September 2009 Village Vibe

villagevibe

Rendering: Christine Lintott

September 2009 : News and views from the heart of Fernwood

Dream Big, Fernwood! >> by Lee Herrin

I

magine walking down Fernwood Road toward the Cornerstone Building. Now imagine that instead of an under-utilized and rundown building with a blank wall beside it, you saw something resembling the picture above. Impossible?

Nothing is impossible in Fernwood! Remember what we have already achieved!

Recently, the City of Victoria issued a press release indicating that it would invest in the Cityowned building at 1921-23 Fernwood Road, operated by the Fernwood Community Association.

The investment will ensure the building is “up to code,” and will address seismic and fire safety issues. This presents Fernwood with an exciting opportunity to continue re-imagining the heart of our neighbourhood.

So then: what do we want to see? Is our neighbourhood as vital as it can be? I don’t think so.

Fernwood NRG, owner of the Cornerstone Building and publisher of the Vibe, is committed to creating neighbourhood places that are vibrant, beautiful, healthy and alive. We will continue revitalizing the neighbourhood by adding a variety of improvements at the Cornerstone Building

and beyond. In particular, we imagine flower boxes, a takeout window, enlarging the sidewalk to accommodate seating and bicycle parking, and staying open in the evenings. What do you imagine?

The City is playing a part by upgrading a neighbourhood-controlled asset. We recently had a conversation with Mayor Fortin and our neighbourhood liaison, Councilor Lucas. We told them Fernwood NRG welcomes civic investment in Fernwood, and we asked them how they were going to ensure their investment served the residents of Fernwood. They were very clear that the building is a neighbourhood-controlled asset and that it was up to residents to satisfy themselves that the building is well-used.

So how about it, Fernwood? What if 192123 Fernwood Road was a neighbourhood-owned bakery, with fresh bread baked daily? Or maybe it should be a food co-op with fruits and veggies for sale on the sidewalk? And what if the upstairs housed some of the many students we know are supporting themselves while finishing high school? There would still be space to accommodate meetings and other ongoing uses. Current zoning, in combination with the coming upgrades, would permit all of these possibilities.

From our experience, we know this neighbourhood is filled with people who are passionate about building and reinvigorating community. We’ve seen that positive changes happen when residents make them happen, so let’s get out and take a walk around the ‘hood while the sky is still clear. Let your imagination run wild through our streets.

Dream big, Fernwood! Let us know what you think by dropping us a line at dreambig@fernwoodnrg.ca. Let this conversation about the future of Fernwood begin!

For more information on this neighbourhood issue, visit our website fernwoodnrg.ca.

in this issue Haegart Park Hoedown Page 3 Feature: Mapping the ‘hood Page 4 Responsible Gardening Page 7

To get the Vibe digitally, sign up at www.villagevibe.ca

Photo: Karen Skowron

On a sunny Saturday in mid August, Haultain Commons neighbours and supporters arrived at the now famous boulevard garden to gather in the summer harvest and begin winter plantings. Over the course of the afternoon the impromptu crew of about a dozen diggers and planters achieved a potato harvest that was acknowledged as “an embarrassment of riches!” and planted kale, asparagus kale, collards, cabbages and autumn snow peas. They also erected a beautiful pea fence ON THE BOULEVARD. It was a thoroughly satisfactory afternoon of sharing stories and laughter and working together toward a highly rewarding, not to mention tasty, common goal!

Sun hats off to the Haultain Commoners! As you continue to lead the way and encourage the notable proliferation of boulevard gardens in the neighbourhood; Fernwoodians applaud you!

MS Society Exercise Group: Building Heavier Weights

Photos: Blanche Black

buzz : Haultain Harvest

Like the work of Fernwood NRG? Go to CanadaHelps.org and donate to Fernwood NRG.

declaration of principles and values We are committed to creating a socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable neighbourhood; We are committed to ensuring neighbourhood control or ownership of neighbourhood institutions and assets; We are committed to using our resources prudently and to becoming financially self-reliant; We are committed to the creation and support of neighbourhood employment; We are committed to engaging the dreams, resources, and talents of our neighbours and to fostering new links between them; We are committed to taking action in response to neighbourhood issues, ideas, and initiatives; We are committed to governing our organization and serving our neighbourhood democratically with a maximum of openness, inclusivity and kindness; We are committed to developing the skills, capacity, self-worth, and excellence of our neighbours and ourselves; We are committed to focusing on the future while preserving our neighbourhood’s heritage and diversity; We are committed to creating neighbourhood places that are vibrant, beautiful, healthy, and alive; and, most of all, We are committed to having fun!

Canada World Youth: Here They Come! >> by Joey Worthington I have done a lot of travelling in my life. I enjoy adventure, meeting new people, and trying new things. Travelling to different cultures allows us to see ourselves and our own culture in new ways. Suddenly things we took for granted become just one way of many to do something. This new perspective helps us appreciate life; it expands our possibilities and enables us to live with more awareness and intention. This year you have an opportunity to experience the learning and excitement of travelling without leaving home!

Canada World Youth (CWY) is an international educational organization that works to increase people’s – and especially youths’ – ability to participate in the development of just, harmonious and sustainable societies. From September 12 to December 8, 2009, Victoria will be hosting a group of 18 CWY volunteers from the Ukraine and across Canada. The volunteer’s three-month stay in the community will be the first stage of a CWY educational program. The second half of the program will take place in Rivne, Ukraine. During the program the volunteers will be living with host families, doing volunteer work, and learning about community development.

The 18 youths (age 18 - 23) bring with them enthusiasm, volunteer hours, culture, and an interest in building community involvement and awareness.

This year we will be working to focus the program in the Fernwood area, but in order to make this a reality we need your help. These youths need homes for the approximately 2.5 months that they will be here doing volunteer work and learning about this area of the world.

The benefits of hosting include: > Become involved in and experience your community through new eyes; > Meet new people in the Fernwood area, exchange ideas and gain new insights; > Change your routine with an enjoyable and exciting pair of youth;

Page 2 | News and views from the heart of Fernwood | September 2009

Blanche Black is making wrist/ankle weights for the Multiple Sclerosis Society exercise group. The group has been working out with Blanche for five years, and it’s time to increase the resistance! If you have any old tights to donate for the construction of the weights you can drop them off in the box on the front porch at 2012 Chambers Street.

> Introduce your children to a different world perspective; > Become a part of the “global village”; > Host families are provided with a financial allowance of approximately $720 per month; and > Make a difference in the lives and education of 2 young people while having a great cultural experience.

CWY is also looking for local facilitators for workshops and fun and educational team activities to discover the local community.

Integration into a family and volunteer work with local agencies and organizations are key goals of the program. They allow volunteers an opportunity to learn about the region as well as the local lifestyle and culture.

So if you’ve been thinking that you would like to be more involved in the Fernwood community this is your chance! Please help us to make this year’s program in Fernwood a success by sharing your home or being involved in some other way.

Interested? Have a look at our website: http://sites.google.com/site/cwyvictoria/home Or contact Khan, Canadian Project Supervisor, at 250 891 2331 or nbawa@cwy-jcm.org

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What do you think of Fernwood’s curbside freecycling?

Views photos: Monica Pozzolo

views from the street :

Renee

Micki & Jeff We like it! We put things out and pick things up....as long as it doesn’t sit out there for ages and become litter.

Haegart Park Hoedown >> by Lisa Helps On a sunny Saturday in late July a group of Fernwoodians, inspired by the call to action of Camosun Street resident Tania Wegwitz, headed to Haegart Park at Yukon and Chambers with a wagonload of tools. “I wanted to do something meaningful to celebrate my birthday,” Tania explained, “and draw people together in a way that was non-materialistic and would create beauty.”

Tania and many others walk or bike through Haegart Park every day; it is a true thoroughfare. But almost every City-provided entity in the park from the lamp standards to the garbage can has become a target of tagging. The park was a bit of an eyesore.

Tania recognized that technically what they were doing was no different than the taggers in that they were painting city property and also potentially impacting employment for City workers. “Some direction from the City would be good in terms of how do we strategically deploy our municipal workers to make the best use of their talents while also allowing for activities like this which build citizens’ engagement and stewardship.”

Haegart Park has also recently been the target of another group of urban guerrilla activists. Earlier in the summer a vegetable garden sprung up on the north side of the park, planted and maintained rather anonymously.

I think many of us have been holding our collective breath each time we pass through the park, worried that the garden will have been dug up and replaced with

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Photo: Dave Kesson

Photo: Dave Kesson

It’s a great idea because it reduces waste.

Laurie

sod or seed. But so far so good. From vegetable-laden boulevards to the native plant garden in Centennial Square, the City seems to be increasingly supportive of growing food in public places.

Folks who stopped by the day of the Haegart Park Hoedown commented on the garden and on the flowercovered garbage can, the rainbow painted bench, and the yellow poles on the east entrance to the park that the park beautification crew had turned into smiling cheetahs. And, as Tania points out, “not a single person who came through had anything negative to say.”

In terms of next steps Tania says that “now that we’ve done it once, it feels like there’s a need to continue the stewardship.” Haegart Park will be maintained by the hoe-downers for now. As Tania reminds us, “people shouldn’t feel inhibited to make the place where they live beautiful.”

It’s essentially a good idea but there will always be a minority that will abuse it.

remarkable amounts of food in small spaces.

The tour highlighted five private gardens and one public space, Spring Ridge Commons in Fernwood. The Commons was reaching full bloom. Beautiful Damson plum trees competed with figs and other produce for space.

The corner lot, currently managed by LifeCycles and run by volunteers, was designed to provide free, fresh organic food to the community, conserve and recycle resources, create native bird and insect habitat, and generally improve the local quality of life.

On a small backyard lot, one gardener has created an incredible example of home-scale permaculture, a method of designing sustainable human settlements that provide food, habitat and increasing abundance by reproducing the relationships found in natural ecosystems. This extraordinary garden not only supplies the gardener with most of his of food all year long, it is also used as an educational centre and as a source of organic plant starts for the community.

The gardens on the tour illustrated how even the smallest spaces can be utilized to produce vast quantities of food, both sustainably and beautifully. All of the gardeners were committed to using natural principles.

Demonstrations at the sites included old-fashioned composting techniques, the use of high-quality aerobic compost tea and utilizing worm bins for composting.

Working with nature, these gardeners, and many like them, have created lovely, sustainable urban gardens. Their spaces produce everything from apples to zucchini, even tea, right in the heart of the city. They are remarkably fruitful. But most of all, they were truly inspiring.

Garden Tour with SOUL >> by Karen Platt Victoria has long prided itself on its ubiquitous gardens. Our temperate climate lends itself to the cultivation of all manner of flora, and people here take their gardens seriously.

On July 25, the 2nd Annual SOUL Organic Garden Tour, sponsored by the Society for Urban Land Care (SOUL), gave a motivating (and often surprising) peek into the yards of six local, organic gardens in Fernwood and Oak Bay. The featured gardens all produced

September 2009 | www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca | Page 3

feature : Mapping the ‘Hood

Photos this spread: Steve Carey

>> by Dorothy Field

“We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect,” wrote Aldo Leopold. also hope to have an interactive website as part of the Vicipedia concept, an on-line access point for information on our city. To do this, we invite the community’s help. We need your ideas and your energy.

With this in mind, we are initiating a project to map the heart and soul of our community.

Have you ever wondered about the lay of the land here in Fernwood – our waters and our bedrock, our layers of history? Where streams ran? The history of our spring? Our Garry oak meadows and camas fields? How did First Nations use the land? What stories were told about special places and what were their original names? Were there bears and cougars at Gladstone and Fernwood? How were the early farms laid out and what did they grow?

Did we have a tiny Chinatown? Where besides the British Isles did our early settlers come from?

These are only a few of the questions we will consider as we set out to map Fernwood.

The answers are scattered in history books, old maps, and oral histories.

Community mapping, also called participatory mapping, is one way to bring these diverse approaches together. The real aim of this kind of mapping is to open up new questions and new ways to look at our community.

Most of the maps we use help us figure out how to get from here to there.

The Fernwood map we create will open wider possibilities. It will be a treasure map of our neighborhood, a way to record the ancient songlines of this place. We anticipate that we will end up with a printed map, but we

Participatory mapping has been around in this part of BC for a while now.

Numerous communities including many of the Gulf Islands, Vic West, the Highlands and others have already made their maps. We’re lucky to have their examples and inspiration.

This community mapping project is one of many offshoots of the vision articulated by Mark Lakeman of Portland about how we take back our neighborhoods and create the city spaces we want to live in. Maps are powerful tools. Historically, most maps were made by invading powers or those seeking to control the land. Made by geologists, they indicate where to look for minerals and oil. In the hands of politicians, they map voting trends, power blocks, and riding boundaries. Done by the power elite, they map areas of wealth and poverty, where transportation will run and where it won’t, school districts, and where to bury toxic waste. Knowledge is power and maps are the repositories of layers and layers of knowledge. The Penan people of Sarawak, who protested the deforestation of their land, were arrested if they were found carrying a map.

Maps made by and for the community are another entity. Such maps chart existing networks and create new ones. Maps make energy visible. Maps make friends. This project is an integral part of the Placemaking energy,

Celebrate the Sunshine!

The Patio at the Inn Now open for Summer.

Join us daily from 11:30 1302 Gladstone

Page 4 | News and views from the heart of Fernwood | September 2009

412-2001

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that process of having the community become its own source of power and initiative rather than waiting for City Hall to tell us what kind of community we will be. This past spring, several Fernwoodians attended a class on community mapping led by Maeve Lydon and Ken Josephson of UVic’s geography department. This was the catalyst to get going on a vision several of us share.

This mapping project is a chance to create an inventory of our values.

Fernwood is in the process of amazing, mostly wonderful changes.

Fernwood has been part of Victoria’s heartwood for well over a century, a long time in a city the age of Victoria. We remain heartwood. This project is a way to know more deeply a community we cherish. It is a chance to map the example we’re becoming of urban vitality and communitymindedness: our brilliant restaurants and fantastic coffee; our chicken coop tours and sustainable gardens; our initiatives in affordable housing; our amazing Belfry Theatre. The list goes on.

We invite Fernwood residents to come together to think about what else we want to see here. We need to hear from everyone: young, old, longtime residents and newcomers. How we proceed and what the project will ultimately look like depends on community input and interests. This is about accessibility at all levels. We will need lots of help “ground truthing” – mapmakers’ language for walking the streets, checking how accurately the available maps reflect the actual reality of our neighborhood. We’ll need help gathering oral histories, creating base maps for community mapping events, and so much more.

What do you love about Fernwood? How could we make it better? Are there special rocks, trees, corners that you love? What do you need to make life in Fernwood more complete – a particular type of store or venue, more recreation opportunities, different kinds of child care, bocce ball in the streets, mandalas in our intersections, more community garden space, barbecued vegetables in the square? With luck, we’ll sing new songlines into being as they arise from new stories and new visions of Fernwood’s ongoing evolution.

Our first big evening will be Monday, September 21 at the monthly Placemaking meeting at the Cornerstone. Ken Josephson and Maeve Lydon will be speaking about the mapmaking process. You are all invited. We look forward to seeing you there. If you can’t attend the meeting but would like to take part or just stay informed, email mapping@fernwoodnrg.ca, and we’ll make sure to keep you in the loop.

We invite Fernwood residents to come together to think about what else we want to see here.

We need to hear from everyone: young, old, long-time residents and newcomers.

Denise Savoie Member of Parliament for Victoria

constituency office: 970 Blanshard Street Victoria, BC V8W 2H3 telephone: 363-3600 e-mail: Savoie.d@parl.gc.ca on the web: www.denisesavoie.ca

Your voice in Ottawa VillageVibe

September 2009 | www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca | Page 5

Photo: Margaret Hantiuk

gleanings : Responsible Gardening: Our Waterways

>> by Margaret Hantiuk As gardeners, we can have a huge beneficial or toxic effect on the environment. By gardening without pesticides and herbicides these chemicals are not then filtering down into the groundwaters and through the storm sewers into our oceans and streams. Even chemical fertilizers create problems, as they create excessive fertility in streams and oceans, which depletes oxygen.

We are learning more about how storm drains (non-sewer from streets and yards) impact the natural environment. The less storm water the better. In the forest, very little rainwater runs off because the soil is absorbent humus, there are many plants that use the water, and of course there is no pavement! This means that the groundwater is replenished and there is less erosion from sudden deluges of water coming from elsewhere. The lesson here is to have as little impervious

(concrete and pavement) hardscape as possible; instead use gravel, interlocking pavers, brick, wood, and stones for paths, drives and patios. Not using landscape fabric helps too, as it tends to shed water. Our trees and shrubs are nourished more when there is less pavement.

Our climate is suitable for collecting water in our rainy winters that can then be used to water our gardens in our dry summers. It’s amazing how much water can be collected off a house or garage roof. Many people are setting up systems of rain barrels, one siphoning off to the next. There are several different products on the market now. (To keep mosquito breeding to a minimum, cover them well.) There are neat porous plastic extensions that can be inserted onto downspouts that unroll into your yard, dispersing the rainwater into the ground. I read recently of someone placing a large cistern underground in their yard that will collect the winter rainwater for their irrigation system in the summer.

It’s best to water less often and more deeply, not over watering where water runs out into the street. A thick, annual mulch conserves soil moisture. When using concrete, paint or stains, glues, tars, soaps – anything corrosive or toxic – dispose of the waste or washing/ cleaning water at a hazardous waste site – NOT down the drains (toilet, sink or outside into the storm drains).

Hot tubs should be drained into the ground, not down the storm drains. I often pour mildly soapy water into my garden rather than down the drains. Many people are now using a bucket in their kitchen to collect water used

for washing and rinsing that is not too dirty, and then watering their garden with it.

I have come to realize that I have to examine every item that I use that might end up going down the drain.

I am weaning myself off of toxic cleaning products and personal hygiene products that are not natural. I buy more organic food. I avoid plastic. I recycle more and take anything that might be hazardous to the hazardous products recycling. (Even throwing toxic debris into the garbage means it will eventually leach out into the groundwater.)

By managing our water usage we can save money and be less of a burden in our dry summers. We can help to replenish the groundwater and extend our expensive storm water collection system. We can stop the cycle of toxic chemicals that are slowly killing our ocean and wonderful sea life. We make powerful choices every time we buy, use and dispose of everyday things.

Websites: www.stormwater@crd.bc.ca For more info about hazardous waste: www.crd.bd.ca/es Email: hotline@crd.bc.ca CRD Recycling Hotline: 250-360-3030 Fernwood recycling day is the second Saturday from 11am 1pm on Gladstone across from the community center.

I have come to realize that I have to examine every item that I use that might end up going down the drain.

Complementary Care in Fernwood >> by Judith Polston Many cultures use various types of bodywork and energy to heal the body/mind and as a preventative approach to maintain good health. It is part of their life from birth to old age. In North America we usually use massage or bodywork as a ‘treat’ or when really ill. We are now learning to understand how the body/mind connection works. Focusing just on the physical aspects may not be enough.

Reflexology is the art of compression technique on all points of the feet. The feet hold all the nerve endings of the body. When stimulating points on the feet a ‘current’ passes from the nerve cell to neurons of the brain to the organs and glands; circulation is improved and toxins are removed. Our feet are bound up in shoes the majority of the year, thereby not allowing much needed stimulation to enhance the health of the entire body.

Many people have either experienced or know about reflexology but may be unaware of its history. Reflexology has been practiced in China for over 5000 years. It is

found in paintings in Egyptian tombs dating back to 2330 B.C. and was introduced to North America in 1913 by Dr. William Fitzgerald.

Polarity Therapy was founded by Dr. Stone in the l940s. Trained as a chiropractor, naturopath and osteopath, he then studied polarity therapy in India, which stems from Ayurvedic medicine. Electromagnetic fields surrounding the body can become blocked like dams which do not permit water to flow. Polarity works with principles similar to Chinese medicine and acupuncture to unblock the energy fields. It recognizes ‘Prana’ or ‘Chi’ as the life force and that thoughts and attitudes can bring health or disease.

Polarity seeks to balance and harmonize the energy fields of the body, boosts the immune system, brings deep relaxation, and like a computer program, gives the body/ mind a new program memory to change one’s own health – change from the inside out.

Polarity Therapy and Reflexology together address the mental, emotional and physical. We cannot separate our body into parts if we want true health. All disease starts

Page 6 | News and views from the heart of Fernwood | September 2009

with a positive intention: the mind/body wants to change.

When there is disagreement between mind and body, you have a bind. Muscles tighten, nerves are squeezed, blood flow reduces, lymph circulation is impeded, stress occurs. Polarity therapy/reflexology work to reverse these processes to restore a better state of health Clients come for better sleep, relief from headaches, constipation, stomach problems, back complaints, worry and stress, recovery from auto accidents, and just to destress and relax. Reflexologists/Polarity Therapists are not doctors and cannot make any claims. It is Nature herself, combined with the work of the practitioners and the co-operation of the client, which allows improved health.

This bodywork is complementary to most other modalities of treatment you may be already receiving.

Judith Polston practices out of Fernwood Holistic Health Centre, 1608 Camosun St., has 33 years experience, and is trained and certified in Canada, the USA, and India.

Call for more info or appt. 778-430-1104. First one hour session only $30.00

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what’s on in Fernwood Arts, Theatre and Entertainment Belfry Theatre presents: BORDERTOWN CAFÉ. A gentle and funny slice of Canadiana, filled with quirky and endearing characters.

Sept 15 until Oct 18. See website or call for showtimes or additional info. 1291 Gladstone Ave. Info: 250.385.6815 or www.belfry.bc.ca Collective Works Gallery. > HARUMI OTA. Solo show runs until Sept 11. > ON AND OFF THE WALL. Viewing from Sept 11. Reception and auction Sept 19, 7 to 9pm. (See Vibe story, p8) > WORKS BY PJ KELLY, GRANT WATSON and DONALD IUS. Sept 20-25.

Also at Collective Works: Life drawing sessions. Facilitators Marnie Miiller and PJ Kelly. First and last Sunday of the month, 7:30-9:30pm. $10 drop-in.

Gallery hours>11am-6pm Tues to Thurs; 11am-8pm Fri+Sat; 11am-6pm Sun; closed Mon. 1311 Gladstone Ave. 250.590.1345. www. collectiveworks.ca Live at the Cornerstone – 1301 Gladstone (at Fernwood Ave.). > BLUEGRASS WEDNESDAYS. Fernwood NRG and the Fernwood Bluegrass Association present Wednesday night bluegrass jams at the Cornerstone Café. 7:30-10pm.

FREE! > SOUND SPA. Fridays, Sept 11 and 25. 7-11pm. Resident DJ Nate + guests spin dub, dubstep and other tasty beats. > THE MOMOIR PROJECT. Thursday, Sept 17. First in a six-class series to be held every second Thursday, 7-9pm. Writing workshop for mothers facilitated by Sue Fast, editor of Island Parent magazine. “Recording your experiences is actually easier than you may think. It’s also fun, rewarding, and a little bit painful. Just like motherhood itself.” To register and pay visit www.themomoirproject. com > THE BUMBLING SISTERS. Friday, Sept 18th - A Shot in the Dark Open Mic. 7-11pm. Sarah and Megan host a night of audible potpourri. Feature act TBA.

> YARNS. Story time for kids of all ages. Every Sunday morning at 9:30.

Come join us to listen or tell. >FERNWOOD PLACE MAKING TROUPE. Mon, Sept 21. 7pm. Place Making resumes with a BANG! We will host the Fernwood Mapping Group for a evening of informative speakers and scintillating discussion on mapping our neighbourhood.

Come hear about or even get involved in this exciting new project! at the Cornerstone Cafe.

Cornerstone Café showing Pesto Art through September.

Live Music at Fernwood Inn. Open Mic Thursdays. 8:30-11:30pm.

1302 Gladstone Ave. FREE! Live Music at Logan’s Pub. 1821 Cook St. www.loganspub.com Ministry of Casual Living.

1442 Haultain St. Info: www. ministryofcasualliving.ca Victoria Bluegrass Association Jam. Tuesdays 7:30-10pm. Orange Hall.

1620 Fernwood Rd. $2 to play ($3/ non-members). Listen by donation.

Info: www.victoriabluegrass.ca Victoria Folk Music Society.

Sundays. 7:30pm Open Stage. 9pm Feature Performer. (Sept 6 >Flash in the Pan. Sept 13> Dennis Lakusta with Gary Barnum. Sept 20> Hank Kramer. Sept 27> Richard Grainger) Norway House. 1110 Hillside Ave. $5 feature performer nights/$3 all open stage night. www.victoriafolkmusic.ca

Kids and Families at the Fernwood Community Centre Parent and Babe Playgroup.

For caregivers with children under 36 months. Fernwood’s Parent and Babe group is a comfortable and relaxed setting where parents and caregivers can nurture their babies through parent discussion, music and storytelling. Wednesdays 9:3011:30am. Fernwood Community Centre Gym. Coffee, juice and snacks provided. FREE! Parent and Tot Playgroup.

Snacks/Crafts/Circle Time. Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30-11:30am.

Fernwood Community Centre Gym. $1 per family.

Youth, Adults and Seniors Fairuza Fridays.

Drop-in Co-ed. Ages 10-14.

Nintendo Wii, big screen movies, basketball, floor hockey, roller skating, music. Fridays, 7-9:30pm.

Fernwood Community Centre. Info: 250.381.1552 ext.25 FREE! Falun Gong.

Peaceful meditation practice. All welcome! Wednesdays, 5-7pm.

Fernwood Community Centre MPR. FREE! Fernwood Seniors.

55+. Gentle exercise, lunch and activities. Monthly special guest speaker. Fridays, 11am Fernwood Community Centre MPR. $2 for lunch.

Floor Hockey.

Drop-in Co-ed. Adult (18+). Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7-9:30pm. Fernwood Community Centre Gym. $4, or get a punchcard: $40/11 sessions.** Flow Yoga.

With certified instructor Jay. Adult.

Fridays 5:30-7pm. $5. Fernwood Community Centre Gym. Hatha Yoga.

With certified instructor Elke. Gentle poses, breathing practice, deep relaxation and meditation. Tuesdays, 3:30-5pm. Fernwood Community Centre Gym. $5.

Karate.

Drop in. Adult Co-ed. Instructor Lucas Trottier. Sundays, 1-2:30pm.

Fernwood Community Centre Gym. $3.** Kundalini Yoga.

Mondays, 7-8:30pm. $5 drop-in.

Fernwood Community Centre.

Tai Chi. Thursdays. 4:30-5:30pm. Fernwood Community Centre. 1240 Gladstone. $5 drop-in.

Women’s Soccer.

Drop-in. Sundays 5-6:30pm, Fernwood Community Centre Gym. $3.** **We accept Sports Trader Bucks and Canadian Tire Money at face value!

Special Events Victoria Green Drinks.

An inclusive gathering of the sustainability-minded for refreshments and conversation. Tues, Sept 8 (second Tues monthly). 4:506:50pm. Belfry Theatre. Gladstone and Fernwood. For info see www. greendrinksvictoria.ca VEMA Volunteer Recruitment Fair.

Come learn about volunteering with the Victoria Emergency Management Agency. Wed, Sept 9, 6-8 pm at 1234 Yates St. (located in the back parking lot on the corner of Camosun and Johnson Streets ). If you plan to attend, please let us know by sending us an email: vema@victoria.ca or call us at 250.920.3373. VEMA staff and team members from the Auxiliary Communication Services, Evacuee Assistance, Search and Rescue, and Neighbourhood Programs will be on hand to demonstrate equipment, offer advice, and answer questions about our programs and community disaster response strategy.

Second Annual Vining St. Block Party!!

Garage Sale 9am-1pm. Block Party 2-7pm. Meet your neighbours; bring your friends. Celebrate vibrant community. Family fun, delicious food, live entertainment and more.

Vining, Stanley and Belmont between Gladstone and Grant will be closed to vehicular traffic 12 and 8pm. For info or to volunteer contact Laurie Rubin.

250.995.2696. lrubin@shaw.ca Victoria Suicide Awareness Week.

Sept 7 to 13, 2009. Please come and share at a Gathering of Hope and Healing, Hosted by the Need Crisis and Information Line. Sept 13, 2-4pm.

Uvic Interfaith Chapel. Need Crisis and Information Line – 250.386.6328.

For info, contact 250.386.6328 x222. www.needcrisis.bc.ca Fernwood’s Outrageous Recycling Day. Bring your CLEAN plastics, styrofoam packing and food trays, electronics and foil-lined coffee/chip bags.

Sat, Sept 12 (second Sat monthly).

10am-1pm. Across from Fernwood Community Centre. By donation.

Fernwood’s Outrageous Recycling Day seeks volunteers! Come help us make it all happen! For info contact villagevibe@fernwoodneighbourhood. ca Community Wellness Clinic.

Victoria Community Health Co-operative. Experience

complementary modalities to support your wellbeing. Clinics by members for members. Sunday, Sept 20 (third Sun monthly), 10am4pm, Alembic Healing Arts Centre, Market Square, Suite #235, 560 Johnson St. Book appointments at 250.483.5503. More info at www. victoriahealthcooperative.ca Fernwood NRG Food Security Collective.

All welcome! Tues, Sept 15 (third Tues monthly). 7-9pm. Fernwood Community Centre MPR. foodsecurity@ fernwoodneighbourhood.ca Basset Hound Picnic.

Sat, Sept 26. Dominion Brook Park, E. Saanich Rd. south of the Panorama Rec Centre. A brief informal blessing of the pets will be held on the lower green at 10:30am in honour of St. Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of animals, followed by a “meet and greet social” at 11am.

Sheltered picnic tables, kitchen and washroom on site. Basset Hound lovers and owners welcome.

For further info, ring Lydia at 250.382.1754.

Fernwood Community Kitchen.

Cook nutritious, creative meals with your neighbours! Info: fernwoodkitchens@gmail.com Fernwood Community Market.

Bringing the goods to the ‘hood – Fernwood’s very own Pocket Market.

Tuesdays. 2-6:30pm. Fernwood Square.

Spring Ridge Commons Workparties.

Starting in September, Commons work parties will be Saturday afternoons at 3pm. Sept. 5, 19, Oct. 3, etc. Please bring tools if you’ve got ‘em.

Village Sustainability Workshops.

Ongoing workshops at the Oak and Fern Centre. Contact Rainey and Margot for information at 250.383.9171 or hope_of_rain@ islandnet.com If you have a workshop or special event idea for the Fernwood Community Centre or the Cornerstone Café email villagevibe@ fernwoodneighbourhood.ca If you have a Fernwood event you would like listed in the Village Vibe calendar please send an email with the subject line “vibe calendar” to villagevibe@ fernwoodneighbourhood.ca

save fernwood’s recycling day Help us help to save the Earth!

Fernwood’s Recycling Day urgently needs volunteers to keep running. The monthly program allows our neighbourhood to recycle specialty items such as soft plastics and electronics.

Volunteer commitment is only 3 hours per month and no experience is required.

Email recycling@fernwoodnrg.ca for more information.

VillageVibe

September 2009 | www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca | Page 7

faces : King of Camosun St

>> by Lisa Helps Hi Marcel. I will never forget walking past you on my way to work and on my way home too. You always looked at me with your mysterious eyes and sometimes you would meow “hello” and walk beside me. May you Rest in Peace. I hope Kitty Heaven is totally awesome.

The ants came by to clean up after the wake. They carried away the remaining bits of smoked salmon and Raincoast Crisp cracker crumbs left scattered on the sidewalk between the benches at the corner of Camosun and Johnson. A group had gathered on that corner the night before to celebrate and bid farewell to my cat Marcel who had recently been struck and killed by a too-fast motorist speeding up the hill on Johnson Street.

All those who walked by this corner on a regular basis - school kids from Vic High, Central Middle School and Sir James Douglas, Boys’ and Girls’ Club employees, and others venturing along the short north-south Camosun Corridor that runs from Grant to Yates - would have encountered Marcel. He was the big black and white cat, nestled under the bench, or attempting to hide from dogs in the very short grass, or innocently flattening the onions in the garden. He thought himself the king of this corner.

Marcel, I’ll always wonder if you were named after a mime. Maybe one day I’ll be lucky enough to have a cat as stellar as you; one who I can name Marcel too. You’ll be missed (though I had only just begun to know you.)

As the testimonies left pinned to the lattice around the bench from friends and strangers alike in the days following Marcel’s death indicate, he was no ordinary cat. And equally to the point, his public wake and the notes people left reaffirm what we already know here in Fernwood: creating public spaces of encounter generates connections and builds community.

Because we took over the sidewalk to hold the wake, people were able to just stop by in a way they wouldn’t have been able to had we been cloistered in my living room. Folks who knew Marcel who I had never met came by that night, brought flowers and

villagevibe

stopped to sit awhile with those of us already gathered and shared their stories of Marcel. Over the next few weeks others brought flowers, left notes.

Photo: Deryk Houston

Photo: Lisa Helps

Photo: Susi Porter Bopp

On And Off the Wall Fundraiser

>> by Deryk Houston We did not know Marcel, or you, but it’s easy to see that you were very lucky to have each other.

Born about eight years ago somewhere in Victoria, the beginnings of his life remain sketchy. From what I’ve gathered, he’d been hit by a car sometime earlier in life, which might help to explain his sometimes vacant (but always charming) stares. He spent some time homeless and prowling the streets until he was taken in by the SPCA and eventually adopted by Gerry and Catherine Matte, parents of my friend Nick. When Gerry and Catherine could no longer keep Marcel I brought him home to live on Vining Street. And he became a Fernwoodian.

Integrating him into the family didn’t prove to be as much of a challenge as we had thought. We had one cat already – a girl kitten – who was excruciatingly shy to the point that she would hide in a series of boxes in the basement at the slightest unusual noise or knock at the door. When her big bruiser of a foster brother moved in, her skittish ways were soon cured and the two of them could be found arriving curiously at the door together to greet the droppers by. I left Vining Street for Camosun and Marcel eventually moved here to join me.

Marcel, I never knew your name so my brother and I always called you “demon cat” because you would wait under the bench and attack our feet as we walked by.

You will always have a special place in our hearts.

With his passing, perhaps the feet of passersby will be safer, neighbourhood dogs will no longer chuckle at the sight of a very large cat attempting to be entirely invisible, avoiding their drooling chops, and I’ll no longer hear exclamations through my open window such as, “Daddy, look at the big fat kitty!” But the connections Marcel and his life and death made will remain. The corner will remain. And the benches will remain. Come, stop and sit awhile.

September will be a busy month for Collective Works Gallery. They are expanding their space once again, and the small, tight-knit group of artists have decided to hold a special silent auction of their artwork to help raise funds. Local businesses, such as the Belfry, have generously offered donations for gift baskets, and it will be a wonderful opportunity to acquire original art at exceptional value. Collectors scooped up valuable pieces at our last successful auction.

The process of expansion has not been easy. It has taken time and patience to work through the permit applications, the architects and the engineers, but clearly it will be worth the effort as the exciting space takes shape. The renovation will allow the 20 artists to hang more of their artwork, and it will create new areas for special exhibits. The Gallery is currently encouraging interested artists to apply for the limited number of membership spaces left.

The artwork for the silent auction will be hung in the gallery on Sept 11th for viewing and registering your bids. The main reception and final closing of the auction will be at 9pm on Saturday, Sept 19th.

Each artist will be decorating a large paper lantern which will be available for auction, and most of the artists will be donating an original work of art. My painting is Emily Carr’s “House of all sort,” shown here.

It is impossible to mention all twenty member artists here, but try not to miss international artist Harumi Ota’s ceramics. His work will be on exhibition for the first week of Sept. He is well known to collectors in Victoria. His playful imagination is second to none, and his glazed designs dance across the clay surface as if the bowls were still sizzling hot out of the kiln.

Another artist in the group worth checking out is our most cheerful member, PJ Kelly, She always lifts our spirits with her colourful, glossy, thoughtful abstracts. Her paintings will be featured in the gallery, Sept 20th to the 25th, alongside sculptor Grant Watson and Donald Ius.

Published by Fernwood NRG (Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group)

1240 Gladstone Street Victoria, BC V8T 1G6 T 250.381.1552 F 250.381.1509 villagevibe@fernwoodneighbourhood.ca www.villagevibe.ca

Founding Editor: Lisa Helps Editors: Aaron Ellingsen Trish Richards, Johanna Henderson

Contributors: Steve Carey Dorothy Field Margaret Hantiuk Lisa Helps Lee Herrin

Deryk Houston Dave Kesson Karen Platt Judith Polston Susi Porter Bopp Monica Pozzolo Jo Roueche

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