Fernie Fix February 2016

FEBRUARY 2016 | ISSUE 110

THE PARTNERSHIP ISSUE FEATURE ARTIST DAN WORTH ON CULINARY DREAMS, ICE CREAM AND PARTNERSHIP | FEATURE RESIDENT BRITTANY LOBERG TEACHES US ABOUT FERNIE FRIENDS OF REFUGEES | JESSE BELL CHECKS OUT MONTANE WITH SOME FRIENDS | FERNIE ALPINE RESORT’S KAREN PEPPER WITH THE NAME GAME FERNIEFIX.COM

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elkrivermountainhomes.com Fernie, BC 250.423.9127

FEBRUARY 2016 ISSUE 110 THE PARTNERSHIP ISSUE

COVER: The backcountry is all about partnership, not only to create amazing memories, but also for safety!

THIS PAGE: Brothers and buddies Liam and Callum having fun in the snow.

Photo by Raven Eye Photography www.raveneyephotography.com

Photo by Mike McPhee www.mikemcphee.com

EDITOR’S FIX | 5 Business News/New Business Business Advice with Patty Vadnais Smart Spending Saves Money

You’ve Got Male: Travelling Out of the Comfort Zone by Adam K MacDonald Family Stoke – Close Friends

by Shelby Cain FernieFix.com Events Calendar / February at the Arts Station

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | 12

OUTDOOR LIFE | 30

Feature Artist – Dan Worth Fernie Reads with Michelle Hardy – In Certain Circles by Elizabeth Harrower Rental Fix – The Martian by Andrew Vallance Musical Notes – The Blues and Laura Smith

by Carolyn Nikodym

Swim, Bike and Jog by Brendan Morgan: The First Leg Never Have I Ever – Nordic Along Montane Trails by Jesse Bell In The Tracks – Great Partnerships

by Jeff Williams Hitting the Trails with the Fernie Trails Alliance – Positive Working Relationships

by Terry Nelson The Name Game – Linda’s Run

by Karen Pepper

BUSINESS | 7

COMMUNITY & EVENTS | 20 Feature Resident by Krista Turcasso – Brittany Loberg Walking in My Shoes – Taking Charge of Your Side by Micah Morris

HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE | 43 Fit to Play – Working Out with a Partner

by Sarah Ingram, Practicing Kinesiologist Nourish Through Nature by Krissi Hyland, RHN – Okonomiyaki Around the World with Rebecca Hall – Travel Smart Beauty and Fashion in a Fix – Our Relationship with Red

by Solange and Zoe

BITS AND BYTES | 51 The Answer Guy – Find That Phone

by Kevin McIsaac Astrology with Yann Loranger

FERNIE FUN | 54 Fix Trivia

This February at 1602 7th Ave. Fernie - 250.423.2634

Contributors ANDREW VALLANCE is a cinophile nerd who currently lives on the wet coast. Girlfriendless, he spends his time going to movies, buying DVDs and flirting.

CAROLYN NIKODYM knows that the key to a great performance is the partnership between the performer and the audience. Get out there with all of your people!

PATTY VADNAIS is the Executive Director of the Fernie Chamber of Commerce, a winter-time wanna-be ski bum, and summer-time golf slice professional. For more information on business resources, contact Patty at the Chamber, 250-423-6868.

snow

An Exploration of Fernie Snowscapes By artist Pamm Ciupa

Peel & Win for $2... everyone wins!

MICHELLE HARDY lives in Fernie and teaches high school English at The Fernie Academy.

Super Bowl Sunday

SHELBY CAIN was raised in the East Kootenays. After spending a decade wandering the prairies - she’s back, baby. Writing and mothering and enjoying her daily dose of #ferniestoke.

Her first novel, Mountain Girl, comes out with Oolichan Press in the spring of 2016. Tweet her @ShelbyCainWrote

Presented at: Fernie Arts Station January 28th - February 23rd Opening Reception: Jan. 28th, 7pm

Sunday, Feb. 7th: Come watch the Super Bowl in the Sports Bar

Celebrity Server Nights Every Wednesday night in February the Junior Ghostriders Novice will be joining us from 5 - 8pm.

A portion of food sales between these hours will go directly to Fernie Minor Hockey.

HANDPICKED MOUNTAIN GOODS 591b 2nd ave • 778.519.5262

You can also show your support with our 50/50 Draw!

UFC February Fight Sat. Feb. 6th UFC 196: Werdum vs.

Velasquez 2

Visit BostonPizza.com

JESSE BELL explores her crosscountry skiing technique, or lack thereof, along the new Montane Trail.

True to form, she and her friends reinstate the phrase #nordicdorking and they do so proudly.

MICAH MORRIS is a Fernie teen that is living life to the fullest in this incredible mountain town. Depending on the season you will find her shredding the ski hill, mountain biking on the trails, at the soccer pitch, or swimming at the creek. She invites you to walk in a teenager’s shoes.

KRISSI HYLAND is a Holistic Nutritionist,Ski and Snowboard Instructor nestled in the Japanese Alps in Hakuba, Nagano, Japan. This season Krissi is taking on the challenge of making healthy versions of traditional Japanese dishes. Happy shredding and healthy eating! NourishThroughNature. com BRENDAN MORGAN would like to encourage people who would like to get fit in the new year to try the great cross training sport of triathlon.

KAREN PEPPER, is the Marketing Coordinator at Fernie Alpine Resort, and will be sharing fun historical facts and stories about the ski hill with Fix readers this winter.

JEFF WILLIAMS has been a coach for the Fernie Nordic Society Track Attack program for four years and is head coach for the race team. This winter his column focuses on technique and training to help you enjoy the sport of Nordic skiing.

The FERNIE TRAILS ALLIANCE is a non-profit organization that works with outdoor recreation groups, government and private land owners to enhance and maintain the Fernie trail network.This winter, their column shares information to help us enjoy and explore these trails.

SARAH INGRAM, has some challenging exercises to try with your workout buddy. If you need help with your program, visit sarahsactiverehab. com or call 250-423-9167.

DR. TAINA TURCASSO is a naturopathic doctor and midwife practicing in Calgary, Alberta. She spends most of her time catching gorgeous babies, and is slowly inching her way back to Fernie.

REBECCA HALL loves to hear and write about the places that Fernieites travel to. If you’d like to share your travel story, write to her at hall. rebecca.j@gmail.com.

Operators and sisters of No.3, SOLANGE and ZOE have a passion for fashion and beauty combining their expertise into their salon and boutique.

ADAM K. MACDONALD wishes all of the solo travellers visiting Fernie a very adventurous February.

KEVIN MCISAAC haunts the coffee shops and streets of Fernie to find his column source material.

YANN LORANGER from HappyCulture Inc. is your local resource for Astrology, Tarot and Apitherapy.

Astrology courses are offered at the College of the Rockies in Fernie from January 7 to February 5. happycultureinc@gmail.com

Editor’s Fix IT’S FEBRUARY, A MONTH WITH A commercial holiday right smack dab in the middle of it to remind us to celebrate those we love. For many of us, it’s not just the romantic relationship in our lives that we cherish. It is the numerous partnerships we’ve developed over the years. The relationships that make our lives rich with substance. That allow us to be better versions of ourselves, and help us to do more than we could have done on our own. I like to think of this group of people as my own personal entourage.

There are members of this entourage that have never met. Some may not even realize I consider them a part of this cohort. I am the only common denominator, and they each have their own entourage of “go-to” people, of which I may or may not be a part of.

Regardless, these are my people. The people that listen to me or provide advice when needed. They come over and help me pack when I’m moving, or convince me to head up for a quick shred before diving into work. They watch my children and love them like their own.

They have an abundance of patience and understanding as I go through big changes like starting a business or bike racing or becoming a parent. They tell it like it is when I need to hear it, and see me at what I believe to be my worst, and still love and respect me. They remind me to be kind to myself and to practice forgiveness.

They all have different purposes at different times, and these relationships are constantly evolving as we evolve as individuals and so do our circumstances.

There is a lot of distaste for the commercialism of Valentine’s Day.

WHY NOT DEDICATE THIS MONTH TO YOUR OWN ENTOURAGE?...

BE CREATIVE AND HAVE FUN SHOWING YOUR APPRECIATION FOR THE MANY PARTNERSHIPS YOU ENJOY IN THIS LIFE.

Alongside all other commercial holidays, it feels a bit out of control. I agree but have to be honest… I am a lover of this day (and Christmas, and birthdays, and anniversaries and weddings). Life is busy, and I know, I know… it’s up to us to slow down and “live in the moment”… but we get swept up in it. And I really appreciate the little reminders in the calendar year that shout out at me, “Hey! You have awesome people in your life! Let them know just how awesome they are!”

Why not dedicate this month to your own entourage? Set a goal to find little ways to let them know just how integral they are to you. From a note in a lunch box, to a six-pack of beer for the neighbour that regularly clears your driveway. Be creative and have fun showing your appreciation for the many partnerships you enjoy in this life.

Krista Turcasso, Editor

FERNIE FIX | FERNIEFIX.COM Published monthly by Claris Media. To advertise and for general inquiries: info@clarismedia.com Box 1124, 841 7th Ave. Fernie, BC V0B 1M0 p: 250-423-4062 www.clarismedia.com Editor | Krista Turcasso Creative Director | Vanessa Croome Associate Editor | Carolyn Nikodym All content copyright Claris Media. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily the views of the publisher.

FERNIEFIX.COM

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Business

BUSINESS NEWS

Elk Valley Critical Incident Response Team 250-423-3516 THE ELK VALLEY CRITICAL INCIDENT RESPONSE TEAM (EVCIRT) will be hosting a two-day training event: “Walking Through Grief – Helping Others Deal With Loss.” The event will occur on Saturday, February 13, and Sunday, February 14, 2016 at the Sparwood Fire/Rescue Hall. This is a Crisis and Trauma Resources Institute Inc. training workshop designed to give helpers an increased awareness of the dynamics of grief, and to provide tools and strategies to Vitality Body & Mind best support someone who is grieving.

1561 10th Ave 250-423-0182 Cultural and popular understandings of VITALITY BODY & MIND would like grief and loss, and the influences these to welcome Full Body Pampering to its have on how we experience and work with team. grief will be explored. A spiral bound manual will be received as part of the Full Body Pampering laser clinic offers training.

Hair Removal, Skin Rejuvenation, Vascular and Lesion Pigmentation.

Registration is limited to 30 people, and Follow Vitality on Facebook to ensure the deadline is Monday, February 8. you are aware of all specials, and call Val Email evcirt@gmail.com or call 250-423-3516 for further details.

Fernie Alpine Resort Winter Sports School WITH COMMUNITY DAY A ROARING SUCCESS, Fernie Alpine Resort’s Winter Sports School added three local programs.

Mommy Ride Day. Drop the munchkin off at the Fernie Alpine Resort Childcare Centre, get a half-day lift

ticket and a half-day lesson for only $69.

Ride in peace with the munchkin in the capable and amusing hands of the daycare staff. Monday through Friday.

Morning or afternoon. Reservations appreciated.

No School Ride Days. Their bus is a chair lift and it runs every day sun or snow, school or not. When schools close on Fridays, the FAR Winter Sports School will take school age kids off your

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Reddy directly at 250-433-7443 for a free consultation.

Vitality is also now offering partner or small group training with its new in-house trainer, Julie Kelly. Recruit co-workers, team members, family and friends. Let Julie help you and your friends stay motivated, accountable, get stronger and have fun!

Visit www.vitalityfernie.ca for further details on these new offerings and others available.

hands for the day. Lifts and a full-day lesson is only $59. Half-day $29.

Local’s Week, because one day is not enough, February 1 through 5. Ride all five days—lifts, rentals and half-day lessons—for only $369. Ride any single day for $89.

For more information, visit www. skifernie.com.

FERNIEFIX.COM

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TENTH ANNUAL • February 19-20 2016

JOIN US AT THE Fernie Community Centre

250-423-0007 Take-out or Delivery!

592 8th Ave. Fernie

Think Tasty & Fresh...

FEATURE FILMS: JUMBO WILD & THE SEARCH FOR FREEDOM GUEST SPEAKER: GORD MCARTHUR - COMPETITIVE MIXED CLIMBER ENTER THE “FERNIE MOUNTAIN CULTURE” PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST DETAILS ON FMFF WEBSITE! DEADLINE FEB 7, 2016

We take pride in making our dough & sauce daily from scratch and cutting vegetables & meat fresh daily. House-made lasagna, hand-dipped chicken wings & more!

Hours:

FREE KIDS MATINEE SATURDAY 5PM COME EARLY FOR THE FERNIE MOUNTAIN SOCIAL

Dedicated to filmmakers who spark awareness of mountain cultures, fragile environments and the passion and perseverance of global explorers

www.ferniefilmfestival.com Box 1770, 342 3rd Ave., Fernie, BC, V0B 1M0 • info@ferniefilmfestival.com

Wed. & Thurs. 11:30am - 10pm Fri. & Sat.: 11:30am - 11pm Sun. to Tues.: 4pm - 10pm Facebook.com/ElkValleyPizzaShoppe

Order online at:

ElkValleyPizza.com

BALLOONING ADVENTURE

IN

Turkey

Istanbul • Cappadocia • EphEsus

October 5-17, 2016

call natascha to book

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Business

Loaf Bakery & Restaurant

BUSINESS NEWS

641 2nd Ave 250-423-7702 LOAF BAKERY & RESTAURANT, open for brunch, dinner and artisan breads, is re-introducing its popular Live Music nights this winter, starting February 12. Enjoy a wonderful evening of great food, fine wine and live music with artists such as the Doug Paddodck Jazz Trio and Hartt & Zac’s acoustic duo, every Friday night throughout the ski season. The Loaf wants to hear from you - how do you use your loaf ? Tag your ideas with #loafhacks or #loafbakery to add to the series of short videos showcasing the Loaf ’s artisan breads and pastries.

Loaf is also offering specials throughout the week, including Kids Eat for $5 on Tuesdays, $10 Pizza Menu Wednesday nights, and $10 Pasta and Drink Specials Thursdays.

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The 4th Annual Winter Wheezer will be held at the Elk Valley Nordic Centre and competitors can challenge the course solo, or on a team. The legs are a snowshoe followed by a Nordic ski (either skate or classic), and new this year is the addition of snow biking!

RAVEN EYE PHOTOGRAPHY/TEARS AND GEARS Individuals or teams will have the choice Fernie Tears & Gears of either snowshoeing and Nordic skiing, www.fernietearsandgears.com or snowshoeing and snow biking!

FERNIE TEARS & GEARS IS A MOUNTAIN DUATHLON that offers two events, the summer which takes place in early September every year and includes mountain trail running and biking, and the winter which takes place this February 28, 2016!

This event is open to all abilities, and is a community-focused event that provides a fun and supportive atmosphere for those volunteering, competing or cheering! To register for this year’s event, head to zone4. ca. If you are keen to volunteer, email krista@clarismedia.com.

Platters

Chalet dinners

Food safe certification Family get togethers like us on Facebook

CHEF MATT SOROCHUK ironcreekcateringco@live.com www.ironcreekcatercompany.com

250-423-6856

FERNIEFIX.COM

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GRIZ DAYS omes th elc eW W o ie

d rl

Fe rn

March 4 - March 6

2016

Griz Days events happening all weekend long including live music, Griz Days parade, rail jam, fireworks and so much more!

www.ferniechamber.com • www.facebook.com/GrizDays

Images Jeff Topham / Tourism Fernie

FernieNATURE C E N T R E

FernieCHAMBER OF COMMERCE

BC Hydro CBT Finning Canada Fortis BC McDonalds

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Business

Smart Spending Saves Money

and their implications including the tax and liability. Further, Graeme notes that, most importantly, lawyers can provide professional advice with respect to the partnership agreement. All partnerships should have a partnership agreement, and knowing what clauses are required can save the partners time at formation and in the future. I asked Graeme about some common mistakes businesses make and we spoke of name and registration errors, structure errors, personal liability, financial matters, and succession planning.

PATTY VADNAIS

“IF YOU THINK HIRING A PROFESSIONAL IS EXPENSIVE, wait until you hire an amateur.”

Many business owners are very good at running all aspects of their business. They are a “Jack/Jill of all trades,” so to speak, when it comes to their particular field/ industry, as well as the administration, accounting, marketing, and human resources just to name a few. There are so many integral parts that go into running a successful business. However, sometimes keeping all these balls in the air can become just too much to deal with or it may consume all your time and pull you away from the critical selling part of your business. It may be the time to consider outsourcing some of your tasks to professionals.

There are many reasons to hire a professional to help you with your business. With so many things to organize within your company, from staffing, to accounting, to the legal aspects, you may become overwhelmed and miss something.

Did you remember to pay the payroll taxes? Have you sent in this month’s ad to the paper? Did you file the GST return? Have you paid your Chamber membership? If you are busy quoting jobs and working with clients, some tasks may be missed or you may not have the time to do them.

For example, while you are computer savvy and may be able to do your own bookkeeping, what takes you three hours may take a bookkeeper or accountant one hour. Hiring a professional just gained three hours to see to other details of your business. Fernie has a number of bookkeeping services that can help you keep on top of your finances and

BUSINESS ADVICE

PATTY TALKS WITH GRAEME NUNN OF ROCKIES LAW CORPORATION SUBMITTED PHOTO

ANOTHER REASON TO OUTSOURCE SOME PARTS OF YOUR BUSINESS IS THAT IN THE BUSINESS WORLD TODAY, THE LANDSCAPE IS SO FLUID AND CHANGES SO RAPIDLY THAT IT CAN BE A FULL-TIME JOB TO KEEP UP WITH THE CHANGES. give you advice to improve your bottom line. Teresa Caufield of Perfect Circle Management notes bookkeepers and accountants keep up-to-date on tax changes and other government regulations that affect your business. This knowledge can save your business money and time.

Maybe you are at the beginning of your business adventure. While there are many do-it-yourself kits on the market, talking with a lawyer about your business structure can ensure you avoid a false start, states Graeme Nunn of Rockies Law Corporation. While the thought of starting a partnership business might sound like a great idea, a lawyer can walk you through the many business structures

Another reason to outsource some parts of your business is that in the business world today, the landscape is so fluid and changes so rapidly that it can be a full-time job to keep up with the changes.

For example, marketing professionals will be up on the latest trends regarding consumer behaviour and social media platforms. They will be able to tell you if Twitter is the best social media to use for your product. Perhaps using Instagram to promote your business isn’t worth your time because you will be targeting the wrong demographic. And by outsourcing your marketing to a professional, you will have time freed up to focus on the changes in your own industry.

Or perhaps CRA has called and you are being audited. To hire an accountant for audit consultation could prove to be quite useful since tax legislation is not easy to understand. Accountants are also used to dealing with auditors and will know what to expect. Or perhaps you are having an issue with a staff member. There are many misconceptions and assumptions made about various Canadian labour laws so hiring a Human Resources specialist or even a lawyer could help you in the long run.

There are many great reasons to outsource or hire professionals for some of your business’ most important jobs.

Letting the experts take care of the details will allow you the time to focus on what you do best.

FERNIEFIX.COM

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Arts and Entertainment

F E AT U R E A R T I S T

Dan Worth M

y career in the hospitality industry began in 1988 when I flew from New Brunswick to Alberta for a summer job as a Kitchen Attendant in a large resort in Jasper. It was there that I first experienced the chaotic energy of the food industry. I was hooked. From then on, I continued to work as a busboy, cocktail waiter, front desk clerk, bartender, fine dining server, and bar manager learning the art of service. It was during that time I met my future wife, Wendy Lyn. On a visit back to NB, Wendy and I found a charming old historic house for sale in Shediac, NB, a beautiful seaside community.

We thought it would make a cool restaurant.

We headed back to Jasper, quit our jobs, packed up our stuff, and drove across the country to start our own business. It was a fantastic partnership from the beginning. We worked together for a year turning this house built in 1890 in to a successful casual fine dining restaurant called The Green House on Main. That’s when I became a Chef and took over the reigns running the kitchen. Wendy would manage the “front of the house” and everything else. This is where the value of a great partnership came in to play. It was a lot of hard work. Anyone who thinks owning a restaurant is easy has obviously never owned a restaurant. We worked up to 16 hours a day. This was our baby. We grew it in to a 100-seat restaurant. We took pride in our

clean, friendly and charming business. We served up Atlantic lobster, scallops, salmon, mussels, and whatever Wendy might have bought at the fishmonger that day. It was a great experience building lasting relationships with our awesome staff and loyal customers.

In 2010, we sold our beloved restaurant and packed up and moved back to Jasper. That summer we toured around BC looking for our next opportunity. Wendy and I both knew the moment we drove into Fernie that this was the place for us. I always liked making desserts for the restaurant and Happy Cow Ice Cream grew from that passion. I love making ice cream. It’s part science, part creative art.

One of the great things about having a business in Fernie is that many people here appreciate the fact that we are hand crafting an edible artisan product. I enjoy taking basic ingredients (milk, cream, eggs, and sugar) and churning them into tasty palate pleasers.

The best part is being able to see people enjoying our ice cream. We love it when you spoon us. Ice cream does not discriminate.

It has been an absolute pleasure building relationships with all of our wonderful ice cream-eating customers of all ages and working together with fellow business owners here in the valley. We will continue to Keep Rocking in the Freeze World.

I love watching Chopped Canada on the Food Network. It’s a fantastic food competition.

Four Chefs, four mystery ingredients, and one timer... GO! One night watching the show I thought, “I can do this.” I had never been in any sort of culinary competition and thought it was a great way to challenge myself.

And who couldn’t use the $10,000 prize?

The process of applying, being interviewed by phone, then on camera, then being accepted to compete on the show has been one of the most exciting experiences of my culinary career. It was surreal being on set in the Chopped Canada kitchen standing in front of the judges with all the lights and cameras. I tried to soak up every minute of it. Opportunities like this don’t come around

often. It’s been a great experience taking myself out of my comfort zone to compete on a national stage.

Fernie is such a wonderful place to live and operate a business. I am truly thankful for the friendships and relationships I’ve made since moving here. I consider myself very fortunate to have such a wonderful wife and business partner to enjoy this life journey with as well.

This note is compliments of your friendly neighbourhood ice cream man.

Tune in to Chopped Canada March 5, 2016 to see Dan in action!

FERNIEFIX.COM

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Call Marilyn Brock for all your Real Estate needs!

(250) 423-8650 Toll Free: 1-877-423-8650

marilyn@marilynbrock.com

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Thinking of selling?

Pinnacle Ridge Chalets Quarter Ownership

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RE/MAX Elk Valley Realty Ltd | 1241 7th Ave. Fernie, BC | 250-423-4444 | Independently owned and operated. *As at December 31, 2015 reported sales on the MLS system

A sweet surprise.

Win a Rocky gift card inside every 11 oz Velvet Heart.

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OPEN DAILY 581A 2nd Ave., Downtown Fernie 250.423.2680 Locally owned and operated BUSINESS AVAILABLE FOR SALE CALL 250-423-8650

Arts and Entertainment

In Certain Circles

by Elizabeth Harrower

besotted descriptions of Australia: “yesterday’s paper said Sydney Harbour was the most beautiful in the world,” and her characters’ desires to escape to Europe: When you’re a child, the size of the continent on the map makes you proud of the place. The space and the freedom to move about have a good effect on a young mind. But when you’re older, it’s a deprivation not to be in Europe. Your links with the human race are there.

MICHELLE HARDY

WHETHER A WELL-KNOWN IDENTITY, or a complete non-entity, how does one know when it is the right time to share a piece of writing with the world? Australian novelist and short story writer Elizabeth Harrower struggled with this dilemma. Born in Sydney in 1928, Harrower moved to London in 1951 to begin her career as a writer. Harrower published several novels including the critically acclaimed The Watchtower in 1966. She completed In Certain Circles in 1971 but curiously, withdrew it from publishers that same year. Thus, it never came to be – until Harrower reconsidered and the novel was released for publication in 2014. Why the change of heart? Why at eighty-six years of age did Elizabeth Harrower decide: now is the right time to share this work? I wonder if she revisited this piece. Has the novel been smoothed and polished since 1971? Or, has her manuscript remained in a drawer, resting softly, simply biding its time.

In Certain Circles weaves its narrative around the Howard family. Mrs. Alice Howard and her daughter Zoe are educated women with “brutal confidence.” Zoe is beautiful, apparently.

Much is made of this fact. Wafting beneath these images of strength and assurance is an intimation of illness, both physical and mental. “I could have a nervous breakdown any day I liked,” asserts Alice Howard. “But she did not like, she was too strong to consider falling over.” Dr. Clive Howard, the patriarch of the family, is uxorious (Harrower, whose style and syntax encourages readers to roll sounds and phrases around their mouths, repeats this word twice), uxorious in his

FERNIE READS

Perhaps shades of this conflict emerge from Harrower’s own decision to move to London and write. feelings for his wife. Zoe adores her older brother Russell, who has just returned home to Sydney from a prisoner of war camp. From which war does he return?

The reader is never informed. As Zoe points out on the first page of the novel, “Men had always been coming home from wars.”

Time exists within the gaps of this work; transitions elide as occasion marking events like wars, births and deaths, or weddings and funerals occur discreetly within the structural breaks. When Harrower opens a chapter with an image describing the fingerprints of the living blotting out those of the dead on old photographs, she invites readers to intuit the death of a character, to perceive an unspoken disappearance that in hindsight has been happening gradually, gently all along. Though time is ethereal, setting is substantial and firmly mined from the history and geography of Australia.

Depictions of old colonial days and convicts, white curved beaches, rock pools, shells, pebbles, and fine sand envelope the characters and punctuate the pages: “He was going away, pounding down to the water, receding, receding, like a moving exercise in perspective.” There seems a tension, however, between Harrower’s

Central to the plot and development of the Howard family are two adolescent orphans, Stephen and Anna Quayle.

These siblings, who eventually grow into adults, float in and around the family’s periphery, and challenge the Howard’s perceptions of all that is whole. “I have a prejudice against closed systems,” says Anna. “Nobody knows how orphans watch families, and nobody knows how an orphan as audience can stimulate family feeling.” Anna and her “discordant” but “stimulating” brother Stephen infiltrate the family circle, and shed light on the difference between “pity” and “involuntary antagonism.”

Harrower’s writing style slows the reader down at times to pause, re-read, mull over images, word order, and meaning.

Is this what Harrower intended? Or are these obstacles structural errors that break narrative flow and examples of what held Harrower back from publishing in 1971? I have yet to reach a conclusion, but have certainly enjoyed the process of deliberation. Writing – I guess now is the time to start sharing some of mine with you.

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BARKSiDE #mydogloves2016@barksidefernie All of your gifts for Valentines Day @ BARKSiDE.

Safety is at Our Core Teck’s goal is everyone going home safe and healthy every day.

That’s why we are proud to support Avalanche Canada’s South Rockies local observer team, who spend the winter collecting data in the local backcountry. www.avalanche.ca

www.barkside.com

Arts and Entertainment

Slow down and experience the Wonder of Winter! ❊ 2 and 3 hour Snowshoe Safaris.

All day Snowshoe Adventure at Island Lake Lodge.

Experience our winter wonderland with expert, local naturalist.

All tours include equipment, gourmet snacks /food and drinks.

250.423.3322 - WildNatureTours.ca

The Best BANG for your Buck!

• Handmade bagels baked daily in house • Open 7am-5pm EVERYDAY • Voted ‘Best Quick Food Fix’ Fernie Fix Awards, 2013 502 2nd Avenue, Fernie BC 250-423-7778 www.bigbangbagels.com

T H E R E N TA L F I X

The Martian ANDREW VALLANCE

MARS IS THE FOURTH PLANET from the sun, and the second smallest in the solar system next to Mercury. Named after the Roman god of war, it is often referred to as the red planet because of the iron oxide prevalent on its surface. It is a terrestrial planet with a thin atmosphere composed of 96% carbon dioxide, with surface features reminiscent of the impact craters of the moon, and volcanoes, valleys and polar ice caps similar to Earth. Unlike the Earth it has two moons, Phobos and Deimos.

The earliest first-hand information we have about Mars came 50 years ago, in 1965, when the Mariner spacecraft passed close to the planet. The planet is currently host to seven functioning spacecraft, five in orbit and two on the surface.

The planet has inspired many literary and musical works including numerous science fiction stories and a great symphony composed by Gustav Holst. In my opinion, however, one of the best artistic works about the red planet is the movie The Martian, written by Drew Goddard, and directed by Ridley Scott, whose last notable movie was Gladiator, a tale of swords, sandals and revenge set against the backdrop of the Roman Empire.

He has finally emerged from the artistic wilderness and has, after ten plus years, produced a decent movie.

It is the story of astronaut Mark Watney, a handsome, cocky, square-jawed NASA botanist, who, after being left for dead on the bleak, barren and unforgiving surface of Mars, struggles to survive while his team of Earthbound experts attempts to retrieve him from the Martian desert and return him to Earth.

Matt Damon rose to stardom in Good Will Hunting and re-established his career when he starred in The Bourne Identity, The

Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum, where he raised the standard for action movies and action heroes. He has also distinguished himself in The Good Shepherd, The Departed, The Talented Mr. Ripley and Behind the Candelabra.

In The Martian, Damon also gives an excellent performance, and he is backed up by such experienced actors as Sean Bean, who plays the mission director and Jessica Chastain who is cast as Melissa Lewis, geologist and Ares III mission commander. Jeff Daniels plays Teddy Sands, the head of NASA and Chiwetel Ejiofor plays Vincent Kapoor, NASA’s Mars mission director.

This is a minor role for Sean Bean, who has previously appeared The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring and Golden Eye. He is good in this supporting role.

Chiwetel Ejiofor is, as usual, a good addition to the cast as he has in interesting screen presence that makes the film more dynamic. He has appeared in Dirty Pretty Things, 12 Years a Slave, Inside Man and most recently Secret in Their Eyes.

Jessica Chastain is a lesser known actor whose acting career started in an episode of E.R. in 2004, and has provided excellent performances in Intersellar, A Most Violent Year, Lawless and Crimson Peak. She successfully portrays the sympathetic and capable commander of Ares III. See this film. It’s a marvellous adventure.

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Arts and Entertainment

MUSICAL NOTES

The Blues and Laura Smith CAROLYN NIKODYM

MUSIC IS ALL ABOUT PARTNERSHIPS. The obvious partnerships are between band members.

Indeed, band life often has been equated to married life. Those of us relegated to audience status don’t often overtly think about the partnership between performer and audience. We notice when a performer is just not connecting, or feel for a band that has to perform for a sparse audience, but when we see a great show, we don’t consider our role in it.

Listening to Laura Smith’s melodious vocals while writing this piece alone on my laptop, I don’t feel lonely. For me, there is a connection to the greater world through her songs (and through music in general).

The Nova Scotia-based singer’s last record – Everything is Moving, released in 2013 – is very much about that kind of connection.

A combination of traditional Celtic and her own compositions, the album shares her own journeys, both joyful and melancholy, of discovering her heritage and of finding the strength to make it out of the abyss.

Opening the record with the heavyhearted “Lonely Waterloo,” a traditional song about a young woman mourning the loss of her beloved to war, could be seen as a questionable choice.

“Even I wondered about it, but it’s the way it had to go. I think of it as laying the terrain,” Smith says. “No point in burying a song like that. You can’t bury a song like that. It needed to be there.”

This prompted a discussion about sad songs, about a performer having to go to that place, a sad place, a dark place, in order to convey the emotion of the song.

How do singers do that without negatively affecting themselves?

SUBMITTED PHOTO

“As an artist, there’s an alchemy of turning that emotion into workable stuff that you give to the audience. The audience has their own experience. I don’t have to experience it any more; it’s been transmuted through me,” she explains.

“And when I am standing there singing that song, I’m giving that away. I don’t have to wallow in those feelings.

her music has been candid and straight forward, telling stories of a life lived through both traditional and blues compositions. Her songs project the richness of women’s stories, either within the lyrics themselves or within her performance of them. They also project her confidence and experience as a performer.

“It’s very selfish for you to have your own experiences with the work when people have paid for you to give it to them,” she adds. “The more one works the emotion into the fabric of one’s performance, all kinds of wonderful things can happen.

I often finish a song and I remember nothing, absolutely nothing, about what I just did. Because I’ve gone to the place where I am happy to give the work away to the audience. I am not the least bit worried about the emotion.”

“My heart and my mind are my editors and I trust them implicitly, and if I don’t feel like I can sing the song, I don’t,” Smith says. “If there is a range issue, where I feel that it’s not going to sound beautiful, then I don’t do it. But all songs are meant to be sung, and there’s nothing to be afraid of if you go into it with all of your gifts intact.”

Laura Smith performs at The Arts Station Wednesday, February 24 at 8pm.

There is no pretense to Laura Smith’s music. Since her first album in 1989, FERNIEFIX.COM

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Community & Events

F E AT U R E R E S I D E N T

Brittany Loberg KRISTA TURCASSO

LAST FALL, I STUMBLED UPON a Facebook page called Fernie Friends of Refugees and like many, immediately wanted to learn more and to help.

“The page has been around for three years now, but people have become more aware of it as this issue is at the forefront of people’s minds,” says Brittany Loberg, who started Fernie Friends for Refugees.

Having recently moved back to Fernie, she was looking for ways to volunteer within the community. “I stumbled upon East Kootenay Friends of Burma, and looked into refugees situated in the Elk Valley that I could volunteer with and tutor,” she remembers. She was interested in bringing refugees to this area and the organization offered their support, allowing Fernie Friends of Refugees to be a constituent group under EK Friends of Burma. “My group of friends jumped on board, and that’s how the ball got rolling.”

Fernie Friends of Refugees is an “organization committed to advocating for and sponsoring refugees to the community of Fernie.” The first family they applied for was a single mom (Edith) from Liberia with her nine children. Things finally started moving this winter, and the family was set to arrive in late January 2016, at the time this edition was going to press.

The first refugees to arrive in Fernie through Fernie Friends of Refugees were a brother and sister from Eritrea, Selam and Gebrez two years ago this spring. And most recently, they applied to support a single mom, Tereza and her two-year-old daughter Mulebinge from Congo, whom arrived in December 2015.

Fernie Friends of Refugees is financially responsible for the refugees during their first year in Canada, and they also support them as they settle into the community.

KRISTA TURCASSO PHOTO

As the group gains awareness, more individuals and businesses are offering support, whether through financial donations or donations of clothing, furniture, food and supplies. The group has also organized events, such as a Christmas benefit in 2014, a viewing of The Good Lie at the Fernie Arts Station in January 2016 and a benefit concert this February (stay tuned at FernieFix.com for details). With the arrival of Edith and her nine children, Brittany and her team have become more aggressive with fundraising, and are also hopeful that as more people in the community become interested, it will become easier.

“East Kootenay Friends of Burma really promote small communities, as refugees tend to be really successful settling here,” says Brittany. “It’s nice for them to be known in the community, so people are more aware and help them to feel welcome.” From her experience and close relationship with the first refugee they supported, Brittany knows this to be true.

“Gabrez really talked about this a lot. He felt his experience was so unique and more personal than his friends who had settled throughout Canada.”

Volunteering has always been an important part of Brittany and her

family’s life. With the support of her husband and parents (who routinely house the refugees when they arrive in Fernie), and working alongside additional board members Ramona Gliege, Meghan Morton, Kimberley Barden, John and Edna Krzyzewski and Nicky Germann, the impact of these volunteer efforts and partnerships is remarkable. Thank you, Brittany and the team at Fernie Friends of Refugees. We look forward to welcoming these new members of our community.

7. Where do you see Fernie in 5 to 10 years?

I see Fernie as the same active, outdoorsy community of people who take playing and giving back to their community very seriously. Hopefully our community will include several more refugee families who have rebuilt their lives in this great place.

8. How do you start your day or what is one of your daily rituals?

To find out more about this organization or to make a donation, please visit Fernie Friends of Refugees on Facebook.

I start my day at 5:30am when my fouryear-old gets up, and enjoying a cup of coffee might be my most important daily ritual.

1. When did you first arrive in Fernie and what brought you here?

9. Tell us something people might be surprised to learn about you.

I moved to Fernie about seven years ago, my husband works at the mine and we decided we wanted to settle down here.

I was born and raised in the Elk Valley.

2. Where did you first live in town?

We lived in a basement suite on Mount Minton.

3. What was your first impression?

Well, I was born here. I’ve always felt like Fernie is a great place to live. An active, outdoors community.

10. Quote to live by: Eventually all things fall into place. Until then, laugh at the confusion, live for the moments, and know everything happens for a reason. – Albert Schweitzer

Health. Beauty.

Happiness. Confidence.

4. What keeps you in Fernie?

Family and friends.

5. Do you have a favourite Fernie memory?

As a child, playing in and along the river in James White Park. As an adult, I have the sweetest memories watching my children play along the same riverbanks all summer long.

6. What is your favourite time of the year in Fernie and why?

I actually love winter in Fernie, because I feel like it’s so beautiful.

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Community & Events

WALKING IN MY SHOES

Taking Charge of Your Side MICAH MORRIS

IN SCHOOL, THEY TEACH YOU exactly how a relationship should look, whether it is a romantic one or a friendship. They give you sheets and charts that outline the positive aspects of relationships. But as we grow up a bit, as we experience them for ourselves and learn from couples and friends around us, these relationships aren’t so cut and dry.

Emotion has the power to overrule mind and reason.

I have found myself in relationships, feeling in over my head, awkward, guilty, or hurt and have learned that these situations can surface no matter the relationship. It’s human nature to have these feelings but there are ways to avoid them, or at least make them honest and insightful. A little while ago I was looking at a small pile of papers pinned to my fridge with a magnet and I found a piece that looked like it had been ripped from the pages of a book or magazine. On this small piece of paper I found words that held so much truth.

Be impeccable and honest with your words: speak only what you mean, be kind, use your word for more important things than gossip or talking others or yourself down.

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Always do your best: your best will change depending on the moment and your mental and physical condition. It will create a sense of pride and avoid selfjudgement, and regret. Simply. Always do your best.

These guidelines come from the book The Four Agreements: A Toltec Wisdom Book written by author Don Miguel Ruiz and are great to live by, because if you follow them, you rarely have to question your actions. You are always accountable and in charge of yourself.

Don’t take anything personally: what others say and how they react has nothing to do with you. Their reactions are a projection of their own reality. By realizing this you will avoid becoming the victim of self-pity and suffering.

The internet has impacted how people get to know each other and speak to one another. It can make it easier for people to say things they wouldn’t say if they were face to face. It’s also easy to misinterpret feelings, sarcasm, and jokes. We are missing a key element to communication; we don’t have facial expression, tone, or hand and body gestures to express ourselves. Things are said so quickly with no way of taking them back.

Don’t make assumptions: find the courage to express your opinion and ask questions, communicate with others clearly to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama. Letting things sit and simmer is no solution. Speak your mind.

Social media seems to block social interaction and cause more emotions described on that small piece of paper, but it doesn’t have to! This is our world now, a huge part of our lives, and it’s not going away any time soon. We like it, in fact! It

gets a bad rap, but don’t forget the positive things social media can be used for. When I travelled to a soccer tournament in Seattle and met a bunch of girls, social media allowed me to keep in touch with them. Or when a tragedy happens, people from all over can send their love quickly.

So let’s not forget that social media is a big part of our communication, and our 21st century relationships. Just make sure you keep the four rules listed above in mind when you send someone a message, comment on a picture, or spread your opinion. This will help ensure healthy relationships.

Don’t let misinterpretations be the cause of a friendship or relationship ending. You don’t want to be wondering down the road why you no longer talk.

Teenagers are meant to be curious, unsure, confused, and impulsive. We jump into situations with both feet and find ourselves neck deep. It’s our first time for everything and we don’t always do it right the first, or even the second or third, time. But, these are forgiving years, a short period of our lives that can be used as practice so that we are better for the next time.

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Community & Events

YOU’VE GOT MALE

Travelling Out of the Comfort Zone ADAM K MACDONALD

MY WIFE’S SISTER IS currently travelling around Australia. She has been there for two months already and we miss her lots. Travelling alone is brave.

Travelling outside of our normal, outside of our comfort zone, takes courage, but doing so alone adds a level of bravery.

My wife and I, and our two kids are currently travelling in Costa Rica. My wife and I have been together 13 years.

We have figured out ways to share responsibilities. While travelling, I drive and she navigates. She tidies, I entertain the kids. She researches and plans and over thinks; I help her to relax and to go with the flow of unforseeable changes in plan. If the planning was left to me, the trip would still be just an idea, a “wouldn’t-it-be-cool-if-we” dream that might never pass into reality. Not to mention that, with my navigation skills, I might not be able to find the airport, let alone find my way around a new country.

And if the relaxing were left to my wife, well, there would be lots of adventure and lots of events, but little downtime. We balance well.

As I write this, we are staying in a hostel in Arenal, a region famous for its rainforest, its adventure activities, and its volcanoes.

I can hardly believe that I am on such an adventurous trip. Before meeting my wife, my idea of adventure was staying up past my bedtime reading a good book. Okay, I still enjoy that too, but to say my wife has broadened my sense of adventure would be an understatement. I am grateful that my kids get to experience both my wife’s love for adventure and my love of the simple things, like quiet evenings in. We make good partners.

Lots of solo backpackers in our current

V. CROOME PHOTO

hostel are impressed that we are travelling with young kids and they keep commenting how brave we are. And I suppose we are brave; I am proud of our travel. That being said, I am wowed by their solo travels. Humans fear the unknown and the idea of travelling alone in foreign countries is scary to me. Who would tell me that I was supposed to turn left? Who would push me to commit and buy a plane ticket? What if I got sick?

The solo travellers remind me of my sister-in-law exploring a new continent by herself. I am inspired by her courage and independence. (A note to my wife: don’t worry, I’m not planning to leave you alone with the kids while I backpack around foreign continents). However, I am inspired to navigate for myself a bit more often, even if it means turning right instead of left.

Whether it’s Australia, Costa Rica, or somewhere closer to home, travel that takes you out of your comfort zone, is always worthwhile. Travel can be an education in life and in getting to know our selves and our worlds better.

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Community & Events

FA M I LY S T O K E

Close Friends SHELBY CAIN

SINCE FIVE STARTED KINDERGARTEN, the topic of friends has been trending family-wide at our house. While navigating her new social universe she will often present me with a plethora of thought-provoking comments. My children have a knack for making innocent statements that send me into a mental tailspin. This time it went something like... “Mom, Suzie is my BFF.” “Oh, that’s great honey! Why? Is she really nice, or does she make you laugh, or do you like the same books or hobbies?” I start to get excited because the fact that she has chosen a best friend, someone who might possibly be her friend for life and stand by her side in hard times when you really need a ‘life-er’ makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. “No, Mom. It’s because she sits next to me at the green table. But if she gets moved to the red table then Janie will be my BFF.” “Oh.” Ok. So it’s strictly a proximity thing. I get it. I’m deflated. And then the lightbulb in my brain reserved for kidperspective enlightenment flickers to life yet again. I get it! Sometimes being close can bring you close. Deep. I know.

When you’re a child, you don’t have a lot of choice about who your friends are. Where you live and who happens to be wandering around on your street are all you’ve got to work with. If there’s someone who’s roughly your age, preferably the same gender, and they don’t yell in your face (too often), or bury you in the snow (too often), then you have yourself a friend. As you get older you can start to develop your friend palette.

Too bossy. Too loud. You begin to profile what you’re looking for. If magic happens, you find it. A BFF. A life-er. Someone you can still call up in your late thirties and just by the tone of your voice they know exactly what you need to hear. In

SHELBY CAIN PHOTO

your twenties you may branch out a little.

While experimenting with who you are, you may choose friends that are a little wilder. Friends who show you the hottest clubs and best bands, but could possibly leave you in a back-alley if something better comes along. It’s exciting. It’s scary.

But eventually you learn that friends who are your cheerleaders, rather than your competition, are probably the best way to go.

The funny thing is, as I started to think about my own evolution of friends throughout the years I realized I wasn’t that different from my five-year-old.

Proximity is huge. But maybe there are commonalities that put you physically close to each other in the first place. The other day I was running into the grocery store with Five to quickly grab a couple of things, which always seems to cost at least a hundred bucks, but that’s another topic.

Anyway, as we were walking through the doors I saw one of my friends and went over to say hello. As we were approaching her Five said “Mom, why do you talk to

your friends forever, it’s so boring.” “Five!

I hardly ever get a chance to visit with my friends, and I love it, so just give me a minute.” “Ok, but your friends are just my friends’ moms.” I opened my mouth to protest, but she was right. They are.

Currently, most of the friends I spend time with are women who, not coincidentally I’m realizing, are mothers of children roughly the same age as my own.

Navigating our crazy lives with young children includes intersecting while dropping off and picking up our kids. This allows us a few precious moments to chat while waiting in hallways and killing time in parks. We may not have hand-picked each other based on shared interests and backgrounds, but here’s the thing. We get each other. We know that some days a smile is harder to come by, vomit trumps any pre-planned activity, and if you forget to call me back for three weeks, I won’t get mad. These things are invaluable. So thank you, my cheerleaders. I’m so glad we got stuck at the same table.

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February 2016 Monthly Events

CHECK OUT THE FERNIE FIX EVENTS CALENDAR ONLINE AT WWW.FERNIEFIX.COM

MONDAY 1.2.2016 – Friday 5.2.2016

SUNDAY 7.2.2016

FRIDAY 19.2.2016 – SATURDAY 20.2.2016

Local Ride Week with Fernie Winter Sports School @ Fernie Alpine Resort

Jay Burns Live @ The Griz Bar

MONDAY 1.2.2016

Fernie Ghostriders Game @ Fernie Memorial Arena, 7:30pm

Fernie Mountain Film Festival @ Fernie Community Centre. With two evenings of feature films, photo comp and kids’ matinee on Saturday, this is a great event celebrating mountain culture.

Indie Films Fernie: How to Change the World @ The Vogue Theatre, 7pm

TUESDAY 2.2.2016 Learn to Crochet a Hat @ Heaven Boutique, 7-9pm. Call 250423-6652 to register.

WEDNESDAY 3.2.2016 Senior Storytime @ Tom Uphill Manor, 1:30pm. For all ages with Ms Anie and IDES Kindergarten Class.

SweetLeaf @ The Northern, 9pm. Victoria’s reggae/ska/funk band is hitting Fernie mid-week. Free.

Partner’s Play Evening Retreat @ 901 Fernie, includes one hour yoga session, massage workshop and a three-course dinner at Loaf. $185/couple. Call to reserve.

THURSDAY 4.2.2016 The Potter’s Bowl Fundraiser @ Fernie Arts Station, 6:30pm.

Tickets available at the Arts Station or Arts Co-op.

Teenspace @ Fernie Heritage Library, 6:30-8pm. A venue for teens to come and be together in an environment that is nonjudgemental and available.

Partner’s Play Evening Retreat @ 901 Fernie, includes one hour yoga session, massage workshop and a three-course dinner at Loaf. $185/couple. Call to reserve.

FRIDAY 5.2.2016 Red Cedar Book Club @ Fernie Heritage Library, 3:45 – 4:45pm Grades 4-6, new members always welcome.

No School Ride Day with the Winter Sports School @ Fernie Alpine Resort 88 Keys Grand Piano Society Presents: Vocalist Noemi Kiss and Classical Guitarist Rita Deane @ Mountainside Community Church (1622-10th Ave), 7pm.

Tyler Kinjo @ The Rusty Edge, 6pm The Vidos @ The Royal, alternative rock from Vancouver.

SATURDAY 6.2.2016 Fernie Snowdrags @ 1800 Railway Ave, just past City Yards (Old Hutchinson Farm) www.ferniesnowmobile.com Jay Burns Live @ The Griz Bar Tyler Kinjo @ The Rusty Edge, 12pm Fernie Ghostriders Game @ Fernie Memorial Arena, 7:30pm Keith Scott @ Infinitea, live blues from 8pm.

Big Shake presents Electro Swing Night @ The Royal Tiger Moon @ The Northern, 9pm. Enjoy this two-piece folk duo with a huge sound.

SATURDAY 6.2.2016 – 7.2.2016 Kodiak Lounge Winter Bicycle Shredfest @ Fernie Alpine Resort. Winter Fat Biking Race, Social Group Ride, and more! Visit www.skifernie.com for further details.

THE ARTS STATION www.theartsstation.com info@theartsstation.com 250.423.4842

Gallery Gallery Show for the month of February: “Snow” by Pamm Ciupa Fernie-inspired winter landscapes Thursday, February 25th: Gallery Opening: Summer Breeze 7pm

Indie Film Fernie

How to Change the World (Documentary). Monday Feb 1.

Sundance prize-winning documentary about Greenpeace.

MONDAY 8.2.2016 TUESDAY 9.2.2016 Learn to Crochet Slippers @ Heaven Boutique, 7-9pm. Call 250-423-6652 to register.

WEDNESDAY 10.2.2016 Senior Storytime @ Rocky Mountain Village Serenity Room, 1pm.

For all ages with Ms Anie and IDES Kindergarten Class.

THURSDAY 11.2.2016 Beautea Night with Spa 901 and Not Knots @ Infinitea, 6pm. $10 massage/manicures/makeup.

FRIDAY 12.2.2016 Fernie Ghostriders Game @ Fernie Memorial Arena, 7:30pm Storytime Valentine’s Day Party @ Fernie Heritage Library, ages 0-5 and caregivers.

Fernie Friends of Opera: La Rondine by Puccini @ The Fernie Arts Station, 7pm DJ Sammy Senior @ The Northern. This ghetto funk bass DJ from New Zealand is a Fozzy Fest headliner.

Ben Fox @ The Royal, a Shambalha headliner from Nelson, BC.

SATURDAY 13.2.2016 – 14.2.2016 Walking Through Grief: Helping Others Deal with Loss @ Sparwood Fire/Rescue Hall. Hosted by the Elk Valley Critical Incident Response team. evcirt@gmail.com Dallas Live @ The Griz Bar All Barret Band @ The Rusty Edge, 4-6pm

SATURDAY 13.2.2016 Teck Kootenay Cup #5 @ Elk Valley Nordic Centre, 8am. The fifth in this popular race series, sign up to compete or volunteer! www.fernienordic.com Valentine’s Day Dinner and Live Music with Alexandria Maillot and Kirsten Ludwig @ Infinitea Lingerie Show Fundraiser for the OPT Clinic @ The Royal Wet T Contest with DJ Cona @ The Northern

SUNDAY 14.2.2016 Fernie Ghostriders Game @ Fernie Memorial Arena, 7:30pm Valentine’s Day Roast Beef Dinner @ Infinitea, 6-9pm for $10.

Special Traffic Light Party with Goffle Waffle @ The Royal

THURSDAY 18.2.2016 – SATURDAY 20.2.2016 Jeep Junior Freeski by Rossignol and Smith @ Fernie Alpine Resort www.skifernie.com

THURSDAY 18.2.2016 Beautea Night with Spa 901 and Not Knots @ Infinitea, 6pm. $10 massage/manicures/makeup.

Elliot Brood @ The Northern

Special Events

Thursday, February 4th: The Potter’s Bowl Fundraiser 7pm Tickets available at The Arts Station. An evening of fine soup and fine art. $25 entry will buy your dinner plus the pottery bowl it is served in. Live music, silent auction, and pottery demos promise to make it a great night. All proceeds go to help the Fernie Potters Guild purchase a new kiln. Tickets available at The Arts Station and Fernie Arts Co-Op. Saturday, February 6th: Lecture “How a Canadian won the 2015 Nobel Prize in physics by Davis Earle” Local part-time resident Davis Earle was part of the team that won the 2015 Nobel Prize for Physics. Free, 7pm.

Friday, February 19: Banner submission deadline.

FRIDAY 19.2.2016 Dre Day @ The Northern. Celebrate Dr Dre’s birthday with music made or produced by him.

Special Event @ The Royal, visit their facebook page to find out what!

SATURDAY 20.2.2016 Roughcut Live @ The Griz Bar AFRoS Fondue Night @ Infinitea, 7pm Fernie Ghostriders Game @ Fernie Memorial Arena, 7:30pm Big Shake Presents Dudconscious @ The Royal DJ Slynk @ The Northern, an Australian DJ who has headlined Shambhala.

SUNDAY 21.2.2016 Roughcut Live @ The Griz Bar

TUESDAY 23.2.2016 Cooking Class @ Infinitea, 6pm. $35/person

THURSDAY 25.2.2016 Carly Dow Live @ Infinitea, 8pm

FRIDAY 26.2.2016 FUN Friday @ Fernie Heritage Library, 1-2:30pm ages 7+, Drop in.

Tea and Talk Book Club @ Fernie Heritage Library, 1:30pm. The Children Act by David McEwan.

No School Ride Day with the Winter Sports School @ Fernie Alpine Resort Exhibit Opening Reception: Peace Park Exploration @ Fernie Museum, 7pm. A photography exhibition by Norma E. Riley exploring the spectacular scenery of the International Peace Park from a number of vantage points. www.ferniemuseum.com The ODDS @ The Northern, Canadian band Dragon Fli Empire @ The Northern, hip-hop from Calgary, AB

SATURDAY 27.2.2016 Wildlife Presents Nebula and the Galactic Civilization @ The Royal DJ Cain.1 @ The Northern

SATURDAY 27.2.2016 – SUNDAY 28.2.2016 Burton Mountain Festival @ Fernie Alpine Resort. Product demos from the 2016 fleet, riglet park for the littles, Coors light throwback challenge and prizing, Burton Girls Ride Day, après and so much more. www.skifernie.com Rick Voisey Live @ The Griz Bar

SUNDAY 28.2.2016 Fernie Tears & Gears: Winter Wheezer @ Elk Valley Nordic Centre, 9am. Test your snowshoe, Nordic or snowbike skills by competing or supporting skills by coming out to volunteer or cheer! www.fernietearsandgears.com Rick Voisey Live @ The Griz Bar

Workshop Wednesdays Feb 3, 10, 17 & 24 Mask Making with Lindsay Vallance $150. Make your own mask for festival season, masquerade or for art in your home.

Concerts

Wednesday, February 10: Stephen Fearing 8pm General Admission $20.

Wednesday, February 24th: Laura Smith 8pm www.borealisrecords.com/products-page/laura-smith/ everything-is-moving.

Friday, February 12: Friends of the Opera presents La Rondine 7pm by donation.

CONTACT INFO@CLARISMEDIA.COM TO SHARE YOUR EVENTS, BOTH ONLINE AND IN PRINT. IT’S FREE!

February 2016 Weekly Events

DINING, NIGHTLIFE & SPECIALS MONDAYS Burger and Bud $14.99 @ Boston Pizza Fernie Jugs of Beer on Special @ The Brickhouse Lasagna Specials @ Elk Valley Pizza Shoppe Wing Night @ The Fernie Hotel Movie Night from 7pm and $6 Meals @ Infinitea $15 Steak Sandwich Night @ Parkplace Pub Mani Monday Special @ Spa 901 Massage Mondays @ Trillium Day Spa, $60 for 60 min, $90 for 90 min Ladies Night: $4 House Red or White Wine, $5 $12 Mussels and $4 Wine @ The Northern Local Jam Night @ The Kodiak Lounge Monday Beats @ The Royal, 10pm Locals Day: Burger and Fernie Beer $10 @ Rusty Edge Buck a Shuck: $1 Oysters and $5 Prosecco @ Cirque Restaurant, Lizard Creek Lodge Jam Night with Zac @ The Rusty Edge, 3-6pm TUESDAYS Pasta Specials @ Boston Pizza Kokanee Bottle on Special @ The Brickhouse Wing Night @ Parkplace Pub $12 Pizza Night @ Elk Valley Pizza Shoppe Two for Tuesdays @ Trillium Day Spa, 2 pedicures for $100, 2 manicures for $70, 2 facials for $130, all three for $275 $10 Beer, Burger and Bingo Night @ The Northern Cheap Night @ The Vogue Theatre Dinner & Swim Special @ Fernie Stanford Resort Tuesday: Shot gun Karaoke with TOpo @ The Royal Pizza Day: $5 off All Pizzas @ Rusty Edge

Buck a Shuck: $1 Oysters and $5 Prosecco @ Cirque Restaurant, Lizard Creek Lodge Kids Eat for $5 @ Loaf, 5-9pm Chicken and Beer for $15 @ The Bridge Bistro WEDNESDAYS $7 Single or $14 Double Wings @ Boston Pizza Wine Evenings @ The Brickhouse Karaoke Night @ The Fernie Pint night @ Kodiak Lounge Zack’s Jam Night @ The Royal $10 Smokie, Beer and Fries @ Parkplace Pub Tarot Card Readings w/ Miss Janeil @ Infinitea Crochet Collective & Sweater Club Knitting @ Infinitea, 7-9pm Waxing Wednesday @ Trillium Day Spa, free underam wax with any other hair removal $15 Jugs and $8 Wings @ The Northern $10 Vietnamese Sub and Beer @ Pho Locoal Buck a Shuck: $1 Oysters and $5 Prosecco @ Cirque Restaurant, Lizard Creek Lodge Wing Day $0.50/wing and $14 Jugs of Beer @ Rusty Edge $10 Pizza Menu All Night @ Loaf, 3-9pm Chicken and Beer for $15 @ The Bridge Bistro Wax On Wednesday @ 901 Spa, 30% off waxing services.

THURSDAYS Tacos for $12.95 @ Boston Pizza Jam Night @ The Brickhouse Spiced Rum Specials @ Kodiak Lounge Featured Pub Burgers @ Max Restaurant & The Pub

Burger and Beer Special @ The Fernie 2 Medium Pizza Special @ Elk Valley Pizza Shoppe RileyJ+Ash / Flatspin+Friends @ The Royal 6oz Cocktail Jugs $20 @ The Northern $8 Martini Night @ Infinitea $15 Feature Burger and Team Trivia for $100 Tab @ Parkplace Pub Ladies Day $3 Tacos, $5 off Bottles of Wine and $5 Signature Drink @ Rusty Edge Buck a Shuck: $1 Oysters and $5 Prosecco @ Cirque Restaurant, Lizard Creek Lodge $10 Pasta and Drink Specials @ Loaf, 5-9pm FRIDAYS Full Rack of Ribs $19.95 @ Boston Pizza Tastings at The Tipple @ The Tipple. 1st Friday of the month only.

Live Music Fridays @ Infinitea 8pm TGIF & Chicken dinner draw @ Kodiak Lounge $12 Fish and Chips or Baby Back Ribs @ Parkplace Pub $11 Fish and Chips, Meat Draw and Members Draw @ The Fernie Live Music @ The Central Live bands and DJs @ The Royal Date Night Special @ Spa 901 Steak Sandwich and Steigl Pint $14 @ Rusty Edge Live Music Nights @ Loaf including Doug Paddock Jazz Trio, Hartt & Zac’s acoustic duo and others.

TUESDAYS •Cheap Night @ The Vogue Theatre. $6.50 - 2D & $8.50 - 3D •Crib/Whist @ Seniors Drop in Centre 7:30pm •Storytime @ Library, 11:15-12pm for ages 3–5.

•Seniors Drop in @ Senior’s Centre, 9am-2pm •Indoor Walking @ The Community Centre, 9-10:30am •Ladies Archery @ The Elks Hall, 6:30pm •Public Drop in Climbing @ College of the Rockies, 7-9pm •Red Cross Swim @ Fernie Aquatic Centre, 9-11am and 3:30-5:30pm •Gentle Fit @ Fernie Aquatic Centre, 10:30-11:15am •Born to Sing and Dance @ Fernie Arts Station •Drop-in Climbing @ College of the Rockies Climbing Wall, 7-9pm •Mixed Boxing Recreational @ Fernie Old School Boxing Club, 7:30-9pm •StrongStart @ Isabella Dicken Elementary School, 9am-noon •Kindergym @ Fernie Family Centre, 10-11am •Public Swim and Lane Swim @ Aquatic Centre, 7am – 1pm and 3pm – 8pm. Waterslide 4-6pm •Indoor Walking Program @ Fernie Community Centre, 8:30-10:30am •Adult Shinny @ Memorial Arena, 8:45-10:15am •Free Public Skate @ Memorial Arena, 10:30-11:15am •Knits and Knots @ Fernie Heritage Library, 3:30-4:45pm ages 8+, drop –in

SUNDAYS Kids Sunday $4.99 @ Boston Pizza Caesars on Special @ The Brickhouse Brunch @ Nevados, 10am – 2pm All day brunch starting at $10 @ The Fernie $10 Roast @ Infinitea Sunday Roast Dinners and Happy Hour All Day @ Rusty Edge Party Tunes with GOFFles waffles @ The Royal Dinner & Swim Special @ Fernie Stanford Resort $18 Sausage and Mash @ Parkplace Pub 3-5pm Happy Hour $10 Pizzas, $5 Beers, $12 Jugs @ Loaf $10 Eggs Benny and $5 Caesars @ The Bridge Bistro until 1pm

SATURDAYS Any Large Pizza for Medium Charge @ Boston Pizza Meat Draw & Bar Quiz @ The Legion

OUTDOOR & FAMILY MONDAYS •Dominoes @ The Seniors Drop in Centre 1pm •Mahjong @ Seniors Drop in Centre 7pm •Special Olympics Athletes Bowling @ Sparwood. 4pm •Duplicate Bridge Game @ The Seniors Drop-in Centre •Seniors Drop in @ Senior’s Centre, 9am-2pm •Indoor Walking @ The Community Centre, 9-10:30am •ActiveFit @ The Aquatic Centre, 8:30-9:15am •Swimming Lessons @ Aquatic Centre, kids under 3 from 10:30-11am •Celebrate Recovery @ Mountainside Church, 7pm, open to everyone •Community Climb Night @ Evolution Climbing Gym, 7pm •Ladies Night Boxing @ Fernie Old School Boxing Club, 7:30-9pm •Parent Tot Fun Times @ Knox United Church, 9:30-noon •StrongStart @ Isabella Dicken Elementary School, 9am-noon •Adult Shinny @ Memorial Arena, 8:45-10:15am •Public Swim and Lane Swim @ Aquatic Centre, 7am – 1pm and 3pm – 8pm. Waterslide 4-6pm

Tequila Specials @ Kodiak Lounge Rib Night @ Max Restaurant & The Pub $5 Glass of House Wine, $5 Off Bottles of Wine @ The Fernie Live Music @ The Central Live bands and DJs@ The Royal Rib Night: $19 Half/$24 Full @ Parkplace Pub Wine by the Glass Specials @ Infinitea Lagers and Jagers for $5 @ Rusty Edge 3-5pm Happy Hour $10 Pizzas, $5 Beers, $12 Jugs @ Loaf $10 Eggs Benny, $5 Baileys and Coffee @ The Bridge Bistro until 1pm

Skate WEDNESDAYS •Crib @ Seniors Drop in Centre 1pm •Drop in Workshop @ Clawhammer Press. 6-9pm, $30 •Indoor Walking @ The Community Centre, 9-10:30am •Adult Badminton @ The Community Centre. Drop in for $5 •AA Meetings @ The Anglican Church Basement, 7:30pm •ActiveFit @ The Aquatic Centre, 8:30-9:15am •Womens Drop in Climbing @ COTR, 7-9pm •Red Cross Swim @ Fernie Aquatic Centre, 9-11am and 3:30-5:30pm •Water Flow Yoga & Tea @ Infinitea, 10:30am •Mixed Boxing Recreational @ Fernie Old School Boxing Club, 7:30-9pm •Toddlertime @ Fernie Heritage Library, 11:15am for ages 0-2.

•StrongStart @ Isabella Dicken Elementary School, 9am-noon •Kindergym @ Fernie Family Centre, 10-11am •Charadians Drama Club @ Fernie Heritage Library, 3:30-4:45 ages 9+.

•Public Swim and Lane Swim @ Aquatic Centre, 7am – 1pm and 3pm – 8pm. Waterslide 4-6pm •Indoor Walking Program @ Fernie Community Centre, 8:30-10:30am •Adult Shinny @ Memorial Arena, 8:45-10:15am •Free Parent & Tot Skate @ Memorial Arena, 10:30-11:15am •Skate & Shoot @ Memorial Arena, 11:45am-1pm THURSDAYS •Seniors Drop in @ Senior’s Centre, 9am-2pm •RC Club @ Fernie Community Centre. 7-9pm. Flying and practice •Community Basketball @ Fernie Secondary School, 8:30-10:30pm •Mixed Boxing Competitive @ Fernie Old School Boxing Club, 7:30-9pm •Kids Sing Along & Play Group @ Infinitea, 11:30am •Youth Archery @ The Elks Hall, 6pm •Red Cross Swim @ Fernie Aquatic Centre, 9-11am and 3:30-5:30pm •Gentle Fit @ Fernie Aquatic Centre, 10:30-11:15am •MOMs Group @ Fernie Heritage Library, 9:30-11:30am •Bellies to Babies @ Fernie Women’s Centre, 1-3pm every 2nd Thursday.

•Open Roller Skating Evening @ Max Turyk Gym, $2 drop-in fee.

6-7pm •Kids Boxing Boot Camp @ Fernie Old School Boxing Club, ages 8-16 5pm.

•Beautea Night @ Infinitea with Trillium 6-8pm $10 manicure/massage/ reiki (2nd & 4th Thursdays)

Swim

Library Program

Other

•StrongStart @ Isabella Dicken Elementary School, 9am-noon •Lego Club @ Fernie Heritage Library, 3:30-4:45 ages 7+.

•Public Swim and Lane Swim @ Aquatic Centre, 7am – 1pm and 3pm – 8pm. Waterslide 4-6pm •Indoor Walking Program @ Fernie Community Centre, 8:30-10:30am •Adult Shinny @ Memorial Arena, 8:45-10:15am •Free Public Skate @ Memorial Arena, 10:30-11:15am FRIDAYS •Cribbage @ Seniors Drop in Centre 7:30pm •Jitney Darts @ Fernie Legion, 7:30pm •Kids Sing Along & Play Group @ Infinitea, 11:30am •Toddlertime @ Fernie Heritage Library Ages 0-2 11:15am •Red Cross Swim @ Fernie Aquatic Centre, 9-11am and 3:30-5:30pm •Women’s Writing Group @ Fernie Women’s Resource Centre, 2-4pm.

•Kindergym @ Fernie Family Centre, 10-11am •StrongStart @ Isabella Dicken Elementary School, 9am-noon •Breastfeeding Mammas @ Fernie Heritage Library, first Friday of the month.

•AFRoS @ Fernie Heritage Library, 10-11am. Sing and play in French.

•Red Cedar Book Club: First Friday of Each Month @ Fernie Heritage Library, 3:30-4:45pm, Grades 4-6 •Public Swim and Lane Swim @ Aquatic Centre, 7am – 1pm and 3pm – 8pm. Waterslide 4-6pm •Youth Shinny @ Memorial Arena, 10:45-11:45am •Public Skate @ Memorial Arena, noon to 12:45pm and 7:15-8:15pm SATURDAYS •Family French Fun @ The Arts Station, 10:30-11:30am. $12/person or $5 per family member (maximum $20/family).

•Teen Wheel Pottery @ The Fernie Arts Station 10am-Noon $125/month $30/drop in •Karma Meditation Class @ Essential Yoga Studio 8:00am-8:45am •Historical Walking Tour @ Fernie Museum, 11am.

•Night Skiing on the Might Moose @ Fernie Alpine Resort, 4-9pm conditions permitting SUNDAYS •Fernie Pets Society Group Walk @ Fernie Aquatic Centre, 9am.

•AA Meetings @ The Anglican Church Basement, 7:30pm •First Sunday of the Month Family Climb Time @ Evolution Climbing Gym, 2-4pm FERNIEFIX.COM 29

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Outdoor Life

SWIM, BIKE AND JOG

SUBMITTED PHOTO

The First Leg BRENDAN MORGAN

IT’S FEBRUARY AND YOU’VE MADE A COMMITMENT to go swimming, to see if you can actually do this sport called triathlon. But, it’s cold and dark outside, and you’ve hit the snooze button three times. You can do this. At The Fernie Aquatic Centre, the 7am time slot is lane swimming only. It’s peacefully quiet, and there is a reward at the end of each session: an amazing hot tub soak with a view of the morning sun as it hits the Lizard Range.

Motivation Find a friend with whom to swim. It’s easier not to hit the snooze button when you know you have a swim partner waiting for you. (Choose someone who will not

encourage you to cut your swim session short by strolling over to that ever-enticing hot tub.)

Cool down – 100-200m of easy swimming.

Workouts

Varying your workouts and logging your progress in a journal will help you stay motivated. To understand what some of the above drills look like, to get further ideas on improving your drill technique, or to get some great workout or training plans at no cost, please check out www. beginnertriathlete.com.

A practice session generally follows a very typical sequence, and many swimmers find it helpful to keep their written workout in a zip lock baggie at the edge of the pool.

Warmup – 200-500m of easy, long strokes to get blood flowing.

Pre-set – 200-400m of drills like catch-up, fist swimming, one arm swimming, finger drag and/or swimming repeats. These drills gradually elevate heart rate and muscle temperature, and get you ready for the main set.

Main set – 400-1200m of swimming that targets endurance, aerobic power, or speed depending upon your focus for that session

Hot tub – Reward.

Technique Here are a few problems common to novice swimmers, and suggestions for how to fix them: New swimmers are often “Sinkers.” That is, they struggle with their legs sinking to the bottom of the pool despite the fact that they are relatively strong. Sinking occurs because of head lift, and head lift can happen whether your eyes are in or

out of the water. When the head lifts up to look at the end of the pool, or to take a breath, the legs sink. Sinking causes drag on the body, which wastes energy and slows you down. The ideal body position in swimming is to remain as horizontal as possible. Keep your head down, and look at the bottom of the pool just ahead of you while keeping your neck muscles relaxed. Think of kicking with your thigh muscles, and flutter kicking with your lower legs and loose ankles. When these techniques improve, your legs will rise horizontally and settle in nearer the water surface. The result is that you will become more streamlined and efficient. Also, try to exhale slowly while your face is in the water so that when your face comes out to breathe, you are just inhaling, and not spending too much time with your head up out of the water.

New swimmers can be “Flat Swimmers.”

Though an efficient swimmer appears to move horizontally across the surface of the water, their bodies do not actually stay flat.

In swimming, hip and shoulder rotation

rolls the body from side to side with each stroke. With this rolling motion, the head rises naturally out of the water to take each breath.

New swimmers use “shortened strokes.”

A good stroke is a full stroke. One hand enters the water just in front of the head and pushes to full extension. The hand exiting the water from the back near the thigh is also near full extension. When swimmers get tired they tend to bring that exiting hand out of the water too soon (by the waist instead of the thigh). This shortens the stroke and greatly diminishes the distance travelled per stroke. This means it now takes more strokes to swim the same distance, which makes you even more tired. Think about touching your thigh before exiting your back hand.

The 7am Friday time slot is when many Fernie triathletes train. Countless swim and tri tips are shared at these sessions.

Join us, in the pool or the hot tub. Until next month…

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Outdoor Life

N E V E R H AV E I E V E R

Nordic Along Montane Trail JESSE BELL

THERE IS SOMETHING ENTIRELY THRILLING and hilarious about finding yourself on a pair of skinny cross-country skis heading face-first down a steep hill and around a corner, all the while completely out of control.

But that is, after all, the essence of Nordic skiing, isn’t it? In my experience – which is very little – cross-country skiing encompasses a combination of a little coordination and a lot of bravery. And so, four friends and I head to the new Montane Trail near the Coal Creek barn in search of our brave, uncoordinated selves.

It is early January and the temperatures are nearly -25 degrees C. We’ve gathered at the barn with our seven dogs and soon begin the 8-kilometre loop clockwise along the trail.

The Montane Trail, maintained and managed by the Fernie Trails and Ski Touring Club (FTASTC) for Parastone, covers a three-by-one kilometre area between Coal Creek and along River Road Extension and is entirely nonmotorized. The trails are freshly groomed and make for some smooth, if not clumsy, ski-gliding. The FTASTC works closely with the Fernie Trails Alliance in the ongoing construction of the trail system.

Bundled in appropriate layers of merino wool and puffy coats it is all sunshine as the five of us catch up post-holidays. The sun is warm and, all in- all, things feel quite pleasant.

And then we reach the first hill.

I take great comfort in knowing that it does not matter how much experience anyone has when it comes to Nordic skiing, everyone – even those from Sweden

JESSE BELL PHOTOS

and with Nordic roots, like my friend Anna – still look like Nordic dorks.

I laugh as I awkwardly climb up the hill behind the others, planting my long skipoles behind my skis with each step. Anna,

clad in her matching yellow boots and skis, gives some helpful pointers and we carry on our merry way.

The entire trail system is divided by colour with fresh and informative signage.

Montane Green is snowcat-groomed and for Nordic skiing only while Montane Blue Trail is multi-use for snowbikers, skiers, snowshoers and dog-walkers. As we continue I’m truly amazed at the organization and work that has gone into developing this new trail system.

The dogs meet up with our group once in a while, enticed by treats and growing snowy beards beneath their chins.

Four kilometres later and at the south end of the property we arrive at the newly built warming hut, which overlooks the valley below. The sky is a beautiful blue and not a single cloud exists. We take our skis off and indulge in the view of the Lizard Range before sipping on a few shots of Jameson Irish Whiskey.

The Jameson is strictly for warming us up.

I promise.

The hut has a wood stove and an outdoor fire pit. This won’t be my last trip here and I can already envision coming up for bonfires and hot chocolate throughout the winter.

After a quick break, we continue. Anna warns us of an upcoming semi-steep hill that goes around a corner and I watch as everyone zooms downward ahead of me. My friend Shannon and I laugh hysterically as we pick up speed. She crashes onto the groomed trail at the bottom.

As I take the corner, my skis forming the traditional shape of a pizza slice, I let out an uncontrolled scream of terror. There is no way to manage speed or technique and the shot of Jameson—which earlier had a positive influence—is now inhibiting what very little Nordic skills I once had.

I somehow survive the hill unscathed and we all share in a laugh before heading

another four kilometres back towards the old barn.

By the time we reach the cars, three hours have passed and I’ve only crashed twice; once into a snowbank and another time by crossing my skis and landing behind my friend Katie. It feels good to have made use of this otherwise frigid-temperature day.

Our hair is covered in ice and I look forward to a much-needed warmup. My love for Nordic dorking has grown and – with the help of some very supportive friends – I look forward to the next time I get to clip into my cross-country skis.

I might leave the whiskey at home though.

Or will I? For more information about Nordic trails visit fernienordic.com or fernietrails.com or check out the Fernie Provincial Park, Island Lake and Fernie Alpine Resort for more trails. #nordicdorking

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Outdoor Life

IN THE TRACKS

Great Partnerships JEFF WILLIAMS

CROSS COUNTRY BC (CCBC) AND TECK RESOURCES team up each year and offer a number of affordable and accessible opportunities for children 14 years of age and younger to participate in the sport of cross-country skiing. The intent is to provide each developing athlete the opportunity to attend a dryland regional camp, an on-snow regional camp and a minimum of three regional cup races within their home zone on an annual basis.

The Teck Regional Camp Program is an integral part of a progressive provincial athlete development system and provides a step into CCBC’s Provincial Camp Program. Camps help skiers learn ski related technical skills, teamwork, selfreliance and good eating habits. They motivate, promote friendships, influence lifestyle choices and provide positive exposure to activities that encourage physical fitness.

All of the Teck regional races offer ageappropriate categories and most offer the full spectrum of categories for skiers of all ages. The Teck Kootenay Cup Race series for skiers in the Kootenay region is a testament of what sport is meant to be about: family, friends, a little competition and a whole lot of cheering. This year the Fernie Nordic Society is hosting its first ever Teck Kootenay Cup race on February 13 at the Elk Valley Nordic Centre. Visit fernienordic.com for event and volunteer information.

the snow to generate forward movement. If you use a pole that flexes easily, the power you impart will be absorbed by the pole and significantly reduce the energy that gets transmitted to the snow. A rigid pole that does not flex will immediately impart your muscle and mass energy into forward movement. The most important properties of ski poles are overall weight, swing weight, stiffness, and strength.

Perhaps one of the most overlooked partnerships in skiing is the one between skier and the ski poles. Skiers average between 30-45 pole plants per minute. On a ski that lasts an hour you would plant your poles a minimum of 1800 times.

Most ski pole companies offer poles made of aluminium and composite. Entry level poles are usually made of aluminium.

They cost less and are durable. Mid-range poles are generally made of a composite of carbon blended with another material and cost roughly $100-200. While not as light or stiff as racing poles, mid-range poles will give you the best value. Racing poles range in price between $250 and $600 and are 100% carbon. If you ski with poles of this quality, you will notice they are extremely light and very stiff. The stiffness of the pole is especially important for bigger and/or stronger skiers, as they are able to flex the pole more and thus lose more power.

Ski poles are an integral part in transferring energy from the upper body to

Of all the properties, overall weight is the most important. But how much difference

SUBMITTED PHOTO

can a few grams make? If you and a friend went out for a one-hour ski and you used an average recreational ski pole that weighed 150 grams and they used a pole with 50 per cent carbon that weighed 120 grams there is only 30 grams difference between the poles. After one hour you would lift an additional 72 kg more than your friend. Extra weight is not fun! Now think of how much easier it would be if you used a pole with 100 per cent carbon that weighed in at 81grams.

The general recommendation for pole height is the skier’s body height in cm, less 20 cm for skate, and less 30 cm for classic.

In most cases this will result in classic poles that reach the centre of the shoulder bone and for skate the pole will reach around your mouth. There are instances where you might want longer or shorter poles so it is always beneficial to get advice from someone who knows Nordic skiing. I would suggest buying poles according to your budget and your interest in the sport.

If you are a dedicated to cross-country skiing and plan to do it for the rest of your life, higher end poles may be worth the investment.

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February Events & Activities

Feb. 6 & 7 - Kodiak Lounge Winter Bicicle Shredfest Feb. 18-21 - Jeep Junior Freeski (presented by Rossignol & Smith Optics) Feb. 27 & 28 - Burton Mountain Festival

balance | harmony | strength

Every Saturday from 4-9pm Night Skiing on the Mighty Moose!

NOW OPEN FOR BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER!

Karen Scott 250.423.0155 601C - 2nd Avenue Downtown Fernie, BC

Full or half day Feb 5,8, 26 & March 28

Book online

www.FernieMassage.ca

photo by: Nick Nault

250.423.2406 snowschool@skifernie.com

Outdoor Life

HITTING THE TRAILS WITH THE FERNIE TRAILS ALLIANCE

Positive Working Relationships TERRY NELSON

PARTNERSHIPS ARE AN ESSENTIAL component of the FTA’s success. Whether we are referring to our society board members working to pilot the directives of our member clubs, or the supportive relationships of our funding bodies, the ongoing accomplishments are primarily attributed to these amenable arrangements.

The most recent partnership established, is that of the three Elk Valley communities entering into a collaborative project to construct the Elk Valley Trail component of the Trans Canada Trail. Fernie, Sparwood and Elkford all have their individual identities, which are sometimes perceived as being isolated and not working together on common goals.

The Fernie Trails Alliance has worked to break down these barriers through the cooperative creation of a plan to build a trail that links these communities. With presentations to the respective Councils, extolling the socioeconomic benefits of an accessible, quality trail network, and the commitment to provide long term trail stewardship, a “Memorandum of Understanding” has solidified this partnership.

From a funding perspective, the project has received the nod of confidence from the Columbia Basin Trust/RDEK, with the allocation of $430,000 from the “Elk Valley Community Directed Fund,” with a matching contribution from the Trans Canada Trail Foundation, being made available to the Fernie Trails Alliance to manage this major project.

TERRY NELSON PHOTO

THE MOST RECENT PARTNERSHIP ESTABLISHED, IS THAT OF THE THREE ELK VALLEY COMMUNITIES ENTERING INTO A COLLABORATIVE PROJECT TO CONSTRUCT THE ELK VALLEY TRAIL COMPONENT OF THE TRANS CANADA TRAIL.

on trust, common objectives, community support, and general confidence that the trail stewards will maintain a safe and liability free corridor. The FTA will be directing the overall project and a well defined selection of trail construction project tenders will be offered this spring.

As the proposed trail will pass through the The construction process will require lands of many privately held parcels and collaborative efforts by many, to insure right of ways, the “Land–Use Agreements” that the project objectives of the Alliance, are the ultimate partnerships, founded

its funders, and the overall Elk Valley Community members are met.

The Trails Alliance has diverse partnerships with volunteers, who assist in many capacities, such as fund raising, committee participation, event coordination, and of course the ever popular trail maintenance opportunities.

We depend on the varied skills that these groups offer, and could not function without these active supporters.

Over the next couple of years the Elk Valley Trail will see a partnership ribbon of inclusive connectivity constructed over 145 km, with the hope of establishing a forged linkage between all of the resident and visitors to the Elk Valley. Anyone who is interested in being part of this legacy project is encouraged to check out the FTA website for information on how your partnering can benefit our community trail organization.

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The value of partnerships!

a process, a feeling, a philosophy

Fernie’s Coolest Souvenir Clothing Printed in the Heart of Snow Valley Home of the $39.99 Fernie Hoodie

IT’S r Giv’E TIME

Downtown Fernie www.givershirts.com

the

Fernie Leisure Services partners with many organizations such as the Fernie Mountain Bike Club and Elk Valley Gymnastics to bring quality programming and recreational opportunities to Fernie.

BLUETOQUE where comfort food becomes art diner

These valued partnerships have laid the foundation for these opportunities and provided us with so much more.

For more schedule and program information visit www.fernie.ca Fernie Aquatic Centre 250.423.4466 Facility Inquiries 250.423.2245 www.fernie.ca

open daily: 9am - 3pm closed: tuesday + wed.

250 423 4637 - 601 1st Ave

@ the Arts Station

Destination of the Month

by Julie Kelly – Elk Valley Nordic Centre

Anderson Rd MFPP Campground

Staging area & Warming hut

Distance: 8.5 km Time: 1-1.5 hours (weather dependent) Difficulty: Blue A great way to spend some time with friends or your partner is to hit the Elk Valley Nordic Centre (EVNC) for skate or cross-country skiing.

The EVNC is located adjacent to Mount Fernie Provincial Park and is operated by the Fernie Nordic Society. Ample parking is available in the overflow lot, take your first left once you enter the Park. The trailhead is signed and maps are posted at the kiosk. If you don’t have a Fernie Nordic Society membership you can buy a day pass by dropping the fee in the box at the main kiosk.

A great route is to warm up on Cedar Loop, either direction is good. Once you have completed the loop, follow the signs for a cruisy descent down Lizard Lookout Hill. Cross Teck bridge and head up either The Runt or The Grunt depending how energetic you feel! Continue to Galloway Loop for another 2.5 km. This skis well in either direction with some challenging hills to keep you on your game, and brings you back to The Grunt or Runt; follow the signs back to the warming hut.

Mt. Fernie Park Rd

P

i

N

Mt. Fernie Provincial Park Boundary

3

Legend Bunnyrabbit Loop 0.5 km JackRabbit Loop 1 km Cedar Loop 1.2 km Galloway Loop 2.5 km Lizard Lookout Hill 0.5 km The Runt 0.7 km The Grunt 0.5 km

1km

Connector trails Park Boundary Multi-Use Trail Teck Bridge P

Parking

i

Information Hotel

Porta Potty

3 1km To Fernie Alpine Resort (trail connects to the Elk Chair and parking)

The EVNC illustrates a great partnership with local business, landowners and funders. Thank you to everyone who has supported this project. Please remember to leave your four legged friends at home and enjoy the trails groomed at least three times a week (check fernienordic.com for trail grooming updates) EVNC is a cross-country ski-only facility, which ensures high quality grooming and a first-class ski experience. If you’re on foot, snowshoes or wheels, feel free to access the new Boom Creek Multi Use trail from FAR. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE FERNIE NORDIC SOCIETY

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In Canada we don’t hide from the elements, we pursue them. We pray for snow. We plead for powder. We embrace the cold - and after a long day of defeating the mountain?

Well that’s where we step in. We invite you to join us at the new Cirque Restaurant and Bar. Have a seat by the crackling wood fire. Dine on our Italian inspired cuisine. Immerse yourself in hospitality that only the finest Canadian establishments can offer. After conquering the mountain, you deserve it.

Experience Canadian hospitality at its finest: nestled comfortably in the lizard mountain range.

Amongst the wild elements we have flourished by embracing our harsh winters. Such events are not for the faint of heart. In celebration of our Canadian heritage, we invite you to join us at the new ICE BAR in Lizard Creek Lodge to tantalize your taste buds.

250.423.2056 | cirque@lizardcreek.com lizardcreek.com photos by: Henry Georgi & Mark Eleven Photography

, we or long

to join Have a

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Health and Lifestyle

THE NAME GAME

Linda’s Run KAREN PEPPER

SKI HILLS ARE SO RICH IN THEIR HISTORIES. That history can be seen around Fernie Alpine Resort every day – original buildings that have been repurposed, old photos dating back to the early days decorating the walls of the resort buildings, and the names of the runs that appear on the trail maps and mountain signs.

Skiing around Fernie Alpine Resort (and other ski hills throughout my life), I’ve always been intrigued by the names of the various runs. Who named them? Is there a story behind the name? With runs seemingly named after characters from the Simpsons (Sideshow Bob’s) and children’s fairy tales (Goldilocks, Mama Bear, Papa Bear, etc.) to runs with references to reallife community members, there must be some interesting stories behind how these runs were named. Being more interested in real-life people than fictional characters, I decided to learn more about the passionate winter enthusiasts that inspired the names of some of these runs. And what better place to start than with Linda Socher? I had the pleasure of sitting down for a chat with Linda recently and asked her about her namesake run.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

a natural opening in the trees and dove in to check it out. She found great gladed skiing and, something we all love – deep powder. The name then came about quite innocently, as this route became one of Linda’s favourite ways to ski down from the top of the Bear T-Bar back down to the base (via Cedar Trail at that time as the Boomerang Chair didn’t exist yet). Friends began to say “Let’s go the way Linda skis down,” when they were in that area, and soon it became known as “Linda’s Run.”

Linda’s Run Linda’s Run is named after Linda Socher, one of Fernie’s most gracious ambassadors and pioneers. Alongside her husband Heiko, Linda was very involved in the development of the ski hill, establishing the first ski school at the mountain, as well as two ski and sport shops in Fernie.

Linda’s Run is located in the Lizard Bowl, skiers right off of North Ridge. It’s a beautiful, naturally gladed run though the forest. The top section is a steeper pitch (single black diamond – advanced), and then the run mellows out towards the

bottom section, becoming a lower angle groomed slope (blue – intermediate), finally ending at the Boomerang Chair. Linda’s Run is a wonderful alternative to get to the Boom Chair, a nice change to the more well travelled route on North Ridge.

The discovery of Linda’s Run dates back to the time when the only lifts on the mountain were the Griz Chair and the Bear T-Bar. While out skiing, Linda saw

Linda loves the powder snow that is frequently found on this run. She also enjoys taking others on the run, and their enthusiasm when they find out that they’ve just skied Linda’s Run with Linda!

Additional tidbit: Linda’s husband Heiko, and another director of the ski hill company at the time, named the runs in Lizard Bowl alphabetically from skiers left to right – Arrow, Bow, Cascade, Dancer, Easter. Makes those runs nice and easy to remember!

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Working Out with a Partner SARAH INGRAM, BSC.HONS.KINESIOLOGY, BCAK PRACTICING KINESIOLOGIST

TRAINING WITH A PARTNER can help motivate you by making you more accountable and your workout more fun. Here are five challenging exercises you can try together next time you are in the gym, you will need a 5 to 10 lb medicine ball: Plank high fives: Start in a plank position (on forearms and toes with body in a straight line shoulder to knee). Face each other and lift opposite arms to high five. Keep alternating arms until one partner fails. If you experience any lower back discomfort, lift hips or drop to your knees!

Back bridge dips: Make a bridge with your hands behind you, hips off the ground and knees bent to 90 degrees. Have your partner place his or her hands on your knees, and then bend and straighten arms behind him or her as many times as possible. Switch places and repeat.

Health and Lifestyle

F I T T O P L AY

Plank high fives

Back bridge dips

Medicine ball V-sit abs

Medicine ball V-sit abs: Sit side-by-side and lean back as far as you can. To make it harder lift your feet.

Toss a medicine ball back and forth and tap it to the floor outside of your hip before tossing it back to your partner. Twist your upper body while keeping your legs still. Do 10 reps and then rotate to the other side and repeat.

Lunge medicine ball toss: Face your partner, and then both of you step forward and bend into a lunge position. While holding the lunge, one of you tosses the medicine ball to the other. Both step back up so feet are together and then lunge forward with the other leg and repeat. Do as many as you can.

Lunge medicine ball toss

Squat: Get into a push up position, have your partner grab your feet, place them at his or her hips and squat bending and straightening legs keeping knees in line with toes. Optional: do a push up between each squat!

Do as many as you can and then switch.

Make sure your exercises are pain free and you are always able to talk. Get a five-minute warm up in prior to starting (brisk walking or range of motion exercises) and repeat the list two to three times for a full body workout!

Squat

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Health and Lifestyle

N O U R I S H T H R O U G H N AT U R E

Okonomiyaki KRISSI HYLAND

THE SEASON IN HAKUBA, Nagano Japan had a very slow start. After Fernie’s dry season last year I started to wonder if we had bad karma. Then slowly (and I mean slowly) the snow started accumulating. Like Mother Nature was trying to teach me a very valuable lesson, this slow and steady shift made our pace of life peaceful and relaxing. I opened books that waited months to be devoured and after eating some local cuisine, decided to make my own version of them, one of my favourite being Okonomiyaki.

Everybody loves breakfast for dinner, and this month we are going to spice it up with Okonomiyaki (Oh-kon-o-mi-ya-ki), a Japanese savoury pancake or a cabbage pancake. This might not sell it but I assure you, we Canadians are missing out. This dish has two sauces; mayonnaise and a Japanese BBQ sauce, a combination that sounds bizarre but is actually the perfect finishing touch. These pancakes are a work of art, typically the sauces are drizzled in a crisscross design and then topped with bonito flakes (fish flakes) and parsley. The bonito flakes dance back and forth as they are exposed to heat – very magical but hard to find in Canada so I left them out.

The name Okonomiyaki is derived from the word okonomi, meaning “what you like” or “what you want” and yaki meaning “grilled” or “cooked.”

This dish is most popular with the Kansai or Hiroshima regions, but is widely available throughout the country. Each prefecture has its own spin with different toppings or batters, most likely due to the different varieties of vegetables and meat grown or raised in that area.

Typically in restaurants you are given the raw ingredients and make it as you like on hot plates built right into the table. I’m

KRISSI HYLAND PHOTO

especially keen on interactive food, great for large groups and perfect for even the pickiest of eaters. You can be adventurous with this recipe and add whatever you like – I see it like an elaborate omelette.

As long as the egg binds the vegetables together, you win! This is my own spin

on Okonomiyaki – replacing most of the flour with winter vegetables. They freeze well and can be baked at 350 in an oven or thrown in a toaster oven as a quick bite.

Enjoy and most importantly have fun with this Japanese experience.

Okonomiyaki 8 eggs 2/3 cup gluten free or whole wheat flour 7 cups shredded cabbage 1 cup thinly sliced kale ½ cup thinly grated carrot 2 green onions finely chopped ½ cup Kimchi* (a Korean spicy picked cabbage) 1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional but delightful) 8 sulphite free or locally sourced bacon strips, cut in half to make 16 slices altogether (optional) Mayonnaise, Veganaise or avocado with sea salt (for topping)

call us: 250.423.4029 www.goldstarservicesgroup.com

Okonomiyaki Sauce (you can sub with a sweet BBQ sauce) 3 Tbsp organic ketchup 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce 1 tsp soy sauce 1 Tbsp maple syrup 1 tsp Dijon mustard ¼ tsp onion powder Beat eggs together in a small bowl. In another large bowl place sliced vegetables with Kimchi and cheese. Add eggs and flour to vegetables and mix until batter is formed. The consistency like egg coated vegetables, the veggies being the star of the dish. You can adjust if necessary by adding more egg and flour until you meet the described consistency. If you are going to add your own veg, stick to the ratios in the recipe.

Heat oil in a large pan or griddle over medium heat. Using a soup ladle, scoop a small pancake size out and place it on the pan. Take a spatula and pressing on the top, spread the pancake to ¾ of an inch thick – the trick is to get them thin s o all the veggies and egg cook through but not too thin so you end up making a ton. Place two slices of bacon on top of each pancake. Let the pancakes cook for approximately 5 minutes each side, if it starts burning your pan is too hot.

Remove when the vegetable pancake is cooked through and each side is golden brown and the bacon cooked.

Pour the sauce on top like you would maple syrup and top with a dollop of mayonnaise or avocado with sea salt.

Have fun making designs on top! *You can find Kimchi in the produce section typically near the Asian vegetables.

feel the love FERNIEFIX.COM

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Y A M A G O Y A

Dreaming of a warm getaway this winter?

Unwind in comfort and style with a pair of prescription sunglasses!

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Nutri-Flex SUPREME is an advanced joint care formula that features the supreme effectiveness of powerful herbal ingredients for inflammation and pain relief in a great raspberry flavoured liquid suspension.

With the development of Nutri-Flex SUPREME Naka has taken the evolution of arthritis and joint pain relief to new heights. Make the supreme choice today to help you enjoy a pain-free life! nakaherbs.com

Health and Lifestyle

Travel Smart REBECCA HALL

A BOOKING AGENT, a pilot, a housekeeper, a rafting guide, a taxi driver. No, it’s not a bad joke about a bar. These (and others) are the people to whom a traveller will entrust a great deal during a holiday with very little advance information. Travel partnerships are formed in less time than you would spend choosing vegetables at the supermarket but they can make or break your vacation, so choose wisely!

Spending some time on your trip before you depart can be the difference between forming great travel partnerships, and avoiding disastrous ones. When I travel, my time is limited so I try to do as much research as possible in advance. This way, I can make snap decisions with confidence – knowing that an area has responsible activity guides or a particular hotel has a good reputation is always helpful. I look at airport information so I know what my options are if there’s a delay or just to tell how much time I need to allow to make my connections. If I’m going to be exploring an area, I’ll read a guidebook cover-to-cover like a novel before I go and then keep it with me for easy reference.

I’m old-school when it comes to travel info, but for those who can’t put their phone down there’s tons of great apps now to help you make the most of a trip.

Beyond the basics like tripadvisor, hotwire, yelp, skype and spotify, here’s a few you might find useful: 1. Before you go, Seatguru and Gateguru will put you where you want to be and keep you on track

AROUND THE WORLD

with a personalized itinerary, airport info and tools. Loungebuddy will let you know where to hang out if you get delayed.

2. Citymaps2go provides downloadable interactive maps to use later offline.

A great resource if you don’t have a lot of data, with plenty of functionality so you can pin places to check out and create lists of restaurants and attractions to visit. Mobilemaplets is another great option and includes tons of transit info, a tracking feature and tools to co-ordinate with fellow travellers.

3. TripIt gathers all your emailed info together into one spot and creates personalized itineraries synced to your calendars. Worldmate Gold is recommended if you tend to plan complicated trips with lots of components.

4.

Viator gives you online access to activity bookings and top restaurants. Skip the line-ups and the chains without even needing to print out purchased tickets thanks to the integrated iPhone Passbook feature.

5. Fieldtripper is a new Google app that finds attractions, restaurants and other tailored suggestions from hundreds of sources including Zagat and Cool Hunting to put you close to the best under-the-radar hotspots.

6. When you’re ready to catalogue your travels, try a trip journal app like Moldiv or Steller and add quotes, titles and photo montages to your albums for a slick magazine feature look.

And on any trip, your best resource is always the locals. Visitors say they love Fernie because of the friendly locals, and that has a lot to do with how Fernieites live and that is the case in most visitor-friendly towns. The people who live there are also the people who play there and can give you the best info on where to eat, what to see and where to go, so always ask if you don’t know. Happy travels!

Do you have a trip you’d love to share? Email me at hall.rebecca.j@gmail.com.

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4th annual

winter wheezer

tears & gears fernie, bc

Feb. 28, 2016 New this year:

Snow Biking!

Open to adults and kids.

Great prizes!

Updated routes, fun for all ages and levels, enjoy a day on the trails at the Elk Valley Nordic Centre and Mount Fernie Provincial Park.

Refreshments, snacks, great prizes, and more.

This is a non-profit event supporting the Fernie Trails Alliance and the Elk Valley Nordic Centre.

Visit www.fernietearsandgears.com Call today to learn the locals secret.....

When you need a mortgage, you call Zonya!

Zonya Knooihuizen mortgage broker 250.423.1864 zonya@shaw.ca www.eastkootenaymortgage.ca

photo: Robin Siggers 0 20 80 0

0 10 40 0

0 5 20 0

100 70 0 30

Purchase | Pre-Approval | Non-Residence Equity Take Out | Refinance | Self Employed Dominion Lending Centres East Kootenay Mortgage | 462 2nd Ave, Fernie BC Independently Owned and Operated

Health and Lifestyle

B E A U T Y A N D FA S H I O N I N A F I X

OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH RED SOLANGE AND ZOE

February is the month of love and relationships,

and our love is all for RED. Red can be hard to pull off,

but when done right it can make you feel powerful and sexy.

FASHION Top Three Things we LOVE this month: 1. Matchbook red wine paired with a cable knit sweater in soft natural tones.

HAIR For those ladies in red, red hair can be a fun change. Whether it’s a bright red or a rich burgundy there is a beautiful red for everyone.

2. A classic long sleeve top paired with a highwaisted denim and… Matchbook red wine!

3. A below-the-knee fitted black dress polished off with a short burgundy boot and chunky gold bracelets. Oh, and a glass of Matchbook red wine!

MAKEUP: Red Lips!

Red lips are timeless but finding your match for that perfect shade can be difficult. Here are a few tips.

• If you have fair skin, go for a red with a blue base. Such as a merlot.

• For a medium skin tone you can pull off almost any red, compliments to your warm undertones.

• With a darker skin tone, your complexion may be warm or cool. If you tend to have more of a golden hue choose a brown based red, such as a brick red. If your skin is more of a blue tone look for a deeper ruby red with a touch of pink. ** A side note - while pulling off a fierce red lip don’t overdue your eye makeup.

Let your lips be the focus.

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(Formally Alpine Spa and Leisure)

Stay warm this winter with your SUNDANCE SPA. Great selection, available for immediate delivery 1541 9th Ave. Fernie, B.C. 250-423-3370 snowvalleyspa@shaw.ca • ferniehottubs.com

SUNDANCE SPAS • CHEMICALS • WEEKLY MAINTENANCE • PRE-OWNED SPAS • SERVICE

841 7th Ave., Fernie BC $384,500

Commercial and/or Residential, this listing located in the popular Annex subdivision is a unique property full of possibilities for a family home, a business venture or both.

• New kitchen • New bathrooms • 3 Bedrooms, 1.5 Bathrooms • Detached workshop with full bathroom • Private backyard with shed • Spacious front office or retail space (or can be used as living space)

For more information contact:

Melanie MacKay 250-423-1800

melaniemackay@royallepage.ca

East Kootenay Realty

ROYAL LEPAGE EAST KOOTENAY REALTY 561 HWY 3, FERNIE

Bits and Bytes

Find That Phone KEVIN MCISAAC

WE’VE ALL DONE IT: MISPLACED OUR PHONE. A decade ago when you lost your cell phone you were peeved because you knew you’d have to retype all your contacts back in. These days losing your phone can be a borderline catastrophe. Not only because phones now are very expensive, but also because many people have their lives on their phone.

Okay, so before we get into finding your phone, there’re a few steps you need to take now before it’s lost. Backup your phone. Install iTunes on your computer, Mac or PC, and run it. Plug in your phone and back it up. Once you’ve backed it up, you can now lose your phone and when you buy a new one, just restore it from iTunes. Ta da! You have all your old apps and data back. This is the best thing you can do with your phone before anything happens to it.

There’s an old maxim in the computer geek world that the likelihood of data loss increases proportionally with the time since the last backup. I don’t know if it’s true, but from all the empirical evidence I’ve witnessed over the years it’s true enough.

There are a couple things you can do to your phone to help you recover it if you do lose it. Take a picture of your name and another phone number where you or a close friend or relative can be reached.

Don’t forget to take the photo in portrait mode. Make that picture your lock screen image. Go into Settings > Wallpaper > Choose a new Wallpaper. Select your photo and choose Lock Screen.

Now if someone finds your phone and turns it on, the first thing they’ll see is a number to call.

Another way you can get your lost phone returned to you is using Siri. First you’ll

THESE DAYS LOSING YOUR PHONE CAN BE A BORDERLINE CATASTROPHE. NOT ONLY BECAUSE PHONES NOW ARE VERY EXPENSIVE, BUT ALSO BECAUSE MANY PEOPLE HAVE THEIR LIVES ON THEIR PHONE. need to let Siri know who you are. Go into Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars and tap on My Info. Now select your contact info. If you don’t have yourself as a contact you’ll need to create a contact with your information in it. Don’t forget to include another phone number where you can be reached.

When someone finds your phone they can simply hold down the hold button and then ask Siri, “Whose phone is this?” or “Who does this phone belong to?” and Siri will respond with your contact info.

Another way to find your phone, which doesn’t require the intervention of a good Samaritan is by using the Find my Phone app. First things first, go to the App Store and download it. Now you’ll need to sign into iCloud. Go to Settings > iCloud and sign in with your Apple ID and password. iCloud does much more than Finding phones, but that’s grist for another column. For now we’ll just focus on the Find my Phone component. After signing into iCloud scroll down and make sure that the Find My Phone setting is On.

THE ANSWER GUY

that just thought “Ah ha!” thinking of their teenagers with iPhones. When you do this, a message is sent to the phone informing the user that someone is finding that phone.

If you click on the green dot representing your phone you’ll be presented with a menu. You can have your phone play a sound. This is useful if you’re sure it’s in the house, but not findable. You can erase it. This is useful if you think you might not get it back and don’t want personal information on it being accessed. Or you can put it in Lost Mode. This will lock the phone, display a message (such as a contact number), disable all sounds, messages, and notifications, and suspend any cards in the Apple Pay Wallet. To reactivate them once your phone is located you’ll need to turn off lost mode and then sign back into iCloud.

Happy Computing.

An Independent Book Store A unique selection of books, gifts, award-winning toys, guide books & maps, stationery and special treasures.

It’s good to test how this works before you lose your phone. You’ll need your Apple ID and password. Go to iCloud.com and login. Select the Find iPhone icon and you’ll see a compass followed by a map.

On the map a green dot should show up indicating the location of your phone.

592 2nd Ave., Fernie • 250-423-3736 polarpeekbooks@telus.net www.polarpeekbooks.ca

Just an FYI for the parents reading this

Contact us to place a special order

Open Everyday

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ExPRESS Mon–Fri

Gear Hub Save on Foods @ 2nd Ave Best Western Red Tree Lodge Raging Elk Hostel Park Place Lodge (rear) Super 8 Stanford Resort Fernie Alpine Resort Lot 1

Ski Hill to Fernie

8:15 8:18 8:23 8:25 8:28 8:30 8:35 8:38 8:45

9:15

8:55

9:25

2:15 2:22 2:25 2:30 2:32 2:35 2:37 2:42 2:45

10:15 10:18 10:23 10:25 10:28 10:30 10:35 10:38 10:45

ExPRESS

AFternoon

Fernie Alpine Resort Stanford Resort Super 8 (by request) Park Place Lodge (rear) Raging Elk Hostel Red Tree Lodge Best Western Save on Foods Gear Hub

Ski Hill to Fernie

8:45

9:15 9:18 9:23 9:25 9:28 9:30 9:35 9:38 9:45

Mon–Fri

3:15 3:22 3:25 3:30 3:32 3:35 3:37 3:42 3:45

4:05

4:15 4:22 4:25 4:30 4:32 4:35 4:37 4:42 4.45

4:15

4:30

5:00

4:45

Downtown

evening

Snow Creek Lodge Lizard Creek Lodge Mountain Pantry Timberline Lodge Stanford Resort Super 8 Gear Hub Save on Foods @ 2nd Ave Best Western

6:00 6:02 6:05 6:10 6:15 6:17 6:20 6:22 6:30

7:00 7:02 7:05 7:10 7:15 7:17 7:20 7:22 7:30

8:00 8:02 8:05 8:10 8:15 8:17 8:20 8:22 8:30

9:00 9:02 9:05 9:10 9:15 9:17 9:20 9:22 9:30

10:00 10:02 10:05 10:10 10:15 10:17 10:20 10:22 10:30

Best Western Red Tree Lodge Park Place Pub Save on Foods Gear Hub Super 8 Stanford Resort Snow Creek Lodge

6:30 6:33 6:35 6:38 6:40 6:43 6:45 7:00

7:30 7:33 7:35 7:38 7:40 7:43 7:45 8:00

8:30 8:33 8:35 8:38 8:40 8:43 8:45 9:00

9:30 9:33 9:35 9:38 9:40 9:43 9:45 10:00

10:30 10:33 10:35 10:38 10:40 10:43 10:45

Bits and Bytes

February 2016 Yann Loranger

DO YOU REMEMBER WHAT WAS WRITTEN last month for 2016? Well, February has its own colour in this matter of revealing openly each one’s own interests. This time, it is our feminine side that is under the spotlight. Here are some examples of questions astrology is asking us this month, and we will literally be living our own answers: How do you honour your mom and all the women in your genealogy?

How do you accept and listen to your own feelings, emotions and intuitions?

How do you behave with beauty?

What level of care, attention and affection do you offer/receive to/from the ones you love?

Are you feeling something sweet in your heart... do you feel loved?

If everything would vanish except love, would you feel rich?

Has your body, beauty, feelings, love and/or sense of belonging ever been hurt? What are the consequences of this violence in your life today?

zodiacal sign. A personal chart reading should be done to learn more about one’s own astrological influences.

Aries (March 21 - April 29) Witness You stand in the eye of the hurricane.

Your presence alone brings up the questions mentioned in the introduction, and as the answers arrive, the storm grows around you. Give as much attention as you can to those reactions. They are precious.

Taurus (April 20 - May 20) In-depth You feel most vulnerable, as though your heart would be exposed and unprotected.

Do your best to enjoy the intensity of the moment as it deepens your understanding of “passion,” which is part of who you are.

Gemini (May 21 - June 20) Listening You are not used to so much emotion. You almost feel lonely since your usual way of communicating is normally quite popular and effective. This time around, you talk less, listen more and learn.

Cancer (June 21 - July 22) Gratitude

Ancient tradition from the East says that there are 32 million different degrees of love. What kind of love do you live and what kind of love are you wishing for?

You are deeply moved by the attention put on the feminine. Truth that is revealed by this topic might be shocking, but addressing it pleases you. It might be your best St-Valentine’s day ever!

Isn’t it interesting that these influences will happen during St-Valentine’s month?

Leo (July 23 - Aug 22) Introspection

The strong winds of Uranus will blow away the veils that cover this topic, revealing our true consideration of the feminine to all. Nothing could stop this strong wind, as our masculine defensive strength will tend to be unorganized and confused.

You are a bit confused. It seems that there is something more important than your point of view. Listen to your heart and you’ll find the key, maybe after a few tears.

Note that the following monthly horoscope reading provides a glimpse of each

Your meticulousness serves you well. You are happy to comfort everyone that needs

Virgo (Aug 23 - Sept 22) Reassurance

ASTROLOGY

your support, as you feel emotionally lighter than others, but quite strong!

Libra (Sept 23 - Oct 22) Plenitude For you, life resumes its full meaning.

What seems to others a storm is for you a delight. You take part in all the discussions you can.

Scorpio (Oct 23 - Nov 21) Rejuvenation This month’s challenge is made just for you! You live it fully, feeling sometimes lost and losing what you had before, but it will come back totally renewed.

Sagittarius (Nov 22 - Dec 21) Focus Through this emotional month, you keep your ideal high above, stable, unchanged by the tumultuous waves of feelings happening below your aim. Don’t forget to open your heart to benefit from the waves.

Capricorn (Dec 22 - Jan 19) Involvement You see it all, as impressive as it can be.

Within yourself or your close ones, you see the process and you understand it. You see the beauty of the transformation and you give all you can to help it.

Aquarius (Jan 20 - Feb 18) Pro-action You are ready for a change! As soon as you get the answers, you want to integrate them into “real life.” Your impetuous nature won’t wait. Make sure you make your move in the right direction.

Pisces (Feb 19 - March 20) Inspiration Your omnipresent intuition helps others to move ahead in the process. It is an area of our life that is often quite vague and foggy.

You have the right tools for this type of inner work.

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