June 2013 Village Vibe

June 2013

villagevibe News and views from the heart of Fernwood

Get ready to celebrate One weekend, two great events

›› Kathryn Juricic

T

his year—as FernFest and Fernwood Bites come closer—Fernwood NRG is working with local businesses and neighbours to build a great set of events to celebrate our neighbourhood’s unique vibrant culture. A big thanks to all of our sponsors; we couldn’t put these on without you. Fernwood NRG invites everybody to enjoy a weekend of festivities—June 21st to June 23rd.

FernFest:

Fernwood’s annual neighbourhood celebration

This all-ages music and arts festival circus extravaganza is sure to please all stripes, please join us on Friday night and Saturday!

Saturday morning, you’re going to want a good breakfast for a day packed of revelry.

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Join us for our Community Pancake Breakfast, hosted by The Fernwood Inn, at 9:00am10:30am in the Square (by donation).

New this year—Vic High field has been added to our range of celebrations transforming into the FernFest Field of Dreams. Here is where you will find great activities for every age including laughter yoga, capoeira, archery, volleyball and our Kid’s Zone.

The Kid’s Zone will be rockin’ with a bouncy castle, face-painter, carnival games, button-making station by George Jay School, art projects & herb sale by the Fernwood Community Centre and lots more! Kids: Don’t forget to decorate your bikes before 11:00am in preparation for the Kidical Mass Bike Parade. Parents: Take turns watching your kids while your partner gets a massage in the ViVi Therapy Massage tent—proceeds donated to Fernwood NRG. Nearby, local crafters will be set-up on Gladstone Avenue for FernFest’s Artisan Market from 10:00am to 3:00pm. There will be many treasures to be found here: radical books & zines, artwork, tinctures, locally made jewellery, reclaimed & recycled kitchen ware, handmade hula hoops, crocheted hats, fairly traded handicrafts, pet formal wear, baked goods

made with love, tarot card readings… to name a few.

The party is taken to the next level with live music all weekend. Benji Duke, host of The Friday Night Quiz at The Fort Street Cafe and Fernwoodian, will be MCing FernFest’s stage. He will be introducing the groovy beats so get ready to laugh and bring the dance party because we have got quite the line-up this year! Some of the bands include The New Groovement, The Woodsmen, BoneHoof, as well as beats thrown down by DJ Grandpa Phunk and Microbongo Sound System. Come down to the Square and enjoy an ice cold brew from Phillips Brewery and take in tunes by uber talented musical artists hailing from our neighbourhood. For a full schedule of all of our activites & performers see pages 4-5.

FernFest is 18 years old and gets bigger and better every year. That means we’ve got folks from all over town coming to check out what the ‘hood has to offer. Let’s show them what we’re all about! You bring yourself and community spirit and we’ll bring the live music, BBQ, Beer Garden,

Field of Dreams, Heritage Walking Tours, Artisan Market, Kid’s Zone, Art Stroll, Pancake Breakfast, Senior’s High Tea, Stilt Walker, Silent Auction and so much more! Does that sound like an awesome deal? FernFest takes a community. Please join the volunteer crew if you can; there’s something for everyone. Email volunteer@ fernwoodnrg. ca to get involved.

Bring your tie-dye, hula hoops, instruments, bubbles, groovy gear and open mind because you never know what surprises will unfold in front of you at FernFest!

Fernwood Bites: Local Fare in an Urban Square Sunday morning the Square transforms from neighbourhood celebration to an atmosphere of locally crafted food, drink and smooth jazz. Fernwood Bites is a unique fundraiser for Fernwood NRG that celebrates local taste sensations and raises money for our sustainable food initiatives. Fernwood Bites closes Fernwood’s

big weekend in class. We have over 30 local restaurants, craft breweries, wineries and drink providers coming to join us.

We are excited to present Fernwood favourites such as The Fernwood Inn, Cornerstone Café, Ca Va Bistro Moderne, Stage Small Plates Wine Bar, Aubergine Specialty Foods, Stir It Up and new to the neighbourhood, Norte. Many more incredible establishments will also be in attendance to dazzle you with their gastronomic creativity. This event promises to please.

Proceeds from Fernwood Bites go to the Good Food Box, the Community Centre Kitchen Garden and the Fernwood Neighbourhood Orchard. Fernwood NRG is committed to the visions that were presented by our neighbours at our last Neighbourhood Visioning Forum. A remarkably common goal was food security.

Help us get there by attending this amazing and delicious event. Tickets are available at fernwoodbites2013.eventbrite.ca and are limited—this event sells out every year.

Bring your friends!

in this issue Editorial

Feature

Buzz

Fernwood is open for business page 3

FernFest Program page 4 & 5

The art of conversation page 7

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

editorial:

villagevibe

Fernwood is open for business

Published by Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group Editorial Committee

Lee Herrin Matt Takach

Mila Czemerys Azelia Serjeantson

Founding Editor Lisa Helps Contributors

Kathryn Juricic Lee Herrin John Threlfall Josh Wagler Jack Derricourt Margaret Hantiuk Kari-Anne Chobotuck Art

Mila Czemerys Kate Wallace Stu’s Images Charles Campbell Alexandra Stephanson Production Ellen Rooney

Contact us

1313 Gladstone Avenue Victoria, BC V8R 1R9 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 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

››

our resources prudently 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;

››

Tales of food from the Centre Daycare

We are committed to using

We are committed to governing our organization and serving our neighbourhood democratically

making a modest, simple and necessary change requires a Facebook campaign and some bare knuckles tactics, but there you have it. Lee: 10 years, countless conversations, no impact. Leon: 4 months, 1 Facebook page, mission accomplished.

If you’re trying to make change in this City, Leon’s “Open up Gladstone Avenue” campaign should be a case study.

Secondly, and most importantly, Fernwood is open for business. No sooner were the signs up last Thursday than the newly created parking spaces were full of cars whose owners came to visit Fernwood and to their surprise and delight could find somewhere to park. While we still encourage you to walk, take transit, ride a bike or travel by some other conveyance than a private automobile, at least now you’re unlikely to face the unreasonable penalty of a parking ticket if you want to stop by Leon’s store on your way home in your car.

Waste not, want not

We are committed to ensuring neighbourhood control or

downhill fast and many neighbourhood businesses wrongly attributed the decline to the lack of parking. As we know, Fernwood’s problems ran deeper than that then, but the parking issue came back to the forefront in 2006 when things turned around in the neighbourhood. Since 2003, I’ve personally spoken to a dozen or more past and current municipal councillors including the current Mayor in an effort to convince them of the need for a new parking regime in Fernwood. And although one might argue that those conversations ultimately helped “pave the way” for this change, it wasn’t until Leon shone a very public spotlight on the problem that change finally occurred.

There are two key lessons here. Firstly, reasonably and rationally presenting your case to decision makers may not actually be the way to make change—at least not as things sit today in the City of Victoria. I would rather we didn’t live in a world where

buzz:

Fernwood Community

institutions and assets;

››

Will wonders never cease? It took only four months for Leon Zetler of Aubergine Specialty Foods to bring the City’s attention to bear on resolving longstanding parking issues on Gladstone Avenue. Since January, Leon has been a major thorn in the backside of both City Staff and the Council, and ultimately, it was his initiative that spurred them to action. Leon campaigned through his Facebook page “Open up Gladstone Avenue,” which obtained 382 likes, most of them in the first 24 hours, and he has been relentless with his constant updates and commentary about the City’s action or lack thereof.

Frankly, I’m more than impressed. As I mentioned in my interview on CTV back in January, the first municipal politician I spoke to about parking issues in Fernwood was Mayor Alan Lowe in 2003. At that time, the neighbourhood was going

neighbourhood;

ownership of neighbourhood

››

›› Lee Herrin

›› Kari-Anne Chobotuck Imagine a room full of children under five at lunch time. Yes, they are practicing their independent eating skills. For the most part, with some encouragement, they do a great job. The floor tells a tale of what each child had in their lunches that day. Pasta, rice, fruits and veggies with the occasional blobs of yogurt and apple sauce strewn about.

The unfortunate by-product of this independence is a lot food waste. We recycle our paper and plastics but what about our garbages with all that food?

We realized that we needed to change.

We started with a bucket for food waste at each of the children’s tables and then were able to get small bins for each room. This was especially great for the infant room which you can imagine after meals is more like navigating a mine field. After a few days we realized that by composting we

had cut our garbage in half. We started making better choices about composting but we needed more education about what happens to our food while it is composting.

We are fortunate to have The Greater Victoria Compost Education Centre close to our daycare. I met with Compost Educator Clare who explained all the different courses available through their organization. We decided that the Wrigglers Series would be the most beneficial for our children. This series consisted of caring for and making a Worm Compost Bin to keep inside our centre. It so popular that the children can hardly contain themselves when it is their turn to feed the worms.

The children became very interested in food so at the next staff meetings we talked about more food programs. We decided that it would be great to include the children in the prep of some meals. We created a buddy systems where we have an older child and a toddler working together. We planned out a few simple recipes and got started.

To our delight the children enjoyed our cooking adventures and even began to remind the teachers if we left out an ingre-

dient. We explored the smell and taste of each ingredient and of course the chocolate chips and sugar were never forgotten.

Soon our fabulous Fernwood foodies were making blueberry muffins, Coco Energy orbs, Cowboy cookies, biscuits, mini pizzas and pretzels. We are working up to making our own hot lunches for Mondays.

Staff recently took a workshop on container gardening with Matthew from Lifecycles Project Society which made us all very excited about soil and food. In August we will all be taking the second part of the Wrigglers Series and will learn how to harvest the black gold. Now that we will have soil and a cooking program we want to provide our children with healthy and natural food from our own gardens and provide great educational experience.

We hope that by instilling love for nurturing and growing food we will see the children, families and staff nurturing each other and helping each other grow as a community. At FernFest, we will be selling a variety of culinary herb plants from Ravenhill Herb Farm to help raise funds for our garden projects. Hope you can make it.

with a maximum of openness, inclusivity and kindness;

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

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We are committed to focusing on the future while preserving our neighbourhood’s heritage and diversity;

››

We are committed to creating neighbourhood places that are vibrant, beautiful, healthy, and alive;

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and, most of all, We are committed to having fun!

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villagevibe

June 2013

News and views from the heart of Fernwood

george jay:

Growing Change Living local is very important to us and that also means being a part of our neighbourhood school. George Jay has been an amazing place for our kids and family.

New trees represent growth at George Jay

›› John Threlfall Two trees have just been planted on the grounds of George Jay Elementary School and it’s no coincidence that they’re maples.

They were chosen for the shade they’ll provide to the equally new playground but also for the balance, promise and practicality they represent—all values shared by George Jay teachers and families alike.

“We are always looking for ways to connect the school community with Fernwood as a whole,” says George Jay PAC president Kate Wallace. “Now that so many families are coming to George Jay to use our beautiful new playground, we wanted to create a shady meeting spot. Families are lingering longer, which promotes a stronger community.”

If you haven’t walked past George Jay’s century-old heritage building on Princess Avenue lately, you may well be surprised by some of the recent changes. There are new trees and adventure playground, yes, but also a walking labyrinth and the garden boxes which are a part of Lifecycles Project Society’s Growing Schools program.

Then there are the surrounding painted telephone poles, which were Fernwood’s first large-scale pole-painting initiative

New maple trees planted at George Jay Elementary School. Photo: Kate Wallace

and served as a pilot for Fernwood NRG’s successful annual Pole Painting Project— once again showing George Jay’s active role in the neighbourhood.

Together these initiatives involve all three levels of George Jay’s community— families, volunteers and teachers—and embody the school’s motto of “Learning to Care, Caring to Learn.” George Jay is a microcosm of Fernwood; a diverse and vibrant place focused on learning, caring and community engagement. Essential school philosophies include a code of citizenship that fosters self-control and concern for others, a positive restitution

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approach to conflict, and an inclusive environment where kids can interact based on who they are and not what they have.

A mix of George Jay parents, teachers and students had a booth at the recent Quadra Village Day where current students led activities for younger kids and former students made a point of stopping to visit.

Whether it was the chap who graduated in nineteen fifty-eight (and was keen to come back for a tour) or the girl who graduated just last year but was excited to reconnect with a favourite teacher, George Jay clearly continues to hold a valued place in the community. Be sure to drop by their table at FernFest!

Caffe Fantastico’s Ryan and Kristy Taylor are George Jay parents, and they feel the school reflects their own attitudes as individuals and small business owners. “Living local is very important to us and that also means being a part of our neighbourhood school,” says Kristy. “George Jay has been an amazing place for our kids and family.”

If you’re looking for a world of learning and caring that’s equally concerned with instilling positive values in the next generation, look no further than your friendly neighbourhood elementary school.

Considering George Jay has been around longer than Fernwood itself, it’s not much of a stretch to say that Fernwood’s values started here.

Your Home Here

Com S o o ing n 4 Bed, 1 Bath

Here are some local Fernwood homes that will be listed and available for purchase with the RealEstateDynamics.ca Team this spring.

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

June 2013

villagevibe

page 3

Time

Time

Performer

Details

Activity

9:00 am 10:30am

Pancake Breakfast

10:00 am 3:00 pm

Artisan Market

11:00 am

Kidical Mass Bike Parade

11:00 am 4:00pm

Field of Dreams Activity Centre

11:00 am 4:00pm

Kids’ Zone

11:00 am & 1:00pm

Heritage Walking Tours

Noon 10:00pm

BBQ & Beer Garden

1:00pm 2:30pm

Seniors’ High Tea

5:00pm

DYLAN STONE TRIO

Folk-rock style music. Dylan Stone and band of merry men are Fern-ies through and through. Think Wilco meets Bob Dylan.

5:45 pm

DOWNTOWN MISCHEIF

Super fresh 5 or 6 piece (weather dependant) Downtown Mischief is an amalgamation of two funky feels spawning from Boots of Mischief & DownTown HoeDown. Mixin’ it up into psychedelic concoctions of next level freestyle Oneness.

6:30 pm

MASALA WORLD PERCUSSION BAND

Masala’s goal is to use music to bring people together in celebration of community and culture, inspired by traditional rhythms from Africa, Cuba and Brazil.

7:00 pm

THE WOODSMEN

Electoronic and prog rock mixed with blues and indie. Which is novel. Their trademark energetic performances and critical acclaim have earned them a place as one of Victoria’s more established acts.

12:00 pm

THE GLEESONS

8:00 pm

GRANDPA PHUNK

The youthful funkster DJ with the elder’s ear from Belmont and Pembroke. (The Soul Selector)

12:45 pm

GEOFF HOWE BAND

9:00 pm

MICROBONGO SOUND SYSTEM

Live 3-piece Electro-Brazilian dance band combining live instrumentation with electronics. Get ready to dance!

2:00 pm

FOX GLOVE

3:00 pm

THE SWEET ENDINGS

4:00 pm

ESTELLA

5:00 pm

GOLD & SHADOW

6:00 pm

GOLDEN COUNTRY CLAN

7:00 pm

WAVES OF DAYS

8:00 pm

THE NEW GROOVEMENT

9:00 pm

BONEHOOF

HUNGRY? THIRSTY?

page 4

Visit the BBQ: enjoy some tasty delights from the grill open from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm Stage Wine Bar Sausages - Hot Dogs - Hamburgers & Veggie Burgers - Drinks - Treats Visit the Beer Garden: open from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm with the best seats in Fernwood to watch the talent & drink some local Phillips brews - Blue Buck - Hop Circle IPA

villagevibe

June 2013

Time

Performer

News and views from the heart of Fernwood

FernFest Field of Dreams Activity Centre: (Located on the Vic High Field - meet at the flag for classes)

Details Get set for a full day of FernFest by starting things off right with a hearty breakfast, brought to you by the Fernwood Inn. (By donation) Done breaky? Head to our Artisan Market! 30 local vendors will be showcasing their unique items and reveal the best finds around. (On Gladstone Avenue between Fernwood Square & the Fernwood Community Centre) Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No... it’s a mass of kids on bicycles!!! Jump in on the fun, decorate your bikes and ride into FernFest with style. (Meet at Field of Dreams) NEW! FernFest has added a whole field of fun to the table. Vic High field will be packed with activities. See box to the right for more info...

The best spot to entertain the little ones! (On the Vic High field) See box to the right for more info...

Nick Russell & the Victoria Heritage Foundation will lead you on a guided tour of the heritage buildings in our neighbourhood. (Meet in Fernwood Square) Get some delicious bites at the FernFest BBQ. Our cooks are whipping up something special just for you... And wash that down with a ice cold Phillips beer in the Beer Garden.

Pip-pip and cheerio! Join in on some good old fashioned fun. Scones, tea and good conversation. (At Fernwood Community Centre - 55 yrs+ please)

Main Stage - Fernwood Square

10:00am - 11:00am 11:00am - 11:45am 12:00pm - 12:30pm 1:00pm - 2:00pm 2:30pm - 3:00pm ALL DAY

Bike Decoration Station Kyudo Archery Demonstration Laughter Yoga with Grace Gaughan TBA Capoeira Performance Drop-in Volleyball Net

Kids’ Zone:

Bouncy Castle Bubbles - Herb Sale - Face-painting - Art Projects - Button-Making with George Jay School - Games with FortisBC - Stilt Walker - Hula Hooper Activities with FUN Society - Carnival Games - Miniature Pony - Daisy the Cow - Hair Dyeing with Studio 1284 Painting Bubble Man’s VW Bug - ViVi Therapy Massage Tent (for the parents)

Did you know?

FernFest is a near zero-waste event.

Remember to use the recycling & compost bins provided.

Wake up with us now open at 6:30am weekdays

The Gleesons are a local Fernwood family band whos members range from age 11 to 27. They specialze in 70’s rock, folk and blues. Wear your tie dye and bring your hippies. (Deadheads allowed) Blending 60’s vocal groups, jangly power pop, whiskey tinged country and confessional soul balladry. Geoff has just released his debut solo album “Hard Folk” and is excited to introduce you to his band.

An amalgamation of three very different female voices. With the help of a suitcase filled with instruments, this trio brings a collection of eclectic originals, as well as their own unique twist on songs that you may or may not already know.

These guys will delight any audience with their take on post war Chicago blues and rock ‘n’ roll.

Estella is a four piece electric folk-rock band based out of the West Shore, consisting a guitar, bass & drums but adding counter-melodies with violin, vocal harmonies & the fanfare of a trumpet.

volunteer@fernwoodnrg.ca

This Nanaimo based band will capture your heart and mind with original, organic artrock that innovates and inspires. Influenced by the likes of Jeff Buckley, Radiohead and Bon Iver.

Country and western from a select troupe of Fernwood’s finest. The always entertaining David P. Smith leads the group.

Early eighties power pop favourites flavoured with slide guitar. Imagine Elvis Costello meets Hank Williams!

An eleven-piece funk machine will make you shake everything you got! Seemlessly blending elements of R&B, soul and hip hop to create a funk-i-fied feast for the ears, this is a show you won’t want to miss...

Circus blues, classic rock and psychedelia. The last 12 months have seen BoneHoof play Rifflandia, Rock of the Woods, Campbell Bay Music festival.

www.fernwoodnrg.ca

June 2013

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commons corner:

Tasty Treats Sweet Nectar and Gasoline

›› Josh Wagler Each visit to Spring Ridge Commons brings unexpected delights. As I venture inwards through the wood-chipped pathways, my taste buds buzz with anticipation and I am astounded by the depth of life which greets me.

To the uninitiated identifying plants in such a system can be daunting.

Nevertheless, with patient observation, the plants reveal themselves. The Bee Garden is particularly stunning at the moment and it appears that I am not the only one to visit the Commons with tempted taste buds. The bees are busily buzzing between beautiful blossom; sweet nectar is in abundance. Observant visitors will find tasty borage, malva, mint, fennel, lovage and milk thistle throughout the Commons.

Additional colour and nourishment is provided by comfrey, calendula, rose, camas lilies and aromatic bay leaves.

Hidden beneath a cherry tree and comfrey we find a less obvious element of this thriving system. For this month, our Plant of the Month is not a plant at all; it’s a mushroom with a taste for toxins!

Plant of the Month: Pearl Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus)

Pleurotus ostreatus, or the Pearl Oyster Mushroom certainly has an unusual palate much to our benefit. While working on site in late 2011, Dan Miller had an unfortunate accident that is common to many fossil fuel connoisseurs: he spilled gasoline. It wasn’t much—as many of us rationalize—but the difference between Dan and many others is that he took action and quickly quarantined the soil in garbage bags. Nearly a year later to the day, Dan and

his Permaculture BC classmates dug a pit and lined it with cardboard. Within they mixed the contaminated soil with coffee grounds and woodchips inoculated with Pearl Oyster mycelium. Digestive enzymes released by the fungi break down the toxic hydrocarbons, allowing them to be safely metabolized by other organisms. Fungi also extract and accumulate heavy metals, concentrating them in the fruiting body.

For this reason, eating the mushrooms used in myco-remediation is not recommended.

Nonetheless, Pearl Oyster Mushrooms are a delicacy, providing up to 30% protein, and a good source of Thiamine, Vitamin B6, Folate, Magnesium, Zinc and Manganese.

They are a very good source of Riboflavin, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Phosphorus, Potassium and Copper.

We are currently at the tip of the iceberg in our understanding of the power of fungi.

Thriving on material that is often considered waste and with medicinal properties that appear to be limitless, their potential at the Commons and beyond is very exciting.

Anyone interested in similar small-scale bioremediation or in growing their own edible oyster mushrooms, indoors or outdoors, is encouraged to get into touch at 250-8855993 or jcwagler@gmail.com.

Spring Ridge Commons is always looking for volunteers. If you would like to volunteer please contact Sean Newton at springridgecommons@gmail.com. Any help is really appreciated!

garden gleanings:

Soil Ammendments ›› Margaret Hantiuk Notes from a workshop given by our local soil/fertlizier guru Dwight Pennell of Integrity Sales: • Introduce as much organic matter as possible: “feed soil to feed the plant” (if we feed the micro-organisms in the soil, plant roots absorb the soil nutrients better) • Bark mulch okay, but don’t use sawdust (it requires nitrogen to break down) • All compost and manures must be well rotted or they will rob soil of nitrogen • Wood ash is potent—use lightly on soil and in compost bins • Organic matter also helps with soil structure by increasing capacity to hold air and moisture, both necessary for soil and plant health, best used as a mulch on top • Synthetic fertilizers only feed the plant (not the soil) and have a high salt index due to sulphate bases, which acidify the soil even more (can ‘burn’ plants) • Heavy rainfalls here mean we do need more nitrogen added to our soils (dark green, healthy foliage means good nitrogen; stunted growth can mean a lack) • Integrity Sales (Keating X Road) makes their own blend of organic fertilizers (organic, synthetic or a mix of both, to suit the gardener and their soil) • Best to have a soil analysis done, then Integrity staff can recommend amendments that are just what your soil needs, and tell you what NOT to use (continually adding unnecessary fertilizers/amendments can do more harm than good!)

• Soil analysis costs $55 and takes 10-14 days (sent to US). To get a sample: take a slim profile of soil about a spade deep in the 4 corners of your yard and from page 6

villagevibe

June 2013

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spots along the diagonals (1 cup of dry soil in total taken from full spade depth) PH analysis can be done for free at Integrity; soil must be damp Again, due to our heavy rains, lawns, most veggies and many shrubs/ perennials need liming every 2nd year Dolomitic lime best (pH of 6.5 is considered ideal for soil microorganisms) Best to rotate crops so that soil is not depleted in a particular nutrient profile Calcium is best added as calcium sulphate (gypsum) Proteins increase nitrogen in soils: blood meal (now sterilized) and bone meal (now a certified organic source), alfalfa and seed meals Rock phosphate: a natural source for phosphorous Greensand: a natural source for potassium micronutrients Dolopril: ground calcium, use less— it’s heavy and doesn’t blow/wash away Fertilize once in spring and then in June. Not later in the season.

Best before a rain. Scratch into the soil around the drip line of trees or broadcast around shrubs, hedges (use a 18-5-10) and beds. Follow directions carefully for amount.

Fruit trees are heavy feeders: drop into holes at drip line (use a 10-20-10) Blueberries: lots of compost and pH of 5.8 (likes acidic soils) To rid lawns of moss: spread iron sulphate first when dry (it stains so be careful) then 1 week later, rake out moss, lime and seed new lawn Never lime and fertilize at the same time. Wait 1 day if it rains, 1 week if dry.

‘Milorganite’: by-product of brewing industry and sterilized sewage sludge cleared of toxins, certified organic

News and views from the heart of Fernwood

buzz:

A Festival of Thoughts Christopher Bowers is an artist of conversation

›› Jack Derricourt Bowers is a lifelong advocate of the relaxing quality of a fresh question: “What’s the twist?” “What is a moment that stood out in your enterprise?” “What is your opening line?” These are the kinds of direct, inspiration-seeking queries that he will bring to the people at this year’s FernFest—along with some slick looking, pro-conversation buttons.

While some may shake their heads and mourn the transition towards tweets and blogs in this digital age, there are signs that

the art of conversation is alive and kicking harder than ever. The overwhelming popularity of story and conversation-based podcasts like This American Life or The Moth demonstrates that people want to branch out from their understanding of the world by hearing different experiences and perspectives. The Fernwood community is lucky to have their own digital conversation champion in Bowers.

As a hardworking school teacher bound in weary marking and testing, Bowers says he fell under the “tyranny of the immediate,” and was unable to give his students a full picture of the real world.

To remedy this, he sought out community members to contribute to the classroom with their thoughts on life. Bowers found

mark your calendar:

Fernwood Art Stroll

the process so enlightening that he started hosting courses on the power of personal story for adults.

Now, out of the classroom and accompanied by a digital camera, Bowers looks to record controlled moments of conversation, whether it be at a music festival or an art crawl. He has captured the thoughts of aboriginal elders, chocolatiers, urban sketchers, the genius behind Star Wars (the one-man version), and so many more. Each clip is a restrained—under two minutes— exploration of a person, a moment, plain and simple, but full of insight.

It’s not always easy. Bowers is quick to praise Fernwood’s wonderful atmosphere of conversation, but he sees room for improvement. When it comes to the

average person on the street, he says, “It’s pretty hard to access them.”

To make it easier on attendees at this year’s FernFest, Bowers has organized a delightful solution. Buttons will be on hand, ready for would-be conversationalists. They read simply “Open to a Conversation.”

Bowers wants to help people indicate that they are “safe and ready to go” for hearty talks, stories and thought-sharing.

It’s another small gesture in Bowers’ long career of moving people towards a central realization: “The solution to your challenge is often one conversation away.”

Check out more of Christopher Bowers’ clips at conversationworks.ca—and don’t miss out on the wonderful conversations at this year’s FernFest on Saturday, June 22.

Fernwood in 2070. Can we reach forward and touch the future? Yes, we can!

Join facilitators Lehna Malmkvist & Sarah Adams for an evening of Ɵme travel, imaginaƟon, and future thinking about the Fernwood neighbourhood in 2070 and beyond. We are looking for a small group of creaƟve thinkers to join this experimental and interacƟve workshop on June 17 from 6:30 to 9:30pm at the Fernwood Community Centre. We want to give you the opportunity to think deep and wide about the future.

This is a free event, but space is limited. Register at FutureThinkForFernwood.eventbrite.ca.

Refreshments will be provided. 250-661-2823

Bagasse, 2009, acrylic on panel, 300” x 78”—painting by Charles Campbell, one of the twenty-one artists in this year’s Fernwood Art Stroll. Photo courtesy of the artist.

The 7th annual Fernwood Art Stroll is being held on Saturday, June 22 and Sunday, June 23 from 11 am to 4 pm. Twenty-one local artists and artisans will open their studios to the public. Original works of art will be on display including paintings, furniture, fashion, photography, florals and pottery. It is a chance to walk the tree-lined streets of Fernwood, purchase unique pieces of art and meet local artists. Come and join us! Check us out at www.fernwoodartstroll.ca for a downloadable map and more information. Brochures will be available at most local businesses, art stores, coffee shops and local galleries.

PLUS: Pandora Arts Collective is holding a silent auction at 1923 Fernwood Road featuring art by local artists and great products and services from local businesses.

FERNWOOD NRG SUMMER PROGRAMS MAY - AUGUST 2013 (Reg) Registration Required

(DI) Drop In

MONDAY Parent and Baby Play Group (DI) Ongoing NEW! Fernwood Family Dinner (DI/Reg) Ongoing LifeRing Alcohol & Drug Peer Support (DI) Ongoing

9:30am - 11:30am 5:00pm - 7:00pm 6:45pm - 8:00pm

TUESDAY Parent and Tot Play Group (DI) NEW! Male Caregiver Support Group (DI) Kids Capoeira (Reg) Iyengar Yoga (DI/Reg) Dancing Lotus Hatha Yoga (DI/Reg) The Transformative SitCom (Reg) Youth Drop-in (14-17 yrs) (DI)

Ongoing Ongoing May 7 - Jun 18 May 7 - Aug 27 May 7 - June 25 May 7 - Jun 25 Ongoing

9:30am - 11:30am 4:00pm - 7:00pm 4:00pm - 5:00pm 5:30pm - 6:30pm 7:00pm - 8:30pm 7:00pm - 9:00pm 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Ongoing Every other week May 8 - Aug 28 Ongoing Every 2nd & 4th Wed.

12:00pm - 3:00pm 12:00pm - 5:30pm 5:45pm - 7:15pm 7:00pm - 10:00pm 7:30pm - 9:30pm

Ongoing Ongoing May 9 - June 27

9:30am - 11:30am 12:00pm - 3:00pm 7:00pm - 9:30pm

Ongoing Ongoing Every other week

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

May 5 - May 26 July 7 - Aug 25

1:00pm - 3:00pm 1:00pm - 3:00pm

WEDNESDAY Best Babies (Reg) Good Food Box Pick Up Dancing Lotus Hatha Yoga (DI/Reg) Nuu Chah Nulth Drumming (Closed) Homospun (DI)

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

FRIDAY Autumn Glow Senior’s Lunch (DI) Youth Drop-in (9-13yrs) (DI) Victoria Meet-up Group (Closed)

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

Holiday closures on July 1 & August 5

WORKSHOPS / SPECIAL EVENTS Because I am a Girl Fundraiser - June 1 Ursa Handmade Market - June 8 FernFest 2013 - June 21 & 22 4th Annual Fernwood Bites - June 23 Neighbours for Change Block Party - July 28

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/

www.fernwoodnrg.ca

June 2013

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Scene in Fernwood : Our living room