April 2009 Village Vibe

villagevibe April 2009 : News and views from the heart of Fernwood

Shelbourne

Haultain

Cook

Bay

Pembroke

Fernwood

Gladstone

Beg

bie

Pandora

Johnson

Village Vibe Box Locations Fernwood Community Centre–1240 Gladstone Cornerstone Cafe–1301 Gladstone Mom’s Market–1358 Gladstone Chez Beau Soleil–1317 Camosun Fernwood Square–1284 Gladstone Fireside Video–1508 Haultain Photos: Steve Carey

Koffi–1441 Haultain Bicycleitis–1623 Bay The Parsonage Cafe–1115 North Park 2232 Belmont Arriba Coffeehouse–1610 Cook Larsen Music School–1808 Cook

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Vibe Box Paint In

O

n the afternoon of March 21st Fernwoodians gathered in the square to paint Village Vibe boxes as part of the Vibe team’s ongoing local distribution strategy.

The event got underway at 1:00 p.m. and by 2:30 p.m. there were about 20 people in attendance – children, families, teens, and adults – and all the boxes were accounted for. Emily Grav of The Paint Box located in Fernwood Square instructed and directed anyone who had questions about painting techniques, colour choice, etc. Some boxes were collaborations (one person drew the outline, then left, the next person that came by painted the

background, then left, someone came and finished the foreground).

There were lots of people coming and going and asking questions about the boxes and the Village Vibe more generally. It was a great opportunity to let people know about the Village Vibe and about where they could pick up the Vibe hot off the press.

(See map above.)

Thanks to Emily Grav of The Paint Box for the use of her brushes and tools and her expertise, to Johanna Henderson of Fernwood NRG for coordinating the event and to all of those who spent a sunny day painting with your neighbours in Fernwood Village Square.

in this issue Blue Eggs for Peace Page 2 Feature: Jim Diers Visits Victoria Page 4 Greater Victoria Citizens’ Trust Page 7

Last Saturday night at 8:30pm – like millions of people around the world in their respective time zones – I turned out the lights. I shut down the computer, turned off the telephone, lit candles, and sat quietly.

Started by the World Wildlife Federation in Sydney Australia in 2007, Earth Hour went global last year. This year – as the Globe and Mail reports – more than 4000 cities in 88 countries participated compared to only 400 in 2008. The Globe credits this increased participation as part of a push by environmentalists to raise awareness about the new agreement to be reached in Denmark this December to replace to Kyoto Protocol.

Perhaps.

But maybe there is something more going on.

Something more than concern about a (unenforceable) protocol, which world leaders will come together – flying

Like the work of Fernwood NRG? Go to CanadaHelps.org and donate to Fernwood NRG.

on carbon emissions from their respective corners of the planet – to design.

Over the past two years, the global warming crisis rose as the hottest item in mainstream media. Then the economy crashed. And since then, the economic crisis has out-performed the crisis in global warming in media air time.

Maybe people are simply tired of so-called crisis.

Maybe people need darkness. And quiet. Maybe people need – even if only for one hour on one night – not to receive emails or phone calls but to connect with each other and with themselves in different ways. Maybe that is why so many people turned out their lights. There was something really good about just sitting quietly with candles. Something so good that I didn’t turn the lights back on at 9:30pm, but rather crawled quietly into bed thanking the universe for darkness. And for light.

We are committed to creating a socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable neighbourhood; We are committed to ensuring neighbourhood control or ownership of neighbourhood institutions and assets;

We are committed to the creation and support of neighbourhood employment; We are committed to engaging the dreams, resources, and talents of our neighbours and to fostering new links between them; We are committed to taking action in response to neighbourhood issues, ideas, and initiatives; We are committed to governing our organization and serving our neighbourhood democratically with a maximum of openness, inclusivity and kindness; We are committed to developing the skills, capacity, self-worth, and excellence of our neighbours and ourselves; We are committed to focusing on the future while preserving our neighbourhood’s heritage and diversity; We are committed to creating neighbourhood places that are vibrant, beautiful, healthy, and alive; and, most of all, We are committed to having fun!

Blockbuster features Bubble Man

Blue Eggs for Peace

declaration of principles and values

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

the Fernwood buzz

Illustration by Nic Vandergugten

editorial : Earth Hour

>> by Deryk Houston As an artist I have always been interested in what is going on in the larger world. The subject of war has always caught my attention because many of us can see very clearly that it causes more harm than good – the collateral damage, the innocent deaths, millions of refugees, financial ruin, etc.

I have to admit that attempting to create artwork or even write about peace is a difficult task. Part of the problem is that peace doesn’t come easily, one has to work at it all the time. For example, if someone slaps me in the face, my first reaction is that I want to slap them back. History teaches us that I am not that much different from most people. However, in my heart I know that slapping back is the wrong approach to finding a solution. Creating art helps set me on the right path to find a better way to express my feelings, my worries, and dreams.

But it isn’t easy, and every day I struggle against my natural instincts, even when I know better. It is easy to get embroiled in a heated discussion about the world when someone points out that this or that country used disproportionate force or talks about how one country should or should not be allowed to develop nuclear power for peaceful purposes.

I have to work at it to avoid focusing on that destructive energy, and my art helps me do that. I’ve found that it is more productive to talk about how fragile life is rather than talk about how futile war is.

And so with that in mind, I displayed three large, six foot by ten foot blue eggs at Beacon Hill Park with the help of my friends from Collective Works Gallery here

Page 2 | News and views from the heart of Fernwood | April 2009

On Monday, March 16 Fernwood Placemakers were treated to the world premier of Bubble Man. The creative endeavor of Fernwoodian Chantell Mussell, the four minute docudrama stars – you guessed it – Fernwood’s own Terry Wilson and celebrates Terry’s place as the ‘bubble man’ of Fernwood and Gladstone. This delightful and fitting tribute to a special Fernwoodian was greeted with thunderous applause. The star himself was in attendance and met his adoring fans with his usual quiet appreciation.

In response to audience demand, Bubble Man will be screened again at the April 20 Place Making meeting. Both the star and filmmaker will be in attendance. You don’t want to miss this one!

in Fernwood. The art project was a celebration of life and peace. There were paintings specially created by children from Lochside School in Victoria, and these were enclosed inside the eggs. Some of the artwork came from children in Africa. The idea was my way of injecting a bit of beauty into the world through art.

The eggs were set out in contrast against the wind shaped bushes of Beacon Hill Park. They were moved around to different locations, laid on the grassy slopes and among the trees and the natural beauty of the park.

I chose this time of year because I liked the contrast of the bare trees and the winter light. I also didn’t want to disturb any natural flowers that burst out over the area in a few weeks. The City of Victoria gratefully issued a permit to me for the one day, and it was fun to see people’s faces light up with big grins full of curiosity and joy.

The eggs were constructed out of very light plastic panels covered in chicken wire and then thin fabric painted in a nice robin’s egg blue colour and then tied with rope to secure everything. I decided to make the rope a feature rather than struggle to hide it.

‘If you would like to see more photos from the day, please take a look at my website at http://coastnet.com/ dhouston/

VillageVibe

Victoria Community Health Co-operative Community Wellness Clinics >> by James Christian Clinic Philosophy The Community Wellness Clinic offers Co-op memberparticipants complementary treatments from various co-op natural health practitioner members at a pay-whatyou-can rate. The clinics are held the third Sunday of every month; the aim is to increase access to integrated multidisciplinary health care in an affordable and inclusive way. From doctors to integrated energy workers, from physiotherapists to hypnotherapists, from massage therapists to homeopathic doctors all practitioners are dedicated to working together to improve your health and wellness. The donation money goes into the Coop Health Access Fund which is designed to support member participants access to complementary health care modalities. The practitioners are offering their services gratis to the community.

Here’s how it works: 1) Become a Member of the Victoria Community Health Co-operative The Wellness Clinic is open to member-participants of the co-operative. You can either join the co-operative before the clinic starts or you can join the co-operative at the clinic itself. You can join the Co-op by visiting our website at www.victoriahealthcooperative.ca 2) Choose Your Practitioner Have a look at the biographies of the practitioners and what health benefits their modalities have to offer you.

Decide what type of treatment you would like to try based on your current health concerns.

3) Set Up Your Appointment Once you have decided on your practitioner call the VCHC telephone number (250-483-5503) to book an appointment. If you have any questions about what is right for you, you can talk to Nicole who is our volunteer health navigator or you can email or call the practitioner directly.

Their contact information is included in their description.

Going to the Wellness Clinic On the Sunday of your appointment come to the Community Wellness Clinic being held at Alembic Healing Arts Centre in Market Square, Suite #235, 560 Johnson Street at Store Street. The clinic is on the second floor and can be accessed from the Pandora Street entrance, as well. Please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment to fill in a medical history and sign a consent form. After your session, pay what you can, knowing that your donation goes towards helping to create a healthier community.

Continuing to Improve Your Wellness Member participants are free to continue to work with the practitioners outside of the clinic. Arrangements can be made directly with the practitioner.

The Community Wellness Clinic seeks to establish relationships between member participants, strengthen the community of the VCHC and improve individual and the overall health of member/participants.

To find out more about the Victoria Community Health Co-operative check out http://victoriahealthcooperative.ca or see the Village Vibe Calendar for monthly Community Wellness Clinic information.

Single Transferable Vote >> by Anke van Leeuwen As you may know, we go to the polls here in British Columbia to elect a new provincial government on May 12.

This time we again have an opportunity to change the system by which we have traditionally elected our MLAs. The referendum will ask: “Which electoral system should British Columbia use to elect members to the provincial Legislative Assembly?” If you want change, check the box beside the choice for the “Single Transferable Vote Electoral System.” In the 2005 election nearly 58% of British Columbians voted YES, just short of the 60% requirement that the Campbell government imposed for the referendum to pass.

Unfortunately, many people are choosing not to exercise their right to vote because they feel their vote doesn’t count. And that’s understandable, because under the current First- Past-the-Post (FPP) system the composition of the government really doesn’t reflect what the voters asked for. Look at these figures: - In 1996, the party that formed government received less votes than the opposition.

- In 2001, the result was so lopsided that although the opposition received 43% of the votes, only two NDP MLAs were elected and BC ended up without an official opposition for the next four years.

- In 2005, over 13% of voters voted for smaller parties that received no seats, and half of British Columbians are represented by an MLA for whom they did not vote.

The proposed new electoral system, known as Single Transferable Vote or STV, is a modern system designed to ensure that voters have effective voices in government.

It has been used successfully for decades in many countries such as Ireland and Australia. Most democracies in the world are now using some form of proportional representation system in which voters are free to support the candidate or party that best reflects their values. Only Britain, the United States, Canada, and a few other exBritish colonies are still using FPP. To find out more about BC-STV, go to www.stv.ca And whatever you do on May 12, be sure to get out and vote!

Growing Terrific Tomatoes >> by Amy Crook Time stops in my busy world when I bite into a homegrown, sun warmed, perfectly ripe tomato.

It is one of my joys and triumphs, and a highlight of summer. There are many techniques and tips to growing great tomatoes. Join us for a workshop to share knowledge and increase your success. We’ll cover lots of

information, provide reference material, and plant many varieties of tomatoes and peppers for you to take home and grow.

The workshop will cover: > Seeding, growing, and harvesting tips to help your plants thrive > Soil-building and location as keys to success > Suitable seeds for our local area > How to successfully save seeds When: Saturday, April 4 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Where: Fernwood Community Center, 1240 Gladstone Ave. Cost: $20 Presented by: Amy Crook certified Master Gardener in conjunction with LifeCycles Fruit Tree project This workshop helps support LifeCycles Fruit Tree Project.

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED as space is limited.

Please contact fruittree@lifecyclesproject.ca or 250-479-5475 for more information and/or to register for workshops.

VillageVibe

April 2009 | www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca | Page 3

feature :

Resident Powered Neighbourhood Evolution:

Have fun.

>> by Steve Carey

So, said Diers, start where people are, and speak the language they do. Participate in causes other than your own. Ask people what they care about, and help them achieve it. Look at the halffull glass, instead of the half-empty glass. Recognize what you’ve got as a community, and don’t sit on your assets.

“Every person has gifts to give. Gifts of the head, knowledge. Gifts of the heart, compassion.

Gifts of the hand, unique skills. But the problem in our society is labels. Labels that say they have no gifts.” Labels like ‘homeless,’ or smearing ‘youth’ with ‘at-risk.’ “Labelling people ‘disabled’ — that drives me nuts. Defining people as ‘clients’ rather than ‘citizens,’” said Diers. “We need to take those labels off and recognize everyone has gifts.” But how do we do that? How do we make real life more interesting than TV? How can we compete against wardrobe malfunctions and the season finale of Lost?

Build a BMX park under a bridge. Start a café.

Paint a mural. Set up a Drug Free Zone with citizen

patrols. Start an art crawl or a music festival or a community garden. Get things done on a local level with resident power!

The city of Fremont in Seattle put sculptures in the streets, painted murals in city squares, constructed a giant rocket, and then sent the word out that it was aimed at City Hall if they wouldn’t shape up.

In San Francisco, residents who wanted parks created them. They put money in a parking meter, uppercased the PARK on the sign, rolled down grass over the pavement, then sunbathed and played croquet. They fed a meter and sent a message.

In the community of Ballard, California, residents planted trees along their boulevards, then bought abandoned lots and turned them into parks and gardens.

In Diers’ own Seattle neighbourhood, one block in the business district had been empty for years.

They revitalized it with murals of shops. It started with one storefront, then a bookstore, a dance

Photos: Steve Carey

That’s the number one requirement for community involvement, according to Jim Diers, a veteran community organizer and a member of the Urban Policy Committee for Barack Obama’s Presidential campaign.

Diers spoke to a standing-room only audience March 2 at Victoria’s City Hall. His message: reconnect with your neighbours and you’ll discover the skills and resources available to make your community a better place. Together, people can achieve things which would be impossible alone.

“I’ve got a friend from Calgary. He says, ‘Jim, you know the problem with getting people involved in community? It’s those G.D. activists.’ I say, what do you mean? He says ‘Grim and Determined,’” said Diers.

“It cracks me up. I know so many people like that. The people who feel that civic life is their cross to bear. The people who love to be sour all the time, to always think the worst of everything, to always be pessimistic and love to complain. They’re often the leaders of our community organizations, almost self-appointed, because they drive everyone away.”

Page 4 | News and views from the heart of Fernwood | April 2009

VillageVibe

Jim Diers Visits Victoria studio and a toy store mural. People got excited.

“People wanted to stop and shop! Eventually people wanted to get in on the action,” said Diers.

One by one, the painted stores were replaced with real businesses and real patrons.

“The way to fix the neighbourhood isn’t to drive people out but to put legitimate businesses in,” said Diers. “The best way to deal with crime is to bring in legitimate activity, to create a vibrant space.”

The first director of Seattle’s Department of Neighbourhoods, Diers served in the position for 14 years. He is currently the director of the University of Washington’s Seattle Community Partnerships Program and teaches courses in community development.

Diers is the instigator of “the Seattle Way,” initiating community involvement from the bottom up. His book, Neighbor Power: Building Community the Seattle Way, was released in January 2005. Cities such as Melbourne, Beijing, and Austin have adopted its bottom-up style of involvement and development.

Following Diers’ Victoria appearance, three small group discussions were held on community success stories. The Fernwood NRG presented on the Cornerstone Building and neighbourhood involvement, Victoria West presented on The Victoria West Visions Project, and the Fairfield Gonzales Community Association presented on their funds matching program.

All are grassroots initiatives that use the power of people to their advantage.

“We need to start thinking about how we get satisfaction and meaning out of our lives by connecting with and supporting each other, by caring for the place we share rather than how we get ahead by accumulating more,” said Diers.

“When we lose everything else it’s community we have to fall back on.”

Cornerstone: the story >> by Trish Richards In a breakout session following Diers presentation, I shared the Cornerstone story with some 30 interested folk.

I told them how the inspiration for the Cornerstone purchase began with notes scrawled across paper banners by neighbours attending our Visioning Forum in the spring of 2004.

When asked: “What can we do to reclaim our neighbourhood?” Fernwoodians answered: “Do something about the boarded up building at Fernwood and Gladstone!” So after some months of creative negotiation and much nail-biting suspense, on August 2, 2005, Fernwood NRG bought the building, festooned it with Fernwood flags and renamed it the Cornerstone. And the amazing transformation began!

I talked about how ‘Demolition Saturdays’ became a Fernwood tradition and how neighbours turned out in droves to put 10,000 plus hours into restoring the Cornerstone. I told them that, as a result, the centre of our neighbourhood is now graced by a beautifully reclaimed, geothermally heated heritage building that has become a leverage point for the ongoing invigoration of Fernwood village. I acknowledged how proud Fernwood NRG is of housing four families in its upstairs suites and of Stage Restaurant, Collective Works Gallery and of course the Cornerstone Café, Fernwood’s living room.

I characterized the Cornerstone as the bricks and mortar of an amazing neighbourhood revitalization. Just as important as the building itself was the process that brought people together and continues to inspire ongoing initiatives like our award-winning Food Security Group, our Place Making Group, the Fernwood Artists’ Collective, the Cornerstone Record Collective, Park Place and, yes, the collective voice of our neighbourhood, the Village Vibe.

Concerned about my tendency to longwinded ramblings, I stopped there and shared with them the Cornerstone Power Point, a photo montage that takes viewers on the Cornerstone transformation journey in a way no words of mine could ever do.

(If you haven’t seen it yet and want to, let the Village Vibe know and we’ll hold a screening! Email villagevibe@fernwoodneighbourhood.ca.)

It is a story that many of you have heard and many of you have played a part in. But telling it to folks who are not familiar with it takes on a whole different feel. People in the audience spoke to me later of being moved and inspired by the Cornerstone story and of wanting to talk further about how they could walk the Fernwood walk in their own communities!

And I am moved and inspired all over again each time I tell the tale. We – and I mean you and I together – have achieved something amazing in the Cornerstone and as we continue to meet and talk, work and play and dance under the stars at Fern Fest, together we can only achieve more.

Resources For a video of Jim Diers’ presentation, visit www.jimdiers.blip.tv For more information on Diers and his book, visit www.neighborpower.org For more information on upcoming City of Victoria events, visit www.Victoria.ca, or as always, the Fernwood NRG’s website, www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca Diers recently published a paper titled From the Ground Up: Community’s Role in Addressing Street Level Issues.

Read it at the Canada West Foundation’s website, www.cwf.ca

Denise Savoie Member of Parliament for Victoria

constituency office: 970 Blanshard Street Victoria, BC V8W 2H3 telephone: 363-3600 e-mail: Savoie.d@parl.gc.ca on the web: www.denisesavoie.ca

Your voice in Ottawa VillageVibe

Spring Cleaning? De-Cluttering?

Fernwood NRG’s Infant and Toddler Daycare is looking for the following: •

Paint for interior and exterior of building

Wood to build a deck • A tree for shade in the summer • Walkie talkies • Video monitors • New exterior light •

Storage shelving • Storage cupboards • Food processor • Digital camera • Emergency supplies • Large bulletin board •

Kitchen & food toys • Large foam blocks • Outside play house • Wooden kitchen set • Mini sofa and chairs • Trains •

If you can help us out, email info@fernwoodnrg.ca or call 250.381.1552, ext. 22

April 2009 | www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca | Page 5

gleanings : Getting Ready to Spring Into Action

>> by Margaret Hantiuk By what I see in my own yard I think the growing season is about two weeks late this year. We need to be patient and spend this time planning, getting ready, and purchasing supplies. We can do some cleanup, though, pruning dead or damaged branches from trees and shrubs that may have suffered winter injury.

It is wise to wait for new growth to see what is really dead. Some tender shrubs may have ‘die-back’ on branches even as far down as the basal (ground) area. When you are sure (areas of no growth when everything else is well into leaf ) prune back to ‘green wood’ or to just above new growth, always neatly and at an angle.

On a shrub, cut above an outward-facing leaf sprout, so the shrub grows outwards, increasing air circulation and sun access. Tree branches should be cut close but not into the ‘collar’ (the swelling where the branch joins the larger stock) so that this collar may grow over and eventually

cover the open cut. This can be rejuvenating for many shrubs so don’t rip out a shrub you think is dead in early spring.

With a cold spring, it may not be worth planting your veggies too early (unless you have a green house, cold frame or cloche covers). They will grow slowly if at all, and you may lose them to rot and insect infestation. Seedlings are best put out when smaller, as they are less vulnerable to ‘vernalization’, the stress response to cold temperatures where seedlings flower prematurely and then do not mature properly.

If your yard has low areas or heavy soil that stays soggy late in spring, delay working in these areas, as it is damaging to soil structure to stand on heavy, wet soils.

This is the advantage of raised beds: they drain well and warm up early. They should be built small enough to be reached from all sides; without standing in them the soil isn’t compacted and requires less cultivation. Because there is less wasted space, added soil amendments go further and are easier to apply. Watering and weeding are easier too.

Soil amendments that should be added annually to build up your soil are compost and, in our region, an annual dressing of agricultural (dolomite) lime, as our winter rains tend to leach this out of our naturally more acidic soils. While there are some acidic loving plants that shouldn’t be limed (blueberries, rhodos, azaleas for example) garden veggies, lawns and most flowering plants and shrubs do benefit. Bone meal contains a small amount of it.

As lime leaches slowly down into the soil, the annual dressing maintains the Ph balance that most garden plants thrive in. A 500g yoghurt container should cover about two square meters; apply before rain or prior to cultivating.

If you don’t have enough compost, there are some excellent amendments that can be purchased at a good garden center. The first is Seasoil, a composted mix of wood and fish wastes that can be bought bagged or in bulk. It is expensive, but it’s rich and should be spread just an inch thick.

There are also organic fertilizers (Gaia Green AllPurpose for example) that are not chemical based, but rather natural materials such as ground rock (greensand, gypsum, glacial rock dust) plant materials (alfalfa, kelp, seaweed) and also bone and blood meal. Some of these materials represent diverted waste.

Organic fertilizers contain trace minerals that chemical fertilizers do not, and being slow release don’t ‘burn’ plants or create imbalanced growth. Integrity Sales, up on the Saanich peninsula at Keating Cross Rd, mixes its own organic fertilizers at reasonable prices.

Wood ashes may also be spread over your beds. Alaska or Pacific fish fertilizers are liquid mixes that may be diluted and then applied to containers or heavy feeders (roses, tomatoes, etc.) Compost tea is easily steeped in large pails of warm water for a week or so, then applied diluted to plants as they grow. Plants love this organic stuff, and so does the soil and microorganisms: it’s a total diet that lasts a long time.

Ready? Let’s grow!

North Park News >> by Alex Kerr, Chair North Park Neighbourhood Association We have had a busy few months in North Park, as several projects came together.

First, we had a planting bee at the Native Plant Garden on the corner of Pembroke and Vancouver where we planted more than 100 shrubs. We finished it on the Saturday, and it snowed on the Sunday. But they all seem to be doing just fine.

We then had a work party at the corner of Cook and North Park to start work on the rest area. We poured the cement for the two benches and a bulletin board. As well, we put down some gravel on the path across this area. The

bulletin board and benches have now been installed. The Do It Centre has also installed a new sign to reflect their name change to Castle Building Centre.

We wish to thank Do It Centre for all their help on the busy Saturday of work. There will be ongoing changes to this area with a perennial garden and new walkway. Drop by, relax and read the news.

We then had another planting bee at the Pembroke and Vancouver corner where neighbours planted another 350 perennials. This Native Plant Garden will also have signage to identify the plants etc. We are also developing a website to answer your questions about plants. Thanks to Todd Doherty for all his work and planning on this project.

North Park’s Neighbourhood festival this year will be on September 12. There will be more to follow in later issues of the Village Vibe.

Make sure to go to our website at www.npna.ca for the latest news. Take care and enjoy life.

– continued on page 7

what is usual size?

Page 6 | News and views from the heart of Fernwood | April 2009

VillageVibe

Greater Victoria Citizens’ Trust

>> by Lisa Helps In the early 1930s, 25% of Victorians were unemployed. There was a severe housing crisis. The cost of living was skyrocketing. And small local businesses were being forced to close their doors. In the summer of 1931 a group of citizens, recognizing the needs of their neighbours, came together to form the Citizens’ Emergency Relief Fund. These people realized that taking action was a more powerful response than waiting for the government’s stimulus package to trickle down.

In July 1931 alone the Citizens’ Emergency Relief Fund raised more than $50,000. A July 29, 1931 Victoria Daily Times headline proclaims, “Relief Fund Passes $50,000,” and the article notes the recent contributions of citizens. R.P. Butchart had donated $5,000 that week. G. Bornsfelt had contributed $5.00. And every contribution mattered. By the time the Relief Fund had disbursed its last dollar in the summer of 1934, the Fund had aided over 5,000 Victorians in need.

The Greater Victoria Citizens’ Trust – created in part by a number of Fernwoodians – is a 21st century response

to a similar economic crisis. The Greater Victoria Citizens’ Trust will provide loans to small local businesses, social enterprises, and citizens hit hard by the current economic crisis.

The Trust will be structured as a micro-credit finance fund. This does not mean that the Trust will expect payment in cash back from everyone it loans money to (though in most cases it would). For example, the executors of the Trust may decide to fund an impoverished citizen’s necessary dental surgery, or pay the damage deposit so that someone can rent an apartment. The recipient may not be able to pay the Trust back in cash – perhaps, for example, he or she is also a musician and could play at a fundraising event, or is an artist and could produce goods for sale by the social enterprise arm of the Citizens’ Trust.

The Trust is premised on the fact that there are lots of ways to contribute to the community, to give back what is taken, and that everyone has something to offer that is worth something if we look with a broader lens at what “worth” is.

The Trust is founded on the principle that small, local, socially-conscious and community-engaging businesses are integral to the local economy and to the fabric of the community more generally. Businesses – often hived off as a separate “corporate” sector – are run by citizens who are making critical and visionary investments in the city’s present and future. They should be invested in, supported, sustained, and asked to contribute to the community in return.

The Citizens’ Trust will raise money through community engagements efforts. The first public event was a singalong in Bastion Square on a freezing cold day in early March where citizens came out and withstood the

cold to raise a few dollars for their fellow neighbours.

Like the singalong, other fundraising events will be community building efforts. Part of this is encouraging and assisting so-called “average citizens” to realize that they can make a difference in their communities in big and small ways and supporting them to do so.

Part of the very fundraising strategy, then, is about community engagement and empowerment. In other words, both the input and the output are about community engagement.

The Trust is flexible and as such will help create new opportunities for imagining and enacting visions for Victoria. For example, the Trust could create something like an Urban Sustainability Fellowship through which folks from across the country might apply to come to Victoria and share and teach and learn what they know about urban sustainability. The Trust might cover living expenses, rent, and an honorarium, etc., in exchange for a year of engagement in and dedication to contributing to Victoria’s sustainability. Or the Trust might fund a Leadership Mentorship (maybe in conjunction with Leadership Victoria), which might enable an amazing leader from somewhere in the country/world to come, fully funded, to Victoria for a year to mentor local leaders.

Or perhaps – even better – we likely have urban sustainability and leadership mentors right here in the city.

The Fellowships/Mentorships could support those people for a year to focus all of their efforts in those areas.

To find out more or to donate to the Greater Victoria Citizens’ Trust head to www.victoriacitizenstrust.ca

What in the world are

Christian Science Reading Rooms?

Come to our Open House and find out!

April 16-19, 2009 1205 Pandora Ave at Chambers St Thurs: 12 noon - 7pm Fri, Sat, Sun: 12 noon - 5pm www.victoriachurch.ca 250-383-0216

VillageVibe

local poets

Hootenany

by lisa helps

it is the scale

a pack of the harshest brand

a home gathered in front

of this city that makes things

and yet they sing in almost perfect harmony

of the Sunday pub

workable not elsewhere

as the Hootenany host

where generous regulars

like the singer in black

pushes her tongue

high on something like music

tight velour striped pants

into another woman’s mouth

easily spare a smoke or a toke

bound up to the neck

in the perfect spot

while inside someone pulls down the blind

in black leather studded somethings

the two of them

and as the ambulance pulse fades

you know the kind I mean that match

to block the flashing lights

we turn our attention again

belts with two lines of silver holes

of the ambulance

to the perfect punk and cowboy

leather boots stomping

pulled up in front likely

to this city

beside him at the microphone cowboy

to pull a recent patron

where scale grace and good will

in too tight jeans

from the pavement

dictate that dissonance

and flannel shirt pocket

or maybe to collect

might be something like

ripped from one too many

again a person without

almost harmony

April 2009 | www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca | Page 7

what’s on in Fernwood Arts, Theatre and Entertainment Belfry Theatre presents: THE ENDS OF THE EARTH. An award-winning comedy by Morris Panych. Directed by Amiel Gladstone, and starring Paul Fauteux, Vanessa Holmes, James Long, Lucas Myers and Camille Stubel. Apr 4 to May 17. See website or call for showtimes or additional info. 1291 Gladstone Ave. Info: 250.385.6815 or www. belfry.bc.ca Bluegrass Wednesdays.

Fernwood NRG and the Fernwood Bluegrass Association present Wednesday night bluegrass jams at the Cornerstone Café. 7:3010pm. FREE! Collective Works Gallery. icon. Works by Lia Crossley. Show runs Mar 27 to Apr 9. TELLINGS STORIES. Works by Jenny Waelti-Walters, painter-printmaker and Jan Johnson, sculptor. Opening Apr 10, 7-9pm. Show runs Apr 10 to 23. Gallery hours>11am-6pm Tues to Thurs; 11am8pm Fri+Sat; 11am-6pm Sun; closed Mon. 1311 Gladstone Ave. 250.590.1345. www. collectiveworks.ca Live at the Cornerstone – 1301 Gladstone (at Fernwood Ave.) Tues, Apr 14. 8pm>Music – an intimate evening with REVIVAL DEAR, on the road for their cross-Canada He Said/She Said tour. By donation.

Mon, Apr 20. 7pm> Victoria Magazine Cabaret. Everyone welcome.

Thurs, Apr 23. 7pm> Book night with selected local authors from Touchwood Editions.

Ongoing Friday events at the Cornerstone, Fernwood’s living room: > First and third Fridays (Apr 3 and 17).

“Sound Spa.” Down tempo and dub reggae with local and guest djs. >Second and fourth Fridays (Apr 10 and 24).

“Shot in the Dark” open mic night with hosts the Bumbling Sisters. Bring your poetry, music, jokes, stories, etc.

Thank you for supporting independent touring and local musicians and your neighbourhood!

Live Music at Fernwood Inn. Open Mic Thursdays. 8:30-11:30pm. 1302 Gladstone Ave. FREE! Live Music at Logan’s Pub. 1821 Cook St. www.loganspub.com Ministry of Casual Living.

1442 Haultain St. Info: www. ministryofcasualliving.ca Victoria Bluegrass Association Jam. Tuesdays 7:30-10pm. Orange Hall.

1620 Fernwood Rd. $2 to play ($3/nonmembers). Listen by donation. Info: www. victoriabluegrass.ca Victoria Folk Music Society.

Sundays. 7:30pm Open Stage. 9pm Feature Performer. (Apr 5>JOHN WORT HANNAM. Apr 12>JIM PAGE. Apr 19>HEADWATER. Apr 26>CLOVER POINT DRIFTERS.) Norway House. 1110 Hillside Ave. $5 feature performer nights/$3 all open stage night. www. victoriafolkmusic.ca

Kids and Families at the Fernwood Community Centre Family Community Day. Family fun directed and facilitated by the participants. Snacks, crafts, play equipment and varied themes. Mondays 9:30-11:30am.

Fernwood Community Centre Gym. FREE! Food Skills for Families Workshop.

Workshop provides participants with the tools and inspiration to create nutritious, interesting and delicious meals while having fun in a social setting.

Six-week session started Mar 28. Saturdays, 3-6pm. Fernwood Community Centre. For info contact allison@fernwoodnrg.ca or 250-3811552 ex.122. FREE! Parent and Tot Playgroup.

Snacks/Crafts/Circle Time. Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30-11:30am. Fernwood Community Centre Gym. $1 per family.

Youth, Adults and Seniors Fairuza Fridays.

Drop-in Co-ed. Ages 10-14. Nintendo Wii, big screen movies, basketball, floor hockey, roller skating, music. Fridays, 7-9:30pm. Fernwood Community Centre. Info: 250.381.1552 ext.25 FREE! Falun Gong.

Peaceful meditation practice. All welcome!

Wednesdays, 5-7pm. Fernwood Community Centre MPR. FREE! Fernwood Seniors.

55+. Gentle exercise, lunch and activities.

Monthly special guest speaker. Fridays, 11am Fernwood Community Centre MPR. $2 for lunch.

Floor Hockey.

Drop-in Co-ed. Adult (18+). Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7-9:30pm. Fernwood Community Centre Gym. $4, or get a punchcard: $40/11 sessions.** Flow Yoga.

With certified instructor Jay. Adult. Fridays 5:30-7pm. $5. Fernwood Community Centre Gym. Hatha Yoga.

With certified instructor Elke. Gentle poses, breathing practice, deep relaxation and meditation. Tuesdays, 3:30-5pm. Fernwood Community Centre Gym. $5.

Karate.

Drop in. Adult Co-ed. Instructor Lucas Trottier.

Sundays, 1-2:30pm. Fernwood Community Centre Gym. $3.** Kundalini Yoga.

Mondays, 7-8:30pm. $5 drop-in. Fernwood Community Centre.

Moksha Yoga.

With instructor Lena Simmons. Tuesdays.

7:30-8:30. $5 drop-in. Fernwood Community Centre.

Tai Chi. Thursdays. 4:30-5:30pm. Fernwood Community Centre. 1240 Gladstone. $5 drop-in.

Women’s Soccer.

Drop-in. Sundays 5-6:30pm, Fernwood Community Centre Gym. $3.**

Special Events Fern Fest 2009!!

Sat, June 20, 2009. 11am-11pm. Come out and help us in our celebration of the wonderful Fernwood Community! Live entertainment, family activities, beer garden, BBQ, Workshops and more! Free admission.

Wise Daughters workshops: >Starting Apr 1, Wise Daughters is pleased to be hosting a six-part series of interactive home design talks presented by Wo-Built, a local women-owned construction/design company. Perfect for new home owners or anyone contemplating improvements to their living space. >Come make a sock monkey on Apr 8, conquer your fear of drawing April 18, and get in touch with your inner diva April 26. There’s something for everyone next month! >Plus weekly Sit ‘n’ Stitch, of course – come for great conversation and a chance to finish those projects languishing in your closet.

For info call 416.761.1555 or see www. wisedaughters.com Fernwood Business Network.

Everyone welcome. Tues, Apr 7 (first Tues monthly). 10am. Fernwood Inn. For info contact Ryan Rutley at ryan@rutleyventures.ca Victoria Green Drinks.

An inclusive gathering of the sustainabilityminded for refreshments and conversation.

Tues, Apr 14 (second Tues monthly). 5-7pm.

Canoe Brew Pub, Marina and Restaurant 405 Swift Street. For info see www. greendrinksvictoria.ca Fernwood’s Outrageous Recycling Day. Bring your CLEAN plastics, styrofoam packing and food trays, electronics and foil-lined coffee/chip bags. Sat, Apr 11 (second Sat monthly). 10am-1pm. Across from Fernwood Community Centre. By donation. Fernwood’s Outrageous Recycling Day seeks volunteers!

Come help us make it all happen! For info: villagevibe@fernwoodneighbourhood.ca Community Wellness Clinic.

Victoria Community Health Co-operative.

Experience complementary modalities to support your well being. Clinics by members for members. Sunday, Apr 19 (third Sun monthly), 10am-4pm, Alembic Healing Arts Centre, Market Square, Suite #235, 560 Johnson St. Book appointments at 250.483.5503. More info at: www. victoriahealthcooperative.ca Taiko in Fernwood!

Uminari Taiko offers a three-hour workshop on Taiko Japanese drumming. Apr 19.

EuroStudios, 1821 Cook St., Unit 3F. $49/$45 before Apr 12. Pre-register at: info@ uminaritaiko.com, and come prepared to have fun!

Fernwood Place Making Troupe.

Come out and talk Place Making with Fernwood’s new City Council Liaison, Phillipe Lucas. The evening will begin with a screening of BUBBLEMAN. A quintessentially Fernwoodian event! Mon, Apr 20 (third Mon monthly). 7pm. Cornerstone Café.

All Welcome!

**We accept Sports Trader Bucks and Canadian Tire Money at face value!

villagevibe Published by Fernwood NRG (Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group) 1240 Gladstone Street Victoria, BC V8T 1G6 T 250.381.1552 F 250.381.1509 villagevibe@fernwoodneighbourhood.ca www.villagevibe.ca Editor: Lisa Helps Assistant Editors: Aaron Ellingsen, Trish Richards Contributors: Steve Carey James Christian Amy Crook Margaret Hantiuk Deryk Houston Alex Kerr Anke van Leeuwen Jo Roueche The views expressed in the Village Vibe do not necessarily reflect the views of Fernwood NRG.

Fernwood NRG Food Security Collective.

All welcome! Tues, Apr 21 (third Tues monthly).

7-9pm. Fernwood Community Centre MPR. foodsecurity@fernwoodneighbourhood.ca Fernwood Community Kitchen.

Cook nutritious, creative meals with your neighbours! Info: fernwoodkitchens@gmail.com Spring Ridge Commons Workparties!

Come get your hands dirty in Fernwood’s only public food garden. Saturdays, 10-12pm at the Commons. Please bring tools if you’ve got ‘em.

Village Sustainability Workshops.

Ongoing workshops at the Oak and Fern Centre. Contact Rainey and Margot for information at 250.383.9171 or hope_of_rain@ islandnet.com The Fernwood Commons: A Fernwood Community Communication Forum.

For info on Fernwood comings and goings and neighbourhood news and views, check out The Fernwood Commons online: http:// thevillagevibe.ning.com/ If you have a workshop or special event idea for the Fernwood Community Centre or the Cornerstone Café email james@ fernwoodneighbourhood.ca If you have a Fernwood event you would like listed in the Village Vibe calendar please send an email with the subject line “vibe calendar” to villagevibe@fernwoodneighbourhood.ca

Come on in out of the cold, where neighbours gather!

Open daily from 11:30 1302 Gladstone

Page 8 | News and views from the heart of Fernwood | April 2009

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