Village Vibe
news and views from the heart of Fernwood
www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca
july 2006
Faces of Fernwood Farmers
by Susan Salvati
There’s a new face on the farm. Over the last year Angela Moran has been working the land at Up From the Ashes City Farm, a magical oasis tucked away behind the bicycle wheel fence on Balmoral, between Cook and Vancouver. The quarter acre farm, inhabited by a family of raccoons and filled with lush vegetation, is in a transition year. Rev, who has cultivated the property for several years, is moving onto another path. Angela’s journey to the farm began at Brock University near Niagara Falls where she earned a degree in Environmental Policy and Sociology, and first heard of permaculture. But what Angela craved upon graduation was a chance to get her hands into the dirt. After two years in the Yukon and some time in Canmore, she spent time as a Woofer on a permaculture farm in Costa Rica. From there, she was accepted into the Ecological Gardening Program at Linnaea Farm on Cortes Island. It was at Linnaea that Angela became attuned to food systems and issues of food security. She emerged with a desire to work toward systemic change, to use
techniques, Angela is learning how to keep the farm emotionally, financially and physically sustainable. Part of that sustainability comes from selling the fruits of her labours. Angela’s greens now emerge in salads at Mole restaurant. These, in addition to beautiful cut flower bouquets and other vegetables, can be found once a month at the Moss Street Market, as well as at Fernwood’s very own Tuesday night Village Market. Angela hopes that Up From the Ashes can demonstrate that her new skills to change commu- "we need to share in the responnities. She moved back to Victoria sibility of growing our food and and heard of Up From the Ashes. take the pressure off of the rural Now, as a participant in the farmers. If I’m growing food in Lifecycles Youth Entrepreneur Fernwood, I want to sell food in Program, Angela spends the Fernwood." This is heartening majority of her time at the farm, news for all those who want to watering her plants in the early increase the level of food security hours of the morning. Since part in our neighbourhood. of Angela’s vision is education, she welcomes volunteers to the Want to Build a Café ... farm Mondays, Wednesdays and meet your neighbours, leave a Fridays from 8:00a.m. to 11:00a.m. and 4:00p.m. to lasting legacy in Fernwood? 7:00p.m. She wants to share her Join Fernwood NRG for knowledge because that is how Cornerstone Work Parties this she learned. And she continues to learn. summer Tuesday nights Where once this learning came (starting July 11) 5:30-9:30 from books, now the farm is her Fernwood and Gladstone teacher. In addition to growing
Village Vibe
Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group (FernwoodNRG) 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, 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.villagevibe.ca 2
Good Times At Fern Fest Street Party
A Big Thank-you to everyone who supported Fern Fest this year, including sponsors, staff, volunteers, and everyone who came out and enjoyed the festivities. The June 11th event was a fine day of music and burgers in the sun (well, mostly sun). The George & Dragon patio faced the 13-performer
stage and served as the best seating in the "house." Highlights of the afternoon included a spirited performance from the 7-piece Caroline Spence Band, a great set by J.T. King, a dance-inspiring blues-rock set by one-man-band Dave Harris, and popular children’s performer Bill Cino.
Fernwood Summer Camp
Victoria High School * 7:30am-5:30pm * Fun Daily Activities * Field Trips * Art & Science Activities * Afternoon Snack Provided * $400/month * Ages 5-12 For info or to register, Call Lisa @ 213-6093
Village Vibe
Watering the Wise and Wonderful Way
by Margaret Hantiuk
Having a beautiful and thriving garden is easy when you pay attention to the four basic requirements. Like the legs that hold up a table they must all be strong or the whole thing will collapse. The first is good soil (lots of compost takes care of this one, spread about an inch from the plant's stem or crown to prevent rot). The second is the right plant in the right place (check for requirements where you buy the plant, where you found it or in a good gardening/plant reference book). The third is ample sun or shade (depending on the needs of your plant – most veggies need at least 6 hours of sunlight daily). The last is ample watering. Do not kid yourself on this one – plants need enough water to flourish or they will be stressed and become diseased (mildew, for example, is caused by dry soil and moist air.) These four requirements are all interconnected. If you pile 2" of compost or mulch around your plants and shrubs, the soil will not only be improved, but it will also stay moist longer. Choosing the right plant for the right spot means that you can grow plants and shrubs that are drought tolerant in sunny, hot parts of your garden. They will thrive with less water. Grouping plants with the same requirements makes sense – they
will flourish, it is less work, and they will actually look more natural together. Growing plants that require less water is called "Xeriscaping" and this along with growing 'native' plants (which tend to be hardier) are new trends that
have resulted from increasing water shortages. Most nurseries and gardening books now promote drought-tolerant plants. Plants thrive when we mimic their natural growing conditions. What is the 'wise way' to water? It does take more time, but it's very rewarding for both the garden and the gardener . . . handwatering! Using a 'watering wand' works great, or a hand-held shower head (strictly speaking, according to the CRD bylaw, it should have an off switch.) As you stand and water, you will get to know your garden and can plan what to do next: what needs pruning, fix-
ing, replanting or dividing, weeding, etc. It is important to water at the roots and not the leaves as there is less evaporation and less chance of disease. How long you hand-water your beds and shrubs depends on the size of your plants, your soil, the weather, etc. Obviously, little seedlings need less than a shrub, and the newly planted need more than those that are mature and deeply rooted. I circle around plants with a fairly strong water pressure, which speeds up the process. With stressed trees, you may want to leave a hose on dribbling or a little sprinkler on for the evening. Hand watering can be done in the evening whereas with overhead sprinklers this is not advised because leaving the foliage wet all night promotes fungal diseases. I started hand-watering when the water restrictions were put in place a few years ago and noticed then how much better my garden was. Now it's my preferred way to water and I find it quite satisfying. Sometimes I don't have the time and there are a few places where it makes sense to put out a sprinkler; in this case make sure that you leave the water on long enough. Prod deeply in the soil to see how deep the moisture has gone. You shouldn't have to water as often if you water well enough.
Need a place to garden? Have a place to garden. Lifecycles "Sharing Backyards" initiative is just the thing for you. Post your garden desire/availability at: http://www.gworks.ca/lifecycles/initiatives/sharing_backyards/index2.php news and views from the heart of Fernwood
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Fernwood What’s On: July 2006
A monthly roundup of neighbourhood shindigs. Head to www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca/events for more listings or to submit your event. Make Yer Neighbourhood Nicer Total Plastics Recycling Day: Sat, July 8th, Back of FCC 10am - Noon. (Every 2 Sat of Month) Recycle plastics of all kinds (Styr ofoam packing, soft plastics and bags, and ALL hard/rigid plastics) plus old electronics. By donation to cove r transportation. Support this handy neighbourhood service or we might lose it. Cornerstone Work Parties: The focus in July and August will be getting the bottom floor commercial spaces ready for rent and the Cornerstone Café up and running. Come on out ongoing Tuesday nights (except Jul 4) 5:30pm – 9:30pm. Sign up to be notified of dates/ times at www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca/cornerstone.html or call 381-1552. Spring Ridge Commons Work Parties: Learn more at www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca/commons nd
Special Events
Fernwood Market: The Fernwood Market retur ns to Fernwood Square (corner of Fernwood & Gladstone), featuring food, goods & crafts from local vendors as well as knitting, poetry, and art-making demonstrations and informatio n booths. Ongoing Tuesdays, 5:30pm to 9:30pm, Free! Call Sue Mulholland at 361-3372 or drop by the She Said Gallery at 2000 Fernwood Rd. for more info. Picnic in the Park: Friends of Harris Green invite you to come celebrate this com munity green space at a potluck picnic on upper Harris Green Park (bounded by Pandora , Chambers, Rudlin, and Cook). Bring a BBQ item plus something to share while enjoyi ng the gypsy jazz & swing music of Two Finger Swing. Tours of neighbouring historic Church of Christ, Scientist also available at 1:00pm and 2:00pm. Zero-waste event. Please bring washable dishes and utensils. Sun, Jul 30, noon – 3:00pm, Free!
Green Thumbs
Composting Basics Workshop: Sat, Jul 8, Compost Ed. Centre, 11:00am – 1:00pm, Free! Compost Club Lecture: Urban Chickens, Sat, Jul 8, Compost Ed. Centre, 2:00pm – 4:00pm, members free, non-members $15. Gardening wi thout Pesticides Workshops: Organic Lawn Care, Sat, Jul 15, Compost Ed. Centre, 2:00pm – 4:00pm, members $13.50, non-members $15.
Fern Fest BBQ Crew member pauses for a photo. Village Vibe
The Fernwood Community Centre is located at 1240 Gladstone Ave. Office hours and public space open: 9am - 9pm Monday to Friday. Kids & Families
Parent & Tot Playgroup: Ongoing Tuesdays & Thursdays. FCC Gym, 9:30am - 11:30am, $1 per family, snacks provided. Mother Goose Circle Time: Songs, rhymes & stories; Select Saturdays (Call 381-1552 t o 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, 9:30 – 11:30am, FCC Gy m, Free!
Youth, Adults & Seniors
Free Internet and Computer Access: Complete your onetime 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 W ednesdays. Free! Drop-in Youth Basketball: Co-ed Ages 13-18, Ongoing Sundays, FCC Gym, 7:00pm – 9:00pm, Drop-in Free! Drop-in Floorhockey : Co-ed (14+), all equipment provided. Ongoing Tuesdays and Thursdays, FCC Gym, 7:00pm – 9:30pm, $4, or get a punchcard: $40/11 sessions. Holistic Health & H ealing: Qi Gong exe rcises and meditatio n; Ongoing Mondays, FCC, 10:00–11:30am, Free! Falun Gong: Peaceful meditation practice. Ongoing Wednesdays, FCC, 5:00pm – 7:00pm, everyone welcome, Free! Fernwood Autumn Glow (55+): Gentle exercise, lunch & activities; Ongoing Fridays, FCC, 11:00am, $5.50 for lunch. 50+ Women’s Gathering: On-going weekly gathering for women over 50 offering informal, supportive, and lively discus sions and ac tivities. Ongoing Sat, 10:30am – 12:30pm, James Bay Community Project, 547 Michigan, $1. More info at 381-5286.
Music, Art, Theatre, and Entertainment
Lee Hamer: Canadian folksinger perfor ms ongoing Wednesdays at J.K. Do Forno Café in Fernwood Square. 6:30pm – 8:30pm, free! Victoria Bluegrass Assoc. Jam: Ongoing Tuesdays 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 at Logan’s: For listings, check out www.loganspub.com. Shakespeare in the Summer 2006: Shakespeare under the stars at C amosun College Lansdowne Campus. Jul 14 – Aug 19, evening shows 8:00pm Thu – Sun plus 4:00pm matinees Sat & Sun. Tickets $14/$17. More info at www.sits2006.com or call 995-5958.
Saturday Plastic Recycling - S e c o n d Saturday of Every M o n t h - Bring all those goods that the Blue Box Folks won’t take to the Community Centre. Small donation required. news and views from the heart of Fernwood