>> by Lee Herrin

Imagine walking down Fernwood Road toward

the Cornerstone Building. Now imagine that

instead of an under-utilized and rundown

building with a blank wall beside it, you saw

something resembling the picture above. Impossible?

Nothing is impossible in Fernwood! Remember what

we have already achieved!

Recently, the City of Victoria issued a press

release indicating that it would invest in the City-

owned building at 1921-23 Fernwood Road,

operated by the Fernwood Community Association.

Th e investment will ensure the building is “up

to code,” and will address seismic and fi re safety

issues. Th is presents Fernwood with an exciting

opportunity to continue re-imagining the heart of

our neighbourhood.

So then: what do we want to see? Is our

neighbourhood as vital as it can be? I don’t think so.

Fernwood NRG, owner of the Cornerstone

Building and publisher of the Vibe, is committed

to creating neighbourhood places that are vibrant,

beautiful, healthy and alive. We will continue

revitalizing the neighbourhood by adding a variety

of improvements at the Cornerstone Building

and beyond. In particular, we imagine fl ower

boxes, a takeout window, enlarging the sidewalk

to accommodate seating and bicycle parking, and

staying open in the evenings. What do you imagine?

Th e City is playing a part by upgrading a

neighbourhood-controlled asset. We recently

had a conversation with Mayor Fortin and our

neighbourhood liaison, Councilor Lucas. We told

them Fernwood NRG welcomes civic investment in

Fernwood, and we asked them how they were going

to ensure their investment served the residents of

Fernwood. Th ey were very clear that the building is

a neighbourhood-controlled asset and that it was up

to residents to satisfy themselves that the building is

well-used.

So how about it, Fernwood? What if 1921-

23 Fernwood Road was a neighbourhood-owned

bakery, with fresh bread baked daily? Or maybe it

should be a food co-op with fruits and veggies for

sale on the sidewalk? And what if the upstairs housed

some of the many students we know are supporting

themselves while fi nishing high school? Th ere would

still be space to accommodate meetings and other

ongoing uses. Current zoning, in combination

with the coming upgrades, would permit all of

these possibilities.

Dream Big, Fernwood! R

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villagevibeSeptember 2009 : News and views from the heart of Fernwood

in this issue Haegart Park Hoedown Page 3

Feature: Mapping the ‘hood Page 4

Responsible Gardening Page 7

To get the Vibe digitally, sign up at www.villagevibe.ca

From our experience, we know this neighbourhood is fi lled

with people who are passionate about building and reinvigorating

community. We’ve seen that positive changes happen when

residents make them happen, so let’s get out and take a walk

around the ‘hood while the sky is still clear. Let your imagination

run wild through our streets.

Dream big, Fernwood! Let us know what you think by

dropping us a line at dreambig@fernwoodnrg.ca. Let this

conversation about the future of Fernwood begin!

For more information on this neighbourhood issue, visit our

website fernwoodnrg.ca.

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 fi nancially 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!

declaration of principles and values

buzz : Haultain Harvest

Page 2 | News and views from the heart of Fernwood | September 2009 VillageVibe

>> by Joey Worthington

I have done a lot of travelling in my life. I

enjoy adventure, meeting new people, and trying new

things. Travelling to diff erent cultures allows us to see

ourselves and our own culture in new ways. Suddenly

things we took for granted become just one way of

many to do something. Th is new perspective helps us

appreciate life; it expands our possibilities and enables

us to live with more awareness and intention. Th is year

you have an opportunity to experience the learning and

excitement of travelling without leaving home!

Canada World Youth (CWY) is an international

educational organization that works to increase people’s

– and especially youths’ – ability to participate in

the development of just, harmonious and sustainable

societies. From September 12 to December 8, 2009,

Victoria will be hosting a group of 18 CWY volunteers

from the Ukraine and across Canada. Th e volunteer’s

three-month stay in the community will be the fi rst stage

of a CWY educational program. Th e second half of the

program will take place in Rivne, Ukraine. During the

program the volunteers will be living with host families,

doing volunteer work, and learning about community

development.

Th e 18 youths (age 18 - 23) bring with them

enthusiasm, volunteer hours, culture, and an interest in

building community involvement and awareness.

Th is year we will be working to focus the program

in the Fernwood area, but in order to make this a reality

we need your help. Th ese youths need homes for the

approximately 2.5 months that they will be here doing

volunteer work and learning about this area of the world.

Th e benefi ts of hosting include:

> Become involved in and experience your

community through new eyes;

> Meet new people in the Fernwood area, exchange

ideas and gain new insights;

> Change your routine with an enjoyable and

exciting pair of youth;

Like the work of Fernwood NRG? Go to

CanadaHelps.org and donate

to Fernwood NRG.

> Introduce your children to a diff erent world

perspective;

> Become a part of the “global village”;

> Host families are provided with a fi nancial

allowance of approximately $720 per month; and

> Make a diff erence in the lives and education of

2 young people while having a great cultural

experience.

CWY is also looking for local facilitators for

workshops and fun and educational team activities to

discover the local community.

Integration into a family and volunteer work with

local agencies and organizations are key goals of the

program. Th ey allow volunteers an opportunity to learn

about the region as well as the local lifestyle and culture.

So if you’ve been thinking that you would like to

be more involved in the Fernwood community this is

your chance! Please help us to make this year’s program

in Fernwood a success by sharing your home or being

involved in some other way.

Interested? Have a look at our website:

http://sites.google.com/site/cwyvictoria/home

Or contact Khan, Canadian Project Supervisor, at

250 891 2331 or nbawa@cwy-jcm.org

Canada World Youth: Here Th ey Come!

Blanche Black is making wrist/ankle weights for the Multiple Sclerosis Society exercise group. Th e group has been working out with Blanche for fi ve years, and it’s time to increase the resistance! If you have any old tights to donate for the construction of the weights you can drop them off in the box on the front porch at 2012 Chambers Street.

MS SocietyExercise Group:Building Heavier Weights

On a sunny Saturday in mid August, Haultain

Commons neighbours and supporters arrived at the

now famous boulevard garden to gather in the summer

harvest and begin winter plantings. Over the course of

the aft ernoon the impromptu crew of about a dozen

diggers and planters achieved a potato harvest that was

acknowledged as “an embarrassment of riches!” and

planted kale, asparagus kale, collards, cabbages and

autumn snow peas. Th ey also erected a beautiful pea

fence ON THE BOULEVARD.

It was a thoroughly satisfactory aft ernoon of sharing

stories and laughter and working together toward a

highly rewarding, not to mention tasty, common goal!

Sun hats off to the Haultain Commoners! As

you continue to lead the way and encourage the

notable proliferation of boulevard gardens in the

neighbourhood; Fernwoodians applaud you!

Photo: Karen Skowron

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VillageVibe September 2009 | www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca | Page 3

>> by Karen Platt

Victoria has long prided itself on its

ubiquitous gardens. Our temperate climate lends itself

to the cultivation of all manner of fl ora, and people

here take their gardens seriously.

On July 25, the 2nd Annual SOUL Organic Garden

Tour, sponsored by the Society for Urban Land Care

(SOUL), gave a motivating (and oft en surprising) peek

into the yards of six local, organic gardens in Fernwood

and Oak Bay. Th e featured gardens all produced

views from the street : What do you think of Fernwood’s curbside freecycling?

>> by Lisa Helps

On a sunny Saturday in late July a group of

Fernwoodians, inspired by the call to action of Camosun

Street resident Tania Wegwitz, headed to Haegart Park

at Yukon and Chambers with a wagonload of tools. “I

wanted to do something meaningful to celebrate my

birthday,” Tania explained, “and draw people together in a

way that was non-materialistic and would create beauty.”

Tania and many others walk or bike through Haegart

Park every day; it is a true thoroughfare. But almost every

City-provided entity in the park from the lamp standards

to the garbage can has become a target of tagging. Th e

park was a bit of an eyesore.

Tania recognized that technically what they were

doing was no diff erent than the taggers in that they were

painting city property and also potentially impacting

employment for City workers. “Some direction from the

City would be good in terms of how do we strategically

deploy our municipal workers to make the best use of their

talents while also allowing for activities like this which

build citizens’ engagement and stewardship.”

Haegart Park has also recently been the target of

another group of urban guerrilla activists. Earlier in the

summer a vegetable garden sprung up on the north side

of the park, planted and maintained rather anonymously.

I think many of us have been holding our collective

breath each time we pass through the park, worried

that the garden will have been dug up and replaced with

It’s essentially a good idea but there will always be a

minority that will abuse it.

We like it! We put things out and pick things up....as

long as it doesn’t sit out there for ages and become litter.

It’s a great idea because it reduces waste.

Renee Micki & Jeff Laurie

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Haegart ParkHoedown

sod or seed. But so far so good. From vegetable-laden

boulevards to the native plant garden in Centennial

Square, the City seems to be increasingly supportive of

growing food in public places.

Folks who stopped by the day of the Haegart Park

Hoedown commented on the garden and on the fl ower-

covered garbage can, the rainbow painted bench, and

the yellow poles on the east entrance to the park that

the park beautifi cation crew had turned into smiling

cheetahs. And, as Tania points out, “not a single person

who came through had anything negative to say.”

In terms of next steps Tania says that “now that

we’ve done it once, it feels like there’s a need to continue

the stewardship.” Haegart Park will be maintained by

the hoe-downers for now. As Tania reminds us, “people

shouldn’t feel inhibited to make the place where they live

beautiful.”

remarkable amounts of food in small spaces.

Th e tour highlighted fi ve private gardens and one

public space, Spring Ridge Commons in Fernwood. Th e

Commons was reaching full bloom. Beautiful Damson

plum trees competed with fi gs and other produce for space.

Th e corner lot, currently managed by LifeCycles and run

by volunteers, was designed to provide free, fresh organic

food to the community, conserve and recycle resources,

create native bird and insect habitat, and generally improve

the local quality of life.

On a small backyard lot, one gardener has created an

incredible example of home-scale permaculture, a method

of designing sustainable human settlements that provide

food, habitat and increasing abundance by reproducing

the relationships found in natural ecosystems. Th is

extraordinary garden not only supplies the gardener

with most of his of food all year long, it is also used as an

educational centre and as a source of organic plant starts

for the community.

Th e gardens on the tour illustrated how even the

smallest spaces can be utilized to produce vast quantities

of food, both sustainably and beautifully. All of the

gardeners were committed to using natural principles.

Demonstrations at the sites included old-fashioned

composting techniques, the use of high-quality aerobic

compost tea and utilizing worm bins for composting.

Working with nature, these gardeners, and many like them,

have created lovely, sustainable urban gardens. Th eir spaces

produce everything from apples to zucchini, even tea, right

in the heart of the city. Th ey are remarkably fruitful. But

most of all, they were truly inspiring.

Garden Tourwith SOUL

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With this in mind, we are initiating a project to map the heart and soul of

our community.

Have you ever wondered about the lay of the land here in Fernwood – our

waters and our bedrock, our layers of history? Where streams ran? Th e

history of our spring? Our Garry oak meadows and camas fi elds? How did

First Nations use the land? What stories were told about special places and

what were their original names? Were there bears and cougars at Gladstone

and Fernwood? How were the early farms laid out and what did they grow?

Did we have a tiny Chinatown? Where besides the British Isles did our

early settlers come from?

Th ese are only a few of the questions we will consider as we set out to map

Fernwood.

Th e answers are scattered in history books, old maps, and oral histories.

Community mapping, also called participatory mapping, is one way

to bring these diverse approaches together. Th e real aim of this kind

of mapping is to open up new questions and new ways to look at our

community.

Most of the maps we use help us fi gure out how to get from here to there.

Th e Fernwood map we create will open wider possibilities. It will be a

treasure map of our neighborhood, a way to record the ancient songlines

of this place. We anticipate that we will end up with a printed map, but we

also hope to have an interactive website as part of the Vicipedia concept, an

on-line access point for information on our city. To do this, we invite the

community’s help. We need your ideas and your energy.

Participatory mapping has been around in this part of BC for a while now.

Numerous communities including many of the Gulf Islands, Vic West, the

Highlands and others have already made their maps. We’re lucky to have

their examples and inspiration.

Th is community mapping project is one of many off shoots of the vision

articulated by Mark Lakeman of Portland about how we take back our

neighborhoods and create the city spaces we want to live in. Maps are

powerful tools. Historically, most maps were made by invading powers or

those seeking to control the land. Made by geologists, they indicate where

to look for minerals and oil. In the hands of politicians, they map voting

trends, power blocks, and riding boundaries. Done by the power elite, they

map areas of wealth and poverty, where transportation will run and where

it won’t, school districts, and where to bury toxic waste. Knowledge is

power and maps are the repositories of layers and layers of knowledge. Th e

Penan people of Sarawak, who protested the deforestation of their land,

were arrested if they were found carrying a map.

Maps made by and for the community are another entity. Such maps chart

existing networks and create new ones. Maps make energy visible. Maps

make friends. Th is project is an integral part of the Placemaking energy,

feature : Mapping the ‘Hood >> by Dorothy Field

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Page 4 | News and views from the heart of Fernwood | September 2009 VillageVibe

Celebrate the Sunshine!The Patio at the Inn

Now open for Summer.

Join us daily from 11:30 1302 Gladstone 412-2001

“We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect,” wrote Aldo Leopold.

that process of having the community become its own source of power

and initiative rather than waiting for City Hall to tell us what kind of

community we will be. Th is past spring, several Fernwoodians attended a

class on community mapping led by Maeve Lydon and Ken Josephson of

UVic’s geography department. Th is was the catalyst to get going on a vision

several of us share.

Th is mapping project is a chance to create an inventory of our values.

Fernwood is in the process of amazing, mostly wonderful changes.

Fernwood has been part of Victoria’s heartwood for well over a century, a

long time in a city the age of Victoria. We remain heartwood. Th is project

is a way to know more deeply a community we cherish. It is a chance

to map the example we’re becoming of urban vitality and community-

mindedness: our brilliant restaurants and fantastic coff ee; our chicken coop

tours and sustainable gardens; our initiatives in aff ordable housing; our

amazing Belfry Th eatre. Th e list goes on.

We invite Fernwood residents to come together to think about what else

we want to see here. We need to hear from everyone: young, old, long-

time residents and newcomers. How we proceed and what the project will

ultimately look like depends on community input and interests. Th is is

about accessibility at all levels. We will need lots of help “ground truthing”

– mapmakers’ language for walking the streets, checking how accurately the

available maps refl ect the actual reality of our neighborhood. We’ll need

help gathering oral histories, creating base maps for community mapping

events, and so much more.

What do you love about Fernwood? How could we make it better? Are

there special rocks, trees, corners that you love? What do you need to

make life in Fernwood more complete – a particular type of store or venue,

more recreation opportunities, diff erent kinds of child care, bocce ball in

the streets, mandalas in our intersections, more community garden space,

barbecued vegetables in the square? With luck, we’ll sing new songlines

into being as they arise from new stories and new visions of Fernwood’s

ongoing evolution.

Our fi rst big evening will be Monday, September 21 at the monthly

Placemaking meeting at the Cornerstone. Ken Josephson and Maeve

Lydon will be speaking about the mapmaking process. You are all

invited. We look forward to seeing you there. If you can’t attend the

meeting but would like to take part or just stay informed, email

mapping@fernwoodnrg.ca, and we’ll make sure to keep you in the loop.

VillageVibe September 2009 | www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca | Page 5

constituency office:970 Blanshard StreetVictoria, BC V8W 2H3

telephone: 363-3600e-mail: Savoie.d@parl.gc.caon the web: www.denisesavoie.ca

Denise SavoieMember of Parliament for Victoria

Your voice in OttawaYour voice in Ottawa

We invite Fernwood residents to come together to think about what else we want to see here. We need to hear from everyone: young, old, long-time residents and newcomers.

Page 6 | News and views from the heart of Fernwood | September 2009 VillageVibe

>> by Margaret Hantiuk

As gardeners, we can have a huge beneficial

or toxic eff ect on the environment. By gardening without

pesticides and herbicides these chemicals are not then

fi ltering down into the groundwaters and through the

storm sewers into our oceans and streams. Even chemical

fertilizers create problems, as they create excessive

fertility in streams and oceans, which depletes oxygen.

We are learning more about how storm drains

(non-sewer from streets and yards) impact the natural

environment. Th e less storm water the better. In the

forest, very little rainwater runs off because the soil is

absorbent humus, there are many plants that use the

water, and of course there is no pavement! Th is means

that the groundwater is replenished and there is less

erosion from sudden deluges of water coming from

elsewhere. Th e lesson here is to have as little impervious

(concrete and pavement) hardscape as possible; instead

use gravel, interlocking pavers, brick, wood, and stones

for paths, drives and patios. Not using landscape fabric

helps too, as it tends to shed water. Our trees and shrubs

are nourished more when there is less pavement.

Our climate is suitable for collecting water in our

rainy winters that can then be used to water our gardens

in our dry summers. It’s amazing how much water can

be collected off a house or garage roof. Many people

are setting up systems of rain barrels, one siphoning off

to the next. Th ere are several diff erent products on the

market now. (To keep mosquito breeding to a minimum,

cover them well.) Th ere are neat porous plastic

extensions that can be inserted onto downspouts that

unroll into your yard, dispersing the rainwater into the

ground. I read recently of someone placing a large cistern

underground in their yard that will collect the winter

rainwater for their irrigation system in the summer.

It’s best to water less oft en and more deeply, not

over watering where water runs out into the street. A

thick, annual mulch conserves soil moisture. When using

concrete, paint or stains, glues, tars, soaps – anything

corrosive or toxic – dispose of the waste or washing/

cleaning water at a hazardous waste site – NOT down

the drains (toilet, sink or outside into the storm drains).

Hot tubs should be drained into the ground, not down

the storm drains. I oft en pour mildly soapy water into

my garden rather than down the drains. Many people are

now using a bucket in their kitchen to collect water used

for washing and rinsing that is not too dirty, and then

watering their garden with it.

I have come to realize that I have to examine every

item that I use that might end up going down the drain.

I am weaning myself off of toxic cleaning products and

personal hygiene products that are not natural. I buy

more organic food. I avoid plastic. I recycle more and

take anything that might be hazardous to the hazardous

products recycling. (Even throwing toxic debris into

the garbage means it will eventually leach out into the

groundwater.)

By managing our water usage we can save money

and be less of a burden in our dry summers. We can help

to replenish the groundwater and extend our expensive

storm water collection system. We can stop the cycle

of toxic chemicals that are slowly killing our ocean and

wonderful sea life. We make powerful choices every time

we buy, use and dispose of everyday things.

Websites: www.stormwater@crd.bc.ca

For more info about hazardous waste:

www.crd.bd.ca/es

Email: hotline@crd.bc.ca

CRD Recycling Hotline: 250-360-3030

Fernwood recycling day is the second Saturday from 11am 1pm on Gladstone across from the community center.

gleanings : Responsible Gardening: Our Waterways

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Complementary Care in Fernwood

I have come to realize that I have to examine every item that I use that might end up going down the drain.

>> by Judith Polston

Many cultures use various types of bodywork

and energy to heal the body/mind and as a preventative

approach to maintain good health. It is part of their life

from birth to old age. In North America we usually use

massage or bodywork as a ‘treat’ or when really ill. We

are now learning to understand how the body/mind

connection works. Focusing just on the physical aspects

may not be enough.

Refl exology is the art of compression technique on

all points of the feet. Th e feet hold all the nerve endings of

the body. When stimulating points on the feet a ‘current’

passes from the nerve cell to neurons of the brain to the

organs and glands; circulation is improved and toxins are

removed. Our feet are bound up in shoes the majority of

the year, thereby not allowing much needed stimulation to

enhance the health of the entire body.

Many people have either experienced or know about

refl exology but may be unaware of its history. Refl exology

has been practiced in China for over 5000 years. It is

found in paintings in Egyptian tombs dating back to 2330

B.C. and was introduced to North America in 1913 by Dr.

William Fitzgerald.

Polarity Th erapy was founded by Dr. Stone in

the l940s. Trained as a chiropractor, naturopath and

osteopath, he then studied polarity therapy in India,

which stems from Ayurvedic medicine. Electromagnetic

fi elds surrounding the body can become blocked like dams

which do not permit water to fl ow. Polarity works with

principles similar to Chinese medicine and acupuncture

to unblock the energy fi elds. It recognizes ‘Prana’ or ‘Chi’

as the life force and that thoughts and attitudes can bring

health or disease.

Polarity seeks to balance and harmonize the energy

fi elds of the body, boosts the immune system, brings deep

relaxation, and like a computer program, gives the body/

mind a new program memory to change one’s own health

– change from the inside out.

Polarity Th erapy and Refl exology together address the

mental, emotional and physical. We cannot separate our

body into parts if we want true health. All disease starts

with a positive intention: the mind/body wants to change. When there is disagreement between mind and body,

you have a bind. Muscles tighten, nerves are squeezed,

blood fl ow reduces, lymph circulation is impeded, stress

occurs. Polarity therapy/refl exology work to reverse these

processes to restore a better state of health

Clients come for better sleep, relief from headaches,

constipation, stomach problems, back complaints, worry

and stress, recovery from auto accidents, and just to de-

stress and relax. Refl exologists/Polarity Th erapists are not

doctors and cannot make any claims. It is Nature herself,

combined with the work of the practitioners and the

co-operation of the client, which allows improved health.

Th is bodywork is complementary to most other modalities

of treatment you may be already receiving.

Judith Polston practices out of Fernwood Holistic Health Centre, 1608 Camosun St., has 33 years experience, and is trained and certifi ed in Canada, the USA, and India. Call for more info or appt. 778-430-1104. First one hour session only $30.00

what’s on in Fernwood

VillageVibe September 2009 | www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca | Page 7

Arts, Theatre and EntertainmentBelfry Theatre presents:

BORDERTOWN CAFÉ. A gentle and

funny slice of Canadiana, fi lled with

quirky and endearing characters.

Sept 15 until Oct 18. See website

or call for showtimes or additional

info. 1291 Gladstone Ave. Info:

250.385.6815 or www.belfry.bc.ca

Collective Works Gallery.

> HARUMI OTA. Solo show runs until

Sept 11.

> ON AND OFF THE WALL. Viewing

from Sept 11. Reception and auction

Sept 19, 7 to 9pm. (See Vibe story,

p8)

> WORKS BY PJ KELLY, GRANT

WATSON and DONALD IUS. Sept

20-25.

Also at Collective Works: Life drawing

sessions. Facilitators Marnie Miiller

and PJ Kelly. First and last Sunday of

the month, 7:30-9:30pm. $10 drop-in.

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.).

> BLUEGRASS WEDNESDAYS.

Fernwood NRG and the Fernwood

Bluegrass Association present

Wednesday night bluegrass jams at

the Cornerstone Café. 7:30-10pm.

FREE!

> SOUND SPA. Fridays, Sept 11

and 25. 7-11pm. Resident DJ Nate +

guests spin dub, dubstep and other

tasty beats.

> THE MOMOIR PROJECT. Thursday,

Sept 17. First in a six-class series

to be held every second Thursday,

7-9pm. Writing workshop for mothers

facilitated by Sue Fast, editor of

Island Parent magazine. “Recording

your experiences is actually easier

than you may think. It’s also fun,

rewarding, and a little bit painful. Just

like motherhood itself.” To register

and pay visit www.themomoirproject.

com

> THE BUMBLING SISTERS. Friday,

Sept 18th - A Shot in the Dark Open

Mic. 7-11pm. Sarah and Megan host

a night of audible potpourri. Feature

act TBA.

> YARNS. Story time for kids of all

ages. Every Sunday morning at 9:30.

Come join us to listen or tell.

>FERNWOOD PLACE MAKING

TROUPE. Mon, Sept 21. 7pm. Place

Making resumes with a BANG! We

will host the Fernwood Mapping

Group for a evening of informative

speakers and scintillating discussion

on mapping our neighbourhood.

Come hear about or even get

involved in this exciting new project!

at the Cornerstone Cafe.

Cornerstone Café showing Pesto

Art through September.

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/

non-members). Listen by donation.

Info: www.victoriabluegrass.ca

Victoria Folk Music Society.

Sundays. 7:30pm Open Stage. 9pm

Feature Performer. (Sept 6 >Flash in

the Pan. Sept 13> Dennis Lakusta

with Gary Barnum. Sept 20> Hank

Kramer. Sept 27> Richard Grainger)

Norway House. 1110 Hillside Ave. $5

feature performer nights/$3 all open

stage night. www.victoriafolkmusic.ca

Kids and Families at the Fernwood Community CentreParent 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 SeniorsFairuza Fridays.

Drop-in Co-ed. Ages 10-14.

Nintendo Wii, big screen movies,

basketball, fl oor 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 certifi ed instructor Jay. Adult.

Fridays 5:30-7pm. $5. Fernwood

Community Centre Gym.

Hatha Yoga.

With certifi ed 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 EventsVictoria Green Drinks.

An inclusive gathering of the

sustainability-minded for

refreshments and conversation. Tues,

Sept 8 (second Tues monthly). 4:50-

6:50pm. Belfry Theatre. Gladstone

and Fernwood. For info see www.

greendrinksvictoria.ca

VEMA Volunteer Recruitment

Fair.

Come learn about volunteering with

the Victoria Emergency Management

Agency. Wed, Sept 9, 6-8 pm at

1234 Yates St. (located in the back

parking lot on the corner of Camosun

and Johnson Streets ). If you plan to

attend, please let us know by sending

us an email: vema@victoria.ca or call

us at 250.920.3373. VEMA staff and

team members from the Auxiliary

Communication Services, Evacuee

Assistance, Search and Rescue, and

Neighbourhood Programs will be

on hand to demonstrate equipment,

offer advice, and answer questions

about our programs and community

disaster response strategy.

Second Annual Vining St. Block

Party!!

Garage Sale 9am-1pm. Block Party

2-7pm. Meet your neighbours; bring

your friends. Celebrate vibrant

community. Family fun, delicious

food, live entertainment and more.

Vining, Stanley and Belmont between

Gladstone and Grant will be closed to

vehicular traffi c 12 and 8pm. For info

or to volunteer contact Laurie Rubin.

250.995.2696. lrubin@shaw.ca

Victoria Suicide Awareness

Week.

Sept 7 to 13, 2009. Please come and

share at a Gathering of Hope and

Healing, Hosted by the Need Crisis

and Information Line. Sept 13, 2-4pm.

Uvic Interfaith Chapel. Need Crisis

and Information Line – 250.386.6328.

For info, contact 250.386.6328 x222.

www.needcrisis.bc.ca

Fernwood’s Outrageous

Recycling Day.

Bring your CLEAN plastics, styrofoam

packing and food trays, electronics

and foil-lined coffee/chip bags.

Sat, Sept 12 (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 contact

villagevibe@fernwoodneighbourhood.

ca

Community Wellness Clinic.

Victoria Community Health

Co-operative. Experience

complementary modalities to

support your wellbeing. Clinics by

members for members. Sunday,

Sept 20 (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

Fernwood NRG Food Security

Collective.

All welcome! Tues, Sept 15 (third

Tues monthly). 7-9pm. Fernwood

Community Centre MPR.

foodsecurity@

fernwoodneighbourhood.ca

Basset Hound Picnic.

Sat, Sept 26. Dominion Brook

Park, E. Saanich Rd. south of the

Panorama Rec Centre. A brief

informal blessing of the pets will be

held on the lower green at 10:30am

in honour of St. Francis of Assisi, the

Patron Saint of animals, followed by

a “meet and greet social” at 11am.

Sheltered picnic tables, kitchen

and washroom on site. Basset

Hound lovers and owners welcome.

For further info, ring Lydia at

250.382.1754.

Fernwood Community Kitchen.

Cook nutritious, creative meals

with your neighbours! Info:

fernwoodkitchens@gmail.com

Fernwood Community Market.

Bringing the goods to the ‘hood –

Fernwood’s very own Pocket Market.

Tuesdays. 2-6:30pm. Fernwood

Square.

Spring Ridge Commons

Workparties.

Starting in September, Commons

work parties will be Saturday

afternoons at 3pm. Sept. 5, 19, Oct.

3, etc. 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

If you have a workshop or special

event idea for the Fernwood

Community Centre or the

Cornerstone Café email villagevibe@

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

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.

>> by Lisa Helps

Hi Marcel. I will never forget walking past you on my way to work and on my way home too. You always looked at me with your mysterious eyes and sometimes you would meow “hello” and walk beside me. May you Rest in Peace. I hope Kitty Heaven is totally awesome.

Th e ants came by to clean up aft er the wake. Th ey

carried away the remaining bits of smoked salmon

and Raincoast Crisp cracker crumbs left scattered on

the sidewalk between the benches at the corner of

Camosun and Johnson. A group had gathered on that

corner the night before to celebrate and bid farewell

to my cat Marcel who had recently been struck and

killed by a too-fast motorist speeding up the hill on

Johnson Street.

All those who walked by this corner on a regular

basis - school kids from Vic High, Central Middle

School and Sir James Douglas, Boys’ and Girls’ Club

employees, and others venturing along the short

north-south Camosun Corridor that runs from Grant

to Yates - would have encountered Marcel. He was the

big black and white cat, nestled under the bench, or

attempting to hide from dogs in the very short grass,

or innocently fl attening the onions in the garden. He

thought himself the king of this corner.

Marcel, I’ll always wonder if you were named aft er a mime. Maybe one day I’ll be lucky enough to have a cat as stellar as you; one who I can name Marcel too. You’ll be missed (though I had only just begun to know you.)

As the testimonies left pinned to the lattice around

the bench from friends and strangers alike in the days

following Marcel’s death indicate, he was no ordinary

cat. And equally to the point, his public wake and

the notes people left reaffi rm what we already know

here in Fernwood: creating public spaces of encounter

generates connections and builds community.

Because we took over the sidewalk to hold the

wake, people were able to just stop by in a way they

wouldn’t have been able to had we been cloistered in

my living room. Folks who knew Marcel who I had

never met came by that night, brought fl owers and

stopped to sit awhile with those of us already gathered

and shared their stories of Marcel. Over the next few

weeks others brought fl owers, left notes.

We did not know Marcel, or you, but it’s easy to see that you were very lucky to have each other.

Born about eight years ago somewhere in Victoria, the

beginnings of his life remain sketchy. From what I’ve

gathered, he’d been hit by a car sometime earlier in life,

which might help to explain his sometimes vacant

(but always charming) stares. He spent some time

homeless and prowling the streets until he was taken

in by the SPCA and eventually adopted by Gerry and

Catherine Matte, parents of my friend Nick. When

Gerry and Catherine could no longer keep Marcel I

brought him home to live on Vining Street. And he

became a Fernwoodian.

Integrating him into the family didn’t prove to be

as much of a challenge as we had thought. We had one

cat already – a girl kitten – who was excruciatingly shy

to the point that she would hide in a series of boxes in

the basement at the slightest unusual noise or knock

at the door. When her big bruiser of a foster brother

moved in, her skittish ways were soon cured and the

two of them could be found arriving curiously at the

door together to greet the droppers by. I left Vining

Street for Camosun and Marcel eventually moved here

to join me.

Marcel, I never knew your name so my brother and I always called you “demon cat” because you would wait under the bench and attack our feet as we walked by. You will always have a special place in our hearts.

With his passing, perhaps the feet of passersby will be

safer, neighbourhood dogs will no longer chuckle at

the sight of a very large cat attempting to be entirely

invisible, avoiding their drooling chops, and I’ll no

longer hear exclamations through my open window

such as, “Daddy, look at the big fat kitty!” But the

connections Marcel and his life and death made will

remain. Th e corner will remain. And the benches will

remain. Come, stop and sit awhile.

faces : King of Camosun St On And Off the Wall Fundraiser

1240 Gladstone Street Victoria, BC V8T 1G6

T 250.381.1552 F 250.381.1509

villagevibe@fernwoodneighbourhood.ca

www.villagevibe.ca

Founding Editor: Lisa Helps

Editors: Aaron Ellingsen

Trish Richards, Johanna Henderson

Contributors:

Steve Carey

Dorothy Field

Margaret Hantiuk

Lisa Helps

Lee Herrin

The views expressed in

the Village Vibe do not

necessarily refl ect the views

of Fernwood NRG.

villagevibe Published by Fernwood NRG (Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group)

Deryk Houston

Dave Kesson

Karen Platt

Judith Polston

Susi Porter Bopp

Monica Pozzolo

Jo Roueche

>> by Deryk Houston

September will be a busy month for Collective Works

Gallery. Th ey are expanding their space once again,

and the small, tight-knit group of artists have decided

to hold a special silent auction of their artwork to help

raise funds. Local businesses, such as the Belfry, have

generously off ered donations for gift baskets, and it

will be a wonderful opportunity to acquire original art

at exceptional value. Collectors scooped up valuable

pieces at our last successful auction.

Th e process of expansion has not been easy. It has

taken time and patience to work through the permit

applications, the architects and the engineers, but

clearly it will be worth the eff ort as the exciting space

takes shape. Th e renovation will allow the 20 artists

to hang more of their artwork, and it will create new

areas for special exhibits. Th e Gallery is currently

encouraging interested artists to apply for the limited

number of membership spaces left .

Th e artwork for the silent auction will be hung in

the gallery on Sept 11th for viewing and registering

your bids. Th e main reception and fi nal closing of the

auction will be at 9pm on Saturday, Sept 19th.

Each artist will be decorating a large paper lantern

which will be available for auction, and most of the

artists will be donating an original work of art. My

painting is Emily Carr’s “House of all sort,” shown here.

It is impossible to mention all twenty member

artists here, but try not to miss international

artist Harumi Ota’s ceramics. His work will be on

exhibition for the fi rst week of Sept. He is well known

to collectors in Victoria. His playful imagination is

second to none, and his glazed designs dance across

the clay surface as if the bowls were still sizzling hot

out of the kiln.

Another artist in the group worth checking out

is our most cheerful member, PJ Kelly, She always

lift s our spirits with her colourful, glossy, thoughtful

abstracts. Her paintings will be featured in the gallery,

Sept 20th to the 25th, alongside sculptor Grant

Watson and Donald Ius.

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