October 2020
villagevibe News and views from the heart of Fernwood
Craft beer with a local twist Bones Brewing: where craft beer and local art meet in the Fernwood village
›› Holly Grewall
B
ones Brewing, created by Mike Roberts and his team, is the newest craft brewing company in town. So new in fact that their very first beer has just been canned. Mike, who recently returned to Victoria after spending a number of years in Thailand, is eager to bring his craft beer back to this side of the Pacific, and he’s found a unique way to connect his beer with his community using local art from right here in our neighbourhood. Despite being somewhat new to the Victoria brewing scene, Mike has a long history with craft brewing, dating back to his first home brews while attending university in the early ‘90s. A number of years later, Mike found himself living in Thailand, where he opened an ice cream shop. Initially, the shop gave him an opportunity to experiment with brewing on the side, but about six months after opening, his beer had become the most significant portion of the shop’s sales. In response, the ice cream shop was transformed into a craft brewery where Mike was able to create hundreds of different beers by experimenting with new brews nearly every week. This year, as COVID-19 restrictions became more stringent worldwide, the Government of Thailand made some significant moves to stop the spread. These included the temporary closure of bars nationwide as well as a temporary ban on alcohol sales. This made running a beerbased business much more challenging, so Mike and his family made the decision to move back to Victoria in May. However, it wasn’t long before he was back to brewing. After teaming up with a friend here in Victoria, together they founded Bones Brewery and began crafting their first beers. For now, Bones Brewing is contract brewing, or using the spare capacity of
Mike Roberts with a freshly canned Bones IPA which showcases the art of a Fernwood telephone pole in Gower Park. Photo: Aly Sibley
another local brewery, but Mike tells me that they plan to move toward their own brewery and production soon. When first starting the project Mike began designing the labels, but as he re-acquainted himself with the Fernwood neighbourhood, he found new inspiration in his surroundings, specifically the charming telephone pole art scattered throughout the village. Struck by the impermanence of the artwork, Mike saw an excellent opportunity to collaborate with local artists and incorporate part of the Fernwood Village into his product. “The pole art could make great labelling,” Mike told me, “which would also preserve the artwork”. Mike envisioned replicating the artwork from the Fernwood telephone poles on tall
cans of his craft beer. He has connected with three of the artists to learn the history of their work and ensure he has consent to use their artwork in this way. Mike sees unlimited potential for labelling collaboration with local artists, and as they expand in the future, he sees this as an opportunity to share some Fernwood flavour (in more ways than one) with the mainland and beyond. “New businesses should be involved locally,” Mike said as we chatted about his inspiration in this project. In keeping with this mindset, Bones Brewing also intends to contribute some proceeds back into the Fernwood Village to support local initiatives. Bones Brewing has their first three beers in the works right now. The first one to be canned and available to the public will
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Family Dinner open for take out page 3
The Gift of Good Food returns page 4
What’s up in North Park page 6
be their Bones IPA—a West Coast IPA, fruity and light bodied with passionfruit notes. They’re also working on Mosaic IPA, which will be a single hopped IPA using Mosaic hops and Bite Me Sour, a raspberry kettle sour featuring fresh raspberries and lactobacillus to give it a bit of tartness. Mike tells me we can expect to see a craft pilsner or pale ale among his many other creations in the future. The first batch of Bones IPA was canned at the end of September and will soon be available around Victoria. Look for it on tap at the Fernwood Inn, Garrick’s Head Pub, Refuge Tap Room, or for purchase at a number of local liquor stores including Vessel Liquor. Follow Bones Brewing on Instagram @BonesBrews & on Facebook @BonesBrewing.
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editorial:
villagevibe
10 years of community & counting
Published by Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group Editorial Committee
Mila Czemerys Brett Gaylor
Melissa Faye Reid Shonna Bell Founding Editor Lisa Helps Contributors
Holly Grewall Brett Gaylor Melissa Faye Reid Chris Diplock Sarah Murray Kayla Siefried
Shonna Bell Laura Palmer Marc Cittone Lauren Gaultier Laurel Collins Alieda Blanford
Art
Aly Sibley Tyler Cave Axel Chris Diplock Lauren Gaultier Sarah Murray Phil Nick Photography Production Mila Czemerys Contact us
1240 Gladstone Avenue Victoria, BC V8T 1G6 T 250.381.1552 F 250.381.1509 info@fernwoodnrg.ca | villagevibe.ca
›› Shonna Bell Fall is always a reflective time of year for me. I am not sure if it correlates to my birthday or the season itself, which has an introspective feel, but I always find myself thinking of past years at this time. Heading into October, that sense seems to be emerging even more. On October 11th, 2020 I will have been with Fernwood NRG for 10 years! Wow. I wonder what my younger self— working part-time in the childcare centre— would think of the older me as Acting Executive Director. Or myself at three years here writing my first ever successful grants, totaling $5,000 each, blissfully unaware of the size of the drop in the bucket.
My journey to this current role has been eclectic from a Family Resource Program certificate, an almost completed ECE certificate, a Post-Degree Certificate in Volunteer and Non-Profit Management, completion of the Leadership Victoria Program and countless other trainings along the way. I’ve worked in childcare, with seniors, ran Friday night youth drop-ins, started before and after school care, worked in Best Babies, and overall program management. Regardless of your title, in community work, everything is your job. What I love about community-based work is that I often learn the most from community members. I’ll never forget the first cohort of moms in the Family Resource Program who had already been coming for
years. They guided me on how to run a group before I received formal training. In community, it isn’t always about theory. It’s about having the door open—it’s about creating a space and a presence where people know they can come in. The thing that has shaped my practice the most is the relationships I have formed along the way. People who trusted me with their children, their stories, and their needs. It is impossible to capture all of the things that have happened over 10 years in this article. I would need the whole paper. Countless clients, friends, co-workers (some of the best), FernFests, hours, meals, and celebrations. As I spend my time reflecting, there will be no shortage of things to remember.
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;
››
neighbourhood control or
institutions and assets; We are committed to using
self-reliant; 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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›› Brett Gaylor Yolande is the owner of Who Dyd Your Hair (WDYH) Multicultural Hair Salon in Fernwood Square, a RSE Cosmetologist, educator for McBride Research Laboratories, founder of Making History Gala, and proud mother of two young women.
Meet with Les Brown weekly Have a 20 year-old daughter Like mornings and dislike breakfast Why do you choose to live in Fernwood?
our resources prudently and to becoming financially
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Yolande Johnston
Tell us two truths and one lie about yourself:
We are committed to ensuring
ownership of neighbourhood
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feature fernwoodian:
We are committed to governing our organization and serving our
When I first moved here in 2005 from Nova Scotia, I stayed with my brother for two months and moved right into Fernwood. I haven’t left since and it is what my family and I call home. My business is here, schools are close for my girls as they grow, and the vibe is unmatched to anywhere else in the CRD. What has changed in Fernwood since you’ve been here?
Fernwood has blossomed into a gathering place for all walks of life to feel comfortable and embraced. It’s an amazing spot to get
a community and family feel. I remember first moving here and the reaction I would get when I said I lived in Fernwood. There is a glow on people’s faces when I say it now. I always get visitors coming back to the neighbourhood on their own time because they love it around here. What has most surprised you during the pandemic?
That the whole world was on lockdown at the same time at one point. What have you missed most about pre-Covid times?
I miss travelling. I used to teach across the border a lot so converting to virtual and staying in one place has been very interesting for me. What will you miss most in postCovid times?
I would usually have an annual Gala for black entrepreneurs to network on the island, and having to negotiate or narrow down who can come or doing it virtually will be a great challenge going forward, especially with an unprecedented year we have had. The climate has changed for humanity, so this adjustment will need to be taken day by day.
Yolande Johnston in front of her business WDYH Multicultural Hair Salon. Photo: Aly Sibley
What is your hope for Fernwood in 10 years?
Just a little more parking.
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 2020
News and views from the heart of Fernwood
mark your calendar:
Fernwood Family Dinner open for take out ›› Laura Palmer Fernwood NRG and the Fernwood Community Centre have always been well known for our community meals. Whether it be our family dinner, student dinner, or senior’s lunch in the past, we have always had something for everyone. Fernwood Family Dinners are making a (COVID-friendly) comeback! We will be serving our family dinner to-go every Wednesday from 4:45pm to 5:45pm. This is a pre-registered event and we are able to serve the first 80 people who register. We are serving chilled meals that are ready to take home to be heated and served. Each meal will have a vegetarian or meat option. We are unfortunately unable to accommodate any other special or dietary requests. To register, visit fernwoodfamilydinner.eventbrite.ca. If you have any questions, email Sasha at info@fernwoodnrg.ca. Fernwood NRG’s Family Programs team has been hard at work serving our community. Throughout the pandemic, our Family Support Workers have been providing food deliveries, one-on-one out-
Register for our next meal at fernwoodfamilydinner.eventbrite.ca. Graphic: Mila Czemerys
reach sessions, and connections to services for our community. We have been working hard to provide services in a way that is new to everyone on our team. We have successfully provided support to over 100 families in and around the Fernwood neighbourhood. As we move into the fall season, we will be starting to facilitate groups. We will be starting small and slow, by first opening our Best Babies and Mother Goose Programs. Although we will be unable to serve food, we know there are many other benefits to
these programs. We are very excited to see the babies that have grown and continue to foster those social interactions between staff and other families in the community. We have seen the impact that COVID19 has not only on the parent’s that we work with, but also their children. We are thrilled to be making steps towards having more community programs. If you have a baby under the age of one and you are interested in registering for these programs, please contact Laura at 250-216-1938.
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Volunteer opportunity with the Good Food Box ›› Melissa Faye Reid Although the Fernwood Community Centre is still closed the general public, we are running programs and looking for extra volunteer support. If you are looking to give back to the community, read on to see how you can get involved. The Good Food Box is looking for fast-paced individuals who can help transform thousands of pounds of produce into hundreds of Good Food Boxes. Packing starts every Wednesday morning from 9:00am to 11:30am and includes breakfast prepared by our chef Patrick as well as a Good Food Box. To mitigate the risk of COVID-19 we ask that packing volunteers be under the age of 55. As well as packers, the Good Food Box is in need of delivery drivers to deliver 12 to 20 boxes between 12pm and 3:30pm on Wednesday afternoons. There is no age restriction on volunteer drivers, so anyone is welcome to drive if they have a licensed vehicle. As a thank you for driving, we provide a $10 gas card and a free bag of groceries. If you are interested in either position,
www.fernwoodnrg.ca
Volunteer with the Good Food Box—give back to your community. Photo: Tyler Cave
or would like more information, please email melissa@fernwoodnrg.ca. We’d love to have you on our funloving and community-minded team of volunteers.
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mark your calendar:
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Gift of Good Food fundraiser returns
A community for everyone ›› Marc Cittone A healthy and livable community includes people at every stage of life. Victoria’s Village and Corridor Planning helps neighbourhoods grow to include more housing choices, better transportation options, new services and amenities, and
improved public spaces. Earlier this year, we heard about your priorities for the North Park and Fernwood Village areas. The City of Victoria wants you to continue to provide your local knowledge, values, and priorities to guide growth and change to the area. Visit engage.victoria.ca to learn more about how to provide your input.
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A Thingery
Chloe Dufort is a staff member at the Quadra Village Community Centre. They are one of the partner organizations for the Gift of Good Food. Photo: Tyler Cave
›› Melissa Faye Reid The Gift of Good Food, Fernwood NRG’s annual fundraiser, kicks off again this year Monday, November 16th, 2020 until midnight December 31st, 2020. The Gift of Good Food raises funds to support local families in need across the Capital Regional District with fresh produce every two weeks for an entire year. This year, due to the pandemic, we want to make sure that no one falls through the cracks. Anyone in the community that needs support can apply to be a recipient of the Gift of Good Food this year. We will announce an online application when we officially launch the fundraiser on November 16th, 2020. If you know anyone in your life who would directly benefit from receiving a Good Food Box, please share the application once it’s live. The Good Food Box is Fernwood NRG’s food distribution program and supplies fresh bags of produce to Gift of Good Food recipients. The Gift of Good
Food partners with community-based organizations across the Capital Regional District so we can directly support people in need at the neighbourhood level. You can get involved by donating online at thegiftofgoodfood.ca/donate through November 16th to December 31st, 2020. Start a Fundraising Team with friends, family, or co-workers and reach a goal that supports people in your neighbourhood. Register your team online at fernwoodnrg. ca/fundraising-teams-ggf-2020/. Do you own a business and want to choose a local fundraiser to support? Choose The Gift of Good Food as your charity of the month where a portion of your sales will directly support community members to access fresh food for a year. If you would like to get involved, but unsure how, send an email to melissa@fernwoodnrg.ca and we will work together to find a way for you to support. Stay tuned for more info and check out our social media channels for updates.
The Thingery started in Vancouver and wants to make Fernwood the home of a new lending library. Photo courtesy of Chris Diplock
Fernwood’s own
›› Chris Diplock
on where the Thingery should go. It will only take 3 minutes and the submission deadline is October 16th. Take the questionnaire online here:
Since their initial engagement in 2018, The Thingery has continued to work hard to get a Thingery location in Victoria. We’re happy to announce that the Fernwood NRG has endorsed the project and we’re now asking the community to help us shortlist some potential locations for the Thingery in the Fernwood area. Please take a few minutes to fill out this short questionnaire and give us your input
What’s a Thingery? A Thingery is a lending library of things in a modified shipping container. It acts as a micro-lending library for your community. A place where neighbours can donate their excess goods and allow other neighbours to borrow them. Borrow woodworking tools, sports equipment, camping gear, and more from your local Thingery. Visit thethingery.com to learn more.
lending library
thethingery.typeform.com/to/J4NBUacz
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villagevibe
October 2020
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News and views from the heart of Fernwood
community eats:
CoCo’s Provisions
Photo: Lauren Gaultier
An interview with owner Autumn Maxwell
››
Lauren Gaultier
Tell us a bit about the inception of CoCo’s Provisions?
I was obsessed with the original Gene Wilder, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory movie as a kid: floor to ceiling objects of desire, a rolling ladder, and the Candy Man. CoCo is a playful, comforting, ruggedly glamourous, non-gender-specific grandparent-type character, perfumed with citrus woods, tea, and tobacco. They take you under their warm wing, distract you from everyday worries, offer items that meet your basic needs (treasures to soothe and comfort your soul) all sung to you in a show tune style. What made you decide to open a general/variety store?
Spring and summer are ice cream rush hour months, but I had to get more creative with ways to keep Cold Comfort alive throughout the fall and winter. Ever since I first opened the shop in 2013, I have tried to bring in and feature other locally made products, and now that Wellburn’s Market is gone, I want to focus on offering the community that one thing they are willing to leave the house for, plus a little bit more—without having to drive to a big block grocery store. Do you already have local suppliers/ vendors lined up?
Rad Juli Leather Designs, Joni Organic Period Care, Alison Bigg Soaps, Fatso Peanut Butter, and East Van Jams [to name a few]. How big will the space be?
www.fernwoodnrg.ca
It’s still a tiny space with a completely new look and layout—courtesy of the talented folks at Bidgood + Co Intermediate Designer and Strong Construction Group—products will all be behind the counter to minimize contact; we have put some extra thought into designing during COVID times. Only one person per bubble will be allowed in at a time.
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Will this space be open like a traditional store, or can people order online?
It will be a traditional store, but some items will still be available for delivery via our online store at coldcomfort.ca. Since you will be selling cold comfort ice cream, does this mean CoCo’s Provisions hours of operation will be different than Cold Comfort?
As we want to be here for you as your new neighbourhood store, we will be extending our hours, likely to 9am to 9pm, seven days a week—depending on turnout and attendance of course! You note a fall opening—any more details on a speciďŹ c date?
Hoping for end of October, fingers crossed! CoCo’s Provisions will be offering food items like jams, creams, butter, cheese, coffee, eggs, produce, pastries, ice cream, personal hygiene products like soap, fragrances, deodorant, toilet paper, feminine products, toothpaste, and artisan products like handcrafted leather wallets, jewelry, key fobs, fashion, and art. If you have any special requests for items you would love to see offered by CoCo’s Provisions, make sure to reach out to them and let them know on Facebook @coldcomfort or Instagram @cocosprovisions.
October 2020
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What’s up in North Park North Park Neighbourhood Association—edgy to the core
›› Sarah Murray Hi neighbours! Sarah Murray here, the North Park Neighbourhood Association’s (NPNA) Executive Director. The NPNA is grateful for the opportunity to say hello and let you know what’s going on west of Cook Street. Since COVID-19, we’ve been adapting to the needs of the community. Beginning in April, we’ve been running a weekly grocery hamper program that delivers food to households every Thursday. Thank you to the City of Victoria for providing free community access to RAP! The NPNA has been hosting free activities in the park during August and September. We’ve loved seeing this public park being used for picnics, disc golf, live theatre,
One of Theatre SKAM’s Pop-Up performances organized by NPNA at Royal Athletic Park this summer. Photo: Sarah Murray
community meetings, and more. The NPNA has also been pushing the city to adopt a distributed approach to outdoor sheltering, and provide increased support
and coordination to those experiencing homelessness in city parks. Food security and supporting local suppliers is more important than ever. In
September, we started a monthly pop-up farmer’s market in the parking lot at St. John the Divine (1611 Quadra Street). We hope to see you for the next market on Friday, October 16th from 4:30pm to 6:30pm. All of this and more has been made possible by a Canadian Red Cross grant, which has allowed the NPNA to offer community centre style services to North Park. With the Local Area Plan process underway, Eleni Gibson, the NPNA’s Land Use Planning Advisor, has created a survey that we will be sharing broadly in the weeks to come. This survey will help us understand what North Park and neighbouring residents, volunteers, employees, and business owners hope to see in their neighbourhood when it comes to development, accessibility, green space, arts and culture, and more. To learn more about what’s going on in North Park please visit our website npna.ca or find us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @wearenorthpark.
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Let’s build a Universal Child Care Program ›› Laurel Collins As we begin to see businesses re-open and people returning to their workplaces, many parents are forced to make the difficult decision between going to work without reliable, quality childcare or taking care of their kids and passing up much needed work. Federal investment in universal childcare is essential to restarting the economy and it is essential if we value women’s participation in the workforce. Prior to the pandemic, childcare was already the second biggest expense for families after housing and many parents were forced to delay their return to work because they could not find, or afford childcare. Before COVID-19, there were only enough licensed childcare spaces for one in four children under six. This pressure that so many parents experience is the result
MP Laurel Collins and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh sharing their childcare vision at a press conference on the Legislature lawn. Photo courtesy of the office of Laurel Collins.
of inaction by Liberal and Conservative governments. Now, due to COVID-19, women’s
participation in the workforce is the lowest it has been in 30 years. This staggering, unacceptable fact should prompt swift
action. Childcare is essential for restarting our economy, and while the government has put forward an economic recovery plan, the funding that has been allocated to childcare is simply not enough. Businesses, childcare experts, and economists agree that parents cannot go back to work without safe, reliable, and affordable childcare. We need to provide adequate funding and support to the provinces to ensure that everyone has access to childcare. The federal government must step up. We need to invest $2.5 billion dollars if we want to build a universal and affordable childcare program – one that delivers help that families need and gives parents the choice to return to their jobs. Without childcare families will struggle. And, without these workers, businesses will struggle. Any economic recovery must include a robust, universal childcare plan.
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Ph: 250-381-7473
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RISE TO IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH page 6
villagevibe
October 2020
News and views from the heart of Fernwood
garden gleanings:
buzz:
Gratitude for the garden
Land Use News
›› Kayla Seifried
Land Use Committee
On September 22nd, Equinox arrived; the time when balance returns, equal light and equal dark accompanied by the time of fall harvest. Plants in the garden begin to change colour and leaves begin to fall— it’s the time we offer gratitude for all the garden has provided in the past bountiful summer, and begin to prepare our yards, gardens, homes, and hearts for the shorter, darker times that are to come. For many people in Fernwood, 2020 was their first year gardening; their first experience sowing a bean seed, covering soil in mulch, or watching a tomato seedling grow. Take stock and appreciate what worked and what didn’t, and take a moment to ponder all the seen and unseen creatures that played a role in your gardens successes and failures! They all have some role in the intricate web of this life we are living. I’m personally grateful for how being outside with the soil and plants helped me navigate the spring and summer pandemic times in a way that supported my mental health. How did your garden nourish you?
In the season of thanksgiving pausing to reflect on the gifts of the garden supports my inspiration and ambition to keep my living soil healthy and prepare it for winter. Here are a few things that I will be focusing on in October: trimming down dead plants, leaving roots of plants in the soil to decompose; covering the soil with a generous amount of leaves to protect, nourish, and insulate soil; collecting the last harvests (even green tomatoes may ripen indoors after they have been picked, and if not, they make a fine green tomato chow!); saving seeds to sow again next year (bean and pea seeds are an easy place to start); and planting my garlic around thanksgiving weekend. As your autumnal reflection process continues, perhaps you’ll make a list of what knowledge and skills you’d like to build upon this winter. Check out the Compost Education Centre’s in-person and online adult and child/youth offerings as well as our online factsheets to see what is possible. Visit us in person at 1216 North Park Street or online at compost.bc.ca.
From the Fernwood Community Association
›› Alieda Blandford Get involved! There is a public meeting on Thursday, October 8th, 2020 at 7:00pm, via Zoom. The Fernwood Community Association Land Use Committee (CALUC) is the bridge between new development proposals, the City, and our neighbours—we are always looking for new members. It’s a great
way to get involved in your community, learn about the planning process, and meet fellow neighbours who care. Join us on October 8th to talk about local land use proposals, and have your say about the future of our neighbourhood! This month’s meeting will focus on: • Land Use 101, an introduction for new members • The new development process during the COVID-19 pandemic • Fernwood Land Use fundamentals: principles & priorities for the future Questions? Interested in a Zoom meeting invite? Contact landuse@thefca.ca.
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All Ages and Abilities Cycling Network survey The City is seeking your input on planned road safety investments on the Fernwood Connector corridor as part of the City’s All Ages and Abilities cycling network. The purpose of this survey is to collect
preliminary input and insights that will inform full-length corridor designs that will be shared with the public later this fall. Take the survey here: engage.victoria. ca/aaa-cycling-network.
THE LOCAL GENERAL STORE An old-world 21st century general store carrying unique local artisan foods and organic produce, sustainably-sourced household goods and gifts.
1440 Haultain Street, Corner of Belmont and Haultain (778) 265-6225 Hours: Mon-Fri 9:30am-6pm, Sat 9:30am-5:30pm www.thelocalgeneralstore.ca
www.fernwoodnrg.ca
October 2020
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Scene in Fernwood : Pop-up FernFest
Photos: Phil Nick Photography