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villagevibe October 2008 : News and views from the heart of Fernwood

Viningpalooza

>> by Mark Powell and Esther Callo

Photos: Eddy Bell

V

ining Street is just three blocks long with a tiny remnant near the Compost Education Centre. That’s three blocks of history with many fascinating stories. On September 7th these three blocks of Vining Street were going to have a block party. A few of us on the street would get together for a potluck. No biggie. Enter the Godfather, Laurie Rubin. Forty-seven sponsors and many volunteers later and you have Viningpalooza. Starting with a three-block garage sale, things really kicked off later when a stage was set up in the intersection of Vining and Stanley. Thanks to Fernwood NRG’s James Kasper, who put together a great lineup of local talent. John Threlfall, editor of Monday Magazine, MC’d for all the talent. He also announced the long awaited juried winner of the “Fernwood Square” baking contest; Nanaimo has a bar … well, now we have a square. Flakey, nutty, half-baked and sweet. Oh so good. The BBQs were ignited mid-afternoon, and the queue for the by-donation picnic fare of burgers,

Chambers Street Party

Photos: Kelly Heggart

O

n Sunday September 7th we on Chambers Street took over the street between Gladstone and Pembroke for our first ever block party. Aside from one misguided motorist trying to plough through the barricade at Pembroke, the street closure was a great success! There was food, coffee, and fresh herbal teas from the Spring Ridge Commons. There were balloons and tents. We drew on the street with chalk, blew big bubbles, honed our disc golf skills, discovered all the amazing things to harvest in the Commons, got ID kits for our kids from Child Find BC, and – best of all – we got to know some of our wonderful neighbours! All residents agreed that it’s high time to do something about the heavy and fast traffic flow on Chambers St. At the end of the party we posted the hydro poles with leftover “Please Slow Down” signs, which we think has

in this issue

hotdogs, veggie burgers, chips, yoghurt, drinks, coffee, etc., kept going well into the afternoon, culminating in delicious ice-cream cones. People relaxed on the grass in the warm sunny Fernwood afternoon, listened to the musicians and watched the hoop girls gyrate. Even a Chambers St. resident, who’d wandered from their own street party was heard to remark it was “amazing.” At the end of the afternoon’s entertainment, anarchists piled their bikes in the square to block traffic and arranged themselves into an impromptu sit-in, taking back the intersection in an act of random freedom. This would have been more impressive if there weren’t already city road blocks erected. The sit-in was very jovial, and they gladly received the last of the ketchup and mustard, bagels and squashed cupcakes. Then, along with the organizers of west Vining, they helped to disassemble the stage and to clean up the after party mess. We’re sure Mark Lakeman has something to say about the power of people occupying a street rather than scattering in four directions so cars can have their way. And if he doesn’t, we have something to say: Thanks to Laurie and many thanks to our generous sponsors and volunteers. Vive la Fernwood!

>> by Sonya Bird already had a positive effect. The next step will be to paint the poles like they’ve done along Fernwood Road so that cars will slow down to check out the art. We are currently working with BC Hydro on funding possibilities for this project. In the longer term, we will be going to the City as well for traffic calming help. Hopefully by our second annual block party, Chambers will be a little closer to the quiet residential street it’s always wanted to be. A great big thank you to the local merchants who provided us with so many great treats: Patisserie Daniel, the Cornerstone Café, Mt. Royal Bagels, and Wellburns. Thanks also to Matthew Kemshaw for his wonderful tours of the Commons, to Steve Orcherton from Child Find BC, and of course to the Block Watch folks for funding and facilitating the event. We’re already looking forward to next year. Watch out Vining Street … here we come!

New Singers Wanted! Page 2 Feature: Park Place Grand Opening Page 4 Garden gleanings: Bugs Page 6

editorial : Coming to a Vibe

It is a place where people connect. At least once after every issue we receive an email asking for more information about a story or event. People recognize each other from the “Views from the Street.” When a woman falls outside the Fernwood Inn and wants to thank the folks who helped her up, she sends a letter to the Village Vibe. (See below). Thanks to our growing contingent of neighbourhood photographers, the photos are now crystal clear. Thanks to our loyal advertisers and the support of

write to us for the plans, build your own Vibe boxes and place them on your streets for all to access

Like the work of Fernwood NRG? Go to CanadaHelps.org and donate to Fernwood NRG.

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; We are committed to developing the skills, capacity, self-worth, and excellence of our neighbours and ourselves;

Fernwood NRG, the Vibe is now printed professionally. But … we are still coming to you via Canada Post.

A HUGE THANKYOU to all the young people who helped me on Tuesday, September 9th when I fell down on the sidewalk outside the Pub. (I was NOT drunk at the time!) I tripped on the curb and fell hard on my right side. Several of you came and helped me up, found my keys and offered me a seat. But I was in shock, and just stomped down the street home, saying I had to cook supper! Der! Of course when I got home I started to shake, my right eye swelled right up and instead of cooking supper I went to bed! I have big bruises and a sore arm. The eye is much better. For a few days it was the biggest and best purple “black eye” you’ve ever seen – better than any pirate’s patch – but it’s fading now. If you see a tall older woman with a black eye in the next week, please come and say hullo, as I’d like to meet you and thank you personally. I was so impressed by all your caring and concern. You are AWESOME and very cool guys and gals. WOW! What a great place to live. Fernwood is the BEST! Thank you very much. Gillian Sanderson

The Vic High Neighbourhood Choir

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!

Correction: The photos for September’s feature story, “Ryan Street Greenway: The Lives of Native Plants,” were taken by Ludo Bertsch.

letters

Photo: Mark Hellman

neighbourhood voices are gathered, neighbourhood concerns aired, neighbourhood achievements celebrated.

In January 2009 the Village Vibe will be moving to a more local means of distribution. The Vibe will no longer be delivered to your door; you’ll have to venture out, find a Vibe box and pick it up. Vibe boxes will be located around the neighbourhood. (Locations TBA.) And, in our ideal world, Vibe boxes will spring up spontaneously around the neighbourhood as you write to us for the plans (villagevibe@fernwoodneighbourhood.ca), build your own Vibe boxes and place them on your streets for all to access. Or sign up to receive the Vibe online at www.villagevibe.ca.

New Singers Wanted! Tuesday Nights, 7-9pm Vic High Auditorium (Grant. St Entrance) For more information call Mark at 250-382-7048

Page 2 | News and views from the heart of Fernwood | October 2008

the Fernwood buzz

Photo: Joan McCorry

When Fernwood NRG started the Village Vibe in June 2005, the paper was little more than a fuzzy-photographed, poorly-reisographed, 8.5 x 11 rag. Fernwood NRG board members hand-folded the 4000 copies and schlepped them off to Canada Post for delivery to your door. For the most part, the stories were authored by Fernwood NRG staff and volunteers and reflected the goings-on of the Society. Fast forward to October 2008 and the vision for the Vibe has been made manifest: it is a place where

Box Near You

She Said Sue Celebrates 60th in Square! The Tuesday evening Fernwood Village Night Market was even more festive than usual on September 2nd as family, friends and neighbours all gathered to honour one of Fernwood’s best, Sue Mulholland, on her 60th birthday. Sue is the owner of She Said Gallery, founder of the Fernwood Market, and a long time Fernwood advocate, so it felt hugely fitting that Sue choose to celebrate by inviting friends and all present to share coffee and cake with her in Fernwood Square. As the band struck up the familiar refrain, voices were raised and “Happy Birthday” resonated through the Square. Sue beamed her famous smile, uniting us all in celebration. Our heartfelt congratulations Sue, and best wishes for the coming year!

The Vic High Neighbourhood Choir is pleased to announce the beginning of its fourth season, lovingly entitled “Noiseful Joy!” Dedicated to making singing fun for all levels of experience, the VHNC (ages 20-75, under the direction of Mark Hellman) explores roots music from secular and sacred traditions around the world including blues, folk, gospel, r & b, reggae, world music, chants & rounds, with plenty of clapping, stomping, and laughter thrown in for good measure. Occasional public events to support local charities and community-building activities. Drop-ins welcome until October 21st and your first session is FREE.

VillageVibe

What is your prediction for the federal election? Your hope?

Photos: Lisa Helps

views from the street :

Graeme McGerrigle Prediction: Harper majority. Hope: Anything but Harper.

Emily Grav

Jennifer Bowles

Prediction: Harper minority. Hope: That the Liberals will win. Not that I really like the Liberals.

Prediction: Harper minority. Hope: A Liberal/Green alliance/merger.

Photo: Sheryl Shermak

Pumpkin Yard is Back

>> by Sheryl Shermak Over the last decade, if you’ve been in Fernwood during Halloween, you’ve probably stumbled on that “pumpkin house,” more formally know as the Pumpkin Yard – Festival of Jack O’Lanterns. It’s the house with hundreds of candles, a graveyard, and scores of Jack O’Lanterns. It’s where a private space becomes transformed for a few magical nights into a common community space, where Halloween becomes a community celebration.

VillageVibe

What does it mean to be a Fernwoodian? One of the many great things about taking on a Fernwood state of mind is to be community-minded. That is why the Pumpkin Yard has lasted so long: it is part of a community of folks who care about community. And so Pumpkin Yard is on yet again this year. And all of us look forward to seeing all of you. Pumpkin Yard is a lot of hard work, but well worth it because of our many neighbours. If you like the idea of Pumpkin Yard and want to get involved, please do! You are most welcome. You can help out by: > Dropping by between October 22-29 to carve with us or drop off a Jack O’Lantern or two (carvers will be in action between 11am and 8pm) > Bringing a Jack O’Lantern by during the event to help light up the night and add to the magic > Joining us for light-up on October 30 or 31 (about dusk or 5:00)

> Joining us for set-up (October 30 all day) or tear-down (October 31 after 10pm) We want to add a special thanks for all the pumpkin masterpieces people brought last year. We were just amazed, and we can’t wait to see what you bring this year! Pumpkin Yard is about pumpkins, but much more importantly it is about the people who bring them. Because it is people through their actions that build community. To get in touch with Pumpkin Yard please call Sheryl at 250-886-4691 or email pumpkinyard@telus.net P.S. We missed seeing the Day of the Dead parade last year. Calling all “Day of the Deaders” we miss you and hope you will rise from the dead this year. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if need be.

Calling all ‘Day of the Deaders’ we miss you and hope you will rise from the dead this year

October 2008 | www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca | Page 3

Photos: Aaron Ellingsen

feature :

Park Place Grand Opening >> by Roberta Martell

knocking at – well actually kicking in – his door.

Photo: Mark Powell

Minister Ida Chong teased the Society, saying that she n September 2nd Fernwood NRG board,

O

knows when working with Fernwood NRG that our

staff, members, and neighbourhood

passion is contagious and that makes us unstoppable.

residents joined together to celebrate the

Each funder there said they were looking forward to

official grand opening of the Park Place affordable

Fernwood NRG’s next project. And they all said they

housing building on Yukon Street with elected officials,

expect us to come looking for further support for

funders, and the media. The atmosphere was fun and

whatever our next housing project might be.

upbeat as federal, provincial, regional, and municipal representatives joined together in expressing awe at the

We also were honoured to host many City Councillors

fantastic work that Fernwood NRG had done!

including Fernwood’s Council liaison, Helen Hughes who was vital to the success of the Park Place building.

Mayor Lowe joked that when Fernwood NRG wants

Joining us as well were our MP Denise Savoie and

to build affordable housing, we inevitably come

MLA Rob Fleming. Many kudos to them as they

Page 4 | News and views from the heart of Fernwood | October 2008

VillageVibe

Where Futures Begin helped to steer Fernwood NRG through the process

Thank you to our funders

of building yet more affordable housing. The biggest compliment of the day was when Fernwood NRG

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

supporters Bob and Karen Horn drove up Yukon Street

The British Columbia Housing Management Commission

and thought they were in the wrong place because the big

Real Estate Foundation of BC

beautiful aubergine-coloured house a the top of the hill

Capital Regional District

couldn’t be new. It looked like it had been there forever!

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation City of Victoria

Park Place is now fully occupied, and thanks to one of the tenants who opened his house up to the throng of visitors, many people got to see the new places in action! Fernwood NRG would like to take this opportunity to

Victoria Foundation United Way of Greater Victoria Greater Victoria Real Estate Board

thank everyone who gave of their time, energy, hearts, and souls to make Park Place a reality.

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VillageVibe

October 2008 | www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca | Page 5

garden gleanings : Bugs >> by Margaret Hantiuk

less frequently is better than sprinklings. Over-watering causes soft lush growth, which attracts aphids and other pests. Protect your plants from injury and learn to prune properly in order to minimize open wounds. Watch out for damage if you use a weed eater, and protect the root zone of plants – the larger the plant, the larger the root zone. Planting a diverse garden with lots of different plants decreases infestations, as certain bugs will only attack certain plants. Monoculture invites attacks. If you grow

magnifying glass to be certain of what is doing the damage. It is easy to confuse the culprit with an innocent bystander or an ally predator. If you can identify the bug, then do research on it and find out its way of doing business. Even making a close inspection of the kind of damage done by it is often enough to identify the culprit. Then barriers can be placed. To prevent critters from climbing the tree, set up a ‘tanglefoot’ band around trunk, or traps. ‘Remay’ – a porous garden material that lets in light and water, but prevents insects from landing

... grow plants that attract beneficial insects and birds that eat bugs... This last episode of “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,” or “War in Our Gardens” is about those little armies with their guerrilla tactics. What to do? You find your roses eaten, the veggies have holes in them and there are aphids all over your plants. The same cardinal rule applies as for foliar diseases: a healthy and robust plant that is in the right place, watered well, and is in good healthy soil will have a strong immune system and be less vulnerable to attack. Get to know your yard – where the sun and shade are, and what kind of soil you have. Then get to know your plants and what their requirements are and you’ll know the best place for them. It’s also vital to buy or forage healthy plants: inspect them carefully before bringing them into your yard to ensure that unwanted visitors are not brought home as well. Plant them properly, lay down a good mulch of compost and then water them as needed; deeply and

plants that attract beneficial insects and birds that eat bugs, you will eventually create an ecosystem that keeps itself in check. Try growing some dill, yarrow, fennel, candytuft, alyssum and native plants, which are food for birds and many beneficial bugs. The danger is that when we run to the store to purchase the heavy artillery (poisonous chemicals) to get rid of the bugs that are eating our plants, we will also kill the good bugs. Even the soft or safe sprays can kill good bugs. In fact, by the time we have noticed the damage, the bad bug has probably either gone on to another site or it is transforming into the next stage of its life cycle. And the bug we see at the scene of the crime may actually be the good bugs that have come to devour the bad bugs! So be very careful. It’s best to try to get along without the sprays. To do this, we must try to identify the pest. Use a little

on the plant or soil around it – can be placed around plants. A strong jet spray of water will permanently knock off aphids. It’s a good idea to get to know the good bugs that you want in your garden. Spiders, hover flies, and ground beetles are good. You can purchase the good predators in local garden centers and release them in your garden. Follow directions carefully so that your purchase is not wasted. For example, beneficial nematodes, which attack weevil grubs and fungus gnat larvae, should be released when the soil is warm (late summer), after a rain or watering and at certain times of its prey’s life cycle to be effective. Throw apprehended bad bugs into a can of soapy water. Lastly, don’t sweat the small stuff. If it’s just minor damage, who’s perfect anyway?

Collective’s Past: from Egoyan to Homer Simpson Your Fernwood non-profit record label will bring diverse pasts and an eclectic range of music, poetry, and theatre to Hermann’s Jazz Club on Saturday, October 18th, when the group celebrates its one year anniversary. Recently, I sat down with two core member of the collective, Hon Chow and Gail Harris. Hon Chow, who graduated from Vancouver Film School for Animation in 1998 and again for New Media in 2000, later worked for Teletoon teaching students how to draw Homer Simpson. Hon speaks like a spirituallydriven motivational speaker, with conviction and passion towards the arts. And he somehow does it with a very

have their guards up. It’s soothing and healing, and it inspires people. It gives them hope that wondrous things can happen in your community. And we need more of that, locally and globally. There are communities everywhere, and we are all connected.” I asked Hon if he had any advice for young, aspiring artists. “Follow your heart. Follow your passion. At the end of the day, you have to do what makes you happiest. All children are born geniuses already. We have to nourish what they want to do.” Gail Harris is a modest yet accomplished local poet, actor, and musician with a cheerful disposition and infectious laughter that earns her new friends everywhere

All children are born geniuses already. We have to nourish what they want to do. matter-of-fact, down-to-earth delivery. I asked him what it meant to him to be a part of Cornerstone Collective Records. “It’s a sense of community and unity,” Hon explains. “We’re all coming together to share and help each other’s visions. It’s like this musical social network. Music has a great way of entering hearts and breaking down the walls.” I asked him why Fernwood residents should care about this local community record label. “We want to inspire people to believe that you can come together and generate fantastic results. Music is a great way to communicate as a language. People don’t

she goes. I asked her about her collaboration with Atom Egoyan in 1984 on the short film “Men.” “I started doing my poems in different accents and characters,” Gail explains, “and it was when music videos were just starting. And I said to my friends, ”If only I could make my poem ‘Men’ into a video, all I need now is Atom Egoyan!” And miraculously – because when you ask the universe, it comes to you – two weeks later, I went to a Christmas party at my professor’s house, and who was there but Atom Egoyan. And I just went up to him and said ‘You’re the man for me.’ He was totally into it. We applied for two Canada Council grants and ended up getting the second grant. We made the film down at Gyro

Page 6 | News and views from the heart of Fernwood | October 2008

Park, near where he grew up and where I use to play as a child. So it was kind of cool.” I asked Gail what people can expect from the collective’s upcoming showcase at Hermann’s. “There will be seven bands, and it’s going to be an incredible showcase of talent and a really fun night.” Gail and Hon are two of about twenty artists who make up the roster for Fernwood’s record label – a record label which is one of only a handful of its kind worldwide. Happy First Anniversary, Cornerstone Collective!

Photos: Fairen Berchard

>> by James Kasper

Hon Chow, drummer and member of Cornerstone Collective

What

Cornerstone Collective’s One Year Anniversary Showcase When Saturday, October 18, 2008. 7pm Doors. Where Hermann’s Jazz Club, 753 View Street. Tickets $8 in advance at Lyle’s Place. $10 at the door. Info 381-1552 Ext.25.

VillageVibe

faces : Uncovering A Calling

>> by Aaron Ellingsen I met with Shoshana Scott to talk about her experience as a homeopathic doctor. I was curious to find out what brought her to what can be an almost invisible branch of medicine around here. While she now does the majority of her work here in Victoria, she also practices in Winnipeg and maintains a client base all over – from Nunavut to California to Israel. Shoshana is passionate and enthusiastic about homeopathy, and a well-spoken community advocate for this branch of medicine relied upon by over 500,000,000 people worldwide. She grew up in Winnipeg, and studied science and psychology at university before heading to Africa to work on chimpanzee research. On returning, she began a preveterinary medicine program. Then things went sideways. She doesn’t mince words: “I was diagnosed with a brain tumour. I suffered from some really rough pre-diabetic symptoms – constant thirst, sweating, and hunger amongst others. I had the tumour

fernwood marketplace Needed Looking for a Fernwood resident to teach harmonica basics. Please email marianne@mudstudio.ca if you are interested.

Needed

surgically removed at the Montreal Neurological Institute. The tumour was gone, but the symptoms remained. I saw an Indian-trained homeopathic doctor, and within about three months the symptoms abated. “Around the same time a close friend of mine was suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. She was so sick from all the drugs she was getting that she couldn’t even wave goodbye to me on the bus. She was 22. She developed worse and worse symptoms. The doctors offered gold injections as a last-ditch treatment. She decided she should go see a homeopath, and the homeopathic doctor she saw helped tremendously. And I wondered: ‘Why isn’t this kind of medicine readily available here?’” She had uncovered a calling, and she began seeking training. There were no complete programs in North America. After considering a couple of naturopathic medicine programs, she opted for a Winnipeg homeopathy program with residency periods in Mangalore, southern India. India was surreal. “Nothing ever approaching normalcy for even two minutes. I think I was the tallest person there.” Every morning she was woken early by blaring rock’n roll – Bon Jovi or Aerosmith, maybe. Then, time for Hindu prayers. Everything all mixed together, like

interconnectivity, generosity, and engagement she has encountered here and the personal growth she has enjoyed since arriving. I note that Fernwood – the place – is peripheral. The magic is in the people. Her eyes light up as she describes living next door to Marianne, an old and dear friend. They hold their shine as she describes the influence clients have had on her, and the way she was immediately touched by the energy of the neighbourhood. Small things take on new significance, from recycling to sharing backyard garden talk, picking up eggs from a neighbour/urban chicken hotelier down the street, chance encounters with the unique work of a prize-winning neighbourhood artist, or coffee at the Cornerstone. She loves it that she lives in a community where bicycles often take priority over cars on the main drag. The neighbourhood is eclectic, and it suits her. Homeopathy is about engaging the body’s capacity to heal itself. It’s about treating each patient’s context-specific circumstances, actuating resistance using the minimum effective dose of safe medicines. It’s about encouraging the body toward a kind of balance, not through force but through nurturing innate capacities. I wonder if that approach to internal systems can be applied to the outside world. I wonder if the application of minute individual

It’s about encouraging the body toward a kind of balance, not through force but through nurturing innate capacities. sensory overload. Radically different space – “no room to step in the street, even.” Life was frenzied and complicated – abject poverty everywhere. “Yet people always mattered,” she tells me. The Father Muller Medical College, where Shoshana trained in Mangalore for periods in 1998 and 2002, was grand and chaotic, with six separate systems of medicine working side by side and students from various disciplines working and studying together. The facility contained a 450-bed hospital, a seniors facility, a charity hospital, a major gynecology ward, and was bigger than UVic. That cooperative environment inspired her, and nurturing that kind of inter-system collaborative network here is one of her dreams. Fernwood has been home for a couple of years now. Her enthusiasm leaps when I ask about the neighbourhood and life here. She’s spent time thinking about her adopted home, and her reflections focus on the level of

amounts of positive action/energy – perhaps even positive thoughts – cultivates a thriving, diverse, healthy community where people matter. “There’s a plot afoot in Fernwood,” she tells me. “It’s only conceptual at this point, but allopathic and homeopathic doctors, psychiatrists, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, acupuncturists and others are cooperating, working to build an accessible multidisciplinary health care network.” This model could offer dynamic treatment possibilities, and is about practitioners working together to find the best routes to health. Shoshana is firmly planted here, and her work is just beginning. “How long do you think you’ll stay,” I ask. “Forever,” she says. For info contact Dr. Shoshana Scott DMS, HD 250.381.8104 or shoshanascott@shaw.ca

Looking for secretary for holistic clinic. Please contact holistic.clinic.2@gmail.com

local poets :

Mike Beninger

Leroy in the Park

Leroy Crippled

exhausted & undone, he sits hapless on a bench.

There’s a lot of ways to make wishes. Leroy’s pulled out his lashes Burnt candles to stubs Caught stars, thrown salt and snapped bones — Wasted any delicate thing.

But watch him scatter his seeds & close his eyes a moment. When he lifts his dark lids the seeds have become birds.

Now he’s limping toward the fountain Like a mule toward water Sad as a sail waiting for wind. Poor Leroy, bent down and shuddering Pats for a dime, throws in his last. Hears no splash.

VillageVibe

October 2008 | www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca | Page 7

what’s on in Fernwood Arts, Theatre and Entertainment Belfry Theatre. HALF LIFE. by John Mighton. Sept 16-Oct 19. 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. Miriam Mulhall “Back to the Future” Oct 4-Oct 24. Reception Oct 4, 7pm. Gallery hours>11am-6pm Tues-Thurs; 11am-8pm Fri+Sat; 11am-6pm Sun; closed Mon. 1311 Gladstone Ave. 250.590.1345. www. collectiveworks.ca Cornerstone Collective Records. Cornerstone Collective Records (Fernwood’s own non-profit community-driven record label) welcomes new members Sun, Oct 12. 2:30pm. Drop-in to “talk shop” with us and launch your music career! For info call James: 250.381.1552 ext.25. Octofest – Cornerstone Collective Showcase at Hermann’s Jazz Club. Come out and support Fernwood’s record label as a variety of talented artists take the stage by storm and shake up this cozy jazz venue at 753 View St. Oct. 18. Doors: 7pm. $8in advance/$10at the door. Live at the Cornerstone: Jenna Loren. Local songstress Jenna Loren will captivate with her unique voice. James Kasper opens the show. Sun, Oct 12. 8pm start. By donation. 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. Book Project. Sept 29-Oct 11. The MOCL will be collecting donations of novels and chapterbased pocket books. The donated books will be used to create new books, which will be for sale during the closing reception/fundraiser on Sat, Oct 11. Farheen HAQ. Oct 15-29. New video work from this Victoria-based artist. Viewable 7-11pm daily. 1442 Haultain Avenue. www.ministryofcasual living.ca Puppet Theatre. Help create and perform a grand puppet show from scratch using recycled materials. Seeking puppet-makers, puppeteers, musicians/ songwriters, set designers, audio-visual techs, script writers, etc. Sun, Oct 19. 7pm. Fernwood Community Centre. Victoria Bluegrass Association Jam. Tuesdays 7:30-10pm. Orange Hall. 1620 Fernwood Rd. $2 to play. FREE to listen. www. victoriabluegrass.ca

Victoria Folk Music Society. Sundays. 7:30pm Open Stage. 9pm Feature Performer. (Oct 5>TBA. Oct 12>TIM WILLIAMS. Oct 19>GORD CARTER and KYBOR TAYLOR. Oct 26>THE MALIHINI BOYS). 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!! Mother Goose Circle Time, in partnership with Success by 6 South Vancouver Island. 10-week program to encourage attachment parenting. Wednesdays, Oct 15-Dec 17. 10:3011:30am. Fernwood Community Centre MPR. FREE! Info: 250.381.1552 ext.132 or email shelley@fernwoodnrg.ca. Family Community Day. Family Fun directed and facilitated by the participants. Snacks, crafts, play equipment and varied themes. Mondays 9:30-11:30am. Fernwood Community Centre Gym. FREE! Oct 6-Nov 10, 10-11am we’ll be doing Belly Dancing. (Non-dancers still welcome) 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 New! Karate. Drop in. Adult Co-ed. Instructor Lucas Trottier. Tuesdays, 5-6pm; Sundays, 1-2:30pm. Fernwood Community Centre Gym. $3.** Falun Gong. Peaceful meditation practice. All welcome! Wednesdays 5-7pm. Fernwood Community Centre MPR. FREE! Fernwood Autumn Glow. 55+. Gentle exercise, lunch and activities. Monthly special guest speaker. Fridays 11am Fernwood Community Centre MPR. $5.50 for lunch. 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. Registration not required. Info: 250.381.1552 ext.25 FREE! Floor Hockey. Drop-in Co-ed. Adult (18+). Tuesdays and Thursdays 7-9:30pm. Saturdays 2:30-5pm. Fernwood Community Centre Gym. $4, or get a punchcard: $40/11 sessions.** Hatha Yoga. With certified instructor Elke. Gentle poses, breathing practice, deep relaxation and meditation. Tuesdays 3:30-5pm. Fernwood Community Centre Gym. $5.

Photography Club. Saturdays, 3-5pm. Fernwood Community Centre. Come out and meet other photographers, work on projects, exchange ideas, and have a coffee. FREE! Flow Yoga. Adult. Fridays 5:30-7pm. $5. Fernwood Community Centre Gym. New! Homework Club. Ages 8-14. Drop in. Tutors assist youths with homework and study habits. Wednesdays, 3:30-5pm. Fernwood Community Centre MPR. FREE! New Singers Wanted! – The Vic High Neighbourhood Choir. The Vic High Neighbourhood Choir announces its 4th season, lovingly entitled “Noiseful Joy.” Tuesdays, 7-9pm. Drop-ins welcome until Oct 21. First session FREE! Info: 250.382.7048. Reflexology with Marianne McLauchlin. Feel like a new person after hand and foot treatments. Drop in. Tuesdays, 1:30-4pm. Fernwood community Centre MPR. By donation. Tot Soccer. Ages 3-5. Instructor Bobby Kenny. Sundays 11am-noon. Rain or shine. Learn the basics and have fun. Whether you call it soccer or football, this game is great for one and all. Please bring a kickable ball. Field behind Fernwood Community Centre. By donation. 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!

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: Sonya Bird Eddy Bell Fairen Berchard Esther Callo Margaret Hantiuk James Kasper Joan McCorry Roberta Martell Mark Powell Jo Roueche Gillian Sanderson Sheryl Shermak

The views expressed in the Village Vibe do not necessarily reflect the views of Fernwood NRG.

Special Events Fernwood Business Network. Everyone welcome. Tues, Oct 7. 10am. Fernwood Inn. For info contact Ryan Rutley at ryan@rutleyventures.ca Victoria Green Drinks. An inclusive gathering of the sustainabilityminded for refreshments and conversation. Tues, Oct 7. 5-7pm. Canoe Brew Pub, Marina and Restaurant 405 Swift Street. For info see www.greendrinksvictoria.ca Fernwood’s Outrageous Recycling Day. Bring your CLEAN plastics, styrofoam packing and food trays, electronics and foil-lined coffee/chip bags. Sat, Oct 11. 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 contact villagevibe@ fernwoodneighbourhood.ca Victoria Birth Centre Community Forum. Please come out and participate to help ensure the birth centre fully reflects the values and vision of the community in which it is formed. Sat, Oct 18. 2 to 4pm. Fernwood Community Centre. Refreshments provided. For info contact victoriabirthcentre@gmail. com. FREE!

Fernwood Place Making Troupe. All Welcome! Bring your ideas for the square and the neighbourhood. Mon, Oct 20. 7pm. Cornerstone Café. Fernwood NRG Food Security Collective. All welcome! Tues, Oct 21. 7-9pm. Fernwood Community Centre MPR. foodsecurity@ fernwoodneighbourhood.ca The 12th Annual Pumpkin Yard Festival of Jack O’Lanterns. Be part of the festival – bring along your own pumpkin creation. Family-friendly. Oct 30, 5-9:30pm and Oct 31, 5-10pm. 2527 Fernwood Road. Admission by donation. Info: 250.886.4691 or pumpkinyard@telus.net 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. Thursdays, 5-7pm. Please bring tools if you’ve got ‘em. 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

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Under new ownership! Page 8 | News and views from the heart of Fernwood | October 2008

VillageVibe

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