Fernie Fix January 2023

THE year of the rabbit

ISSUE

IN THIS ISSUE: Feature Artist Svitlana Dovganych discusses her love for working with ceramics, Feature Resident Kevin Allen on his latest non-profit pursuit, thinking about the presence of artificial intelligence in our artistic community as informed by Michael Hepher, Patrick Robertson shares his experiences of New Year celebrations from far away, and Tyla Charbonneau offers us insight into how to have self-compassion when thinking of the new year ahead.

THE

year of the rabbit

EDITOR’S FIX p5

YEAR OF THE RABBIT ISSUE

SPECIAL FEATURE p7

The Fernie Army by Angela Magliocco

BUSINESS IN THE VALLEY p9 Business News

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT p12

Feature Artist – Svitlana Dovganych

Everyone Eats – The Griz Pork Shoulder aka Clairenitas by Claire Smallwood

ArtBeat – Artistic Intelligence and Artificial Intellect by Michael Hepher

At Peace and Yet on Fire – Painted Smile by Sadie Rosgen

Rental Fix – Bombshell by Andrew Vallance

COMMUNITY p24

Feature Resident – Kevin Allen

The Art of Caregiving – Go Ahead, Make My Day by Marianne Agnew Mountain Tails – New Beginnings by Valerie Barry

EVENTS CALENDAR p33

HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE p34

Winter Sports School Family –

Come Play with Us by Wendy Reade Elk Valley Streak Calendar

Slow Travel – Chinese New Year by Patrick Robertson

This is Life – Grace and Grit by Tyla Charbonneau

ISSUE

BITS AND BYTES p43

The Answer Guy – Password Reset by Kevin McIsaac

Astrology – January 2023 by Ashley Kristina

Through the Lens – Year of the Rabbit Issue

The Social Page

FERNIE FUN p50

The Last Page

COVER: White Ghosts Photo by Danyal Taylor, @danyaltaylor

THIS PAGE: Little Bunny in the Forest Photo by John Pelechosky, pele-photocreations.com

Thursday

Big Gay Ski Day @ Fernie Alpine Resort 10:00am

Friday

9:00am 10:45am 12:00pm 2:00pm 3:30pm

Stretch With Pride

Coming In: Mental Health Workshop Lunch & Learn Gender 101 Smokii Sumac On What It Means To Be Two Spirit & Transgender Queering Your Industry

Saturday

9:00am 10:30am 11:45am 12:30pm 1:30pm 3:00pm 3:00pm 4:15pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 7:30pm

Fae Johnstone Keynote Conflict Resolution Resilience & Agility with Martha McCabe Queer Makers Pop-Up Market Just Our Town Round Table Discussion Rainbow Classrooms Safer Sex Musings on Faith & Sexuality Small Town Pride PFlag Connect Queereoke @ The Legion

Sunday

Contributors

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

ASHLEY KRISTINA has studied astrology for over twenty years and has been reading/teaching for five. For an in depth natal chart reading, email mountainashastrology@gmail.com.

CLAIRE SMALLWOOD is an avid skier, mediocre snowboarder, former personal chef, and newlyminted hockey fan. When Claire’s not on the slopes or whipping up red chile sauce, you can find her at the helm of SheJumps, the non-profit she cofounded in 2007 with a mission to transform the lives of women and girls through outdoor experiences.

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

MARIANNE AGNEW is an over-achiever who can be found hosting on the ski hill, the Nordic hut, or ringing the Salvation Army bells. She loves to paint and write about her experiences.

MICHAEL HEPHER is a painter, printmaker, sculptor and musician living and working in Fernie. His work is collected internationally and can be seen at Clawhammer Press and a variety of galleries in Western Canada.

PATRICK ROBERTSON is a travel writer and long-time resident of Fernie. He is an expert in planning independent travel and finding budget travel deals.Visit his website at budgetslowtravel.com and on Facebook at facebook.com/budgetslowtravel.

Every month SADIE ROSGEN teams up with some of Fernie’s brightest young writers collaborating on a given theme. If you are reading this and think that you are that person, drop her a line at sadiepumps@ gmail.com.

SARAH PULLEN, a first year University student, has a passion for all things creative. She looks forward to pursuing a Fine Arts degree and discovering a world of diversity and culture beyond our mountain town.

SYLVIA AYERS is a tenacious naturalist and believes each one of us can have a big impact on making things better if we just know how.

TYLA CHARBONNEAU is a Registered Psychologist (CPBC2385), dog momma, and nature lover. She loves talking with others about mindfulness, self-compassion, and human nature.

VALERIE BARRY is the longtime owner and head trainer of Dog Partners (dogpartners.ca). She is a multi-credentialed and highly educated professional dog trainer who specializes in behaviour modification and helping families raise friendly puppies.

WENDY READE is the director of Snow School at Fernie Alpine Resort, and has been with the Winter Sports School for 25 years. She is passionate about the program, proud of her team and loves teaching and coaching.

FERNIE FIX | FERNIEFIX.COM

Published monthly by Claris Media. To advertise and for general inquiries: info@clarismedia.com Box 1124, 361A 1st Ave. Fernie, BC V0B 1M0 p: 250-423-4062 | clarismedia.com

KRISTA TURCASSO, Publisher and Editor of the Fernie Fix, has been passionate about writing since she could pick up a pencil. After graduating with a BA and an MBA, she found her way back to Fernie, and put this passion and experience to use through the pages of the Fernie Fix. When not at her computer, Krista is with her family, in the mountains or working with various organizations.

VANESSA CROOME, Publisher and Creative Director of the Fernie Fix is a graphic designer by trade who is passionate about exploring another side of her creativity through painting. You’ll find her in the studio, on the trails inspired by what surrounds her, or in the community volunteering.

All content copyright Claris Media. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily the views of the publisher.

Claris Media acknowledges that the land on which we work, gather and recreate is the traditional and unceded territory of the Ktunaxa people. We are very grateful for this place and the abundance it provides.

Editor’s Fix

By Krista Turcasso, Editor

January…. A fresh start. Bright and shiny and full of possibilities. Right?

According to the Chinese Zodiac, also known as Shuxiang, 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit… a year where the “sacrifices of the past are rewarded generously. All the seeds of effort we have sown shall finally bear fruit whose sweetness is determined by the purity of our heart’s content.”

But these new years can lead to a lot of pressure and an abundance of expectation. If / when we fall off the course we have set for the year, we can be our worst critics and left feeling disappointed in ourselves. Take for example the Elk Valley Streak –participants set a goal to go outside and be active every day of January. It’s just one month of the year, and yet if we miss a day we might consider giving up and staying with our self-pity. The key is to pick ourselves up and to keep going. What is one day? If we start again tomorrow, we will be active for more days than if we had not accepted the challenge at all.

And we can continue to ‘keep going’ the entire year. We are bound to make mistakes – we are human! Let’s be gentle with ourselves and work towards the overall vision we have set for 2023. After reading Tyla’s column this month and listening to a recent podcast on Unlocking Us with Chris Germer where they discuss Fierce Compassion, I am working towards selfcompassion in 2023. I think of the way I speak with my children and wonder if I spoke that way to myself, how would I feel? I’m guessing pretty darn good. If I hear negative self-talk, that’s okay. Change takes work and time, and like James Clear says in Atomic Habits, small adjustments can lead to massive transformations.

Happy New Year! Happy Year of the Rabbit. It really is full of possibility, so let’s keep going.

Photo by Jack Jones, 2022 FMFF photo contest winner

Logan Gaede passed away unexpectedly in late October 2022. Logan grew up in High River with his Mom, Dad, two sisters, extended family and friends. Once he was old enough, he spread his wings and eventually made his way to Fernie, BC.

He was known in Fernie by many. His love of golf, disc golf, baseball, hockey, snowboarding, Transformers, candy, music, and people, but most of all his love for food and preparing it, connected him with many in the community.

With much sadness and grief Logan’s people, aka the Fernie Army, comforted each other at one of his favourite watering holes and put a plan in motion to support Logan’s family and help them to cope. The Fernie Army put money together in hopes of paying for any costs the family would encounter with his sudden passing. The community responded generously, and enough money was raised so that everything was covered! The money went towards his cremation, venue rentals, beautiful flowers, so much amazing food (all crafted by his fine chef friends), wine and beer, and all the family’s accommodations while here in Fernie. They didn’t stop there, staying engaged during the grieving process and involved in all decision making.

The Fernie Army gathered his special belongings and set up two wonderful celebrations of life: one smaller, more intimate one for family and close friends, and one larger one later the same day for anyone who wanted to come and celebrate Logan. The first smaller wake was attended by 80 and the second was a

The Fernie Army

by ANGELA MAGLIOCCO

massive celebration of Logan’s life that was attended by over 300 people, fully catered by all of Logan’s chef friends, with music, slideshows, displays of Logan’s favourite things, his mom’s “magic apples,” some swag, a candy table, and lots of fun, stories and general mayhem. Many stories were told to Logan’s family of all his Fernie adventures, how he made memorable wedding food or how Logan helped his friends out when they were going through their own rough times, making his mom realize just how many friends Logan had and how many he had touched with his kindness.

The Fernie Army continues to support Logan’s family with the sad and difficult tasks that are part of a death such as

cleaning out his apartment, distributing keepsakes, etc. The Fernie Army is an incredible group of people who all came together for their friend and his family. To top off this incredible story of love and support, the Fernie Army is organizing an annual scholarship to give out at the Fernie Secondary High School to a student who would like to pursue a career in the culinary arts.

Logan’s family has generously offered to contribute funds toward refurbishing the local disc golf/picnic area in James White Park in Logan’s memory.

Thank you, Fernie Army, truly an army of the heart.You are a force to be reckoned with!

“Give me candy and we will be friends.” ~ Logan

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COLOURING COLOURING CONTEST CONTEST

WIN WIN PRIZES PRIZES

College of the Rockies

cotr.bc.ca/herizons

Are you a women looking to advance your career, re-enter the workforce or start your own business? Seneca HELIX’s HERizons is a free women’s employment program funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Adult Learning, Literacy and Essential Skills – Women’s Employment Readiness pilot program and offered in partnership with Seneca College in Ontario. The program is offered online and can be accessed from anywhere in our region or province. HERizons offers weekly workshops on a variety of topics, the ability to access a virtual reality program for one-on-one skills, networking events, math and English upgrading for those who qualify, and the ability to apply for microgrants.

For more information and to register in the program, please go to cotr.bc.ca/ herizons

Edge of the World

421B 2nd Ave 250-423-9292

Calling all kids! Edge of the World’s Kids Colouring Contest is back for its 5th year with an all new epic colouring sheet. Do you like to win awesome prizes? Grab your art supplies and get those creative juices flowing! The contest is open to kids 12 and under and is FREE to enter. Drop by and pick up a colouring sheet at Edge of the World starting January 1. Colour your entry (be as creative as you can!) and return your artwork masterpiece to the store by January 31, 2023. Winners will be announced February 1 and prizes awarded to the age categories of 6 and under, 7-9, and 10-12 years old. All participants will be entered in to win draw prizes and receive a discount coupon for kids’ items. Explore Edge’s wide selection of kids’ snowboards, outerwear, clothing,Vans shoes, Tech Deck, and more. Kids always rule at Edge of the World.

Emily Brydon Youth Foundation

emilybrydonyouthfoundation.com

In December, the Emily Brydon Youth Foundation held its popular 12 Days of Christmas fundraiser. With items donated by businesses, artists and individuals, with title sponsor the Ski Base, it was very successful raising over $28,500. Bridgeland Market is a huge supporter of EBYF and hosted a Cheesemas where they offered cheese boxes, raclette, tastings and more. Red Girl played live, and people socialized and perused some of the auction items.

“This year’s EBYF 12 Days of Christmas knocked it out of the park. I was blown away by the generosity of the sponsors and the participants - it showed the true power and potential of giving. The funds raised will be put directly back in the Elk Valley by supporting youth across sports, arts and education. Every dollars counts and you never know the difference you can make in an individual and a family’s life. Thanks for jumping in and supporting the foundation,” Emily said.

EBYF has an annual budget of $80,000. To learn more about donating or applying, visit emilybrydonyouthfoundation.com.

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9 - 12, 2023

Fernie Pride Society

ferniepride.ca

Fernie Pride Society is hosting the first ever Queer Out Here: Small Town Pride Conference February 9 - 12, 2023 in Fernie. This weekend conference is an opportunity for members of the queer community living in rural places in the Columbia Basin and beyond to meet, network, learn, and socialize. Speakers include Ivan Coyote, Fae Johnstone, ex-Olympian Martha McCabe, Stace Chomiak, Smokii Sumac, Jesse Halton, Tyla Chabonneau, Tyrel Hawke, Andrea Brennan, Patty Vadnais. In a combination of workshops, keynotes, roundtables, panel discussions, and social events, Queer Out Here aims to engage participants with a sense of genuine small town pride.

Let’s bring our 2SLGBTQ+ family together in one place to connect, create, and celebrate queer rural lifestyles by sharing our lived experiences, discussing unique challenges, brainstorming solutions, and meeting new peers. For more information, including schedule, volunteer opportunities, and pop-up market vendor registration please visit: ferniepride.ca/conference

The Funky Old Medina

441 C 2nd Ave

After 22 years of offering adventure tours around the world, Corinne and Natascha of VM Travel found themselves in a Covid quandary. They refocused on a recovery program to bring the world to Fernie by importing handmade artisan items from two of their favourite destinations, Turkey and Morocco.

The Funky Old Medina imports Turkish Kilim carpets and pillow covers, Moroccan Berber and Beni Ourain rugs, genuine leather poufs, woven textiles, hand painted pottery, clay cooking tagines, mosaic lamps from Istanbul as well as Turkish towels in an array of colours.

These unique decor items can be found at the Elk Valley Furniture Studio as a compliment to their fine furniture. Drop in on 2nd Ave to the right of the IGS store to see the full array!

Check Instag ram @ thefunkyoldmedinaimports to sneak a peek or call Corinne at 1-877-423-5007 to custom order the perfect rug for any cozy space.

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February

Fer n i e , BC

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Le Bon Pain C’est la vie - Bakery

792 3 Ave 250-278-0109

the arrival of January, Le Bon Pain C’est la vie - Bakery will be celebrating the national obsession of the galette des rois – the King Cake. If you’ve ever visited France, you’ve likely noticed this delicious looking cake topped with a nice paper crown. It’s made of pâte feuilleté, puff pastry, and stuffed with a dense, creamy almond paste called frangipane. It’s flaky, sweet, and best served warm and straight out of the oven.The real fun of galette des rois is the excitement of discovering you are the lucky one to find the tiny charm, buried beneath one of the slices. If you are, then you are king for the day and you take your place within a 700-year old French Tradition.

Le Bon Pain C’est la vie - Bakery is open Wednesday to Sunday, 7:45am to 5pm. If you are keen to participate in this year’s Galette des Rois, order by text to 250-946-7286 or email lebonpainfernie@gmail.com.

REEL Canadian Film Festival

fernielovesfilm.ca

For the last fourteen years, on a winter weekend in late January, the Reel Canadian Film Society (RCFS) has entertained Elk Valley residents and visitors with a diverse selection of short and feature films that showcase the talent, diversity and independence of the Canadian film industry.

The 15th Annual Reel Canadian Film Festival runs January 27 to 29, 2023, and their lineup this year is exceptional! Feature films include Ashgrove (sci-fi thriller), Stay the Night (not your typical rom-com), Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, A Journey, A Song (documentary about Canada’s most iconic singer-songwriter), Niagara (hilarious road trip comedy from Quebec), and Riceboy Sleeps (heartfelt drama about the immigration experience). Along with their fabulous opening night reception, question and answer session with a filmmaker, Local Reels, and lively closing reception, this is an event you don’t want to miss.

Visit fernielovesfilm.ca for information on purchasing festival passes.

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Svitlana Dovganych

My name is Svitlana Dovganych. I was born and grew up in Ukraine. As a child I liked to create things with my hands, which is why my parents encouraged me to enter the Art College which I did. There for the first time in my life, I was immersed in an artistic environment. I was so happy to meet famous artists who readily shared their experience

with us students. While trying different media I realized that most of all I like to work with ceramic clay. I like the way you can easily shape it, creating anything you can imagine.

I was (and I’m still) fascinated by the metamorphosis of the piece, when it comes out of kiln completely changing its structure and colour.

After graduating from college, I decided to continue my education so I spent a couple more years at the Art Institute in my hometown, which enhanced my love to beauty. During and after my study I was lucky to work in a little handmade gift store, where I met many interesting and creative people, who definitely expanded my artistic outlook.

In 2019 I moved with my husband to Canada, namely to Fernie, which started a completely new page of my life. From day one I fell in love with the majestic Rocky Mountains, which remind me of a bigger scale of the Ukrainian Carpathians I was surrounded by in my childhood.

Here in Fernie I have met many talented artists who use a variety of materials to reveal their creativity. Observing their art pieces in the Fernie Arts Co-op and other local galleries inspired me to start creating something

myself. I did some research and was pleasantly surprised by the variety of ceramic supplies available in Canada. Soon I was happy to get a small kiln, a box of the whitest porcelain I could imagine, and everything a starting ceramist might need. I thought about how to combine picturesque local landscapes with my ceramic skills. That’s how the golden mountains on porcelain jewelry was born.

I should also mention, that being a very emotional person I found that making my pieces has a significant tranquilizing effect

on me. While working, I’m so focused on what I do that I can completely forget for a while about all of the troubles in the world.

As any artist, I’m very happy when I see that other people enjoy my work. I know that what I make is just a faint glare of majestic beauty that surrounds us, still I want to do my part in glorifying the reflection of all of this splendor.

Svitlana’s work is available at the Fernie Arts Co-op, and can also be viewed on Instagram at @heatgust.

The Griz Pork Shoulder aka Clairenitas

by CLAIRE SMALLWOOD

The Year of the Rabbit in Chinese astrology symbolizes patience and luck. The pork shoulder is patient while you sleep or ski powder (should you need to leave it unattended) and preparing it will bring you the good fortune of a versatile protein that can be used many different ways. Hopefully the pork shoulder will summon the good graces of the Griz with more powder days this winter!

If I can impart any cooking wisdom that ventures beyond a specific recipe, it would be to have versatile options at your disposal for when the going gets hectic. Winter is a time when it feels like there’s never enough time to get things done. The nights are long and cold, and when you’ve been out in the cold all day, you want to make something satisfying. If we lack the patience to think through our evening dinner plans (or even lunch

options) it’s easy to feel drawn toward fast food. Especially if you’re warm, toasty, and buzzy-wuzzy from the Griz Bar (and you might have a few friends in tow), your future self will thank you for busting out one of these recipes the night before.You’ll reach legendary Griz status with your Highway 210 Pork shoulder.

Start with a pork shoulder (sometimes this can be listed as a pork butt or blade shoulder roast). Size doesn’t really matter, although smaller will definitely overall take less time to cook.

Generously season the pork shoulder in a baking dish with kosher salt, black pepper, crushed red pepper, and whole fennel seed. Pop it in the oven at 210 degrees, uncovered, for at least 10 hours (overnight is perfect). If it’s a larger pork shoulder, you’ll want at least 12 hours. I prefer pork shoulder without the bone, but work with

whatever you’ve got. I sometimes cook it for up to 14-15 hours.

When the pork shoulder comes out of the oven, you will need to exercise restraint and possibly hide the pork shoulder from other people or else it might get picked apart due to its delicious nature. It will have a thick crust where the fat has rendered. It may also seem a little dry on the sides, but that’s where the Clairenitas come in!

Here are three options for serving the pork shoulder:

1. Enjoy right out of the oven: Serve with dijon mustard, apple-fennel jelly (or something similar), a crusty warm baguette, and a salad. Let people serve themselves!

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2. Classic Carnitas (my friends call these Clairenitas): Let the pork cool and then pull the meat apart using your hands.

In a skillet, heat a very small amount of oil with 1 large yellow onion, sliced julienne style (google it!). Let the onions start to become translucent, and then add the pork to the skillet. Depending on how much meat you’re working with, you may need to do this in small batches. Keep an eye to make sure the fat from the pork continues to render. If your pork is more lean, you’ll need to add more oil to the pan. Add a healthy amount of lime juice and taste. Adjust additional seasonings as needed. Optional to add diced jalapeños for heat. Finish with 1 cup of chopped cilantro.

Serve on warm tortillas with shredded cabbage, cheese, a cilantro crema sauce, salsa, or hot sauce of your choice.

3. Asian-style Carnitas: Follow the recipe above with two important tweaks:

in addition to onion, add 1 tablespoon of finely diced ginger and 1 teaspoon of fine chopped garlic before adding the meat. As the shredded pork gets added and starts to re-heat, add ¼ - ½ cup of fish sauce in addition to lime juice. This will help to carmelize the pork. Careful on testing for salt before you add too much fish sauce. Finishing with optional jalapenos and 1 cup of chopped cilantro.

In addition to serving as tacos, I’d recommend rolling into small burritos with flour tortillas, and then returning them to the pan to crisp up. This will make an asian-style taquito and you can serve it with a peanut dipping sauce or thai sweetchili sauce.

Thanks for following along for another column of Everyone Eats! Next month I’ll share all my favourite sauce recipes, including a peanut dipping sauce and the cilantro crema.

Happy powder skiing, friends!

Artistic Intelligence and Artificial Intellect

by MICHAEL HEPHER

It’s become our habit to use the turning of the year as a time to reflect, to appraise the past trip around the sun, and attempt to implement changes we feel need to happen in our lives. I often find myself ready for a new outlook, and—even though we are typically heading into the coldest part of winter—something to look forward to in my life.

The last few years have left us all a bit offkilter in our lives. I feel like we’ve almost seen too much newness. Perhaps it’s time for some good old-fashioned normalcy, but that’s not how humans work: we like the newer, shinier thing, and so we press forward regardless.

About a year ago I started seeing some friends on Facebook posting strange images on their social media. It was expressionistic art I’d never seen before, but there was something oddly familiar about it, and also something underlying it that felt unnerving—as if it was made by extraterrestrials. Turns out that feeling was not too far off the mark. On closer inspection I discovered that the artwork was generated by a new generation of Artificial Intelligence that scoured the internet for images and codified them into databases based on style, subject matter, and a host of other data. From there, a simple query field could spit out a piece of ‘art’ based on, for example; banjo player on a horse in the style of Pablo Picasso. Something we’ve all been lacking in our lives, right?

At about the same time, I started seeing ads online for AI bots that can ‘write effective blog posts in minutes.’ It’s clear that AI has hit the mainstream and is now at the point where it can be monetized to help us

produce the truckloads of ‘content’ that the modern algorithm has decided we need.

There are many problems with this new situation; not the least of which is that our computers are generating content so that a different computer can now decide who

to show this computer-generated content to, all while we humans stand waiting to be fed a stream of vaguely disconcerting automatically generated images and text that pick the right words based on the analysis of the ‘average’ found crawling around the internet. The fact that it takes the ‘average’ from the internet should terrify us; it’s algorithmic mediocrity at best.

Banjo player on a horse in the style of Pablo Picasso. This is AI generated art.

“Artists are important to our society, full stop.”

The next problem is that these AI generators are taking work away from real creatives, writers, and illustrators who understand the unique complexities of being human and can address them in subtle and poetic ways that a computer cannot. Artists are important to our society, full stop.

The largest problem, however, is that all of these AIs are using databases filled with images and writing in the unique styles of artists living and dead, and they are using that information without permission from the artists to generate work in their style. In Canada, intellectual property law is clear: our work is protected upon creation, and you cannot legally hire an artist to make a work in another artist’s proprietary style. These bloated databases cannot generate new styles—all they can do is mash up the styles of existing artists into something ‘original’ but derivative, and every one of them is patently illegal. The ongoing use of commercial ‘artistic’ AIs devalues the work of an already undervalued and underpaid segment of our society whose role in our culture is to remind us of the unique and complex qualities of being human, connecting with one another, and understanding the existential moments of life. How can a computer possibly fill that role adequately?

Is there an argument for an ethically sourced art-generating AI? Sure, the process itself is interesting, and there are creative possibilities that these different tools could give us, but these AI tools need to be sourced from databases of artists who have had a chance to opt in and are compensated adequately for doing so. Underlying all of this, however, is the bigger question of the kind of future we want for ourselves, because we have to choose now to stop AI from becoming the primary tool we use to write our songs, compile our news articles, and fill our visual world with mediocre alien work that feels vaguely familiar.

In the meantime, I’m going to head into my studio like I normally do and create something new and hopeful—and uniquely human. Won’t you join me?

Painted Smile

by Sadie Rosgen

I met Ghaith Sabri while he was working on an organic farm in Selma, Nova Scotia, Canada. I was struck by his intriguing accent, his wild black curly hair, and his general enthusiasm for all things alive or dead. He sees the world through a cornucopia of lenses, and I wanted to be part of how he saw the world, even if it was just for a moment. He taught me about Palestine, his birthplace. He taught me about the true value of kindness. He taught me that luck is relative and that if you really engage with life, it will make you wealthy beyond measure.

10 years later, as I anticipated my valued friend arriving on my snowy Fernie sidewalk, I was reminded of how bright this guy really is. So full. Such a source of light and luck for me and my family. My affirmation for 2023 is to surround myself with these sources of light. Beacons that light the path for the next up and coming year.

Happy New Year, the year of the rabbit.

Painted Smile

By Sadie Rosgen

source light the melody of his voice is put to music lyrical hypnosis the experience is consuming transported by history and time source light the tide brought him in sweeping the beach with ornamental sand from another place from here from everywhere

source light his beacon lights up the ocean radiating off the water wrapping his energy everywhere he stands forgiving patience and luck

Roger Eugene Ailes (1940 – 2017) was an American television executive and media consultant. He was the chairman and CEO of Fox News, Fox Television Stations and 20th Television, and he was a media consultant for Republican presidents Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and George H. W. Bush, and for Rudy Giuliani’s first mayoral campaign.

In July 2016, he resigned from Fox News after being accused of sexual harassment by several female Fox employees, including on-air hosts Gretchen Carlson, Megyn Kelly, and Andrea Tantaros. Shortly afterward, he became an adviser to Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, in which he assisted with debate preparation.

Bombshell focuses not only on the sexual harassment scandals that swirled around Ailes for decades, but also his downfall and departure from Fox News. The film’s story focuses mainly on Megan Kelly, and the experiences which ultimately led her to tell the world her story of workplace sexual harassment and abuse.

This is a good movie, and features Charlize Theron as Megan Kelly, Nicole Kidman as Gretchen Carlson, and. John Lithgow as Roger Ailes.

Nicole Kidman is one of Australia’s biggest Hollywood success stories. An incredibly accomplished actress and producer, she won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of writer Virg inia Woolf in the drama film The Hours (2002). She received additional Academy Award nominations for her roles in the musical Moulin Rouge! (2001) and Being the Ricardos (2021).

Charlize Theron is a South African and American actress and producer, who received an Academy Award for her role

Bombshell

by ANDREW VALLANCE

in Monster (2003), a nomination for her role as a sexually abused woman seeking justice in North Country (2005) and a third nomination for her role in Bombshell.

John Lithgow is an American actor who has been prolific in films, television and on stage. He is best known for his television role as Dick Solomon in the sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996–2001) winning three Primetime Emmy Awards for Best Actor in a Comedy Series for his performance. Lithgow also won great acclaim for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in Peter Morgan’s historical drama The Crown (2016–2019) on Netflix. On screen he received Academy Award nominations for his perfor mances in The World According to Garp (1982) and Terms of Endearment (1983).

Director Jay Roach, probably best known for directing all of the Austin Powers movies, and the wonderful bio-pic Trumbo, a film of very high quality indeed.

While Bombshell is technically excellent, I have a tremendous amount of difficulty recommending it. The film presents Megyn Kelly as a hero, but I have great difficulty sympathizing with her. This is a person who has spent decades acting as a mouthpiece for the American right, who has made a career out of putting

forward extremely xenophobic ideas and has arguably made the United States worse during her tenure at Fox news. What happened to her was terrible, yes, but that does not change the fact that my politics get in the way of an empathic response to her. I sincerely wish that this film had centered around a fictional woman at a fictional news organization, it would have made things much easier for me.

However, not everyone shares my social democratic values, and if you really do want to watch this finely crafted film, it is currently on Netflix for all the world to see.

One and a half thumbs up.

Y A M A G O Y A

Kevin Allen

by KRISTA TURCASSO

Over the last while, I have encountered Kevin Allen regularly. During this fall’s civil election. When researching an upcoming conference the Fernie Pride Society is hosting. While perusing the REEL Canadian Film Festival and Columbia Basin Trust sites. And most recently, in a press release from a new society, the Fernie Heritage Trust Society.

They say if you want something done, ask a busy person. In this case, if you want someone to volunteer their time and vast knowledge and experience with your nonprofit, ask Kevin. So, just how did Kevin’s passion for non-profits begin?

Kevin is a fourth generation born and raised Calgarian.

“I am very fond of Calgary, growing up in the 70s / 80s as a suburban kid like many people. I had a very normal childhood. Coming out in my late teens was a stressful time, as AIDS was a big deal and it caused a lot of anxiety. In my early twenties I got into the gay community as an activist,” he shares with me.

After Kevin graduated from high school, he attended University and completed a degree in Zoology, then moved to Greece, fell in love with the arts and attended film school.

“I got involved with various arts organizations, and when I started spending time in Fernie recognized that there was not a lot of film programming,” Kevin says. He approached the Arts Station and started Indie Films Fernie, which screened independent films at the Vogue Theatre twice a month. This spun into the Reel Canadian Film Festival.

Kevin admits he is not a 9-5 kind of person, “but I like to work on things that I am passionate about.” For example, Kevin is a big fan of democracy and has been working as an election official for the City of Fernie, Elections Canada and Elections Alberta since 2007. Additionally, he is passionate about Calgary and the gay community, which led him to research Calgary’s gay history and to begin the Gay History Project – an ongoing initiative to document the lived history of Calgary’s

LGBTQ2+ community, publish Our Past Matters: Stories of Gay Calgary, and to be the first historian-in-residence at Calgary’s Central Public Library.

“I’m not a real historian,” he tells me. “But I have been doing it for ten years.”

Kevin has actually looked into Fernie’s gay history and found that in 2000 city council was approached to proclaim an official LGBT Pride Day. The Free Press headline said, ‘City Reluctant to Endorse People’s

Krista Turcasso Photo

Sexual Preferences’ and refused the request. While I’m shocked, I’m also not and feel very grateful to see how our small town has changed. The Fernie Pride Society was recently approached by the government to apply for a grant to host a conference in the Columbia Basin.

“It’s an interesting time, with a focus on reconciliation on all levels. Gay community has historically been underfunded, and there is this notion nationally that we need to build up these minority communities,” he tells me. “Rural queers are in a different situation, and the hope is that this conference creates a Basin network of the different people doing pride work.”

Prior to moving to Fernie full time, Kevin was the Executive Director of the Alberta Media Arts Alliance. He met Gordon Sombrowski in 1999 while he was in Calgary for work. “And in 2006 we got married and I gave up full-time work to move to Fernie,” he says, adding that he still has a foot in both places and Gordon and Kevin call themselves “Ferngarians.”

Kevin realized in Fernie he needed to find work. “I couldn’t retire in my 30s!” he says. This is what led him to becoming a nonprofit advisor with the Columbia Basin Trust. “Elections and the CBT are my two biggest passions,” he tells me. Along with being a professional volunteer, of course.

Not surprisingly, Kevin also completed a Masters in Public Administration at the University of Victoria. Allan Chabot was the CAO of Fernie at the time, and suggested Kevin complete his thesis on West Fernie water distribution.

“I interviewed 50 people, and it was a jigsaw puzzle,” he tells me. “Government and citizens kicking the can down the road,” he adds. In 2009, Kevin presented his thesis to council and left it there. When Mike Sosnowski got funding to bring West Fernie into the City, he approached Kevin. “Now you have to finish the last chapter of this story,” he said. But Kevin had just finished Our Past Matters and a Federal Election was coming up, so he told Mike to talk to him in the New Year. “It was in early 2020 when we chatted, and it became

my pandemic project,” Kevin says.

In October of 2022, The Big Bend: A History of West Fernie by Kevin Allen was launched at the Fernie Museum. This beautifully written and designed (designed by Vanessa Croome, my partner in crime) book is worth reading and having on the shelf.

Just a month later, I received a press release from Gordon about the purchase of the Knox United Church. Many in our community have been talking about this stunning building and space, particularly because of its historical relevance and amazing acoustics. How thrilled were we to learn the Fernie Heritage Trust Society, with the support of an interest free loan from the Sombrowski family, had purchased it to become a community hub and performing art space?

Incorporated in March, the Fernie Heritage Trust Society is in the process of developing its online presence and will be forming various committees dedicated to programming, fundraising, facilities and more. “We will be looking for help,” he says. “The building needs a little bit of love.” Keen to get involved? Email fernieheritagetrust@gmail.com, follow them on FB or visit their site at fernieheritagetrust.ca.

What does the future hold for the multifaceted Kevin?

“Knox is going to be my main squeeze,” he says. “I have the Alberta provincial election in spring, and my term with Fernie Pride is ending,” he adds with a look of relief. “It’s going to take some effort to get Knox off the ground.” Fortunately, he is surrounded by a great team, including Patty Vadnais, Courtney Baker, Mary Giuliano, Gordon Sombrowski and Jill Palamarek.

Thank you, Kevin. We look forward to the future of the Knox and are ready to help where we can.

1. When did you first arrive in the Elk Valley and what brought you here?

I had been partially here for seven years,

but moved here in December of 2006 to commit more fully to Gordon.

2. Who did you first meet/remember knowing?

On my third date with Gordon, it was New Year’s 1999/2000 I met his brother, Arthur. We were driving down Pine Avenue and he passed us on the road. They did the Fernie thing where they stopped and rolled down the windows.

3. Do you remember your first general impression of the Elk Valley?

Snowy.

4. What keeps you here?

Family.

5. Do you have a favourite pastime?

I would say reading and swimming and hiking.

6. What time of the year do you love most and why?

It used to be winter but now I think it’s fall. I love Fernie in the fall, the colours are so fantastic. Particularly this year, with the warm days in October. It was gorgeous.

7. Where do you see or hope to see the Elk Valley in five years?

With a fully functioning performance hall in the Knox building.

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

A pot of tea and probably reading something, often The Economist.

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

I am non-conformist – I don’t like to fit in. Ever since I was a little kid.

10. Quote to live by: How we spend our days is of course how we spend our lives. What we do with this hour and that one is what we are doing. ~ Annie Dillard

Go Ahead, Make My Day

by MARIANNE AGNEW

Sometimes going to the grocery store causes me anxiety. Not that I don’t like shopping, but in a small town, that is where you meet everyone you know.

The fir st questions people ask when they see me are usually:

“How is your mom?”

“How is your husband?”

Or, if they really know my story, they may actually ask, “How are you today?” I often respond with the typical, “I’m fine.” because the real answer might just be too long or painful to relate in the aisles.

When I ask my caregiver group about these interactions, some say that they have never been asked about themselves. A caregiver is the unpaid family member or friend who devotes themselves to taking care of the multiple medical concerns of a loved one. We often feel invisible, isolated and alone on our caregiving journey, but try to put on a brave face to the world. Overlooking the extra load can reinforce the feeling that caregiving is taken for granted and not valued within the community.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see extra thoughtfulness for caregivers and an effort from their tribe to reach out regularly? Sincerely inquiring about how they are doing is an act of kindness and can make a powerful difference. It is difficult to ask for specific help, so allow me to offer some inspiration for simple acts of kindness that could really make their day.

Offer your time and be specific about your plans, you could;

• Get a g roup together for a spring or fall yard clean up.

• Mow the grass, rake the leaves, weed the garden.

• Fold laundry, empty the dishwasher, do the dishes.

• See if they have anything to go to the dump.

• Shovel the snow.

• Walk their dog.

• Offer your chauffeur services.

• Volunteer to be a back-up person for emergencies.

• Give them a break if their person can’t be left alone.

• Send a card or an email.

• Drop off books or magazines.

• Do something fun together.

• Invite them to get outside with you; walk, hike, ski, bike, etc.

• Call or text when you are going to the grocery store to see if they need anything.

• Double your baking recipe and share.

• Drop off a loaf of your famous sourdough bread.

• Pack up and deliver some of your soups or leftovers.

• Give a gift card to a local coffee shop or restaurant

• Text a quick check in to let them know you are thinking of them.

• Wait for a real answer if they respond with “I’m fine.”

• Listen and be present without trying to fix or fade what they are feeling.

• Be patient if you have heard it all before.

• Practice empathy (I feel your pain) instead of sympathy (I’m sorry for you).

• Acknowledge the difference they are making.

2023 is the Year of the Rabbit according to the Chinese Calendar, and it is predicted to be a year of hope. The Rabbit is described as one who is full of kindness, gentleness, patience, luck, and longevity. As caregivers we are so appreciative of the generosity and thoughtfulness we have received from family, friends, neighbors, and complete strangers. I am optimistic that this year will be one of hope, and that we can all practice the patience and kindness that embodies the Year of the Rabbit.

To find out more about our local caregiver support program and monthly meetings check out:

The Caregivers Network for East Kootenay Seniors Facebook page.

Toll free 1-877-489-0803. Caregiversnetworkek.com

The Elk Valley Group meets at Mugshots at 3:15pm on the 4th Wednesday of each month.

S. Pullen Photo

Getting a new puppy? How exciting!

When I ask people what goals they have with their puppy, most respond with a list of obedience behaviours. I tend to view puppy training as an opportunity to prevent future issues and to lay the foundation for our relationship and communication. Here are some of the things I train first when I have a new puppy.

Settle – teach your puppy to busy themselves.

Begin when puppy has toileted and is sleepy. Put puppy in a confinement area like a pen (not a crate) and give them several treat dispensing toys, chew items and water. Use a cue like, “I’m busy,” then remove yourself from the confinement area.

Sit just outside the area and gradually build up the distance you can move away. Next, begin going in and out of sight for just seconds at a time. After only a few seconds of confinement to start, give a cue like, “All done” and let them out for a potty break and some time with you. Once puppy seems comfortable with you at a distance and out of sight, you can gradually increase the time for each.

If they cry, you must return to them and start again. Don’t let them “cry it out.” This is the beginning of your relationship with your dog. They need to know you provide safety and comfort and are there for them.

Trade – teach your puppy to give things up happily.

Dogs to not understand “ownership.” Anything your puppy picks up becomes theirs. Do not simply take things away. Trade for anything your puppy has that you

New Beginnings

by VALERIE BARRY

need back, and puppy gets to determine the trade value! Add to that handful of treats until your puppy happily drops what they have. This is a critical transaction that sets your puppy up for prevention of future resource guarding issues.

Recall – come when you’re called.

Begin with puppy right in front of you, give your cue and immediately feed puppy a treat. I like to use a unique sounding cue – a different word or a whistle that will catch their attention. Next, take a step away, give your cue and feed puppy several treats when they move toward you. Be extraordinarily generous with your treats. Repeat 10 times then cue, “All done” to end the session. Do this a few times throughout the day, in the house, without distractions. To support your recall, praise

and treat your puppy anytime they show up beside you without being called. This will build and shape the behaviour of regularly checking in as well as coming when called.

Keep training sessions under a minute and do a few repetitions a day. Be proactive - when you’re not training, set your puppy up for success by managing their environment to prevent problems.

Think about all the things you want to do with your puppy throughout their lifetime. Direct your training efforts toward what they need to learn to live their best life with you. Everyone’s list will be different. Check in with me for a puppy class and see my blog for more puppy articles!

Submitted Photo

MONTHLY EVENTS

Sunday 1.1.2023

Elk Valley Streak Begins @ Elkford, Sparwood and Fernie

The Art Streak Begins @ The Arts Station

Last Night of Night Skiing @ Mighty Moose, Fernie Alpine Resort

Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour @ The Vogue Theatre, 7pm Monday 2.1.2023

Family Holiday Bingo @ Fernie Alpine Resort Kids Holiday Ski and Board Camps @ Fernie Alpine Resort

Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour @ The Vogue Theatre, 7pm Tuesday 3.1.2023

Family Holiday Bingo @ Fernie Alpine Resort Kids Holiday Ski and Board Camps @ Fernie Alpine Resort

Wednesday 4.1.2023

Kids’ Apres Ski Crafts @ Slopeside, 2-4pm Kids Holiday Ski and Board Camps @ Fernie Alpine Resort Thursday 5.1.2023

Moose on the Loose @ Fernie Alpine Resort –Find Mighty the Moose and take a photo! Kids Holiday Ski and Board Camps @ Fernie Alpine Resort Friday 6.1.2023

Moose on the Loose @ Fernie Alpine Resort –Find Mighty the Moose and take a photo! Latin Dance with Adriana @ The Legion, 6pm Saturday 7.1.2023

Moose on the Loose @ Fernie Alpine Resort –Find Mighty the Moose and take a photo! Fernie Ghostriders Hockey Game @ Fernie Memorial Arena, 7pm Pint and Ghostrider Ticket Special @ The Pub and Kodiak Lounge Wednesday 11.1.2023

Paint with Pru @ The Arts Station Life Drawing @ The Arts Station, 19+ Women’s Climbing and Bouldering Drop-in (LGBTQ2S+ Welcome) @ College of the Rockies, 6pm Thursday 12.1.2023

Fernie Ambassador Program @ College of the Rockies Friday 13.1.2023

Punk Night @ The Fernie Legion

Fernie Ghostriders Hockey Game @ Fernie Memorial Arena, 7pm Pint and Ghostrider Ticket Special @ The Pub and Kodiak Lounge Saturday 14.1.2023

Rail Jam Series #1 @ Fernie Alpine Resort

Fernie Ghostriders Hockey Game @ Fernie Memorial Arena, 7pm Pint and Ghostrider Ticket Special @ The Pub and Kodiak Lounge

EVENTS CALENDAR

Monday 16.1.2023

Live Music: Fretless @ The Arts Station, 8pm Wednesday 18.1.2023

Fernie Youth Art Collective @ The Arts Station Banter, Business and Beer @ 2nd Edition Coworking, 5:30pm Saturday 21.1.2023

Drag Show and Lip Sync Battle with Autumn Horizon @ The Legion Thursday 26.1.2023

Australia Day Gallery Opening: Theo Robinson @ The Arts Station, 7pm Surf Hat @ The Legion, 9pm Friday 27.1.2023

Fernie Ghostriders Hockey Game @ Fernie Memorial Arena, 7pm

Pint and Ghostrider Ticket Special @ The Pub and Kodiak Lounge

15th Annual Reel Canadian Film Festival @ The Vogue Theatre Saturday 28.1.2023

Community Fun Nordic Race @ Elk Valley Nordic Centre

15th Annual Reel Canadian Film Festival @ The Vogue Theatre

Fernie Ghostriders Hockey Game @ Fernie Memorial Arena, 7pm

Pint and Ghostrider Ticket Special @ The Pub and Kodiak Lounge

The Borsch Brothers @ The Legion Sunday 29.1.2023

15th Annual Reel Canadian Film Festival

@ The Vogue Theatre

WEEKLY EVENTS

MONDAYS

Les Tiguidous French activities for toddlers (0-5yo) 10:30am @ the Cokato Park playground

Club All Play – Fernie Pickleball @ Max Turyk Courts, 8:30-10:30am

Kindergym @ Fernie Family Centre, 10am Le Club Baguette Junior @ Rotary Park, outdoor activities and games in French ages 7-12, 3:30pm Drop-in Climbing and Boldering @College of the Rockies

Jam Night @ Kodiak Lounge, 9pm Pool Tourney Night @ The Pub Educational Cannabis Presentation @ Earth’s Own Naturals

TUESDAYS

Seniors Walking Program @ Fernie Community Centre, 11:15am

Fernie Options for Sexual Health Clinic Open @ Elk Valley Hospital, by appointment, 1st and 3rd Tuesday of month only Parent and Tot Funtime @ Fernie Family Centre, 9:30am Burger and Beer Night @ The Northern Wing Night @ The Pub Pasta Tuesdays @ Bramasole Visual Art, Potters and Community Choir @ The Arts Station

Stay up to date by visiting FernieFix.com/events.

Send your events to krista@clarismedia.com for inclusion!

WEDNESDAYS

My Baby and Me @ 551 1st Ave Upstairs, 9:30am CBAL/FHL Story Time @ Fernie Heritage Library, 11am

Club All Play – Fernie Pickleball @ Max Turyk Courts, 8:30-10:30am

Seniors Walking Program @ Fernie Community Centre, 11:15am

Art Play @ The Arts Station, ages 2-4 from 10-11am

Interval Training with Fernie Nordic Racers @ Elk Valley Nordic Centre Trivia @ Fernie Hotel

All Night Happy Hour @ Bramasole

THURSDAYS

Kids Café @ Mountainside Church, 9:30am Kindergym @ Fernie Family Centre, 10am Seniors Walking Program @ Fernie Community Centre, 11:15am

Bellies to Babies @ Zoom, 2pm

Club Baguette Junior French tutoring and activities 3pm @ Isabella Dickens library Club Baguette Adults learn and converse in French for adults 7pm @ Zoom Pub Team Trivia @ The Pub Open Mic Night @ Fernie Distillers, 7pm Run Club @ Stag Leap

Evening Guided Fat Bike @ Fernie Alpine Resort Drop-in Climbing and Boldering @College of the Rockies Drop in Euchre and Crib @ The Legion Four-Course Fondue Dinner @ Loaf Karaoke @ Kodiak Lounge, 9pm FRIDAYS

Club All Play – Fernie Pickleball @ Max Turyk Courts, 8:30-10:30am

Storytime (ages 0-5) @ Fernie Heritage Library

Fish and Chips @ The Pub

Fish and Chips Take Away @ Fernie Hotel, 4pm Meat Draw @ The Fernie Club Cre8 @ The Arts Station Open Mic Night @ Fernie Distillers, 7pm Big Red Fridays @ Bramasole Live Music @ Loaf SATURDAYS

Meat Draw @ The Legion Chicken Parmie Special @ The Pub Ski Under the Lights @ Elk Valley Nordic Centre Super Natural Saturdays @ The Central SUNDAYS

Morning Guided Nordic Ski @ Fernie Alpine Resort Fernie Netball @ Fernie Community Centre, 6pm

Four-Course Fondue Dinner @ Loaf Jam Night @ The Fernie Taphouse

Roast Dinner Special, and free pool after 7pm @ The Pub

HAPPY HOURS

Bramasole – 4-6pm Daily and Wed Eve Brickhouse - 2-4pm Daily

Fernie Distillers – 4-6pm Wed – Sun Fernie Taphouse – 4-6pm Daily

The Northern – 4-6pm Daily

Kodiak Lounge – 4-7pm Fridays

The Pub – 4-6 pm Daily

Guided Evening Snowshoe @ Fernie Alpine Resort Wheel of Karaoke @ The Legion

Well a New Year is upon us, and also the start to the winter snow season. With snow and winter weather, we see many visitors new and returning come to spend some time with us.

One of our memes or tags is inviting you to ‘come play with us,’ as we feel that any time on snow should be play time. With the investment of time spent doing any sport or recreational activity and focusing on what we do, why we do it, and perhaps how we do it, we can potentially create a better understanding of the sport or activity and perform better.

What does better mean to you? Does it mean you can ski and ride different terrain and feel comfortable, less intimidated? Does it mean you can ride or ski with friends that perhaps are a little faster but now you can hold your own? Does it mean you can ski or ride in varied conditions and understand how to change what you do to be able to handle the shift that Mother Nature brings to the mountain?

There are many facets to consider when we look to be better at something. How do we repattern our behaviour and thinking to get a different result? We all have heard that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result, and we don’t want to go there!

So, the question is how do we repattern?

As a teacher, I bring valid concepts to the table for the people I am skiing with to consider. I want them to change the way they think about skiing, as I believe that we perform a certain way because of what we believe. It is not luck that creates good skiing or riding, or performance in any sport, it is intention.

Come Play with Us

by WENDY READE

Good teachers, and we are fortunate to have many at our snow school, facilitate learning in a fun and simple way. By understanding the technical foundations of a sport, and by understanding what you

individually want to achieve to be better within yourself, we can lay out what to do, when to do it and how much to do it, so that we get a different result.

Then, it takes repetition, a lot of patience and a change in how we feel and think. Consistency is somewhat a key factor, and we all know that the mountain environment is not always consistent, (thank you, Griz!). It is also important to take the time to reflect and hold ourselves accountable for our own learning. Stay with it and take time each day when you are on the mountain, to invest in yourself.

Submitted Photo

“There are many facets to consider when we look to be better at something. How do we repattern our behaviour and thinking to get a different result?”

On those days when you might consider the conditions to be less inspiring, get out and work on your own riding. Go play on your skis or board and be grateful as we are so lucky to be able to!

Some things that work for me to ensure I ski my best on any given day:

1. Warm up properly. Choose the terrain and speed.

2. Focus on one or two concepts that I am currently focusing on to help my performance.

Do this for the first two or three runs in the day, with intention, and you might find you are off to the races for the rest of your ski or ride day.

Enjoy your time on the mountain, and remember we are here to help and invite you to, ‘come play with us.’

Ski, Snowboard, Tour, Nordic, Bike, Run, Hike, Skate, Shovel, Walk, (or anything else!), outside, for a minimum of 30 minutes, every day, for the entire month of January.

Welcome to 2023!: After a fantastic 4 years of streaking, this year we’ve gone Elk Valley wide, with the newly renamed #EVStreak. A fun, supportive nudge to get outside and active, streakin’ offers the chance to sign up the entire family, including kids and dogs, with the goal of raising money for a very worthwhile cause.

How to Streak: This year the streak is raising funds for UPLIFT Association - a non-profit filling a much needed gap throughout the Elk Valley, supporting children with enrichment activities and unique support.

Online registration is just $10 for Adults, (Kids and Doggos are free!), with the opportunity to donate additional funds to this amazing local organization. Simply register via QR code, then track via Strava, or use the calendar below. It’s 100% your challenge, so go have fun, and good luck!

2023 Streak supported by...

#ElkValleyStreak 2023

Happy Streaking! Remember, while we will all likely endeavour to get out for 30 minutes a day, life happens! If you miss a day here and there, that’s okay. Get as many days in as works for you.

This year, all funds raised through the Elk Valley Streak will benefit the Uplift Association. Uplift partners with individuals, their families and communities to help them move towards independence and their own personal ideas of success, positivity and quality of life. Funds from the

Guided Cross Country Ski at Fernie Alpine Resort

Fat Bike Ride in Elkford

January 8: Women Who Wander Winter Social at Fernie Alpine Resort – Nordic or SnowShoe Snowshoe with Sparwood Trails Alliance

January 27-29:

Fat Viking Global Fatbike Endurance Challenge

Easy Walks in Elkford

January 23: Family Snowshoe with Elkford Trails Alliance

Fernie Streak will go towards new programming, supporting Uplift to find a permanent space and continuing to keep their programs accessible to all those in need of service. upliftassociation.com

There is a lot going on this January to get you outside and motivated to Streak all month long. Each community has events taking place, some weekly. From trail running to snowshoeing to fat biking to walking to Nordic or downhill skiing, there are so many

Evening Guided Snowshoe at Fernie Alpine Resort

January 17: Fat Bike Ride with Elkford Trails Alliance

Evening Guided Fat Bike at Fernie Alpine Resort Interval Training with Fernie Nordic Racers at Elk Valley Nordic Centre Winter Grooming Night at Fernie Trails Alliance

January 18: Cross Country Ski at Boivin Trail with Elkford Trails Alliance

Stag

Easy

Elkford Trails Alliance January 19: Family Snowshoe with Elkford Trails Alliance

options for you. There are also ways to be creative, for example an afternoon skate at the outdoor rink in Fernie or along Sparwood’s skate path. Tobogganing on one of the many hills found in our communities. Shoveling your neighbour’s driveway. Building a snow fort! We hope you get out there and have a lot of fun this January, and remember to share your photos, experiences and of course funny stories with the Elk Valley Streak group on Facebook. Happy Streaking!

Fatbike Fridays with Cindy Sleeman, location/time posted on Fernie Fatbike and Fernie Women on Wheels

Easy Walk with Elkford Trails Alliance January 27-29: Fat Viking Global Fatbike Endurance Challenge

Night Skiing at Elk Valley Nordic Centre

Fatbike Ride with Sparwood Trails Alliance

January 14: MidWay Snowshoe followed by a Social at The Blend Elkford

Fernie Fatbike Day January 21: Fatbike Ride with Sparwood Trails Alliance

All Ages Fatbike Ride with Elkford Trails Alliance

January 27-29: Fat Viking Global Fatbike Endurance Challenge

SUNDAYS MONDAYSTUESDAYSWEDNESDAYSTHURSDAYSFRIDAYSSATURDAYS

Leap Run Club in Fernie

Walk with

For more details on these events, follow the organizations on social media. Elkford Elkford Trails Alliance Sparwood Spar wood Trails Alliance Fernie Fernie Trails Alliance Fernie Nordic Society Fernie Mountain Bike Club

TBA Elk Valley Streak Social in Fernie, with the Fernie Trails Alliance Bike Raffle Draw

We have celebrated Chinese New Year with our dear friends and enjoyed dishes with lucky meanings for many years. The year before the pandemic we were lucky to be in Asia for Chinese New Year.

Asian countries all celebrate the Lunar New Year with each country calling the celebration by their own cultural names. For most countries, Lunar New Year begins with the first new moon in the lunar calendar and ends with a special celebration 15 days later with the first full moon.

This is the most important and significant celebration of the year for the past several thousand years in Asian cultures. It is a time to celebrate with family and ancestors as they enter a new year.

We were in Vietnam for their Lunar New Year celebration called Tết Nguyên Đán, or just Tết. What fun we had. The Vietnamese people are very friendly all year round and are happy and full of energy during Tết and it made for such a pleasant environment for that month.

Preparation for Tết begins weeks before. Homes are repaired, scrubbed and painted as you want to start the new year fresh to sweep away the old and make way for the new beginning. Homes are decorated with flowers and decorations. New clothes are made or purchased, traditional dishes are created for family. Businesses shut down for up to four weeks so that millions of people can travel to their home villages and towns to be with family.

Families reunite to honour their ancestors and pray for luck, health and prosperity for the coming year. This is done in a variety of ways. One way is through the burning of joss paper. The burnt offerings are replicas or drawings of money, cars,

Health and Lifestyle SLOW TRAVEL Chinese New Year

by PATRICK ROBERTSON

houses, clothes, and whatever you want your ancestors to have in the afterlife to be comfortable.

The joss paper is sold in packets costing a few dollars to hundreds of dollars. The more offerings that you give the better your ancestors will be in the afterlife, and as the ancestors participate in the going ons of the living, the generosity of the gifts is returned in prosperity, good luck and good health through the next year.

Prior to Tết there is the Welcoming Ancestor Ceremony to invite the ancestors to join Tết from the afterlife. There are trays of food for the ancestors, for the relatives’ souls, the Kitchen God, the Earth God, God of Wealth, and lonely souls. The host burns incense and at each tray invites ancestors and Gods to join the family in ushering in the new year.

Tết is about food. The Vietnam culture revolves around food and it is even more

important during Tết. All the many special dishes are made with each region of Vietnam having their own traditional dishes. A popular dish is Banh Chung that is sticky rice with a meat or bean filling wrapped in a banana leaf.

The large cities go all out with floral displays throughout the city and fireworks during New Year Eve. In smaller towns and villages, the atmosphere is relaxed and laid back. Streets are filled with people.

During our travels, people were so friendly. Whole families would come up and want to touch me and rub my belly and have their picture taken with me. I reminded them of Happy Buddha. Children would run up and hold our hands as we strolled down the riverwalk with their parents walking beside us. It was a very natural and friendly child gesture. We felt so welcomed and comfortable that we can’t wait to go back to Vietnam.

HoiAn Group| Submitted Photo

We can do hard things.

At this time of year so many of us look ahead to how we want to live our lives, what the best version of ourselves looks like, and the new adventures we want to take on. There is a collective hope when people talk about going to new gym classes, making goals at the ski hill, a desire to learn a new skill, or making new friends. Underneath it there are also slight tones of anxiety or fear. We tend to let our egos take control when we get nervous about something new and then think thoughts like, “What if no one likes me?” or “What if I am terrible at it?” or “What if I hurt myself or people wonder why I am there?”

This places us at the centre and pushes us to ignore that others may have similar fears, may be so focused on their own work they do not even notice you, or more than likely they are actually excited to share their passion with someone new.

Whenever your mind plays the ‘what if’ game, I encourage you to play the opposite too. “What if people are really welcoming and I make a new friend?” or “What if it is difficult to start and then I really enjoy it and grow?” or “What if I rock this new skill and people cheer me on?”

It is scary to put yourself out there and to try new things or revisit old passions in life. The key is to be patient with yourself. Give yourself a good pep talk in the mirror, be kind and careful with your heart and your self-worth and then put on some pump up music and use all the grit you have to go out and do the thing that terrifies you, one step at a time. No one is expecting you to be perfect.You are allowed to be happy and enjoy life. If you decide you do not like it, it is 100% okay to say, “this is not for me.”

Grace and Grit

by TYLA CHARBONNEAU

I recently learned from Dr. Kirsten Neff that the critical voice in our minds and self-compassionate voices often have the same goal: To keep us safe. This took me a little while to wrap my head around. For example, if my critical inner voice says something like, “You are going to be awful at this,” the goal of the critic is to keep me safe from feeling disappointed in myself and not good enough. Using self-compassion can help to reframe that critical thought to something like, “Every time you try something new it will be a challenge. If you keep going it will be easier each time and the nerves you feel will lessen, you can do this.” The goal here is still to keep me safe from feeling like I am not enough but the words are so much kinder and honestly more motivating.

When you offer yourself grace you are not letting yourself off the hook. The grit pushes you to do the hard thing, own that there will be challenges and push through it to live life on your terms. There is a sadness in knowing how often people let the worry of what others think, or not being enough, get in the way of enjoying life. So, go try run club, take that pottery class, sign up for a snowboard lesson, go to the party you were invited to, try a new fitness class. What is the worst that is going to happen, and if the worst happens can you handle it?

The content provided in this article is for information purposes only. It is not meant as a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you find yourself in distress, please reach out to your local physician who can provide mental health resources in your community.

Submitted Photo

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by KEVIN MCISAAC

It’s a new year, and with all the resolutions flying around, now is a great time to make another. Specifically, getting your online security in order. This is a good time to go through your important accounts: bank, email, apple, amazon, social media, etc. and create new passwords. Each account should have its own password. Record them all in an application such as Lastpass or 1Password. Ensure that a trusted person has access to that application.

I can’t over emphasize the importance of having unique passwords. Websites, especially ones run by smaller organizations, are hacked regularly. When their password databases are hacked, hackers download the emails and password, and then try those combinations everywhere. They want access to your email, which they will scour for all the emails you’ve sent or received that contain passwords for other sites and other people. (Sent your mom the email for Netflix? Now they have that password.)

It happens in minutes. They use those passwords to access Apple and buy gift cards, which are the currency of the dark web. Bitcoin may get all the attention, but if you’re buying stuff on the dark web, the coin of the realm is gift cards. Gift cards purchased on other people’s accounts.

Now is a good time too to setup 2 Factor Authorization (2FA) everywhere you can. Gmail, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Snapchat, etc. all have 2FA now. I’ve written about 2FA before, but briefly this is when you log in then you’re asked for a code provided to you via text, email, or an authentication app such as Google Authenticator before you can log in.

It is valuable, as even if someone gets your email and password they still cannot log into your account without this second level. Facebook and Google will soon start forcing you to use 2FA. So, get ready.

There is a browser extension called Authenticator Extension available for Chrome, Firefox and Edge. Add it and it’ll be available whenever you’re logging in somewhere that needs 2FA.

Some of you in the past may have setup the Facebook backup friend in case you lost access to your account. Note that this no longer works. Use 2FA.

The other thing to get done this year is ensuring someone has access to your accounts in the event of a tragedy. I have several friends who struggled for a long time to get access to their parent’s accounts and despite having all the legal necessities for doing so they still ran into the impenetrable wall of giant tech bureaucracy. Storing your passwords in an application and ensuring that your executor, or child, or someone you trust can get access if needed will save them a

world of trouble. Remember, you cannot set this up after...

Finally, delete old accounts. These are just opportunities for spam and for hackers to get some of your credentials. Signed up for a newsletter years ago? Unsubscribe. Have old sites you no longer use? Log on and delete your accounts.

Eliminating digital detritus make online cleaner and safer for you.

Happy New Year and Happy Computing.

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January 2023

by ASHLEY KRISTINA

Happy New Year and may you all have a blessed 2023! By the third week of this month, all planets and asteroids will be in direct motion, rare these last few years putting 2023 to a great start of forward motion. By the hermetic law of “as above, so below” it should be mirrored in our daily life.

January begins with the sun travelling in conjunct Pholus, the asteroid that “blows up” energy it is in relation to, resulting in Capricorn being pronounced the first two weeks of the month. Capricorn energy is all about responsibility, tradition, work and doing a complete job. Mercury

continues its retrograde until January 18, also in Capricorn, and moving in the sky with Venus and Pluto meaning there is deep and intense communication with our loved ones this month. For the first half of the month, Saturn continues to remain conjunct to Valentine, the asteroid of true love, and then moves into a conjunction with Venus. I suspect this will be a time for the Lovers of the Zodiac to communicate and some karma with true love might be hashed out. The Sun also travels in close conjunction to Pluto by the end of the month, and with Venus also in the sign of Aquarius, the major theme is communication of knowledge.

Full Moon: January 6 at Cancer 16°

New Moon: January 21

Mars direct in Gemini: January 12

Mercury direct in Capricorn: January 18

Uranus direct in Taurus (still tightly conjunct the North Node): January 22

The sun moves into Aquarius this year on January 22.

Aries

Both Jupiter and Chiron travel in your sign, with Chiron now being direct after many months retrograde. It’s both a time of expansion and healing. The folklore of astrology states that the light comes through the wound (Chiron) so learning to show up in your authenticity is very important.

Taurus

Uranus going direct in your sign may give you some surprising shifts. Lots should be shifting since the Scorpio-Taurus eclipse of October/November so allow these fluxes of change to pervade your life. Change is good!

Gemini

Both what you do and what you say may be bipolar this month, and that’s because Mars is retrograde in your sign for half the month, and then direct for half the month and Mercury, your ruling planet is following this same pattern but in Capricorn. Careful

communication in work environments is warranted.

Cancer

A time to start afresh, which is always exciting. The Capricorn energy of the month balances your energy to direct your awareness more into the work environment from the home environment. Shifts occur by the end of the month.

Leo

The third week will be a huge shift in energy for you as the Sun, Saturn and Venus sit in Aquarius, your opposing energy. This can bring innovations, ideas and community connections as well as it being an important time to pay attention to your dreams.

Virgo

A theme of fate as Uranus goes direct this month, and in tight conjunction to the North Node. Don’t be surprised if major shifts occur over the next few months. This is meant to align you to your highest calling.

Libra

A major month where everything seems to finally start flowing and aligning for you. It’s also a major time for communication in relationships. Shifts happen quickly at this time so it’s best to be flexible.

Scorpio

The Phoenix rises! It’s taken years to get here, you have officially resurrected from the ashes. Scorpios go through major forms of soul-death and transformation over and over in a lifetime. Enjoy the resurrection and the power that came by walking through the fire.

Sagittarius

A month of good fortune where monetary investments can make a payback or a new investment comes up! With all the energy in Capricorn, it’s a month of diligent work. Invest wisely.

Capricorn

Your guide to success for this year begins this month, keep your focus on what is important to you and do good work. The sun is shining in your sign, supporting you with extra energy. Happy birthday!

Aquarius

Happy birthday to the early Aquarians. It’s a month of love for you as Venus travels through your sign. Saturn is also travelling in your sign, providing a grounded and structured feeling to these times. It might even be a month to propose to your special person as Saturn also rules dedication in love.

Pisces

It’s a new year and this feels refreshing especially as the planets all turn direct. The energy that manifests from this is forward motion, clarity, excitement and plans for the future. Additionally, you might find that what you have been working towards comes into fruition over the next few months.

Year of the Rabbit, Through Your Lens

Photo by Emily Park Photography @emilyparkphotographyfernie

A Rabbit is a tame and tender animal, and swift in move, much like the toddlers of Fernie.

Trying to capture the innocent sharp eyes of a toddler through the lens for a photographer, could be compared to trying to catch a rabbit in a field with just your hands!

Photo by: Taylor’d Images Photography @taylord_images_photography in the midst the sense of serene accompanies the beginning of a new year

Out in the Community:

What does a new year mean to you, and what if any rituals do you participate in to set it off on the right foot?

Kirsten Madsen

To me, a new year represents a reset and a time to reflect. December is very busy at work and after the hustle and bustle of Christmas, a new year brings a bit of calm where time is spent cozied up home, skiing, and enjoying all the beauty wintertime in Fernie provides.

January kicks off in style throughout the entire Elk Valley with the Elk Valley Streak! Four years ago, #FernieStreak began encouraging people to get out and be active for 30 minutes a day for the month of January. It was extremely popular, with a fun group on Facebook where members would share their activities – often times hilarious (shoveling snow with ankle weights, anyone?). Soon after, Sparwood came on board with their own. This year, the communities of the Elk Valley decided to come together and encourage all residents in Elkford, Sparwood and Fernie to participate. Find the calendar in this issue, and join the group on Facebook (Elk Valley Streak) for encouragement, ideas and likely a lot of laughs. There will be a social to celebrate everyone’s achievement! Registration available at raceroster.com.

Kerri McCrady

I love a new year! It always feels like a refresh after a busy and fun Christmas. Taking down the tree and decorations makes the house feel so good. After a countdown with friends on NYE playing street hockey and a bonfire, I really look forward to the Fernie Streak challenge to get my mind and body back into routine. And best of all, a few more days off having fun with the family before school, work, and activities start back up. These adventures and activities always seem to set us all up for success for the year ahead.

This time of year, many residents in the valley are playing in the backcountry. One of the best and easiest to access tools is avalanche.ca. This website has a flexible forecast system, that allows users to quickly search the homepage map to find their riding areas quickly and easily. Each region is coloured to reflect its highest danger rating, and also change in response to conditions. Forecasters determine boundaries every day, allowing it to more accurately reflect backcountry conditions as the regions are determined by avalanche conditions. This site, in addition to your backcountry training and preparation, is a fantastic resource to stay informed.

The Reel Canadian Film Festival is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, as they bring the best of Canada’s filmmaking from across the country to Fernie! Featuring drama, documentary, Frenchlanguage work and new this year Local Reels by local filmmakers. Feature films this year include Stay the Night, Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, A Journey, A Song, Niagara, Ashgrove and Riceboy Sleeps. There will be an opening and closing reception as well as opportunity for Q&A. Visit fernielovesfilm.ca for the most recent details and to purchase your weekend passes.

Everyone is welcome to join in the Fernie Art Streak 2023 everyday in January! Draw, paint or create the word of the day then post your creations and tag @fernieartsstation and hashtag #fernieartsstreak Join the Fernie Art Streak 2023 facebook group to post your creations and see how others interpret the prompt!

What’s Missing?

One of these bunnies is missing something very important, can you find it?

Find the

Somewhere in this issue is a little rabbit.

Can you find it?

Answers Last Month