Village Vibe
news and views from the heart of Fernwood
www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca
march 2006
Coast Capital Savings Cornerstone Saturdays
by Lisa Helps Shovels swinging and crowbars prying, staff from Coast Capital Savings Credit Union spent January 28th and February 18th at the Cornerstone. Although the building may appear mostly the same on the outside as it did when the FCCS (soon to be Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group – Fernwood NRG) took possession last August, the changes inside are immense. The past few months have been hopping and preparations are almost complete for the contractors to begin building the affordable housing units upstairs. The team of volunteers from Coast Capital Savings has been a large part of this effort.
Disregarding the almost-warm February sun beaming down outside on Saturday February 18th, eight Coast Capital staff spent the day inside shoveling insulation, prying up plywood to reveal the beautiful fir floors beneath, and pulling countless nails. When I asked Belinda Robinson what possibly possessed her to spend such a beautiful day inside maskclad and shoveling insulation, her answer reminded me of one of one the reasons that I myself love living, working, and volunteering in Fernwood. "I came out to help because I feel it's important to give back to the community. You never know when you're going to be in a position that you yourself need help. Volunteering to me is a way of life." When Fernwood NRG bought the Cornerstone building last August, we knew the challenges would be immense. How to convert a boarded up old heritage building into the beating heart of the village core? How to convince funders, commercial tenants, potential lenders, and so on that a small neighbourhood non-profit society could take on such a project? Now, seven months later, we are just about to have a contractor
descend on the building, which has been lovingly emptied out, 30ton dumpster by 30-ton dumpste. At this point, we realize that we’ve met this challenge largely with the help of neighbourhood residents and volunteers who have come out to work parties, who have donated masks, gloves, dumpsters, sandwiches, time, and money. We share the sentiments of Belinda who commented on what the Coast Capital volunteers had accomplished in just one day, "It felt good to see what a difference was made with all those hands helping." Expect to see big changes in the building over the next few months. Look for the grand opening of the Cornerstone Coffee Co. sometime in April or May. And, after neighbourhood residents are javahappy, the next milestone on the horizon is the occupation of the four market-based affordable
Village Vibe
Fernwood Community Centre Society Declaration of Principles and Values 1. WE are committed to creating a socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable neighbourhood; 2. WE are committed to ensuring neighbourhood control or ownership of neighbourhood institutions and assets; 3. WE are committed to using our resources prudently and to selfbecoming financially reliant; 4. WE are committed to the creation and support of neighbourhood employment; 5. WE are committed to engaging the dreams, resources, and talents of our neighbours and to fostering new links between them; 6. WE are committed to taking action in response to neighbourhood issues, ideas, and initiatives; 7. WE are committed to governing our organization and serving our neighbourhood democratically with a maximum of openness, inclusivity, and kindness; 8. WE are committed to developing the skills, capacity, selfworth, and excellence of our neighbours and ourselves; 9. WE are committed to focusing on the future while preserving our neighbourhood's heritage and diversity; 10. WE are committed to creating neighbourhood places that are vibrant, beautiful, healthy, and alive; 11. AND, most of all, WE are committed to having fun! To subscribe, contact, submit to or advertise in the Vibe, head to www.villagevibe.ca
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Hydro on the Small Scale
by Tania Wegwitz
When most people think of hydropower, they likely picture huge concrete dams spanning massive rivers. However, as an upcoming workshop in Fernwood promises to show, hydro energy can also come in small packages. On Saturday March 18th Friends of Renewable Energy BC (FORE BC), with the support of Natural Resources Canada, will present their “Micro-hydropower Workshop for Canadians.” The event promises to provide an excellent introduction to generating hydro-power on the small scale. Running from 9:00am to 4:00pm at the Fernwood Community Centre (1240 Gladstone Avenue), the workshop will teach attendees everything they need to know about generating electricity with small, water-powered alternators. Participants will gain hands-on experience with the technology and will be able to share their experi-
ences and project details with experts in attendance. There will be an opportunity to help shape policy recommendations for the future development of this important energy source. Scott Davis, author of “Microhydro: Clean Power from Water," will host the workshop. Other speakers include: Ghanashyam Ranjitkar, Natural Resources Canada, Eric Smiley, Solar Energy International, David Seymour, Asian Phoenix. Pennti Sjomann, a small hydro developer. The workshop begins with registration, informal introductions, and a plenary session. Participants are asked to preregister to be included in the catered lunch provided by FORE BC. For registration or more information please contact Scott Davis at 250-384-0366 or by email to scottldavis@shaw.ca
You wouldn't know it by reading the city's daily paper lately, but there is no ongoing funding feud between the FCCS (soon to be Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group – Fernwood NRG) and the Fernwood Community Association (FCA). Contrary to all the punchy headlines the 'Fernwood funding follies' are a bit of a misnomer. The reality behind the media hype is that the City owns three recreation facilities in Fernwood. Three old, seismically deficient buildings: the Community Centre at 1240 Gladstone, the Boys and Girls Club on Yates, and the building at 1921 Fernwood which the FCA inhabits. All three are coming to an age and stage in their lifecycles where they need significant re-
investment in structure for functionality and safety. The City was faced with requests to fund improvements at two Fernwood facilities simultaneously which would amount to an investment of two million dollars. The City was flooded with outcries from other neighbourhoods in Victoria many of which have similar Cityowned buildings in need of repair. As a result City Council is currenlty re-examining its preliminary funding promises to Fernwood and making a decision as to the most efficient and effective ways to use City resources to deliver services to Fernwoodians. We at Fernwood NRG remain open to any and all options that best serve our neighbourhood.
Media Hype?
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Faces of Fernwood Design
by Susan Salvati
Fernwood is rich with talent; entrepreneurs, restauranteurs, artists, musicians, all love to call Fernwood home. Fernwood is also home to graphic designer Marianne Unger and Mud Studio (Marianne Unger Design Studio). Recently, the Society initiated its rebranding process to become the Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group (Fernwood NRG). We put out a call for proposals to the design community and decided on the one we receieved from Mud Studio. It seems to be a great fit and the Society looks forward to the unveiling of our new logo designed by Marianne. Marianne began her career as a designer at North Island College. She worked in a print shop in Courtenay to gain some technical skills. In 1999, Marianne moved to Victoria. Visiting from Courtenay, she would regularly drive around the city looking at the neighbourhoods; she would keep coming back to Fernwood as she felt it to be most like her hometown
business has been growing steadily. Marianne works around her life with three-year-old Olive, a blonde little sprite who during our chat, runs in and out of the room asking for more blueberries. Marianne loves her work. “You learn about a whole new business or organization with every client.
It will be hard to miss Fernwoodians Joyce Kline and Peter Such on North American newsstands this winter. Their multiple award-winning B&B, Earle Clarke House, is highlighted in a feature article on Victoria in the upcoming edition of Gay Canada Guide. Even more impressive, Earle Clarke House will be among the B&B’s voted Best Breakfast in Canada in Arrington’s Inn Traveler Book of Lists 2006. The Book of Lists is an annual people’s choice
award run by Arrington’s Inn Traveler, a Texas-based North American publication that has been described as “the bible of the B&B industry.” For the fourth year running, Canadian and US inngoers have voted Joyce and Peter’s intimate Fernwood B&B one of the top four B&Bs in Canada. Not all the couple’s recognition is for the B&B. Peter’s latest novel Earthbaby, has received yet another rave review—this time in the current issue of Books in Canada.
of Winnipeg. When she ultimately moved to Victoria, it was to Fernwood. She began working for Trapeze Communications, a small downtown studio, which allowed for high levels of creativity. In January 2005 Mud Studio was born, and
And of course there’s the creative process.” She’s very happy to be working with the Society as it undergoes the rebranding process. “This is my favourite kind of job; it has meaning to it, a community message, a social activist message.” She hopes to continue to build this kind of clientele. Marianne’s enthusiasm for the NRG’s rebranding project lines our conversation. “I care about Fernwood. It’s diverse - with its problems and everything, young and old and everything in between - it seems to be a slice of actual life, a balanced place. I love that.” The logo that Marianne has herself designed for Mud Studio is a pair of the classic black and brown rubber boots, one, she tells me, is “firmly planted in pragmatism and the other in creative thought. It is a design that works hard for you.” Her boots have a shine to them. And hopefully they won’t do any walking, and Marianne and Mud Studio will stay for a long while in Fernwood.
Fernwood B&B Voted Best in Canada
news and views from the heart of Fernwood
Earthbaby was previously favourably reviewed in the Globe & Mail, in Toronto’s NOW Magazine, and Matrix in Montreal. A feature interview by Sara Cassidy appeared in last month’s BC Bookworld. Have you got relatives coming to the ‘hood and no place to put them up? Earle Clarke House is located on Pembroke St. Visit the Earle Clarke House website at: www.earleclarkehouse.com
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Fernwood What’s On: March 2006
A monthly roundup of neighbourhood shindigs. Head to www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca/events for more listings or to submit your event. Make Yer Neighbourho od Nicer
Total Plastics Recycling Day: Sat., Mar. 11, Back of the FCC. 10am - Noo n. (Every 2nd Sat of Month) Recycle plastics of all kinds (Styrofoam packing, soft plastics and bags, and ALL hard/rigid plastics) plus old electronics. By donation. Support this handy neighbourhood service. Cornerstone Work Parties: It’s the final crunch to get the last of the upstairs gutted and ready for renovation. Sat. Mar. 4 and 11, 9:00am – 5:00pm, corner of Fernwood and Gladstone. Wear sturdy closed toed shoes, steel toes if you have them. Lunch, masks, and gloves provided. Sign up to receive a reminder of dates/times at www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca/cornerstone.html or call 381-1552. Spring Ridge Commons Work Parties : Held on select Saturdays. Sign up to be notified at www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca/commons.html
The Fernwood Community Centre is located at 1240 Gladstone Ave. Office hours and public space open: 9am - 9pm Monday to Friday. Youth, Adults, & Seniors
Youthlines Magazine - Youth Writing Group: Ages 13-20, Ongoing Thursdays, FCC Multipurpose Room, 4:00pm – 5 :30pm. Bring your story ideas, and get published! Call for more in fo: 386-632 8 or www.youthlines.ca Drop- in Youth Baske tball: Co-ed Ages 13-18, Ongoing Sundays, FCC Gym, 7:00pm – 9:00pm, Refreshments provided. Free! Drop- in Floorhockey: Co-ed (age 14+), all equipment provided. Ongoing Tuesdays and Thursdays, FCC Gym, 6:30pm – 9:30pm, $4, or ge t a punchcard: $2 0/6 sessions, $40/11 sessions. 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! Holist ic 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 wel come, Free! Fernwood Autumn Glow (55+): Gentle e xercise, lunch & activities; Ongoing Fridays, FCC, 11:00am, $5.50 for lunch.
Special Events
Fernwood Swap n’ Shop: Sat, Mar. 4, FCC Gym, 7:30am – 3:00pm (Vendors se t up at 7:00am). Free to browse! Vendors: $5 for space, $10/1 table, $15/2 tables, no reservations r equired. [Now hel d regularly on every 1st Sat of Month] Microhydro Workshop for Canadians: Sat., Mar. 18, Fernwood Community Centre, 9:00am – 4:00pm. Presented by Friends of Renewabl e Energy BC, with the support of Natural Resources Canada. See page 2 for details. To pr e-register contact: Scott Davis Fr iends of Renewable Energy BC at 3840366 or email: scottldavis@shaw.ca Fernwood Food Security Forum: How to ensure that eve ryone in our neighbourhood has access to healthy, quality food? Are there ways that we can incr ease the ability of our neighbourhood to feed itself? We’re holding this forum to create a food action plan and to provide connections for inte rested folks to work on projects. Thurs., Mar. 23, FCC Gym, 7:00pm – 10:00pm, Free!
Music, Art, Theatre, and Entertainment
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 to register and for info) FCC Infant & Toddler Centre, 11:30am 12:30pm, Free! ($2 fo r songbook) Community Day Parent-Run Family Group: Family directed and facilitated program! Ongoing Mondays, 9:30 – 11:30am, FCC Gym, Free!
Green Thumbs
Composting Basics W orkshop: Sat, Mar. 4, Compost Ed. Centre, 11:00am – 1:00pm, Free ! Compost Club Lecture: No-Till Vegetable Gardening, Sat, Mar. 4 and then learn all about Cane Fruit Production (raspberries, etc) on Sat, Mar. 18. Each lectu re at Compost Ed . Centre, 2:00pm – 4:00pm, members free, non -members $15.
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Belfry Theatre Festiva l ’06: Throughout March, the Belfry is showcasing week-long runs of theatrical gems. For a listing of shows and times, head to www.belfry.bc.ca. Musical Caregiving Society - exploring and expandi ng the celebration of music in the commun ity Mondays 7:00pm-9:00pms at Do Forno Café, Fe rnwood Square. Call Bill for info 8844612. Everyone welcome. Victoria Bluegrass Assoc. Jam: Ongo ing 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 li stings, check out www.loganspub.com
Ca role James, M LA
Victoria-Beacon Hill Community Office
carole.james.mla@leg.bc.ca T e l : 9 5 2 - 4 2 11
news and views from the heart of Fernwood