VillageVibe January 2009

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

Cornerstone Building Wins National Award

New Year, New Foot Forward >> by James Kasper “Money is like a sixth sense – and you can’t make use of the other five without it.” –William Somerset Maugham

>> by Roberta Martel

O

n November 2nd, Fernwood NRG received an award for the Cornerstone Building from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Commission (CMHC) for best practices in affordable housing. Lenore Rankin, Fernwood NRG’s Development Coordinator, and I, the Society’s Executive Director flew to Ottawa to represent Fernwood NRG at this national ceremony. With the same kind of serendipity that has graced the Cornerstone project since its inception, board member Paula DeBeck and builder Garde Collins had separately found themselves in Ottawa during the time of the awards ceremony and were able to participate alongside us. The day we received the award was a jampacked one day event with loads of opportunities to meet other affordable housing providers and share information about design, funding, operations, and innovation. After a long flight, we landed in Ottawa on a bitterly cold day and started setting up our Fernwood NRG booth. Anchored by the eye-catching banner that Marianne Unger of Fernwood’s own Mud Studio had designed for us only two days earlier, our Fernwood booth was a smorgasbord of information. We had copies of the Village Vibe, annual reports, and before and after pictures of the Cornerstone. Throughout the day during the ‘Meet the Winners’ event, the transformation of the Cornerstone as captured in our power point presentation played repeatedly on the large-screen t.v. as crowds of jaw-dropping spectators stopped by to learn about the tale of this neighbourhood-driven transformation. Of note was the unbelievable role of resident volunteerism in the transformation! Congratulations go out to all. With four of us present at the booth, we each found the opportunity to go around to the other displays and learn about projects from across Canada.

Of most interest to us was learning that in many other parts of Canada, municipalities are not only waiving Development Cost Charges (DCCs) on affordable housing projects, but are donating City-owned land to non-profits so they can build affordable housing. Neither of these has happened for Fernwood NRG, which was a fact that we mentioned eagerly to Mayor Fortin upon our return home. Then we were on to the town hall portion of the event. It was an opportunity to hold a more formal, plenary discussion of the issues surrounding affordable housing. It was a bit nerve wracking as it was in both official languages, webcast live, with virtual participants submitting questions and comments via the moderator. I raised the issue of sustainability and the challenges of green-building in affordable housing. It was a topic that struck a chord with participants and for the remainder of the conference I was able to discuss our experiences with geothermal and solar heating with our cohort. On the last night we were treated to the formal awards dinner and presented with the beautiful etched glass award for the Cornerstone Building which we received on behalf of the neighbourhood. On the flight home, excited by all that we had seen and learned, but weary from the travel and the cold, I flipped open the En Route magazine and couldn’t believe my eyes! It read that Stage Small Plates and Wine Bar, at 1307 Gladstone was one of the top 10 new restaurants in Canada! Stage, one of the best in Canada, in our building that just won an award as one of the best in Canada? Now that was the cherry on the icing on the cake! A Fernwood moment at 35,000 feet. Be sure to catch the interview about Fernwood’s CMHC award January 5th at 6:30 pm on the news magazine Island 30, hosted by Dana Hutchins on CHEK TV. Also be sure to check out January’s Boulevard Museum “Secret’s and Lies” feature with Fernwood NRG’s Executive Director, Roberta Martell.

Investors Group Consultant Casey Buikema offers a free Financial Literacy drop-in every Wednesday at Fernwood NRG (1240 Gladstone Ave) from 7:30 to 8:30pm. The session is a chance for Fernwoodians to pick up some free advice of managing their money. I recently had the chance to sit down with Casey and talk shop… Village Vibe How did you get started in the money

management business? Casey Buikema It was calculated. I was in the

restaurant industry. I was 30, and wanting to make a change and get ahead. I was running into a lot of ‘there is nothing we can do for you’ at financial institutions I approached. I wanted to do something where I could help people. I applied to all the banks, and I eventually started as a consultant with Investor’s Group. VV In a nutshell, what is the most important piece of financial advice you could give the average person? CB Become educated. Understand what your finances are doing. Pay yourself first instead of last. VV People often either dread money matters or find the topic dry and boring. Make your case for the contrary. CB (Laughs.) Freedom is exciting. Understanding allows you the opportunity to do certain things. I think once you realize the big differences small changes can make, it starts to get more exciting.

– continued on page 6

in this issue Thank You Best Babies Page 3 Feature: Imagine A Village Page 4 Interview with Claire Paulette Turcotte Page 6

editorial : Waiting For Chickens In January 2008 the Village Vibe predicted that the year to come would bring chickens running through the streets of Fernwood, Fernwoodians sharing garden spaces, Fernwood’s small business community flourishing, and an artistic renaissance spurred by the opening of the Collective Works Gallery. Looking back through the year we weren’t that far off, though we’re still waiting for the chickens. Yet glancing back through 2008 also reveals what many of us already know: this place on earth that many Village Vibe readers call home is fluid and it’s a place where many good things seem to happen. In January Fernwood NRG broke ground at Park Place, its second building of affordable housing in the neighbourhood. And only eight months later six new Fernwood families called Park Place home. By summer time Rainey Hopewell and Margot Johnson and all the folks around Haultain and Asquith

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

declaration of principles and values 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;

had won their graciously fought battle with the City Parks Department and the Haultain Common was laden with food for all commoners to share. Not only did the Collective Works Gallery bring fame to Fernwood’s visual artists, but Fernwood’s musical community also came more alive. James Kasper and a whole troupe of Fernwood musicians founded the Cornerstone Collective Records and recorded a live album at the Cornerstone Café. A mere few weeks later when Fernwood Square was transformed for the biggest Fern Fest ever, CCR released its album and played to the happy crowd – along with many other local acts – under sunny Fernwood skies. In the fall, Mark Lakeman of Portland’s City Repair Project returns to Fernwood for the second time in 2008 to share and gather stories of place-based transformation. All in all 2008 was a good year in the neighbourhood. Welcome to 2009.

A Vibe Box Near You Congratulations! If you’ve received this issue you likely picked it up out of a freshly built Vibe box. Starting this month, the Village Vibe is no longer being delivered by Canada Post directly to your doorstep. Instead, the Village Vibe volunteer team has initiated a neighbourhood-based distribution system. Here are some plans and photos to help you build your very own Vibe Box. Email us at villagevibe@fernwoodneighbourhood.ca and let us know where your box is. We’ll place it on our Vibe Box map to be posted at the Cornerstone Café and make sure it’s filled with papers. Want to receive the Village Vibe digitally? Sign up at www.villagevibe.ca. All back issues can also be found at this site.

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

the Fernwood buzz

The Paint Box Art Show On Saturday December 13th as the snow began to fall softly outside, proud Fernwood child artists and their parents and friends made their way to the Paint Box School of Art – one of the newest additions to Fernwood Village – for the first annual kids’ art show. Paintbox owner, operator, and art teacher Emily Grav greeted us at the door with words of welcome and hot cups of tea. The children pointed out their art, ate festive candy-covered cupcakes, and then presented a series of impromptu puppet shows in the puppet theatre Emily has set up in the space. The Paint Box offers art classes to both children and adults (ages 2 to 102!); there’s something for all levels and interests. Art themed Birthday Parties are also available, but they only do one a weekend so book ahead! In the new year, The Paint Box is moving from the back of 1284 Gladstone Ave to the front, right next door to the Pink Sugar Cupcakery. Stop in anytime after January 1st to find out about the new classes being offered, or check out their new website, www.thepaintbox-victoria.com. 1284 D1 Gladstone Ave. Fernwood Village Victoria 250-418-0924 thepaintbox.vic@gamil.com

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!

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

VillageVibe

views from the street :

How has the snow

affected you?

Chris Whitehead I could write a whole essay on that. It’s beautiful but very hard to make progress on the renovation I’m working on. But at least it’s Christmas!

Thank You Best Babies >> by Candice Caron Hello again Fernwood. I am a fourth year nursing student from UVIC who just finished a practice placement in December 2008 at the Best Babies program at the Fernwood Community Centre. I am happy to report that this is my second placement in your neighbourhood so far in my 3.5 years of education. The amount of knowledge I have gained from my experiences is immeasurable and the beauty of it belongs in the stories, questions, and time that people in this community have shared with me. I have learned that learning and creating change starts at a micro level. It starts when a story is told or a question is asked, and steps are taken toward a ripple of growth extending to macro levels of change. As Roberta Martell, Executive Director of Fernwood NRG stated (well, sort of stated), it takes one molecule in a river to shift the flow of the stream. Fernwood has an incredible voice and the people are the vehicles taking action towards change. I especially want to thank the mothers at the Best Babies program who have shared their pregnancy and birth stories with me and the group. Your stories have opened my eyes to how I can adapt my practice to meet the needs of childbearing women and families. They have also increased awareness of how changes at both the institutional and community levels could be made. I plan on working with childbearing mothers in the future, possibly as a labour and delivery nurse. From your stories I take with me a reminder of the respect and advocacy for informed decision making that is needed in the hospital. Currently I am working with a group of midwives with the goal of starting a birthing centre here in Victoria. I have researched various Canadian and international philosophies of birthing centers and I support the work the midwives have done and are continuing to do. I am also looking at how to apply some of the concepts of a birthing centre to the existing maternity unit at the hospital. There are many barriers, such as a highly medicalized and illness focused environment (the hospital), a socially constructed ideology that birth is always safest in the

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Lucky Budd

Emily Ellingsen

I’ve spent much more time in front of my fireplace than usual!

It’s made for tense highway driving over the holidays... as a passenger.

hospital and a strong unit culture in maternity care as well as a need for improved collaboration between various health care professionals. There are also many obvious benefits that the hospital team and setting can provide and I have heard of many positive experiences from women who have given birth in the hospital. But there is always room for some improvement. Thanks again to the women at the Best Babies program in Fernwood; I now have a better understanding of what is appreciated and where improvement can be made and I look forward to overcoming barriers and influencing change in the future.

I spoke of David Suzuki’s benefit for the building’s geothermal heating system. Finally, I revealed the end result: four families housed on the upper floor, and Collective Works, Stage, and the Cornerstone Café below. The ‘indicator of program success’ I relayed was that June evening I sat in the Cornerstone, listening to the Cornerstone Collective Records recording its inaugural CD and looking out over Fernwood Square filled with the conversation and laughter of Fernwoodians. The same Square that only three years earlier people had hesitated to walk through at night! The Square that had filled with over 1,000 celebrants for Fernfest 2008! Yep, the Cornerstone had proved to be the leverage point to revitalizing the heart of Fernwood! My anecdotal talk was more than warmly received and sparked much discussion about program sustainability through “building neighbourhood from the grounds up” as Fernwood NRG has done with the Cornerstone Café. There was great interest in the “enterprising non-profit” model whereby Fernwood NRG runs the Café like a business then dumps all the profits directly back into neighbourhood programs and services. All in all, it was a highly informative and fun symposium. I brought home a number of innovative ideas about how the City of Victoria can better facilitate neighbourhood initiatives and I know that many others were intrigued and inspired by our uniquely Fernwoodian approach.

Rejuvenate Your Neighbourhood >> by Trish Richards The Canadian Housing and Renewal Association (CHRA) 2008 Symposium REJUVENATE YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD was held in Edmonton, Alberta on November 3rd and 4th. Fernwood NRG was invited to present on the Cornerstone building and I was asked to do the honours. I joined a group of approximately 200 neighbourhood activists, municipal politicians and officials, provincial officials, and representatives of real estate foundations from across Canada for an inspirational two days on how social housing can be a leverage point to revitalizing inner city neighbourhoods. Presentations ranged from BC-Yukon Coordinator of the Canadian Community Economic Development Network Nichole Chaland’s theoretical paper, “Understanding and Responding to Neighbourhood Decline and Renewal” to Manager, Housing and Neighbourhood Planning, City of Regina Bruce Rice’s practical presentation, “Regina’s Secret Places,” on the long established municipal housing improvement program in three inner city neighbourhoods in Regina. For my part, I decided just to tell the Cornerstone story, as a story of neighbourhood renewal that needs little embellishment! I talked about Fernwood NRG’s purchase of the Cornerstone in response to neighbourhood decline, about how people came together for demolition Saturdays over the summer/fall of 2005. I noted the over 10,000 hours of volunteer labour that went into the restoration.

For more info on CHAR head to www.chra-achru.ca

January 2009 | www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca | Page 3

feature :

Imagine a Village

I

magine a village. Perhaps you see a little cluster of homes and small shops. It’s probably larger than a hamlet but smaller than a town; conceivably a rustic setting, possibly somewhat isolated and self-sufficient, perhaps even quaint? A village can indeed exhibit all these characteristics. But a village also can be a self-contained district or community within a town or city, regarded as having village-like features. But what features transform a group of houses within a town or city into a village? And especially, considering the challenges we humans are now compelled to face, what makes a village within a city sustainable? What makes that village part of the solutions we seek rather than part of the problems we’ve created? Imagine a village. Let’s call it Fernwood. Let’s imagine it into sustainable existence. But what does “sustainable” mean? It’s used now so frequently and casually that its meaning has become uncertain. It’s the buzz word of the year. What would we actually be doing individually and collectively in a sustainable village? What would our village look like? What would our sources of power be? What would our social structures look like? What would our village economy look like? What would our homes look like? What would our work and play look like? What would we be eating? How would we be moving from place to place? How would our village fit into the jumbo jigsaw puzzle of Victoria, the Capital Region District, Vancouver Island, Canada, North America, and the rest of the wondrous blue-green pearl we call Earth? And how on Earth can we possibly afford sustainability when we think we can hardly afford what we already have?

If you’re wondering, as we are, how to get from where we are – still in crisis – to where we need to be – living sustainably – perhaps you’d like to gather with other villagers to explore our options. To help this process evolve we’ve created a new village entity called Oak & Fern Centre (descriptive of our location on the edge of Oaklands and Fernwood). Some of you will know us from the Haultain Common. Oak & Fern Centre is our current response to the vast curiosity, enthusiasm and yearning so many Fernwoodians and Oaklanders have expressed for even more connection, co-operation, sharing, and change. Oak & Fern Centre is a social profit, community education centre with the objective of providing opportunities for folks to explore the form and essence of sustainable village life. The goal, of course, is to create a sustainable 21st century village!

Oak & Fern Centre is a social profit, community education centre with the objective of providing opportunities for folks to explore the form and essence of sustainable village life. We suspect that in order to get from where we are to where we need to be will take a powerful lot of talk. So this winter, Oak & Fern Centre is organizing a series of small group discussions. We’re using a format and materials created by the North West Earth Institute in Portland and circulated in Canada by The Canadian Earth Institute (www.CanadianEarthInstitute.org). Within the context of small group dialogue, these discussion Circles will enable folks to explore environmental issues in a supportive, inspiring, nonjudgemental group culture. In small Circles of five to ten neighbours, meeting for 90 minutes, four to nine times, you can satisfy your curiosity and explore your concerns about the challenges that beset us and the choices we can make. You can find your own right-enough answers for the conundrums of this Earth time. Participants say that Canadian Earth Institute Circles are thought-provoking, community-building, enriching, and inspiring. AND THEY ARE FUN! (We’ve heard that fun is the fifth law of sustainability.) Discussion Circles are a perfect forum for exploring individual and community action for sustainable village life.

Yoga Together Yoga and Thai Massage

Happy New Year! New Class Schedule on our website Monthly workshops: Sat Jan 17 12-2 Beginners Akhanda Yoga Sat Feb 14 12-2 Heart Chakra for Valentines Day 2006 Fernwood Road

250·361·4199 www.yogatogether.org

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

VillageVibe

>> by R ainey Hopewell and M argot Johnston

2009 EarthInstitute Winter Circles: > Global Warming: Changing Course Learn more about the history and science of global warming, explore personal values and habits as they relate to climate change and consider action to curb global warming. Four sessions. > Menu for the Future Everybody eats! Learn more about modern food systems and reflect upon our role as eaters in a global food marketplace. Six sessions. > Voluntary Simplicity Explore the personal and cultural benefits of living simply and consuming less. Eight sessions. > Healthy Children ~ Healthy Planet Advertising, media and the cult of consumerism affect children’s world views profoundly. Exploring nature, time and creativity, food and health are some of the topics for discussion. Eight sessions. > Choices for Sustainable Living We all make choices that have impacts upon the Earth. Learn about sustainability at multiple levels and consider various steps toward ecologically sustainable lifestyles, communities and organizations. Nine sessions.

We’ve heard that fun is the fifth law of sustainability. For each set of Circles, the first meeting will be at Oak & Fern Centre on Haultain Street, with a facilitator trained in the simple facilitation method described in each curriculum. (The facilitation style emphasizes inclusivity and nonjudgemental attitudes and is very simple to apply.) Following sessions will occur in the various homes of Circle participants, with weekly facilitation rotating among participants. The basic format, including suggested questions relating to the week’s readings, is outlined in detail.

We’re also offering a Spring series of facilitated events called “Workshops on the Edge of Social Change:� > Riding the Winds of Change We’re often told that humans don’t cope well with change, yet we’ve gone from the horse and buggy to landing on the moon within living memory. Let’s reclaim our inherent capacity to embrace change with creativity and enthusiasm. Since we have to change, let’s make it fun! > Radical Hope It’s hard to stay hopeful when the News is full of doom, yet hope may be the most enduring and powerful tool we have. Reclaim your sense of hope and use it to make positive change in the world. > Self-Care for Change-Makers Creating social change is inherently rewarding, and can also be exhausting. Share and explore ways to take care of ourselves as we move into the new Normal. If any of these topics intrigues you, give us a call. Would you like to see “An Inconvenient Truth� again or see it for the first time, in a group discussion format? Give us a call! Would you like to join a neighbourhood support group for folks who are making lifestyle changes for sustainability? Give us a call! Would you like to help with the Haultain Common or help reclaim other Commons? Give us a call! We are Margot and Rainey and you can reach us at 250-380-5055 or hope_of_rain@islandnet.com Let’s imagine a village. Let’s call it Fernwood. Let’s imagine it together into sustainable existence.

Earth Institute discussion Circles enable you to explore timely issues in the comfort of your own home or a neighbour’s, in the comfort of your very own Village. Circle fee is $20/person/curriculum (the cost of your study manual). To sign up for a discussion Circle in Fernwood or Oaklands, call Rainey or Margot at 250-380-5055.

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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

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January 2009 | www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca | Page 5

garden gleanings : Gardener’s Latin

>> by Margaret Hantiuk What better time to learn some botanical Latin as we sit with a cup of tea by the window, enjoying the view of the garden in winter and thinking of garden renewal for the coming year. Understanding a few rules of Latin nomenclature will assist in remembering names and provide clues about the plant itself. Latin is the universal scientific language for the worldwide plant identification system that is used everywhere, whereas common names for plants are not and some are used for different plants in different places. Most reference material, public gardens and nurseries use Latin names. Plant identification in Latin employs at least two names: the first is the Genus, or group it belongs to (based on shape and method of reproduction). This name ends

with: ‘aceae’, with large families broken down into subgroups and names ending in ‘oideae’ and ‘eae’. Species is the smallest grouping of plants with similar characteristics in a smaller geographical area that breed true from seed with one another. This classification will follow the first genus name, is always Latinized, is not capitalized and should be in italics. Sometimes it is followed by abbreviations such as ‘ssp’ (subspecies), ‘var’ (variety) and ‘f ’ (forma) with another name attached. Species names may indicate (in Latin) the native habitat, the place of origin, may describe the distinguishing characteristics of the plant, or may commemorate a person or place. Describing names end with anum or ia, and possessive names may end in i after vowels or ii, consonants. Cultivars are hybrids, bred either accidentally or deliberately between two species, usually for better form, flowers, foliage, stems or fruit, and whose distinguishing characteristics will breed true when propagated. The name of the cultivar follows the family names, sometimes with ‘cv.’ (‘cvs.’ for plural), and is written in the local language of origin (but in Roman letters) enclosed in quotation marks, with a capital first letter. Hybrid plants – where two species have been crosspollinated – often have an ‘X’ after the family name and before the hybrid name, in lower case, which refers to all progeny of that particular cross. It’s worth noting that wild species can’t be a named cultivar. Here are examples of plant names: Rosa (genus) rugosa (species) ‘Frau Dagmar Hastrup’ (cultivar), or:

Mahonia (genus) X media ‘Charity’ (hybrid species). All of these names are required to correctly identify the exact plant that you may be after. Here are some common descriptive Latin words that are used to describe features of a plant. They are written with the family name and describe a species or cultivar. -‘alba’- whilte - ‘augustifolia’ - narrow leaved -‘aurea’- golden yellow -‘aurora’- pink -‘chamae’-like (&: ‘..iella’ ‘..iopsis’) -‘F1’- first (often the best) generation of a hybrid -‘flava’- yellow -‘flora’- about the flowers -‘folia’- about the leaves -‘glaber’- smooth -‘glauca’- blue -‘hirsutum’- hairy -‘japonica’ –from Japan -‘littoris’- from the seashore -‘macro’- large -‘montana’- from the

mountains -‘nana’- small -‘nigra’- black -‘pseudo’- resembles, but isn’t -‘purpurea’- purple -‘reticulata’- netted veins -‘rubra’- red -‘rugosa’- wrinkled -‘salicifolia’- like a willow leaf -‘sinensis’- from China -wilsonii’ discovered by Wilson

Head to http://glossary.gardenweb.com/glossary for a helpful website.

Dream a Little Dream Interview with author/artist/dream analyst Claire Paulette Turcotte >> by James Kasper “The dream is a hidden door to the innermost recesses of the soul...” – CG Jung

Village Vibe How long have you been doing dream

work? Claire Paulette Turcotte I began, formally, 20

years ago with a dream analyst and studied everything I could get my hands on. I am a prolific dreamer so there was a lot of material. I began to teach in 1990 and have had students off and on since then. I am semi-retired but the work keeps calling me back out. VV For those who might be cynical, what results have you seen for yourself and others?

New Year

| from page 1

VV For those who may know you only as a

financial consultant, what is something that may surprise them about you? CB I coach grade ten boys basketball. VV What New Year’s financial resolution do you recommend to the people of Fernwood? CB Learn something new about your money. VV Any books you recommend? CB The Richest Man in Babylon, Rich Dad, Poor Dad, and The Wealthy Barber.

CPT Well, dream work isn’t suitable for everyone.

Briefly, the benefits can be summed up with ‘it is always useful to know what you are up to.’ The dreams can give you information about yourself that you are out of touch with or would rather not know. We don’t like consciousness very much. We would rather blame our messes on someone else. True? Look at the state of the world. Meander through our own backyard these past few weeks in politics. VV Why is it important for people to be in touch with their “dream life”? CPT There is an analogy to an iceberg with the tip out of the water and the rest of the mass below the surface out of sight. What we know of ourselves is the tip of the iceberg. Working with dreams is like developing a relationship with a part of yourself you don’t know. Also, you get a sense that you are on a specific path and the dream is supporting that. VV What is your interpretation of a “lucid dream” and how closely connected are our real and dream worlds? CPT I’m glad you asked that. There is a lot of interest in lucid dreaming these days. This work we are doing here is not about controlling our dreams but is more like developing a respectful relationship. Yes, it is more like a relationship really. It is typical of our culture to want to control everything. All the same, it’s good to be aware in your dreams. VV What kinds of symbols most often show up in people’s dreams? CPT Symbols are as varied as human experience. The dream picks up anything in your experience and uses it to get your attention. So everything is a symbol. Take “cooking” for instance. Cooking is a symbol for the transformation process, since we are transforming something from one state to another. Also, you have the

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

intense heat that can sometimes feel excruciating in our outer lives. But knowing what we are working on, from a deeper level, somehow makes it easier to bear. There are personal symbols that resonate with the individual which belong uniquely to that individual. VV Is there a dream of yours that stands out above the rest? CPT There are many. One dream specifically was the impetus behind my next book, Barking up the Sacred Tree, as well as the courses based on the book. I am working on an experimental play that was given to me almost complete, in a dream. VV How will your Fernwood workshop in January help people to interpret their dreams? CPT Dream work gives you a better connection to your life. This workshop is a fairly basic approach that will give students some insight through understanding how symbols work in their dreams and in their lives. VV How will the participants express their dreams in the workshop? CPT Crayons and pencils, markings on paper and journaling are tools that bring the image into the day world and bring more of the dream’s energy into our lives. Further information on Claire and her work can be found at www.cdris.com The Secret Lives of Symbols: A Dream Workshop with Claire Paulette Turcotte. 4 Classes, Tuesdays, Jan. 13, 20, 27, Feb.3. 6:30 - 8pm. $50 total for the 4-session package. Art supplies included. Fernwood NRG 1240 Gladstone Avenue To register, call James @ 381-1552 Ext.25.

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faces : The Car Whisperer

>> by Lisa Helps I’ve already had an elaborate tour of the 1969 Volkswagen Type 3 Notchback named Felicia that Gerry Gaydos is currently converting to electric. I’m perched on the stairs that run between Gerry’s shop and the rest of the house when he tells me that at the age of four he stuck a paperclip into an outlet in the wall. “In my head, I was looking for an ignition switch for my sports car,” he assures me, “but what I discovered was the power of electricity.” He’s spent much of his adult life reconciling his love of cars with the knowledge that cars are a key “part of the toxic lifestyle we’ve all been participating in.” His search for an alternative has lead to his recently established Fernwood-based company, Funkymoto™ Electrifying Cars. The dream of Funkymoto™ has been a long time in the making. In the mid 1990s Gerry lived in London Ontario and heard tell of a group of University of Western Ontario students that was building a solar electric race car for the world solar challenge. He spent time volunteering with the student solar team because he saw an overlap between the work he was doing at the time – researching electric mobility devices for people with disabilities – and the alternative energy technology the students were exploring. One of things he saw as fascinating about the student project is that they had to plan for efficiency. Even the contours of the land along the race route became important. “This really appeals to me,” he said, “it’s is like flying; you need to keep your mind engaged, processing time, motion, and the realities of the world around you.” Working with the students made him wonder how he could apply alternative energy to his life-long interest in sports cars. When he moved to Victoria a few years later, he wondered whether to continue his research related to mobility devices, or, as he said, “to find a way to get my electric sports car dream on the road.” In 2001 he took a road trip to California to meet the electric car gurus at AC

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Propulsion and the decision was made. “I saw their car and its electric drive system,” he recalls, “and I fell in love.” This is where Felicia enters the scene. About nine years ago Gerry’s wife Sue didn’t have a car. Gerry spotted Felicia – as Sue later named her in the spirit of good fortune – in a driveway on Arbutus Road with a for sale sign in her friendly curved windshield. After an interview with an advocate of the owner, an 83-year-old women who had purchased the car new here in 1969, and after hearing the car’s entire life story, Sue was deemed to be a worthy new owner and took Felicia home. Fast forward to two years ago when Gerry established Funkymoto™ and was planning to build a prototype. One day over breakfast Sue suggested that if they were planning to restore Felicia anyway, maybe they should convert her to electric as part of the process. “The validation of Sue offering Felicia as a candidate for conversion said she really believed in what I was doing. This was energizing,” Gerry remembers. And so Gerry’s first conversion to electric began. At press time, all of Felcia’s mechanical systems have been overhauled and she has a snazzy new paint job – the kind that show cars get. Gerry has made mock-ups of the batteries and placed them in the car for planning purposes while he waits for the high-end Lithium batteries to arrive. When Felicia is finished, she’ll be able to recharge by plugging into any regular household outlet, or a dryer outlet for faster charging. Best of all, the technology exists to enable Felicia to supply emergency back-up power to the household when she’s all charged up. This may sound like the year 2050 to some of us, but for Gerry Gaydos and Funkymoto™ the future is right now. Unsurprisingly, Funkymoto™ is also a business with a social conscience. An initiative called Next Car Neighbours is one of Gerry’s intended ways of giving back to the community. Modeled in part after Habitat for Humanity, Next Car Neighbours has the threefold goal of reducing poverty, improving road safety, and lowering

emissions. Gerry explains that cars become liabilities on the streets when maintenance is neglected. But this neglect, he realizes, occurs when people who depend on a car – for example single parents with two or three children – are unable to afford to maintain a car properly. His thinking is to use the Funkymoto™ shop to refurbish or replace rundown clunkers with safe, clean, and affordable cars. Next Car Neighbours volunteers and beneficiaries can restore and/or convert to electric drive good used cars that are donated by community supporters. Maintenance bills will be lower, traffic hazards will be reduced, and we’ll all breathe a little easier. Gerry jokes that Sue calls him the “car whisperer.” After an engaging hour with him, I would have to agree. Funkymoto™ is on its way to healing both Victoria’s roadways and drivers.

Empty Hands Empower >> by James Kasper “I come to you with only Karate, Empty Hands. I have no weapons, but should I be forced to defend myself, my principles, or my honour, should it be a matter of life or death, of right or wrong, then here are my weapons, Karate, my Empty Hands.” – Ed Parker

Lucas Trottier’s karate drop-in class happens every Sunday from 1:00pm to 2:30pm in the Fernwood NRG gym, 1240 Gladstone Avenue. I recently sat down with Lucas to chat about his program and his approach to this enduring martial art. VV What makes you unique as a karate instructor? Lucas Trottier I teach karate as a life art more than

as a fighting art. I approach it as personal growth and confidence through martial arts. VV What are the advantages of learning karate? LT It’s great for physical health, as it makes you stronger and more flexible. And it’s great for your mental health, as it builds confidence through teaching you how to defend yourself. It makes the whole body useful as a self-defense tool. VV Who can drop in to your karate class? LT It’s versatile and applicable to any body shape or size or age. Anybody can do it. Karate allows anybody and everybody can feel empowered and feel 100% safe and strong in any situation. VV For people who may know you only as a karate instructor, what would surprise them to know about you? LT Music is another main passion of mine. I have two years of professional music training, with a major in composition. I am also quite interested in mythology. VV You’ve lived in Fernwood for a few months now. What is your impression of the neighbourhood so far? LT I like it because it’s a community that is pro-active about being a community, and it is flexible about lifestyles. It reminds me of my hometown of Nelson – friendly and open-minded.

January 2009 | www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca | Page 7

what’s on in Fernwood Arts, Theatre and Entertainment

Youth, Adults and Seniors

Belfry Theatre. THE REAL THING. A play by Tom Stoppard. Jan 13-Feb 15. 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. “Surface Tension.” New works by Karna Bonwick and PJ Kelly. Opening>Friday, Jan 2. 7pm. Shows until Jan 15. “Sari-Likha – Nature in Watercolour and Prelude to Socio-Realism.” Works by Roberto Maralag 3. Opening>Jan31, 7pm. Show runs Jan 30Feb 13.Gallery hours>11am-6pm Tues-Thurs; 11am-8pm Fri+Sat; 11am-6pm Sun; closed Mon. 1311 Gladstone Ave. 250.590.1345. www. collectiveworks.ca Cornerstone Café Events. Sat, Jan 10>The Cornerstone welcomes up-and-coming singer-songwriter Daniel Kosub (www.dankosub.com), as he performs to release his debut music video for his song “Blue and Grey.” 8pm start. Admission by donation. Thank you for supporting independent touring and local musicians! 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. “Carpet World.” Rhonda Weppler and Trevor Mahovsky. Jan 11-31, 2009. 1442 Haultain St. Info: www.ministryofcasualliving.ca Victoria Bluegrass Association Jam. Tuesdays 7:30-10pm. Orange Hall. 1620 Fernwood Rd. $2 to play ($3/non-members). Listen by donation. www.victoriabluegrass.ca Victoria Folk Music Society. Sundays. 7:30pm Open Stage. 9pm Feature Performer. (Jan 4>SASSENACH REBELLION. Jan 11>ANJOPA. Jan 18>TOM RAWSON. Jan 25>BEN SURES). Norway House. 1110 Hillside Ave. $5 feature performer nights/$3 all open stage night. www.victoriafolkmusic.ca

New!! Financial Literacy with Casey from Investor’s Group. Learn to manage your money effectively. Wednesdays, 7:30-8:30pm. Drop-in. Fernwood Community Centre. FREE! New!! Kundalini Yoga. (Starts Jan 9, ’09) Mondays, 7-8:30pm. $5 drop-in. Fernwood Community Centre. New!! The Secret Lives of Symbols. Dream Workshop with Claire Paulette Turcotte. Tuesdays, Jan 13, 20, 27, Feb.3. 6:30pm. $50 for 4-week workshop. Art supplies included (see this month’s Vibe story “Dream a Little Dream”). Call 250.381.1552 ext. 25 to register. 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.** Modern Day Wizard classes for January. > Wizard School - Two classes starting Tues, Jan 13 and Wed, Jan 14. > Intuitive Development - starts Monday, Jan 12. For more info please visit moderndaywizard. com/classes.htm Reflexology with Marianne McLauchlin. Feel like a new person after hand and foot treatments. Drop in. Tuesdays, 1:30-4pm. Fernwood Community Centre MPR. By donation. Women’s Soccer. Drop-in. Sundays 5-6:30pm, Fernwood Community Centre Gym. $3.**

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

Special Events Fernwood Business Network. Everyone welcome. Tues, Jan 6 (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, Jan 13 (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, Jan 10 (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 contact villagevibe@fernwoodneighbourhood. ca Fernwood Place Making Troupe. All Welcome! Bring your ideas for the square and the neighbourhood. Mon, Jan 19 (third Mon monthly). 7pm. Cornerstone Café. Fernwood NRG Food Security Collective. All welcome! Tues, Jan 20 (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. Thursdays, 5-7pm at the Commons. Please bring tools if you’ve got ‘em. 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/

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: Candice Caron Margaret Hantiuk Rainey Hopewell Margot Johnston James Kasper Roberta Martel The views expressed in the Village Vibe do not necessarily reflect the views of Fernwood NRG.

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

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

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 | January 2009

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