February 2022
villagevibe News and views from the heart of Fernwood
Team effort surpasses goal ›› Mila Czemerys
W
e did it. Thank you so, so much to everyone who contributed to the Gift of Good Food this year. With your help, we surpassed not only our initial goal of $100,000, but our stretch goal of $120,000 as well. In total, we raised over $150,000 which will support over 225 families in need across Greater Victoria in 2022! Every year, funds raised support yearlong access to fresh fruits and vegetables for families facing food insecurity throughout Greater Victoria. We work with the Good Food Box to bulk purchase fresh produce from local farmers and distributors. The Good Food Box volunteers pack and distribute Good Food Boxes to communities across the CRD. The Gift of Good Food partners with community centers, transition houses, and local First Nations to reach their most vulnerable community members. We want to thank our 694 donors, 27 fundraising teams, and 18 partner organizations! You rock. Thank you to our team of volunteers who make the Gift of Good Food possible by everything from putting together the Good Food Box newsletter, reaching out for silent auction items, delivering Good Food Boxes to people’s homes, putting posters up around the neighbourhood to get the word out, rallying their friends and family to raise funds as a team, packing Good Food Boxes, to dropping letters to doorsteps! Thanks to our staff team for going above and beyond to ensure families has access to fresh produce. Thank you to all the small businesses who donated great items to our online auction and hosted donation boxes. Thanks to Do250 and Metropol for sponsoring, to Discovery Coffee for donating a portion of sales on your donations days and making a delicious fundraiser doughnut, and Hoyne for collecting donations at your tasting station. Thanks to everyone who liked and shared our posts about the fundraiser. Thanks to anyone we’ve missed! Every little bit helps. It really has been a team effort; we’re grateful for all of you. Still interested in contributing? Donate at thegoodfoodbox.ca/donate.
A couple of Good Food Box team members packing fresh produce for the community. Photo: Don Craig
buzz:
Child care is essential ›› Shannon Jamison Parents have always relied on child care to work. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has made it crystal clear that child care is also an essential service for our society. We’ve seen that without child care many health care and public safety workers can’t do their jobs, and the story’s the same across all sectors of our economy. Despite this, throughout the pandemic the child care sector has often been in the dark—left to navigate and interpret provincial health orders and develop policies and safety protocols on their own. As one Early Childhood Educator stated in a recent open letter, “We have gone above and beyond to provide the safest possible environments for the children in our care and yet somehow we have been given little to no guidance or support.”
This needs to change. Early Childhood Educators need to be recognized and acknowledged for the critical role they have played in this pandemic, in the lives of families and across our economy. This can start with the Province working cooperatively with the child care sector to identify and implement appropriate safeguards, including priority access to vaccination boosters, rapid antigen tests
Indigenous Voices
Buzz
Trees of Fernwood
Advice for an effective ally page 4
Substance offers harm reduction page 5
The magic of cherry blossom season page 7
and PCR testing, and personal protective equipment including N95 masks. It should also include proactive communication and consultation about emerging variants and impacts to the sector. My daughter’s early childhood educators are some of the most important people in our lives—providing a foundation of daily support—and our government needs to do more to support them, too.
in this issue To get the Vibe digitally, sign up at fernwoodnrg.ca
editorial:
villagevibe Published by Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group Editorial Committee
Chantille Viaud Brett Gaylor
Mila Czemerys Shonna Bell Founding Editor Lisa Helps Contributors
Mila Czemerys Chantille Viaud Grace Lore Fernwood Art Stroll Kayla Siefried Kathryn Juricic Lauren Gaultier
Shannon Jamison Shonna Bell Serafina Lizz Brooks Laura Benoit Sarah Murray Jan Firstbrook
Art
Don Craig Shonna Bell Alexandra Stephanson Axel Grace Lore Kelly Legge Jay Wallace Kaye, Here Magazine Mila Czemerys Sabine Rankin Production Mila Czemerys Contact us
1240 Gladstone Ave, Victoria, BC V8T 1G6 T 250.381.1552 | info@fernwoodnrg.ca To advertise, contact ads@fernwoodnrg.ca The views expressed in the Village Vibe do not necessarily reflect the views of Fernwood NRG.
We gratefully acknowledge that Fernwood, our community where we live, work and play resides on the territory of the Lekwungen peoples, the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.
declaration of principles & values ››
We are committed to creating a socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable neighbourhood;
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We are committed to ensuring neighbourhood control or ownership of neighbourhood institutions and assets;
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We are committed to using our resources prudently and to becoming financially self-reliant;
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We are committed to the creation and support of neighbourhood employment;
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We are committed to engaging the dreams, resources, and talents of our neighbours and to fostering new links between them;
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We are committed to taking action in response to neighbourhood issues, ideas, and initiatives;
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We are committed to governing our organization and serving our neighbourhood democratically with a maximum of openness, inclusivity and kindness;
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Everything goes silly without child care ›› Chantille Viaud I was on a zoom call recently when my toddler, who was at home because of a COVID exposure at his child care centre, started screaming like the world had ended. Turns out Moana had gone to credits and I hadn’t noticed in time. No one on my call batted an eye. One of my colleagues, in an act of solidarity, turned her camera on at that moment to reveal her toddler in her lap, eating some crackers and looking at her phone. This kind of thing, in our perpetualvirtual-meetings-while-working-fromhome world, is both commonplace, once
again, while still being incredibly hard and exhausting for many parents of small children. Some might say (and I agree) that it’s impossible. Here are just a few key takeaways I have from trying to work from home while parenting during this pandemic: Child care is an essential service. Without child care for health workers, our health system and our hospitals are unable to properly function. Same goes for other essential services like grocery store workers, teachers, and firefighters. A lack of child care options for families usually means fewer women choosing to join the workforce. By and large, job loss during the pandemic has impacted women
more than men. Child care is vitally important. Child care educators have a hard and incredibly important job. We have always known this, but the pandemic has underscored it in big, bold red felt marker. And yet people largely continue to take early childhood educators for granted. These are the reasons why we so badly need a system that is universally available to anyone who needs it. And one that values and fairly compensates child care professionals for the essential service they provide. And now I have to go, because my toddler just poured water all over the couch. At least I hope it’s water.
buzz:
Something from nothing ›› Shonna Bell At least daily I think to myself how hard parenting is—and it is. While it doesn’t change my current situation in those times when I am so overwhelmed with parenting my one child, I try to think of my grandma Kay Bell, a single woman who raised 10 children. In addition to raising her 10 children, she contributed to the lives of her 22 grandchildren. As one of those grandchildren who relied heavily on my grandmother for stability, I am so thankful for the things she taught me. I remember being with her one time and she had a little bit of margarine left in a container so she mixed the rest of the ingredients into the container—using it as the mixing bowl—and mixed up a cake to bake. I was in awe. I felt like she had made something from nothing. That was the power of my grandma. She showed me how to be a strong, resilient woman, and that I could make something from nothing in any circumstance. Kay pursued difficult and numerous professional paths. She obtained her GED at age 50. I always remember my grandma reading. She was elected to the town council, managed the local Sears
Kay Bell, with Shonna Bell’s daughter Anna. Kay donated funds to Fernwood NRG to start the Kay Bell Scholarship Fund for single mothers pursuing their education. Photo: Shonna Bell
outlet, was a successful realtor, wrote for the local newspaper, and managed a large motel complex in White Court, Alberta. No professional milestone was as important to Kay as ensuring the best possible future for each of her children and grandchildren. When needed, she fearlessly advocated for each child and guided them toward careers best-suited to their passions and capacities. I am so honoured to share her as an inspiration as a single mother. I am pleased
that her commitment to education is able to continue even after she passed. Grandma Kay Bell has left Fernwood NRG funds to distribute each year to a single mother pursuing her education through the Kay Bell Scholarship Fund. The Family Programs team will choose a candidate each year to receive this amazing benefit. And each time, we will get to share with the recipient the amazing story of the ever-giving grandma who could make something from nothing.
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
February 2022
News and views from the heart of Fernwood
mark your calendar:
op ed:
Thank you
Fernwood Art Stroll registration
›› Grace Lore, MLA It’s been two long years since the pandemic began and many of us are feeling exhausted. This holiday season was especially hard, as the Omicron variant forced us to rethink our holiday plans. We once again stayed home when we desperately wanted to connect. While we’re all tired of COVID-19—the virus is relentless—we must remain vigilant in the face of these challenges. I’d like to thank each of you across our community who has worn their mask, been kind to one another, been vaccinated, and followed the provincial health orders. I’d also like to thank all the frontline workers, teachers, and healthcare workers who’ve worked so hard to keep our essential services running. Teachers and staff, including at George Jay and Central Middle School here in Fernwood, Health Care Providers at Royal Jubilee Hospital, clinics across the city, and longterm care, like Glenwarren Lodge—your dedication and care has kept the rest of us afloat. Dr. Henry and the public health team are always monitoring the most up-to-date science and data to ensure our response is as effective as possible. Vaccination, masks, social distancing, and self-isola-
›› Fernwood Art Stroll
MLA Grace Lore getting her vaccine booster on January 10, 2022. Photo: Grace Lore
tion when sick remain the most important protections. It’s essential we stick together whatever comes next—staying safe and staying kind, both to ourselves and to each other. Have a friend isolating? Drop off food or a puzzle. Consider creating a group chat with neighbours—ours is up to 29 people and offers an opportunity to offer things
to share or to ask for help or just a can of tomatoes. If you—like me—miss Family Dinner Nights, remember Fernwood NRG offers takeaway community dinners and seniors’ lunches. Stay nourished and connect at a distance with your neighbours when you pick up. By loving and supporting one another, we will get through this pandemic together.
We are now taking applications for membership for artists and artisans for the 2022 Fernwood Art Stroll. The dates for the 2022 Stroll are Saturday and Sunday, June 11 and 12, 2022 (Covid permitting). No applications will be considered after March 1, 2022. We invite interested artists to introduce themselves to us by filling out the form at fernwoodartstroll.ca and emailing it to info@fernwoodartstroll.ca. The Fernwood Art Stroll is a non-juried event organized by the participating artists and artisans. You are welcome to participate if you are an artist or artisan living in or have a studio in the Fernwood/Oaklands area (we use Cook, Hillside, Shelbourne, and Fort as boundaries) and are available to host the public in your studio or yard on the Saturday and Sunday of the Stroll. We look forward to hearing from you and having you join the Stroll.
mark your calendar:
Back to the Body Workshop - Starting February 7, 2022 ›› Serafina, The Existence Project
One of the most powerful things that got me through my journey as a previously unhoused person has been art. Art helps me process the world, my experiences and my feelings. It’s a way to understand and share the stories living inside of me. After I gained housing and started to gain stability, one of the most important things I did was become a somatic coach. A somatic coach is a person who is focused on the stories alive inside of the body and how those stories interact with our nervous systems. We educate on why the body responds to life in the way it does, the impacts of trauma, and how to engage with the body in ways that provide regulation and validation. We help people feel safe in their bodies, and if they are already safe in their bodies, how to listen to their bodies. I began to play around with art and body-based practices to see if I could make a program combining both and came up with the Back to the Body workshop. Each
www.fernwoodnrg.ca
week we’ll make art and learn emotional regulation skills. We’ll learn to love and respect the information our body is giving us, and the value of the body’s responses. We get to explore our stories from the lens of the nervous system. Fernwood NRG is honored to partner with Serafina from The Existence Project to provide this workshop for youth in our community. This program starts February 7 from 5:30pm8:30pm at the Fernwood Community Centre. It runs for 7 weeks. It’s free; dinner is provided. It’s limited to 5 participants age 15 to 19. To register, email youthprograms@fernwoodnrg.ca.
February 2022
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indigenous voices:
Advice for an effective ally ›› Lizz Brooks, Indigenous Perspectives Society
As time moves forward, we have seen a lot this last year in terms of Indigenous relations. Individuals and organizations across Canada have made big steps towards progress, likewise, we have also witnessed many missteps along the way. With the constant changing and news, there has been a lot of discussion around what it means to be an effective ally. Ally, supporter, advocate, accomplice… there are many titles that have been created throughout time as individuals continue to grow and support our Indigenous peoples. So, what does that look like? Everyone has a unique role in supporting Indigenous sovereignty, and in order to do good work, allies are essential at every level. Allies can be seen publicly advocating for Indigenous rights, changing their work environments to remove potential barriers, or having regular conversations
7 Indigenous Perspectives Society staff members together outside of a wood building on a sunny day holding their hand drums. Staff are both Indigenous and allies. Their drums are painted with varying colourful West Coast lineart designs. Photo: Kelly Legge
with their own inner circles to break down biases. To break down these biases and provide appropriate support, knowing our
own levels of privilege helps us to learn both where it may impede our ally work and where we can use it as leverage. With
this, we can begin to understand when is appropriate to sit back, listen, and uplift the Indigenous voices that are speaking compared to when we need to use our own voice. Depending on the individual, either speaking up or sitting back can be a challenge, and that’s completely normal. Decolonization is not about doing things “right,” but rather it is about taking risks and being ok with not having all the answers. If you ever don’t know the answer to a question or with what steps to take next, don’t be afraid search online, in books or ask someone who can help you. If you are ever wondering about protocols or next steps, looking to your local nations for guidance is often invaluable support. As we continue to walk together, it will be a bumpy path at times, and that’s okay. In the end, it’s not about how bumpy the path is, but rather, it is the way we walk and our willingness to adjust our steps when necessary.
garden gleanings:
Learning and growing for 30 years The Compost Education Centre turns 30
›› Kayla Siefried Celebrating 30 years in service is no small deal. And that’s what the Compost Education Centre (CEC) is doing in 2022— celebrating all the composting, gardening, and conservation themed education we’ve been providing for 30 years to Fernwood and CRD residents alike! As we take stock of the past 30 years, we
recall major milestones: Pumpkin Smash compost events, the building of our straw bale classroom building, millions of kgs of food waste diverted from the landfill, thousands of workshops taught to students, kilos of food grown for local food banks through the Grow a Row Program, literally multiple millions of composting questions answered—I could go on. And still, our programming is needed, desired, and valued, after all this time! If you’ve experienced our programming anytime in the past 30 years and you have a story you’d like to share about how our resources and education inspired you,
please email them to office@compost. bc.ca and we’ll share them in our newsletter. It’s so fantastic to hear from folks who were here at the CEC’s inception, people who went to a workshop in 1999, people who volunteered at the centre in 2002. To show your appreciation for the work we do, consider making a one-time tax-deductible donation to us, or becoming a sustaining donor: compost.bc.ca/ donate. If you’ve never experienced our programing or resources, please stop by! We are open Wednesdays to Saturdays and have plenty of free resources available, and we
sell compost bins and have our new 2022 seed supply in for sale. Or sign up for one of our 2022 workshops—they are plentiful, and the lineup is incredible, check that out at compost.bc.ca/adult-education. And don’t forget: February is the perfect time to get planning and preparing your coming summertime garden! We’re here to help—feel free to give us a call with your composting and gardening questions and sign up for one of our early season gardening workshops. May 2022 be abundant in the garden for us, our neighbours, our soil microbe pals, and all the flying critters that make our gardens home.
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February 2022
# 8 T Y B >
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News and views from the heart of Fernwood
buzz:
Substance offers harm reduction The team at Substance hopes to better understand how drug checking can support those impacted by and responding to the overdose crisis
›› Laura Benoit The Vancouver Island Drug Checking Project, located at Substance at 1802 Cook Street, offers free and confidential drug checking in Victoria through both in-person and mail-in services. The project team tests samples for fillers, fentanyl, or unexpected drugs. But the space also offers an important point of connection and conversation around safe use, harm reduction, and community. “Fernwood is a progressive neighbourhood,” says Piotr Burek, Harm Reduction Worker and Research Assistant. “We wanted to fit harm reduction into the fabric of the neighbourhood, and to fit in to the broader discussion in how to create resilient communities that are responsive to their neighbours.” In 2021, the project provided over 2,500 drug checks, both on site and through their sample mail-in program; and provided monthly, quarterly, and year-end reports on substances tested to offer information to the
Substance, located at 1802 Cook Street, is operated by the Vancouver Island Drug Checking Project—a team of chemists, social workers, computer scientists, pharmacists, and people who use drugs, partnering to provide and evaluate drug checking services in Victoria. Photo: Jay Wallace
public and to help inform harm reduction strategies. In addition to providing these services and reports, the project site provides public space for conversation and interaction. “We know that stigma is one of the leading causes of the overdose crisis, preventing people from accessing resources,” says Bruce Wallis, Associate Professor at the UVic School of Social Work and Scientist, Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research (CISUR). “Overdose is impacting
individuals using at home most, and these individuals are concealing use from others because of the stigma of using drugs. We are working to create an actively anti-stigma space for individuals. We are very much an open door; we aren’t hiding drug use in our community.” Part of the dialogue that is being created through the space is an understanding of the technology that is used to test drugs. Visitors to the space are welcome to see firsthand the
technologies being utilised to provide drug checking services. But that isn’t the only way you can engage; you can follow the project’s Instagram account at @drugcheckingvi to see updates, links to report, and harm reduction tips. The space also showcases art, including a mural and continuously updated window designs from local artist Darcie Dark. You can visit the project team to learn more at 1802 Cook Street Monday through Saturday between 12 and 7pm.
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February 2022
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buzz:
Join the conversation about Fernwood! ›› Kathryn Juricic Hello, neighbours! I’m writing on behalf of the Fernwood Community Association (FCA) to encourage conversation and engagement on what’s happening in our neighbourhood—because let me tell you, there is a lot going on! There are many new developments, bike lane corridors, placemaking opportunities, and more that we need your guidance with. You’re in good hands to get the full picture of development. Fernwood’s Community
Association Land Use Committee (CALUC) recently created a detailed Google map of the forty-five addresses in our neighbourhood that are in different stages of development, variance, rezoning, and heritage applications! It’s a lot, right? Let’s talk about it. Fernwood Land Use Committee meetings happen on the first Thursday of every month at 7pm to facilitate discussions about a range of topics like neighbourhood planning, specific rezoning applications, and dare I mention, the borders of our neighbourhood—with the City of
north park news:
Victoria, developers, and you. Everyone welcome! Please join us! Those aren’t the only discussions you can join. If you haven’t been on Fernwood Community Network on Facebook, that’s where it’s at! But in all seriousness, the FCA is actively gathering members for our Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion Committee to guide decisions that will affect our neighbourhood for years to come. We run the building at 1923 Fernwood Road (between Little June and Knotty by Nature), home to the Little Fernwood Gallery,
Theatre Inconnu, and Pandora Arts Collective Society. We also manage Fernwood’s two community allotment gardens (EarthBound Community Garden on Garden Street and Fernwood Community Garden on Chambers Street). We host art shows, workshops, events (when allowed), markets, garden parties, and—as I’ve mentioned a few times — discussions about our neighbourhood. We’d really like you to be a part of it! Join us by signing up at thefca.ca/newsletter and follow us on Facebook: Fernwood Community Association.
community eats:
Multicultural Festival, Stadacona Spotlight Series: Origin Bakery crafting, and more!
Origin Bakery’s famous gluten-free lemon lavendar tarts. Photo courtesy of Tara Black.
›› Lauren Gaultier Fiesta Latina Folklore Dancers performing at the October 2021 Multicultural Festival at Royal Athletic Park. Photo: Kaye from Here Magazine.
›› Sarah Murray, North
Park Neighbourhood Association
Last year, the NPNA collaborated with community partners from the Masjid AlIman Mosque to host two Multicultural Festivals at Royal Athletic Park. We also hosted a monthly food & craft market. In 2022, we have decided to focus our efforts on just the quarterly Multicultural Festival. Not only did we find that the community responded most enthusiastically to the festivals, but this event meets a demand for a community event that does not currently exist in Victoria! We are very excited to continue working with community members from the Mosque, as well as members from surrounding community associations to bring you four Multicultural Festivals in 2022. The festivals will be held from 10:30am - 1:30pm at Royal Athletic Park on May 8, July 24, October 23, and December 18! Keep an eye on our website for applications and event details at npna. ca/north-park-pop-up-markets. The NPNA is starting to plan a third year of free programming at Royal Athletic
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villagevibe
Park! Beginning in the spring and summer, the NPNA will be offering (all free) art workshops, soccer for ages 7-13, and sports programs for non-binary/trans/ queer youth. We are in the grant application and planning stages with community facilitators to finalize the plans for these free, accessible programs. Details will be posted on our website when available at npna.ca/neighbourhood/recreationand-events.
Do you love to craft? The NPNA is pairing up with SUPPLY Victoria to bring a little free craft store to the lending hub at the Vancouver Street Plaza! You’re invited to stop by the lending hub on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 2 - 6pm to “shop” from a selection of free craft supplies. Join us for the launch of the SUPPLY Victoria Pop-Up on Thursday, February 3 from 2 - 6pm. Learn more supplyvictoria. ca/shop and at npna.ca/vancouverstreet-plaza. To learn more about what’s going on in North Park and to sign up for our newsletter please visit our website (npna. ca) or find us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @wearenorthpark.
February 2022
Many Fernwood residents are surprised to learn that our community borders extend as far east as Fort Street. Enter Stadacona Centre located between Fort Street, Pandora Avenue, Belmont Avenue, and Stadacona Avenue. With a multitude of businesses, over the next several articles we will be showcasing the restaurants that are tucked away in this pocket of our humble hood. Located on the Pandora Avenue side of Stadacona Centre, Origin Bakery has been serving delicious 100% gluten-free baked goods to our community since 2010. They are a staple for Victoria’s gluten-free community and Fernwood residents. Origin has a second location in the Westshore’s Belmont Market which the Fernwood bakers make a large portion of the baked goods for and deliver each morning by eco-car. They also operate an online store with delivery options and limited wholesale. You can find their products in many other stores across the region. Owner Tara Black shared with us some of their most popular items that you must try: the vegan chocolate cupcakes, carrot cupcakes, and lemon lavender tarts to name a few. You don’t have to be gluten-free to enjoy their extensive variety of products— there is something for everyone. They also
have many products that are allergen and food restriction friendly. Their products are all natural and use no preservatives. Nearly two years into a global pandemic and Origin’s situation has been precarious—like many peers in their industry— and has left them vulnerable. Despite the supply chain, staffing, and financial concerns, Origin Bakery is steadfast in their efforts to secure ingredients to continue to make products the community has come to rely on. Please continue to support them through this tough time. “We are here to support our community and we love our neighbourhood,” shared Tara Black. “Each local business is doing their absolute best to serve each other and take the time and care to deliver our products and services to you. Please continue to be patient with each of us. Remember that we are all tired and we all want a change. One of the best changes would be to smile with our eyes and say thank you for trying when interacting with customer service people. They need these interactions to recharge and continue to serve each person to their best ability.” You can visit Origin Bakery at 1525 Pandora Avenue and pick up some fresh baking. Check out their menu and learn more about this local business at originbakery.com and follow them at @originbakery.
News and views from the heart of Fernwood
trees of fernwood:
The magic of cherry blossom season ›› Jan Firstbrook We know that spring is coming when flowering plum and cherry trees start blossoming in February and continue until May in successive waves. The flowering plum trees blossom first and their small sour plums are eaten by birds and can even be made into plum sauce. Whereas, flowering ornamental cherry trees have large, fragrant flowers without fruit. In Japan, cherry blossom season is very important to Japanese culture. Hanami or “flower viewing” is the Japanese traditional custom of enjoying the transient beauty of flowers. There are festivals, parties, and picnics under the flowering trees. This tradition demonstrates a special appreciation and wonder for the cherry blossoms—sakura— that symbolize both the renewal of life and the fleeting nature of life. In 1937, the City hosted a parade celebrating the incorporation of Victoria, and a float sponsored by members of Victoria’s Japanese community association—Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society (VNCS)—won first prize. They donated the $300 prize money to the City to purchase 1000 trees to be planted in Beacon Hill and surrounding areas. This historical
gift was “a gesture from the immigrant community to thank Victoria and Canada for allowing us to start a new life in Canada,” said VNCS president Tsugio Kurushima. Throughout the years the City continued to plant both ornamental plum and cherry trees. Now these blossoms are an iconic feature of Victoria and draw tourists and locals alike to share in their splendour. The city has a map of ‘Spring Blossoms in the City of Victoria’ at vicmap.maps.arcgis.com. The map divides the blossoms into early and late varieties. It locates each cherry tree in Victoria. When you click on the tree, it identifies the common name as well as a botanical name such as Prunus serrulata and the average date for blossoms—usually between April 15 to May 15. Fernwood is fortunate to have streets filled with the various types of flowering trees and staggered blossoming times. Stanley Avenue has both the earlier plums and the later blooming cherries; in particular, the Kwanzan cherry whose multiple pink petals drift lazily towards Begbie Street. In 2019, there was discussion by City of Victoria council concerning the future of the cherry trees. A motion was passed February 28, 2019 that encourages the Parks Department to be maintain and replant flowering
Keeping Fernwood Community Healthy Physiotherapy /D^ ^ŚŽĐŬǁĂǀĞ Pelvic Floor Health ůŝŶŝĐĂů ŽƵŶƐĞůůŝŶŐ
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A flowering Prunus serrulata ‘kwanzan’ cherry tree on Gladstone at Stanley. Photo: Mila Czemerys
cherry trees due to their historic importance and symbolic significance. These trees are resilient and are able to adapt to the stresses
of climate change. After a harsh winter and dreary skies, let us celebrate the magic of cherry blossoms.
FERNWOOD NRG WINTER PROGRAMS JANUARY - APRIL 2022 MONDAY Parent-Child Mother Goose Register*, free Zoom Best Babies Register*, free Fernwood Community Meal Drop-in,by donation Back to The Body Register*, free Gender Spectacular Caregiver Support Group (Every 3rd Monday of the month) Drop-in, free
10:30am – 11:30am 1:30pm – 2:30pm 5:30pm – 6:30pm 5:30pm-8:30pm 7:00pm - 9:00pm
TUESDAY Nobody’s Perfect Victoria Bootcamp
Register*, starts Feb 1, free Register at victoriabootcamp.ca
5:00pm – 7:00pm 6:00pm – 7:00pm
WEDNESDAY Post-natal Best Babies Register*, free Good Food Box Pick-up Order at thegoodfoodbox.ca Evening Recovery Meditation Contact info@fernwoodnrg.ca VSSC Dodgeball Preegister with VSSC
12:40pm – 2:00pm 1:00pm – 8:00pm 7:00pm – 8:00pm 6:00pm – 10:00pm
THURSDAY Prenatal Best Babies Narcotics Anonymous
Victoria Bootcamp
Register*, free Drop-in, free Register at victoriabootcamp.ca
12:40pm – 2:00pm 7:00pm – 8:00pm 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Drop-in, $4
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Register at fernwoodnrg.ca, $2
10:00am – 11:00am
FRIDAY Seniors’ Lunch (55+)
SATURDAY Kindergym
*Register for family programs by emailing lpalmer@fernwoodnrg.ca Closures December 24, 2021 to January 3, 2022, February 21, April 15, and April 18, 2022.
For more information & to register contact:
Fernwood Community Centre 1240 Gladstone Avenue, Victoria, BC V8T 1G6 250.381.1552 x100 | info@fernwoodnrg.ca
fernwoodnrg.ca/fernwood-nrg-programs/recreation/
www.fernwoodnrg.ca
February 2022
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Scene in Fernwood : Free Little Libraries
Photos: Sabine Rankin