October 2013
villagevibe News and views from the heart of Fernwood
More housing for Fernwood Fernwood NRG to purchase 2009 Fernwood Rd. and 1310 Gladstone Ave. for mixed use development and affordable housing
›› Lee Herrin
F
ernwood NRG has made an agreement to purchase 2009 Fe r n w o o d R o a d a n d 1 3 1 0 Gladstone Avenue from the M’is Kow A Ao Development Society. The purchase closes November 1 st, 2013. The M’akola Group of Societies will remain headquartered at 2009 Fernwood Road under a lease agreement with Fernwood NRG, until offices they are building in Langford are ready for occupancy. Fernwood NRG will be consulting with the neighbourhood before seeking approval from the City of Victoria to redevelop the properties. “This is an exciting next step in creating the future of our neighbourhood,” said Lisa Matthaus, Chair of the Board of Directors of Fernwood NRG. “In 2011, Fernwood NRG hosted the Fernwood Neighbourhood Visioning Forum. Neighbours discussed what they wanted to see in their neighbourhood—a vibrant arts scene, more local businesses, greater food security and more affordable housing options. Above all, Fernwoodians wanted to keep Fernwood funky,” she said. “We heard you Fernwood! These properties offer a great opportunity to create additional affordable housing and spaces for local businesses in Fernwood.” Fernwood NRG is working with architectural firm Christine Lintott Architect on preliminary ideas for the new buildings. Later this year, there will be a public meeting with the Community Association Land Use Committee for nearby residents, but Fernwood NRG is also planning additional opportunities for feedback from all Fernwood residents (see Editorial).
2009 Fernwood Road (left) and 1310 Gladstone Avenue (right) will become part of Fernwood NRG, November 1st. Photos: Mila Czemerys
Fernwood NRG has been building and operating affordable housing since 2006. In 2005, Fernwood NRG purchased the derelict and boarded up Cornerstone Building and, with an estimated 10,000 hours of volunteer support from the neighbourhood, demolished the interior of the building. In 2006, a host of tradespeople completely rebuilt the interior, readying commercial space for lease and four 3-bedroom units of affordable family housing. In 2008, Fernwood NRG continued its push for more affordable housing in Fernwood by purchasing two vacant lots on Yukon Street and building a further six 3-bedroom units. Fernwood NRG also owns and operates commercial space in the Cornerstone Building, leasing to Stage Wine Bar and the Yoga Den. Additionally, the organization owns and operates both the Cornerstone Café and St udio 1313. Proceeds from these commercial activities support the delivery of high quality services to families in Fernwood and to help keep the housing units affordable. Fernwood residents can support the work of Fernwood NRG’s charitable arm by becoming a member of the Society ( membership is free), volunteering to help with neighbourhood events and activities, making a charitable donation (tax receipts will be issued) or by visiting the Cornerstone Café or Studio 1313.
Studio 1313 ›› Lenore Rankin
T
he newest addition to the Cornerstone Building is Studio 1313 (formerly Studio 1284), which opened its doors to Fernwood this past July. Now located at 1313 Gladstone— across from Norte Street Food—the Studio remains under the experienced management of hair stylist, Jacqueline Rogers, a long-time Fernwood business owner and resident. The Studio, now owned and operated by Fernwood NRG, will continue to offer the same exceptional service that Jacqueline has been providing to Fernwood residents for over 15 years. Jacqueline and her team of experienced and well-trained stylists are committed to providing professional, client-focused service. They understand that the key to a great outcome starts with excellent communication and the ability to really listen to their clients’ needs. And in keeping with Fernwood NRG’s commitment to environmental sustainability, Studio 1313 is a zero waste business that offers green product lines as well as non-ammonia colour treatment options. And the best part, just like
Fernwood NRG’s other social enterprise, the Cornerstone Café; you’ll leave Studio 1313 not only looking great, but feeling great by knowing that the income from Studio 1313 stays in your neighbourhood—helping to fund much needed programs and services. That’s about as local as it gets! Drop by any time, consultations are always free and walk-ins can usually be accommodated. Or call 250-382-2022 to make an appointment and take advantage of these great opening specials for first time clients—save 50% off cuts and 25% off colour treatments.
in this issue Buzz
Feature
Mark Your Calendar
Hello neighbour! page 3
A new opportunity for Fernwood page 4
Mason Street Farmraiser page 5
To get the Vibe digitally, sign up at fernwoodnrg.ca
editorial:
villagevibe
Building for the future today
Published by Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group Editorial Committee
Lee Herrin Matt Takach
Mila Czemerys Azelia Serjeantson
Founding Editor Lisa Helps Contributors
Lenore Rankin Carole James Margaret Hantiuk Edie Irons Kate Wallace
Lee Herrin Shannon K. Auringer Lisa Matthaus Shonna Bell Josh Wagler
Art
Mila Czemerys Axel Karin Dalziel Nate Clark Vicki Davies Pink Sherbet Photo. Lifecycles Project Society Production Mila Czemerys 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 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
›› Lee Herrin In the last issue we hosted a guest editorial, “The future is now, just later” which told of the adventures of a number of “time travelers” who visited Fernwood in 2103. That seemingly strange story was no accident: we were hopeful that we’d have a big announcement to make in this edition of the Village Vibe. And do we ever (see Cover). The buildings that currently sit at 1310 Gladstone Avenue and 2009 Fernwood Road were built in 1905 and 1908 respectively. At over 100 years old they are beyond their economic life. The city and the neighbourhood have grown up around them, and it is time for them to be replaced. But replaced with what? When they were built, Fernwood was a relatively new subdivision. Most goods in the city moved by horse and cart, most heating in the city was either wood or coal,
life expectancy in Canada was less than 60 years, and communications between individuals were by letter or that newfangled telegraph service. Things have changed, and changed in ways that the original builders could scarcely have foreseen.
the street, maintaining the wonderful feel of Fernwood. Life returned when we purchased and restored the Cornerstone building—ultimately, we want our new buildings to further enrich life on the street.
The Belfry was built as a church, before it became a homeless shelter, and now it is a theatre. How will things change by 2113? No one knows for sure. The Belfry was built as a church, before it became a homeless shelter, and now it is a theatre. Looking into the nearer future though, I see Fernwood as an affordable home to more people, with more goods and services available in the core of the neighbourhood. I see the neighbourhood fabric being strengthened with buildings that address
Fernwood’s future is being created now, and the choices we make today will outlive all of us. The more people that get involved, the greater the chances we will get it right. So what do you see? What do you need? What do you want? Drop us a line at fernwoodfuture@fernwoodnrg.ca, join our mailing list at fernwoodnrg.ca, and watch for posters advertising upcoming public events and consultations.
buzz:
MLA report for October ›› Carole James Contrary to what the B.C. government seems to think, one size doesn’t fit all. But that seems to be the direction this government is taking with a number of services and supports in our communities. The latest example is the rigid new service model in the area of employment skills. Moves by the government to force social service agencies into this new system is causing all sorts of problems. It’s easy to see that the entire approach needs to be revisited. The province is creating turmoil for organizations like PEERS, which has now had to close a drop-in centre and pre-employment program for sex workers in Victoria. I’ve been raising concerns about the government’s approach for more than a year. When I asked the Minister about it in the spring of 2012, she said that it would all work out. Well, it certainly has not. Here is the situation on the ground in our community: Until last year, PEERS, like many other helping organizations on the South Island,
received its core funding from the B.C. Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation. But when the government moved the contract to a fee-for-service billing model under its Employment Program of B.C., that’s when trouble really started. The situation being faced by PEERS is troubling for a number of reasons, but most especially considering the government’s assurance that it would follow the recommendations contained in the 2012 Report of the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry. The report makes clear the importance of emergency services to women engaged in the sex trade provided by centres like PEERS. Mr. Wally Oppal recommended that funding be made available urgently so that these centres could stay open 24 hours a day. Instead, because of funding decisions by the provincial government, PEERS has been forced to discontinue its vital services that help women leave sex work for more stable and secure employment. The employment programs offered by non-profit organizations in our community
serve a unique population with complex needs. Not all employment programs fit neatly into the government’s fee-for-service model. I have heard concerns expressed by employment contractors, large and small, that the current model is too complex, and fails to recognize that individuals are unique and may need a range of services to support them in their goal of employment. It is also complicated by an unmanageable computer system that takes away from valuable and much needed time with clients. We must be addressing the challenges in a comprehensive way that includes supports for addictions, mental health, and poverty reduction. Government must listen to the professionals in the field and fix this system so that it works for everybody, and most especially for those in need in our community. I am proposing some solutions to the Minister, and will continue to work closely with our social service organizations to highlight the deficiencies in the province’s payment structure and referrals systems.
neighbourhood democratically 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;
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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
October 2013
News and views from the heart of Fernwood
buzz:
buzz:
Hello neighbour!
Looking for Fernwood artists...
A neighbourly wave can make all the difference is someone’s day. Photo: Pink Sherbet Photography
›› Shannon K. Auringer And there it was… My final count was seventeen friendly hellos, none of which were initiated by me. Not bad for a thirty minute walk that started at Walnut Street, looped around the Fernwood Community Centre to Pandora Avenue and back. This total didn’t include the abundance of people who had earphones plugged in and did the neighbourly silent wave or the ever-so famous smile and nod. You’re probably curious as to what prompted me to count the amount of friendly people I encountered that sunny Wednesday afternoon in the ‘hood. No worries, I get that it may be considered a somewhat odd hobby. It began a couple of months ago after another long and boring day of working from home. As a writer my job can have a lot of bittersweet sides to it. I do enjoy the flexibility to create my own schedule and work when it suits me whereas the downside can be endless hours alone with little to no human contact.zIt was on one of those typical “alone-toolong” days that I decided to take a break. I was feeling creatively blocked and had the overcast day blues. I plugged in my iPod
and took the dog for what was supposed to be a quick jaunt in the fresh air to clear my head. I only got about half a block before I received my first ‘good afternoon’ from a fellow walker. It took a few moments to realize that I was the one being spoken to. I clued in after a quick glance around revealed I was the only one there. After that I strolled along for another block listening to my tunes only to be chatted up by a yard gardener whose flowers I’d stopped to give a quick sniff. Pretty soon it came to the point that I was giving and receiving so many greetings and engaging in so many mini-conversations that it was pointless that have my earphones in. So I unplugged my iPod and plugged into my community. Thank you to my fellow Fernwoodians for making my day over and over again. After living in Victoria for fourteen years, and having the opportunity to reside in five of its surrounding neighbourhoods, I am sold: Fernwood is by far the friendliest of them all. It doesn’t take a lot for someone to impact another person’s day for the better. A nice hello, a quick little wave, or even a simple smile can make such a big difference and the people of Fernwood get this!
If you are an artist in Fernwood, check out the Fernwood Art Stroll. Photo: Karin Dalziel
›› Margaret Hantiuk We are starting to organize for the 2014 Fernwood Art Stroll, which is part of FernFest celebrations (during the third weekend of June). Artists and artisans living in Fernwood (we use the larger Fernwood boundaries: Cook to Shelbourne and Fort to Hillside) who would like to open their studios to the public as part of this lively studio tour on that weekend, please contact Margaret at 250-595-1684 or mmhantiuk@shaw.ca.
The Fernwood Art Stroll is an unjuried show and the participants who help organize this neighbourhood event benefit from the camaraderie of local artists and the potential clientele for the sale of their work. As well, we keep a website at fernwoodartstroll.ca and publish a widely distributed brochure, have a Facebook page and enjoy coverage in local print and media. So besides being fun and learning a lot from each other, artists can expect their profiles to be raised, sell some work and meet many interested art lovers.
FERNWOOD NRG FALL PROGRAMS SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2013 (Reg) Registration Required
(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 Family Resources Program (DI) LifeRing Alcohol & Drugs Support Group (DI) Best Babies Male Caregivers Group (DI) Iyengar Yoga (DI/Reg) Dancing Lotus Hatha Yoga (Reg) Youth Drop-in (13-17yrs) (DI)
Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing Oct 15 - Dec 17 Sept 3 - Dec 10 Ongoing
9:30am - 11:30am 12:00pm - 1:30pm 4:00pm - 7:00pm 5:30pm - 6:30pm 7:00pm - 8:30pm 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Ongoing Every other week Sept 4 - Dec 1 Ongoing
12:00pm - 3:00pm 1:00pm - 5:30pm 5:45pm - 7:15pm 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Ongoing Ongoing Sept 26 - Nov 28 Ongoing
9:30am - 11:30am 12:00pm - 3:00pm 5:30pm - 6:30pm 6:00pm - 9:00pm
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
WEDNESDAY Best Babies (Reg) Good Food Box Pick Up Flow Exercise Class (Reg) Nuu Chah Nulth Drumming (Closed)
THURSDAY Family Resources Program (DI) Best Babies (Reg) Spring Forest Qigong (DI/Reg) Victoria Sport & Social Club (Reg)
FRIDAY
SUNDAY Intro to Kyudo (+16yrs) (Reg) Floorball (Reg)
Sept 8 - Nov 11 Ongoing
1:00pm - 3:00pm 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Holiday closures on Oct 14, Nov 11. Closure from Dec 23 to Jan 1.
WORKSHOPS / SPECIAL EVENTS
For more information & to register contact:
Halloween Bonfire - Oct 31, 7-10pm Owl Designer Fair - Dec 6 & 7
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
October 2013
villagevibe
page 3
feature:
A new opportunity for Fernwood ›› Lisa Matthaus This speech was given
1st Neighbourhood Visioning Forum held to hear what residents wanted for their neighbourhood
by Lisa Matthaus, Chair of the Fernwood NRG
You wanted:
- Affordable Housing - Purchase the Cornerstone Building - Open our own cafe
Board of Directors, to a meeting of the
10,000 volunteer hours transformed the heart of our neighbourhood
Cornerstone Cafe opened! A social enterprise where money is reinvested into Fernwood initiatives
membership at the
Cornerstone Building purchased
Fernwood Community 13th, 2013
A
s most of you know, Fernwood NRG has played an important role in the revitalization of Fernwood. In the years between our incorporation in 1979 and 2004, Fernwood NRG was known as the Fernwood Community Centre Society and our purpose then was to operate the Fernwood Community Centre (at 1240 Gladstone Avenue) which opened its doors in 1980. From this building, we run a number of vital programs for the neighbourhood, including: • providing 45 child care spaces, • delivering the Canada Pre-Natal Nutrition Program for Victoria, • hosting a drop-in program for families with young children, and • providing recreation programs for youth and seniors. And in the last few years, we have added some additional activities like the Good Food Box Program, a father’s group, and a weekly free family dinner, just to name a few. However, in the early part of the last decade, Fernwood as a neighbourhood was str uggling. What is now the vibrant Cornerstone Building was a boarded up eyesore and the source of a significant amount of criminal activity in the neighbourhood. At that time, Fernwood NRG stepped forward and purchased the building, which was a real turning point for the neighbourhood. Upstairs, we built four three bedroom units of affordable housing; downstairs,
page 4
villagevibe
Built 4 units of affordable housing for families
Purchased property on Yukon Street
Centre on September
2nd Neighbourhood Visioning Forum Built 6 more units of affordable housing for families You wanted:
- More Affordable Housing
- More Local Businesses
Greater Food Security
Keep Fernwood Funky
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Spring Ridge Commons Fernwood University - Food Series Fernwood Community Orchard Kitchen Garden - Coming soon!
- FernFest - Pole Painting Project
- Greater Food Security
- To Keep Fernwood Funky
More affordable housing for families in Fernwood
More local businesses in the core of Fernwood
Fernwood NRG’s path from the boarded up Cornerstone Building to a new opportunity for Fernwood runs through the 2011 Neighbourhood Visioning Forum. Graphic: Mila Czemerys
we created space for a number of neighbourhood businesses, including our own Cornerstone Café. In all, we raised over $400,000 for the project, and the neighbourhood contributed an estimated 10,000 hours of sweat equity in the demolition and reconstruction of the building. In 2006, following the success of the Cornerstone Building project, we changed the name of our organization to reflect this broader role in the neighbourhood: we became Fernwood NRG. In 2008, we purchased two vacant lots on Yukon Street (just behind Vic High). We successfully obtained the necessary approvals to build a further six units of affordable family housing. We also raised over $1 million to make that project a success. So we have a successful history of
October 201
going through the development process including raising substantial funds to be invested into Fernwood. And, we have successfully operated those housing units subsequently, benefiting families that would otherwise be living in substandard housing or at risk of homelessness. Currently, we have close to 40 people living in our housing units. In 2011, we hosted the Fernwood Neighbourhood Visioning Forum which was attended by 140 residents and representatives from a dozen groups and organizations active in the neighbourhood. The purpose of the day was to discuss neighbourhood priorities that would guide Fernwood NRG’s work for the coming years. There were three strong messages we heard that day. Fernwood residents wanted more affordable housing, more local
businesses in the core of the neighbourhood and greater food security. Since then, we have undertaken a number of food security activities, including the planting of the community orchard on September 28th. However, and this is why we are here tonight, in January of this year we learned that four properties in the heart of the neighbourhood were for sale by the Mi’s Kow A Ao Development Society (part of the M’akola Group of Societies). Over the course of several months and at a series of meetings, our Board weighed the merits and the risks of offering to purchase the properties. Of course, we knew if we declined to purchase the properties, they would be most likely be bought by a private developer for redevelopment. In May, we decided we had enough information to make a conditional offer to the owner for all four properties. In July, our offer was accepted. From that point, we’ve separated the purchase into two pieces; we’re only dealing with the first two properties here tonight, 1310 Gladstone Avenue and 2009 Fernwood Road, as the other two require a longer rezoning process which I’ll address a bit later. Through July we gathered all of the information we needed to remove all but two of our conditions on the first two properties (for instance, that the title is clean, that the buildings are safe, that the land is free of contamination, and so on). We removed those conditions at the end of July. To remove the first of the last two conditions, we then negotiated with our banker, Coastal Community Credit Union, to obtain financing to allow us to purchase the first two of the properties. Now, to remove the last condition, we need your support. In order for us to accept the bank’s offer and complete the sale, we need approval from our membership to borrow this money. Following tonight’s meeting, should we get the approval we’re asking of you, we will be making a proposal to the City to redevelop the properties. This will be a
News and views from the heart of Fernwood
mark your calendar:
Boots ‘n Suits: A Mason Street Farmraiser lengthy process with many opportunities for public participation that will take place over the coming year. At this point, our hope is to obtain approval to build mixed use developments on both 1310 Gladstone and 2009 Fernwood Road, incorporating more ground floor retail space we would lease to businesses focused on serving a neighbourhood clientele, possibly some office space for other types of businesses that wish to locate in Fernwood, but primarily to build more affordable housing units in the upstairs. Earlier I had said “four properties were for sale” but tonight we are discussing only two. To this point, we have been in negotiations to purchase all four but only two are currently at the stage of financing. Our offer on the other two properties at 2013 and 2017 Fernwood Road is conditional on obtaining the necessary development approvals. Although work is still proceeding to move that opportunity toward reality, realistically it will be 2015 before we are ready to come back to the membership for authority to borrow for that purchase. Personally, it has been very exciting to develop this opportunity to this point over the past eight months. Although we have been eager to share information about it, it would not have been prudent to discuss all of the details in public. After tonight’s meeting, we look forward to sharing this news with the whole neighbourhood via the Village Vibe and engaging residents in conversation about how these projects will build the neighbourhood we all want for the future. Thank you.
The motion to approve the borrowing passed unanimously, and the sale will close on November 1st. Be sure to watch the Vibe for more information about this exciting project, and watch for upcoming meetings and information sessions.
www.fernwoodnrg.ca
(Top) Jesse and Angela transplanting lettuce into the aquaponic bed, with ripe cherry tomatoes ready to harvest in the foreground. (Below Left) Seth Ellerbeck, a farm intern, harvesting pole beans from the aquaponic system. (Below Right) Koi fish being grown in the system. Photos: Nate Clark
Mason Street Farm, a quarter-acre market farm on the border of Fernwood, has done some big things in the past year & they are planning to outdo themselves again
›› Edie Irons The farm team is organizing a fundraiser on November 9th to install a solar electric system that would take the largest aquaponic greenhouse in Victoria off the grid. Less than a year ago, Mason Street Farm started an online fundraising campaign to build a greenhouse which conserves water while growing fish and vegetables in a closed-loop system. Farm partners Angela Moran and Jesse Brown raised fifteen thousand dollars in small donations. This also funded a paid internship program throughout this spring and summer. As the growing season draws to a close, the urban farmers are making plans to continue and expand their programs next year. The aquaponics greenhouse
successfully completed its first growing season and is increasing in fertility as more than two hundred resident fish grow in size. The system will become truly sustainable with the addition of a solar electric power source to keep the pump and ventilation equipment running around the clock. The internship program will continue next year, training Victoria residents with modest resources to start their own sustainable urban farming businesses. In order to expand their innovative programming and infrastructure, Mason
Street Farm is teaming up with the Island Chef ’s Collaborative to host an event called “Boots ‘n Suits: A Mason Street Farmraiser.” Local chefs Peter Zambri of Zambri’s; Jamie Cummins and David Johnstone of Relish; and Jonathan Pulker from The Refiner Diner will be cooking a five-course meal with local beer and wine pairings. Guests will have a chance to meet the farm team and learn more about their exciting work. Wear your wellies and muck boots! Located at the Odd Fellows Hall— 1315 Douglas Street—the event starts at 6pm on Saturday, November 9th. Tickets are eighty-five dollars and available at bootsnsuits.eventbrite.com, Shatterbox Café, Vintage Spirits, Fairfield Market or at Mason Street Farm.
October 2013
villagevibe
page 5
garden gleanings:
mark your calendar:
Lifecycles: A fruitful idea
Halloween Bonfire
Local non-profit Lifecycles has been actively promoting food security, food sharing,
Fernwood Community
and food sustainability
Bonfire & Family
—thereby building
Festivities
community—in the
October 31st, 7pm-10pm
Greater Victoria area for
Stevenson Park
almost 20 years
›› Margaret Hantiuk Besides supporting local agriculture, growing more food and sustainably harvesting what we do have, educating and supporting urban gardeners is crucial to our community. Only five percent of the food we consume daily is grown on the Island. We are vulnerable to any rupture in our food delivery systems. Hauling food here is a cause of greenhouse gasses, not to mention that food coming from far away is almost always picked green, usually sprayed and so is not as tasty. The strains of fruit and veggies grown are not chosen for best taste or nutrition but rather for cosmetic appeal, uniformity and durability in shipping. Lifecycles came out of the Fruit Tree Project, which was one of the first on the continent, and is a model followed in many cities. It was a response to wasted fruit in residential backyards. People can register their fruit trees if they are not using all of their fruit or are unable to harvest it themselves. A group of Lifecycle volunteers come and pick the fruit. The homeowner gets twenty-five percent, the pickers reap twenty-five percent and the remaining fifty percent is distributed to various community kitchens, etc. To register your trees, phone 250-383-5300. Lifecycles is always looking for volunteer pickers and the time commitment is very
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villagevibe
The Diggers team after a garden install. Diggers are a large, loosely knit group of folks interested in urban agriculture projects in the Capital Region. Photo: Lifecycles Project Society
flexible. Some pickers are students that use the fruit to supplement their diet. Lifecycles sells fruit and fruit products as a fundraiser, too. These fruit products use the ‘B’ grade fruit which includes leathers and pastes, juices, canned or dried fruit, and even jams. Lifecycles also provides courses and supports community kitchen projects around preserving and storing both fruit and vegetables. The Sharing Backyards initiative connects homeowners who have a suitable backyard for a food garden but no time or ability to work it with people who want to garden but do not have a suitable back yard. Growing Schools is another branch of the Lifecycle tree. Ten elementary schools each year are chosen to start a food garden. Skilled gardeners are needed as volunteers to go into the schools and help the students. Diggers is an opportunity for people who would like to garden but don’t have a garden. It is a bank of volunteers who work in various community food gardens started around the city. To sign up, email diggers@lifecyclesproject.ca.
October 2013
Many private clients, such as restaurants or municipal governments, hire Lifecycles to create and maintain food gardens for them. Volunteers are welcomed to help with this fundraiser. For more info about all things to do with urban agriculture, check out the urbanagriculturehub.ca . This site is a resource directory, forum and events listing for the urban agriculture scene in Greater Victoria. The newest member of the Lifecycle family is the Welland Legacy Orchard Park by Thetis Lake. This orchard of two hundred and thirty fruit and nut trees— many of them heritage varieties—was donated to the Town of View Royal by its owner. Lifecycles is partnering with local horticultural programs to manage the neglected trees. An irrigation system, tool shed, greenhouse, nursery, and toilets are in the works. To become a member of Lifecycles, donate, volunteer, or connect with this worthwhile organization check out lifecyclesproject.ca or email info@lifecyclesproject.ca.
›› Shonna Bell Trick-or-Treat your way down to the Fernwood Community Centre—1240 Gladstone Avenue—this Halloween. Let’s come together as a community to celebrate All Hallows’ Eve. Bring the whole family. Wear your costumes, spooky or cute; we would love to see them. Our youth leadership group will be selling hot apple cider to keep you warm. There will be a bouncy castle, games, and treats in the Community Centre gym for all to enjoy. There will be will activities for younger children. A bonfire will be burning at Stevenson Park all evening. Take a quick break from collecting loads of candy and hang out with us and your neighbours this Halloween. If you are interested in volunteering for this event please contact Shonna at shonna@fernwoodnrg.ca.
News and views from the heart of Fernwood
george jay:
Busy times at George Jay Elementary George Jay is up and running
›› Kate Wallace My kids are happy to return! It’s great to see other parents, of course, but it’s always the kids I love to hear from. While anxiously waiting to confirm teacher placement my kids were busy catching up with friends they hadn’t seen for eight whole weeks and, boy, do they chatter up a storm! What did you do? Where did you go? Who did you see? How was your birthday? I like your new t-shirt! Cool hairdo! Have you tried out the new playground?
Parents are also asking questions: When will Swim Club start up again? What’s happening for lunch clubs? Did anyone buy the cream for the coffee in the parent room yet? When’s basketball season starting? Isn’t Cross Country running starting soon? The excitement is in the air! I’m also very busy planning PAC events this year. The usual Halloween Dance and Holiday Emporium are coming up this semester. Maybe this year we will do a school play or bring in Story Theatre as before. Unfortunately, our Growing Schools sponsor is unable to help us this year so we are scrambling to find donor(s) for this very important initiative. It combines classroom time and hands-on opportunities for kids
in our veggie garden boxes. Fundraising is the hardest part of the PAC’s job but we keep plugging away at it. We did create a donation request letter for local Fernwood businesses to donate gift certificates which we use to raise funds, donate to guest speakers or entice parental involvement all of which strengthens our school community. So far this initiative is working! Yay Fernwood Businesses! Thanks for helping us out! We hope you, our Fernwood friends, had a great summer and I’ll see you in the ‘hood. (Right) Growing Schools planter boxes at George Jay School. Photo: Mila Czemerys
commons corner:
A rose by any other name... As fall arrives, things are transitioning at Spring Ridge Commons
›› Josh Wagler Harvest is slowly winding down at Spring Ridge Commons. With the cold weather and longer nights approaching, nourishing tea from the Commons will be a welcome delight. Rosehip tea is a powerful source of Vitamin C and is said to contain as much as 50% more than oranges. Although tricky to find, observant harvesters will find the Autumn Olive ripening, which provides a powerful blast of autumn nutrients.
Plant of the Month: Medlar, Mespilus germanica
The medlar (Mespilus germanica) is a small deciduous tree and member of the rose
family. At Spring Ridge it is found on the east side of the Commons, and its unusual fruits look like large, rusty brown rosehips. Rarely eaten in North America, largely due to the fact that they have to be eaten when softened up and nearly rotten, a process known as “bletting”. The window of opportunity is very slim, and they must be eaten immediately, straight off the tree, in late October or November. The other option is to harvest early, stratify in cardboard, and allow them a few weeks to blet in a cool place. The result is a tasty, yet strangely textured treat that makes a delicious jelly, or can be eaten raw, on its own, or on toast like a rich apple butter, just like at Nana’s! “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). Be in nature, join the conversation, enjoy tea, play an instrument, create art, volunteer in the garden, and gather food!
This medlar might not look like it’s related to a rose at first glance but it is actaully a member of the rose family. Photo: Mila Czemerys
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Carole James, MLA VICTORIA–BEACON HILL
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
www.fernwoodnrg.ca
October 2013
villagevibe
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Scene in Fernwood : Plant-a-Fruit-Tree-Day