Vibe_May2007 v4

villagevibe May 2007 : News and views from the heart of Fernwood

Fernwood Inn changes hands Historic Fernwood Inn gets an upgrade and new owners >> by Susan Salvati

T

he Fernwood Inn is a landmark in the heart of our neighbourhood. Formerly known as the George and Dragon, it was purchased and entirely renovated last year creating high-quality character space in this unique Tudorstyle building at the corner of Gladstone and Fernwood.

Former owners, Jeff and Chris Wilson, had experience in renovating heritage properties. Using their background in development, entertainment, and hospitality, they completed an extraordinary upgrade, creating a brand new restaurant inside this older character structure. Now the property has sold again.

In April 2007, a syndicate of private investors led by Michael Colwill, a renowned local pub-style restaurant operator, purchased the recently renovated property. The local group will own and operate this entire complex of rental apartments and the Inn. Michael Colwill said, “We are grateful to the previous owners for having upgraded this property to such a fine standard.”

Michael has brought together an outstanding management team comprised of an experienced chef, James Wolfe (of Sauce and Irish Times), a financial officer and an array of experienced experts. The team has rehired current staff. Plans are afoot to upgrade the patio and open the entire facility for lunch, daily.

PLANET

ISSUE

Photo: Susan Salvati

Photo: Shoshana Scott

Photo: Veronique da Silva

GREEN

Why the interest in Fernwood? As Michael explains, “Our preparedness to make such a substantial investment in Fernwood was due in part to the extraordinary community spirit which exists here.” Their goal is to “enhance the feeling of connectedness amongst local people. Our vision for the Inn is as a neighborhood ‘Cheers,’ a place where everybody knows your name.” For Michael and his team, The Fernwood Inn is a perfect venue to achieve that goal.

The new owners also have an interest in sustainability; their mission reflects this vision. “Our mission appearing on the brandnew menu is: A community gathering place committed to providing locally sourced organic products, wild seafood, and Victoria’s best micro brews, where every element of our Inn’s cuisine is created ‘Inn House’.”

Roger Colwill, Michael’s father and founder of Green Drinks in Victoria, will act in the role of Fernwood Inn Community Liaison.

If you haven’t had a chance to check out this popular monthly event of the sustainability minded, you may soon have a chance to try a variation right here in the ‘hood. Roger and his son Michael are launching “Green Lunches” at the Fernwood Inn beginning Wednesday May 23rd from 12:00pm to 1:15pm. Reservations are recommended. The new owners also intend to continue the tradition of a Halloween Street Party on Gladstone in the fall of 2007.

The Village Vibe welcomes you all to the neighbourhood.

Securing healthy food >> by Julia Adam

W

ow – the March 31st Fernwood NRG Food Security luncheon had quite the turnout! Over fifty Fernwoodians spent their Saturday sharing hopes, dreams, and visions for food security in Fernwood, and toasted the success of establishing a neighbourhood pocket market. A diverse group of people, including City Councilors Helen Hughes and Sonya Chandler, parents, kids, avid gardeners, students, local business and organization representatives, and Fernwood NRG board members attended.

Who has access to affordable, personally, and environmentally healthy food, and what can be done to bring more of it to our backyards, public spaces, balconies, and community centers? The new Fernwood Food Security Action Group is finding tangible solutions to these concerns, and having a great ole time

– continued on page 7

in this issue The dirt on CityFarm Page 2 Feature: Solar hot water: why wait? Page 4 Black gold rush Page 6

editorial :

Beauty from the inside out

The guys from Strongback had obviously started working early that morning. By the time I got to the Cornerstone, they had not only cleaned and swept our alley, but determined the pattern for the pavers, laid out their guide lines and begun leveling and tamping the bedding sand. The two palletes of bricks and HUGE mound of sand led me to think that this would take a few days. Not even close. The whole alleyway was prepped, paved and cleaned up in one day! What’s even more remarkable is that Adam at Strongback donated the labour AND materials for the alleyway project! (See next month’s Vibe for more on Strongback.)

Sue Mulholland (who is also organizing the Fernwood Market) donated pebbles for Lenore’s Cornerstone mosaic.

Electrician Craig was at the building, wiring the new restaurant for George and Linda. He was up a ladder, running wires through the bulkhead enclosing the geothermal plenum. And then Fernwood’s own Lance Priestley, our plumber and gasfitter extraordinaire for the Cornerstone turned up. He was working on the restaurant too. Al Hall came by with his possee of craftsmen. They resumed work transforming the abandoned bakery into a stylish and inviting small plate and wine bar.

and creating our third compilation CD of Fernwood musicians!

Walked up Gladstone, back to the Centre, and saw Tina and Joy in the playground with the kids.

The kids were having a great time riding a staff-created ‘bike rodeo’.

During that short walk, my energy was renewed. I felt grateful for the all the enthusiastic hard-work going on in Fernwood’s village core. The increasing appeal of Fernwood is due only in part to its physical revitalization. What really gives this place life is the beauty and energy of people, passionately engaged in their daily labour.

Photos: Veronique da Silva

declaration of principles and values

Heading back to the office grabbed a java from the Café, and soaked up the heavenly aroma of great brew, lovingly roasted for us by our friends at Discovery Coffee, and served up with great pride by the Café baristas. Smiled at the art on the walls; bold paintings by Fernwoodians Margaret Hantiuk and Deryk Houston.

Such talent!

Going out the door, I was greeted by a bounding Michael Colwill, a new owner of the Inn. We brainstormed about rotating art shows between our two venues, talked about Kasper and how he’s bringing musical talent to the Inn and the Café, coordinating Fernfest

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; 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; 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!

The dirt on CityFarm >> by Susi Porter-Bopp “Fifty years ago, Fernwood was largely a patchwork of five-acre orchards,” Angela Moran tells me as she squints into the sun one early April afternoon. Standing next to her amidst pear trees and row upon row of bursting greenery, it’s hard to imagine this lush oasis is in the centre of a city.

Angela is one of two farmers at Up From the Ashes CityFarm, which occupies just over a quarter of an acre in the southwest corner of Fernwood. Tucked away behind the bicycle wheel fence on Balmoral between Cook and Vancouver and flanked by housing on either side, CityFarm is Victoria’s only urban farm.

The property is leased from a long-term owner who gives the farmers complete creative and economic autonomy over what is grown and how it is grown. However, without a permanent lease or land covenant it has been difficult to implement any kind of perennial food growing, particularly of fruit and nuts.

While the land at CityFarm has been under various forms of cultivation for the past decade or so, things have really picked up in the last couple of years. This year is an especially exciting one because it marks the inaugural season of Angela’s farm partnership with veteran grower Jennifer Freeman. The two hooked up last summer when Jen, who was looking for a place to grow food in the city again, approached Angela, who had been looking for an older and more experienced farm partner. Both women are graduates of the LifeCycles Youth Entrepreneur Program which helps individuals develop small, ecologically sustainable businesses.

“Farming means a complete reorganisation of your life”, says Jen as she keeps an eye on her two young children, Isiah (6) and Jada (4) who tumble back and forth across the land during our interview. “You definitely need two people

Page 2 | News and views from the heart of Fernwood | May 2007

to make a living off of it, especially in the city.” CityFarm takes a minimum of 40 hours of work per week, which the two split. Sundays are usually for planting and planning and Mondays are harvest days. During the rest of the week Angela works as the site manager at the Compost Education Centre, and Jen runs the Good Food Box Programme out of the Fernwood Community Centre and also grows her own garlic which she sells to local restaurants.

This year CityFarm’s produce will go primarily to Mole on Pandora and the new bimonthly CityFarm Food Box programme, which costs forty dollars a month and is aimed at Fernwood residents. Surplus will be sold at the Fernwood Tuesday night market.

Beyond feeding the community with fresh and local veggies, Angela and Jen hope that CityFarm can inspire families in Fernwood to grow their own food.

“The world rests on the shoulders of farmers. If people see an example of growing in the city, maybe they’ll try it in their own backyards” says Angela.

And local food has never been more important. Only fifty years ago, 85 percent of our region’s food was locally produced compared to only ten percent today. In the past 30 years, despite the existence of a provincial agricultural land reserve to protect farmland, some 50,000 acres have been taken out of production on Vancouver Island.

This will be a telling year for CityFarm. With a new solid partnership and a more sophisticated irrigation system that will be installed this spring, Angela and Jen are aiming to maximise the land’s growing potential. Increased production is what it will take in order for CityFarm to really get noticed as a working model of a sustainable market farming business within city limits.

Grow on!

Angela Moran and Jennifer Freeman can be reached at velvetninja@gmail.com and kalamoon@telus.net

VillageVibe

What actions are you taking that contribute to the health of the planet?

Views photos: Veronique da Silva

views from the street :

Fern, 10 yrs old “We try to use our car as least as possible and I ride my bike to school everyday. I also walk a lot.”

Hannah, 14 yrs old and Jesse, 15 yrs old H: “I do not own a car and so I ride my bike and walk everywhere. I also recycle.” J: “I also ride my bike, skateboard, walk and take the bus everywhere. I am taking a Chef ’s training course right now and there is no garbage; absolutely everything is reused, recycled, and composted.”

Emlyn, 18 yrs old and Cassie, 18 yrs old E: “I walk to school, recycle and compost at home. I know I could definitely cut down on using the car and walk or ride more.” C: “I make a conscious effort to recycle and to encourage others to do so as well. I know that I should use my car less and walk more.”

Spring tuning your bicycle

bohemian buzz

>> by Susi Porter-Bopp

>> by Kasper

Turn off your engines! Spring is here. It’s time to haul that bicycle out. I love spring not for its blooms, warm rains, or earthy smells, but for the traffic jams in bike lanes and packed bike racks. Basic mechanical selfsufficiency is essential and easy for the city rider. Here are some tips:

1. Chain lubrication and maintenance The best chain lube is White Lightning. On dry, squeaky, and rusty chains, dip an old toothbrush in oil and brush it onto the chain. On less needy chains, apply link by link.

Get a friend to lift your back tire off the ground and turn your pedals, shifting through all the gears to ensure cogs get covered. Wipe away excess. You can also use automatic transmission oil and 3-in-1, but neither has the benefit of acting as a cleaning agent. Avoid regular motor oil; it will gunk up your chain.

2. How to fix a flat tire A bicycle wheel has three main parts: rim, inner tube, and tire.

Unhook brakes. Unscrew or loosen bolt that runs through wheel.

Take wheel off. Deflate inner tube fully by depressing the centre of the tire valve with a key or pen. Remove tire from rim. You can do this without using any tools, but it’s easier to use a tire lever.

Patch inner tube. First, find source of leak. Pump up inner tube fully then work your way inch by inch along tube, folding it against itself and keeping it close to your ear so you can hear and feel the leak (see photo 2). When you find the leak, keep your finger on it to mark it while you deflate the tire fully. Patch using a patch and rubber cement from your patch kit. Let dry for 24 hours. I make sure that I’ve always got one patched tube that’s ready to go so that I can still use my bike while I wait for the rubber cement to dry.

The one I’ve just repaired then becomes my spare.

VillageVibe

Diagnostics. Before you put the wheel back together, figure out what caused the leak. Start by running your fingers along the entire surface of the inside of tire. Remove anything sharp. Check tire sidewall for a busted or worn tire that exposes your tube. Time to replace the tire.

Put wheel back together. Inflate inner tube just enough so that it has shape. Fit into tire. Take tire and tube and seat tire back in the rim. You can do most of this by hand, but eventually you will need your tire lever again. Be careful not to pinch or snag the inner tube or you’ll have to patch another hole! Once the tire is back on the rim, lay the wheel flat on the ground and pump some air into it, checking every once in a while that the tire is properly seated on the rim on all sides. Put wheel back in fork or frame and ensure all bolts are tightened. Reconnect brakes.

In last month’s Buzz, I asked you, the people of the Kingdom of Fernwood, to tell me... “How cool is the Fernwood neighbourhood?” by telling a story or describing the community in your own words...and this is what you said...

If it takes you much longer than 3 to 5 seconds to come to a stop when riding down a hill, it’s time to fix your brakes. Lots of would-be do-it-yourselfers stop here when it comes to bike maintenance. Adjusting your brakes takes slightly more patience and skill than the previous two tips, but it’s worth it. Before you start, ensure that all adjustment bolts on bottom brake caliper (the scaffolding for the brake pads) are screwed all the way in (see photo 3).

If cable is frayed replace it.

There are lots of different types of brakes. The following steps are for V-brakes or sidepull brakes (see photo).

Make sure brake pads are square on and parallel to rim by unscrewing the bolt on the pad. With the Allen key, push the pad against the rim. Screw it in place. Do the same with the other brake pad and you’re done with the pad adjustment.

Unscrew retaining screw (the screw that secures the brake cable in place), grab both callipers, squeeze, pull the slack out of the cable, and tighten up the retaining screw.

To centre brake pads on wheel rim, play around with the small adjustment screws at the bottom of the calipers.

Don’t be afraid to tinker!

“I love Fernwood. Its charm, aura, and folks are alright. My favourite thing is the unique painting and architecture of the houses.” – Derek “Stu” Bowman “The [Cornerstone] coffee shop was a butcher shop.

The Belfry was the end of the Beacon Hill #3 streetcar ...

It was a wonderful area of the city.” – W.S. James “Affordable housing, shops for the economy, and a cafe that uses fair trade coffee.” – Cindy.

“Fernwood is so cool that they let us, a Saanich band, play FernWoodstock in 2004 and we felt at home.

Now we’re honorary Fernies. Much love.” – The Tom Glenne 5.5 “I worked here 18 years ago and wow! has it ever changed ... I have noticed that the area seems by far more safe than it has been for years. I am so happy to see Fernwood thriving! I love to go to The Belfry, to the open stage at the Cornerstone, or grab some delicious food & entertainment at the newly refurbished Inn.” – C.P.D. “With a downtown appearing out of nowhere while travelling up Gladstone, the architecture speaks of subdued style, like a 5-minute old cup of Americano.”

– P.D. Mott “The ‘hood is beyond cool, it’s simply neighbourhood nirvana ... I’m so proud, and lucky, to own property in Fernwood now for the past 15 years.

I’ve seen the ‘hood shed it’s tarnished image of Victoria’s drug Mecca, with all the nastiness that came with that moniker, to the current bohemian-chic image now evolving ... Great schools, my son attends Vic High, home of Victoria’s best industrial arts curriculum. Arts and live entertainment, Belfry Theatre, 1st class. Even a local coffee shop where you support the ‘hood to boot.

Eclectic shops off the square. Walking tours and tons of community events, live music and entertainment. I could go on ...” – Grant Wittkamp

If you have any questions, please email Susi at villagevibe@fernwoodneighbourhood.ca

Thanks for your answers! E-mail comments to: james@fernwoodneighbourhood.ca

3. How to fix your brakes

May 2007 | www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca | Page 3

feature :

Solar hot water: >> by Greg White

S

olarcrest was started almost four years ago as a values-based business with a triple bottom line. The founders are still based in Fernwood and have come up with innovative ways to expand the business locally

and the capacity of the solar thermal industry throughout Western Canada.

The award winning company has installed over 200 systems throughout Vancouver Island and is now one of the largest distributors of solar thermal products in Canada. As president and founder Greg White says, “Solar water heating installations are proven to be the most affordable and environmentally beneficial way to solve the issues of rising energy prices and climate change.

Our systems are close to 95% efficient at converting the sun’s UVA and B radiation into heat energy for domestic hot water, hydronic radiant infloor space heating, and pools.”

Climate change and its associated impacts have taken front seat in the minds of Canadians and everyone is asking, “What can I do about it?” From the many initiatives that the average homeowner can participate in, nothing compares to the value that a solar hot water system can provide in offsetting carbon emissions and reducing energy consumption. Let’s take a look at how.

According to a CRD energy survey conducted in 2004, the average home on Vancouver Island utilizes about 14,000 kWh of energy each year. For our Photos: Veronique da Silva

example, we’ll use 12,000 kWh. Of this energy, 55%-60% is used for space heating, 25%-35% for producing hot water and the balance (15%-20%) for appliances. That’s right, it takes twice as much energy to heat your water than all of the ‘regular’ electrical items you use each day including the stove and oven.

A solar thermal system installed can provide 65%-75% of the annual hot water demand reducing the hot water energy costs by an equivalent amount.

Therefore, if we reduce the 3,000 kWh of energy needed to provide hot water by an average of 70%, that’s around 2,100 kWh of energy savings – and a greater offset than the total amount required to power all of the miscellaneous

If 50% of the homes in Victoria installed solar hot water systems, the net energy reduction would exceed 25% of the total residential energy consumption for the city

loads in the house. So, even though changing to compact fluorescents, turning off the lights and disconnecting the numerous small appliances will reduce consumption, a greater energy savings can be achieved with the installation of a solar thermal hot water system.

How does it work?

Solar collectors are connected to a heat exchanger and solar storage tank inside the house via insulated, copper pipes. The collectors absorb energy from the sun and heat up a water/propylene glycol (non toxic heat transfer fluid) mixture that is circulated through the closed loop solar piping. As this fluid circulates, it passes through an internal coil or external heat exchanger located in or on the solar storage tank, dumping its heat into the potable water and storing it in

The Rest of Victoria May Walk …

Fernwood Strolls

by Karen Skowron

Available at She Said Gallery Fernwood Square

Page 4 | News and views from the heart of Fernwood | May 2007

VillageVibe

Why wait? the solar storage tank. As long as the collectors are hotter than the water in the lower part of the tank this process continues automatically. Even during cloudy

Q: How much does it cost?

A: $4500 - $6500 installed or low monthly payments

periods, the collectors are able to absorb heat energy due to the special coatings

that are offset by the reduction in utility bills.

which respond to UVA (sunlight rays) and UVB (the tanning rays) radiation which are able to penetrate through light to moderate cloud cover. This system is seamlessly integrated into any existing system making the existing system a

Q: How long does it take to pay for itself ?

A: 4 -10 years depending on fuel and offset.

back up for when solar is not producing all the energy required.

When there is no hot water being used, the water in a standard hot water tank cools. Even though the tank is insulated, the heat from the water dissipates through the walls of the tank – this is known as ‘standby loss’. If the home has a gas- or oil-fired hot water tank, these standby losses are even more significant because of the venting that is required to allow the fumes from the burned fuel to escape. This vent also permits the heat from the water to go up the pipe – similar to an old fireplace chimney sucking warm air from the room. Because

Q: How does it work?

A: Seamless integration into existing system.

Q: What are the environmental benefits?

A: 1-2 tons of green house gases per year (25 yr life).

Q: How much electricity does it produce?

A: None, it heats water.

of this enhanced loss of water temperature, gas- and oil-fired hot water tanks need to operate more frequently, thus increasing energy costs and, of course,

increase at an annual average of 10% over the next 20 years, while gas will rise at

contributing to environmental problems. A solar thermal – or solar hot water

12% and oil at 15%. This means that, for the average home currently spending

– system, essentially, preheats the water coming into your existing tank, thereby

$9,000 on it’s annual energy, in 10 years that cost could be somewhere around

reducing the amount of energy required to get the water up to its normal

$20,000 – or more! Here on Vancouver Island, we’re faced with an added

temperature. During summer months, these devices can easily supply up to

energy dilemma. That is, as the price of gas and oil rises, many homeowners are

100% of your hot water.

switching their older, fuel-based space- and hot water-heating systems to newer electrical appliances, resulting in further demands on the hydro infrastructure.

A common misconception is that these types of solar energy systems produce

Add to this the increasing demand from the new residential and commercial

electricity. Many people think of electricity when they think of ‘solar energy’.

development that is taking place on the island and it becomes evident that we

However, there is a big difference between solar thermal and solar electric, as

are creating an energy issue that needs to be addressed.

they require completely different equipment If 50% of the homes in Victoria installed solar hot water systems, the net energy

What is the cost of solar hot water system?

reduction would exceed 25% of the total residential energy consumption for

A solar hot water system installed in a typical home costs about $4,500 - $6,500

the city. Expanding on this idea, if 50% of the homes on Vancouver Island

and continues to provide 60% - 75% of the hot water energy offset over the

implemented these systems, the net energy reduction would be around 5%

duration of its 20 - 25 year life. Solar thermal systems can also be implemented

of the total residential energy demand for the island or about 30 megawatts.

when hot water is used for space heating. If you compare this to the price of

There’s also the resulting reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of more

replacing all of your major appliances (fridge, stove, washer, dryer, dishwasher)

than 300,000 tons per year. If we include the use of hot water for apartment

with energy efficient products, you will have to spend about $5,000 to get a

buildings, condominiums, hotels restaurants, laundromats, and hospitals, the

net energy reduction of about 2% - 5%. Add to this the fact that these items

amount of overall energy reduction and environmental benefit is extremely

continue to use power and will likely need replacing within 10 years, the

significant. These figures are just projections and do not include the potential of

overall benefits, although valuable, do not compare to the value a solar thermal

solar thermal space heating.

renewable energy system can provide. Once installed, the energy the solar thermal system produces is virtually free. It’s like having your own power plant

We welcome new clients with free estimates and encourage anyone who is

on your house.

interested in the technology to contact us for more information. Contact greg@solarcrest.ca

With energy prices steadily increasing, homeowners face greater costs to keep their homes operating at an affordable level. Projections are that electricity will

Denise Savoie, MP A Voice for Victoria in Ottawa 970 Blanshard Street 363-3600 www.denisesavoie.ca

VillageVibe

Thank you from the Solarcrest family.

Our Office is Open to Serve You Community Office 1084 Fort Street, Victoria P: (250) 952-4211 F: (250) 952-4214 carole.james.mla@leg.bc.ca www.opposition.bc.ca

Carole James, MLA Victoria - Beacon Hill

May 2007 | www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca | Page 5

Photo: Veronique da Silva

garden gleanings :

>> by Margaret Hantiuk We often hear that a good gardener has a ‘green thumb’. I have come to realize that this means that they love plants, are experienced gardeners, and that plants seem to love them back. I think too that these gardeners work ‘with’ nature well. Their yards and gardens, even their houseplants and contained plants,

Black gold rush >> by Caitlyn Vernon What does climate change mean for Victoria residents and what we can do about it?

Composting is one way to prevent climate change. For a limited time only, the Greater Victoria Compost Education Centre is offering subsidized compost bins and follow-up composting support to eligible community groups who would like to “Compost for our Climate and Community.�

This past winter we experienced severe weather conditions, one impact of climate change that has long been predicted by scientists. Climate change is no longer an unknown and uncertain future. Community groups can take leadership in addressing this issue and make a difference to the future of their community by composting today!

What does composting have to do with climate change?

Composting food and yard waste means that fewer trucks go to the landfill, less methane is released from the landfill, and finished compost (“black gold�) replaces synthetic fertilizers and prevents the emission of greenhouse gases associated with their production and transportation.

The Compost Education Centre invites community groups to join our Compost for our Climate and Community program. For $35, plus the cost of subsidized composting supplies, program involvement includes a composting and climate change workshop, access to subsidized composting supplies (while supplies last), materials for joining the Black Gold Rush Challenge, and follow-up support.

Participants will be selected through an application process. To be eligible, you must be a registered charity, a non-profit, a cooperative, community centre, or community group. Your community group must be located in the Capital Regional District, have been in existence for at least one year, have a minimum of 5 members, and have demonstrated interest and dedication to continue composting over the long-term.

Having a green thumb

all seem to thrive and create an oasis of natural radiant beauty and well-being. Is this talent inherited or learned?

I think it is both. To have a green thumb, interest and a commitment of time and patience are required.

If you are new to gardening and to growing plants, I recommend joining a gardening society. I have personally learned tons from the Victoria Horticultural Society (www.vichortsociety.org), which has informative monthly newsletters and meetings, a library, and inspiring open garden visits. Their motto is “Share what you know and show what you grow.�

The Horticultural Center of the Pacific (also known as Glendale Gardens, 479-6162) is a teaching garden; visits are not only enjoyable but also educational as plants are labeled. Their Winter Garden is a stunning example of what we can grow here in the winter shade.

They also have a library and many inexpensive, expert-led courses for new gardeners.

Talking to neighbours, friends, colleagues, and relatives who love to garden is another great way to learn.

There is also wonderful information online and at our public libraries. Then there is the Victoria Compost Center right here in Fernwood that holds courses on many aspects of gardening and on how to build up your soil. Successful gardening is always from the ground up – start with your soil!

Developing a green thumb comes down to taking the time to get to know your ‘site’, its soil and its microclimates. Observe, pay attention. We get to know the plants by putting them in the right spot. Like parenting, or any big project, we learn as we go along – the more attentive and observant we are, the more we know what to do next. We make mistakes as we learn. I have moved plants (not in the hot, dry summer months!) to help them be either happier or to satisfy my overall sense of aesthetics.

The Italians have a term for having an artist’s eye: ‘bel’occhio,’ which translates as ‘beautiful eye’. This inherited part does help, but anyone can become a good gardener and end up with a lovely yard and garden just by learning the basics and ‘being there’ for the plants.

Being a good gardener means noticing when it is dry and providing water. It means getting to know the needs of your plants and fulfilling them. It means protecting tender ones if the winter weather gets ugly. It means learning how to prune properly and wisely. It means learning how to best feed plants – with wholesome compost that will give them the strength to be resilient to bad bugs and diseases. It means slowing down and understanding the inter-relatedness in the garden.

It means accepting the imperfect and realizing ‌ it’s perfect! Then we relax and enjoy. We heal along with the earth. We become part of creation.

We will have assisted in turning a small piece of earth into a harmonious refuge I once read the recommendation of an eco-activist: get to know a spot of earth. I can’t think of a better way to do this than getting to know your own garden, whether in your yard or on your balcony. The lessons we learn will not only give us a ‘green thumb’, we will also be rewarded with a beautiful, peaceful, and satisfying environment that all who live in it or come into it will enjoy. We will have assisted in turning a small piece of earth into a harmonious refuge for its countless natural inhabitants – all alive and contributing their part as well.

We then learn our place in this great planetary ecosystem – a great gift indeed.

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For information and application form, please contact the Greater Victoria Compost Education Centre at 386-WORM or info@compost.bc.ca. This program will be offered during 2007 only; please apply early. Thank you to Vancity, the Capital Regional District and Environment Canada for making this program possible.

Page 6 | News and views from the heart of Fernwood | May 2007

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VillageVibe

real estate :

Bubble glazing >> by Jerome Peacock Many older homes in Fernwood have single pane windows that are not energy efficient. The common solution is to retrofit windows with double or triple pane glazing. These windows, combined with vinyl frames, can greatly reduce energy loss. However, they are expensive (about $500 each on average) and are not very effective as insulation. They still lose a significant amount of heat.

The alternative? Bubble glazing – it’s simple, cheap, and very efficient. What is it? Bubble wrap! A sheet of bubble wrap applied to the inside of a window will cost around $2 and save about twice the energy of a double glazed window, according to Dr. Tom Chalko, an Australian physicist who dreamed up the idea. Aesthetically speaking, bubble glazing may not be appropriate for all windows, but is it certainly practical for some.

How To: For maximum effect, apply bubble wrap to the inside of window, bubbles to glass. Fit tightly for proper insulation. Secure to the window with double-sided tape around the perimeter. For a more attractive (and more expensive) solution, try one of the following: where window frames are deep enough, install wrap using wood or aluminum strips (quarter round, flat, or L shaped) screwed around the perimeter of the widow frame, right up next to the glass. The strips can easily be removed and the wrap replace if damaged; or use a metal screen frame sized to each window, with the wrap replacing the screen – the advantage here is that the frames can be removed quickly and stored.

Deep ecology: context for change between these rests in the willingness to challenge the following assumptions: that Nature exists for the use of humans, that humans are the crown of creation and the ultimate measure of value, and that humans can proceed indefinitely on the path of unlimited expansion with regards to population, technology, consumerism, and the appropriation of the Earth’s resources for human purposes.

Deep Ecology maintains that all life has intrinsic value and that we can genuinely experience our interrelatedness with all life when we move beyond our own humancenteredness. When we align with our fundamental beliefs, >> by Morgan Obendorfer there arises a conviction to act from deep principles. In this Several months ago, I encountered the term way, Deep Ecology encompasses direct action and non“Deep Ecology” and was filled with curiosity. As I violent civil disobedience. At the core of Deep Ecology is investigated further, I soon realized that this was in fact a a profound sense of reverence for the wilderness and an topic with which I was intimately familiar. appreciation that all life, the mountains and rivers, fish and Throughout my life, I’ve had the inclination to look bears are continuing their own self-actualizing process. As at the big picture of what is unfolding in the world around me, and to ask the deeper questions: What does the state of Chief Seattle said, “Humankind has not woven the web of the world mean for us personally and collectively? What is life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the the impact of our actions on future generations? Where are web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All we headed? What can we do to protect what remains of our things connect.”

I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to mentor natural environment? youth every week during my Deep Ecology workshop at A holistic approach to these questions requires the integration of many strands of awareness, from the gross to Oak and Orca Bioregional School. Here, we discuss climate change, politics, human and non-human animal rights, the very subtle spiritual aspects. It requires us to go to the depths, to define our most fundamental beliefs and to align food security, and environmental activism. We process our feelings about the future and discuss the impact of our our actions with those beliefs. This is the basis of thoughts and actions upon future generations.

Deep Ecology.

For more on our programs at Oak and Orca and on the Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess coined the term concept of Deep Ecology, please see a follow up article in “Deep Ecology” in the 1970s; he differentiated ‘deep June’s Village Vibe. ecology’ from ‘shallow environmentalism.’ The difference

We are at a tipping point in consciousness

A slice of green >> by Joseph Avi Lambert Green’s moving into the mainstream and everyone’s jumping on the bandwagon. Some folks made a commit-ment to green issues long before green became a buzzword. Here are a couple samples of the ways two Fernwood residents are making their green commitment tangible.

The Home Andrew Chapman settled in Victoria after working around Canada in adventure tourism. He began working in the local construction industry last January. Recently, Chapman and his partner Piper Harris founded Green City Enterprises, a residential green building company.

“The future of building is green,” Chapman says, “in ten years it’s going to be the status quo.”

Chapman sees a growing niche in the residential green building scene. He’s not alone. Green building is the cutting edge of building technology today. The number of recent green building conferences in our region is a testament to how important this technology is becoming.

“Victoria is full of big inefficient turn-of-the-century homes that don’t suit today’s families,” Chapman says. He is passionate about shifting the focus on green building from large-scale developments to residential dwellings.

Green City Enterprises is in the process of getting rezoning for a proposed green high-density model home renovation on Denman Street. In May, the company starts work with a local architectural firm.

Healthy food The Landscape The person to answer the question of landscape aesthetics and quality is Michael Cowan, owner of Edibella Organic Lanscaping. Cowan is a veteran of the landscaping industry and one of the founders of SOUL – the Society for Organic Urban Landcare, which he started in 2003 with Heide Hemary.

“You are far more likely to be affected by horticultural processes involving herbicides and fungicides at the residential level,” he says.

SOUL was the first certifying body for organic landscaping in the world. Each member of SOUL must have a demonstrated knowledge to carry out organic practices in horticulture.

Before creating SOUL, Cowan had gone to the third level of organic testing with the Certified Organic Association of B.C. (COABC). He was near to becoming a board member when the COABC told him, “We don’t certify business, we only certify facilities or land.”

SOUL’s standards and practices are now being sought after. SOUL is in consultations with the BC Landscape and Nursery Association; Oregon Tilth is using elements of SOUL’s standards for their organic business certification.

Organic gardening is not any more challenging than conventional gardening Cowan assures me. “It has to do with the person,” he says, “where it becomes challenging is in the standard of the individual’s tolerance. If you can’t have any weeds in your lawn ... it’s a matter of perspective.”

Making their green commitment tangible VillageVibe

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doing it. The incredible lunch on March 31st, arranged in a colourful display of salads, frittatas, marinated veggies, and cheesecake tarts, provided by Up From the Ashes CityFarm, confirmed that it is possible for us to eat delicious, healthy food grown right here in Fernwood. People joked that the eggs were imported all the way from James Bay! We currently do not have a stable food system in Fernwood that can provide such delectable food for us all. With a new committed group balancing long- and short-term goals, we may soon be on our way to a neighbourhood packed with opportunities to simultaneously eat well and tread lightly on our planet.

At a follow-up meeting on Thursday, April 12th volunteers refined ideas, assessed skills and time commitment, and created a list of exciting projects that are already underway. These include creating a neighbourhood food security survey, implementing Lifecycles’ Fruit Tree Project, which involves mapping all of the fruit trees in Fernwood and ensuring that no fruit goes to waste. Plans to hold canning and preserving workshops with the fruit are also in the making. Other projects that will soon be underway include Food not Lawns, a backyard garden-sharing initiative, and enhancing food production on the Community Centre balcony.

This month’s meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 9th at 7:30 at the Cornerstone Cafe. New volunteers welcomed and encouraged! We are all learners and teachers, so bring your ideas and enthusiasm and let’s work together towards securing healthy food in our own backyards.

May 2007 | www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca | Page 7

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Art, Theatre, and Entertainment Live Entertainment at The Cornerstone Café Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening, 8 to 11pm! Check in @ the Café for details, 1301 Gladstone Ave. Call for Submissions from Fernwood musicians and poets to be featured on our third Fernwood CD! e-mail: james@fernwoodneighbourhood.ca Theatre Inconnu The Madwoman of Chaillot by Jean Giraudoux at The Little Fernwood Hall, 1923 Fernwood Rd., May 3 - May 19 Info and Reservations: 360-0234 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 J.K. Do Forno Café In Fernwood Square. free! Mondays: Bill Cino, 6:30 to 9pm. Seeking musicians for other days. Call for info: 386-8446.

Live Music at Logan’s For listings, go to www.loganspub.com.

Live Music at Fernwood Inn 5 days/week, including Open Mic Thursdays, 8:30-11:30pm.

Belfry Mesa, by Canadian playwrite Doug Curtis. April 10 - May 6, 2007, Belfry Box Office - 385-6815 Metro Studio Theatre Famous Puppet Death Scenes,The Old Trout Puppet Workshop, MAY 2 - 6, 8pm, May 6 Matinee at 2pm.

The Adventures of Ali & Ali and the Axes of Evil with Neworldtheatre, Vancouver BC, May 9 - 13, 8pm, Sunday Matinee at 3pm Kate Rubin Theater & Drama Studio presents Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. Advanced Teen Performance Company, May 17 to 20, 8pm, Friday & Sunday Matinees.

Intrepid Theatre presents The 10th Annual Uno Festival of Solo Performance, May 24 - June 4. Up to 3 shows nightly. TIX / INFO: Intrepid Theatre at 250.383.2663

Kids & Families Community Family Day Fernwood NRG invites families to come and get involved in Community

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Day. Family-directed and facilitated programming. Mondays, 9:30am 11:30am. FNRG Gym, Free!

Parent & Tot Playgroup Ongoing Tuesdays & Thursdays. FNRG Gym, 9:30am - 11:30am, $1 per family, snacks/crafts/circle time.

Rhythm Circle Time Drop-in - 10 Weeks per session Tuesdays 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm in the Multi-Purpose Room. Free!

Mother Goose Pre-register-10 weeks per session.

Tuesdays (Call 381-1552 Ext.22 to register and for info) FNRG MultiPurpose Room, 1:00pm - 2:30pm, Songs, rhymes & stories-Free! ($2 for songbook)

Youth, Adults & Seniors Intro to Body Mapping Workshop with Claire Paulette Turcotte May 31. 6:30 to 9:00pm. Body Mapping, a “homing device” for tracking the creative pulse in the body, is a simple practice that animates the creative process in writing, art making, meditation, healing, and dreamwork. $25 per person. Art supplies included. Call 381-1552 Ext.22 to register.

Vocal Workshop with Harmony Proulx Friday, May 18 & Friday May 25, 5 to 6:30pm. Hum, sing, or just listen to your voice and ours in the beautiful acoustics of your old school gym. Harmony Proulx has been leading groups in singing for over 10 years and is on the lookout to get a local choir together to experience the freedom of improvisation and harmony through vocal rhythms. By donation.

How to Record Your Own CD 101 with Jude Pelley (Producer/Engineer, Alone Stone Studios, Musician) and James Kasper (Producer of the Vancouver Island Music Awards, Musician), Date & details TBA. Call 3811552 Ext.22 for further info.

NEW! Youth Sports Drop-in Ages 6 to 12, Ongoing Sundays, Noon to 2pm, $3 per child, Parent please accompany child, no fee for parent, rotating sports.

NEW! Badminton Drop-in Co-ed Adult (18+) - Ongoing Sundays, 6:30 – 8:30pm, $3 per person.

NEW! Volleyball

Drop-in Co-ed Adult (18+) - Ongoing Sundays, 8:30 - 10:30pm, $3 per person.

NEW! Indoor Soccer Drop-in Co-ed Adult (18+) - Ongoing Mondays, 8:45 - 10:45pm, $3 per person.

Free Internet and Computer Access Complete your one-time registration and then get online through the Community Access Program. FNRG Community Room, 9:15am to 8:30pm, Monday to Friday. Free!

Drop-in Floorhockey Drop-in Co-ed Adult (18+), all equipment provided. Ongoing Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7:00pm - 9:30pm, and NEW!: Saturdays, 2 - 4:30pm. $4, or get a punchcard: $40/11 sessions. No wooden sticks.

FREE Yoga!

Tuesdays, 10:30am - 12:00pm, in the FNRG Multipurpose Room.

Holistic Health & Healing Healing meditation based on Chinese Five Elements: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, Wood, plus discussion of topics chosen by group. Ongoing Mondays, FNRG, 10:00-11:30am, Free!

Falun Gong Peaceful meditation practice. Ongoing Wednesdays, FNRG, 5:00pm - 7:00pm, everyone welcome, Free!

Fernwood Autumn Glow (55+) Gentle exercise, lunch & activities; Ongoing Fridays, FNRG, 11:00am, $5.50 for lunch.

Special Events Mother’s Day Breakfast Sunday May 13 @ 9am in the community centre gym (1240 Gladstone Ave). Bring mom out and spoil her with breakfast and other nice surprises. Admission by donation to cover costs.

Green Drinks An inclusive gathering of the sustainability minded for refreshments conversation and inspiration. Queen Mother Waterside Café, 407 Swift St. Tuesday, May 8th. Youth event at 3:00pm, General event 5:00 - 7:00pm Green Lunch Green Drinks is now expanding its program to include regular Green Lunches. Meet, chat and connect with like-minded people over lunch.

Wednesday, May 23, 12:00 to 1:15 Fernwood Inn, Reservations Recommended.

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@fernwood neighbourhood.ca www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca Editor: Lisa Helps Photographer: Veronique da Silva Contributors: Julia Adam Susi Porter-Bopp Margaret Hantiuk Kasper Joseph Avi Lambert Roberta Martell Morgan Obendorfer Jerome Peacock Susan Salvati Caitlyn Vernon Greg White The views expressed in the Village Vibe do not necessarily reflect the views of Fernwood NRG.

Village Vibe Join us to brainstorm the June VIBE. Thursday, May 24, FNRG, 7:00 - 9:00 Victoria: Vibrant City, Vibrant Neighbourhoods – Village Centers “The City of Villages” Monday, May 14, 7 pm - 9 pm City Hall Ante Chamber, #1 Centennial Square. How do we design and create liveable neighborhoods with a village feel? Share ideas, hear stories and experiences from neighbourhoods including Hillside/ Quadra, James Bay, Fernwood, Cook Street Village and others.

Make Yer Neighbourhood Nicer Total Plastics Recycling Day (2nd Sat of every Month) Saturday, May 12, 10am - Noon, Back of FNRG. Recycle plastics of all kinds (Styrofoam packing, soft plastics and bags, and ALL hard/rigid plastics) plus old electronics. By donation to cover transportation.

TUESDAYS! Beer and Burger – 100% Ground prime rib burger or nutburger and a Pint $7.95 1302 Gladstone

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Under new ownership!

Page 8 | News and views from the heart of Fernwood | May 2007

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