Village Vibe
news and views from the heart of Fernwood
www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca
january 2006
Council Sets City Staff to Work on Fernwood Childcare Expansion
Executive Director Roberta Martell and members of the board attended City Council committee of the whole meeting December 15. The team requested Council’s guidance with regard to the recent announcement by the Ministry of Children and Families (MCFD) that “it would provide up to $500,000 to support the creation of new licensed group non-profit child care spaces for children under age 6 in areas of high need.” Fernwood was identified as such an area. The question on the table: Should the Society apply for the MCFD funds and renovate the cityowned Centre itself to create new and much-needed childcare
spaces or should it invest in a new property somewhere in the neighbourhood for this purpose? A plan to renovate the Centre was drawn up in 2002 by architect Shiv Garyali and included a seismic upgrade, the addition of a second floor gym, and the provision of more space for childcare. Council set city staff to work investigating the increased costs of the Garyali plan given the rise in construction costs over the past three years. The Society anxiously awaits an answer from the City in early January. Applications are due to the MCFD by the end of the month.
Fernwood kids in action at the sandbox. Fernwood has been identified by the province as a “priority community” for the creation of new childcare spaces.
Meet the NRG Board of Directors
Lee Herrin has served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Fernwood Community Centre Society for six years. Government employee by day, in the evenings and on weekends Lee can often be Lee Herrin seen in a striped shirt and blue Chair beanie cap working tirelessly on neighbourhood initiatives. When not attending numerous meetings he can be found on what he calls his “urban homestead” tending to his chickens and vast vegetable garden.
Lisa has been a Fernwood resident for some three years now, and since she’s been here, hasn’t looked back down the hill towards Fairfield. Not even once. She can be spotted most often darting around the city by bicycle. An advocate of and activist for social justice, Lisa is concerned with creating city and Lisa Helps neighbourhood spaces that are open, inclusive, inspiring, engaging, and, of course, Vice Chair fun. Currently on a temporary hiatus from Fernwood (but tapped in via conference call and email) Lisa is pursuing a Ph.D in History at the University of Toronto where she is doing research on homelessness on the west coast of Canada and the US over the course of the twentieth century. She is also your faithful editor of the Village Vibe.
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Fernwood Community Centre Society Declaration of Principles and Values 1. WE are committed to creating a socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable neighbourhood; 2. WE are committed to ensuring neighbourhood control or ownership of neighbourhood institutions and assets; 3. WE are committed to using our resources prudently and to selfbecoming financially reliant; 4. WE are committed to the creation and support of neighbourhood employment; 5. WE are committed to engaging the dreams, resources, and talents of our neighbours and to fostering new links between them; 6. WE are committed to taking action in response to neighbourhood issues, ideas, and initiatives; 7. WE are committed to governing our organization and serving our neighbourhood democratically with a maximum of openness, inclusivity, and kindness; 8. WE are committed to developing the skills, capacity, selfworth, and excellence of our neighbours and ourselves; 9. WE are committed to focusing on the future while preserving our neighbourhood's heritage and diversity; 10. WE are committed to creating neighbourhood places that are vibrant, beautiful, healthy, and alive; 11. AND, most of all, WE are committed to having fun! To subscribe, contact, submit to or advertise in the Vibe, head to www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca/vibe
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Winter in the Garden
by Margaret Hantiuk
This is the time of year when foliage and bark take center stage. By including select plants and shrubs we can have an exciting garden with gorgeous colour and interest when summer blooms are finished and the light has faded. There are some shrubs and perennials that are winter blooming some of which are even beautifully scented! Plant these where you will see them: alongside your entry or in the picture-perfect view from a window. They will brighten up your day, and the neighbourhood too! S H R U B S WITH BRILLIANT FALL COLOUR: Witch Hazel, Japanese Maples, our native Vine M a p l e , Euonymous Elata and E u r o p e a , Smoke Tree, Sumach, Mountain Ash, Stewartia, deciduous Azaleas, Chokecherry, Blueberry, Hydrangea, Cornus Mas PERENNIALS WITH FALL/WINTER BLOOMS: Asters, winterblooming Heathers (Erica Carnea), hardy Fuschias, Gaura, Penstemon, Echinacea, Rudbeckia, Sedum Autumn Joy, Helenium, Phygelius, Phlox, Chrysanthemums, Joe-Pye Weed (Eupatorium), Obedient plant ((Physostegia), Bugbane (Cimicifuga), Japanese Anemone, Hellebores, Wallflowers, Bergenias, Primulas and Primroses, Pansies, Violets
FALL/WINTER BLOOMING BULBS: Dahlias, fall Crocus (Colchicum), Cyclamen, Schizostylis (Kaffir lily), Nerine Bowdenii, Snowdrops, early Crocus, and early Iris (Dandfordiae and Histroidies), Scilla, early Lungwort SHRUBS WITH BRIGHT BERRIES: Cotoneasters, Elders, Pyracantha, Beauty Bush (purple!), Mahonia X Media Charity, Arbutus Unedo, Skimmia, Viburnum Tinus, various Roses: Moyesii, Rugosas, Ilex (Holly) O R N A M E N TA L GRASSES WITH FALL COLOR: Carex Testaca (sedge), Molinia Caerulea, Panicum Virgatum (red switch grass), Miscanthus Sinensis purpurascense (plant with the sun behind them to enjoy the translucence VINES WITH FALL COLOR: Boston Ivy or Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus), climbing Hydrangea (Petiolaris) SHRUBS WITH WINTER BLOSSOMS: Winter Jasmine, Wintersweet* (Chimonanthus), Honeysuckle*, early Winter Camellia, Viburnum (bodnantense Dawn)*, Daphne* (mezereum), Witch Hazel,* Hebes, and early Rhodos SHRUBS WITH COLORED BARK/TWIGS: Dogwoods ( Cornus Sabirica or Stolonifera), Scarlet willow, Snake-bark Maple, Kerria, Garrya elliptica
Village Vibe
Fernwood NRG Board (cont.)
I am a mother of 3. My youngest is in Grade 11 at Vic High, where I am the Chair of the PAC (parent association). I also volunteer as Chair of the VCPAC Margaret Hantiuk Advocacy Committee. Other than that, I work as a letter-carrier for Canada Post, and I love to spend my spare time in my garden and my Fernwood home, where we have lived for almost 20 years. Patty Loveridge is inspired by healthy and vibrant communities, and the folks who make these a reality. No need to say how delighted Patty Loveridge she was to join the board of FNRG. She is the Executive Director of the Coastal Community Network, an NGO working toward a sustainable future for BC's coastal communities.
Respected transit planner for smaller BC communities by day and blackberry-jamconcocting, Tania Wegwitz electric-guitar-twanging Treasurer inner-city homesteader by night, Tania loves learning about and promoting urban sustainability and colourful artistic spaces. Her hopes for the year ahead include a carefully tended FCCS budget, continued improvements to Fernwood's pedestrian and cycling spaces, and unabashed distribution of sidewalk chalk. Bios unavailable for Paula de Beck and Max Prince
When not chasing down someone to write about for the next edition of the Village Vibe, Susan is usually chasing after her girls, Sofia (four) and Milena (two). She also teaches middle school French. Susan has lived in Susan Salvati Fernwood for three years and loves it! “I am inspired and alive in this community. Fernwood is a place of possibilities. Sometimes I actually lose sleep thinking about this place.� Susan is thrilled to sit on the board and looks forward to learning from this talented group.
I have been a resident of Vining St. since 2000 and I teach in and am chair of the Women's Studies Department at UVic. I joined the board in August 2005. Why? I live right around the corner from the Fernwood village core and remember the days when it was alive and vibrant. With the purchase of the Cornerstone Building, the FCCS showed tremendous initiative in starting the process of revitalizing the core and I was Annalee Lepp very excited to get involved in this project and others associated with the FCCS. I feel very Secretary honoured to be working with such an enthusiastic and dedicated group of people.
I am fiftish, single type with a charming daughter and an equally charming dog, currently presiding over my home in Fernwood. I first lived in Fernwood as a student in the heyday of the 70s and returned 8 years ago to take up more sedate residence. I have a Masters Degree in Political Science from UVic and spent the better part of 20 years Trish Richards working as a Policy Analyst for the BC Government. Having survived that relatively intact, I now devote my energies to the fervent study and erstwhile practice of Jin Shin Do, Five Element Acupressure. I also dabble in meditation, Qi Gung and herbal teas! Depending on the season I love to walk, swim, garden and curl up in front of the fire with a good book. Regardless of the season, I love music, dancing, theater and the company of good friends. I am really excited about the way in which Fernwood has come together to meet the challenges of our neighborhood this past year. And am delighted to be able to contribute to the NRG team as we continue along this exciting path. Thank you all for giving me this opportunity to do my bit for a great community! Jim grew up in New York city. He has lived in Jim Strack Canada for 30 years. He has been retired and living photo unavaliable in Fernwood for the past eight years.
news and views from the heart of Fernwood
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Fernwood What’s On: January 2006
A monthly roundup of neighbourhood shindigs. Head to www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca/events for more listings or to submit your event. Make Yer Neighbourho od Nicer
Total Plastics Recycling Day: Sat, Jan. 14 , Back of FCC 10am - Noon. (Every 2nd Sat of Month) Recycle plastics of all kinds (Styrofoam packing, soft plastics and bags, and ALL hard/rigid plastics) plus old electronics. By donation to cover transportatio n. Support this handy neighbourhood service or we might lose it. Cornerstone Work Parties: Held on select Saturdays. Lunch provided, sense of accomplishment free. Sign up to be notified of dates/times at www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca/cornerstone or call 381-1552. Spring Ridge Commons Work Parties : Held on select Saturdays. Sign up to be notified at www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca/commons th
Special Events
Fernwood Swap n’ Shop: Sat, Jan. 7, FCC Gym, 7:30am – 3:00pm (Vendors se t up at 7:00am). Free to browse! Vendors: $5 for space, $10/1 table, $15/2 tables, no reservations r equired. [Now hel d regularly on every 1st Sat of Month] Federal Election: Mon, Jan. 23, 7:00am – 7:00pm. If you didn’t yet receive your voter information card in the mail, head to www.elections.ca or call 1-866202-6565 to find out where to vote and how to register. Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Program Workshops: Individual & Family Preparedness, Learn how to survive the first 72 hours after a maj or emergency. Tue, Jan. 24, Yates St. Fire Hall (Camosun St. Entrance), 7:00pm – 8:30pm, Free!
Saturday Plastic Recycling Second Saturday of Every Month - Bring all those goods that the Blue Box Folks won’t take to the Community Centre. Small donation required.
Village Vibe
Kids & Families
Parent & Tot Playgroup: Ongoing Tuesdays & Thursdays. FCC Gym, 9:30am - 11:30am, $1 per family, snacks provided. Mot her Goose Circle Time: Songs, rhymes & stories; Select Saturdays (Call 381-1552 to register and for info) FCC Infant & Toddler Centre, 11:30am 12:30pm, Free! ($2 for songbook) Community Day Parent-Run Family Group: Family directed and facilitated program! Ongoing Mondays 9:30am – 11 :30am FCC Gym. Free! Youth Movie Night: Ages 12 – 18, FCC, Drop In , January 20, 7:00pm – 10:00pm. Free! Youth Open Mic Nite: Ages 12 – 18, FCC, Dro p In. $2.00. January 14. Everyone welcome, refr eshments provided. Early sign up at 384-9133 ext. 222. Youth Open Mic Nite: Ages 12 – 18, Boys and Girls Club, 1240 Yates St., Drop In. $2.00. January 18. Everyone welcome, refreshments provi ded. Ear ly sign up at 384-9133 ext. 222. Youthlines Magazine - Youth Writing Group: Ages 13-20, Ongo ing Thursdays, FCC Multipurpose Room, 4:00pm – 5 :30pm. Bring your story i deas, and get published! Call for more info: 386-6328 or www.youthlines.ca Drop-in Youth Basketball: Co-ed Ages 13-18, Ongoing Sundays, FCC Gym, 7:00pm – 9:00pm, Refreshments provided. Free!
Adults & Seniors
Free Internet and Computer Access: Complete your one-time registration and then get online through the Community Access Program. FCC Community Room, 9:15am to 8:30pm, Monday to Friday, except for 11:00am to 3:00pm on Wednesdays. Free! Drop-in Floorhockey: Co-ed Adult (18+), all equipment provided. Ongoing Tuesdays and Thursdays, FCC Gym, 6:30pm – 9:30pm, $4, or get a punchcard: $20/6 sessions, $40/11 sessions. Holistic Health & Healing: Qi Gong exercises and meditation; Ongoing Mondays, FCC, 10:00–11:30 am, Free! Falun Gong: Peaceful meditation practice. Ongoing Wednesday s, FCC, 5:00pm – 7:00pm, everyone wel come, Free! Fernwood Autumn Glow (55+): Gentle e xercise, lunch & activities; Ongoing Fridays, FCC, 11:00am, $5 .50 for lunch.
Music, Art, Theatre, and Entertainment
Victoria Bluegrass Assoc. Jam: Ongo ing Tue sdays Orange Hall, 7:30 – 10:30pm, $2 to play, free to listen. (Last Tuesday of month is open stage/feature night; cost varies). Live Music a t Logan’s: For listings, check out www.loganspub.com. “The Love List” at the Belfry Theatre: 1 l onely statistician + 1 womanizing best friend + 1 extremely unconventional dati ng service = smart
news and views from the heart of Fernwood