August 2013 Village Vibe

August 2013

villagevibe News and views from the heart of Fernwood

Happy FernFest!

Thanks everybody for an awesome neighbourhood celebration

›› Kathryn Juricic & Mila Czemerys

T

he 18th annual FernFest was a neighbourhood celebration filled with friends, a pony, music, dancing, local artists and a beer or two. The whole neighbourhood came down to Fernwood Square for fantastic performances on Friday night and all day Saturday. What a joy it was to see so many smiling faces, young and old, soaking up the sunshine together.

This free festival—and all the great times—was organized by Fernwood NRG but couldn’t have happened without many helping hands. Special thank-yous go to all the volunteers who helped make FernFest happen. There are some very special folks out there for whom our appreciation is endless!

Thank you to our sponsors: Aaronson’s

FernFest and Fernwood Bites 2013 were a pleasure to organize; we can’t wait to start planning for next year. Photo: Louis Bockner

All staff of Fernwood NRG had a hand in putting this event together so if you see them around, give them a high five. You can give any of your neighbours a highfive actually, because it takes a community to create an inclusive environment where everyone is welcome.

There were some unforgettable moments shared together. A new addition, The Field of Dreams, allowed FernFest to mix entertainment with education and create a family friendly space. There were bubbles; people could enjoy performances, learn about composting, join in laughter yoga, let the kids enjoy all the activities and games or just chill.

Other great moments shared were the sweet tunes radiating from Fox Glove, a Fernwoodian all-ladies trio. Also, the dance party vibrating from the sounds of The New Groovement made the square a little more uneven. Thanks to all the bands that came from near and far to perform, there is something special about dancing with friends in the sunshine.

Benji Duke pleased the masses as our MC for the weekend. What a fantastic show with the between performance games,

Benji’s Bonus Bucket and drumming for our headliner, BoneHoof. Thanks for guiding everyone through and an awesome weekend, Benji!

The surprises were plentiful at this year’s FernFest. Friday night a couple of firespinners graced the Square spinning to MicroBongo Sound System. The energy surrounding them could not be recreated. On Saturday, a ukulele flash mob came out from the masses to serenade the crowd with The Rolling Stones hit You Can’t Always Get What You Want. Another mob, The Choir from the Larsen School of Music, shared three songs with us in front of the gazebo. We love surprises!

FernFest is a unique use of public space for the means of gathering people together in the name of neighbourhood.

It was a lovely sentiment to hear, “Happy FernFest!” That it was Fernwood, thankyou.

Buzz

Feature

Mark Your Calendar

Norte Street Food page 3

Caring about George Jay page 4

Vining Street Block Party page 7

Pharmacy, Aubergine Specialty Foods, CFAX 1070, Coast Environmental, CTV, Discovery Coffee, Fernwood Coffee Company, Fortis BC, Garside Signs, Kool FM, Larsen Music, LoneTree Cider, Ocean Grown Medicinal Society, Paladin Security, Par-T-Perfect, Phillips Brewery, reFUSE, SOMA Active Health, Victoria Car Share Co-op. A hanks to everyone who donated to our silent auction.

Thanks to the Belfry Theatre for sharing

your space, your power and your awesome ideas. Thank you to the Fernwood Inn for serving over 450 plates of pancakes at our annual community pancake breakfast.

Thanks to Mike and Olena Russell for organizing and leading the Kidical Mass Bike Parade. Thanks to Roxanne Derkson and all her volunteer masseuses who raised $382 for Fernwood NRG’s programs.

Thanks to Mike Demers and our great sound crew who made sure the weekend was rockin’. Thanks to all the amazingly talented performers for sharing your skills with the neighbourhood. A huge thankyou to Phillips Brewery for helping to make FernFest possible!

Fernwood Bites 2013 What a great turn out for Fernwood Bites this year. Thanks to everyone that attended; we sold out. Food was plentiful. Company was great...

Huge thanks to Aubergine Specialty Foods, Bubby Rose’s Bakery, Bubby’s Kitchen, Ca Va bistro modern, Charelli’s Cheese Shop and Delicatessen, Cook Culture, Cook’s Day Off, Cornerstone C a f é , F e r n w o o d I n n , I n g re d i e n t s Organic Café, Norte Street Food, Ooh La La Cupcakes, Origin Bakery, Padella Italian Bistro, Stage Wine Bar, Stir It Up, The Parsonage, Wildfire Bakery, Yates Street Taphouse, Phillips Brewing Co., Spinnakers, Sea Cider, Hoyne Brewing, Renaissance Wine Merchants, Bona Vini Wines Co., Victoria Spirits, Silk Road Tea, Discovery Coffee, and Fernwood Coffee Company for donating time,

energy, talents, and delicious food and drinks.

Thank you to all the artists who donated a piece of artwork and everyone who donated to our auction. Thank you for supporting Fernwood NRG. All the proceeds from this year’s Fernwood Bites go directly to Fernwood NRG’s sustainable food initiatives. We are very excited to announce Plant-a-fruit-treeday on September 28. Stay tuned for the next Village Vibe for more info.

in this issue To get the Vibe digitally, sign up at fernwoodnrg.ca

guest editorial:

villagevibe Editorial Committee

The future is now, just later

Lee Herrin Matt Takach

In mid-June a little

Published by Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group Mila Czemerys Azelia Serjeantson

Founding Editor Lisa Helps

experiment took

Contributors

Kathryn Juricic David Segal Margaret Hantiuk Josh Wagler

Sarah Adams Kate Wallace Cam Millar Laurie Rubin

Art

Louis Bockner

Sarah Adams John Threlfall Alex Bayley Ed Sum Kevin Keresztes Larry McCallum Erin Walker Doug Clement Alexandra Stephanson Axel Production Mila Czemerys Contact us

1240 Gladstone Avenue Victoria, BC V8T 1G6 T 778.410.2497 F 250.381.1509 vibe@fernwoodnrg.ca www.villagevibe.ca To enquire about advertising in the Village Vibe, please contact ads@fernwoodnrg.ca

place in the heart of Fernwood

›› Sarah Adams On an ordinary Monday evening a small group of adventurers travelled ninety years in the future. These ‘chrononauts’ had ten minutes to observe and take notes about this future Fernwood before the time portal closed. They returned to the present with stories of edible gardens and backyard chickens, street corner barter markets, collaborative government, modular housing, a light rail transportation hub near Hillside Mall, bioluminescent plants This may look like a group of regular humans but they are actually ‘chrononauts’—pictured here

What actions can we take today to ensure that Fernwood in 2103 is a bright and enjoyable place to live, work and play?

The views expressed in the Village Vibe do not necessarily reflect the views of Fernwood NRG.

declaration of principles & values ›› We are committed to creating a socially, environmentally,

and economically sustainable neighbourhood;

››

We are committed to ensuring neighbourhood control or ownership of neighbourhood institutions and assets;

››

We are committed to using our resources prudently

for alternative lighting and more. One young chrononaut even sat down for coffee with his future self to get the inside scoop.

This time travel was part of the FutureThink for Fernwood workshop, facilitated by Lehna Malmkvist and

after they travelled through a time portal to ninety years in the future. They returned to Fernwood with stories and ideas for the present. Photo: Sarah Adams

Sarah Adams. The experiential workshop was designed to give participants the opportunity to immerse themselves in the future, determine what works and doesn’t and identify steps which can be taken today to benefit the future Fernwood community.

To prepare themselves for time travel, the chrononauts first connected with the past. They met a Fernwood family of four generations: Mabel (93), John (63), Susan (33), and Evan (3). Through Mabel, the chrononauts reached back to Fernwood in the mid-1920s. Mabel shared stories of her daily life during that time.

Connecting with the future is trickier because it hasn’t happened yet. However,

many people alive today will be living in the future. Through Evan—who is three today—the chrononauts reached forward to Fernwood at the turn of the century.

What stories will Evan at 93 years of age tell us about daily life in 2103? What actions can we take today to ensure that Fernwood in 2103 is a bright and enjoyable place to live, work and play?

Many thanks to our intrepid participants! The results of your work are being shared with Fernwood NRG as part of their ongoing public consultation. For more information about this workshop, please contact Sarah at hello@ sarahnicoleadams. com or 250661-2813.

and to becoming financially self-reliant;

››

We are committed to the creation and support of neighbourhood employment;

››

We are committed to engaging the dreams, resources, and talents of our neighbours and to fostering new links between them;

››

We are committed to taking action in response to neighbourhood issues, ideas, and initiatives;

››

We are committed to governing our organization and serving our neighbourhood democratically with a maximum of openness, inclusivity and kindness;

››

We are committed to developing the skills, capacity, self-worth, and excellence of our

VICTORIA–BEACON HILL

neighbours and ourselves;

››

on the future while preserving and diversity; We are committed to creating neighbourhood places that are vibrant, beautiful, healthy, and alive;

››

and, most of all,

MARGARET HANTIUK GARDEN SERVICE SUSTAINABLE GARDENING

We are committed to focusing our neighbourhood’s heritage

››

Carole James, MLA Honoured to serve you in our community 1084 Fort Street Victoria, BC V8V 3K4 250-952-4211 Carole.James.MLA@leg.bc.ca www.CaroleJamesMLA.ca

Pruning. Bedwork. Designs. Consults.

Senior-friendly

Email: mmhantiuk@shaw.ca Phone: 250.595.1684 Cell: 250.882.1929

We are committed to having fun!

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villagevibe

August 2013

News and views from the heart of Fernwood

buzz:

Step into Mexico: Norte Street Food Bringing you food Love is our fuel that brings passion to our food. We cook with ingredients we want to eat.

Fresh and local, authentically Mexican and always real.

and culture from the pueblos of Northern Mexico

›› David Segal You may have noticed a new restaurant has emerged in the cozy nook between Aubergine and the Fernwood Inn on Gladstone. What caught your eye? Perhaps it was the people lining up to get their hands on a freshly made taco, rich aromas coming from the grill, the creative décor and ingenious use of space or the smiling faces of the customers and staff enjoying conversation? No matter. Norte’s authentic northern Mexico cuisine and rich culture will keep you coming back.

Norte (aka North) is not your ordinary taco stand. Their diverse menu of simple, tasty, healthy food is made with love and reflects the owners’, Claudia Garza and Ryan Acheson’s, passionate vision to bring a real experience of northern Mexican culture right to the heart of Fernwood.

Garza is from Monterrey, a once vibrant Mexican mountain town known for its desert, ranches, bull riders and unique variation on traditional Mexican food and drink.

Acheson, originally hailing from BC moved to Monterrey to be with his new wife and set up a life together. Unfortunately, the so-

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d, 2

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$199,900.00

Claudia Garza, co-owner of Norte, cooking fresh corn tortillas. Photo: Alexandra Stephanson

called ‘war on drugs’ had another casualty.

In this case, it was the ability of the locals of Monterrey to feel safe in their own city and express their cultural pride and way of life on the streets and in their homes. Garza recalls a time when she felt completely embraced and safe in her community. Her grandfather owned several restaurants, her uncles were bull riders and it was a common experience to share tacos on the streets and sing traditional songs under the sun or night sky. Tragically, these old ways are now a memory replaced by drug cartels and

violence. Rather than giving in though, Garza decided to use these memories as fuel to bring the cherished Monterrey spirit to Fernwood. She certainly is succeeding!

Norte’s handcrafted, locally-sourced food and drink will transplant your senses all the way to Northern Mexico. You won’t want to ever leave.

Staying true to the tastes of Monterrey, Norte offers six inch yellow corn flour tortillas (non-gmo), packs them full of a consortium of different meat and vegetarian options and garnishes them

with your choice of salsa, lime, cilantro and chopped onion. Acheson explains that all of their ingredients are sourced from the best local options he can find. Their deal of three tacos for ten dollars will leave you full and nourished for a long time.

In the words of Garza, “Love is our fuel that brings passion to our food. We cook with ingredients we want to eat. Fresh and local, authentically Mexican and always real. With flavours from Monterrey, my true north. Enjoy and embrace our culture.

Welcome to Mexico.”

Norte is serving tacos and agua fresca on Wednesday to Saturday from 11:30am till 7pm & Sunday noon till 5pm. Be sure to look out for their new dinner menu and late night weekend hours.

Your Home Here

Sold $339,000.00

Coming Soon!!

Here are some local Fernwood homes that will be listed and available for purchase with the RealEstateDynamics.ca Team For your free home evaluaƟon or to view your next home today, please visit RealEstateDynamics.ca or call 250.294.6363.

SuƩon Group West Coast Realty Victoria #1 Sales Team Chris Barrington Foote - Krystal ScoƩ - Diane Beier - Nick Honour 250.294.6363 | info@realestatedynamicsbc.ca RealestateDynamics.ca for INFORMATION | RealEstateDynamics.ca for SERVICE | RealEstateDynamics.ca for RESULTS

www.fernwoodnrg.ca

August 2013

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feature:

Learning and Caring about George Jay The George Jay School motto is “Learning to Care, Caring to Learn,” and this ideal is practiced daily

L

et’s be honest, George Jay has had a bad reputation for years. I heard about it the moment I gave birth to my first-born. What was the fuss about?

Supposedly it gave a poor education and had rough kids, tough kids. The building itself isn’t beautifully redone like others around Victoria. It doesn’t offer the French Immersion program. Why would I send my kids to that school? Let me tell you what I’ve learned . . .

After my eldest went through French Immersion at another local school and came out with zero school spirit and a disappointing grade in English (we took him out of the program in grade five), my husband, Lance, and I realized we needed to do something different for our next two preschoolers.

A late French Immersion program is also offered at Central Middle School. At completion of grade seven, late French

Immersion students are ready to merge into existing classes and become full-on FI students. This means that late FI kids will learn as much French in two to three years in Middle School as those enrolled since kindergarten. Interesting! (This information was given to me by two Principals in our catchment, by the way.)

Honestly, after coming from a school with both a great reputation and French Immersion (which, by the way was how I grew up in Ontario), I was still concerned.

Lance had always been a big community school enthusiast; I was a worrier. But after having a very informative conversation with the then vice principal at Central about the differences between the education from our local French Immersion school and George Jay—Fernwood’s catchment English school—I breathed easier.

The vice principal told me about how he grew up in Esquimalt and went to Rock Heights and Esquimalt High while the principal completed the French Immersion route. And here they both were, side by side, first teachers and now principals.

The vice principal reminded me that after high school and post-secondary education, vying for a job doesn’t necessarily come down to academics but how the hiring strategy in today’s work force is more about

George Jay had many winners at the Victoria Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils Awards in June 2013. These awards are given to those nominated from School District 61—45 local schools.

Beth Threlfall (left) as Volunteer of the Year, Karen Higginbotham (center) as Parents Choice for Best Teacher of the Year, and Kate Wallace (right) as Inspirational PAC Leadership. Photo: John Threlfall

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August 2013

resiliency, empathy, strategic thinking and one’s ability to work with others.

Granted, a second language is an asset, but learning to co-exist with people from every walk of life has major bonuses in the world. Fast forward to today, where both my other kids have been at George Jay for the past two years.

At George Jay, my kids learn, work and play with children whose English is their second language, kids with autism of various capacities, kids who speak in sign language and kids who can only speak with the help of an iPad. There are kids who get to go on family vacations every year and others who depend of the help of the school’s resources to find food and shelter.

There are five continents and seventeen languages represented. Really, you can’t get more diverse than George Jay! The world is represented there and you can’t get a better education than learning how to live peacefully and productively on our planet.

George Jay’s teachers work hard as a team to create learning environments that are beneficial to all our children. They teach to each child’s abilities and they are able to do so by learning from each other; the help they receive from their Educational Assistants in class and support from the administration; the small classroom size and the practices of restitution and selfregulation ideals.

Restitution is a non-punitive way of dealing with conflict. Practicing restitution empowers each child in the conflict by offering a language of respect that does not blame either person but instead finds a common ground to solve issues. Selfregulation teaches kids how to deal with learning obstacles by listening to their own bodies and minds about what is necessary and how to be in a better learning state of mind. If a child is unwilling to participate in a group activity, self-regulation teaches the child that maybe she needs a quiet place to sit and read for a few minutes, a snack, or that she needs a few minutes of exercise.

George Jay teachers know that children learn in different ways and that by instilling self-regulation strategies a child will feel confident in themselves to take the break they need so they can be in a better learning mind.

George Jay Elementary School is a hub for all things creat

In this program, students learn about food security, urba

garden on the school grounds (above). Photo: Mila Czem

Why do multitudes of diverse families congregate at George Jay? The school is well known for having many resources in the building—including Settlement Workers in Schools, two Family Counselors, the Strongstart Preschool, Journeys of the Heart Aboriginal Preschool, a Parent Resource Room and The Good Food Box Program—which help families thrive and succeed. It’s the school’s philosophy of inclusion, restitution and the overall good vibe that permeates the building that keeps families coming to—and coming back to—George Jay. By enrolling in George Jay Elementary your child will develop a strong foundation in English literacy and math while also being immersed in a truly multi-cultural setting. Late French Immersion is a great option if you want your child to learn French. My daughter wants to learn

News and views from the heart of Fernwood

Characterized by its community gardens and love of the arts, Fernwood is known throughout the city as a particularly warm, creative & engaged neighborhood

›› Kate Wallace, Proud PAC President

Fernwood also fosters an ever growing skateboard community. While skateboarders can work with just about anything to do what they love, a group of local residents + a couple of skaters have come together because they felt that creating a small established skatepark could be a positive community development project.

THE GOAL: With help and input from the community, to create a small, cost-effective but functional skatepark in Fernwood

How we think Fernwood would benefit from a skatepark: t Enhance dynamic & creative environment already existent in Fernwood t More people using parks in Fernwood means more traffic for local businesses t Provide a safe all ages environment to promote outdoor activity in a positive & interactive way t Skateboarding is green transportation—will encourage green transportation t Provides an alternative activity for youth who don’t necessarily feel confident or comfortable with team sports—promotes peer interaction Fernwood can be the first neighbourhood in Victoria to have its own skatepark! We would like your opinion on the idea or suggestions regarding how we could make this happen!

fernwoodskateparkassociation@gmail.com facebook.com/FernwoodSkateparkAssociation

GOOD FOOD BOX

tive and diverse. They recently began a collaboration with Lifecycles Project Society called Growing Schools.

an agriculture, the environment, community development and health through the creation of an organic food

merys

Mandarin; my son is interested in Japanese and sign language. George Jay can provide these opportunities because of the cultures represented and the parental involvement that makes it possible.

George Jay is all about community both inside and outside its walls. The school has so many supporters; it truly is both a blessing and a learning point. Community donors abound. Last year we had over forty volunteers reading with our kids on a regular basis. My son, Shane, is now entering grade two, and his reading is at a grade three level. My daughter, Ruby, is starting grade three with a reading level of grade five. This is due not only to our great teachers but also to the amazing volunteer readers.

Teachers also use these donations as learning tools of how to pay it forward.

Our children are learning how to give back.

www.fernwoodnrg.ca

We have a leadership program for grade four and five students which creates an opportunity for students to meet and play with kids outside their classroom and grade level. It’s another way to create community spirit.

The George Jay School motto is “Learning to Care, Caring to Learn,” and this ideal is practiced daily. All the kids have learned to care about others in the school and in the community. This caring and respectful attitude puts them in a better place to learn and George Jay’s academic grades are growing every semester.

I am so grateful to be a part of this wonderful, progressive (and soon to be seismically upgraded) school. There’s a lot of love and heart here and my children and I look forward to returning. I can then take my leisurely walk home because the other bonus is that it’s right in the ’hood!

August 2013

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garden gleanings:

buzz:

Saving Your Own Seeds quality, saves money

Safety First

and preserves genetic

Did you know that

diversity

Fernwood has a Safety

›› Margaret Hantiuk

Committee?

Seed saving improves

›› Cam Millar

Why save seeds?:

• Improve your plants and yields— develop new varieties • Preserve heritage strains and maintain genetic diversity • Create strains that do best in your garden considering the climate and soil Which plants to save seeds from:

• Select for certain characteristics: yield, colour, fragrance, disease resistance, size • Select for whole plant health too: vigour, hardiness, healthy foliage, stems and roots • Ensure that the plant is not better simply because it is in a better spot • If choosing root veggies you should check the root by digging it up then replant The veggies that are easiest to save seeds from are peas, lettuce, tomatoes and beans. They don’t cross-pollinate; they selfpollinate. Only one of your best plants is needed to collect these seeds.

You can save seed from other veggies if you pay attention to the families—learn their Latin names—since many within the same family can cross-pollinate. To make matters more confusing, they can also crosspollinate with wild species that are related (e.g. carrots and wild Queen Ann’s Lace).

To save seeds from plants that cross-pollinate there must be a certain distance between the potential crosses in order to prevent this happening. With open-pollinated plants it is best to collect from a few of your best plants to maintain genetic diversity. Cross-pollinating plants

When starting to save seeds, the easiest veggie seeds are peas, lettuce, tomato and bean. They don’t cross-pollinate; they self-pollinate. Photo: Alex Bayley

can be hand-pollinated which means taping the female flower shut as it ripens and then pollinating with the male flower by hand to prevent random pollinating. Always mark the flower you have hand-pollinated.

Hybrids:

F1 are hybrids, or scientifically-bred plants, that are more expensive and may not be genetically stable—may not breed true— or even be very fertile. Many hybrids are great varieties of flowers or veggies to grow but not good candidates for seed saving.

To successfully save seeds that will be like the parent, choose ‘open-pollinated’ plants (pollinated naturally by bees, wind, by hand or self-pollinating). Or find hybrids that have been ‘bred out’—stabilized genetically.

When to save seeds:

Observe closely and do research. Is it annual or biannual? The seed must be as mature as possible. Check for upcoming weather— dry and windless is best. Don’t let the seed shatter or drop unless you have a paper bag or an old sheet around or under it. If the plant is almost ready to disperse its seed the

whole plant may be cut down and brought inside to catch the seed. Always identify the plant or seed when drying and store with the name and date. Seeds in fruits such as squash, which is the marked flower that has now fruited, should be left to mature as late as possible without rotting.

Sometimes it is difficult to tell which is seed and which is chaff. Seeds are usually heavier and can be winnowed with sieves or trampling and shaking. They must be kept dry and warm with good air circulation and when finally dried can be kept in a cool, dark and dry place. A germination test might be a good idea in following years.

Thanks to Mary Alice Johnson for all she has taught me. She is an organic farmer, seed saver, educator and mentor. Mary Alice bought a farm in Sooke in 1986 and began growing organic veggies and saving seeds.

She mentored a new generation of young farmers there. She sells organic veggies at Moss Street Market (which she helped start), Sooke Farmers Market and to select local restaurants. More info is available at almfarms.org, fullcircleseeds.com and soilapprenticeships.org.

In the wake of the recent meeting between VIHA and the residents of Fernwood and after a hiatus of several years, the Fernwood Safety Committee (FSC) has been resurrected to identify and resolve concerns affecting the safety of our neighbourhood.

The FSC reports to the Board of Directors of the Fernwood Community Association located at 1923 Fernwood Road.

Previous (and sometimes on-going) issues may involve: • Traffic density and/or noise on residential streets where a significant number of children live and play • Nuisance rental properties with absent and/or indifferent landlords • Neglected and derelict properties • High volume of non-residents parking on “residential only” streets • Discarded drug paraphernalia in playgrounds, school properties and homeowner’s lawns • Potential concerns about increased client usage at VIHA’s Pembroke Street facility The five-member committee had its first meeting on April 15, 2013. When appropriate we will invite representation from City Hall, the Victoria Police De p a r t m e n t a n d h a r m re d u c t i o n organizations. Our meetings are held on an “as required” basis.

Any resident of Fernwood is welcome to participate and we look forward to your feedback on these and any other concerns you might have. For further information contact the Committee Chair, Cam Millar at millarcam@shaw.ca.

Show Your True Colours Organic Aromatherapy Spa & Eco Beauty Boutique in the heart of Fernwood Village.

Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead.

- Lucille Ball

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facebook.com/TonicSpa

News and views from the heart of Fernwood

August in the Garden Wake up with us commons corner:

now open at 6:30am weekdays

If one word were to

Plant of the Month:

sum up Spring Ridge Commons at this time of year, it would be Kairos

›› Josh Wagler Kairos is an ancient Greek word meaning the right or opportune moment (the supreme moment). There is a delicate dance played at Spring Ridge; patience allows fruits to sweeten, yet too much patience may mean that another visitor may snatch that mulberry you have been allowing to ripen for days. Nonetheless, patience has its rewards, as does a keen sense of the Earth’s rhythm.

As I write this, I collect Saskatoon and Goumi berries with two wonderful harvesters, Gina and Tim, and yet by the time of print, the Goumi berries will be a memory. Kairos is high for Goumi now, and the window of opportunity is slim.

As you read this, the Damson Plums will be sweetening very nicely. The Morello cherries are ripe and swelling, and the figs and Autumn Olive will be on their way as well, growing more delicious by the moment. Sea Buckthorn berries, Oregon Grape, Red Flowering Currant, Elder berries, and the remaining Saskatoon and Goose berries make a delicious snack.

Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides)

Sea Buckthorn is known as the “Holy Fruit of the Himalayas” and may be the most complete super-fruit on the Earth.

It contains over 190 biologically active compounds, with a full range of omega fatty acids in perfect balance, and is an incredible anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant.

Bee in The Garden continues every Sunday at 1:30-3:30pm at Spring Ridge Commons (at the corner of Gladstone Avenue and Chambers Street). All are invited to join be in nature, join the conversation, enjoy tea, play an instrument, create art, volunteer in the garden and gather food!

Every 3 rd Sunday at 1:30-3:30pm (August 18th, September 15th) join in the fun for a work party facilitated by Brent Howard, a local professional landscaper.

FERNWOOD NRG FALL PROGRAMS SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2013

mark your calendar:

(Reg) Registration Required

Celebrate Community

(DI) Drop In

MONDAY LifeRing Alcohol & Drugs Support Group (DI) Ongoing Fernwood Family Dinner (DI) Ongoing

6:45pm - 8:00pm 5:00pm - 7:00pm

TUESDAY Parent and Tot Play Group (DI) LifeRing Alcohol & Drugs Support Group (DI) Best Babies Male Caregivers Group (DI) Dancing Lotus Hatha Yoga (DI/Reg) Youth Drop-in (13-17yrs) (DI)

Photo: Ed Sum

Vining Street Block Party, Sunday Sept. 8, noon to 9pm, Vic High Plaza Get ready for a party on the plaza! Fun for the whole family. Mark this date in your calendars: Sunday, September 8th. Come and celebrate our vibrant community.

The day’s celebrations open with our traditional Mega Garage Sale from 9:00am to noon and this year, the Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition offers a Victoria’s Secret Tour from Centennial Square (10:00am) to Victoria High School (about 1:00pm).

Discover treasures as you tour the streets of fernwood (Bay to Pandora, Cook to Shelbourne).

Then get ready to dance to live entertainment at our party on the plaza 1pm to dusk. Live stage performances by Kumbia, West My Friend, Zumba dance and headliners Rocky Mountain Rebel Music and more. There is time for you to perform! Are www.fernwoodnrg.ca

you a hula hooper, a stilt walker, a musician or a clown?

Feast on food, beverages and desserts at our community barbeque. Indulge in a giant silent auction 1:00-6:30pm—300 items ranging from the practical to the extravagant. Consider donating!

For kids, a cakewalk, a dog show, bouncy castle and the Great Giffoni and more.

Please support this year’s community initiatives: raising funds for the Community Micro Lending Society - communitymicrolending.ca, Pandora Arts Collective pandoraarts.ca, Fernwood NRG’s food security programs - fernwoodnrg.ca and Vic High School’s programs for at risk or vulnerable students - vichigh.sd61.bc.ca.

We are still planning right now. You can help. To donate, volunteer, perform or for more info, please contact VSB Party coordinator, Laurie Rubin at 250-995-2696 or lrubin@shaw.ca.

Please note that we are solely financed through your generous donations and proceeds from the silent auction.

Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing Sept 3 - Dec 16 Ongoing

9:30am - 11:30am 12:00pm - 1:30pm 4:00pm - 7:00pm 7:00pm - 8:30pm 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Ongoing Every other week Sept 4 - Dec 18 Ongoing

12:00pm - 3:00pm 1:00pm - 5:30pm 5:45pm - 7:15pm 7:00pm - 10:00pm

Ongoing Ongoing Sept 4 - Nov 28 Ongoing

9:30am - 11:30am 12:00pm - 3:00pm 5:30pm - 6:30pm 6:00pm - 9:00pm

WEDNESDAY Best Babies (Reg) Good Food Box Pick Up Flow Exercise Class (Reg) Nuu Chah Nulth Drumming (Closed)

THURSDAY Parent & Tot Play Group (DI) Best Babies (Reg) Spring Forest Qigong (DI/Reg) Victoria Sport & Social Club (Reg)

FRIDAY Kinder Gym (DI) Ongoing Autumn Glow Seniors’ Lunch (55+yrs) (DI) Ongoing Youth Drop-in (9-12yrs) (DI) Ongoing Victoria Meet-up Group (Closed) Every other week

9:30am - 11:30am 12:00pm - 2:30pm 7:00pm - 9:00pm 7:00pm - 9:00pm

SUNDAY Volleyball (Closed) Intro to Kyudo (+16yrs) (Reg)

Ongoing Sept 8 - Nov 11

11:00am - 12:00pm 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Holiday closures on Sept 2, Oct 8 & Nov 11. Closure from Dec 23 to Jan 1.

WORKSHOPS / SPECIAL EVENTS University 101 Info Session - August 8 Vining Street Block Party - Sept 8 Anarchist Book Fair - Sept 14 & Sept 15 Plant-a-Fruit-Tree-Day & Orchard Planting - Sept 28 Owl Designer Fair - Dec 6 & 7

For more information & to register contact: Fernwood Community Centre 1240 Gladstone Avenue, Victoria, BC T 250.381.1552 F 250.381.1509 info@fernwoodnrg.ca

fernwoodnrg.ca/fernwood-nrg-programs/recreation/

August 2013

villagevibe

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Scene in Fernwood : FernFest 2013