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Village Vibe

news and views from the heart of Fernwood

www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca

june 2006

David Suzuki Sustains Fernwood Audience

So, what was your first hint that something was going on? Was it your neighbour madly replacing his golf green lawn with enough basil plants to keep the entire block in pesto for years to come? Or, was it your teenager son depleting his driver training fund to refurbish your ancient Raleigh and heading off to the Compost Center to check out the worm bins? Or, was it your mother waving delightedly as you passed her cruising down the Pandora St. hill on her new roller blades?

Or, were you one of the multitude of Fernwood residents who got it right away … David Suzuki came to Fernwood in mid May,

and the neighbourhood has been reverberating ever since!

A sell out crowd filled Vic. High’s Wallace Auditorium to overflowing Tuesday, May 16th to hear David Suzuki speak. The event was

sponsored by Fernwood NRG and was a fund raiser for the alternative energy component of the Cornerstone Project.

Fernwood NRG Executive Director, Roberta Martell’s opening comments on community building in Fernwood and a slide presentation of neighbourhood faces set the local context for Dr. Suzuki’s discussion. Dr. Suzuki was then welcomed to the ancestral lands and greeted by the crowd in warm Fernwoodian manner. In honour of his 70th birthday, Fernwood NRG presented Dr. Suzuki with a beautiful handcrafted kayak as the audience burst spontaneously into singing "Happy Birthday." continued on pg 4

June 11 Fern Fest Launches Island Music Week Well, when I first heard about Fern Fest being in June and being tied up in this whole Island Music Week thing, I said to myself – "What the heck do Fern Fest and Island Music Week have to do with each other? It’s all very mysterious…"

I decided to visit my favourite research resource outlet, The National Archive and Investigational Resource Centre for Controversial Plant-Themed Festivals, which is located directly adjacent to the public library on Broughton Street, only further

away and to the left and down the street and around the corner (upstairs). On my way in the door at the N.A.A.I.R.C.F.C.P.T.F., I was greeted by the ever-friendly and militantly helpful front desk clerk, Mrs.Hollibullosh, who directed me to the appropriate section of the library.

As I leafed through newspaper after newspaper and analyzed microfilm after microfilm, I began to gather clues, little by little piecing together what was possibly (and pathetically) the most ground-

breaking discovery of my life: On February 16, 2002, Fernwood NRG (then Fernwood Community Centre Society) was the host venue of the first ever Vancouver Island Music Awards, which was M.C.'d by Canadian TV icon Terry David Mulligan and popular Island blues musician David Gogo. The event was filmed by Much Music and received national TV coverage. Since then, the Island Music Awards have gained tremendous momentum, attracting continued on pg 5

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 selfreliant; 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

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Happy First Birthday Village Vibe Welcome to the first anniversary issue of the Village Vibe.

Just a little over a year ago a bunch of us from the Fernwood Community Centre Society – now Fernwood NRG – sat down and thought to start a neighbourhood newsletter. What would it look like, we wondered? Who would write for it? Who was our audience? And, of course, what would it be called?

After much heartstorming and deliberation, the Village Vibe was born.

Our aim has been to strike a balance between covering the goingson of Fernwood NRG as well as keeping neighbours abreast of happenings in the ‘hood. We think we've done alright. Given more time and resources (but certainly not lacking NRG!) we'd like to pull off eight pagers every month. We'd like to do more theme issues. We'd like to broaden our area of distribution and have more people subscribe online (head to www.villagevibe.ca to do so). We'd like to expand our bank of writers beyond the small and faithful group of Fernwood NRG board members and affiliates. We'd like to have lots of ads and a Fernwood Marketplace to connect neighbours with services to offer with neighbours who need those services.

These are our hopes and dreams

for the future …

But the recent past hasn't been all that bad. Fernwood NRG board member Susan Salvati has developed somewhat of a cult following of her Faces of Fernwood series.

Over the past year alone we have met Faces of Fernwood Youth, Design, Seniors, Sustainability, and more. In addition to meeting some of our neighbours in the pages of the Vibe, we have gotten tips on gardening and composting. We've covered the purchase, gutting, and now building in the Cornerstone.

We've seen the (re)birth of the weekly summer market. We've learned about the innovative and exciting activities that Fernwoodians get up to.

This particular Fernwoodian would like to thank all those that have contributed to the Vibe in the past twelve months: to the writers, volunteer folders, Fernwood NRG staff who have done battle with the reisograph machine and won, all those who have proofed the pages to ensure no typos (okay, well few) or factual errors, our webmistress extraordinaire, Tania Wegwitz, for flipping the Vibe up on the web and launching us virtually and to you, dear and faithful Fernwood readers for whom the Village Vibe has come to life.

We at Fernwood NRG are disappointed by the tone of a recent FCA article about our executive director Roberta Martell. While the petty attacks are distasteful, of greater concern to us is the negative and combative spirit of the piece. Fernwood NRG is driven by residents, working hard to answer the needs of residents, from Fernfest to the Cornerstone to daycare and recreation. We are moving forward positively, and find it regrettable that the FCA continues to fuel negative discourse in our neighbourhood.

Fernwood NRG Board of Diretors

Village Vibe

Childcare ... Who Needs It? Here at Fernwood NRG every day we witness the benefits of relatively well-funded childcare.

Neighbourhood residents and those far beyond the boundaries of Fernwood from a variety of family types with a range of incomes have access to the affordable and high quality childcare that we offer.

With the federal government's proposed new Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) this could come to an end.

On May 16 hundreds of con-

cerned childcare providers, parents, children, and others gathered at the legislature to register discontent about Harper's proposed plans. The voices and signs of protest of Fernwood NRG kids and staff were loud and clear among the small crowd.

The UCCB will no doubt hurt poor families the most. In families headed by couples, the UCCB is taxable through the parent who earns the least and through the sole parent in one-parent families.

The result is that different types of family with the same income will pay different amounts of federal and provincial/territorial taxes and will therefore receive different after tax benefits. Single parent families – headed most often by women – will be the hardest hit.

In addition, the annual $249 Canada Child Tax Benefit young child care supplement which is used mainly by lowincome families will disappear in order to help fund the new program.

Harper's war on the poor continues and it will hit home here in Fernwood where the average fam-

ily income is $34,563, where of the 2,740 families living in the neighbourhood, 410 of them are single parent families, 340 (83%) of which are headed by women and where the median family income for two-parent families is $53,185;

for one-parent families it is $29,914. A shocking 47% of households in Fernwood report an income of under $30,000 per year.

In a recent publication sent out to her constituents, MP Denise Savoie asked voters to choose from a list of priorities – childcare was among them. Write to Denise at denise@denisesavoie.ca and let her know that affordable childcare is one of the top priorities here in Fernwood.

Saturday Plastic Recycling - Seco ond Saturday of Every Mo onth - 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

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Suzuki in Fernwood (cont.)

by Trish Richards

sustainable living. To take part in the Nature Challenege visit http://www.davidsuzuki.org/ Dr. Suzuki also spoke of community as the foundation of sustainability. The more we come together in support of local initiatives in alternative transportation, energy and local food production, the more liveable and sustainable New kayak alight behind him, our urban neighbourhoods Dr. Suzuki spoke passionately and become.

He applauded our at length and his message was efforts in Fernwood and encourclear. The footprint our consump- aged us to keep moving forward tive society is leaving on our plan- building community for us and for et is a weighty one. We can no generations to come. longer afford to ignore the impact Dr. Suzuki seemed delighted we are having on the earth. While with Fernwood. And the feeling acknowledging the havoc we have was clearly mutual. Dr. Suzuki’s wreaked may be alarming, failing rapport with the to do so is audience was criminal. such that the Still, we are more impasnot powersioned he got, less! Each of the more us has the inspired we got. ability to Sp o n ta n e o u s make small applause broke changes in throughout his our lives that comments -– will make a often punctuatdifference for ing them – and our planet. he ended to We simply cheers and need to take applause that the wellrolled through being of the VicHigh Leadership students the standing earth in to inscribe birthday greetings for Dr. crowd. It was a account in Suzuki inside his handmade m a g i c a l the choices kayak. evening for us we make Fernwoodians every day. and apparently for Dr. Suzuki as Dr. Suzuki challenged each of us well.

His parting words at the to take the Suzuki Foundation after-event at the George & Nature Challenge; to do ten simple Dragon were “OK, Rob(erta) lets things – ranging from reducing do this again!!” home energy use to eating one We thank you Dr. Suzuki and meat free meal a week – that will would be honoured to have you make a noticeable contribution to back!

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For their contribution in making the Suzuki evening such a success our sincere thanks go to: ** Fernwood NRG Staff who organized everything from building a kayak to publicity and ticket sales, to information hand outs, to sound systems and seating. ** Fernwood NRG Board Members for selling tickets, albeit inspired by a little friendly competition. ** The students of the Vic High leadership group whose on-site assistance in ticket taking, setting up chairs, assisting elders, and giving clear bathroom directions was indispensable. ** Vic High itself for offering up a great neighbourhood venue. ** Joyce Cline & Peter proprietors of Earle House, for extending Ferwoodian hospitality to and Tara

Such, Clark warm David

** Sooke Harbour House, Raincoast Soak Factory, Saphire Day Spa, and FIt As A Fiddle for our wonderful door prizes. ** And, of course, to the David Suzuki Foundation and to David & Tara themselves for giving so much so generously.

Village Vibe

June 11th Fern Fest (cont.)

by James Thornton

hosts, keynote speakers, and jurors such as Will Millar of the Irish Rovers and Juno Nominees Neil Osbourne (54/40), Vince Ditrich (Spirit of the West), Adonis Puentes (Puentes Brothers) and Chrissy Steele (The Headpins).

In honour of the Island Music Awards' five-year anniversary, the event is returning to its inaugural venue for four of the seven days of Island Music Week 2006.

So, what this means for us lucky Fernwoodians, I thought to myself (as I carefully covered up my findings to foil suspicious passersby eyeing my treasures over my shoulder) is that not only do we get to celebrate the coolest neighbourhood in town with our Fern Fest bash again this year, we also get three extra events the same week in our community. On Tuesday and Friday following Sunday’s Fern Fest, Fernwood NRG will host two music business conference sessions.

Tuesday’s session – “The Art of Music” – will feature 54/40’s lead singer Neil Osbourne as the keynote speaker, in addition to 2005 Island Music Awards Artist of the Year Anne Schaefer , 2004 Artist of the Year Matthew James,

and 2006 Artist of the Year Nominee (not to mention Juno Nominee) Adonis Puentes.

Fern Fest runs from 10am to 7pm on June 11 at the intersection of Fernwood and Gladstone. Please note that one block of Gladstone will be blocked off during this time, (traffic on Fernwood may be slower but will not be blocked). There will be live music from 11am until

7pm at this location. There will also be a loud speaker on Thursday June 15 between 6pm and 8pm behind the community centre. If you are interested in volunteering at Fernfest , call James at 381-1552, Ext.22 or e-mail: James@fernwoodneighbour-

Friday’s session – "The Business of Music" – will feature local and mainland entertainment industry types, including representatives from SOCAN, Pacific Music Marketing, Canada Disc, 100.3 The Q, The Zone @ 91-3, SHAW TV, Cordova Bay Entertainment, and 101.9 CFUV. And in between the two

news and views from the heart of Fernwood

music conferences, something much less serious will take place on the basketball court right outside the community centre’s gym – a Road Hockey Tournament!

Well, at this point, I jumped out of my seat, frightening Mrs. Hollibullosh at her desk as she seemed visibly shaken by my sudden movement. But I was befuddled again – what does a freakin’ road hockey tournament have to do with Fern Fest or Island Music Week? I gathered my wits, apologized to Mrs. Hollibullosh for the interruption, and continued my quest for knowledge.

The tournament, it seems, is a friendly competition between the Island Music Award Nominees and the local media. And apparently, just for fun, another team has been thrown in the mix: Fernwood Globetrotters. The Globetrotters are made up of some of the elite players from Fernwood NRG’s own very popular Drop-in Floor Hockey program and are planning to “put on a clinic” for the Nominee and Media teams…Or will they? continued on page 6 hood.ca Tickets for the June 17 5th Annual island Music Awards are on sale now at Lyle’s Place at 770 Yates Street. For details on Island Music Week 2006 head to www.islandmusicawards.com. For info on Fern Fest: www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca

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Reprieve For Balmoral Road Trees

by Reisa Stone At 1118 Balmoral Road, we feared the beauty of singing birds lining ours might be a silent spring. Eight tree branches and a Cooper's huge, healthy Scotch Pines were Hawk landing on my balcony. The slated for destruction April 19th to Fernwood Neighbourhood make way for a new lawn with Resource Group Board invited us sprinklers. The loss of beauty, pri- to a meeting and did a mail out. vacy and noise control would be Neighbours signed petitions, unbearable. We anticipated losing phoned Mr. Nenzen and his propan incredible diversity of urban erty managers incessantly, and wildlife: finches, juncos, tree swal- rallied in front of the trees. The lows, robins, Oak Bay w o o d p e c k e r s , “The secret of joy is resistG r e e n hummingbirds, ance.”

Committee raccoons and the – Alice Walker offered unlimitdaily balcony vised support, its of Stanley including an Squirrel. The City's tree by-law offer to pay for an independent doesn't protect pine trees with assessment of options. At times I trunks under 80 cm in diameter. felt I would go crazy from the Unfortunately, Scotch Pine is stress. known for growing tall and bushy, The evening before destruction not wide. was to begin, we anxiously conTenants organized meetings tacted the owner. “I can't chop after owner Birger Nenzen refused down the trees now,” he stated, to negotiate. Broad media cover- “Too much pressure from tree hugage included Global TV capturing gers!”

We don't know what more “moderate” option he may propose in future. But since April 19th, baby birds with downy bodies and wide set eyes have been visiting my balcony. Today a young squirrel fell trustingly asleep on the railing.

In my five years of tenancy, I've not had such close contact with Nature. The stress of the battle is more than worth it.

June 11 Fern Fest (cont.)

June 11's 11th Annual Fern Fest (if only it were 2011, numerologists would have a field day!), the event that kicks it all off, will showcase fourteen Fernwood musical acts, including a children’s entertainer at 11:30am, followed by an eclectic mix of medieval folk, blues, country, and even hip hop.

Between 1pm and 3pm, it is rumoured that four of the Island Music Awards Nominees will perform, in a sneak preview of the June 17th awards ceremony at Central Bar & Grill. It all starts at 10am with family activities such as face painting and games.

Hmmm, I thought, this whole Island Music Week thing seems

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very Fernwood-heavy, Fernwoodbiased even. But then it all started to make sense to me – the origins of the event, the parallel between the Island’s music community and the Fernwood community, the artistic and eclectic nature of the Fernwood neighbourhood, the allegation that Green Day once played in our community centre’s gym (ok, maybe that one’s less impressive) … suddenly, it was like a bright light was overwhelming me.

And then I realized that the library’s janitor was shining a flashlight in my face. Apparently I had become so absorbed in my studies that I had lost track of time,

and it seems that Mrs.Hollibullosh had forgotten to kick me out.

I stumbled out of The National Archive and Investigational…well, you know. And I made my way home, simultaneously exhausted and exhilarated, my confusion and dismay having done a 360 degree transformation into clarity and excitement. Suddenly, I was completely titillated about the whole thing and could not wait for June 11 to come!

“Only a few more sleeps ‘til Fern Fest,” I repeated to myself as I dozed off into a dreamland that would no doubt be filled with visions of all things Fernwoodian, “only a few more sleeps…”

Village Vibe

Fernwood Square Spectacular Summer Market

by Danielle Edwards

In what place can you purchase year’s family oriented, fun, and vendors, this event will boast knitfresh organic produce, stunning safe event will create even more ting, poetry, and art making glasswork and jewelry, knitted spaces for community building and demonstrations and informative goods for the whole family, and rejuvenation. booths from community resource funky pottery and paintings? In "The market is intended to gather and support groups. what space can you support community members together to The exciting Fernwood market Fernwood utilize the will take place in the Fernwood artists, agrisquare in an Square & the Victoria High School culturalists, “The market is intended to gath- e n e r g e t i c , Parking Area on Tuesday and associa- er community members togeth- comfy environ- evenings, 5:30pm-9:30pm, June tions, eat er to utilize the square in an ment with the 20th- September 12th. Mulholland d e l i c i o u s energetic, comfy environment ultimate vision is still looking for enthusiastic volfood, and with the ultimate vision of of strengthen- unteers to help with set up at c o n v e r s e strengthening n g 4:30pm and take down at 9:30pm.

Fernwoodian i with great relationships.”

Fernwoodian Having a few volunteers on site neighbors? relationships,” during the event would also be If you beneficial. To answered: “The Fernwood Village M u l l h o l l a n d volunteer or Sue is positive that this year’s to pick up a Market” then you are correct! said.

Last summer’s very successful With regard family oriented, fun, and safe vendor appliFernwood Village Market was cre- to vendors, event will create even more cation form, ated and organized by Susan M u l h o l l a n d please conMulholland. Mulholland is the stated that the spaces for community building tact Sue at owner of She Said Gallery – a fan- market pro- and rejuvenation.

361-3372 or tastic store in the Fernwood vides a forum visit the She Square, featuring a myriad of art for local resiSaid Gallery, work by local women. For the sec- dents to apply their creative skills at 2000 Fernwood Road. ond year in a row Mulholland will when making products and gain Hope to see everyone there on be the director of the Fernwood confidence when displaying their hot summer Tuesdays in June.

Market. She is positive that this goods in public. In addition to local

Fernwood NRG superstar jack of all trades and contractor extraordinaire Tom kneels in a supervisory position as city workers install the water service for the Cornerstone building in late May. All the toilets and tubs are in, the framing is almost finished, and as the Vibe goes to press the electrician should begin to get the place wired. Look up next time you’re walking by Fernwood and Gladstone and you’ll also see new windows in the Cornerstone. It’s happening folks. Pretty soon those market-based affordable housing units will be ready and the village square will come alive with the presence of four new Fernwood families.

news and views from the heart of Fernwood

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Fernwood What’s On: June 2006 A monthly roundup of neighbourhood shindigs. Head to www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca/events for more listings or to submit your event.

The Fernwood Community Centre is located at 1240 Gladstone Ave. Office hours and public space open: 9am - 9pm Monday to Friday.

Kids & Families

Make Yer Neighbourhood Nicer

Parent & Tot Playgroup: Ongoing Tuesdays & Thursdays. FCC Gym, 9:30am - 11:30am, $1 per family, snacks provided.

Mother Goose Circle Time: Songs, rhymes & stories. nd Tuesdays June 20 – August 22 . Stevenson Park (behind FCC) 1:00pm – 2:00pm. Bring a blanket and snack. Call 381-1552 ext 132 for details.

Mother Goose Circle Time: Songs, rhymes & stories; Select Saturdays (Call 381-1552 to register and for info) FCC, 11:30am - 12:30pm, Free! ($2 for songbook) th Father's Day Pancake Breakfast: Monday June 19 9:30am – 11:30am FCC Gym. Hosted by Best Babies and Family Support Services. Dad's, Grampa's, Stand in Dad's … Bring 'em all.

Community Day Parent-Run Family Group: Family directed and facilitated program!

Ongoing Mondays, 9:30 – 11:30am, FCC Gym, Free!

Drop-in Youth Basketball: Co-ed Ages 13-18, Ongoing Sundays, FCC Gym, 7:00pm – 9:00pm, Drop-in Free!

Total Plastics Recycling Day: Sat, June 10th, Back nd of FCC 10am - Noon. (Every 2 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 transportation. 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 Fernwood Action Night Munch a cookie or two, meet your neighbours, and help make our neighbourhood more beautiful, sustainable, and vibrant. Thursday, June 29, 7:30pm, FCC multi-purpose room. Free!

Special Events 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, 7:00pm – 9:30pm, $4, or get a punchcard: $40/11 sessions.

Holistic Health & Healing: Qi Gong exercises and meditation; 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.

Music, Art, Theatre, and Entertainment 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.

Village Vibe

Fernwood Swap n’ Shop: Sat, June 3rd, FCC Gym, 7:30am – 3:00pm (Vendors set up at 7:00am). Free to browse! Vendors: $5 for space, $10/1 table, $15/2 tables, no reservations required. [Now held st regularly on every 1 Sat of Month] Salmon BBQ at noon $5 per plate.

Victoria Best Babies and Parent Support Services would like to extend our gratitude to the following community supporters for their kind donations for our recent Mothers Day Event. Thanks to: Rogers Chocolates, Starbucks (Bay Centre), Lush (downtown), Hill's Native Art, Smart Ass, Silk Road, Body Shop (downtown). The event was a great success and many of the mothers were grateful for the pampering!

news and views from the heart of Fernwood