Village Vibe
news and views from the heart of Fernwood
www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca
july 2005
Superheros Fly Through Fernwood Stroll by the corner of Camosun and Balmoral at almost any time of day or night, through pelting rain or blazing sun, and you'll see Paul Phillips out there renovating his HUGE heritage home. Whether it's landscaping, painting, siding or masonry work, Fernwood most creative housing innovator certainly has his work cut out for him! But Paul and his project got a surprise boost in mid June when a troupe of volunteers, The Superheros, descended to lend a couple dozen helping hands. It was Aida Nashari who sent the team in the direction of Fernwood. "I was recently on Salt Spring and met the Superheros when they were helping out at a cob building project. I told them about Paul's place, and they decided to come," she said.
helping out wherever they can. They managed to remove a whole whack of siding and expose the original wavy patterned shingles that had been peeking out, teasing Fernwoodians who have wanted to see more. The Superheros landing here in Fernwood was an inspiring reminder of the goals we can achieve when we don our capes and work together.
The Superheros, some donning capes and other simple costumes, hearken from all over the United States. With character names like Compash Man, Grati-Dude and Buttercup, the Heros are following their bliss, traveling emergently and
An NRGetic Group
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What are your neighbours up to Neighbourhood Revitalization Group when they’re not tending their beauti- (NRG) to work with them on that ful gardens, playing heated soccer process. matches, or barbequing feasts long into the ever-lengthening days? Well, NRG meetings are held on they're building Neighbourhood! the first Wednesday of the month at Fernwood NRG had its second monthly meeting on June 1 at the 7:30 at the the Community Centre, 1240 Gladstone. Community Centre. Revitalization of rg a @fe the Village core was at the top of the od.c rn woodn eig hb our ho resident-driven agenda. The group was approached by a Work will be done collaboratively newly formed partnership of with local businesses, key stakeholdFernwood businesses who are inter- ers, neighbourhood residents, and ested in helping to revitalize the the City of Victoria. Having met with Village Core. They asked the all key players from the 'Four
Corners,' NRG is conscious of the need for both short and long term revitalization strategies that align within a holistic and professionally developed plan. The group has $4,000 from a City of Victoria matching grant to begin undertaking this work. NRG’s well-paced meetings, are packed with lots of laughs and inspiring ideas, organic coffee and cookies, So get yer weeding done early, toss yer veggie burger on a bun, and walk on over to the Centre! This is a meeting that even sworn meeting-phobics will enjoy!
Fernwood in the HOUSE! Okay so it’s not the house, but that may be the next stop for our local rising star on the political scene, Fernwood resident Rob Fleming. He has made the big leap from City Council to the Legislature, and was arguably one of the most charming candidates in the election. (Rob is also a frequent visitor of the Fernwood Community Centre and darling of the Autumn Glow Society.) Stay tuned as we follow Rob and Fernwood’s other MLA Carol James in their roles as part of the official opposition.
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 becoming financially self-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, self-worth, 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!
Village Vibe Volunteer Team Thanks to: Lenore Rankin, Roberta Martell, Dave Kesson, Tania Wegwitz, Margaret Hantiuk, Susan Salvati, Lisa Helps, Bill Cino , Terry Wilson, the Garth Homer Society, Bill Coades, Jo Roueche, Ron Spence, Anne Murphy, Lyn Schofield, Trish Richards
To subscribe, contact, submit to or advertise in the Vibe, head to www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca /vibe
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No opposition from us!
City Update Rec Renewal: The FCCS Board of Directors will meet with the City of Victoria in late June/early July to hear the results of their city wide consultation. Dogs in the Park: For a comprehensive list of on-leash and off-lease dog parks stop by the Centre and pick up a “Paws in the Park” brochure. Secondary Suites: The City is currently seeking input to review its sec-
ondary suite policy. For information see www.city.victoria.bc.ca/cityhall/departments_comdev_hsngln. shtml. Send your comments to Wendy Zinc at WendyZ@city.victoria.bc.ca Rezoning Application: The FCC has recieved correspondance from the City regarding a rezoning application for 1480 Walnut Street. A public hearing will be held soon. Check the City’s website for details: www.city.victoria.bc.ca/residents/planning_actvrz.shtml
Hungarian Flower Power by Dave Kesson Fernwood residents Alex and Veronica Simanszky are the owners of newly-opened Strelitzia Floral and Garden Design, located on Bay Street right beside Wall's Foodmart. Named for the Bird of Paradise plant grown for its spectacular flowers, Strelitzia got its start in May 2005. Veronica has twenty five years experience in the flower business, much of it in her native Hungary. Besides cut flowers and arrangements the Simanszky's also sell hanging baskets, vegetable starts, herbs, exotic plant and indoor plants. Strelitzia is open seven days a week from 10 a.m to 6 p.m.
The store caters to customers who want something original and of high qualtiy and not just run of the mill. "We care for everything we grow," says Alex, later quipping, "We only sell to good homes." "We also run a plant hospital," says Veronica half-jokingly as a customer drops off an unhappy Yucca plant. Whether for new plants or advice on how to give some tender loving care to old green friends, here's hoping Fernwoodians support these local and friendly green-thumbed entrepreneurs.
Village Vibe
The Centre of Fernwood by Roberta Martell executive director May was a busy month for Community Centre volunteers and staff volunteering! With our volunteer power, we launched our inaugural Village Vibe, sold ads to pay for its creation and distribution, went live with our new website, www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca, and designed and built a nifty float for the Victoria Day parade. Our volunteer board members attended over 20 meetings in the month, ranging from two board meetings and meetings with City Councillors, to meetings on parks, PAC, Fernfest, neighbourhood revitalization and a slew of other issues. We partook in Portland's Village Building Convergence and attended two Vancity workshops on leadingedge non-profit practices. We alsoproudly attended the awards ceremony at Vic High, witnessing an amazing group of youth being recognized for outstanding academic, athletic and community achievements at the 129th incarnation of this event. Congrats to all! At Fernwood House, Debbie Hebberlein volunteered to coordinate the renovation of the community room, and Society members volunteered to plant trees as part of our 'FruitTree' project. Society members also held a volunteer flag-making workshop, and volunteered to design, create and install a mosaic in the park bench of Stevenson park. We also helped out other volunteer programs by either partnering with them, or supporting them with resources. We are proudly partnering on a nutrition program for new
moms called 'Squeals on Wheels'. As an initiative of Suzanne MacLellan, who is taking the Leadership Victoria program through Volunteer Victoria, we will provide resources and expertise to help continue this important pilot project! We also hosted Victoria's Folkfest planning meetings, providing this volunteer group with free space, and are hosting a free workshop by volunteer Rod Cooper, on 'How to get what you want in life'. Betsy's Summer Circle Dances, Bazaa's hand-drumming group, and Florence's holistic healing and energies program, also held at the centrea are all free to participants and run by volunteers. See www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca for more information. Fernwood has a proud heritage of volunteerism, and is obviously a community with loads of capacity, skills, passion and energy. The Community
news and views from the heart of Fernwood
Centre brings the resources needed to carry out the will of volunteers, including staff, facilities and money raised through our social ventures. In fact, last month we officially recognized the work of 47 volunteers with FCC t-shirts. It is clear that Volunteerism is alive and well and serving the needs of Fernwoodians!
Regulars of the Fernwood Autumn Glow Seniors exercise group and lunch club having tea, apparently playing bongos, and enjoying the first issue of the Village Vibe. Join them at the Centre, each Friday from 11:00am - 2:30pm.
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Make Your Block a Watched Block
by Trish Richards
Tired of awakening to sirens in the night? Like to get to know the people who live three doors down, or even the ones across the street? Feel the need for a stronger sense of safety in your neighborhood? Have we got an idea for you! Make your block a WATCHED BLOCK! The BLOCK WATCH program is sponsored by the Victoria Police Department. The idea is simple: keep your neighbors informed of nefarious comings and goings on your block and get to know them in the process! To begin, you need two hearty souls, a BLOCK WATCH Captain and Co-captain, to take on the task of canvassing the block and collecting names and phone numbers of those who want to participate. These are mapped out and given to the BLOCK WATCH Coordinator. Victoria's coordinator is a delightful woman by
the name of Bev Stewart who devotes her time and energy to guiding the uninitiated through the BLOCK WATCH process. Next, everyone on the block gathers together in an initial meeting so that
they can be briefed on how the program works and, most importantly, can put names to the faces of your neighbors. And you are then off and running! The simple advantage of BLOCK WATCH is that it works! The police estimate that BLOCK WATCH pro-
grams in Victoria and Esquimalt have reduced Break and Enters by some 21% in recent years. And, some companies offer lower house insurance rates to block watch members. So, by simply making your block a WATCHED BLOCK, you and your neighbors will have helped to stop crime in your neighborhood and you will have done it together! Have we got you interested? Check out the BLOCK WATCH info tent at Fernfest, and talk to Fernwood residents who are WATCHING their blocks. Come to the Fernwood BLOCK WATCH meeting at the FCC in September (date TBA) and hear about it from the experts. Or, take the plunge ... make your block a WATCHED BLOCK! Get in touch with Bev Stewart, Coordinator of Block Watch, at 9957400 or at stewartb@police.victoria.bc.ca.
It Takes a Village: Fernwood Centre's Childcare
by Lyn Schofield
Fernwood Infant & Toddler Care will be very busy thanks to a $23,000 grant from Ministry of Children & Family Development (MCFD). The grant will enable us to install a professionally designed, CSA approved playground complete with fairy castle climber, covered sandbox and a small ride-on spring toy. Work should be completed by August. These improvements enable us to create eight additional much needed spaces for children under 3 years of age. We also received $7,500 from the Vancouver Foundation to help reside the building, and another $7,000 from MCFD to put in a safe impact zone in the playground and purchase new napbeds. We are thankful to our funders for help in providing quality, affordable, licensed
childcare for local families! The older children and staff are planning for what is guaranteed to be a fun summer of field trips, special events and theme days. The 3- 5 year olds will enjoy trips to the pool, Beacon Hill petting zoo, and Peter Pan Water Park among other places. In addition, theme days include wacky hair and pajama days. Daycare supervisor Tina reports that there is still one space left for July for a lucky child to get in on the fun. Fernwood Kids Summer Camp is designed for children ages 6 to 12 and while Victoria High School is their home base, program supervisor Lisa reports they won't be hanging out inside much but will be enjoying trips to local beaches, pools, museums, IMAX movies and more. They also
news and views from the heart of Fernwood
have theme days planned including Mad Science and Fun With Water days. This camp has a few available spaces for July and August. Each Fernwood childcare program is licensed and accepts childcare subsidies. If you'd like more information, help applying for subsidy or want to register, please give me a call at the Centre at 381-1552.
“Scooby Doo� by Faith, age 5 5
Fernwood What’s On: July 2005 A monthly roundup of neighbourhood shindigs. Head to www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca/events for more listings or to submit your event. 1 Fri 2 Sat
5 Tue
6 Wed
8 Fri
9 Sat
Canada Day: FCC Closed Composting Basics Workshop: Compost Ed. Centre, 11:00am – 1:00pm, Free! All Ages Show: Kincaide, theset, Glory Nights, Open Parachute, Unlabeled; FCC, 6:30pm Parent & Tot Playgroup: FCC Gym, 9:30am – 11:30am, $1:00 per family, snacks provided. {+ ongoing Tue & Thur) Victoria Bluegrass Assoc. Jam: Orange Hall, 7:30 10:30pm, $2 to play, free to listen. (+ ongoing Tue) Fernwood Neighbourhood Revitalization Group: FCC, 7:30pm, Free! Holistic Health & Healing: Qi Gong exercises and meditation; FCC, 10:00–11:30am, Free! [+ ongoing Wed) Fernwood Autumn Glow (55+): Gentle exercise, lunch & activities; FCC, 11:00am, $5.50 for lunch. (+ ongoing Fri) All Ages Show: The Rebel Spell, AK-47, The Hoosegow, + others; FCC, Doors 7:00pm, $7. Plastics Recycling Day: Back of FCC 10am - Noon.
Fernfest is Coming August 26 - 28!
To find out more about the neighbourhood festival of fun or to volunteer check out www.fernwoodneigh bourhood.ca/fernfest
9 Sat (Cont.) 10 Sun 15 Fri 16 Sat + 17 Sun 18 Mon 23 Sat
29 Fri 30 Sat
Compost Club Lecture: Seed Saving; Compost Ed. Centre, 2:00pm – 4:00pm, members free, nonmembers $10. Fernwood Kids Soccer Camp: For kids ages 5–10; Cost: $25.00 per child. Call Lyn at 381-1552 for more info and to register. (+ Jul 24, Aug 7 & 21) All Ages Show: Heavy Artillery, Chuck Norris, Discord, the Grey Army + others; FCC, Doors 7:00pm, $7. Intro to Permaculture: Full day workshop series; Compost Ed. Centre, 10:00am – 5:00pm, $100 (preregister at 386-WORM). Summer Circle Dance: Everyone welcome; FCC, 7:00– 9:00pm, by donation. Mother Goose: Songs, rhymes & stories; FCC Infant & Toddler Centre, 9:30am – 12:30pm, Pre-registration required: 381-1552, $2 (ongoing alternate Sat to Sep 24). All Ages Show: Hunter's Birthday Modern Day Fire, Temper, Tough As Nails, Rivalry, A Crow's Glory; FCC, Doors 7:00pm, $8. All Ages Show: Tugnut, Mitochondrion, Mechanical Separation; FCC, Doors 6:30pm Movies in the Park: Movie TBA, back of FCC, 9:00pm, Free! (popcorn & snacks available).
Total Plastic Recycling
Hot Fun In The Summertime Paint-IIn
Psst! Hey you? Are you recycling your plastic? All of your plastic? If not, you can still change your ways. Blue boxes now accept rigid plastic casings such as the one your sushi came in, but Fernwood Total Plastic Recycling takes much more:
On August 13th Gladstone Avenue will be alive with an array of artists demonstrating their skills and talent. The event will run from 11 am to 4 pm. There is space for up to 70 artists. So If you would like to apply, applications are available at the Fernwood Community Centre. The cost to display and sell your work is only $15 and $5 for students and seniors.
plastic bags, plastic wrap, styrofoam (no food or egg containers) milk cartons, tetra packs, foam coffee bags, CD cases and cassette tapes, and any other pieces of plastic you can think of.
From the Square to the Centre art will line the streets. In addition, buskers will belt out tunes and food venders will serve up fine eats. This is an event for the whole family so pack the kids up in the wagon and head down to the heart of your neighbourhood.
So load up yer wagons or bike trailers and mosey on over to the back of the Fernwood Communigy Centre on the
Second Saturday of the Month 10 am to Noon. And
the Blue Fox Cafe Breakfast all Day - In a Big Way organic coffee homemade pies fresh baked bread local ingredients
101-919 Fort St 380-1683
don't forget your toonies! This enterprise is entirely funded by our donations!
Bring this ad along and get 10% off. Village Vibe
Suggested Donations: hard plastic: $2/large bag soft plastic: $4/large bag styro blocks: $4/large bag news and views from the heart of Fernwood