villagevibeNews and views from the heart of Fernwood

April 2011

in this issueBuzz

The Common Springs to Life page 3

Buzz

Howie’s Farewell page 7

Included with this issue:

Neighbourhood Visioning Forum 2011

To get the Vibe digitally, sign up at fernwoodnrg.ca

Fernwoodians: Paint your poles!

›› Josh-ooh-ahh Schmidt

W hat is it that makes a pole great? Is it the fact that it sup-ports the cables that delivers

energy to our homes? To Beth Threlfall, the poles are not mere infrastructure, but an opportunity for anyone to express their artistic creativity. If you walk down Fern-wood Road you’ll see all manner of poles turned into cylindrical canvases, painted with a myriad of designs featuring rocket ships, sunflowers, stars, totems, and ani-mals. And this is just the start! But before we look to the future, let us look at the past...

Beth painted her first pole in 2008 after noticing how bare they looked. As an artist living within the artistic com-munity that Fernwood is, she thought they should reflect its denizens. Inspired by “The Great Neighbourhood Book”, she decided to paint the pole in front of her house on Fernwood Road. Calling BC Hydro to make sure she was in the clear, Beth found out it wouldn’t interfere with worker safety and that they actually had NO budget to repaint the poles them-selves... she would be doing THEM a favour! Soon bright sunflowers graced her new canvas, and the response was incred-ible. “Cars honked their horns as they drove by, neighbours taking a walk asked to have their own poles done... it was great!” Soon after, in 2009, Beth painted over 20 poles around George James Ele-mentary school in celebration of their 100th anniversary, and then decided to let others know about the concept by getting a table at Fernfest where she encouraged others to do their own!

Well, how could we ignore such an awesome spirit of funkadelic creativity? In short, we couldn’t, which is why we are holding the Great Fernwood Pole Paint-ing Project. That’s right... stake your claim on a fresh pole that needs some soul and get ready, because on Saturday May 28th

it’s time to get your paint on!Join in on the fun, and paint one of

the over 250 poles in Fernwood, and as an added bonus it will act as a great landmark when friends are visiting from out of town. In fact, we at NRG are going to create the “Gateways to Fernwood” at the intersec-tion of Bay Street & Fernwood Road and

Pandora & Fernwood Road. If you have a design in mind, jot it down, and it could be the one heralding people into our hood for years to come!

If you want to get involved, learn more about this project, or if you have design ideas, please email: polepainting@fernwoodnrg.ca.

Pole painting proliferates in May Pole Painting 101

Check with your neighbours (you don’t want to step on any toes...)

Create your design and fol-low Beth’s simple rule: “Go BIG, go BOLD, and keep it simple!”

1. Remove any nails, staples, or other protru-sions (needle nose pliers recommended)

2. Cover the ground with a tarp, old newspapers, or other material in case your paint spills or splat-ters

3. Prime the pole with latex housepaint (Beth recom-mends black to make colours pop!)

4. Paint it!5. Clean-up the site6. Enjoy! ☺

�Some other tidbits to note are that maintenance is required 1–2 times a year, and should be done when there is a stable temper-ature of 10° Celsius so the paint dries quickly. It takes about two hours from start to finish to paint a blank pole. Stencils are a great to save time and make the activity fun for all ages, and if you use a sponge to put the paint no experience or skill is necessary. Beth even made her sponges from old couch cushions, so get creative!

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

›› Lee Herrin

Talk is cheap. Actions speak louder than words. Show me don’t tell me. There is a strain in our culture which definitely deval-ues “talk.” But not all talk is created equal. Some conversations go somewhere. In fact, most initiatives of any consequence begin with a good conversation. An old friend once told me “There is no problem we face that can’t be solved by four people of good will sitting down around a table and talk-ing it through.” My experience working in this neighbourhood over the past 13 years has proven that to be true time and again.

If you had a chance to attend the Neigh-bourhood Visioning Forum, you know that the core of the day revolved around “cafe conversations” between four or five people. There were 18 or 20 such conver-sations going on simultaneously, and there were three rounds where we mixed up the participants to ensure as many people got talking to others as possible.

So what is the outcome of all of this? We’ve included a feature in this month’s paper showing some of the results. Col-lating all of the information we collected will take a little while yet, and there is a lot more to come. If anything you see

excites you, be sure to let us know at vision@fernwoodnrg.ca.

Some of the ideas that came up during the day are projects that Fernwood NRG will be excited to work on. And I am cer-tain, that with support of the neighbour-hood, we will accomplish many of these projects over the next several years. But Fernwood NRG can only do so much—if there are things you are strongly committed to and want to see happen, then don’t wait around...put up a poster in the Corner-stone Cafe and call a meeting of interested people and get started working on it right away. Let us know too, and we’ll help get the word out in the Village Vibe, through

our website (which is being relaunched very soon), through social media and what-ever other channels we can. If we know of others who are already working on that, or who might have an interest, we’ll try to connect you with them too.

Fernwood already has a great cafe, and we’ve done a little work in the alley to make a comfortable place for the better weather that is coming. It’s a great place to engage in the very kind of talk that makes a differ-ence. So please sit down with your neigh-bours and discuss what’s on your mind...you don’t need to wait for the next vision-ing forum to have a cafe conversation and get started changing the world.

›› Shaun Macpherson

Oh, the power of a good book. What began as a discussion of a favorite

book quickly blossomed into a thriving busi-ness partnership. In 2009, designer Amber Kingsnorth had just read “The Boss of You,” a book on business start-up by Vancouver authors Lauren Bacon and Emira Mears. She was inspired to ask fellow designer and VIU graduate Kyla Bidgood to coffee so she could pitch a business partnership. Turns out Kyla had similar designs on the meeting.

“At the time we were working for other people,” says Amber, “Kyla sits down and says, ‘I’ve been reading this great book. I thought about you the whole time.’ It was the same book! Turns out we had the same ulterior motive in meeting up.”

That meeting led to the creation of Inouï (pronounced “een-wee”) Design Col-lective. Started in December 2009, their initial success fostered the move into their current location at 2002 Fernwood Road.

“I couldn’t imagine being in any other space.” says Kyla, “We love the neighbour-hood, we love the community vibe. We wanted to be a part of that.”

The move to Fernwood last June gen-erated immediate local interest. Inouï is already busy with contracts in the commu-nity, including renovations at the Ma’kola Housing Society office, The Parsonage Café, and the Cornerstone Cafe.

“A lot of people in Fernwood want to keep it in Fernwood.” Kyla says, “We’re really lucky to have those people approach us.”

Amber and Kyla see Inouï Design Col-lective, like Fernwood itself, as part of the push to inject new colour into the historic buildings of Victoria. Their vision includes the use of reclaimed objects in their work, examples of which abound in their own office and on their website (inouidesign.ca).

“We’ve become known for the little details that we put into spaces,” says Amber, “reusing the little things, because not every-thing’s trash. There’s this mentality in the

design world that you should just get rid of everything and start over. But that’s not always the best thing to do.”

For Inouï, it’s all about working with clients to showcase both the ambience of a particular space and also the company’s brand.

“This city has got a great art scene, great shops, amazing restaurants,” says Kyla, “It’d be nice to see design modernize with those things too.”

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

Joshua SchmidtLee HerrinShaun MacphersonJen SteeleZoë EakleMila CzemerysEllie Rubincam Stacey Curtis

buzz:

Inouï ’re just getting started...

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

Fernwood Dead WoodSpririt UnmotivatedCreativity UnimaginativeConversation ArgumentRe-use TrashCollaboration Competition

editorial:

Talking with your neighbours

Chris JordanRiittaJenelle PasiechnikMargaret HantiukChris HowardIlijc AlbeneseMarika SmithNatalie Bishop

Art

Natalie Bishop, Mila Czemerys

Production Ellen Rooney

Contact us

1313 Gladstone Avenue Victoria, BC V8R 1R9T 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.

Amber & Kyla, proud owners. Photo: Jen Steele Photography

www.fernwoodnrg.ca April 2011 villagevibe page 3

›› Ellie Rubincam

There’s a friendly new face in Fernwood, and she’s here to help you new parents cope with your stress.

Bringing a background in Anthropology and Social Work to the Fernwood Com-munity Centre, Jesikah Post is a recent addition to the Fernwood NRG team. Yet already we find Jesikah busy, caring for a brainchild of her own: a NRG program offered to the community beginning April 5th called “Help! I have Kids!”

Meeting each Tuesday from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., “Help! I have Kids” prom-ises a casual group setting where parents can discuss the ins and outs of parenting while their children play next door with a capable child minder. Every other week, Jesikah will lend her expertise to address-ing a particular topic of importance for new parents.

“I’m going to start with information about a local babyproofing company,” Jesi-kah says, promising that in the sessions to follow, issues will include, among others, finding the right daycare for your child.

As a mother of a fourteen year-old, the Centre’s Director Denyse Koo has experi-enced the challenges of parenting firsthand. “Where parents want more education is in day to day concerns,” Denyse states, add-ing shrewdly, “Children don’t come with a manual.” As such, the “Help! I have Kids!” program is designed as a bridge between the Best Babies and the Cap C programs already offered by the Centre, giving par-ents the chance to share information on ‘normal development’ and to problem-solve as a group.

In the weeks between scheduled top-ics, the group will meet as an open forum, enabling parents to steer the conversation by bringing particular points of interest

to the table. The Centre also offers free food vouchers and/or prenatal vitamins to attendees.

It is important to note that the programs offered by the Fernwood Community Cen-tre are not affiliated with the Ministry of Children and Family Development, and as such, are able to offer confidential, non-mandated services to local families. As Denyse insists, “we don’t turn people away.”

So is it normal for your child to take off their clothes when they enter the Corner-stone? Hard to say. What is clearer is that questioning, “is my reaction okay?” is nor-mal. Whether it’s the promise of informa-tion or free food vouchers that brings you in the door, you may just get the help you didn’t know you needed.

Fernwood NRG is also currently looking for

volunteers to help with childminding during

upcoming “Help! I have kids!” sessions. If you

are a friendly Fernwood resident with a love

for little ones, please contact Jesikah Post at

Jesikah@fernwoodnrg.ca to discuss volunteer

opportunities and the accompanying Volunteer

honorarium.

buzz: Wanted: Parents who need a (coffee) break

buzz:

Spring Ridge plants seeds of promise›› Zoë Eakle

Along with the scent of cherry and plum blossoms there’s change in the air at local permaculture garden Spring Ridge Com-mon. Located in the heart of Fernwood at the Chambers end of Gladstone Ave. the Common took root in 1999 at the instiga-tion of local permaculturist Geoff John-son. Before that it was a gravel parking lot. Permaculture is a holistic land use system dedicated to values of sustainability and good stewardship. Those principles and the hands of many volunteers have turned the rocky terrain into new growth.

This spring that growth includes a recent shift of the Common’s land lease, now held by Fernwood NRG. That means new fund-ing and a renewed push for local involve-ment. There is also a focus right now on the aesthetics of the garden including careful selection of new plants and plans for a cob

bench. Volunteer Linda Chan says, “We’re thinking about long term management models for the Common. Eventually it would be great to have entertainers and public workshops there as well.”

There’s more to find here though than a pretty public space. Like the roots stretch-ing under steadily warming soil the themes at Spring Ridge are intertwined and the

potential for learning runs deep. As a ther-apist I gravitate toward the eco therapy premise that the health of our environment reflects our psychological health. This idea bears fruit in the motivation of the volun-teers tending the Commons. For each of them the principles of permaculture offer an important alternative in a mechanized world of dwindling resources. Linda speaks thoughtfully of her learning in the garden, “You don’t have control over things,” she says, “You have to be flexible. It teaches resilience and adaptability.”

Volunteer Harmony Barrer speaks pas-sionately of what Spring Ridge means to her saying, “I’ve been raised in a society that sep-arates everything, now I’m trying to weave

themes of ecology and sustainability, indi-viduality and community back together.”

A key aspect of the Commons is that its stewards are you and I. Input and hands on involvement are welcome. Check the website for current opportunities sc.conscious-choices.ca. It’s equally important however that people simply enjoy the space, so don’t be afraid to loiter. Har-mony has been doing just that lately. These last few nights she’s taken the path home that leads through the Commons, “It’s get-ting warm enough that I feel like lingering,” she says, “Going there at night is nice, there’s a sense of promise to it.”

Zoe Eakle is a therapist at Open Sky Counselling.

Call Today For a Free Consult

Zoë Eakle, RPCRegistered Professional Counsellor

Fernwood, B.C.

250 370 0980www.openskycounselling.com

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Open until 10 pm Monday to Saturday

Stay up with us.Wednesday - Bluegrass Night

Friday - Open Mic Night

at the corner of Fernwood and Gladstone

The Common springs to life with a few helping

hands. Photo: Mila Czemerys

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

literary arts:

Brother can you spare a line? Poetry on a Napkin

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A Eulogy for Astrid by Chris Jordan. Photo: Mila Czemerys

Next issue’s content:

Why Write? Entrants are asked to complete one of the following state-

ments in up to three sentences. “I write because …” or “I write for…”.

Please write entries on a scrap of paper and drop them in the

“Poetry on a Napkin” box at the Cornerstone Café. Napkin poems

will also continue to be accepted for future issues.

Bridge by Riitta. Photo: Mila Czemerys

www.fernwoodnrg.ca April 2011 villagevibe page 5

Brother can you spare a line? Poetry on a Napkin

Literary AnnouncementThe Village Vibe is pleased to inform its community that local resident and poet Garth Martens has been nominated for the Bronwen Wallace Award for Emerging Writers. The award is sponsored by RBC and the Writer’s Trust of Canada. Martens, along with the two other nominees—one a fellow friend and poet—will be flown to Toronto for the April 5th announcement. Each finalist is awarded $1,000 and the winner receives $5,000. The event will be held at the Royal Conservatory of Music and is open to the public.

Martens recently completed his M.F.A in poetry from the University of Victoria and can often be found seated with intent at the Cornerstone, any number of books on his table, jotting down ideas, words, or overheard dialogue. “Read, read, read,” Martens says. “It puts fuel in the engine.” A writer like no other, Martens marries

natural poetic inspirations with a grounded and realistic examination of his subjects, gifting life to the ordinary.

When asked why he writes, Martens had the following to say: “I write for the same reason I struggle with flamenco as a singer and a dancer: poetry is music, shape and motion, a discipline, and like flamenco, there is more than technique, there is the encounter with an exterior world fraught with mystery, trouble and delight. I write because poetry is, for me, an arena for both a rigoured and a spiritual life.”

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What is Bikefest?MEC Bikefest is an all-ages community celebration of cycling in Victoria. Join us for a day of seminars and clinics, demos, kids activities, and more:

• NEW! Clean up your garage - Swap, buy, and sell bikes, parts and accessories

• Group rides, bike tests and kids rodeo• Learn cycling and bike maintenance skills• Charity bike drop-off in support of Bicycles for

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Sunday, May 22, 10am - 3pmWilliam Stevenson Park and Fernwood Community Center

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Things That Go Bump in the Hood by Robert Adair Wilson. Photo: Mila Czemerys

“I write for the same reason I struggle with flamenco as a singer and a dancer: poetry is music, shape and motion, a discipline, and like flamenco, there is more than technique, there is the encounter with an exterior world fraught with mystery, trouble and delight.”

›› Stacey Curtis

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

›› Margaret Hantiuk

In February, at our annual gardening event, ‘Seedy Saturday’, I attended the ‘nature and the home garden’ workshop with local natu-ralist, Darren Copley. He is a passionate advocate for wildlife, and was the park naturalist for Goldstream park.

There are several key strategies to attract and keep wildlife in our home gardens. First is to stay away from chemicals such as her-bicides and pesticides. Even using too much synthetic fertilizer will be a deterrent, as the natural balance of healthy soil microbiology will be destroyed. Just use lots of compost, leaf mold and natural amendments such as seasoil, dolomitic lime and organic fertil-izers. (Try Integrity Sales, Keating X RD).

Another is to let your yard get a bit messy. This provides a habitat for bugs, which feed birds, and sets up the food chain and ecosys-tem. Letting the autumn leaf drop stay on beds, leaving the stalks on dying perennials, a stump or two left to decay naturally—all of these practices mimic nature, provide food and habitat, and invite diversity of wildlife.

All wildlife needs water. Having a few containers of water will attract birds, bugs and butterflies. The healthier your eco-system, the more birds you will attract, and many eat mosquitoes. If you are wor-ried about breeding mosquitoes, you can change the water every few days. A bird-bath is wonderfully entertaining – place it where you can enjoy watching them. It should be shallow and placed where cats

cannot ambush them!Birdfeeders attract birds. Make sure that

the one you use is squirrel, rat and raccoon proof. Using hulled black sunflower seeds (which they love) means less debris under the birdfeeder. Some feeders have a tray underneath, to catch the debris, and thus do not attract rodents. Place your birdfeeder where cats cannot attack the feeding birds, and where you can enjoy watching them.

Hummingbird feeders are popular. Use a sugar-to-water ratio of 1 to 4 only, with no colouring agent or honey, boiling it first, and then letting it cool. Replace it weekly.

Of course the best thing is to plant an array of native plants and others that attract wildlife so that they can feed themselves! Many nurseries have native plants now, and the CRD provides mini-courses at Swan Lake nature house (they have an annual native plant sale)

Generally, Darren advised gardeners to create as much habitat as possible, in a tiered or layered vertical structure: more trees, shrubs and hedgerows. He said that the sound of running or dripping water attracts wildlife (and deters mosquitoes). There are inexpensive pumps that can be placed in small ponds or even a large water container.

A garden that attracts wildlife is a win-win-win: for us, for wildlife, and for the garden itself, which transforms into an eco-system that is healthy and sustainable. It is easier to maintain, more enjoyable, and every bit of green space counts in the battle to save wildlife.

›› Jenelle Pasiechnik

The Victoria High School student art exhi-bition, Reflections, occurring at the Collec-tive Works Gallery from April 1st - 7th, is cause for reflection on the power of commu-nity and collaboration. The atmosphere of Jane Baigent’s photography class at Victoria High School took me by surprise, when Mila Czemerys and I went in to interview the students about their upcoming exhibi-tion. We observed the students working to finish their final photographic projects, and choose pieces they would like to include for display. The exhibit includes art and pho-

tographic projects created by grade twelve students, judged and approved by a jury. Throughout the process students had the opportunity to collaborate with professional artists in hanging their works and organiz-ing the exhibition layout. The opportunity to collaborate with professionals, for bud-ding young artists, is a great privilege seldom had by many. The exposure and confidence building which comes from the exhibition of an artist’s work is also a unique experi-ence. Jane Baigent, a practicing artist and their teacher, has equipped the students with the tools and professionalism that will allow them to integrate smoothly into other artis-tic communities, and has facilitated a yearly exhibition for graduating grade twelves’ for the last several years. The experience fosters a better understanding of the working process of a professional artist, and valuable connec-tions within the community for a younger generation with artistic aspirations. Observ-ing student behavior and professional con-duct led me to a greater understanding of just how important opportunities within the school system are, and how each teacher brings their own very valuable set of experi-ences which enriches that of the student’s.

The tone of the classroom was that of a busy artists’ workshop where students worked in small groups; helping each other to time solutions which expose the film

while conversing casually, signaling their entrance and exit of the dark room by say-ing, “coming in,” or “coming out” to be conscious of light sensitive processes, and examining each other’s negatives as they worked. The air in the room was one of natural ease and comfort as the students worked busily amongst each other. Not only have they had to learn the technical processes which go into producing a beau-tiful photograph, but they have become keenly aware of having to share space and materials with each other as they all try to

finish their projects on time. The pressure of preparing art works for a show is accom-panied by considerations of time, orga-nization, and economics. Due to budget and funding cuts that have been occurring province wide the gallery was unable to support the entire cost of the exhibition, so the students got together and organized the sale of their own photographs and baked goods to help with the gallery costs. The work which has gone on in the photog-raphy class at Victoria High School goes beyond the realm of high school credit and into that of lasting life skill.

The students lay their photographs on display for the photographer and I to glance at, and the variation in perspective and mood conveyed by each student was only a taste of the passionate talent possessed by the young artists, and the quality of the work they produce. The students had the oppor-tunity to choose their own major themes and explore them through different techni-cal means, such as the use of contrast. The pairing of responsibility and freedom has allowed the students artistic license as well as the opportunity to grow as young adults. The exhibit is more than just a worthwhile cultural experience; it’s an opportunity for the community to come together in support of members who are students today, and our artists of tomorrow.

garden gleanings: The natural garden

artist’s aside:

Musings on artistic collaboration

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Vic High students make careful selections.

From Left to Right; Jane Baigent, Julian Pfeiffer,

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www.fernwoodnrg.ca April 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.

MONDAYAwesome Mommies (DI) Ongoing 11:00am – 12:30pmKid’s Yoga (Reg) Apr 4th – May 2nd 3:45pm – 4:45pm Introductory Yoga (Reg) Apr 4th – May 2nd 6:00pm – 7:00pm Life Ring (DI) Ongoing 6:45pm – 8:00pmNuu Chah Nulth Drumming (DI) Ongoing 7:30pm – 10:00pm

TUESDAYParent and Tot Play Group (DI) Ongoing 9:30am – 11:30pmBaby Sings (Reg) Apr 26th – May 24th 9:30am – 10:00am Tot Sings (Reg) April 26th – May 24th 10:00am – 10:30am Family Music Experience (Reg) Apr 26th – May 24th 10:30am – 11:15amHelp I Have Kids Parenting Information Group (DI) Ongoing 12:30pm – 2:30pmIyengar Yoga (DI/Reg) Mar 29th – Apr 26th 5:00pm – 6:30pm Floor Hockey (DI) 7:00pm – 9:45 pmOkinawan Karate (Reg) Apr 5th – May 31st 7:00pm – 9:00pm

WEDNESDAYParent and Babe Play Group (DI) Ongoing 9:30am – 11:30pm Best Babies (Reg) Ongoing 12:00pm – 3:00pm Hand Drumming-Beginner (Reg) Mar 30th – May 4th 7:00pm – 8:15pmHand Drumming-Intermediate (Reg) Mar 23rd – Apr 27th 8:30pm – 9:45pmSoccer (Closed Group) Apr 6th – Apr 20th 7:30pm – 9:00pm Good Food Box Pickup, every third Wednesday, 1:00pm – 5:30pm

THURSDAYParent and Tot Playgroup (DI) Ongoing 9:30am – 11:30pmMother Goose (Reg) Mar 10th – Apr 28th 9:30am – 10:30amBest Babies (Reg) Ongoing 12:00pm – 3:00pmCrafty Kids Cridge Centre (Closed Group) Mar 31st – May 26th 3:30pm – 5:00pmLaughter Yoga (DI/Reg) Apr 7th – May 26th 7:00pm – 8:00pm Okinawan Karate (Reg) Apr 7th – May 26th 7:00pm – 9:00pmVictoria Sport & Social Club (Closed Group) Apr 7th – May 26th 7:30pm – 10:30pm

FRIDAYAutumn Glow Seniors Group (DI) Ongoing 12:00pm – 3:30pmYouth Drop In (DI) Ongoing 6:00pm – 9:00pm

SUNDAYSwap & Shop April 3rd – Apr 17th 9:00 – 2:00 pmK9 Freestyle Dance (Reg) Apr 3rd – May 29th 7:00pm – 9:00pm

(Reg) Registration Required (DI) Drop In

FERNWOOD NRG SPRING 2011 PROGR AMS

No classes will be held on April 22nd (Good Friday), April 24th (Easter Sunday), April 25th (Easter Monday), or May 23rd (Victoria Day)

SPECIAL EVENTSEnergy Expo May 14th & 15thOrganic Plant Sale May 14thMEC BikeFest May 22nd

›› Marika Smith

Join us for our fabulous Organic Plant Sale coming up on Saturday May 14th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.!

As the weather warms up, eager gar-deners are hearing the soft call of the soil, craving the dirt under their fingernails, yearning to sow seeds, and keen to plant a variety of seedlings that over the summer and fall will yield beautiful flowers and delectable food. So why not start your garden right this spring with local organic seeds and seedlings? Not only are these organic seeds and plant grown with eco-logical health in mind, but they are often an heirloom or rare variety that grows

beautifully in our temperate climate. As well as a great selection of organic veggie starts, ornamental, herbal, and medici-nal plants there will also be free mini workshops throughout the event, and an opportunity to view the beautiful newly constructed rain garden.

Knowledgeable staff, volunteers, and local growers will be available to answer questions on organic gardening and com-posting while you enjoy live music, coffee, and treats! So join us on May 14th to cel-ebrate composting, sustainable living, and organic gardening in our community!

Marika Smith is the Executive Director at The

Greater Victoria Compost Education Centre.

mark your calendars: Organic Plant Sale

›› Chris “Howie” Howard

I hear people saying upon retuning to Fern-wood after being away, “I didn’t realize how amazing this place is until I went elsewhere.” I myself have traveled all over Canada and have found this particular place to have a kind of magic that is very rare indeed. I have lived in the ‘Hood on and off for 15 years with a wide assortment of artistic kooks and skateboard punks. We have all grown up a bit and it’s been fun and interesting to watch Fernwood grow up with us. We’ve taken care of one another, we’ve weeded out the bad seeds, and we’ve welcomed the new-comers. This is a truly diverse and con-nected community. It is an active commu-nity which is genuinely interested in and involved with the betterment of our little society.

I have found one other place in my trav-els that has a similar vibe and an equally creative and connected community; I’m leaving this utopia for that one. Upon first visiting Whitehorse, Yukon in 1996, I felt welcomed and included in such a way as to make it hard for me to leave. I have returned to visit over the years and each time felt more and more like I could make my home there. This last visit in late sum-

mer 2010 was the clincher. I just have to go. It’s also time in my life to force a bit of change. I believe that in order to grow, we must shake things up sometimes.

The Cornerstone has been so much to me. I have never felt like I belonged at a job as much as I have here. The people I have spent my days with have made work feel like play and friends and colleagues feel like family. I have never been in a café that felt so much like a home as this one, as an employee or a customer, and feel so proud to have been a part of this.

I have a lot of people to thank, but I’ll leave out all but one in print format. Thank-you, Terry Wilson. Your constant enthusiasm for life has inspired as many people as have met you. You will always remain in my mind and heart as the patron Saint of Fernwood. The bubbles you craft are like mini-miracles; changing the way that we see the world for a moment, and returning us all to that time in our lives when wonder existed everywhere. Give this man a hug. You both deserve it.

Hood Love is Good Love,Howie

P.S. The local non-profit skateboard group,

Boarders without Borders is heading to South

America in early May to build a half pipe ramp

and host a skatecamp in rural Columbia. They

are calling for donations to bring down there

for children and youth skaters. Please drop off

at the Cornerstone Cafe any old and unused:

children’s shoes, pads, helmets, and of course

skate gear (decks, trucks, wheels, tools).

Before May 8th please.

buzz:

Café manager bids Fernwood farewell

1358 GLADSTONE AVE / 250 590 6612 / SOMAVICTORIA.CA

MASSAGE THERAPY PRIVATE PILATES ACUPUNCTURE

ONLINE BOOKING AVAILABLE!

Fernwood will miss you Howie.

☺

�

Photo: Ilijc Albenese

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

Scene in Fernwood : A Totem for Howie

Art by Natalie Bishop