vibe_dec2007 v3
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‘Community kitchen’ now means to me a fun gathering of neighbours who create a culinary miracle together. We are committed to governing our organization and serving our neighbourhood democratically with a maximum of openness, inclusivity and kindness; We are committed to creating neighbourhood places that are vibrant, beautiful, healthy and alive; and, most of all, We are committed to engaging the dreams, resources, and talents of our neighbours and to fostering new links between them;TRANSCRIPT
villagevibeDecember 2007 : News and views from the heart of Fernwood
>> by Lisa Helps
At 5:00pm on Tuesday October 30th,
Fernwood NRG Executive Director
Roberta Martell climbed onto the roof of
the Society’s Infant and Toddler Centre and began
a four-day camp out and hunger strike. She was
protesting the Vancouver Island Health Authority’s
(VIHA) most recent denial of staffi ng certifi cation
exemptions, which put the Centre at risk of closure.
Th e Centre was adorned with signs from supporters
who gathered below while Roberta ascended the
wobbly aluminum ladder that barely cleared the
edge of the fl at roof. “Implement a national childcare
strategy,” one proclaimed. Another read, “Maintain
existing spaces.” And Roberta’s innovation: “Childcare
in B.C.: Starving for Solutions.”
Up on the roof was a simple set up of tent and
camping chair. A teddy bear nodded off against one
of the tent’s nylon walls. A witch’s hat stood near the
chair. It was almost Halloween aft er all.
Roberta explained the current dilemma. “Th ey’re
not closing us down,” she said. “Th ey’re just not
helping us to be in compliance. So in essence they’re
killing us with a borrowed knife. Th ere’s no avenue for
us to go on. Our only option, as I see it at this point,
is to close down or to stay open in non-compliance,
facing fi nes of up to $10,000 a day.”
At issue is the lack of availability of certifi ed
Early Childhood Education and Infant and Toddler
staff . And there’s a shortage province-wide. Because
of Liberal government cuts to training for early
childhood educators there simply aren’t enough
people going into the profession. At $6500 for a one
to two year training program and between $13.00-
$15.00 per hour in wages upon completion, this is
hardly a surprise.
Fernwood’s Infant and Toddler Centre is
subject to the provincial Childcare and Community
Facilities Licensing Act, which sets ratios of certifi ed
staff to children in each facility. A licensing offi cer
is responsible for ensuring that workers hold the
appropriate certifi cation. In July when Infant and
Toddler supervisor Judy Smith went on holidays,
VIHA granted an exemption so the Centre could
continue to operate while Judy was away. Th e Centre
was left in a lurch when Judy decided not to return
from her holidays. In late September, the Centre
reapplied for the same exemptions they’d been
running with since earlier in the summer and these
were denied.
“Our conference call with licensing offi cers came
up with that potential solutions: that we closed for
half the day so that less staff were required, that we
closed half the facility or that if we closed completely
as of the year end, we’d be allowed to stay open until
then! Everything involved closure,” Roberta explained.
By Friday aft ernoon, VIHA had fi nally taken
notice of the situation. Roberta came down off the
roof to a room full of supporters. Among those
present was Victoria MP, NDP Denise Savoie whose
Early Learning and Child Care private members
bill since passed its second reading in on November
21st. As Roberta was slurping soup, her fi rst meal
Childcare in B.C. Starving for solutions
>> by Miriam Mulhall
On December 1st another exciting, made-in-
Fernwood initiative opens in the Cornerstone
Building. 1311 Gladstone is the new home of the
Collective Works Gallery. Th e Gallery is the inspiration of a
dedicated group of Fernwood artists, the Collective Works
Artists, who have come together to spearhead this innovative,
community-based, artist-run gallery.
Th e inspiration for Collective Works began with a
chance meeting over coff ee in the Cornerstone Café. Th is
initial meeting developed into an ongoing conversation,
which revealed the number of Fernwood artists looking for
a home. Commitment deepened as the level of enthusiasm
for creating that home in Fernwood was revealed. Th e
availability of space at 1311 Gladstone and the fact that
the Cornerstone is a neighbourhood-owned building has
enabled the Collective to make their dream a reality.
in this issueCommunity kitchens Page 2
Feature: Literature and lattés Page 4
Fall clean up in the garden Page 6
– continued on page 6
Illu
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Sea
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ewto
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Collective Works Gallery
– continued on page 6
Page 2 | News and views from the heart of Fernwood | December 2007 VillageVibe
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
A recent Monday article alleged that Fernwood NRG
was “$150,301 in the hole” and that the Society had
“lost almost $6,000 running the Cornerstone Café.” A
letter to the editor the following week proclaimed that
the Society was “sinking in a sea of red ink.”
I have only 232 words for my editorial this month
because Fernwood NRG’s Food Security Collective has
been so busy, they need the whole page. Flip to page 1
… the Fernwood Artist’s Collective Works Gallery has
leased the last Cornerstone space. Check page 3 for a
report from the Fernwood NRG-hosted placemaking
event. Turn to pages 4 and 5 and you’ll read about
a Fernwood NRG-supported literary series in the
Cornerstone Café. Fernwood NRG is committed to
resident-powered neighbourhood evolution. Come
with an idea, enthusiasm and a group of committed
neighbours, and we’ll fi nd the resources to support you.
Neither the Society nor the Cornerstone is in
fi nancial peril. Are we “in the hole” from renovating the
Cornerstone? Slightly, and working our way out. But
would the neighbourhood rather see the building still
boarded up? Did we spend more money than we made
in the fi rst few months of operating the Café? Perhaps,
but the value of the connections people make there is
incalculable. Fernwood NRG thanks its supporters.
Our continued hope is that those who fi nd the time to
attack us would play nice or get off the fi eld.
editorial
In the past two months, Fernwood NRG hosted three community kitchens and sponsored a workshop on raising chickens in the urban environment.
Cooking in Community
>> Betsy Nuse
I had heard the words “community kitchen,”
before but it wasn’t until I arrived in the basement kitchen
of the Fernwood Community Centre the evening of
November 1st that I experienced the miraculous meaning
of those words. Five of us assembled that night around
6:30pm: myself, Fernwood NRG’s indefatigable Food Not
Lawns co-ordinator Susi Porter-Bopp, Caitlyn Vernon,
Sarah Th ornton, and Tracy Veldhuis. Tracy has coordinated
kitchens in other parts of Canada and volunteered to get
Fernwood’s project up and running. She was already in the
kitchen getting organized when I arrived.
In the gym outside the kitchen, inline skaters gave way
to fl oor hockey practice, so we closed the door between
us and got down to work. Tracy had chosen fi ve simple
vegetarian recipes for us to prepare. Susi rounded up an
armload of winter squash and set out to make squash soup.
Sarah put red lentils on the stove, the fi rst step towards
making veggie burgers. Caitlyn began chopping onions and
carrots for a groundnut stew, and yours truly set a big box of
apples and pears harvested by LifeCycles’ Fruit Tree Project
at her feet and began peeling fruit for pear-apple crisps.
Time fl ies, and work fl ows easily in a community
kitchen. When others had a moment between steps in their
own recipes, they peeled and chopped a few apples for the
crisps. Tracy chopped carrots for the stew and burgers. We
stood and sat and talked about the kinds of foods we’d like
to prepare in future kitchens as Tracy told us about things
that had worked well in kitchens she had organized before.
We even had time to enjoy a cup of tea together.
Community kitchens off er participants good
fellowship as well as an opportunity to stock our fridges
and freezers with surprisingly large quantities of tasty food.
When the cooking was done, Tracy calculated the costs of
all the materials and divided it by fi ve. We each reimbursed
her $10.50 for the groceries she had bought. Th en we set
out the containers we had brought to take food home and
began to divide everything up. At 10:00pm, each of us left
the kitchen with one 9x9 pan of fruit crisp, 4 generous
servings of squash soup, 3 servings of groundnut stew and
6 veggie burgers. At my house, we’re still eating our share of
this group eff ort!
“Community kitchen” now means to me a fun
gathering of neighbours who create a culinary miracle
together. I’d recommend the experience to anyone who
appreciates food, companionship and economy.
To participate in a future Fernwood NRG community
kitchen, please e-mail Tracy at [email protected]
Photos this page (top): Fernwood NRG’s Food Security Collective coordinator makes nice with neighbourhood chickens at Fernwood NRG’s urban chicken workshop on Saturday October 20th.(bottom): Hard at work and at play in the community kitchen
Community Kitchens
>> Jennifer Freeman
Thanks to funding from the Ministry of
Employment and Income Assistance, Fernwood NRG
was able to host two fully loaded community kitchens in
October. Both kitchens were designed to increase skills
and knowledge about how to prepare food in a healthy and
aff ordable way.
Th e fi rst, held on October 20th and hosted by Jennifer
Freeman was centered around how to use the bounty of
foods that are grown in this area. Ten Fernwood women
chopped and peeled basic local veggies – healthy potatoes,
carrots, beets, caulifl ower, cabbage, apples and squash
– and made them into meals to be tucked away in the
freezer. Making foods from scratch is time consuming,
but community kitchens make the chore less tedious and
way more fun. Even when things don’t turn out exactly as
planned. (Imagine vegetable patties with eight times the
amount of fl our that was originally called for!) Community
kitchens allow for friendship and merry making around a
common practical daily chore!
Allison Power hosted the second community kitchen
a week later for participants of the Victoria Best Babies
program. Her kitchen focused on creative yet simple ways
to increase nutrition in an aff ordable way when a time-
and cash-strapped mother goes to cook her supper. Babies
abounded in this kitchen, and the moms benefi ted from
the comradery and support of cooking with others. Both
kitchens enabled participants to go home with 30 servings
of food at a cost of less than 50 cents/serving. Both these
community kitchens directly supported local farmers.
Food security alive in Fernwood: In the kitchen and in the coop
‘Community kitchen’ now means to me a fun gathering of neighbours who create a culinary miracle together.
Ph
oto
: K
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Ho
on
VillageVibe December 2007 | www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca | Page 3
views from the street : How do you typically spend the holiday season?
“I like to take my daughter door to door and sing
Christmas carols. I also like to enjoy malt wine by the
fi replace dressed up as Santa. I do enjoy spending the
holidays with the people I love.”
“Th e holiday season for us is centered around spending
time with family and the ones you love, typically around
the tree singing Christmas Carols, and of course enjoying
turkey and pastries.”
“I usually travel with my family over the holiday season.
Th is year we are headed to La Manzanilla, Mexico. A
typical Christmas for us involves lots of music,
fi reworks, color, food, family and friends and a great
atmosphere. Oh yes, and lots of hugs!”
Placemaking and painting daisies
John with daughter Sofi a Medardo (a.k.a. Mario) Scott
>> by Joseph Avi Lambert and Lisa Helps
On the night of November 14th Fernwood
residents transformed the Cornerstone Café into a movie
theatre and lively community hall. More than fi ft y people
fi lled the room for the Claiming Space and Making Place
workshop organized by Fernwood NRG’s Placemaking
Troupe. Neighbours gathered to watch a screening of
Mark Lakeman’s, “Th e City Repair Project: Transforming
Space into Place” and to discuss ideas for resident-driven
solutions for the centre of our neighbourhood.
Th e movie was a brilliant introduction for the
uninitiated. It provided perspective on placemaking
and laid the groundwork for the evening. “Th e City
Repair Project” gave the crowd food for the intellect
as it detailed how the centuries-old grid-based system
alienates people at the expense of the automobile. It
presented realistic nubs of inspiration in interviews with
city councilors and activists. Th e short fl ick also showed
vivid examples of placemaking in action: cob benches,
strategic plantings and the painting of intricate mandalas
in the middle of intersections. All of this was fodder for
the discussion that followed.
Aft er the movie, the audience broke into groups
and gravitated around four diff erent maps, sections of
our neighborhood that had been drawn up in the last
placemaking session. People wrote their placemaking
ideas on stickies and placed them on the corresponding
location on the map. Th e passion in the room was
palpable.
Upon reassembling, each group read out and
explained their sticky note ideas to the larger crowd. Safe
spaces for children to play in car-free streets, more trees
in the square to temper the wind that whistles through it,
increased pedestrian safety at Fernwood and Gladstone,
and revealing stories about the old bones of Fernwood’s
buildings were all thrown on the table.
Moving the group from discussion to action, Vining
Street resident Rae Abbott burst out at one point, “Are
we talking about painting daisies [in the streets]?” Event
facilitator, Roberta Martell took the opportunity to
reaffi rm placemaking principle number one. “It’s not
as much about the daisies,” she said, “as the importance
of getting people together.” Placemaking is not about
aesthetics, cob pizza ovens, pony-shaped tea party
art-cars, or painting daisies; it’s about the dialogue.
And before starting any project it’s vital to talk to your
neighbours.
Fernwood NRG has defi ned two types of
placemaking actions: MAPS (Major Action Projects)
and ZAPS (Zippy Action Projects). A ZAP is a
transformative project that can be organized in a week
or less, completed in one day or less, with a group of 5
people or less, for $500 or less. It may be permanent, or
ephemeral. Th e purpose of a ZAP is to quickly make a
minor improvement to public or semi-public space that
solves a design problem or is just plain beautiful and
contributes to creating a whole neighbourhood.
A MAP is a transformative project that is, in at
least some dimension, larger in scale than a ZAP. By
defi nition, a MAP requires additional time, a larger
group (which may need to be formally organized)
or a larger budget. It may also involve more planning
depending on what it is and where it takes place (e.g. it
may involve obtaining permits or permissions in advance,
building partnerships with other groups, etc.).
Before the night was out, the group had its fi rst ZAP.
In the closing round, people shared their placemaking
wishes. Haultain St. resident, Tessa Helweg-Larsen, who
runs the FoodRoots Tuesday night market in Fernwood
said that with the Collective Works Gallery moving into
the empty Cornerstone suite, FoodRoots needed a new
place to sell produce to Fernwoodians. Cornerstone
Café manager Lenore Rankin immediately volunteered
the front alcove and doorway of the Café on Tuesday
aft ernoons for just that purpose!
Th e next ZAPS and MAPS in the neighbourhood
are up to you. Join the Placemaking Troupe. Come
to our next gathering, an evening of ZAPS, on
Wednesday, December 12 at the Cornerstone. Or, email
[email protected] with your
contact information and placemaking wishes.
Vie
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ph
oto
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Placemaking is not about aesthetics, it’s about the dialogue.
Ph
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ete
Ro
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ell
Page 4 | News and views from the heart of Fernwood | December 2007 VillageVibe
>> by Christine Matte
The artistic spirit of the West Coast is alive in many ways –
from galleries, to theatres to literary magazines and writing
schools. Victoria and the Gulf Islands are home to amazing
talent and resources, and yet the presence of a writing community is
questionable. Th e new literary reading series at the Cornerstone Café
will hopefully be part of changing that. We have vibrant community
fellowship when it comes to fi tness, food security and other fi ne arts,
but when it comes to reading and appreciating our writers, are we a
bunch of couch potatoes? Local publishers TouchWood Editions and
Brindle & Glass, with the book sales support of Cadboro Bay Books,
have organized the Cornerstone Literary Series in Fernwood with the
hope of changing that perception.
Since 2002, TouchWood Editions (formerly Horsdal and Schubart)
has been publishing non-fi ction that celebrates food, life, and the
wild of the West Coast. Publications include the book version of
Briony Penn’s popular column A Year on the Wild Side, and the
photographic tribute to environmental researcher and scientist
Alexandra Morton, Beyond the Whales. New associate publisher
Ruth Linka moved her family and her literary press Brindle & Glass
from Edmonton to Victoria, and the prospects were both inspiring
and alarming. Linka had lived in Vancouver years before, but reaching
out to the Victoria community of readers, writers and general lovers
of ideas appeared daunting.
“I have long known of and heard about the vibrant arts scene in
Victoria and on the islands. I was looking forward to discovering
it. Th ere are a number of authors here who I’ve read and admired,
and I was looking forward to meeting them at events in and around
Victoria,” she said.
Emboldened by the enthusiastic support of Cornerstone Café
manager Lenore Rankin and Fernwood neighbours and Fernwood
NRG supporters, Linka and crew set up the Cornerstone Literary
Series featuring new authors and a new theme or genre one evening a
month at the café. “Fernwood is already a hub for the arts – the Belfry,
the businesses in the square, the merchants that come to market,
and above all, the people who live in Fernwood,” says Linka. While
readings are good fun for authors they also bring together like minds
from all those other hubs of activity.
Th e fi rst evening was a pre-Halloween celebration of local mystery
and crime fi ction. Appearing that evening were authors Stanley Evans,
Ron Chudley, Kay Stewart and Chris Bullock. Evans read dressed
as Silas Seaweed, the Coast Salish investigator threaded throughout
his series of books, Seaweed on the Street, Seaweed on Ice and now
Seaweed Under Water (all three with TouchWood Editions). Chudley
discussed the diff erences between his career as an actor and his
writing. Kay Stewart and Chris Bullock, co-authors of Deadly Little List (Newest Press 2006), read dialogue together that illustrated
important techniques of mystery writing. Th e gathered crowd had an
opportunity to ask questions, meet the authors and purchase copies of
their books, thanks to the participation of Cadboro Bay Books.
“Readings can be so boring, unless the author is so well known that he
has a following of groupies,” says Evans. “I wanted to off er something
diff erent.” Added Chudley, “As a writer, I write. Th at’s what I do best.
But I am always grateful for the opportunity to come out and meet
readers and discuss new works.”
Th e November event featured fi ction writer Curtis Gillespie from
Edmonton, reading with UVic faculty member and author Lorna
Jackson. Both Gillespie and Jackson have the experience and
credibility that make them charming guest-readers, as well as an
inspiring presence for emerging writers in the Fernwood community.
feature : Literature
Has the fall chill made its way
to your bones?
Want a hot drink to warm you up?
The Cornerstone Café is now open until 6 pm
Warm up and chat with your neighbours.
Every penny of profi t from the Café
goes directly back into neighbourhood
programs and services.
P rocrastinating writers, lonely late night readers and seekers of community and carrot cake, unite—The Cornerstone Café,
with bookstore and publisher offers a new option
Fernwood NRG’s 1st Annual
Winter Craft Fair&Bake Sale
Saturday December 1st
11am – 3pmAll donations go to
Fernwood’s Parent& Tot Program
VillageVibe December 2007 | www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca | Page 5
and lattés
Gillespie has won three National Magazine Awards, and recently published
his fi rst novel Crown Shyness through Brindle & Glass. Jackson’s work has
been featured across the pantheon of literary magazine, and her new book
Cold-Cocked: On Hockey (Biblioasis) explores a more organic, and feminine
perspective on fanaticism than the existing tributes to our national sport. It
was recently long-listed for the BC Award for Canadian Non-Fiction, the
most substantial non-fi ction prize in Canada.
Having the opportunity to meet successful, working writers can be a burst of
motivation for those toiling away in solitude, and it allows readers to
experience a book more fully before buying it. You may get a recommendation
for your next read. You may meet someone struggling at the same stage of
their own set of poems. You may be able to swap publisher-pitching tips. Most
importantly, whether you’re usually curled up on dark winter nights with a
book, or a pen and blank sheet of paper, the Cornerstone Literary Series off ers
some reprieve. Who can say no to a steam-swirled latté, and the rich company
of like minds?
Christine Matte is a freelance writer whose love of words is only rivaled by her love of community
If one night a month isn’t enough, here are just a few available alternatives, on which the Cornerstone Literary Series is building it’s purpose.
Bolen Books hosts frequent readings and
signings from their store in Hillside Mall (one
of the few remaining independent bookstores
of its size and scope), with both local and
internationally recognized authors.
Just across the street, the Black Stilt Coffee
Lounge hosts Planet Earth poetry every Friday
night, an opportunity to read or listen to the
poetic pulse of Victoria, often hosted by
Patrick Lane.
The One-Legged Snail Poetry group workshops
and reads in Fernwood and is active on
Facebook.
Venture out to Solstice Cafe for Café Philosophy
or for Tongues of Fire, the poetry slam night they
hold regularly. www.solsticecafe.ca
The Victoria Arts Connection is preparing for
the second annual Pacifi c Festival of the Book
that celebrates publishers, authors and all the
creative elements that go into their production in
March. www.victoriaartsconnection.com
Helping writers hone their craft are Victoria
School of Writing, and the UVic and Camosun
writing programs all with award-winning,
dedicated instructors. http://vswblog.
wordpress.com/, http://camosun.ca/ce/ and
http://www.uvcs.uvic.ca/
The Malahat Review publishes emerging and
established writers quarterly in several genres
from creative non-fi ction to poetry to literary
criticism. Until June 1, they are accepting
submissions for their fall Green Imagination
issue. http://web.uvic.ca/malahat/subscribe.html
Looking for professional support? The Victoria
chapter of the Periodical Writers Association of
Canada (PWAC) is the third-largest chapter in
the country, and helps wordsmiths of all kinds
through professional development workshops,
reference materials, and website postings to
help them gain freelance clients. http://www.
islandnet.com/pwacvic/homepage.html
Denise Savoie, MP
A Voice for Victoria inOttawa
970 Blanshard Street363-3600www.denisesavoie.ca
Ph
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hri
stin
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atte
Page 6 | News and views from the heart of Fernwood | December 2007 VillageVibe
>> by Margaret Hantiuk
I used to stress out when fall rolled around:
there is so much to do to get the garden ready for winter.
So you can imagine my relief when I discovered that a lot
of the work that I thought needed doing was not really
necessary and was, in fact, not good ecology. Rather it
was my idea of how a well-tended garden should look:
tidy. Not so in reality…
Where I used to rake up all of the fallen leaves to
throw onto my leaf compost pile, I now only rake up
the leaves on my lawn, walks, steps, deck and driveway.
Th is is important as wet leaves can slowly kill a lawn, and
they are unsafe where we walk because they’re so slippery
when they decompose. It is also important to shake the
leaves off of your evergreen shrubs, trees and perennials
so that their leaves and needles don’t rot and die. Let the
leaves nestle around the trunks and stems of your plants
to protect them from the sub-zero temperatures and
occasional arctic outfl ow winds we experience here in
Victoria during our winter.
Th e best part of leaving leaf litter on your beds is that
it will decompose a fair bit by spring and will actually add
a tremendous fertility to the underlying soil in two ways.
First, leaves are rich in the nutrients that plants need
– they give back what is taken as plants grow. Second,
the microorganisms and benefi cial insects that are an
essential part of healthy, living soil need this humus layer
to feed. Th ey also need it for protection as they go about
doing their job aerating the soil, adding nutrients and
assisting plant roots in absorbing nutrients.
If your soil is rich in humus it will not need extra
chemical fertilizers. Your plants will be healthier with
better immune systems and so will be able to resist
disease and pests – this means herbicides and pesticides
will not be required. Victoria City Council is presently
considering a ban on pesticide use in Victoria gardens,
so we need to understand how to continually build
up our soils so that our plants will be healthy. Leaves
and compost add many more nutrients than chemical
fertilizers (most of which only contain three). Use
organic and natural fertilizers if you must.
Th is leaf mulch over compost (your own or
purchased) adds nutrients, moderates ground
temperature, keeps moisture in and builds good
structure. Speaking of soil structures, this is another
reason to not step into your beds: in the wet weather, our
weight can really compact soil. It is wise to stay out of our
beds so that the soil can be as light and open as possible
– plant roots do actually need oxygen. A good idea is to
put a few bricks, stones or pavers into your beds here and
there to stand on as you work in them. Let nature build
the soil as only it knows how.
When a plant is diseased and has blackspot, mildew,
viruses or an insect infestation, for example, it is best to
remove leaves from our gardens. In this case the leaves
should be bagged and thrown into the garbage, not the
compost. Another situation in which to remove leaves is
if the leaves are very large. (Th e large-leafed maples come
to mind.) Large leaves can suff ocate perennials below
them like a large wet blanket. Th ese can be composted.
Th e dry leaf layer should not exceed half a foot. Any
excess should be composted.
So really, when you think about it, there’s not much
left to do in your fall garden but to enjoy the gorgeous
colours, perhaps plant a few spring bulbs … and plan your
improvements and new plantings for the coming year.
gleanings : Fall clean up the easy way
Th e Collective Works Gallery will function as a
non-profi t society providing a contemporary exhibition
space. Th e gallery will aff ord working artists a venue in
which to exhibit work, collaborate and exchange ideas.
Th e intention of Collective Works is to promote quality
artwork and cultivate community interest in the arts
and to nurture, challenge and sustain emerging and
experienced artists alike in their work.
In addition, the Gallery will support a variety of
workshops, artist talks, fi lms, seminars and special events,
which will run concurrently with exhibitions. Collective
Works will also release a quarterly newsletter intended
to facilitate a cultural exchange of ideas and dialogue.
Gallery artists will also create an online presence. Th e
Collective aims to be self-sustaining. Revenue to cover
operational expenses will be drawn from membership fees,
fundraising events and sponsorship. Collective Works
welcomes donations in kind or funds from individuals or
other sources.
Neighbours are encouraged to come by and check
out the progress over the coming month, as Collective
members transform 1131 Gladstone. Th e Collective
Works Gallery will offi cially open early in the New Year,
and plans are in hand for an opening gala. Watch the
Village Vibe for Fernwood’s invitation to celebrate this
exciting addition to our neighbourhood. Fernwood, with
its many unique assets, is well placed to become a dynamic
and vibrant centre for the arts.
Childcare | fr om page 1
Collective | fr om page 1
in four days, and being swarmed by the very kids who
she’d camped out to support, VIHA’s Regional Licensing
Offi cer, Kim MacDonald contacted Board Chair Lisa
Helps to set up a meeting and reconsider the exemptions.
As the Village Vibe goes to press, Fernwood NRG’s
Infant and Toddler Centre is developing a new staffi ng
plan and implementing both short and long term
solutions, which VIHA has agreed to consider. Th e real
solution, however, rests with the federal and provincial
governments, both of which must invest in the future by
investing in children and families.
With fi les fr om Pete Rockwell.
For membership information, please contact:
Anne Hoban 250-592-6617 [email protected]
Al Williams 250-595-3947 [email protected]
Miriam Mulhall 250-382-3554 [email protected]
>> by Aaron Ellingsen
I first met Jack and Joan before I moved into
Fernwood: I couldn’t miss Jack in his solarium or the
steady fl ow of cyclists and walkers passing the Leonards’
Princess Ave. home to wave greetings.
Th e Leonards have been around here awhile. For over
55 years they’ve seen the neighbourhood change and grow,
and they continue to keep an interested eye on goings-on
in our little corner of the world.
Jack’s parents, William and Elsie, arrived in Fernwood
in the late 1910s, moving into a house at 1135 Kings Rd.
with their son, Bill. Jack, their second child, was born
shortly aft er their arrival. Of William and Elsie’s fi ve
children, four still live in the neighbourhood.
Jack and his siblings went to George Jay and Vic
High. George Jay was a little smaller in those days – only
the Chambers-facing part of the school existed – while
Vic High was pretty much as it is now.
Joan grew up an only child in Oxted, England. She
was a young factory-worker (building Spitfi re fi ghter
planes) during the early days of the Second World War
when she met Jack, a dispatch rider in the Princess
Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.
Jack and Joan’s wedding was splendid. Th e service
was held in a centuries-old chapel in Oxted, the bride
and groom aglow, and Joan’s mother and neighbours
managed, despite rationing, to collect the ingredients for
a gorgeous three-tiered cake, a good supply of booze and a
barrel of beer.
Wartime marriage meant Joan and Jack were together
only when he was on leave. To make sure he showed up
whenever possible, Joan lent Jack money to buy an old
BSA motorcycle. Th e bike was a blessing for Joan, Jack,
and his brother Bill, who was excited at the opportunity
the vehicle provided to escape his Aldershot barracks
stores-room. Bill remembers a pilgrimage to St. Andrew’s
golf course and a fair amount of general tomfoolery.
Bill says he never knew for sure, but he fi gures BSA
probably stands for “bloody sore ass.” He says it, though,
as if the adventures were well worth the pain. It seems the
bike was a bit of a sore spot for Joan, too, as Jack neglected
to repay her until their 50th anniversary. But she did like
to have him around.
Aft er the war the couple returned to Victoria, two
young children in tow. Th eir fi rst home was in family
housing at Gordon Head camp, a military camp situated
where the UVic campus is now. While living there, Jack
built a house for the family on Prior St., where they lived
until their current home in the 1200 block of Princess was
built in the early 1950s.
Th e Princess house has been home ever since. Joan
and Jack raised seven children on a block chock full of
young families. Joan remembers 30 children on the one
block, and describes a troop of them trailing Bill, now the
neighbourhood’s postman, from house to house.
Joan and Jack’s eldest went to Spring Ridge School (where
the Spring Ridge Commons now stand) before it closed,
and then, with the other Leonard children, on through
George Jay and Vic High.
Jack transferred to the Canadian Scottish Regiment
(the Princess Mary’s), stationed at the Bay Street Armoury,
where he remained active as a Staff Sergeant and as a
pool lifeguard. He also worked for the Victoria Fire
Department, and eventually started his own chimney
sweeping business.
Jack wasn’t able to bring his BSA motorcycle back
from England with him, but he did bring home a lifelong
passion for two-wheeled machines. Jack relished building
and fi xing bikes for his and other neighbourhood kids,
and soon began to appear in events around Victoria riding
penny farthing bikes.
He rode his antique-style bikes in the Victoria Day
parade every May for over 50 years, and took part in the
Oak Bay Tea Party parade for over 55. Th e Penny Farthing
Pub in Oak Bay credits Jack as inspiring the name, and one
of his penny farthing bikes can be seen on display there.
Jack’s been part of the community here in Fernwood
and around Victoria for almost nine decades. For several
years now Jack has been struggling with Alzheimer’s
disease, which leaves him worn out, and with few and
fl eeting memories. Joan and Jack lead a quietish sort of
existence except for a steady stream of friends, children,
grandchildren, great-grandchildren and dogs – and of
course the regular parade of cyclists and walkers passing
by to wave. And so it goes: Jack and Joan bringing people
together.
Jack doesn’t ride bikes any more, but he still likes to
watch them go by.
And he’s pretty much always good for a returned wave
and a still-boyish grin.
Do you know someone who should be a Fernwood face? Drop us a line at [email protected] with your suggestion.
VillageVibe December 2007 | www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca | Page 7
faces : Penny farthings on Princess Avenue
Page 8 | News and views from the heart of Fernwood | December 2007 VillageVibe
what’s on in Fernwood
Art, Theatre, and EntertainmentBohemian Open Mic at Cornerstone
Café.
Saturdays. 8-11pm. Saturday Spotlight
performer at 10pm (Dec 1> progressive
folk - Steven Del Rizzo. Dec 8> like
nothing you’ve ever seen - The Flying
Barista Brothers. Dec 15>Bohemian
Christmas Open Mic - break out your
holiday tunes and enjoy an eggnog latte!)
1301 Gladstone Ave. Hosted by
James Kasper. Everyone welcome! FREE.
Live Music at Fernwood Inn.
5 nights per week, including Open Mic
Thursdays. 8:30-11:30pm. 1302
Gladstone Ave. FREE.
Live Music at Logan’s Pub.
1821 Cook St. For listings: www.
loganspub.com
Victoria Bluegrass Association Jam.
Tuesdays. 7:30-10:30pm. Orange Hall.
1620 Fernwood Rd. $2 to play. FREE to
listen.
Belfry Theatre.
GLORIOUS by Peter Quilter. Held over to
Dec16. Season tickets still on sale.
1291 Gladstone Ave. (at Fernwood Rd.).
For info contact Belfry Box Offi ce at
385-6815 or www.belfry.bc.ca
Theatre Inconnu.
DIARY OF A MADMAN by Nikolai Gogol
and THE DREAM OF A RIDICULOUS
MAN by Fyodor Dostoyevsky Dec 12-30.
8pm. 1923 Fernwood Rd. For info
http://www.theatreinconnu.com
Metro Theatre.
Company C presents: LAUGHTER ON
THE 23rd FLOOR by Neil Simon Dec 7
and 8. 2 and 8pm.
VCOM Opera Studio Finale
Performance. Dec13-15. 7pm. 1411
Quadra St. (at Johnson St.). For info
www.metrostudiotheatre.com/events.
html#header.
Call for Fernwood Artists.
Seeking Artists with studios in Fernwood
for the 1st annual FERNWOOD ART
STUDIO TOUR. (planning for June
2008). For info contact Deryk Houston
[email protected] or Anne Hoban
Kids and FamiliesCommunity Family Day.
Family-directed and facilitated
programming. Mondays 9:30-11:30am.
Fernwood Community Centre Gym.
FREE!
Parent and Tot Playgroup.
Snacks/Crafts/Circle Time. Tuesdays
and Thursdays 9:30-11:30am. Fernwood
Community Centre Gym. $1 per family.
Rhythm Circle Time.
Tuesdays 3-4pm. Fernwood Community
Centre MPR. Drop in. FREE!
Mother Goose.
Songs, rhymes and stories. Tuesdays
1-2:30pm, Fernwood Community Centre
MPR. 10 weeks per session. To register
call 381-1552 ext 22. FREE! ($2 for
songbook).
Youth, Adults and SeniorsFloorhockey.
Drop-in Co-ed Adult (18+). Tuesdays
and Thursdays 7-9:30pm. Saturdays
2-4:30pm. Fernwood Community Centre
Gym. $4, or get a punchcard: $40/11
sessions.**
Youth Floor Hockey.
Drop-in Co-ed. Ages 9-18 (Group 1/ages
9-13. Group 2/ages 14-18). Sundays
3-5pm, Fernwood Community Centre
Gym, $3.**
Indoor Soccer.
Drop-in Co-ed Adult (18+). Mondays
8:45-10:45pm. Fernwood Community
Centre Gym. $3.**
**We accept Sports Trader Bucks and
Canadian Tire Money at face value!
Internet and Computer Access.
Complete your one-time registration and
then get online through the Community
Access Program. Monday to Friday
9:30am-5pm. Fernwood Community
Centre Community Room. FREE!
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.
Seniors Wanted!
3 or 4 seniors needed to complete a
small group exploring rhythm on
Wednesdays. No musical training
necessary! For info call Gillian in
Fernwood: 592-2848.
Ear Acupuncture.
Treatments 15-20 min. Dec 5 and 19
(1st and 3rd Wednesdays every month).
2:30-4:30pm. Fernwood Community
Centre MPR. By donation.
Special EventsFernwood Pocket Market.
Local organic produce and baked
goods. Tuesdays 2-6pm. Cornerstone
Café 1301 Gladstone
Fernwood’s Outrageous Recycling
Day.
Bring your plastics, styrofoam packing
and food trays, electronics and
foil-lined coffee bags. PLEASE make
sure it’s clean. Dec 8 (2nd Sat every
month). 10am-1pm. Back of Fernwood
Community Centre. By donation.
Green Drinks.
An inclusive gathering of the
sustainability minded for refreshments
and conversation. Tues, Dec 11. 5-
7pm. The Canoe Brewpub, Marina and
Restaurant, 450 Swift St.
Fernwood NRG Placemaking Troupe.
A ZAP night! Come join us for an
action-fi lled evening! Such fun! Wed,
Dec 12. 7pm. Cornerstone Café, 1310
Gladstone Ave.
Fernwood NRG Food Security
Collective.
All welcome! No meeting in Dec. Next
meeting Tues Jan 8. 7-9pm Fernwood
Community Centre MPR.
Fernwood Community Kitchen.
Cook nutritious, creative meals with your
neighbours! For info contact
Tracy at [email protected]
Fernwood Sharing Gardens.
Have a garden but no time? Time but
no garden? Contact Rainey at
380-5055 or foodsecurity@
fernwoodneighbourhood.ca.
Fernwood NRG’s 1st Annual Winter
Craft Fair and Bake Sale.
Sat, Dec 1. 11am-3pm. Fernwood
Community Centre Gym. Admission by
donation (donations go to Fernwood’s
Parent and Tot Program). For info
or to book a table contact Shelley
at 381-1552 ext 132 or shelley@
fernwoodneighbourhood.ca.
S S M T W Th F S S M T W Th F S S M T W Th F S S M T W Th F S S M
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Dec 2007
Published by Fernwood NRG (Fernwood
Neighbourhood Resource Group)
1240 Gladstone Street
Victoria, BC V8T 1G6
T 250.381.1552
F 250.381.1509
villagevibe@fernwood neighbourhood.ca
www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca
Editor: Lisa Helps
Assistant Editors:
Aaron Ellingsen
Trish Richards
Photographer:
Veronique da Silva
Contributors:
Maureen Foxgord
Jennifer Freeman
Margaret Hantiuk
Joseph Avi Lambert
Christine Matte
Miriam Mulhall
Betsy Nuse
The views expressed in the Village Vibe
do not necessarily refl ect the views of
the Fernwood NRG.
villagevibe
Poetry Reading at Chez Beau Soleil.
Six local poets followed by an open mic.
All welcome. BYOB. Friday Dec 7.
8pm. 1317 Camosun St. at Johnson.
FREE.
Christmas Spirit Community Dinner.
All welcome to a FREE hot turkey feast
with all the fi xings! Dec 25. 3 sittings:
noon, 2:30 and 5pm, Glad Tidings
Pentecostal Church 1800 Quadra
St. (at Caledonia). Please register by
calling Christina at 472-1040 or
Call for Volunteers for 17th Annual
Christmas Spirit Community Dinner.
Contact Christina at 472-1040 or
Christmas in the Square.
Come and celebrate the Holidays with
your neighbours at Fernwood Village
Business Open House, Music and Market,
Fernwood Square. Thurs, Dec 6 5-8pm.
Under new ownership!
Christmas is Coming!
Book Your Staff or Family
Functions with us in our private
Dining Room. Custom menus and
Entertainment Available.Children Welcome
1302 Gladstone 412-2001