June 2022 Village Vibe

June 2022

villagevibe News and views from the heart of Fernwood

th

25 Anniversary FernFest Free festival with a Fernwood state of mind

25th Anniversary

Presented by FERNWOOD NRG

›› Mila Czemerys

F

ernFest is a free, community-based, music, art, and family festival happening on June 24 & 25, 2022. We showcase local musicians and artists you may not have heard of but are bound to love. The beauty of this event is the combination of many people: the volunteers, dozens of performers of all types, artisans, non-profits, and of course the people of all ages from kids to seniors who make our community the creative and vibrant place that it is.

This year, FernFest is adding a stage in the Fernwood Community Association (FCA) building at 1923 Fernwood Road!

We’ll be bringing back the Little Fernwood Stage which hosted many all-ages punk shows in the past. We are partnering with Vinyl Envy Record to curate and host this stage and the FCA for the space.

FernFest all begins Friday, June 24 at 5pm, with a welcome and opening by the Lekwungen Traditional Dancers—be sure to make it for this. We will continue all evening with music on the Fernwood Square Main Stage and on the Little Fernwood Stage. You’ll be able to enjoy a beverage in these all-ages, fully licensed spaces and a sausage at our BBQ. All of FernFest is free to attend.

Saturday, June 25 from 11:30am to 10pm, we’ll have so much for you to check out from our 40+ vendor artisan market (11:30am to 5:30pm), live music and performances all day at the Main Stage, workshops and live music at the Little Fernwood Stage, the Field of Dreams (11:30am to 5:30pm) at William Stevenson Park behind the Fernwood Community Centre with the kid’s zone, bouncy castles, Field of Dreams Stage, non-profit tables, art activities, musical instrument petting zoo, magic, tours, a look and find scavenger hunt, and more!

Find the FernFest Program Guide on page 4 & 5. Happy FernFest, friends!

June 24 & 25, 2022 Friday 5 TO 10pm

Saturday 1130am TO 10pm

Fernwood Square and beyond

DOWNTOWN MISCHIEF

TIGHT HAIR

LOGAN STAATS

GRAPEFRUIT IS IMPOSSIBLE

LEKWUNGEN TRADITIONAL DANCERS

LIAM MACKENZIE & THE MOONDOGS TREMBLERS OF SEVEN

THE CAPITAL CITY SYNCOPATORS

HARD.TIMES WITH LADY PHYL RANGER BOOGIE HOUSER WES CARROLL CONFABULATION

LISTENING PARTY

SARAH OSBORNE & THE MAGIC BUTTONS

THE PROJECTORS

THE CHOIR & THE CHORUS

SLIM SANDY & THE HILLBILLY BOPPERS

CHAI

LOCRIAN TONES

LES BALIENS

THE ODD NEIGHBOURHOOD MYLES FROM HOME

GARETH OWEN & IMINAH KANI

MCs - KADY SAVARD & BENJI DUKE

PINKY

IDLE LANE BEX

THE FROLICKERS

JEZREEL & ANN ROMM

SOFIA SOL & MORE!

3 STAGES | LIVE MUSIC & PERFORMANCES | MAGIC | 40+ VENDOR ARTISAN MARKET | KIDS ZONE | ART | NON-PROFIT HUB | WORKSHOPS | TOURS | BUBBLES BBQ | REFRESHMENTS & SO MUCH MORE!

CAPITAL BIKE

FIX IT FERNWOOD

FUNTIME INFLATABLES

PHILLIPS SODA WORKS

MCLENNAN'S ISLAND MEAT & SEAFOOD

PORTOFINO BAKERY

RISE HEALTH

ST.JOHN AMBULANCE

MICHELL’S FARM

FAMILY FRIENDLY

EVERYONE WELCOME

FREE MODO

ORIGIN BAKERY

@THEFERNWOODMAKERSPARTY

PEDERSEN'S EVENT RENTALS

WICKED CLOTHING CO.

We acknowledge the financial assistance of the Province of British Columbia

FERNWOODNRG.CA/FERNFEST | #FERNFEST

in this issue Feature

Buzz

Mark Your Calendar

FernFest 2022 Program Guide pages 4 & 5

FCA & Fernwood NRG: Closer & stronger together page 6

Join us in honouring National Indigenous Peoples Day page 7

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

editorial:

villagevibe

Becoming a welcoming community

Published by Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group Editorial Committee

Chantille Viaud Shonna Bell

Mila Czemerys Kelsey Singbeil Founding Editor Lisa Helps Contributors

Mila Czemerys Grace Lore, MLA Alieda Blandford Kayla Siefried

Chantille Viaud Kelsey Singbeil Sarah Murray Shonna Bell

Art

Axel Mila Czemerys North Park Neighbourhood Association Elora Adamson Royal Roads University Production Mila Czemerys Contact us

1240 Gladstone Ave, Victoria, BC V8T 1G6 T 250.381.1552 F 250.381.1509 info@fernwoodnrg.ca | villagevibe.ca To advertise, contact ads@fernwoodnrg.ca The views expressed in the Village Vibe do not necessarily reflect the views of Fernwood NRG.

We gratefully acknowledge that Fernwood, our community where we live, work and play resides on the territory of the Lekwungen peoples, the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.

declaration of principles & values ››

We are committed to creating a socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable neighbourhood;

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

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We are committed to using our resources prudently and to becoming financially self-reliant;

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

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

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

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

›› Chantille Viaud What does it mean to be a truly welcoming community? How can we welcome new neighbours into our neighbourhoods?

Looking into the near future, we will have a lot of new folks coming to live in our communities through new affordable and supportive housing projects.

Grace Lore, our local MLA, recently hosted a meeting at Fernwood NRG to try to ask these questions and what it means for Fernwood. Community associations, organizations, and our local government representatives (all 3 levels!) shared ideas, stories, and experiences about what we can do to welcome and support new folks.

Greater Victoria Placemaking Network defines placemaking as “the process through which we work together to shape our public

spaces. Rooted in community-based participation, Placemaking involves the planning, design, management and programming of shared use spaces. More than just designing spaces, Placemaking brings together diverse people (including professionals, elected officials, residents, and businesses) to improve a community’s cultural, economic, social and ecological situation.”

Fernwood NRG has an important role in placemaking in Fernwood.

As a Neighbourhood House, Fernwood NRG not only provides services to residents, we also host and support community building events: we have child care, family services, and also have neighbourhood meals and celebrations! Community dinners are back in-person weekly, and FernFest will happen at the end of this month.

Whether it is through volunteering at

op ed:

Happy FernFest

We’re getting a new Royal BC Museum! ›› Grace Lore, MLA I am very excited to share that our government is investing $789M to create a new state-of-the-art, seismically safe, modern, and inclusive museum here in our community.

There are so many stories represented through 7 million artifacts that the RBCM holds—that’s 27km worth of pieces of our shared history! A new museum will create opportunities to celebrate our shared histories in a new and innovative way.

A new museum also offers opportunities for reconciliation and to meet our responsibilities under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action.

Collaboration and partnership with the Songhees and Esquimalt has been at the core of this work and will be as we go forward together.

A mass timber building means BC forestry and history will literally be built

the Good Food Box, hosting a ‘My Great Neighbourhood’ grant block party, coming to community dinner every week, skating at the skateboard park, or coming to our Best Babies program, these things help us to get to know each other.

At the community meeting, someone shared a story about when they were a single parent of an infant, coming to Best Babies helped build a community of support around them. Another person shared that by coming to community dinners they were able to actually get to know their neighbours.

I’m excited for what we can all do together to welcome all the new neighbours, from all walks of life, into our community in the months and years to come.

And I’m excited to meet many of you, in person, at FernFest!

F

into the walls. The new building will also be designed for accessibility and energy efficiency and to meet CleanBC targets.

In the meantime, the museum’s walls will be turned inside out—travelling and virtual exhibitions will make their way around the province so that every British Columbian has the chance to experience our shared history.

In other local news—the opening of the Little Phoenix Child Care Centre this month means 28 new licenses childcare spaces offers with a trauma-informed approach for families that need it. An investment of $350k for the Victoria Community Food Hub’s project, will promote food security and resiliency through connections to local producers.

These are just a few of the recent developments in our community and there are so many more on the way. If you would ever like to discuss anything further, please feel to reach out to me at Grace.Lore.MLA@leg.bc.ca or 250-9524418.

ernFest has been organized for 25 years by your local neighbourhood organization, Fernwood NRG. Fernwood NRG operates the Fernwood Community Centre, runs the Good Food Box and Gift of Good Food program, operates 105 child care spaces and 10 units of affordable housing, hosts a weekly Monday evening community meal and Friday afternoon seniors’ lunch, family, seniors, and youth programs, a Community Orchard, and Kitchen Garden, and much more! We are so excited and grateful to be able to bring our community together again to celebrate and have a good time.

Thanks for the support of the City of Victoria’s the Festival Investment Grant, and the Province of British Columbia plus all our sponsors, donors, volunteers, and everyone who contributes to make this event happen.

Check out our epic silent auction at airauctioneer.com/fernfest-2022-auction.

It will be open from Wednesday, June 22 at 10:00am to Friday, June 25 at 9:00pm.

You’ll be able to pick-up items the week following the event. Bid on items and directly support this festival and Fernwood NRG’s community programs and services!

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;

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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 2022

News and views from the heart of Fernwood

FernFest Program Guide | June 24 & 25, 2022

FRIDAY, JUNE 24 5-10PM Time

Performer

FREE

Main Stage in Fernwood Square

5:00pm

LEKWUNGEN TRADITIONAL DANCERS

Lekwungen traditional dancers represent the Songhees Nation and perform all over the city to keep the songs and dances alive.

5:50pm

LOCRIAN TONES

Locrian Tones is a collection of friends who all share a deep passion for music. With influences stemming from jazz, gospel, R&B, and afrobeats, versatility remains at the core of our values.

6:45pm

THE CAPITAL CITY SYNCOPATORS

The Syncopators have endeared themselves to audiences with a fresh take on the prohibition-era novelty dance band. Tuba, trumpet, and tenor banjo, together with washboard and drums, play a fun mix of 20s and Western Swing music, with a few ’80s tunes thrown in for laughs.

7:55pm

THE PROJECTORS

Making their live debut at this year’s FernFest, The Projectors developed a sound reminiscent of early 2000s indie and garage rock.

8:55pm

DOWNTOWN MISCHIEF

Do you like a special time funk and chakra melting feel? Downtown Mischief with erupts rhythm while the pyroclastic soul buries the local townsfolk in hot spicy lyrical vibes. Not even Pliny the elder could talk the people off dancing.

Time

Little Fernwood Stage in the Fernwood Community Association

Performer

Curated by Vinyl Envy Record Store

6:00pm

IDLE LANE

Idle Lane is a loosely chaotic psych rock 4 piece band in the vein of 90’s Smashing Pumpkins.

7:00pm

LISTENING PARTY

Listening Party is an indie, rhythmic, psychedelic duo formed in 2005. From the Cowichan Valley, the band consists of Lindy Gerrard (Vocals/Drums) and Trenton McClaren (Guitar/Bass/Synth/Vocals).

8:00pm

LES BALIENS

Les Baliens is a garage rock band from Tofino, BC founded in 2019. Their cover sets influenced by the 60’s and the likes of Jaques Dutronc, Detroit Cobras and beyond. Their music will inspire butt shaking and foot tapping.

9:00pm

TREMBLERS OF SEVEN

Tremblers of Sevens is two people who sound like ten. They mine everything from traditional blues, devotional gospel, meditative Turkish delights, and klezmer nuptial nights.

FOOD Enjoy some tasty eats from our BBQ. We’ll be serving locally-made smokies, veggie sausages, and kid’s dogs, chips, and Phillips sodas.

DRINKS Hang out in Fernwood Square & Little Fernwood, listen to the music, dance, & enjoy local Phillips & Merridale brews. (All ages location, 19+ for alcohol)

5pm - Late 5pm - 10pm

Volunteer and get involved!

Victoria’s fave neighbourhood fest is back!

›› Melissa Faye Reid Well folks, I must say it’s been a minute since I considered coordinating volunteers for a neighbourhood festival, but here we are, two years later—and I couldn’t be happier. As we’ve learned over the past two years, it’s important to stay flexible; make changes, try new things, and leave behind what no longer serves us.

I’m excited to announce that FernFest returns Friday, June 24 and Saturday, June 25. We can’t wait to bring the neighbourhood of Fernwood together in a meaningful way.

www.fernwoodnrg.ca

In the spirit of staying flexible, FernFest has made changes to this year’s programming.

We are excited to announce a partnership with the Fernwood Community Association (FCA) and Vinyl Envy to host live music at Paul Phillips Hall.

Music starts Friday night and the festivities continue throughout Saturday morning into the evening. We have many volunteer opportunities and would love to have you. We need volunteers to support with set up, tear down, the artisan market, kids crew, beverage gardens, BBQ, hospitality, and our green team.

There are volunteer opportunities for pre-event as well as post-event if you want to contribute, but might not have avail-

ability on Friday and Saturday. We will be hosting an appreciation party after FernFest as a way to say thank you to all the wonderful volunteers who donate their time to make FernFest a success.

If you’re interested in getting involved, and want to meet like-minded individuals, this is the opportunity for you! With nearly 100 volunteers, FernFest wouldn’t be the same without the help of amazing volunteers that contribute year after year.

Fill out our application form at fernwoodnrg.ca/events-directory/fernfest/ volunteer, or get in touch at melissafreid@ gmail.com. We’re excited to come together

again and, with your help, contribute to the best FernFest yet!

Photo: Webmeister Bud

June 2022

villagevibe

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SATURDAY, JUNE 25 1130AM-10PM Time

Activity

June 22 at 10:00am to June 25 at 9:00pm

11:30am 5:30pm

Details

Silent Auction

Artisan Market

Bid on an amazing selection of items including gift certificates, hotel stays, coffee, art, experiences, and more! Our auction will be held online at airauctioneer.com/fernfest-2022-auction.

Bidding starts on Wednesday, June 22 at 10am and runs until Saturday, June 25 at 9pm. You can pick up your items at the Fernwood Community Centre from June 27 to 30, 2022.

Thank you to all our auction donors!

Over 40 local vendors will be showcasing their unique items on Gladstone Avenue between Fernwood Square and the Fernwood Community Centre, bringing you handmade clothing, jewelry, soaps, art, treats, and more! Thanks to @thefernwoodmakersparty for collaborating on curating and coordinating this market!

2:00pm

THE CHOIR & THE CHORUS

3:00pm

RANGER

3:40pm

JEZREEL & ANN ROMM

4:10pm

BOOGIE HOUSER

Talk to local non-profits about the cool things they do in the community! Located on the Field of Dreams at William Stevenson Park.

6:10pm

LOGAN STAATS

7:05pm

LIAM MACKENZIE AND THE MOONDOGS

8:45pm

TIGHT HAIR

Heritage Walking Tour with Nick Russell of the Victoria Heritage Foundation. This walk will tour the heritage buildings in the neighbourhood.

Walking Tours, Scavenger Hunt, + Workshops

11:30 5:30pm

Fernwood Look & Find Scavenger Hunt with John Threlfall Find John at the table on the Field of Dreams at William Stevenson Park.

1:00pm

Development Walk with Soma Morse, co-chair of the FCA Land Use Committee. The walk covers a wide variety of development issues from approved, active, & proposed developments, housing issues, urban forest, parks, parklets and gardens, and Fernwood’s water system. The walk is 3km long with 10 stops. gw Meet at the Wishing Tree in Fernwood Square.

BBQ & Drinks

Seniors’ High Tea

Thoughts into Lyrics Interactive Song Improv with Kady ady SSavard

FernFest’s BBQ brings you delicious eats including locally-made smokies, ies, veggie ssausages, and kid’s dogs, Open 11:30am - Late pen Noon - 10 FernFest will be pouring fresh Phillips Beers and Merridale Cider. Open 10:00pm (All ages location, 19+ for alcohol) All proceeds eeds support Fer FernFest!

Bex play musical reflections of a healing heart that reignite your soul’s vitalit vitality.

1:30pm

GARETH OWEN AND IMINAH KANI

Gareth Owen and Iminah Kani blend the traditions of Flamenco o guitar gu with their own passionate styles, using the guitar as a vehicle to express a unique sonic language. Together they form an experience of raw intensity and duende.

2:30pm

LIL PINKY

The Artist Project ‘PINKY’ is a mix of lofi folk noir with ith the occasional mix of drum machines and experimental sound.

3:30pm

SOFIA SOL

Sofía Sol is originally from Colombia and a new addition dition tion on to o the th Victoria music d her her soulful so sou ul voice will scene. She has had a passion for singing all her life and send you into a whimsical trance.

4:30pm

SLIM SANDY & THE HILLBILLY BOPPERS

Slim Sandy and the Hillbilly Boppers play swinging H Hillbilly il b Jazz, rockabilly, and country blues from the 30’s to the 60’s.

June 2022

2:15pm

3:30pm

MUSICIANS IN THE ROUND

4:45pm

SURPRISE!

6:00pm

HARD.TIMES WITH LADY PHYL

7:00pm

THE ODD NEIGHBOURHOOD

8:00pm

SARAH OSBORNE & THE MAGIC BUTTONS

9:00pm

WES CARROLL CONFABULATION

Your friendly neighborhood Frolickers are here to make ake you ou fee feel good with catchy catchy songs about love, hot cups of cheese, and someone e named ed A Aut Autumn.

BEX

villagevibe

Performer THOUGHTS INTO LYRICS WORKSHOP WITH KADY SAVARD

Join in on some good ol’ fashioned fun in the Fernwood Community munity Centre. Pastries, tea, and good conversation. (55+ years please)

Field of Dream Stage at William Stevenson tevenson Park

THE FROLICKERS

Time

At the Fernwood Community Association, 1923 Fernwood Road

12:30pm

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CHAI

Non-Profit Hub

Performer

11:30am

1:00pm

GRAPEFRUIT IS IMPOSSIBLE

2:15pm

Time

MYLES FROM HOME

5:10pm

Meet at the Wishing Tree in Fernwood Square.

1:00pm 2:30pm

12:00pm

Family and kids’ activities galore & all things fun: bouncy castles, musical petting zoo, community art projects, Fernwood Look & Find Scavenger Hunt, community acupuncture, games, face-painting, pop-up performances, live painting, bubbles, magic, & live music!

11:30am

Noon 10:00pm

Performer

Field of Dreams 11:30am 5:30pm

11:30am 5:30pm

Time

bike, walk, ride the bus to fernfest We will have free bike on site

News and views from the heart of Fernwood

Main Stage in Fernwood Square Myles from Home is a singer-songwriter who sings, plays guitar and harmonica and enjoys chess on the beach. His friends call him Beach Santa.

An emerging voice in Neo-Soul, Chai fuses dreamlike soundscapes, soulful vocals and honest lyrics into her musical storytelling.

We’re folks from Victoria who sing original arrangements of pop, folk and indie music.

Ranger is a 4 piece rock/soul band offering smooth uncluttered melodies, and thoughtful, textural instrumentation.

Jez and Ann are excited to share some original music and covers with Jez! They’ve blended their styles well and I think you guys will enjoy!

Boogie Houser is a Victoria-based, seven-piece band featuring ng a horn section. The style, dubbed “klez-hop” by the group, blends funk, soul, jazz, hip ho hop, ska, and indie.

Fun, unconventional music inspired by hip hop, jazz, funk with th a citrus twist.

Logan Staats is a Mohawk singer-songwriter from Six Nations. His m music is contemplatively composed and offered to listeners needing comfort. rt.

# 8 T Y B >

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Liam Mackenzie and The Moondogs are a high energy rock’n’roll band that ta takes its cues from the heartland to the American South, mixing country with roots and a grin of ang angst.

Tight Hair Disco Band plays ays hits, mostly from the 70’s and 80’s, from such artists as Chic, Donna Summer, Blondie, Abba, Bee Gees, The Emotions, and many many more! Our burning passion for disco music is fuelled uelled by our freaky disco dancing followers.

Little Fernwood Stage in the Fernwood Community Association Curated by Vinyl Envy Record Store Thoughts Into Lyrics: Expressing yourself through lyrical improvisation with Kady Savard! Join Kady for a fun and creative interactive workshop learning to write and share lyrics. Everyone is welcome!

Join us for a hour of musicians in the round with multiple performers sharing their songs with us.

We have a special surprise for you, come check it out.

Hard.times writes jazz grooves, lo-fi tracks, and hip-hop beats in quintuplets and records them to tape.

The Odd Neighbourhood is a recording project by Travis Adams. The act’s live performances are done in part with three other musicians; Hogan Smith on Bass, Troy Pawloski on drums and percussion, Jordan Faganello on synthesizers and Travis Adams on guitar and lead vocals.

Sultry folk with a psychedelic country twist on a sparkly train ride textured by the seasons and a detour to the bottom of the sea.

Wes Carroll Confabulation walks the tight-rope, balancing detailed arrangements with the power of spontaneity. ~ original jazz, hip hop, and soul ~

fernwoodnrg.ca/fernfest

s

facebook.com/fernfest.fernwoodnrg

parking

@fernwoodnrg

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS!

#FernFest2022

HAPPY

NFEST! FEfrR om

Serving the community since 1948 Artwork by Julie McLaughlin from Pride Puppy!

www.fernwoodnrg.ca

June 2022

villagevibe

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buzz:

FCA & NRG: Closer & stronger together ›› Kelsey Singbeil and Alieda Blandford

Over the last few years, the distance between 1923 Fernwood Road and 1240 Gladstone Avenue has become shorter and shorter.

While the buildings may not have actually moved closer together, the organizations that call them home, the Fernwood Community Association (FCA) and Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group (Fernwood NRG) have bridged the gap and are collaborating on a growing number of initiatives for the betterment of Fernwood.

The two organizations are both dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Fernwood through engaging with the neighbourhood; it makes sense to work together! The FCA is now leasing office space on the second floor of 1921 Fernwood Road to the Fernwood NRG’s staff, which frees up critical program space at the Fernwood Community Centre for inperson programming like Best Babies and family drop-in classes. Sharing space is a critical collaboration point, as commercial

and rentable space in Fernwood for community programs is in short supply.

Both organizations are also working to cross-promote events and activities, like the upcoming FernFest on June 24 and 25 (with concerts planned in the Paul Phillips Hall a.k.a. “Little Fernwood”), and ongoing exhibitions in the Little Fernwood Gallery. The FCA’s Land Use Committee is working hard to engage the community with the draft Fernwood Neighbourhood Plan (check it out if you’d like to help shape the future of Fernwood!), as well as hosting neighbourhood “development walk’n’talks”.

The future is bright for the two organizations working together. Our collective interest in food security will likely bear fruit (the FCA operates two community allotment gardens in Fernwood, and Fernwood NRG manages a community orchard, garden at the community centre, and programming like the Good Food Box). We’re also both passionate about making Fernwood a welcoming place for everybody, and holding space for discussion about rental housing,

north park:

FCA and Fernwood NRG board members come together at a Monday Community Meal night at the Fernwood Community Centre. Photo: Mila Czemerys

affordability, and livability.

Together, our assets include several large community-focused buildings, childcare programs, strong connections to local arts and culture organizations, and more. Most

importantly, the boards and volunteers for both organizations are dedicated to supporting Fernwood’s people and places and building connections that bring us all closer together. Cheers!

garden gleanings:

North Park goings on Gardens are for gathering We have a lot to

›› Kayla Siefried, Compost Education Centre

celebrate these days

›› Sarah Murray, NPNA The first six months of 2022 has given us so much to celebrate! The Multicultural Festival at Royal Athletic Park on May 8 was a resounding success. Folks of all ages danced to the live music, shopped from a wide range of vendors, played games at the ICA’s activity station, had photos taken at the Humans of North Park photo booth, and attended the Jane’s Walk! We can’t wait to see you at the next Multicultural Festival at RAP on July 24!

The SUPPLY little free craft store at the Vancouver Street Plaza—that closed on May 28—hosted more than 1,200 visits!

With every visit, we celebrated the opportunity to provide free arts supplies and divert craft materials that would ordinarily end up in the landfill.

We are also celebrating the highly anticipated return of the Lending Hub at the Plaza. We invite you to stop by the Vancouver Street Plaza on Saturdays and Sundays starting in June to borrow a board game, puzzle, lawn game, or sports equipment!

There are also some community milestones to celebrate. We would like to wish a very happy first birthday to our neighbours at the Tiny Homes Community! And we’re excited to welcome a new neighbour, the Victoria Literacy Connection who recently moved from downtown to Pembroke

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villagevibe

The Multicultural Festival at Royal Athletic Park is happening again on July 24. Photo courtesy of NPNA.

Street! We’re grateful to the City who just resurfaced the Steve Nash basketball court at Central Park just in time for spring. And it seems the whole community is excited for a summer at Royal Athletic Park which will feature sports, the return of Rifflandia, and a third summer of free community programming by the NPNA on Mondays in July & August!

To learn more about what’s going on in North Park and to sign up for our newsletter please visit our website (npna.ca/newsletters) or find us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @WeAreNorthPark.

June 2022

Sometimes I reflect on the additional benefits of gardening, beyond the yummy foods my family and I get to eat, and the ecosystem services that are provided for pollinators and soil building.

Today, I’m reminded what a joy it is to connect with other humans in the garden, and what a gathering place, a connective place, that a garden can be. At the Compost Education Centre, it’s wonderful to witness groups of children coming for led garden tours, interacting with one another, garden worms, and plants they can see, touch, taste, smell. And to engage with allotment gardeners talking with one another amongst the lettuce and flowers. It’s also brilliant to enjoy my home front stoop where I can pay witness to my boulevard garden—brilliant with lupins at this time of year. It’s fun to see neighbours stop to admire the beauty, and see bees enjoy the pollen and nectar.

Or to work in my back garden and have chats over the fence with two of my neighbours, as we exchange admiration for one another’s outdoor spaces.

It’s also been a joy to witness connection and gathering during the seedling distribution days as a part of the City of Victoria’s Get Growing, Victoria! Program—what a fantastic program which really supports folks in the city to get growing in a barrier reduced way. I’ve seen neighbours chatting, families planning their gardens with one another, and an energy of connection, and excitement over growing one’s own food.

Jeffery teaching in the Compost Education Centre educational gardens. Photo: Elora Adamson

My oh my, how gardens connect, build energy, and bring humans together.

This summer, when you are planning get togethers with friends and neighbours, bring the gathering to your front yard, local greenway or park, or your veggie garden.

Place some cushions on the ground or some chairs around your kale plants, visit with friends and family around the beauty of the summer garden, and build community, by building soil.

Mark you calendar: Saturday, August 6 is the Compost Education Centre’s next plant sale. And Get Growing, Victoria! will have another set of seedling distribution days in different neighbourhoods around the city in August as well.

News and views from the heart of Fernwood

mark your calendar:

Let’s celebrate Fernwood NRG invites you to join us to honour National Indigenous Peoples Month throughout June and National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21

›› Shonna Bell Fernwood NRG and the Fernwood Community Center are on the traditional territory of the Lekwungen People, known today as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations. As an organization and a team, we continue to learn what it means to be on stolen lands and to integrate decolonization into our work. We recognize our role in the continuing process of dispossession, colonialism, and reconciliation. We recognize the need to do better. We humbly welcome all to join in this learning journey.

Fernwood NRG is excited to be one of the many partners supporting the National Indigenous Peoples Day event at Royal Roads University. We invite everyone to join us at Royal Roads University at Sneq’we e’lun - The Blue Heron House on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 from 10:00am to 3:00pm.

National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations at Royal Roads University. Photo courtesy of Royal Roads University.

There will be lots of fun, including the Canoe Challenge, performances by Indigenous artists and musicians, activities for all ages, guided nature walks, food trucks, and Indigenous vendors. More information is available at royalroads.ca/nipd.

Each time I get the opportunity to learn from and with Indigenous traditions, I feel honoured to be present. In my experience as a white settler and in my particular family, there wasn’t the tradition of my grandparents or parents sharing or passing down traditions to live by. I see this

practice at the roots of this National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration and I see it in the relationship-based way the event is being organized. The event will begin with a Canoe Landing Protocol Practice and Swutth’tus (Max Henry Sr.) Canoe Challenge. Each year, Max Henry Jr., along with his brothers, Roger and Leonard, from Pauquachin First Nation support the event on the water. Participating organizations and families are invited to go out in a canoe and row back in to ask permission to come ashore. Throughout colonization,

the canoe protocol, an essential piece to building relations with Indigenous people, was missing and to participate in it being upheld is a privilege.

Along with the event at Royal Roads University at Sneq’we e’lun - The Blue Heron House, our friends at the Quadra Village Community Centre (QVCC) are hosting a Indigenous People’s day celebration at 901 King Road in the late afternoon to evening. Please check qvcc.ca to find out about the fun and festivities for Indigenous People’s Day at QVCC.

Simple.

Moving.

Human.

Four extraordinary plays for you.

Belfry Season Tickets are now on sale with three price options - Regular, Pay It Forward, or Pay What You Can.

belfry.bc.ca 250-385-6815 In person

www.fernwoodnrg.ca

June 2022

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Keeping Fernwood Community Healthy Physiotherapy /D^ ^ŚŽĐŬǁĂǀĞ Pelvic Floor Health ůŝŶŝĐĂů ŽƵŶƐĞůůŝŶŐ

NaturopathLJ ŚŝƌŽƉƌĂĐƚŽƌ Vestibular Rehab RMT Massage

*Therapeutic one-on-one or small group sessions available

Ph: 250-381-7473

www.risehealth.ca

1275 Bay Street

*referrals not required

*online booking available

(at Fernwood) *free parking

RISE TO IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH

FERNWOOD NRG SUMMER PROGRAMS JUNE - AUGUST 2022 MONDAY Parent-Child Mother Goose Zoom Best Babies Fernwood Community Meal

Register*, free Register*, free Drop-in, by donation

10:30am – 11:30am 1:30pm – 2:30pm 5:00pm – 6:00pm

TUESDAY Healthy cooking on a budget (seniors) Register*, free

5:30pm – 8:30pm

Nobody’s Perfect

Register*, free

5:30pm – 7:00pm

Register*, free Order at thegoodfoodbox.ca lodestarholistic.ca/prenatal-yoga lodestarholistic.ca/prenatal-yoga

12:40pm – 2:00pm 1:00pm – 8:00pm 5:45pm – 7:00pm 7:15pm – 8:30pm

Register*, free Drop-in, free Private Group

12:40pm – 2:00pm 7:30pm – 8:30pm 6:00pm - 10:00pm

Seniors’ Lunch (55+) Van Island Smash Bros Ultimate

Drop-in, $4 Preregistration required

1:00pm – 2:00pm 5:30pm – 10:30pm

Dungeons & Dragons Game Night

Drop-in, by donation

6:00pm – 10:00pm

WEDNESDAY Post-natal Best Babies Good Food Box Pick-up Prenatal Yoga + Birth Preparation Prenatal Yoga + Birth Preparation

THURSDAY Prenatal Best Babies Narcotics Anonymous Nuu-Chah-Nulth Drumming Gourp

FRIDAY

SATURDAY Kindergym

Fernwoodkindergym.eventbrite.ca

10:00am – 11:00am

*Register for family programs by emailing lpalmer@fernwoodnrg.ca Closures June 21, June 24, July 1, and August 1, 2022.

SPECIAL EVENTS Urban Food Tour - June 18 25th Annual FernFest - June 24 & 25

Please check out our website for updates:

For more information & to register contact: Fernwood Community Centre 1240 Gladstone Avenue, Victoria, BC V8T 1G6 250.381.1552 x100 | info@fernwoodnrg.ca

fernwoodnrg.ca/calendar

My team is here to provide the assistance you need.

Laurel.Collins@parl.gc.ca 250-363-3600

/CollinsLaurel @Laurel_BC @laurelndp