highstreet, 3122 Mount Lehman Rd, Abbotsford Host: Cookie Canister Admission: $2 (kids 12 and under free) This one’s for food lovers. The Abbotsford Baker’s Market showcases local food vendors from Abbotsford and around the valley. Looking for some exciting Christmas baking? This is the market to hit.
What do the vendors say? As much as the Christmas market season benefits consumers looking for just the right, unique gift, it's also an extremely important time of year for the vendors. Carmen West of Little and Lively, an Abbotsford-based children’s clothing retailer, shared her feelings about the season.
So obviously there are a number of markets around this season. How do you choose which to attend? What do you look for in a local market? There are a few things that I consider and they don’t always have to do with being the most popular or most profitable markets. Around the Christmas season, there are often several markets sched-
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uled on the same day, and when looking for which ones I’m going to participate in, I try to prioritize the ones closest to home. Not only because I love to support my local community, but also because it is simpler and easier for our family as they take less time away from our kids. I also try to be loyal to organizers who I've already had a previous good experience with because they are doing such a great job! Also, I really appreciate a well-curated market with pretty marketing.
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What does the Christmas season mean for a local business like yours? Christmas season means a very busy November. Even though Christmas is several weeks away, November is when we are working around the clock to build up inventory, organize, and promote. I'm a fairly well organized person so usually by the time Christmas shopping season is here, I'm well prepared. Late November and early December is filled with weekend markets. But the in last week or so before Christmas, there is usually a beautiful quiet time, since it is too late to ship anything prior to Christmas! I'd say that is my favourite part because it is like a little vacation right when you need it most!
Do you have anything special planned for the local markets?
We will be offering all of our fall/winter favourites including our graphic pullovers and pom pom beanies. But some things that you'll find at markets that you won't be able to find on our website are newborn gift sets (leggings and a pom pom beanie enclosed) and some special edition canvas banners and wall decal sets. Markets are a great venue to test out new designs before we launch them on a larger scale.
What should guests/customers expect from the market scene? Any insider tips for those looking to hit a few? Look for markets that have taken the time to create an informative and enticing online presence. You should be able to get a good vibe as to what to expect by visiting their Instagram and Facebook page.
Your ad here email info@raspberrymag.ca with the subject “Ad Sales� for ad pricing and inquiries
community snapshots
photo by Anthony Biondi
A testament to history Spotting a pay phone in the 21st century has become akin to seeing a horse and trap riding through the streets in the late 20th. These relics are few and far between, with only a handfull peppered around the community. If you see one, be sure to check the tray for quarters!
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fresh picks Music Western Jaguar and Casinos perform at the Crimson Café (formerly the Spotted Owl)
November 25 at 8 PM
Admission to this local concert is by donation. After you’ve finished watching the tree lighting downtown, duck into the Crimson Café and settle in for some sweet local sound to round out the evening. The last time you saw these bands was probably in the summer at Jam in Jubilee; since then, Western Jaguar has finished tracking their third album. Crimson Café 33790 Essendene Ave, Abbotsford
Visual Arts Beginner Woodcarving Class November 9 at 6:30PM - 9PM
The Central Fraser Valley Woodcarvers are hosting a beginner’s class open to all those who might be interested in trying their hand at this medium. The class is free, and all tools and materials are provided. For additional details on location, email cfvwoodcarvers@gmail.com.
Literary Book talk with author George Garrett November 6 at 2PM - 3:30PM
It doesn’t get much more Canadian than lighthouses and dog-sledding. Described as a great event for history, biography, and military aficionados, Garrett’s talk will focus on his recent book on Mounted Police officer (among other adventurous occupations) Stirling McNeil. Clearbrook Library 32320 George Ferguson Way, Abbotsford
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November 2016 Community Silverdale Creek Wetlands Planting Day Bring your friends and family to restore a natural wetland in the Fraser Valley. The BC Wildlife Federation’s Wetlands Education Program and the Fraser Valley Watersheds Coalition are teaming up to plant a newly restored wetland at Silverdale Creek. Bring a planting shovel and wear gumboots; dress for the weather. Meet about 600m up the path to Silverdale Creek Wetlands off Silverdale Avenue in Mission.
November 5 at 10 AM - 4 PM
Silverdale Creek Wetlands 31650 Silverdale Ave, Mission
You and Your Money: Financial Advice for Young Adults Most of us could probably use a little help figuring out how to pay off student loans, save for trips abroad, and just generally manage our money better. The Credit Counselling Society is offering this workshop geared to adults aged 18 to 30 (but others welcome) at the Clearbrook Library. Attendees should bring a calculator.
November 22 at 7PM - 8:30PM
Clearbrook Library 32320 George Ferguson Way, Abbotsford
Christmas Tree Lighting Whether or not you celebrate Christmas, the tree lighting downtown is always a fun affair with hot chocolate, craft beer gardens, artisan marketplaces, crafts for kids, and a huge turnout of community members feeling festive despite the shift to chillier weather. And the huge tree on the corner of West Railway and Essendene is quite a sight dressed in twinkling lights for the 27th annual celebration of the changing season. The lighting will happen around 6 p.m., or when it gets dark.
November 25 at 3 PM - 9 PM
Downtown Abbotsford
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How the
Fraser Valley
REgional
library is
Transforming its services
To Meet
21
st
Century
needs Nick Ubels image by Stewart Butterfield/flickr
“I do things like get in a taxi and say, ‘The library, and step on it.’” – David Foster Wallace, Infinite Jest
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W
eekly trips to the public library were a staple of my childhood. After school or on the weekend, my mother would set us loose to explore and peruse and pull books down off shelves. It felt like a little slice of unfettered freedom, one deemed safe enough for an eight- or nine-year-old. My brother and I would get lost in the maze of shelves and emerge with stacks of books 15 or 20 deep, accounting for everything from our latest zoological obsessions to classic novels and comic books. This sepia tone portrait is how many still imagine public libraries: quiet repositories of books waiting to be discovered. And while this remains a recognizable feature of library services, it no longer dominates the picture. Instead, vast swaths of digital collections, e-books, DVDs, and in the case of the Fraser Valley Regional Library (FVRL), even loaner ukuleles, take up an increasing share of the mosaic of services now available. FVRL CEO Scott Hargrove points to this perception gap as one of the biggest challenges faced by public libraries as they continue to reinvent themselves: “If you ask 10 people about what the library is, nine of them will say it’s about borrowing books.” These expectations are slowly changing. A PEW Research Center study conducted in March found that 80 per cent of American adults surveyed said that libraries should definitely “Offer programs to teach people … how to use digital tools.” Hargrove affirms that this is one of the most important mandates of the public library: to provide digital skills training. “We have always been evolving,” Hargrove says. “Libraries have a long history of adapting and changing their operations, their services, their collections to meet the needs of their customers, their patrons, and their communities.”
"We have always been evolving."
What many do not realize is that the electronic services they expect libraries to deliver may already be available. In the same PEW study, only 44 per cent of respondents said their public libraries lend e-books. Yet a report from the University of Maryland found that 90 per cent of libraries already have e-book lending programs. The challenge with electronic services is that “they’re hard to make visible,” according to Hargrove. “Books on a shelf that people walk in and can see are very easy to find. A lot of those other tools that we offer online tend to be more hidden.”
Know of an
These tools include everything from language learning software to independent movie streaming services and a book-a-librarian program in which patrons set an appointment with a librarian to get help researching a particular topic. Rather than edging out face-to-face interactions, digital collections complement increasingly popular programs like story-time, seniors’ gatherings, and robotics workshops. “Libraries like FVRL across the country are seeing double-digit percentage growth in programming,” Hargrove says. By moving some collections online, each library branch can operate as more fully
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EVENT
If you are an organizer or know of an upcoming event you'd like to see covered, email us at info@raspberrymag.ca to give us the heads up.
realized community space in the 15 districts and municipalities served by the FVRL. “There was a study out from UBC in 2011 that showed that while people are more connected than ever through the internet, they’re actually feeling more socially isolated than ever,” Hargrove says. “An area that our municipalities generally feel very strongly about is ensuring that there are many social services like the library available to build those strong community relationships.” The library’s community ties extend to partnerships to provide more content and services to patrons. In fact, the library’s ukulele lending program got its start when a community partner approached the FVRL with an idea and a set of ukuleles. Soon, new patrons were signing up in droves for the chance to try out a ukulele. “Even in my wildest dreams,” Hargrove says, “I wouldn’t have imagined that a year ago.” The ukulele borrowing scheme is so popular because it removes the cost barrier for an activity many would like to try. “How many families have two or three musical instruments collecting dust in the closet that they got for their kids,
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who played them for two or three weeks and then decided they didn’t like it?” says Hargrove. By further expanding borrowing options beyond books and traditional media, public libraries are positioning themselves alongside popular services like Netflix, Spotify, and Car2Go which provide digital media or physical resources on demand, but at a cost. The advantage to library patrons is that everything the library offers is free for them to use. “Libraries are the original sharing economy,” Hargrove says. As the public moves further away from ownership of items that require onerous maintenance or are infrequently used, the library finds itself in a position to offer more of these services. Deciding where to invest a pool of limited public funding is one of the greatest challenges in an era of abundant choice. “It would be tempting to see that as a detriment,” Hargrove says. “I don’t see it as that. For me, it helps keep us focused and fresh, which is exciting. It forces us to capitalize on things that matter to people and not worry about the things that don’t.”
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Your Raspberry Guide to FVRL Databases Although I’ve been a regular patron of public libraries since I was a kid, I had no idea the breadth and depth of online resources the Fraser Valley Regional Library has to offer. The FVRL databases are a constantly growing supply well worth exploring on your own. Rather than an exhaustive guide, consider this your primer on some of the best digital resources available right now:
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These resources and many more can be found at fvrl.bc.ca/databases.php
Local harvest Home grown Westcoasters Dessa Bayrock and Jess Wind bringing you some local literary flavour. We review works set in the valley, written by authors from the valley, or that have that British Columbia, Fraser Valley vibe. Come back each month to see what the Fraser Valley has to offer.
Two Gun and Sun by June Hutton Two-Gun & Sun is part historical fiction, part love story, and 100 per cent feisty wild west. The kicker: this 1920s western isn't set in the dusty deserts of the United States, but in the deep wilds of British Columbia. Welcome to Black Mountain: a filthy, racist mining town bent on extracting the province’s rich ore of coal at any price. Most of the locals couldn’t care less about the state of the world, but Lila Sinclair — a boldly single woman determined to take over her uncle's smalltown newspaper business, and our intrepid heroine — has some ideas about how, exactly, the town should change for the better. Why don't the miners belong to a union? Why are the foreign workers forced to live in a slum nicknamed "Lousetown"? Why is it impossible to find fresh vegetables or fruit in the town? Why are the roads filled with potholes, and the backwoods filled with vicious wild pigs? Fixing – or even acknowledging - some of these problems would inarguably lead to a better standard of living in the town, and push Black Mountain out of its backwater roots and into a shining future. For better or for worse, Lila is intent on making this vision into a reality. After
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Dessa Bayrock all, she’s given up everything to move to Black Mountain and get the press running again. She cares about the Black Mountain and its inhabitants, and stubbornly — perhaps uselessly — stands up for the idea that people should treat each other decently. By its end, the novel is a tangled — but careful — examination of expectation and desire. As Lila fights to make her newspaper profitable and to gain the respect of her fellow townsfolk, she finds herself becoming both more confident and more lost. She fights for the respect and freedom her father never allowed her; she fights for fair working conditions for sheriff, miners, and whores alike; she fights to bring elegance and progress to
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Black Mountain. But which of these goals will actually make her happy? And why can’t she stop thinking about the Chinatown revolutionary she’s hired to run her printing press, whose ideals are as fierce and subtle as her own? Following the many threads of this novel is occasionally confusing, especially in such a short work: Lila chases up dozens of news stories in her first month, hopping from one to the next. This scattered and constant split in attention is true to real-life journalism; to a reader, however, the result is that none of the stories seem to fully materialise into full plot points. Should we care more about the working conditions of the miners, or the mystery of the black horse smuggled off a freighter at midnight, or the subtly ominous attitude of the deputy, or the gossip and casual racism surrounding the public speech of a visiting dignitary? Then again, perhaps this is the point — after all, Lila finds the work as emotionally and physically draining as she does interesting, and this exhaustion is likewise felt by the reader. By the end of the novel, it is inevitable and unsurprising that Lila has difficult choices to make — about the future of her newspaper and her heart alike. Can she truly make a difference in Black Mountain, torn between the town’s twin and warring attitudes of scorn and apathy? As the stakes reach a fever pitch and the threads of the novel continue to expand and multiply, Lila is forced to deal with her underlying uncertainty and passion in a single, fateful blow – a conclusion which leaves no doubt in the reader's mind about the courage and difficulty of admitting what you want out of life, even to yourself. (A conclusion which, frankly, is the loveliest and most satisfying part of a lovely and satisfying novel.)
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fresh fiction A selection of two poems by Dustin Hoffman Photos by Thomas Hawk/ flickr
Pretend Everything’s Pretend How am I supposed to succeed In a world so fake Obsessed with cheap antics Made to persuade Another worthless product Another dollar to be made Sold to fickle people As way to evade Away from their lives Away from their problems A shiny piece of plastic To maintain a bubble-wrapped life That you can go hide in You can bury your head in Pretend everything is okay Pretend everything’s pretend But I’m just a whiner In an unscrupulous fashion I bought a lighter So I could set blaze to this contention I want to burn this town down
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To get rid of these ghosts All they do is linger Disparaging my hopes I walked for hours Pacing in circles Trying to find an answer For why I’m imperfect Maybe I’m sick Maybe I’m defected Maybe I’m different Maybe it’s not worth it Maybe my problem Has been all along The moral perspectives And these societal walls Acting as a barricade Another way to separate To keep us divided To keep us all lost Trying find reason For why we feel this hate
Torn from ambition Torn from my ribcage The essence I held on to That I used as motivation Pretend everything’s pretend Because that’s the only thing I’m good at Ignore the explosions Going off in the distance The warning signs Flashing red lights The hidden lies The trail of betrayal Maybe my father was right When he said I was a failure Finding ways to distract From my compulsive behavior Enduring bad electronic music Echoing through a club So I can find a girl To fuck in the bathroom stall The concept of love Has no meaning When no one knows Or understands what they’re feeling It’s easy to forget If you can’t even remember Take another sedative To drift into the nether To forget this place To forget this hole When I leave I’m never coming back To this place that I called home 10/19/14
The Great Inventor Toiling in the remains of old ruins Grasping to salvage something of value The great inventor Who never built a thing Except ideals Sold for nothing His ego His stubbornness His pride Has only Led him astray Along the wayside He still believes That a great invention can redeem If only he could find a way To make reality out of dreams So he finds distractions To occupy his mind Because the pain he feels Is too strong to subside So he fumbles with gadgets And other broken devices Hoping that something Will be worthy and entices Anyone who cared Are all long gone They all declared him mad When he couldn’t find the one That one thing That one spark That was apparent That set itself apart Desperately scrambling
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To hurry up the pace As if the speed he goes Will alter the stakes He looks around Sees he’s shackled to the deed As if his need was to build But it’s really to be freed Freed from expectations Freed from the results Freed from the desire And the urge to never stop His tired bones ache His hands are rough and scraped He sees he wasn’t creating at all But digging himself a grave A larger hole to fall down A money pit Exhausted and distraught All his energy is lost Except his ability to think To come up with new ideas And that’s how it started That’s when it showed That his greatest invention Was learning to let go
Photos by Jacob Surland/ flickr
12/7/14
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community snapshots
photo by Katie Stobbart
Roadside Pond Certain features of the local landscape are inevitably temporary. Close to the Montrose bus exchange in Abbotsford, there is a large empty lot. There used to be a house there, set below street level, and a shed. Further back in the lot by the big tree, there’s a pond nestled in the long grasses where semi-aquatic plants grow year-round. Soon, white translucent streaks of ice will form on its surface. This has happened for many winters. But I often wonder, passing it, pausing to consider its curious position and history, how long it will remain.
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Art on the Wing Open call for emerging artists Katie Stobbart
Nicole Timmermans exhibited as part of the Art on Demand series this fall.
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There is a fresh opportunity for young artists to exhibit in Abbotsford. While we usually give a glimpse of an emerging artist or two, a curator, or an exhibit from the Emerge at the Reach program, this month we’d like to highlight a call for submissions that was released this week for the upcoming seasons of Art on Demand, a regular series featuring emerging artists. Fraser Valley artists aged 18 to 35 have until November 25 to submit an application and a selection of photos of their 2D or wall-mounted 3D work for consideration. A full list of submission documents and requirements is available on the Reach website. The gallery space reserved for Art on Demand in the Reach is small but pleasant, and has high visibility from the main lobby of the building. Ample space and light allow for peaceful and uncluttered enjoyment of art displayed there, and emerging artists show their work in the same building as more established professionals, a unique opportunity for local artists with little experience. As the Art on Demand program features artists from the Emerge program, it is necessary to become a member of Emerge before applying, which costs $25 per person annually.
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fresh art Jeff Rasmussen Jeffrey Rasmussen is a painter/sculptor and originally hails from Regina, Saskatchewan. Currently, his work is focused on acrylic airbrush painting on canvas, informed by his effort as a sculptor. His work represents a three-year progression of layering and manipulation of texture through found, manmade objects.
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n a world bursting at the seams with mass-produced things, what overall effect has this had on the individual; moreover, humanity as a whole? If the human body regenerates itself every seven years, we could come to a point when we are redeveloping as part plastic and/or metal — if of course this hasn’t happened already. This culmination of mass produced things coupled with the pressure of conformity is what led me to create this series called Edges. The silhouettes or underlying textures are built of up of many metal and plastic things, creating the silhouette of the individual. This entity, or shadow made of things is interacting with the very edges of their existence fighting to exist outside of the box.
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Interested in having your FRESH art featured in Raspberry magazine? Visit raspberrymag.ca/Fresh-submissions to view our submission guidelines.
Our contributors Anthony Biondi is an artist and writer living in Abbotsford. He has been previously published in The Louden Singletree, and served four years on The Cascade’s editorial board as Art Director and Production and Design Editor. He is a humourless crab, and fundamental contrarian, whose cholesterol may be higher than his IQ. Dessa Bayrock is an ex-journalist with a soft spot for the Fraser Valley. She currently lives in Ottawa and studies the apocalypse as part of her M.A. in English. You can find her reviewing books online at Bayrock, Bookrock and for Ottawa Review of Books. If you rearrange the letters of her name you can spell “abyss croaked,” “as bark decoys,” or “brocade as sky,” all of which describe her in one way or another. @YoDessa www.bayrockbayrock.wordpress.com Katie Stobbart is a writer and editor from Abbotsford. She has edited The Cascade newspaper, Louden Singletree literary magazine, and the Pacific Rim Review of Books. She is also a member of the PWAC (Professional Writers Association of Canada) Fraser Valley chapter. A selection of her poems will appear in a co-authored chapbook soon to haunt local library shelves, dentists’ offices, and hotel lobbies: It looks like a chicken. Katie is also working hard to improve her patio gardening game. Jess Wind somehow managed to earn two degrees by writing about zombies. She holds a BA in Creative Writing from UFV and an MA in Communication from Carleton University in Ottawa. Jess is an ex-editor of The Cascade, is published in The Louden Singletree and has been known to blog about entertainment media and culture. She likes her coffee black, her video games retro, and her sports local.
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Nick Ubels is an editor, musician, and event planner living in Abbotsford with his wife and three cats. He loves black coffee and tennis but is terrible at both. His life story served as inspiration for the events of Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice. Sasha Moedt is a UFV grad and a former arts editor at The Cascade. She currently works as a residential support worker as well as a copywriter. When she’s not working, she’s writing, and when she’s not writing, she’s out enjoying local culture, food, thrift shops, and all the cool things the Fraser Valley has to offer.
Contribute to magazine To contribute writing, art, or photography to this emerging Fraser Valley publication, contact info@raspberrymag.ca
Raspberry magazine is a monthly Fraser Valley magazine devoted to arts, culture, and community life. Established in June 2016, Raspberry publishes reviews, event coverage, and other arts-friendly content online as we work toward our goal of publishing in print. You can follow us on social media for updates on our progress, information and insights on the Fraser Valley arts and culture scene, and fresh arts coverage.
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