villagevibe Photos: Jenna Tye
Photo: Joy Roberts
May 2009 : News and views from the heart of Fernwood
Taking the ‘Work’ Out of Networking >> by Eila Buziak
I
t seems lately that the Cornerstone Café is buzzing a little more on Friday nights. And one Friday evening in March there was a gathering that had quite a fine feminine flair. Drawn from the idea of networking, Véronique da Silva, a familiar person in Fernwood, created and organized a “mixer” for women of diverse backgrounds, professions, and talents. The March “Girls’ Night Networking Mixer,” was the second installment of a recurring evening that has quickly grown in popularity. This last round attracted 54 women bringing together expertise in areas such as design, dance, architecture, acupuncture, naturopathy, counseling, consulting, accounting, retail, photography, yoga, massage, art, law, hi-tech and more, including women who are in the process of career change. The idea for a networking evening of this kind arose from Véronique’s personal disappointment in attending more formal networking events. “I always leave wanting more!” she says. “Although the traditional networking groups and events are very important and have a place in business context, they are daunting and intimidating for many people and industries because of their formality and structure.” She wanted to create a group open to all industries, big and small, alternative and conventional, where the focus of the evening would be less about leaving with “leads”, and more about
making new connections, sharing ideas and having some good laughs. “I like the idea of people of varying professions, who wouldn’t normally share conversation with each other, branching out of their natural networking circle. I truly enjoy organizing and facilitating the Mixer and marvel at the diversity the evening attracts. The energy in the room is tangible and simply invigorating!” It was an opportunity for dressing up or dressing down, and it all mixed well. It was a chance to win some fantastic door prizes and also to share expertise. It was exciting (and slightly terrifying!) to stand on a chair to make a personal introduction and delightful to meet a new friend over the plentiful and delicious gourmet snacks. Véronique was the perfect host, making everyone feel welcome, and her intention came through very well. And if the night wasn’t full enough, it finished with a fabulous burlesque performance by Rosie Bitts. I think I can safely say we were all thrilled to bits! The next “Girls’ Night Networking Mixer” will be held late July 2009 and will be raising funds for Bridges for Women (http://www.bridgesforwomen. ca), a local organization established in Victoria in 1988 that provides unique award-winning employability training programs to women with a history of abuse or trauma. If you are interested in sponsoring the evening, or a woman interested in participating, please contact Véronique at vdasilva@shaw.ca (http://www.dasilvafoto.com). You can also find the group on Facebook Girls Night Networking Mixer.
Happy Birthday Vibe! This June the Village Vibe turns four! Loyal readers, writers, photographers, and neighbours: Join us to celebrate the Vibe’s fourth birthday, Thursday June 4th, from 6:30-8:30pm at the Cornerstone Café.
Daycare Kids Hop for Muscular Dystrophy
F
ernwood's 3-5 Daycare raised nearly $200 for Muscular Dystrophy Canada in two minutes during the annual Hop for Muscular Dystrophy on March 20th. Daycare attendees and parent volunteers decorated bunny-ear hats, then put them on, turned up the tunes and bunny-hopped for two minutes to raise awareness about Muscular Dystrophy. The day also included an educational video about a boy living with the condition. For more information about Muscular Dystrophy or to donate, visit http://www.muscle.ca
in this issue Eating in Fernwood Just Got Better Page 3 Feature: Gardening Tools: Gearing Up Page 4 Goodbye Gladstone Page 6
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Looking through the pages of this issue to find a theme or at least a strain to pick up on for the editorial, I was at a bit of a loss. And I’m reminded – as I have been many times from the vantage point of the Vibe editor’s chair, as it were – that perhaps this is because Fernwood as a whole lacks coherence, conformity, unanimity; this “lack” may be our neighbourhood’s greatest strength. When I walked from my place at Camosun and Johnson on the fringes of Fernwood, through the heart of the village, to a friend’s house at Forbes and Pembroke the other night this is what I saw: at the high school there were people on the front lawn of many apparent different nationalities playing soccer, their friends and family members looking on and cheering. On the back lawn there were a bunch of people playing some unidentifiable
Like the work of Fernwood NRG? Go to CanadaHelps.org and donate to Fernwood NRG.
sport, others were sword fighting and still others were lying around on blankets soaking up the evening sun. On the way home after night had fallen, the same field that earlier held the sunbathers had come alive in the dark with drumming and fire spinning. No this was not Luminara (a terrific festival in its own right) with a $100,000 dollar budget and six months of advance organization. It was just Fernwood being itself on a midspring night. And so when I read in one Vibe about daycare kids hopping for muscular dystrophy, djs spinning at the Cornerstone Café, neighbours buying solar panels en masse, a Japanese art exhibition at the Collective Works Gallery, and cutting edge sustainable home design, I’m reminded that this issue is just like Fernwood: eclectic and brimming with possibility.
Bike Safety >> by M arsha Pett y-Johnson
declaration of principles and values 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;
Cycling is fast becoming a preferred way to commute, get around town, and go on holidays (touring). The benefits are many: improved health and fitness; saving money on gas, insurance, and parking; saving time, avoiding traffic volume and easy parking; creating peace of mind helping the planet. As a cyclist you can choose to ride the trails or the roads. Cycling is a safe, enjoyable and efficient way to travel. It’s important to remember that bikes are considered vehicles and are subject to the same rules of the road as any other traffic. As bikes tend to be less visible than other vehicles, it’s important for cyclists to learn how to increase their visibility to others, effectively communicate their intentions using shoulder checks, eye contact and hand signals, and to position themselves properly in traffic for turns and on narrow lanes. Riding in a straight line rather than in and out of parked cars makes cyclists predictable. This helps drivers know where you are going and when it’s safe to pass. Always ride defensively and never assume pedestrians or other vehicles see you. Want to hone your bike skills? Bike to Work Victoria offers free one-day Bike Skills Courses to the public. These courses combine classroom and on the road training to put your new skills into practice. The course takes you through the most common traffic situations that cyclists face. Check out our website www.biketowork.ca/Victoria/workshops/ skills for dates, description, and registration.
BC-STV >> by Anke van Leeuwen
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!
On May 12th, 2009, voters in BC will have an opportunity to answer a referendum question on whether to retain the existing voting system (called First Past the Post or FPP) or adopt a new system (called Single Transferable Vote or BC-STV). BC-STV was unanimously endorsed by the Citizens Assembly on Electoral Reform before the 2005 election. The Assembly – made of up 160 citizens chosen at random and fully briefed – selected STV as the best system for British Columbia as it would provide proportional representation and promote a spirit of collaboration in the Legislature. For more information and a short animated video, go to www.stv.ca/videos
Page 2 | News and views from the heart of Fernwood | May 2009
the Fernwood buzz
Caught at the Cornerstone
Founding members of Fernwood’s own Bouncing Divas honour rebounder maestro Blanche Black for ten years of fitness, fun, and friendship. Blanche leads the exercise group in the Zen Den in the garden of her Chambers Street home. Through her business, “Fit as a Fiddle,” Blanche offers group, personal, and video-based fitness training to a wide variety of clients including the reasonably fit, seniors and people with physical challenges. Blanche’s work reflects her heartfelt philosophy that “aging is a challenging opportunity.” To find our more check out http://www.blancheblackfitness.com
Fridays at the Cornerstone Photos: Danielle Plouffe-McLay
editorial : In One Vibe
Fridays in Fernwood just got even better! The Cornerstone is hosting two new nights which will alternate every Friday from 7:00-11:00pm. May 8th and 22nd will be “A Shot in the Dark.” This is an open mic night hosted by Sarah and Megan, “the Bumbling Sisters.” Artists of all sorts can come up and share 15 minutes of fame with their neighbours. Everyone welcome. Contact bumblingsisters@yahoo.com The “Sound Spa” will be bubbling on May 1st, 15th, and 29th and promises to be Victoria's best Dub Reggae and Down Tempo night. Nate hosts and invites guests to spin their favorite positive beats. The two Spas in April were super fun and well-attended by music lovers of all ages!
VillageVibe
eating in Fernwood just got better
Lucy’s in the Square (with diamonds?)
Hernende’z Heats Up Fernwood
>> by Trish Richards
>> by Roberta Martell Fernwoodians for the past three years, Micki and Jeff Keenliside are the latest residents to open a bistro in the ‘hood: Lucy’s in the Square. Lucy’s opened in late April and Micki and Jeff are planning an opening celebration in May. The restaurant concept is a lunch and dinner bistro with a small menu of great options using many local and organic items. As Micki explained, “Our inspiration for Lucy’s was that we wanted to create a space that would be like having our friends over to our place for dinner: comfortable, open and welcoming – kind of like Fernwood itself !” Given their long history as foodies – Jeff started Shelter in Tofino, and the Fire and Water in the Marriott and both Micki and Jeff worked at Café Brio – we are hopeful that Lucy’s will be the bistro to make a success of the Thin Edge/Green Goddess space. Lucy’s will be open 11am-8pm Wednesday to Saturday, 11am-2pm Tuesdays, with brunch on Sundays from 10-2. Head to your village square and stop in and give it a try!
The “Mexican” dining experience that has taken the midday downtown crowd by storm since 2003 has branched out to tempt Fernwood from a new location on Bay Street at Shakespeare. Hernande’z has arrived in the ‘hood! Hernande’z is owned and operated by Fernwoodians Tamara and Jerson. The new space is welcoming and decorated casually with sacks of beans and intense pieces of art. It offers limited but quirky seating at a couple of regular tables inside and out and a large picnic table where you can join your neighbours for a chat over your “cena.” Gazing down placidly over everything is the Madonna of Guadeloupe whose presence, Tamara tells me “protects the core of Hernande’z.” The service style is an experience in itself. You order at the counter and are given a “loteria” card that contains a colourful image and the Spanish word associated with it. Your task while waiting for your food is to learn the word so that when your card is called out you can claim your order in Spanish. You can learn your neighbours’ Spanish word too if you like. The queue at Hernande’z tends to be a social event! And then there is the food. This is “Mexican” food like you have never indulged in before. It is in fact not actually Mexican at all, but is rooted in Mayan culture.
Grant Street Greenway >> by Bill McKechnie How about a walkable/bikeable greenway on Grant Street off Haegert Park from Chambers Street to Cook Street? Sound intriguing? Grant Street residents are considering a proposal to enhance their block and develop a greenway in the neighbourhood.
A committee is forming to apply for Green Ways funding for a June 1st deadline. The concept is taken from some successful European residential street improvements where automobiles are given a low priority. Residents and trades can access homes with their vehicles at a low posted speed, but pedestrians have the right to use the centre of the street as a walkway. Funding is available for improvements such as landscaping, planting trees, installing pavers and so on. Part of the funding is designed to allow resident participation by matching sweat equity with dollars. Residents participate in things like tree planting and irrigation, and this benefits the project as a whole by creating a feeling of ownership in common amongst the neighbours. Are you curious? Interested? Come and talk with your neighbours about this imaginative communitybuilding proposal at the next Place Making meeting at the Cornerstone Café on Monday, May 25th, 7pm.
Jerson’s recipes originate from his grandmother’s market stall in the mountain village of Cojutepeques, El Salvador. He is carrying on that nurturing tradition. Hernande’z menu is posted on brown paper on the wall and includes a range of burritos from the vegetarian Clasica or black bean to the ‘burrito de carne’ or locally raised highland beef. These comprise Hernande’z express menu for those in need of relatively immediate gratification. If you aren’t in any great rush, you can indulge in the signature Huarache; from Clasica to Pollo (chicken), or, for the move adventuresome, Jerson’s latest creation, Red Molle. These are considered “Slow Food” as they feature Hernande’z hand made corn tortilla. The wait is never long. And your meal is definitely worth waiting for! Everything, including the sauces, is made on site. Nope, no microwave on the premises. The food contains no additives or preservatives. Yep, no MSG and the meat and poultry are local and hormone free! The Huaraches are also gluten free and vegetarian options are made with canola oil, not lard, and so are truly vegetarian. And did I mention that, no surprise, the food is amazingly delicious. And can be had for prices ranging from $5.00 to $12.00 dollars! Add a beer or an ‘aqua del flores’ and you are set. So, the next warm evening that you are at loose ends, take a stroll down along Bay and just ask “Qué hay de cena, Jerson?” Then add “Welcome to Fernwood, Hernande’z!”
Robert Amos >> by Deryk Houston Most artists in Victoria know the name Robert Amos. He is an art critic, a writer, an author, and also an accomplished painter in his own right. I have known Robert for over twenty years and yet it occurred to me that after all this time, I still had no idea who he really is. I have always found the thought of reaching out to him as a fellow artist awkward, because, after all, he is the arts critic for the leading Victoria newspaper, and has the unenviable task of reviewing everyone’s art shows. From an artist’s point of view it seemed best to keep a separation so that one’s work is evaluated in a pure way. Recently, I decided to throw caution to the wind and give him a call anyway. When I arrived at Robert’s house near Cook Street Village, he welcomed me warmly into his studio. It didn’t take long for us to feel at ease and I was happy to just sit back and listen to his story. I was soon overwhelmed by the sheer volume of material and history but nonetheless I was getting a much better insight into both the critic and the artist. My skills as an interviewer might have lacked somewhat, but as an artist myself I understood the art side of the conversation very well and I was impressed with the diverse but linked body of work Robert had created over the years. He is an intense, passionate and fiercely independent man. It’s often
– continued on page 7
VillageVibe
May 2009 | www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca | Page 3
feature :
Gardening Tools
Hearing that a new Lee Valley Tools store has opened in Colwood, I realized it’s time again to talk about tools and gear for gardeners.
Photo: Véronique da Silva
LONG HANDLED TOOLS
Now there is actually a place where gardeners can find well-made tools from people who know and love tools. Yes, they do cost more, but good tools will last much longer and they are both more ergonomically sound and lovely to hold, feel, and look at. Hand tools are all that’s needed for those of us tending a city lot. They require no fossil fuels, pollute less, are dependable, safer, don’t scare living things nearby, and are not noisy! Hand tools also require that we take time being truly engaged in our gardening experience. Our gardens benefit too, as these tools do a better job when used properly. Because each gardener is different, different tools may be required and preferred. Physically, it’s important to choose a tool that fits your body (remember that there are often right and left handed varieties). As your gardening style and commitment level progresses, your tool choices will become more specific and you will begin to appreciate quality tools even more.
With long-handled tools, there are some basic guidelines in purchasing: forged over stamped and welded, forged socket or steel strapped joint to handle is better than tang and ferrule. Ash is the preferred wood for handles, followed by hickory, with no imperfections or knots in the wood. Shovels (made to lift and toss) are used for scooping and have a deeper dish – some are even square for scooping gravel, concrete or snow. Spades are for digging, are straight with no ‘cant’ (slant), have a beveled edge which should be sharpened and have a good rolled tread at the blade’s top for pushing it into the soil. There are various sizes of handles and blades to suit the gardener and each also has its own intended use: digging or transplanting (smaller and thinner blade), trenching spades for irrigation, etc… Some gardeners prefer a fork for cultivating: five tines is better for turning compost, four tines for digging, and three scooping tines best for moving hay (known as a pitchfork). Sturdy, forged steel ‘broad forks’ with a wide head of several tines are used for deep stirring of soil without turning it over. Hoes are used for weeding and shallow cultivation and should be sharpened often. There is a huge variety for various uses: for deeper or shallower cultivation (around root crops, over bulbs or tree root zones) and different ways they are used: pushed or pulled, leaning over or standing upright, and whether your soil is tough clay or lighter loam. The ‘arrowhead’ cultivator is a hybrid hoe and fork. Rakes come in various styles: leaf rakes can be bamboo, steel and plastic fan styles. Make sure the teeth are well attached. The Wizard is a good multiuse rake. The ‘flathead’ is the old rake used for planting, with the teeth attached to the shaft. There are ‘thatching’ rakes for the lawn enthusiast. I use a little fan rake with a telescopic handle in tight places and for bed work.
SHORT HANDLED TOOLS
There are so many well-designed hand tools coming on the market, and here again it is essential to buy ones that are comfortable, as they will be used often. Purchase tools made of a good strong metal alloy such as aluminum or stainless steel. Trowels can be made of wood (ash or hickory) with a tang and ferule joint, and can have various shaped and length of dish, depending on your preference for usage. There are many hand-weeders now as well: some have curved, sharp blades for tight spots such as cracks in pavers and along walks, or for slicing down to get deep rooted weeds. For those who love bulbs, there are simple bulb planting tools too.
There are other long handled tools for special jobs: for clearing areas there are pick axes, crowbars for rocks and mattocks for roots or to break up pockets of heavy clay.
Page 4 | News and views from the heart of Fernwood | May 2009
VillageVibe
Gearing Up
>> by Margaret Hantiuk
WAT E R I NG
Photo: Véronique da Silva
A good, galvanized metal watering can is essential. Smaller ones with long spouts are handy for house and patio. With watering restrictions here to stay, a long watering wand and a hose nozzle-gun with a sprinkler dial (and both with the required off/ on switch) make for street legal watering. If you use sprinklers, a good heavy one with metal heads will last longer. There are many different types of sprinklers to serve your watering needs: ones on tall stakes for placing above plants in beds, bubblers, twin-circle sprayers, misters, impulse, and oscillating are some.
CUTTING TOOLS
MOWERS
Hand-shears are small shears used only for light work such as deadheading and cutting off flower stalks. Anvil style hand-pruners cut by crushing and so are used on small dead wood. Secateurs are by-pass cutters used to prune live wood up to ¾”, and are more expensive but worth every penny. They are left or right handed, should have carbon steel blades and be sharpened often. If you have a few shrubs and roses, it’s wise to purchase a leather holster, as you’ll be using it often. Then there is the small, handy, folding Japanese pruning saw for larger branches, and bow saws for the really big ones. I also find long handled loppers helpful for branches that are difficult to get at. Good stainless steel or carbon steel hedge shears (with warm grips for cold weather) are a must if you have a hedge. If you like to do your own pruning of larger shrubs and trees, telescopic pole pruners are useful if kept sharp.
Hand pushed reel mowers actually cut grass better than the powered lawnmowers. Look for ones where the blade height adjustment is easy and does not require a screwdriver. The blades should be made of high carbon steel. Small lawns can do with a fiveblade mower, while larger ones may need six to eight blades Pneumatic tires will be easier to push. Remember to cut the lawn when it’s dry and to leave the clippings on for mulch. Another lawn tool that I use is the half-moon edger, which when kept sharp is an effective alternative to the string trimmer, needing to be used much less often.
Hoses should be a 5-ply vinyl/rubber mix to last, and purchase a good reel to store it on so that it isn’t left in the sun to deteriorate. Little hose guides around your beds will save you frustration and your plants their lives (I use thick stakes driven deep). Soaker hoses are good for fairly short runs on rows or narrow beds. There are now better drip irrigation systems that can be laid in by the home gardener. They must have pressure regulators to prevent backflow into the city system and to regulate the pressure. There are also neat little timers available at reasonable prices that are easily attached at the tap which will automatically turn off hoses left running. Some are a little fancier and can be programmed to come on and off on their own, enabling the gardener to actually leave their garden for a holiday in the dry summer months!
M OV I NG A N D H AU L I NG
Having a good broom is a must. Coir is long lasting, but a good synthetic will last longer. Corn brooms are softer, for sweeping, but do wear. Having some pails and baskets is essential. The English ‘trug’ is a small, handled dish style basket used to carry harvested flowers and vegetables without crushing them.
Stay tuned and watch for the June 2009 Village Vibe for more tips on tools from Margaret Hantiuk, one of Fernwood’s true gardening gurus.
Smallish tarps are a must for hauling leaves and debris. I use a wheelbarrow all the time. One that has a 4” pneumatic tire and a wide, epoxy coated tray will be the most versatile. With pails and baskets in it, I organize my tools, plants and supplies and carry debris as I move around the garden. Wide scoops, large dustpans and a dolly (to move heavy bags or pots) have been useful and saved my back.
Denise Savoie Member of Parliament for Victoria
constituency office: 970 Blanshard Street Victoria, BC V8W 2H3 telephone: 363-3600 e-mail: Savoie.d@parl.gc.ca on the web: www.denisesavoie.ca
Your voice in Ottawa
save fernwood’s recycling day Help us help to save the Earth! Fernwood’s Recycling Day urgently needs volunteers to keep running. The monthly program allows our neighbourhood to recycle specialty items such as soft plastics and electronics. Volunteer commitment is only 3 hours per month and no experience is required. Email recycling@fernwoodnrg.ca for more information.
VillageVibe
May 2009 | www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca | Page 5
Goodbye Gladstone...
>> by James Kaspar
“I have inherited a belief in community, the promise that a gathering of the spirit can both create and change culture. In the desert, change is nurtured even in stone by wind, by water, through time.” – terry tempest williams After eight and a half years as an employee of the Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group, I am leaving Victoria to pursue a career in broadcasting in Saskatoon. Here’s a bit about how I “accidentally” landed in Fernwood. Once upon a time, at the end of May 2000, my five-year common-law marriage ended. This dissolution occurred in Kelowna after we – the dissolving duo – had spent a year in Southern Ontario, immersing ourselves in the Toronto music scene, doing publicity for an arts collective in Kitchener, and producing a weekly radio show at the University of Waterloo. When I left Kelowna, the world was my oyster. I could go anywhere I wanted. I had spent 1990 to 1999 in Victoria and had many friends on the island, so I decided it was the natural choice. I settled in Victoria, managing to juggle seven – yes, seven – on-call jobs while I built my special events business (a business which went on to become the Vancouver Island Music Awards in 2002). In October 2000 I was calling around to various rental venues to get information about rental rates and capacity, and the most helpful person I spoke with was a young woman named
Shauna at Fernwood Community Centre. Shauna told me she had a comprehensive list of venues, prices, capacity, and contacts that I could pick up from the centre. I said I would do just that. And then just as we were saying goodbye, she interjected with – “Oh, and just so you know, we can’t rent our place out on weekends because we don’t have weekend staff.” The call ended and I stood there thinking for a moment, before calling her back. “You said you don’t have weekend staff – are you looking for weekend staff ?” (I figured why stop at seven jobs when I could have eight). She said I could bring in a resume, which I did…and on Halloween Night of 2000, I worked my first shift at Fernwood Community Centre, as a large crowd gathered around a bonfire that blazed majestically in the park behind the building. I was 29 years old, and my Decade of Fernwood had begun. I am now 38 years old. In the time since that festive fire, I have made it my goal to discover what is at the heart of this word “community.” And I could tell you many stories that would illustrate that “gathering of spirit” Terry Williams talks about in my opening quote. But I will tell you just one little story that I believe epitomizes this idea of cultural change achieved through community spirit. For years, the Fernwood NRG team has worked diligently to transform Fernwood’s reputation of drug culture and derelict buildings into a model neighbourhood for environmental and economic sustainability. Recreation – very broadly defined! – has been one of my key contributions to this model. In September 2008, with the help of my recreation staff, I started up a brand new drop-in youth program at the community centre called Fairuza Fridays. The program has been a big hit, as the 10- to 14-year-olds rush in the door every Friday, excited to join their new friends for a game of floor hockey, Nintendo Wii, basketball, badminton, or a bigscreen movie. When it was time to enter a Fernwood team in the city-wide youth dodgeball tournament a few months ago, our kids were ready to go. So many were into it,
in fact, that two of the six teams in the tournament were Fernwood teams – Fernwood Fireballs and Funky Fernwood (named on-the-spot by the kids in the 5 seconds they had to decide when we arrived at the Boys & Girls Club). Not only did our teams place second and third in the standings, but the hero of the whole tournament was a young, tiny Fernwood girl who dodged and threw like her life depended on it; most of the people in that gymnasium could not believe what they were seeing. I don’t know if I’ve ever heard cheering quite like that in my life (and I’ve been to many rock concerts and hockey games in my time). And the strange thing was that the cheering wasn’t just from the Fernwood teams and coaches. Almost everyone in the gym was cheering for this one underdog kid as she was the only player left on the floor, up against four opposing players rifling balls at her from all directions. It was like Rocky all over again. She won one of the games almost single-handedly, and when she came off the floor at the end, her team mobbed her with congratulatory high-fives. Her face was aglow with the type of pure joy that can only be seen in a child’s smile. A few weeks ago, a recreation programmer from another community centre (also leaving his post to relocate out of town) told me how impressed he was with how Fernwood had overcome various challenges over the years and had made such a comeback with a popular youth program. And as much as my work has only been a small part of Fernwood’s evolution, I thought of the compliment as symbolic of cultural change through community spirit. And maybe, in the back of my mind, it gave me the courage to make my own personal change at this point in my life. My work here is done. Goodbye, Gladstone! I’ll miss the Fernwood spirit. Before relocating to Saskatoon, I will be releasing my new album at Fairfield United Church on July 18 at 8pm – maybe see you there! For anyone who would like to keep in touch, I can be reached at info@jameskasper.com
Plant Sale and Gardening Workshop The Workshop, “Tips for a Successful Garden” to be held at the Fernwood Community Centre on Saturday May 23rd will cover: - Site preparation – tips to help your plants thrive - Crop rotation – where and how to plant from year to year - Sheet compost gardening techniques - What to plant and when – guidelines for our local area Participants receive one-and-a-half hours of instruction on gardening tips and techniques. Everybody will also be provided with several six packs of vegetables and flowers that are ready to go into the ground. Hardy vegetable and flowers ready to go in the ground will be sold at the end of class, including kales, broccoli, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, herbs, squash, basil, leeks, chard, flowers. Please contact fruittree@lifecyclesproject.ca or 250-479-5475 for more information and/or to register for workshop. Proceeds from the workshop help support LifeCycles Fruit Tree Project
When Sat, May 23, 10-11:30am, Plant Sale 11:30am-12:30pm Where Fernwood Community Centre 1240 Gladstone Avenue Cost $20
Presented by Amy Crook certified Master Gardener in conjunction with LifeCycles Fruit Tree project coordinator Renate Nahser-Ringer. Pre-registration required as space is limited.
Experience God
at St. Barnabas Anglican Church
– continued on page 7
Sung Mass at 10:30 a.m. every Sunday. Low Mass at 9 a.m. on weekdays; 7 p.m. on Wednesday 1525 Begbie Street, Victoria Church Office: 250-595-4324 www3.telus.net/stbarnabas/
Page 6 | News and views from the heart of Fernwood | May 2009
VillageVibe
faces of Fernwood :
>> by Fernwood R abbit Nestled in office space at the back of the old brick building in Fernwood Square, there is a small revolution in home design occurring. Since the 1990s, the ideas of “eco-efficiency” and “sustainable development” have been worked and reworked at both corporate and community levels. Now Fernwood’s John Gower is bringing these concepts to the level of house and home. Though he’s just opened as recently as February here in Fernwood, John Gower’s BC Mountain Homes was at the forefront of the “Small House Movement” popularized by Sarah Susanka in her books “The Not So Big House” and “The Not So Big Life” in the late 1990s. John Gower Design and BC Mountain Homes does a brisk trade on the internet, selling both custom designs
John Gower Design
for specific sites and “off the rack” plans from his own architectural catalogue. His client list is geographically diverse, with clients as far away as New Zealand, Australia, Mexico and Indonesia. I asked John why he chose Fernwood for his head office, to which he replied, that it was the “sense of community, the quality of life, the vibrant, artistic culture and the food culture that is integral to this place.” He added that he was drawn by the need to be connected to – and have his practice be centred within – an existing group of forward looking, integral thinkers, artists and visionaries. Coming from a storefront in Vancouver where he felt little or no relationship with his surrounding neighborhood, John tells me that he and his team feel excited to have “the opportunity to be part of the pulse of this place on a daily basis” and that he was honored to be asked to join the core group of “Imagine 2112: An Exploration of Who We Are As A Culture In Service To Life.” (See Village Vibe, February 2009.) He also say’s that he’s looking forward to engaging with Fernwoodians about sustainability and community development. Curious, I asked John about how his architectural designs for homes address larger global issues of sustainability. He responded that he is able to reduce the overall size of the home while at the same time, designing a home that “lives larger than it’s square footage would suggest.” Not being the smartest rabbit on the block, I asked him what this meant. He told me that he is able to design elegant and sustainable solutions in smaller
spaces. He makes the home more livable by taking into consideration site-specific elements which integrate the inside of the home with the surrounding environment. At the same time he makes the home more ecological by fully utilizing passive solar, space, light, insulation and air circulation. An intriguing component of the process is the series of initial interviews. John told me that before even discussing issues of cost or choice of materials, he has a series of meetings with his clients where they explore questions like, “what is your relationship to sleep?” and “what role does food and food preparation play in your lifestyle?” He takes the time to engage his clients in these ways because the clients’ responses uncover key values which the design will then incorporate. In the end, the use of space resonates with the client’s needs, values and aspirations. John Gower Design is interested in high tech environmental technologies, but he is critical of so called “eco-friendly” approaches which just add “green” technology and stir. To help the rabbit understand, he gives an ironic example: a conventional 3,500 square foot, cookie cutter, two-car garage home with added solar panels. Such a house can never truly be sustainable, no matter what ecoaccolade the builder claims. It seems that, for John Gower Design, “sustainability is an integral element of the design process which enables people to comfortably establish the most fundamental step: to get the home’s ecological footprint smaller.” John’s is innovative work and it’s done in an innovative manner. We welcome you to Fernwood John. Looks like you are going to fit right in!
John Gower’s BC Mountain Homes was at the forefront of the “Small House Movement” popularized by Sarah Susanka
Amos
| from page 3
difficult for an artist to find a solid path and many artists look outside of themselves for direction, for instance, attending Canada Council workshops so that they can learn what Canada Council wants from them rather than looking into their own hearts. Robert Amos decides what he wants to do and simply does it. (I believe in the same work ethic myself and I can appreciate the difficulties and hardships that go along with that). Some of his work can seem almost neurotic in nature with repetitive lines of text taken from Finnigans Wake for example, dancing across scores and scores of pages of crinkled light paper. I’m not sure where that repetitive urge comes from but his first trip to Japan many years ago clearly left him with a deep impression and respect for Japanese art forms. He will write and paint on scrolls and many of his paintings are in the traditional Japanese watercolor style. He went back to Japan again in 2008 and exhibited his work there with other Canadian artists at the Canadian Embassy and other locations in Tokyo. And, Robert is organizing a series of workshops and exhibitions in Victoria for several artists from Japan in July 2010. Collective Works Gallery in Fernwood looks forward to proudly hosting one of the exhibitions. As an art critic, Robert will no longer attend art openings. He prefers to take in an exhibition after the work has been hung. He doesn’t like it when people poke him in the chest with their finger as they confront him over past reviews. It is a tough and sometimes thankless job as he can’t please everyone. Oscar Wilde said “the critic has to educate the public. The artist has to educate the critic.” Robert Amos does both.
VillageVibe
Sun’s Up in Fernwood >> by R ainey Hopewell Thirty villagers attended an information meeting at Fernwood NRG last month about solar water heating. Twenty expressed an interest to continue the exploration, predicting a bloom of solar panels in Fernwood sometime soon. Heating water accounts for 20%-40% of household energy consumption Solar thermal saves about 60% of the energy cost of heating water. Solar thermal systems are time-tested, economical, long-lived, and Earth friendly. The systems come in flat panels or evacuated tubes and are compatible with tankless, single or double tank arrangements. Tax credits and rebates totaling $3,175.00 have lowered the price considerably. Now, a solar thermal system could cost as little as $3,500. With a low-interest loan, solar hot water is more affordable than ever.
Tuesday Evening Markets in the Square are back!
Bulk-purchasing for solar thermal is another way to lower cost. Currently, there is an additional $375.00 incentive from Solar BC for the first 100 households purchasing by bulk in groups of 20 or more. Now, those 20 folks could be living anywhere in in the CRD. But it’s more Earth-friendly if they’re living right here in Fernwood. Proximity of households enables bulk delivery of materials to a single site. So there’s a hypothetical (because no neighbourhood has done it yet) further monetary saving through bulk delivery. And it’s definitely more friendly for villagers if we’re going solar together. Fernwood, let’s fan the bloom by creating successive waves of 20, right across the village. There will be another information meeting at the NRG on Thursday, May 21 at 7:00 pm. In the meantime, the first group of 20 is continuing it’s exploration. Fernwood, let’s run with the sun! For more information about the information meeting, bulk purchasing or the Fernwood/Oaklands buying group, contact Rainey and Margot at 250-380-5055 or hope_of_rain@islandnet.com.
Fernwood’s Tuesday Evening Market in the Square is currently accepting applications for summer vendors. Markets are held Tuesdays from May 26–Sept 15, 5:30–8:30pm in Fernwood Square (Fernwood & Gladstone). Vendor applications are available at the She Said Gallery.
May 2009 | www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca | Page 7
what’s on in Fernwood Arts, Theatre and Entertainment Belfry Theatre presents: THE ENDS OF THE EARTH. An award-winning comedy by Morris Panych. Directed by Amiel Gladstone, and starring Paul Fauteux, Vanessa Holmes, James Long, Lucas Myers and Camille Stubel. Until May 17. See website or call for showtimes or additional info. 1291 Gladstone Ave. Info: 250.385.6815 or www. belfry.bc.ca Bluegrass Wednesdays. Fernwood NRG and the Fernwood Bluegrass Association present Wednesday night bluegrass jams at the Cornerstone Café. 7:3010pm. FREE! Collective Works Gallery. SUBCONSCIOUS DOWNLOAD. Works by Jason Grondin. Show runs until May 8. ESSENTIAL SPACES. Works by Dan Sali and Linda Jane Schmid. Show runs May 8 to May 29. Gallery hours>11am-6pm Tues to Thurs; 11am-8pm Fri+Sat; 11am-6pm Sun; closed Mon. 1311 Gladstone Ave. 250.590.1345. www. collectiveworks.ca Live at the Cornerstone – 1301 Gladstone (at Fernwood Ave.) Ongoing Friday events at the Cornerstone, Fernwood’s living room: > First and third (and fifth!) Fridays (May 1, 15 and 29). “Sound Spa.” Down tempo and dub reggae with local and guest djs. >Second and fourth Fridays (May 8 and 22). “Shot in the Dark” open mic night with hosts the Bumbling Sisters. Bring your poetry, music, jokes, stories, etc. Thank you for supporting independent touring and local musicians and your neighbourhood! Live Music at Fernwood Inn. Open Mic Thursdays. 8:30-11:30pm. 1302 Gladstone Ave. FREE! Live Music at Logan’s Pub. 1821 Cook St. www.loganspub.com Ministry of Casual Living. 1442 Haultain St. Info: www. ministryofcasualliving.ca Victoria Bluegrass Association Jam. Tuesdays 7:30-10pm. Orange Hall. 1620 Fernwood Rd. $2 to play ($3/nonmembers). Listen by donation. Info: www. victoriabluegrass.ca Victoria Folk Music Society. Sundays. 7:30pm Open Stage. 9pm Feature Performer. (May 3>PREVEDOROS, GOLDEN, AND JOY. May 10>SOUNDINGS. May 17>ALL NIGHT OPEN STAGE. May 24>BIJOUX DU BAYOU. May 31>MIKE SILVER) Norway House. 1110 Hillside Ave. $5 feature performer nights/$3 all open stage night. www. victoriafolkmusic.ca
Kids and Families at the Fernwood Community Centre NEW!! Parent and Babe Playgroup. For caregivers with children under 36 months. Fernwood’s Parent and Babe group is a comfortable and relaxed setting where parents and caregivers can nurture their babies through parent discussion, music
and storytelling. Wednesdays 9:30-11:30am. Fernwood Community Centre Gym. Coffee, juice and snacks provided. FREE! Parent and Tot Playgroup. Snacks/Crafts/Circle Time. Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30-11:30am. Fernwood Community Centre Gym. $1 per family.
Youth, Adults and Seniors Fairuza Fridays. Drop-in Co-ed. Ages 10-14. Nintendo Wii, big screen movies, basketball, floor hockey, roller skating, music. Fridays, 7-9:30pm. Fernwood Community Centre. Info: 250.381.1552 ext.25 FREE! Falun Gong. Peaceful meditation practice. All welcome! Wednesdays, 5-7pm. Fernwood Community Centre MPR. FREE! Fernwood Seniors. 55+. Gentle exercise, lunch and activities. Monthly special guest speaker. Fridays, 11am Fernwood Community Centre MPR. $2 for lunch. Floor Hockey. Drop-in Co-ed. Adult (18+). Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7-9:30pm. Fernwood Community Centre Gym. $4, or get a punchcard: $40/11 sessions.** Flow Yoga. With certified instructor Jay. Adult. Fridays 5:30-7pm. $5. Fernwood Community Centre Gym. Hatha Yoga. With certified instructor Elke. Gentle poses, breathing practice, deep relaxation and meditation. Tuesdays, 3:30-5pm. Fernwood Community Centre Gym. $5. Karate. Drop in. Adult Co-ed. Instructor Lucas Trottier. Sundays, 1-2:30pm. Fernwood Community Centre Gym. $3.** Kundalini Yoga. Mondays, 7-8:30pm. $5 drop-in. Fernwood Community Centre. Tai Chi. Thursdays. 4:30-5:30pm. Fernwood Community Centre. 1240 Gladstone. $5 drop-in. Women’s Soccer. Drop-in. Sundays 5-6:30pm, Fernwood Community Centre Gym. $3.** **We accept Sports Trader Bucks and Canadian Tire Money at face value!
Special Events Fern Fest 2009!! Sat, June 20, 2009. 11am-11pm. Come out and help us in our celebration of the wonderful Fernwood Community! Live entertainment, family activities, beer garden, BBQ, Workshops and more! Free admission. NEW!! Fernwoodian 4H Club. Want to learn new stuff and make new friends? 4H has lots of great projects like bicycles, foods, wool craft and small engines! Families interested in starting a local 4H club please contact Anna or Bailey at 250.380.1724
or hhhh.rasmussen@gmail.com. Start-up meetings will be Monday nights at 6:30pm. Fernwood’s Outrageous Recycling Day. Bring your CLEAN plastics, styrofoam packing and food trays, electronics and foil-lined coffee/chip bags. Sat, May 9 (second Sat monthly). 10am-1pm. Across from Fernwood Community Centre. By donation. Fernwood’s Outrageous Recycling Day seeks volunteers! Come help us make it all happen! For info: villagevibe@fernwoodneighbourhood.ca Victoria Green Drinks. An inclusive gathering of the sustainabilityminded for refreshments and conversation. Tues, May 12 (second Tues monthly). 5-7pm. Canoe Brew Pub, Marina and Restaurant 405 Swift Street. For info see www. greendrinksvictoria.ca Community Wellness Clinic. Victoria Community Health Co-operative. Experience complementary modalities to support your well being. Clinics by members for members. Sunday, May 17 (third Sun monthly), 10am-4pm, Alembic Healing Arts Centre, Market Square, Suite #235, 560 Johnson St. Book appointments at 250.483.5503. More info at www. victoriahealthcooperative.ca Solar Water Heating Info Session. A follow-up on April’s excellent session! Come out for information on cost savings, efficiency and incentives available for individual and group/neighbourhood purchases of domestic heat solar systems. See Vibe article on page 7. Thurs, May 21. 7pm. Fernwood Community Centre. Call 250.380.5055 or hope_of_rain@ islandnet.com for more info. FREE! Plant Sale and Gardening Workshop!! Tips for a Successful Garden workshop presented by Master Gardener Amy Crook and Renate Nahser-Ringer. See Vibe article on page 6 for details. May 23. Workshop 10-11:30 am. Plant sale 11:30am-12:30pm. Email fruittree@lifecyclesproject.ca or call 250.479.5475 for more info. The Oak & Orca 7th Annual Bioregional Fair. A fun day of inspiring workshops & demos to celebrate community and our bioregion — children’s activities; silent auction; used book, healthy lunch and bake sales and more! Sun, May 24, 11am-3pm. Rain or Shine. Free admission. Oak& Orca Bioregional School. 2738 Higgins Street, Victoria. Call 250.383.6609 for more info. Please visit our website: http://oakandorca.ca/biofair/ Fernwood Place Making Troupe. How about a walkable/bikeable greenway on Grant Street off Haegert Park from Chambers Street to Cook Street? Come to Place Making for information and an opportunity for input on this innovative neighbourhood initiative. Mon, May 25. 7pm. Cornerstone Café. All Welcome! Fernwood NRG Food Security Collective. All welcome! Tues, May 19 (third Tues monthly). 7-9pm. Fernwood Community Centre MPR. foodsecurity@ fernwoodneighbourhood.ca
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@fernwoodneighbourhood.ca www.villagevibe.ca Editor: Lisa Helps Assistant Editors: Aaron Ellingsen, Trish Richards Contributors: Eila Buziak Margaret Hantiuk Rainey Hopewell Deryk Houston Marsha Petty-Johnson James Kaspar Anke van Leeuwen Bill McKechnie Roberta Martell Fernwood Rabbit The views expressed in the Village Vibe do not necessarily reflect the views of Fernwood NRG.
Fernwood Community Kitchen. Cook nutritious, creative meals with your neighbours! Info: fernwoodkitchens@gmail.com Spring Ridge Commons Workparties! Come get your hands dirty in Fernwood’s only public food garden. Saturdays, 10-12pm at the Commons. Please bring tools if you’ve got ‘em. Village Sustainability Workshops. Ongoing workshops at the Oak and Fern Centre. Contact Rainey and Margot for information at 250.383.9171 or hope_of_rain@ islandnet.com
The Fernwood Commons: A Fernwood Community Communication Forum. For info on Fernwood comings and goings and neighbourhood news and views, check out The Fernwood Commons online: http:// thevillagevibe.ning.com/ If you have a workshop or special event idea for the Fernwood Community Centre or the Cornerstone Café email james@ fernwoodneighbourhood.ca If you have a Fernwood event you would like listed in the Village Vibe calendar please send an email with the subject line “vibe calendar” to villagevibe@fernwoodneighbourhood.ca
Come on in out of the cold, where neighbours gather! Open daily from 11:30 1302 Gladstone
Page 8 | News and views from the heart of Fernwood | May 2009
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