Vibe_Apr2008 v2

villagevibeApril 2008 : News and views from the heart of Fernwood

>> by Roberta Martell and Trish

Richards

On Saturday, April 5th, Mark Lakeman

will make an appearance in Fernwood.

Who is Mark Lakeman? Mark is the

visionary co-founder of the City Repair Project in

Portland Oregon, which has taken space and made

place through resident-driven initiatives including

art, traffi c calming, guerilla boulevard plantings, and

natural building colloquiums.

Sound familiar? Mark and the work of City

Repair has defi nitely been an inspiration for

Fernwood NRG. In May 2005, Fernwood NRG

reps Lenore Rankin and Roberta Martell headed

to Portland for the annual Village Building

Convergence. It was on this trip that Lenore

fi rst fl oated the idea of buying the Cornerstone

building. Since then, most of the Fernwood NRG

Board and senior staff members have heard Mark

present his vision of urban sustainability through

neighbourhood scale action and decision-making.

In a way, we feel indebted to Mark and City Repair

for the inspiration for what has unfolded in our

neighbourhood!

Coop troop>> by Esther Callo

Graduates of Fernwood’s 2007 Coop de Ville tour

recently brought the idea of “Get Crackin” to

new heights.

Undaunted by the prospect of rain and in the spirit

of sustainability, the self named “coop troop” hoisted a

chicken coop onto a bike trailer and hauled it through

Fernwood to its new home on Vining Street. Th ey

could have used a truck, but why would they when the

opportunity to build community, get some exercise and

save a few emissions could be had all in one go?

Initially, we had grand ideas: a chicken rescue mission;

a parade along Fernwood Rd; balloons; music; a chicken

mascot waving at the gathering crowds; perhaps TV

cameras and a spot on the evening news. Aft er all, food

security is an issue worthy of attention. But busy lives

would have the troop’s expedition simplifi ed to a quiet

procession through the back streets of Fernwood with

occasional passersby giving us quizzical looks. What were

they wondering?

“Could it be a shed? A large dog house?”

“Chicken coop,” we explained. “Food security,” we

added to give our grunt work a place in the big scheme

of things.

in this issueVic High neighbourhood choir Page 3

Feature: Food security: Alive and growing Page 4

Growing native plants Page 6

– continued on page 6

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– continued on page 6

>> Caleigh Inman, Jasmine Johl,

Claire Newton, Charlotte Priest,

Frieda R aye-Green

At Victoria High School, many students

are environmentally minded, which

allows us to create great groups like our

Environment Club. Members of the club are taking

the initiative to encourage the use of alternative

energy in our community. Our big project this

year is to convert a traditional pickup truck into a

green, electric vehicle. We are collaborating with our

school’s auto-mechanical students to perform the

conversion process, and we’re currently fundraising

for our eff orts to “go electric.” To raise money, twenty

students have been working hard through letter

writing campaigns, bake sales, and bottle drives.

We are also accepting donations from the public.

We are very excited about our electric truck

project and we anticipate that it will set a positive

example for the community. Not only will we use our

newly converted truck for transporting materials for

the auto-tech and leadership classes, but it will also be

present in community events like Victoria’s May Day

Parade. By presenting our truck to the community,

we hope to create further interest in alternative

methods of transportation. As a group, we believe the

environment should be a priority. Overconsumption

and the non-sustainable use of resources is having a

profoundly negative impact on our planet. We feel

that now is the time to change; now is the time to act.

We hope readers of the Village Vibe and

neighbourhood residents share our passion in

promoting green choices. If you are interested in

donating or have further questions please call Victoria

High School at 388-5456 or send your questions to

[email protected]. All donations are

tax deductible.

Vic High goes electric

Mark Lakeman in Fernwood

We are committed to creating a socially,

environmentally, and economically

sustainable neighbourhood;

We are committed to ensuring

neighbourhood control or ownership of

neighbourhood institutions and assets;

We are committed to using our

resources prudently and to becoming

fi nancially self-reliant;

We are committed to the creation and

support of neighbourhood employment;

We are committed to engaging the

dreams, resources, and talents of our

neighbours and to fostering new links

between them;

We are committed to taking action in

response to neighbourhood issues,

ideas, and initiatives;

We are committed to governing

our organization and serving our

neighbourhood democratically with a

maximum of openness, inclusivity and

kindness;

We are committed to developing

the skills, capacity, self-worth, and

excellence of our neighbours and

ourselves;

We are committed to focusing on

the future while preserving our

neighbourhood’s heritage and diversity;

We are committed to creating

neighbourhood places that are vibrant,

beautiful, healthy, and alive;

and, most of all,

We are committed to having fun!

declaration of principles and values

City Council recently passed a motion

making the speed limit all along Fernwood Road – from

Fort Street to Hillside Avenue – 30km/h.

It is thanks to the collective eff orts of Fernwoodians

that we will now be able to cross the main thoroughfare

of our neighbourhood with less risk of being run down.

In September 2007, aft er a Fernwood NRG-hosted

neighbourhood forum, Fernwood NRG and the FCA

wrote a letter to the City asking, among other things, that

the speed limit along the entirety of Fernwood Road be

reduced. Presto, six months later, we have the guarantee

of an on the ground change in our neighbourhood.

What else did we ask the City for? You might

remember, as we published the letter right here in the

pages of the Village Vibe. Th e second major concern of

Fernwoodians who attended the Neighbourhood Forum

and the Placemaking Workshop was traffi c calming at

key intersections along Fernwood Road.

We requested that the City take seriously the idea

that people who live in a place know that place best and

know what’s best for that place.

People who live in a place notice how fast the cars

are going as they instruct their children to look both

ways before crossing the street, as they push their elderly

mothers in wheelchairs, as they stroll slowly, engaged in

a conversation with a neighbour. People in Fernwood

are aware of the human scale of place.

So we asked the City to be responsive to resident-

driven solutions to resident-identifi ed issues. Th e City

heard Fernwood on the speed-limit issue. We hope they

will keep their ears open as we approach them with less

conventional and more eff ective ways of calming traffi c,

and transforming spaces into places for people.

editorial : Human scale

>> by Candice Caron and Georgia

Stevenson

What does community mean to you? Is it a

place? A group of people? A support system? A personal

relationship with the environment in which we live? It

may mean something entirely diff erent to each individual

within the community.

Georgia and I (Candice) are third year registered

nursing students from the University of Victoria who

are doing a clinical practicum with the Fernwood

Neighbourhood Resource Group. Together we are

exploring diff erent meanings of community, family, and

health. We feel, from our ten weeks of experience that we

are now part of this community.

I (Candice) would describe community as a permeable

area of social relationships, support systems in which

individuals share a living environment and actively or

passively participate in forming a sense of being in the

presence of others. I (Georgia) would describe community

as a group of individual and families who share common

values, beliefs and interests.

Th rough our work in Fernwood, we have learned

that raising a family is a lot work; some families already

have their own support systems established. Our role here

is to be present with families, to learn from them, and to

off er them information and a sense of support, should

they need it.

Aft er talking to the parents, we pinpointed needed

resources. We found out one thing that many parents

weren’t aware of is the range of community resources

available to them. We created folders fi lled with relevant

resource information, including email addresses, phone

numbers, and program descriptions. Each month we

created a calendar listing parent/toddler activities

occurring in the community of Victoria. We also created

a board that hangs in the kitchen of the Fernwood

Community Centre – where snacks are had during

Parent and Tot programs – to introduce parents to

available community resources around Victoria and to

off er families a calendar of low- and no-cost events and

entertainment options.

We have both participated in traditional Stone Soup

making, Family Community Day (every Monday), Parent

and Tot drop-ins (every Tuesday and Th ursday 9:30am

–11:30am), and we have walked the streets of Fernwood

exploring various resources and unique qualities this

community has to off er. Free furniture on the sides of

the streets, community health art projects, funky older

houses, community gardens, rehab shelters, a community

coff ee shop, and a general mix of old and new are some

of the many unique qualities we admire about this

growing community.

Come join in the fun with us at the Fernwood

Community Centre, which off ers active participation in

community for all ages.

| News and views from the heart of Fernwood | April 2008 VillageVibe

FernFest June 20 and 21, 2008

One new art gallery. Two 2007 “Best in Victoria”

restaurants. Four families in safe, aff ordable housing at the

Cornerstone. Six more families soon to call Park Place – the

new building on Yukon Street – their home. 110 children

in secure, quality childcare. 72,400 cups of fairly-traded

coff ee served at the community-owned Cornerstone Café.

Recognized by both David Suzuki and London’s Financial

Times as an award-winning example of grassroots urban

revitalization. Fernwood has many reasons to celebrate!

An annual celebration of community, Fern Fest 2008

has a new date in June, a new location in the heart of the

neighbourhood, and a renewed energy to engage the entire

Fernwood neighbourhood. Th is year, Fern Fest coincides with

both the summer solstice and National Aboriginal Day. Plan

to come out and enjoy music, games, food and fun for the

entire family.

Th e 1st annual Fernwood Art Stroll will be held in

conjunction with Fern Fest. Well known Fernwood artist,

Deryk Houston, and his companions in the studio tour are

also working with the City to erect a series of extraordinary

banners along Fernwood Rd. from the Vining to Pembroke

intersections. Th e plan is to have the banners fl ying in the

wind in time for the June 21st celebrations.

Want to be part of the excitement? To volunteer, email

[email protected] or sign up online at www.

fernwoodneighbourhood.ca/fernfest.html Fern Fest is a

project of Fernwood NRG www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca

the Fernwood buzz

Nursing studentspracticum

Above: Two of the Fernwood Road Banners. Artists Anne Hoban (collage, left) and Amy Houston (glass ‘lampwork’ beads, right)

VillageVibe April 2008 | www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca |

views from the street : What are your thoughts on Vic High’s electric truck project?

I worked on this project last semester, when it fi rst

started up. What an interesting project to be part of ! It is

nice to participate in an eff ort to switch from fuel-driven

to eco-friendly electric!

Autobody Maintenance teacher: Th is project was a

student-run initiative which came to be aft er the class was

presented two movies, Who killed the Electric Car? and

An Inconvenient Truth. As a teacher I try to convey the

importance of ecological responsibility. I was impressed

by this motivation for this project!

Former Vic High Autobody Maintenance teacher and

now Product Advisor for JB Group: What a great

student initiative! Our company will defi nitely help

with the supplies!

Vic High neighbourhood choir

Aubrey Ed Mike

>> by Laura Skeith

One of Fernwood’s best-kept secrets is

about to be a secret no longer. Fernwoodians have a

neighbourhood choir – the Vic High Neighbourhod

Choir to be precise. We meet weekly in the auditorium

of – you guessed it – Vic High, to have fun and make

beautiful music together.

Th e brainchild of Mark Hellman, a multitalented

musician, actor, and voice teacher, the Choir came into

being in 2006. Mark had been volunteering with the

high school music program for about a year when the

idea of starting a community choir occurred to him.

With the help of a grant from BC Hydro, the choir got

off the ground.

Mark’s vision was that Choir would consist of

alumni, neighbours, and friends of Vic High. His goal

was to make the choir accessible to individuals with

diverse musical backgrounds and experience; the choir

is therefore not auditioned. Mark also wanted the focus

of the repertoire to be what he calls “music of intention”

including songs of praise or thanks, lamentations, protest

and consciousness raising songs, and so on. Songs are

drawn from a variety of musical styles and traditions and

can be as unique as Bobby McFerrin’s unconventional

and lovely version of the 23rd Psalm.

Every spring the Vic High Neighbourhood Choir

performs a concert for the community. In 2006,

Louise Rose was our special guest and the choirs

“Inspirata” and “the Balkan Babes” also performed

as part of our program. Last year we shared the stage

with the Vic High Student Choir – singing some joint

numbers, while each choir showcased their own songs

as well. Th is year we’re excited to have local singer,

songwriter and performer, Colleen Eccleston join us

in our upcoming concert.

While every voice in a choir is important, the

addition this year of four extra male voices to the choir

has enriched our sound and enabled us to have a bona

fi de bass section. Th us, with a variety of songs in our

program, we are relishing the experience of singing

together and looking forward to our spring concert.

Check out the May Village Vibe calendar for the concert

date, which will be in late May or early June.

In the meantime, if you are intrigued by the idea

of a welcoming choir that is focused on the joy of

rediscovering music, then come and check us out. Th e

Vic High Neighbourhood Choir meets 7:00-9:00pm

every Tuesday evening at Vic High. And you really

don’t have to have any ties to the school – just the desire

to sing!

For information contact Mark Hellman at 382-7048.

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Mark also wanted the focus of the repertoire to be what he calls ‘music of intention’

>> Anne Hoban

Friday February 15th marked the opening

reception for the inaugural exhibition of members’

artwork at the Collective Works Gallery, 1311

Gladstone Ave. It was a resounding success. Th e

gallery wishes to thank everyone for their support and

encouragement. Th e turnout was amazing; the

gallery was crowded from the moment the doors

opened at 7:00pm. As well as being able to get the

occasional glimpse of the artwork of 24 members of

the Collective Works Artists Association, the guests

at the event were also happily treated to a wonderful

selection of appetizers and a generous supply of wine,

donated by these and many more of the gallery’s

artists and well-wishers.

Th e Collective Works Gallery will present both

solo and group shows, which will change every three

weeks. Th ere is also a permanent space for the work

of full members at the back of the gallery. Th e gallery

is closed Monday, open 11:00am - 6:00pm Tuesday,

Wednesday, Th ursday, Sunday and 11:00am - 8:00pm

Friday and Saturday. Admission is free.

Collective Works grand opening

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>> by R ae Abbott and Keith Hoon

Coupe de Ville: Chickens in FernwoodImagine going for a bike ride with a group of Fernwood friends through

the neighbourhood … to go and visit chickens! Th e infamous Coop de

Ville is an educational tour of the various backyard chicken coops in

and around Fernwood. In the most recent tour, Billy Metcalfe lead the

crew teaching various techniques, rules, and design ideas. Over a dozen

Fernwoodians participated. Th e tour visited seven Fernwood homes with

chicken coops in their backyard. And one of the homes visited even had

thirteen laying hens.

A City of Victoria by-law states that a single-family dwelling can have

up to 99 chickens in the backyard, but no rooster over the age of 6

months is allowed to frolic. Th e most important thing in taking care of

chickens is that you must have a proper sized coop, because happy

chickens need their space as well – the happiest will lay up to twice a day!

Another Coop de Ville tour will be held on Saturday, May 3. Please

contact [email protected] for more details.

Fernwood Food Security GroupWow, what a year it’s been! Over 60 people turned out for the inaugural

luncheon of Fernwood NRG’s Food Security Group in March 2007.

Th is group is the nucleus of Fernwood’s sustainable local food system.

Last year the group taught workshops on how to grow a Balcony Garden

and created a demonstration garden at the Fernwood Community Centre.

Aft er picking pounds and pounds of fruit from local fruit trees through

the Fruit Tree Project, the group held canning classes on how to preserve

them. Th ey also taught a Winter Veggie workshop in order to have more

Fernwoodians eating kale and other delights from their own gardens in the

middle of winter.

Th e Fernwood Food Security Group also off ers monthly workshops on

topics ranging from How to Attract Pollinators to your Backyard Garden to

Preservation through Pickling (watch the Village Vibe for dates). Also

hosted by the Food Security Group and soon to be coming to the

Cornerstone Café is a series of food-themed movies and discussion nights.

Upcoming plans include addressing the City of Victoria’s newly-proposed

Urban Agriculture Resolution, which supports the concept of urban

agriculture as a valuable community resource. Group members have also

been talking about creating a Community Certifi cation where the

community sets a standard for local food production that everyone agrees

to abide by, which is enforced within the community, for the community,

and by the community.

Members of the Fernwood Food Security Group have access to all sorts

of resources including local organic wholesalers, a community pantry, SPIN

Farmers, Fernwood organic growers, food-nerds, historians, radicals, and

other alternative resources. If you are interested in local food security and

would like to come to a meeting, please come and check it out on second

Tuesday of every month at the Fernwood Community Centre, starting at 7pm.

Locavores unite at [email protected].

Community KitchensAre you hungry? Come to a community kitchen.

Fernwood’s community kitchens are the brainchild of Tracey Veldhuis.

Th ey provide a way for random Fernwoodians to gather at the Fernwood

Community Centre and create delicious and aff ordable meals. Participants

are encouraged to share their kitchen skills, off er new menu suggestions, and

cultivate community. Although she is currently managing the kitchens, Tracy is

looking forward to a time when they will run on their own, through collective

energy. A sample kitchen includes dishes of curried lentils, various soups, pot

pies, chapatis, and salads that will last a week or two. Each participant can

easily cook enough food for a week at a cost of less than $20.00 per person.

For more information please contact [email protected].

Sharing GardensSharing Gardens is a community garden project organized by Fernwoodians

Rainey Hopewell, Peggy Fraser, Keith Hoon, and Krizsanta Greco.

Th e seed of the project was planted by LifeCycles, and has matured into

the Sharing Gardens Collective. Th e principle is this: people who want their

backyards transformed into gardens can connect with burgeoning gardeners

who do not have space of their own. “Th e vision,” says Hopewell “is that

feature : Food security:

Dean FortinVictoria City Councillor

Working for strong, healthy and sustainable

communities.

[email protected]

Fernwood is on the cutting edge once again. Th ere are quite a few places in Canada that are taking food security seriously – growing and eating locally and seizing control of food production. But Fernwood is the only neighbourhood in Canada – as far as we can tell – that has a volunteer run and organized food

security enterprise. Highlighted here are just some of the groups that are actively involved in securing food in Fernwood. Th ey are all interconnected by a growing awareness surrounding the importance not only of growing the food that we eat but also of increasing local food production. Eating healthy food does not have to cost so much. Here we point out a need and show that things are indeed happening one garden, one kitchen, and, well, perhaps one chicken at a time …

Alive and growing in Fernwood

constituency office:970 Blanshard StreetVictoria, BC V8W 2H3

telephone: 363-3600e-mail: [email protected] the web: www.denisesavoie.ca

Denise SavoieMember of Parliament for Victoria

Your voice in OttawaYour voice in Ottawa


Fernwood and Oaklands will be fi lled with food-bearing gardens, where now

there are just lawns.”

Rainey can remember when she fi rst moved to Calgary in the 1970s and

almost everyone had a backyard fi lled with vegetables; you could peer between

the slats of fences while walking down the alleys and see all the vegetables

growing. Realizing that that this wasn’t the reality in Fernwood, she spearheaded

the Sharing Gardens program as an opportunity for our community to nurture a

relationship with the food that we eat. But it goes beyond nurturing relationships.

With the Sharing Gardens program we can consume food that comes from no

further than our own backyards … or those of our neighbours.

Currently there are more garden spaces available than gardeners. For more

information, to off er help or your backyard space, please contact sharinggardens@

gmail.com.

Spring Ridge CommonsSpring Ridge Commons is a public permaculture garden abundant with fruit

trees, medicinal herbs, and edible plants. Geoff Johnson began guerilla gardening

in what was eight years ago a vacant lot. What started as an anarchist attempt at

creating a useful, interactive, living space, continues to thrive as a lively gathering

place for the neighbourhood. Most recently LifeCycles has taken over the lease

for the land, and now through the drive and determination of the Fernwood

Food Security Group, there is a rekindled vigor and an action plan for clean-up

and revitalization.

According to Johnson “it just needs a little tinkering,” and a plan has been

made to recreate and return to the original dream of a useful, living community

commons. Work parties are currently being formed to beautify and showcase

what is already thriving encouraging a healthy, urban ecosystem.

For more information and to off er your support and help, please contact:

[email protected].

Th ursday aft ernoon Commons work parties begin this month. Dates are:

April 10th, April 24th, and May 8th. All run from 5:00 to 7:00pm. Come

and explore the Commons and get your hands dirty in Fernwood’s own public

food garden!

Gardens to GoGardens to Go is one fi nal and timely food security initiative of note. In

celebration of Earth Day, Fernwood NRG staff members are hosting a container

garden building event. Fernwood families are invited to come and plant a small

garden for their deck or balcony. Everyone is welcome, no gardening experience

is needed and the event is free for everyone. Each participant will take home a

tote with seeds and starter plants that will grow into yummy food on your patio,

porch, balcony. Gardens to Go will be held at the Fernwood Community Centre,

Saturday, April 19th from 10:00am - 1:00pm. Pre-registration required. Call

Allison at 381-1079 or drop by the Centre for more information or to register.

Rob Fleming, MLAVictoria - Hillside

1020 Hillside Avenue

250 360.2023 [email protected]

Serving Our Community

things are indeed happening one garden, one kitchen, and, well, perhaps one chicken at a time …

Fernwood NRG is delighted to announce that the amazing volunteer eff orts

of Susi Porter-Bopp, founding Chair of our Food Security Group have been

recognized by the Capital Region. Susi was named as a local ‘Food

Security Champion’ at the CR Fare Food Matters Annual Forum in

March. An award well deserved! We thank and applaud you Susi.


>> by Margaret Hantiuk

Many people these days are interested in

native plants. Th ey are low maintenance, as they are easy to

grow and drought tolerant. Using them encourages native

birds, bees, butterfl ies and good bugs into the garden,

thereby creating a healthy ecosystem that will eventually

take care of itself and eliminate the need for chemicals.

Restoring the native fl ora will eventually restore the native

fauna, including you, who will have time to enjoy your

garden and your visitors, as native gardens are relaxed,

magical, and lovely.

Th e fi rst thing is to understand what our native

ecosystem is: here in Fernwood we are basically in the

Garry Oak Meadow. In your yard, you will have to study

the sun/shade areas. Most soils can simply be improved

with compost and the annual late fall application of leaf

mulch. Th is is how nature builds soil. If you have a low,

wet spot, choose native plants that thrive in bogs. Th e old

rule applies: the right plant in the right place, then group

plants together with like needs for water, soil and sun or

shade.

Th ere is a wide choice of native plants that can

be grown in our ecosystem, which fl ourished as the

indigenous landscape prior to colonization. Selecting these

species helps to restore the Garry Oak ecosystem. Th is is

vitally important as ours is one of the most endangered

ecosystems in all of Canada; it exists basically only on

this corner of the Island and surrounding area, where

unfortunately, urban sprawl is becoming more prevalent.

You are restoring a natural habitat for wildlife when you

include native plants.

Th e original plants of the Garry Oak ecosystem

fl ourished in the dry summer, wet winter, and rocky

meadows with a mix of sun and light shade from the high

Garry Oaks. We may not have the oaks overhead here in

Fernwood, but many of us do have light shade from larger

trees and buildings where we can grow shade-loving native

species. Many of the native plants here grow and bloom

in the early spring sun before the deciduous trees leaf out.

Th en these same plants (many are bulbs) go dormant

in our dry, warm summers. Shade-loving perennials can

be grown with the bulbs under the trees and will take

over as they die back. Or if you are planting these bulbs

in the open, other sun-loving perennials can be planted

over them.

Even if you don’t want to have a completely native

garden, you can incorporate many native species into your

yard and still reap the benefi ts of less watering. Some are

already popular plants choices here: fl owering red currant,

sword fern, licorice fern, kinnickinick, Oregon grape

(mahonia), red osier dogwood, salal, saskatoon bush,

native stonecrops, camas, yarrow, shooting star, chocolate

lily, fawn lily. Th ere are many more lovely native plants. Do

your research for each species, or look at the labels to see

where they do best.

Th ese can be tucked into your beds or you can try

creating a mixed hedge of native shrubs and plants, a

rockery of native bulbs and fl owers in a sunny spot, or try

shade tolerant native groundcovers under your trees and

larger shrubs. You will not have to worry about watering

these plantings aft er their fi rst summer or two.

Please do not remove native plants from the wild; not

only is this illegal, it is also senseless, as we must protect

this vanishing ecosystem. You can purchase native plants

at the annual Swan Lake Native Plant Sale coming up on

Saturday, April 19th and Sunday, the 20th, from from

10:00am to 3:00pm at Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary,

(presentations and displays, admission of $3.00, with

all proceeds to the nature sanctuary). Otherwise, many

local nurseries now have a native plant section. Th ere are

several native plant demonstration gardens in Victoria:

at Swan Lake, at the Royal B.C. Museum downtown,

Glendale Gardens up the Saanich peninsula, and the Oak

Bay Native Plant garden across from the former Oak Bay

Beach Hotel. You can also fi nd advice at www.goert.ca,

www.npsg.ca, and www.npsbc.org.

Margaret Hantiuk is a garden designer in Fernwood and

can be reached at [email protected]

gleanings : Growing native plants

>> James Kasper

“What happens under the water stays under the water”

might be an apt mantra for an ecotourism-conscious

scuba diving expert.

When Steve Roper was 16, he wanted to visit Prince

Edward Island and his parents said no. One Saturday

aft ernoon, while they went off to do their grocery

shopping, he got on his bike and left for Prince Edward

Island with a knapsack on his back, having left a note that

read, “Don’t worry. Be back in a few weeks.”

He set up a small tent on Cavendish Beach by the ocean’s

edge and watched the tides rise and fall while exploring

the Island for three weeks.

For Roper, that was just the beginning of a life-long

love aff air with the ocean, the life that inhabits it, and the

wonderful art of scuba diving.

On Th ursday, April 17th, at the Fernwood

Community Centre, the “scuba sensei” will hold a

free presentation called “Exploring Under the Water,”

during which he will tell stories of whale sharks sixty

feet long, endangered loggerhead turtles hundreds of

years old, playing “catch” with dolphins, underwater

“sign language,” and the basics of ecotourism-conscious

scuba diving. Th is is an informative evening for the whole

family. Th e talk starts at 7:00pm and will run until about

9:00pm.

Scuba Sensei holds free session

In Fernwood, this inspiration has resulted in

resident-driven neighbourhood evolution – building

community from the grounds up, including the

Cornerstone building, the Cornerstone Café, our

new Cornerstone Collective record label, the

Placemaking Troupe and Food Security Group,

alternative energy initiatives, aff ordable housing, and

increased daycare spaces.

So, we’d like to invite all interested folks to see Mark

Lakeman present and share his stories at the Fernwood Community Centre, Saturday April 5th, from 12:00pm - 2:00pm. He’s a fantastic speaker, and we

anticipate an amazing aft ernoon. Admission is free, and

children are welcome. Coff ee and goodies provided by

the Cornerstone Café!

Th anks to Brandy Gallagher at Our EcoVillage

for coordinating Mark’s trip to the island. If you can’t

see him in Victoria, Mark will also be presenting at

three other venues that same weekend. For dates and

venue information in Shawnigan Lake, Nanaimo and

Ladysmith please email: info@ourecovillage

Mark Lakeman | fr om page 1

Making the ordinary into the extraordinary is

sometimes just a matter of perception.

Th anks to Billy Metcalfe, Mark and Sue Gentry,

Lisa Pynn and Paloma and Soli Callo for their help.

Th anks to Amy Houston for donating the coop.

Th is article is dedicated to Edwina the chicken, former

owner of the coop.

Coop | fr om page 1

Mark Lakeman on building community

Come talk ‘Claiming Space and Making Place’with the co-founder of Portland’s City Repair Project. Fernwood Community Centre

Sat, April 5th 12:00pm-2:00pmMultimedia presentation and discussion

For info contact Fernwood NRG at [email protected] or call 381-1552, Local 22.

Our own Aaron Ellingsen delivering Village Vibe – hot off the press.

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>> by Aaron Ellingsen

Do you ever wonder about the people you

see around the café or the offi ce – who they are, what

they’re up to, where they’re going? Cristy McLennan

was one of those folks. I work with Cristy, but her life

outside the offi ce hadn’t really come up until a colleague

put a story together for our offi ce newsletter describing

Cristy’s March 2007 practicum – part of her Royal Roads

University peace and confl ict studies program – working

with a women’s and anti-poverty organization called

Vision Sisters in Kibera, a slum of almost a million people

on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya.

Cristy grew up in Vancouver’s Kitsilano, but from

a young age she knew she wanted to get out. Aft er

graduating from high school – and in a spirit of adventure

– she followed her older brother to the UVic.

Victoria wasn’t the adventure she’d been looking for, and

aft er a listless year at the university she headed off to see

the world.

With adventuring out of her system and a clearer

focus on what she wanted to get out of university, Cristy

returned to tackle a degree in political science at UVic.

She’d also come back knowing she wanted to work in

international development and humanitarian aid. Th e

subject of landmines and the Mine Ban Treaty caught

her attention while she worked for the Red Cross. Cristy

tells me she was taken aback by “the crazy and horrifi c

magnitude of the damage these weapons are causing – and

how many there are out there.”

She launches into a string of facts: “Th ere are over

80 mine-aff ected countries around the world, including

Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Jordan, Syria, Afghanistan,

Iraq, India and Pakistan in the Kashmir region. In Africa

there’s Angola, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Eritrea and.... Th e

list goes on.

“A person steps on a landmine somewhere in the

world every half hour,” she tells me, “and half of those

people die, while the other half face life-changing

prospects like unemployment, stigma, prostheses and

rehabilitation.” She describes the material and

psychological impacts of minefi elds, which curb land

use and community development through real or

imagined danger – leading to impoverishment, hunger,

displacement, and collective psychological trauma. It’s

hard to know where you might fi nd a mine until you

do fi nd a mine, which means people tend to stay off

their land. Over 90 percent of the victims of landmines are

civilians.

Th e list of facts doesn’t stop, and for good reason.

Th ough introduced to the subject through the Red Cross,

Cristy’s taken it farther. In 2006 she was appointed as

a community ambassador for Mines Action Canada,

a coalition of organizations, which support the ban on

landmines (www.minesactioncanada.org). In that role

she organized events and workshops and gave high school

presentations to raise awareness on the issue.

Each year all of the governments who have signed

the Mine Ban Treaty, and some who haven’t, meet to talk

about progress on the ban. Last November the Eighth

Meeting of States Party to the Mine Ban Treaty was held

in Jordan. A group called the International Campaign

to Ban Landmines (www.icbl.org) organizes a youth

campaigning event alongside these offi cial meetings.

As a result of her previous level of involvement, Cristy

was invited to attend. She described her unease at a

demining demonstration during the conference, as

she was a little disquieted by a suspicion that the mine

they witnessed removed might in fact have been placed

especially for their viewing. “Overall, though,” she

says, “the conference was a great way to learn about the

innuendo of diplomacy at that level.”

Diplomacy, the skill of handling aff airs without

arousing hostility, is a multi-faceted subject for study.

Cristy tells me of a rising concern on the part of NGOs

around an emerging model for UN involvement within

a region, in which a single UN body assumes military,

political and humanitarian authority over a region.

NGOs like Oxfam (www.oxfam.ca) and MSF (www.msf.

org), who emphatically assert their political neutrality

and independence, have concerns that the UN’s claims

to humanitarian authority undermine critical NGO

autonomy. Cristy is working on a project that examines

challenges emerging from this situation.

Whether working with Vision Sisters helping to

empower women in Kibera, speaking to groups of Victoria

high school students on the far-reaching impacts of

landmines or cluster munitions, learning the ropes of

international diplomacy through observation and role-

play or applying systems theory to the interaction of UN

and NGO resources in a specifi c confl ict area, Cristy is

positive, focused, and enthusiastic about study and action

to make the world a better place.

Committed to Supporting

Community Associations

Carole James,

MLA

Victoria - Beacon

Hill

Community Office1084 Fort Street,VictoriaP: (250) 952-4211F: (250) [email protected]

NeededLooking for some fi ne, energetic folk who wouldn’t

mind helping out with Fernwood’s monthly plastic

recycling. The commitment is one four hour shift every

two months and the feeling of personal satisfaction

is high! Please email [email protected] with your

contact information if you can help out.

fernwood marketplace


faces : Landmines and diplomacy

>> by Maia Gibb

A new group has started up in Fernwood

and while the working name is the Fernwood Business

Network, members want to be clear – this is NOT

a Chamber of Commerce. Th e Fernwood Business

Network off ers an opportunity for business-minded

people to meet and share resources and information,

but the main focus is on building a progressive,

sustainable community that continues to attract and

support people who believe in these values.

Th e group began as the brain child of Roger

Colwill who believed deeply that business could

be an eff ective change agent. As the founder of

Green Drinks in Victoria, Colwill also wanted to

see the start up of community-based business

organizations who could use its collective

entrepreneurial know-how to spearhead initiatives

without relying on government support.

Ryan Rutley off ered to keep the vision going

aft er Colwill’s passing by coordinating the fi rst few

meetings. Rutley acknowledged that for many people,

the word “business” carries some very negative

connotations, and the group is thinking of changing

the name.

“We don’t want people who would have

something great to contribute, but don’t associate

themselves as being a business person to be turned off ,”

says Rutley. “Right now, our defi nition of business is

very broad.”

As the membership is already quite diverse, the

most enthusiastic discussions have been about fi nding

entrepreneurial solutions to some of Fernwood’s

more pressing issues. New, innovative models for

providing aff ordable housing and creating an energy-

independent Fernwood – where clean energy is

produced and sold back to BC Hydro.

Anyone who is interested in an entrepreneurial

contribution to placemaking in Fernwood is welcome

to attend meetings, which are scheduled for the fi rst

Tuesday each month at 10:00am at the Fernwood Inn.

Feel free to check us out in the Fernwood Business

Network Group on the Fernwood Commons at

http://thevillagevibe.ning.com/.

For questions, please contact Ryan Rutley of

Rutley Ventures at [email protected].

the conference was a great way to learn about the innuendo of diplomacy at that level.

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Fernwood business network


what’s on in Fernwood

Arts, Theatre, and EntertainmentBohemian Open Mic at 8pm hosted by James Kasper – Cornerstone Concerts at 10pm.Saturdays. April: “Tribute Month” (Apr 5>BOB DYLAN, Apr 12>LEONARD COHEN, Apr 19>NEIL YOUNG). Cornerstone Café. 1301 Gladstone Ave. FREE!Bluegrass Wednesdays.Fernwood NRG and the Fernwood Bluegrass Association present Wednesday night bluegrass jams at the Cornerstone Café. 7:30-10pm. FREE!Collective Works Gallery“Intergalactic Highways” (Jason Grondin). Mar 28-Apr 17. “Illuminations” (group show). Apr 18-May 8. 1311 Gladstone Ave.Live Music at Fernwood Inn.Open Mic Thursdays. 8:30-11:30pm. 1302 Gladstone Ave. FREE!Live Taping of New Fernwood Compilation CD.“Live from the Cornerstone Café.” Immortalize yourself on tape and cheer on your local artists! Fri, Apr 25. 8-11pm. FREE!

Kids and Families at the Fernwood Community Centre (FCC)Community Family Day.Family-directed and facilitated programming. Mondays 9:30-11:30am. FCC Gym. FREE!Parent and Tot Playgroup.Snacks/Crafts/Circle Time. Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30-11:30am. FCC Gym. $1 per family.

Youth, Adults and SeniorsNew!! Hatha Yoga.With certifi ed instructor Elke. Focus on gentle poses, breathing practice, deep relaxation and meditation. Tuesdays 3 - 4:30pm. FCC Gym. Suggested $5.Ear Acupuncture.Treatments 15-20 min. Apr 3 and 17. 2:30-4:30pm. FCC MPR. By donation.Falun Gong.Peaceful meditation practice. All welcome! Wednesdays 5-7pm. FCC MPR. FREE!

Fernwood Autumn Glow.55+. Gentle exercise, lunch and activities. Monthly special guest speaker. Fridays 11am. FCC MPR. $5.50 for lunch.Floor Hockey.Drop-in Co-ed. Adult (18+). Tuesdays and Thursdays 7-9:30pm. Saturdays 2:30-5pm. FCC Gym. $4, or get a punchcard: $40/11 sessions.**Indoor Soccer.Drop-in Co-ed. Adult (18+). Mondays 8:45-10:45pm. FCC Gym. $3.**Internet and Computer Access.Register and get online through the Community Access Program. Monday to Friday 9:30am-5pm. FCC Community Room. FREE!Junior Youth Empowerment Program.Sundays 2-5pm. FCC MPR. For info call 381-1552 ext.25Nintendo Wii Fridays.Drop-in Co-ed. Ages 13-16. Fridays 7-9:30pm. FCC Gym. By donation. Concession open.Youth Floor Hockey.Drop-in Co-ed. Ages 9-18 (Group 1/ages 9-13. Group 2/ages 14-18). Sundays 3:30-5pm, FCC Gym. $3.****We accept Sports Trader Bucks and Canadian Tire Money at face value!

Special EventsFernwood Business Network.Everyone welcome. Tues, Apr 1. 10am. Fernwood Inn. For info contact Ryan Rutley at [email protected] NRG Food Security Collective.All welcome! Tues, Apr 8. 7-9pm. FCC MPR. For info contact [email protected] Drinks.An inclusive gathering of the sustainability-minded for refreshments and conversation. Tues, Apr 8. 5-7pm. Canoe Brewpub, Marina and Restaurant, 450 Swift St. For info see www.greendrinksvictoria.caSpring Fever – a Choral Celebration.The Vic High Choir joins with women’s choirs Inspirata and Super Soul Sisters for a celebration of song – R&B, folk, world music and more. Wed, Apr 9. 7:30pm. Vic High Auditorium. Tix $5 at the door. Partial proceeds to benefi t Artemis Place.

Spring Ridge Commons Workparties!Come and get your hands dirty in Fernwood’s only public food garden. Thurs, Apr 10. 5-7pm. Thurs Apr 24. 5-7pm. Thurs, May 8. 5-7pm. Please bring tools if you’ve got ‘em.Fernwood’s Outrageous Recycling Day.Bring your CLEAN plastics, styrofoam packing and food trays, electronics and foil-lined coffee bags. Apr 12. 10am-1pm. Back of FCC. By donation.Achieving Effortless SuccessWorkshop with Daniel Scott. Tues, Apr 15. 7-9pm. FCC MPR. $20, $35 for 2 workshops, $50 for bundle of three.Exploring Under the Water.Scuba diving workshop with Steve Roper. Thurs, Apr 17. 7-9pm. FCC MPR. FREE!Circuit-board Band CampCustomize noisy toys, reclaim electronic keyboards… Circuit jam recording session with Jeff Morton. Apr 19. 1-5pm. Basic materials provided; more available at cost. FCC MPR. 381-1552 Ext.25 to register.Introduction to the Music Business.With James Kasper and other local music business reps. Ages 16+. Sun, Apr 20. 1-5pm. $20 or 2 for $35. Email [email protected] for more info.Fernwood Placemaking Troupe.All Welcome! Bring your ideas for the square and the neighbourhood. Mon, Apr 21. 7pm. Cornerstone Café.Changing Procrastination to Motivation.Second of three workshops with Daniel Scott. Tues, Apr 22. 7-9pm. FCC MPR. $20.Persuasive Parenting.Third of three workshops with Daniel Scott. Tues, Apr 29. 7-9pm. $20.Cock-A-Doodle-Doo! Urban Chicken Workshop and Fernwood Coop Tour.Back by popular demand. Sat, May 3. 10am-1pm. FCC. $10. To register contact [email protected] your book idea come to life, with Julie Salisbury. Sat, May 3 and 10. 1-5pm. $149 plus $95 for workbook.

April 2008

Published by Fernwood NRG (Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group)

1240 Gladstone StreetVictoria, BC V8T 1G6T 250.381.1552 F 250.381.1509villagevibe@fernwood neighbourhood.cawww.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca

Editor: Lisa HelpsAssistant Editors: Aaron Ellingsen,Trish RichardsPhotographers: Pete Rockwell, Veronique da Silva

Contributors:Rae AbbotEsther CalloCandice CaronMaia GibbMargaret HantiukAnne HobanKeith HoonCaleigh InmanJasmine JohlJames KasparRoberta MartellClaire NewtonCharlotte PriestFrieda Raye-GreenLaura SkeithGeorgia Stevenson

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

villagevibe

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Fernwood Community Kitchen.Cook nutritious, creative meals with your neighbours! For info contact Tracey at [email protected] Pocket Market.Local organic produce and baked goods. Tuesdays 2-6pm. Cornerstone Café.Fernwood Sharing Gardens.Have a garden but no time? Time but no garden? Contact Rainey at 380-5055 or [email protected] Fest ‘08June 20 and 21. Fernwood Square. Come out and celebrate our wonderfully eclectic and ever-evolving neighbourhood! FREE! VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Call 381-1552 ext.25.

If you have a workshop or special event idea for the Fernwood Community Centre or the Cornerstone Café email [email protected]

Vibe_Apr2008 v2

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