villagevibeNews and views from the heart of Fernwood

February 2011

in this issueBuzz

A Taste of Taiwan page 3

Feature

Fiction Contest page 4

Included with this issue:

2010 Annual ReportTo get the Vibe digitally, sign up at fernwoodnrg.ca

›› Lee Herrin

I n the spring of 2004, when the Cor-nerstone Building was a boarded-up eyesore in the heart of our neighbour-

hood, the Fernwood Community Cen-tre Society (now Fernwood NRG) and the Fernwood Community Association invited the neighbourhood to the Fern-wood Community Visioning Forum. Over seventy people responded to our invita-tion, and met for the day in the gymna-sium of the Fernwood Community Centre on a Saturday morning in late May.

Facilitated by Marianne Alto (who was elected to City Council in the recent by-election), we undertook a capacity build-ing exercise, catalogued the assets we could bring to bear on solving some of the critical problems facing the neighbourhood, and moved into an open space visioning session in which participants were invited to write down their priorities, dreams and ideas for how to make Fernwood a better place to live. Each person was then given coloured stickers with which to indicate their prior-ities from all of the ideas on the wall. We then spent the afternoon talking through acknowledged high priority areas.

Looking back from the perspective of 2011, the results are incredible:

• Buy Robin Kimpton’s Building—done.

• Community Café—done.• Generate business piggy-backing

on the Belfry patrons—done.• Refurbished performance

spaces—done.• Traffic calming at Fernwood and

Gladstone—done.• Wider sidewalks on Fernwood

Road—done.• A comfortable attractive square—

done.• More affordable housing—done.

Now, it’s true that not all of these have been accomplished to the same degree—the wider sidewalk on Fernwood Road is a short distance and not the entire length of the road—but considering the state of things in 2004, many of these “priorities, dreams and ideas” seemed at the time like pie in the sky.

Well, that pie came down to earth, and we ate it, and now it’s time to co-create a fresh vision of what just might be pos-sible in this wonderful neighbourhood.

Fernwood NRG will be undertaking its own internal strategic planning exercise this Spring, and a critical consideration is what you, our neighbours, want to see in your neighbourhood.

For this reason, we’ve decided to host another Neighbourhood Visioning Forum. So come on out and share your ideas, hopes and dreams with us, no matter how wild. Who knows, come 2018 it might be your handwriting on the cover of the Vibe!

And if you can’t make it, watch the Vibe this April for a re-cap of the day.

Visions of a neighbourhood

If you care about the future of Fernwood, you’re invited!

Please join us for our Neighbourhood Visioning Forum Saturday, March 19th The day will start at 9:30am for coffee and muffins, and will continue through lunch (which will be provided). We will wrap up at 2:30 in the afternoon. Childminding will be available. Please RSVP to forum@fernwoodnrg.ca if you will require childcare.

page 2 villagevibe February 2011 News and views from the heart of Fernwood

›› Lee Herrin

“Alice laughed: “There’s no use trying,” she said; “one can’t believe impossible things.”

“I daresay you haven’t had much prac-tice,” said the Queen. “When I was younger, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”

—Lewis Caroll, Alice in Wonderland.

We go through life bumping up against invisible limits. To be sure, there are always hurdles in our way, but none so insurmountable as the ones in our mind. Occasionally, if we are lucky, we glimpse, fleetingly, what might be possible if only we changed the way we think, or what we believe to be true.

And sometimes, we have the good for-tune to be surrounded by people who buoy our confidence and who are as determined as we are—for a time, our vision clears and we see that things which previously seemed impossible are actually possible, even probable.

I have been lucky enough to work with such people on a couple of different occa-sions in my life. It seems almost magical when one looks back that a statement scrawled on whatever paper was at hand

at the time, has become manifest reality. The future is thought, spoken and written before it comes to pass.

At the time we held the Community Visioning Forum in 2004, it definitely seemed as though the things we wrote down were impossible. And there were times on the road to getting there where we feared that we would fail, and that all of our hard work would come to nought.

It is an amazing thing, though, how a dream, or a vision, fixed in your mind, can create a tension between what is and what could be, that like an elastic contracting, pulls you toward your goal. And no feeling is better than achieving what others have declared to be impossible.

So, I urge you to come out and partici-pate on March 19th. Although our neigh-bourhood is much healthier now than it was the last time we came together to envision the future, there are still a great many things to do that presently seem impossible. Do we have a sustainable trans-portation system? Do we have real food security? Do we have renewable energy? Do we have enough affordable housing? Do we have a solid, local economy? And what about the Community Centre itself? The building is aging and the City hasn’t the money to replace it. Will we ride it into the ground, or...?

Let’s get together for day and believe six impossible things—at least before dinner.

›› Joshua Schmidt

Step aside Chuck Norris. Stand back Sher-lock Holmes. There’s a new sheriff in town looking to keep the peace, and that man is Constable Mike Russell, Fernwood’s very own Community Resource Officer.

Who is Mike and what exactly is a Com-munity Resource Officer (CRO)?

Glad you asked! Mike’s interest in com-munity development began back in Edmon-ton when he got involved with the Alberta Avenue, an area akin to Fernwood, where he saw the power of community transform a neighbourhood and how a CRO could facilitate and support positive change.

“Unlike patrol officers, who can be brought in to address a crime but simply don’t have the time to spend digging into the deeper issues of the community, CRO’s are dedicated for a 3 year period and act as

a resource for both community members and officers,” clarifies Mike while sipping

his coffee. “We can access resources like building, mental health, fire, and electrical inspectors,” he lists off, “and are here to protect and serve... it’s not just protect. A lot of people forget that part.”

And Mike is very excited to be able to be a part of Fernwood, which fondly reminds him of his hood back in Edmonton. Mike expresses earnestly, “There’s NOT two faces of me... I’m not constable Russell, I’m Mike, whether in uniform or not.” You’ll see him chatting with neighbours, getting involved with the Pole Painting project and Sunday Swap n’ Shop, cycling with his family, or enjoying a nice Zinfandel.

“I’ll be chilling in Cornerstone every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and am happy to chat about ideas, receive criticism, or just shoot the breeze” says Mike, so if you spot him around be sure to say hi.

declarationof principles

& values

villagevibePublished by Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group

›› We are committed to creating

a socially, environmentally,

and economically sustainable

neighbourhood;

›› We are committed to ensuring

neighbourhood control or

ownership of neighbourhood

institutions and assets;

›› We are committed to using

our resources prudently

and to becoming financially

self-reliant;

›› We are committed to the creation

and support of neighbourhood

employment;

›› We are committed to engaging

the dreams, resources,

and talents of our neighbours

and to fostering new links

between them;

›› We are committed to taking

action in response to

neighbourhood issues, ideas,

and initiatives;

›› We are committed to governing

our organization and serving our

neighbourhood democratically

with a maximum of openness,

inclusivity and kindness;

›› We are committed to developing

the skills, capacity, self-worth,

and excellence of our

neighbours and ourselves;

›› We are committed to focusing

on the future while preserving

our neighbourhood’s heritage

and diversity;

›› We are committed to creating

neighbourhood places that

are vibrant, beautiful, healthy,

and alive;

›› and, most of all,

We are committed to having fun!

Editorial Committee

Lee Herrin Stacey Curtis Joshua Schmidt Matt Takach

Founding Editor Lisa Helps

Contributors

Lee Herrin Kyla PlaxtonJoshua Schmidt Jenelle PasiechnikKate Naugler Margaret HantiukArlene Severina Elizabeth WellburnStacey Curtis Deryk Houston Maddy Cristall Denyse KooRobert Adair Wilson

Art

Mila Czemerys Terence RadfordLyn Atkinson

Production Ellen Rooney

Contact us

1313 Gladstone Street Victoria, BC V8T 1G6T 778.410.2497 F 250.381.1509vibe@fernwoodnrg.cawww.villagevibe.ca

To enquire about advertising in the Village Vibe, please contact ads@fernwoodnrg.ca

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

Mike Russell chilling at Cornerstone Cafe.

Photo: Mila Czemerys

buzz:

The new sheriff in town

Separating the fertile from the flammable in 10 words or less —

Fernwood Dead WoodImagination SterilityVision ConformityPossibility NaysayingConscious UnawareOasis Desert

editorial:

The power of vision

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www.fernwoodnrg.ca February 2011 villagevibe page 3

›› Arlene Severina

Cosmetics, creams, fragrances, dyes, cleans-ers, nail polish, skin lighteners, make-up, shampoos, soaps, sunscreen, toothpaste, lip balm... The products are numerous and many, and all boast claims to rejuvenate, replenish, restore, enhance vitality, provide anti-aging, and a plethora of other benefits. But are they really living up to their claims?

Myra Swaren, owner of Gemini Esthet-ics, worked as a nurse for 20 years and started her business to provide not only pedicures, manicures, and Swedish relaxa-tion massage treatments, but also to inform us about the products that we regularly put on our skin. “We take for granted that healthy and beauty products are good for us,” philosophizes Myra, “and our epider-mis, the largest organ on our body, absorbs

whatever we put on it whether good or bad.” According to one study in the UK, the average British woman host 515 chem-icals on her body daily; including substan-ces like Formaldehyde.

“During our busy lives it’s hard to stay on top of what we put into our bodies,” Myra empathizes, which is exactly why she began drop-in Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at her beautiful character home; “Anyone can pop-in, view the space, enjoy a cup of tea, learn about the specific products they use, and what might be better suited to maintaining overall health and beauty.... and if I don’t know I’ll find out!”

You can find Gemini Esthetics at 1921 Stanley Avenue, or online at www.geminiesthetics.com, to learn from Myra’s wealth of knowledge.

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Open until 10 pm Monday to Saturday Stay up with us.Wednesday Bluegrass NightFriday Open Mic Night

at the corner of Fernwood and Gladstone

PATIO NOW OPEN1302 Gladstone 412-2001

Bring It. Sell It. Swap It.

Sunday Swap n’ Shopa goods & service exchange

swapnshop@fernwoodnrg.ca 250.381.1552

Fernwood Community Center at 1240 Gladstone Avenue Sundays 9 am to 2 pm, Admission $2

›› Joshua Schmidt

For those seeking a new culinary treat, seek no more! Kulu has opened its doors in Fernwood Square and presents a fresh, hip twist on Asian cuisine. Reflecting their Taiwanese heritage, a diverse multicultural island that boasts flavours from across Asia, Kulu owner Hank Kao and his wife Sydney are eager to find new ways of fusing local seasonal ingredients with the best elements of Korean, Japanese, and Chinese flavours.

“The old brick buildings in Fernwood remind me of Tai Dong,” Hank reminis-ces, who first came to Fernwood when his family immigrated in 1998. Learning Eng-lish at Vic High, Hank quickly realized his passion for food, and after working in the industry to learn all the aspects of cleaning, serving, and cooking, enrolled in culinary arts school. And when Lucy’s in Fernwood Square shut down the space was the perfect opportunity to launch Kulu.

“We don’t want to be like other Asian restaurants, and are creating our menu to be unique with a home cooking feel,” says Hank. A big part of this is their commit-ment to healthy foods – no deep frying here – and fresh locally sourced ingredi-ents. After all, as Hank puts it, “support local farmers to make them strong so that

they can provide better things for you.”Working with seasonal produce, how-

ever, has its challenges. It requires a creative mind to manage ever-changing ingredients, tailoring dishes to respond to what’s avail-able. In Sydney’s eyes, the experimental process she and Hank go through when creating their Asian fusion dishes is part of what makes Kulu so much fun. “It’s kind of like [the T.V. show] Iron Chef, where they use an ingredient in such a different way that the very concept of how that ingredi-ent can be used is changed completely,” Sydney says excitedly. And with a new menu for February things are never stale. New dishes include a kimchee pork burger, spicy miso chicken, and even a Taiwanese

style cold noodle dish to refresh people on warm summer days. Get it while it’s hot though, since all dishes are only available until ingredients run out. “We’re cook-ing fresh and selling fresh,” Hank proudly states, “and once it’s gone, it’s gone.”

If you’re around the square be sure to stop in and say hi to Sydney and Hank, sip on a delicious cup of tea and enjoy the unique atmosphere and flavours Kulu has to offer.

buzz:

A taste of Taiwan in Fernwood

buzz:

It’s only skin deep...

Marinated Pork Udon & Grilled Bacon with Vegetables. Photo: Mila Czemerys

page 4 villagevibe February 2011 News and views from the heart of Fernwood

literary arts:

February fiction contest winners›› Stacey Curtis

This month, the Village Vibe’s liter-ary champions demonstrate once again what an artistic community we live in. In Maddy Cristall’s first place entry, “The Next Time it Rains,” a midnight dash for the outdoors brings us electric skies and those mystical djembe drum beats with which Fernwoodians are so often blessed. Our second place story, “A Time and Place for Everything,” by Robert Adair Wilson, takes a brief stop at Theatre Inconnu and a long jaunt around the beautiful neigh-

bourhood—this piece stops to smell the ferns, berries, vines and even the weeds on the way to its tingly conclusion. And finally, Kyla Plaxton kicks it up a notch and claims first honourable mention with her cute, down-to-it poem, “The Funky Beat of Fernwood.” Kyla’s book Little Women`s Guide to Personal Power is available to read at the Cornerstone Café. Much thanks to local lady Lyn Atkinson for this month’s illustration. The Vibe wishes her the best of luck with her new sewing business venture.

April Contest— Brother, Can you Spare a Line?

In these difficult times, we at the Village Vibe don`t ask for much, but if you could stop by the Cornerstone Café for our Brother, Can you Spare a Line contest and maybe write us a little poem on a napkin—you know, old-fashioned poetry pouring from the depths of your soul, just gotta gotta get it down style—we’d be ever so appreciative. Entry is free and our favourite napkin poems will be published in April’s edition. Contest closes March 11 at 4 p.m. Writing must be legible and fit on one nap-kin to win. Any subject matter will do. Please include your full name and email address.

›› Maddy Cristall

Alight shone through the sky as the mid-night rain bravely blew out of it. The tip of the Belfry Theatre caressed each

rain drop that was lucky enough to land on the accented building we all had a chance to romanticize.

She loved the rain and there was no chance of her sleeping through it. She could sleep through loud Radiohead that serenaded her into slumber or her German Shepherd howling at the moon, but the second her environment even thought about getting moist she was up, ready, wired and out. The rain called to her, the sound representing the calmest part of her childhood and the freshest part of her mind. The belting on thunder represented her revela-tions, triumphant with glory. The revitalization of soils and plants symbolized her divine devel-opment. The smell, like the pollen of her soul, she couldn’t get enough.

The rain was particularly special this evening and she ran out of her Gladstone abode to reveal herself to the night sky wearing a blue overcoat and no shoes. Her feet upon the cement cre-ated a surge through her entire being and gave her the rush some spend light years seeking. She quickly found herself in the Victoria High School field on her soaked back, allowing herself to feel cold externally and perfectly warm internally.

She inhaled and exhaled slowly and watched her breath come alive as it hit the planet’s effervescent surface.

In the short distance a group of drummers found light and wailed on their djembes, cre-ating a new sound each time their cold hands landed on the goatskin surface. They created a universe and she silently and secretly shared it with them. It was in this moment she was free, happy, safe. The barrels of her sickness couldn’t find her here, she forgot how long her doctor told her she had left, a number which otherwise came up throughout every other moment of every day. She cried the sweetest tears that made a tiny rainbow upon her cheeks. She laughed the bravest laugher and created her very own concerto through her very own amusement. Her human expressions were her secret addition to the drum circle and completed the musical experience in a way that could end wars. She could feel singular strands of her hair falling off into the ground that bedded her—this is where she wanted them to go. She and the earth were second cousins.

She listened to the rain settle and watched the sky clear. She slowly, silently and gracefully moved every bit of herself upward, and as she stood, she thanked the world. She listened very closely and in some way heard it thank her back.

She meandered through the gate, exchanged smiles with the midnight ramblers discussing the meaning of their dreams in the square. She glanced upon the sweaters, hangers and old records under the gazebo somebody decided to pass on to somebody else.

As her reality slowly unfolded back into her memory she hugged herself tightly and was already looking forward to the next time it rains.

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The Next Time it Rains Dancing to the beat of the rain. Art by Lyn Atkinson

By appointment only. Call Myra 250-595-6505www.geminiesthetics.com

1921 Stanley Avenue, Victoria, BC

Gemini ESTHETICS

www.fernwoodnrg.ca February 2011 villagevibe page 5

›› Robert Adair Wilson

James climbed the ten steps that stood bracketed by ancient brickwork and pushed through the heavy, carved double doors of

the chapel at Balmoral and Quadra. He sat on the right side, in the fan of Naugahyde arranged from both ends of the table where sermons were delivered. Gone were the staid wooden pews that stood like cards in a deck evenly distributed on either side of the room, gone in favour of a more open, relaxed space, allowing the ability to look, if that were desired, from one side to the other and greet friends and acquaintances.

He slipped into his usual seat and saved the chair beside it for Madge when she returned from the fellowship hall after ensuring all was well with the coffee and refreshments that followed the service. His wife wasn’t overly fussy or obsessive about such things; really more just a force of habit that led to the conviction that arrangements must be made and nothing left to chance, a place for everything and everything in place, no surprises. He liked this about his wife and willingly sup-ported her drive to make things so. She had never been a bully about it, not exactly or at least not with him. She was simply very determined, very concrete in how she expected events to progress, nothing off the agenda.

He remembered when they had first dated and he had made a wicked suggestion to her. Her reply was, “Really, James, there is a time and place for everything!” And when they raised their children, long gone from the nest now, this became her mantra in dealing with any instance of cajoling, pleading or whining. It would silence nearly any grumble or complaint if only for its cryptic quality that left young minds wondering at the meaning. There was no need to continue debate or investigation. This phrase ended that and any need to listen further. They had been together long enough to know the habits of one another well. So well that there were many things simply understood between them. They loved each other in a natural, know-ing, accepted, comfortable manner. No need to say the words or discuss feelings. No need to do anything out of the ordinary. Until finally, one day, no need for communication at all.

This Sunday he gazed absent-mindedly at the three large, vertical windows in the wall across from him and admired the intricate, colourful displays of leaded glass and crystal. A prism of colours danced before him as the sun slowly gained height on the south wall enveloping more of the panes in shafts of bright morning light. His gaze must be conspicuous, he realized, as every new arrival made a point of greeting him as if to ask permission before intruding between his scrutiny and that upon which he looked. He allowed his eyes to fall and sweep away onto a length of unresponsive, unpresuming carpet; through some chance combination of scene and thought, he pictured the first dwelling he and Madge owned outright, their first true home together. They bought it sight unseen from an agent in Victoria. It was romantic in name, Windy Ridge, and Madge said its description reminded her of something out of Wuthering Heights. She even pleaded, half in earnest, “Oh, James, if you could only change your name to Heathcliffe,” and he could only wonder at what she meant, not wanting to reveal any ignorance on his part.

When they made the arduous journey they found an old post and beam, black and white

The Funky Beat of Fernwood›› Kyla Plaxton

Fernwood is the placeWhere people LOVE to goWhen they walk down the streets They sway To & Fro

Each person cannot help but DanceEverywhere they goBecause what they’re dancing toIs a sound of their very Own

When visitors come to FernwoodThey can feel a funky townThey can feel a beat in their heartsAnd it’s making a small sound

It’s the first time they’ve heard themselvesThe strange noise sounds familiarPeace settles in their soulHome, is how they feel here

So when property comes up for saleOr a suite is for rentYou will hurry on the offerYou know it’s money well spent

Because every time you come to FernwoodYou hear your own soundsAnd you want to hear it all the timeIn this Funky Little Town

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A Time and Place for EverythingTudor house perched precariously on broad cedar footings, structurally sound but horribly abandoned to the elements at the upper end of Gladstone Avenue. Two domineering wal-nut trees filled the space between the road and house. They had to beat a path through stinging nettles and blackberry vines from the main road-way up to the side porch and force open the door to gain admission. Inside the first room they found a dank yet greasy atmosphere pervading their surroundings like smudge. Squatters had used a cook stove as a fire pit without ventila-tion in the past. Windows had been thrown open to vent the smoke and were left partially ajar on their metal screw out rods. Blackberry vines, the perennial opportunists, had choked the casements and attempted to layer and inch themselves from kitchen to dining room. Madge lit candles and coal-oil lamps and turned to James. “It’s beautiful,” she said. “We will put double French doors with glass knobs here but all in good time. For now, we must cut some fir and cedar boughs from the forest and hang them throughout the kitchen and dining room.” They talked and planned for hours then. Every day was filled with a new adventure and conversa-tion. Planning the journey, thought James, was as much or more fun than making the trip.

“Everything is in its place and the coffee is on.” Madge’s voice beside him brought James back from his reverie. “That’s my good girl,” he murmured, squeezing her hand but not too hard, and passing her a copy of the hymnal. James slowly turned his head. God help us, he thought, there is no one younger than the min-ister here. Elderly couples helping each other to their seats, some grappling with walkers and canes as they made their stiff, painful progress. How often in a year would these people visit a doctor? Was it possible to read in their faces the diagnosis of cancer or Alzheimer’s or other ter-minal diseases? Did they recognize it in the faces of others? Several trips made to their physicians, he imagined, until finally the inevitable news. All that was left was finding the proper moment, the suitable setting to discuss...the end.

He and Madge had been to a performance at Theatre Inconnu the night before. The play was an enjoyable romantic comedy, a delightful account of mistaken identities, false accusations, people rushing about and the hilarious conclu-sion that met the needs of all the players. James commented at intermission that most of the audience was their age or older and that for every man in the audience there were four or five women, a natural enough statistic given the fact that mainly women purchase theatre tickets in their age bracket but quite stunning when demonstrated so visually.

“Well, that’s what most actuarial studies prove,” Madge responded in her matter-of-fact manner, “When people get up into their sixties and seventies and beyond, it is quite common for females to outnumber males in just such proportions.”

She was so dogmatic and pragmatic she could have followed it up with a statement of how anything otherwise would be quite suspicious.

“But why this ratio?” James wondered, want-ing to continue the discussion, to eat up more of the dragging intermission. He found himself staring at her with well-worn expectation.

“Well, men live too widely and too wildly, if you ask me,” rejoined Madge, not meeting his eyes with just a hint of reproach. “They don’t

take care of themselves, believing that bad things happen to others but not to them. Women are more focused, more deliberate. Same when they are children; boys are reckless risk-takers while girls are demure and devoted to the task at hand. In contrast to this, men are too constricted when it comes to their emotions. They bottle every-thing up and it devours them completely; makes their bodies prone to so many diseases. They really don’t give themselves a chance, don’t get what they really want to say off their chests.”

James wanted to tell her that he could focus, could be deliberate, that he was fallible but her tone told him there was nothing more to say.

The service drew to a close. Soon they would wend their way back through the old neighbour-hood. Maybe they would find their usual place, the one with the stone fireplace and red poppies on the curtains, for a brunch and brew before heading home. They would arrive and take their usual table. Beyond the window, out over the shining bricks in the intersection on Fernwood, the rain might fall steadily, perfectly straight. Petunias and marigolds parched in their moss-filled prisons on the deck beyond the pane would rejuvenate in the downpour. The verge below the Fernwood Inn’s sidewalk on Gladstone Avenue might reveal seven cedar stumps cut off evenly that they remembered. The rest of the slope might be decorated in fledgling maple saplings, their leaves bent under the rain like tiny jagged green parachutes. Perhaps ferns would bend and shimmy, a glistening chorus of hula dancers in unison. Salmon berries and blackberry vines would confound the various weeds and provide no match for the other undergrowth. And the silent, palpable rain would fall on all. Perhaps there and then he would be able to tell her.

February 22nd at 7-9pm:

The global Transition Town movement aims to engage everyone in re-creating a localized life in the face of peak oil, climate change and world poverty.

For more details, visit http://transitionvictoria.ning.com/events.

Transition Fernwood invites you to 2 events:Intro to the Transition Town movement slide show, followed by discussion at the FCA hall;

An Open House/mapping/neighbourhood potluck at the Orange Hall April 3rd at 3-8pm:

page 6 villagevibe February 2011 News and views from the heart of Fernwood

›› Margaret Hantiuk

Recently I read “Designing With Plants’ (Timber Press) by the two great contempo-rary plantsmen: Holland’s Piet Oudolf, and England’s Noel Kingsbury. Their style uses perennials, and especially species, to cre-ate gardens that are naturally gorgeous year round, environmentally sound, and easy to maintain. Species plants are generally stron-ger, hardier and easier to maintain, and look more natural. They’re easy maintenance as the most work is removing dead plant mate-rial in spring.  Weeds are suppressed with mulch, full plantings, and groundcovers. Wildlife is attracted to these gardens.

Piet selects plant material carefully to cre-

ate interest throughout the season (foliage, stems, buds, flower and seeds), structural inter-est (size, shape, texture), and quality (reliable, not invasive, lasts well, holds up, hardy) as well as colour.  He is not interested in species with a brief time of glory as he expects the entire plant to contribute in many ways all year.

The mix is crucial, so that a ’mood’ is created, and a dynamic interplay between plants: contrasts, harmonies, enhancing and linking with repetition, rhythm, and structure. ‘Structural’ plants create interest and should keep their shape reliably longer. He uses some plants as ‘fillers’ (groundcovers and background) with plain green or neutral foliage (grey for example), softer shapes and texture. He recommends structural plants

3 to 1 to filler plants in the mix. He also pays less heed to convention with regard to foreground, middle, and back areas of beds in addition to borders, allowing for a more natural mix where larger more strik-ing plants can be up front, paying atten-tion to creating an interesting, full and rich array. Harmony is attained by following nature and allowing some plants to self-seed and colonize, and through the continual repetition of plants with similar or compli-mentary colours, shapes, and textures. He does restrict the variety of plants and will cull plants that don’t perform well or do so well, regarding them as pests. Although he prefers to allow plants to grow naturally to their full size and shape, he does prune

some evergreens and shrubs for an orna-mental accent or a background such as a hedge. He provides unusual views with the placement of seating, paths and screening.

To garden this way, good knowledge of plants is necessary and good knowledge of your garden site. Plants must be happy, and that means they must have their needs met: enough sun or shade, the right kind of soil and moisture, and enough space. Once the gardener has their site down, their climate understood, grouping of plants with similar requirements in place, the basic garden-ing skills of developing good soil through composting and mulching, and how/ how often they want to water, it is much easier to make plant choices that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also practical.

Here are some of Piet’s ideas on plant choices. Perennials can be grouped broadly into woodlanders (spring blooming), wood-land edge (late summer) or meadow (late summer). He likes to use ornamental bam-boos, grasses and trees that create move-ment, respond to light and act as a screen. He looks at seed heads/stems as spires, but-tons, plumes, rays, and umbels; foliage as shape, texture, direction, and colour; and colour itself as hot, cool, sweet, somber, and earthy. Colour (flower, foliage and seed/stem) is used carefully and depends on the vibrancy of each. Hot, strong colours are placed in bright light as punctuation, cre-ating dynamic rhythm with other plants that compliment and neutralize. Blue is recessive, adding depth and usually planted at the back or in shade. Mysterious colours such as dark red, purple and black draw the viewer in. Light colours add luminosity to shady spots. The garden becomes a restora-tive work of art, a cultivated wilderness of beauty. A stroll through it at any time of year is a pleasure!

Call-Out for Fernwood Artists

Margaret at 250.595.1684mmhantiuk@shaw.ca

If you are an artist living or with a studio in Fernwood and would like to be part of the June, 2011

Fernwood Art Stroll, please call:

Feb 14-March 31 & May 15-June 30

Workshop for

Writers

100% online, 4,000 word max

You’re magnificent.Your writing should be too.Join us online @www.staceycurtis.com

Down in my belly, a bowl of alphabet soup. A pen on my table - do I, do I, do I...reach. Grab

a spoon and dig into me.

FERNWOOD’S REAL ESTATE EXPERT

For more information on buying and selling real estate

in Fernwood please visit ZamianSellsFernwood.com

250.514.1533 (direct)

Zamian Sells Fernwood

›› Jenelle Pasiechnik

What is it that makes a house truly homey? There is a variety of home improvement media at our disposal today that would sug-gest expensive, extreme, and lavish action is the only way to keep up with the Jones’. However, one can look just around the cor-ner, within our progressive community, for a unique and artistic solution to beautifying one’s home exterior. The front and back of Terrence Radford’s residence on Gladstone Avenue offers a sustainable solution. Terence is currently a Masters student at UBC, pur-suing his passion for landscape design that was fueled by his small business The Urban Oasis Project. Terence, using skills acquired during his fine arts undergrad, has created sculptures, stepping stones, and a full land-scaping program for the outside of his house. Creating his own paradise in Fernwood. You too can come home to paradise, or allow it to move you toward unique ideas of your own.

One of the most distinct aspects about the project is its inspiration. While partak-

ing in projects as an undergrad at UVIC, Terence noticed how much waste is cre-ated by the production of art. He began to repurpose, what are often referred to as waste or found materials, to create sculpture and stone work. Old clothes, towels, burlap coffee sacks, and chicken wire are among this artist’s favorite materials. What were unwanted objects are reused in a meaning-ful and interesting way. Combined with concrete, Terence casts various found textile treasures, using a method much like paper mache. The result is organic shapes rang-ing from spiders to beautiful boulders to obelisk shapes growing from earthen tree forms. Do take heed, a resourceful person such as this can sometimes mistake storage for a treasure trove of new work materials; the current tenant of the house told me she arrived home one day to find a skirt of hers adorning a pot of flowers, whoops! The art-ist colours some of the concrete sculpture in earth tones reflecting a desire to blend with and add beauty to the natural features of his surroundings rather than upstage

them. The sculptures are dynamic, you can arrange them any way you want, and in any position, or roll them about the yard according to the seasons. Terence has also expressed his desire to juxtapose the femi-nine and the masculine through the mar-riage of textiles, and woolen materials, with

the masculine material of concrete; just like the old adage says, opposites do attract.

I had the privilege of visiting the house to investigate the wonderful project, and the more I looked the more I discovered its value. The stones that lead up to the house all possess their own character, added by the separate materials. Coins, sea glass, and even the tracks of a toy tire individuate each step; marking the project as a one of a kind. The real glory will come in the spring and summer when the garden is in full bloom. Ground shrubs and rosemary peek out from specially made spaces in the steps and the yard is swathed in summer colour.

The Urban Oasis Project is one more rea-son why Fernwood is taking shape as a great community and a great place to be. The dis-card of one person could be the treasure of another so take the time to look for fortune in the un-likeliest of places. Allow your ideas and goals for a cleaner future, and more cre-ative surroundings to lead your projects. And above all pursue your passions, even if only on a part-time basis.

garden gleanings:

Contemporary garden design

artist’s aside:

For love of landscaping

The oasis in bloom. Photo: Terence Radford

www.fernwoodnrg.ca February 2011 villagevibe page 7

For More Information Contact:Fernwood NRG1240 Gladstone Avenue Victoria, BC V8T 1G6(250) 381-1552 info@fernwoodnrg.cawww.fernwoodnrg.ca

Room rental opportunities also available.

Special eveNtSFamily Literacy: Jan 29th

Hand Drumming Workshops: Jan 16th & Feb 11th

Father Daughter Sweetheart Dance: Feb 18th

VintAgeous Vintage Fair: Feb 25th & 26th

Women’s Wellness: March 5th

Pacific Mobile Depot: Feb 12th, March 12th, & April 9th

moNdayAwesome Mommies (DI) 11:00am – 12:30pmNuu Chah Nulth Drumming (DI) 7:30pm – 10:00pmKundalini Yoga Plus for Men (DI) Feb 7th to April 25th 7:30pm – 8:30pmLife Ring (DI) Ongoing 6:45pm – 8:00pm

TuesdayParent and Tots Play Group (DI) Ongoing 9:30am – 11:30amBaby Sings (Reg) Jan 4th – Apr 26th 9:30am – 10:00amTot Sings (Reg) Jan 4th – Apr 26th 10:00am – 10:30amFamily Music Experience (Reg) Jan 4th – Apr 26th 10:30am – 11:15amVictoria Boot Camp (Closed Group) Jan 4th – Feb 22nd 5:30pm – 6:30pmFloor Hockey (DI) 7:00pm – 9:45pm

WedNesdayKundalini Yoga Plus (DI) Feb 9th to April 27th 9:30am – 10:30amParent and Babe Play Group (DI) Ongoing 9:30am – 11:30am Best Babies (Reg) Ongoing 12:00pm – 3:00pm Mussels Floor Ball (Closed Group) Jan 5th – Mar 16th 5:30pm – 6:30pmHand Drumming (Reg) Jan 26th – Feb 23rd & Mar 2nd – Apr 6th 7:00pm – 8:30pmSoccer (Closed Group) Jan 5th – Apr 13th 7:30pm – 9:00pmGood Food Box Pickup, every third Wednesday, 1:00pm – 5:30pm

ThursdayParent and Tot Playgroup (DI) Ongoing 9:30am – 11:30amMother Goose (Reg) 9:30am – 10:30amBest Babies (Reg) Ongoing 12:00pm – 3:00pmVictoria Boot Camp (Closed Group) Jan 6th – Feb 24th 6:00pm – 7:00pmLaughter Yoga (DI) Jan 6th – Apr 28th 7:00pm – 8:00pm

FridayKundalini Yoga Plus (DI) Feb 11th to April 29th 9:30am – 10:30am Autumn Glow Seniors Group (DI) Ongoing 12:00pm – 3:30pmYouth Drop In (DI) Ongoing 6:30pm – 9:00pm

suNdaySwap & Shop Jan 16th – Apr 24th 9:00pm – 2:00pmPreschool Creative Movement (Reg) Jan 9th – Apr 24th 4:00pm – 4:45pm Ballet Jazz Combo (Reg) Jan 9th – Apr 24th 5:00pm– 6:00pm

(Reg) Registration Required (DI) Drop In

FerNWood NrG WiNTer ProGr amsJaNuary – aPril 2011

Looking for a GOOD TIME ?

Volunteer with Fernwood NRGinfo@fernwoodnrg.ca || 250.381.1552

Committed to Supporting Community Associations

Carole James, MLAVictoria • Beacon Hill

Community Office1084 Fort StreetVictoriaP: (250) 952-4211F: (250) 952-4214carole.james.mla@leg.bc.cawww.opposition.bc.ca

1358 GLADSTONE AVE / 250 590 6612 / SOMAVICTORIA.CA

MASSAGE THERAPY PRIVATE PILATES ACUPUNCTURE

ONLINE BOOKING AVAILABLE!

›› Elizabeth Wellburn and Deryk Houston

As many people trying to run a small busi-ness have discovered, big financial institu-tions will lend you money only if you can prove that you don’t need it.

In Fernwood, a group called Community Micro Lending is providing a wonderful demonstration of how to see things differ-ently. Community Micro Lending facilitates loans between lenders and entrepreneurs in the Greater Victoria community.

Community Micro Lending entrepre-neurs are local citizens who need small loans and mentorship to take action. They are turning their dreams into a reality, creating local jobs, and embarking on business or employment opportunities with a socially conscious focus. At the same time they are contributing to a sustainable local economy and helping our community to flourish. An example is Natalie, the owner and operator of Stir it Up Authentic Caribbean Soul Food Restaurant in the Fernwood Square.

Lenders are local people too, invest-ing what they can in people whose stories they understand and whose businesses are part of their own neighbourhood. Natalie’s story was posted on the Community Micro Lending site just before Christmas, and by mid-January, combined contributions from multiple lenders equaled the $4095 that Natalie had requested. Now she can begin the upgrades to her restaurant and continue to keep us all well-fed with her delicious Caribbean fare.

Technology definitely plays a part in spreading the message of Commu-nity Micro Lending. Tools like Twitter ( @ VicMicroLending), Facebook (search for the group “Community Micro Lend-ing”), and LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/

company/community-micro-lending- society) connect people to the projects.

And yet, though the concept has a high-tech, 21st century component, it is really a very old idea – neighbours helping neighbours to strengthen the community. Something the Jimmy Stewart charac-ter of George Bailey in the 1946 movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” would thoroughly understand. In the movie, George runs a tiny mortgage and loan company that constantly experiences friction with the big banker in town. Here’s a beautiful George Bailey quote from the scene where he has to explain the process of his business to a handful of skeptical investors: “Your mon-ey’s in Joe’s house, right next to yours. And in the Kennedy house, and Mrs. Macklin’s house, and a hundred others. Why, you’re lending them the money to build, and then, they’re going to pay it back to you as best they can.”

Today, 65 years later, George wouldn’t have to provide such an explanation because as micro-lenders, we’re already completely aware of who our investments support.

The main website of Community Micro Lending, for a “deeply sustainable vibrant local economy” is: http://www.communitymicrolending.ca/

›› Denyse Koo

You may have noticed a large container at the back of the Fernwood Community Centre.  This container is from the Victo-ria Emergency Management Association (VEMA) with the City of Victoria. What’s in it? Well, right now—nothing. What will be in it? Supplies to help take care of you.  In case of an emergency situation such as fires, earthquakes, snowstorms, etc., if VEMA needs to set up either a receiv-ing centre or shelter they may come to the Fernwood Community Centre and use the building to provide emergency services and support. The contents of the box will be for these purposes.

What will be outside the box? That’s up

to you! We are seeking proposals (draw-ings) for a mural on the outside of the box. VEMA will pay for equipment and supplies for a mural to be painted on the container sometime in the spring, and will then top coat it to protect it. Please submit your ideas to info@fernwoodnrg.ca or at the Fernwood Community Centre, 1240 Gladstone Ave., and rally your friends to help with the spring painting of your design if it is chosen!

If you are interested in finding out more about what happens during an emergency, VEMA is planning a one day emergency simulation on Saturday, March 26th.  Vol-unteers are required to play the parts of clients needing help.  Please ask at the desk for more information.

buzz:

Micro lending goes localmark your calendar:

The Box—Inside and Out

“Micropreneur” Natalie. Photo: Mila Czemerys

Scene in Fernwood : Swappin’ and Shoppin’