Vibe_Aug2008 v3

villagevibeAugust 2008 : News and views from the heart of Fernwood

>> by James Kasper

Many would argue that the most

professional approach to newspaper

writing involves the writer hiding

himself (or herself ) behind a fence of seamless

anonymity, stoic neutrality, and emotionless

omniscience. Some might say that the news should

have the same dry delivery as an obituary written by

an ostracized relative, because then the reader is left

to make up his or her own mind. Th is writer doesn’t

care about being neutral, because he cares too much

about the story. And he won’t apologize for this

biased approach.

I want to tell you about the free youth soccer

camp that took place in the Vic High School fi eld in

July, and I want to describe it from the perspective of

a recreation programmer at a community centre.

At Fernwood NRG, part of our mandate is to

off er aff ordable programs, services, and events to

the Fernwood community. When planning and

implementing these services, my list of criteria

includes aff ordability to the neighbourhood and

to the organization, convenience of the location,

demand for the service, age demographic for the

activity, proper safety and eco-friendly measures,

marketability, and most of all, community focus of

the individuals involved.

It is rare when a program meets every criteria

in such a big way. Th e youth soccer camp was one

such exceptional program. I cannot say enough

positive things about the fi ne folks at Opportunitas

Aequa (Latin for “Equal Opportunity”) who put

on this camp for the second consecutive year in

Fernwood. Volunteer coaches Chris Newcombe,

Andrew Brownlee, Peter Lonergan, Brenden

Smith, Sarah Walker, and Robert Prieto are all to be

commended for their contribution to the Fernwood

community and for providing a safe, positive, and fun

environment for twenty kids over the course of six

days. But what really matters is what the kids have to

say about the camp:

“It was awesome,” says 13-year-old Justine. “Th e

coaches were really fun to be around, and there was a

lot of skill development.”

Skills the coaches instructed on included passing,

volleying, headers, shooting, and defense. Each of

the six days ended with a big game, which all the kids

looked forward to.

Ron, father of nine-year-old camp participant

Alex, reported, “Alex had a lot of fun last year and

this year.” “And,” he added, “he made new friends.”

“I liked that the coaches taught me how to kick

properly,” says 12-year-old John, who is also signed up

for the NRG road hockey camp in August, “and the

people were friendly.”

John’s mother Renee adds, “Th e camp was so

close to my home, and it was something he enjoyed

doing, and they looked aft er him so well.”

Fernwood NRG was more than happy to

pitch in with advertising, registration, and a bit of

equipment. Mostly, though, we were just proud to be

involved.

Opportunitas Aequa is an organization which

aims to bring about positive change through soccer

– one of the most universal of sports. Th eir fi rst

project was carried out in Ecuador, where the group

made two soccer fi elds and presented children with

over 1,000 soccer balls, 900 pairs of soccer boots,

uniforms, and other equipment.

Soccer camp bridges global gap

Daycare graduation

>> by Lisa Helps with Joy Roberts

On Friday, June 30, ten children graduated

from Fernwood NRG’s Th ree to Five

Daycare and will be moving on to

Kindergarten in the fall. Parents watched proudly as

their children marched to Pomp and Circumstance

and were presented with certifi cates by daycare

supervisor Joy Roberts. Th e children sang “We’re Off to

Kindergarten”, for their captivated audience. For some

parents the day was a mixture of happiness and sadness,

as some of their children have been in Fernwood

NRG’s Th ree to Five Daycare since they were two-and-

a-half years old. Th e proud graduates are Julian Bird,

Hailey Fischer, Emma Leavey, Ayla McDonald, Richard

Morgan-Tom, Samer Rashead, Jade Ritchie, Aristeo

Vargas, Nikowa Williams, and Angelica Wood.

in this issue Otesha Project: Th eatre on two wheels Page 2

Feature: Dreamers of the day: Ten years Fernwood Page 4

Tom’s sock hop to rock Hood’s hot spot Page 6

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– continued on page 3

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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

Victoria City Council recently made a hard

but necessary decision. Aft er a public hearing that went

into the wee hours, Council voted, essentially, to replace

a park in the Burnside Gorge neighbourhood with a

homeless shelter. Arguably, the process wasn’t great.

As many folks at the hearing stated, the City did break

trust with the Burnside Gorge community, alerting the

Community Association to the shelter plan only the day

before B.C. Housing announced the funding.

But the Ellice Street Shelter, comprised of short-

term shelter rooms, emergency housing for families, and

transitional housing is a necessary fi rst step in housing

Victoria’s homeless and marginally housed citizens.

As more than one hearing attendee asked, however,

transition to what? Given the dearth of aff ordable and

supportive housing in Victoria what is the second step?

Here in Fernwood we have one answer. On August

1st fi ve families moved into Fernwood NRG’s Park Place

building on Yukon Street, bordering Haegart Park. (Th e

accessible suite is still available.) Built with the foresight

of the board and staff of the Society and with funding

from all levels of government, Park Place provides

supportive, market-based aff ordable housing for families.

Th e city needs more of this. Th e city also needs housing

for elderly folks, for single men and women, and for

couples too.

City Hall is contributing time, money, staff hours,

and property tax breaks to the Ellice Street Shelter

project. It would be good if the City supported the next

step – an increase in Victoria’s supportive and aff ordable

housing stock – with the same resources. Because only

then will people who spend nights or weeks at the Ellice

Street Shelter have somewhere to go next.

editorial : More aff ordable housing

Page 2 | News and views from the heart of Fernwood | August 2008 VillageVibe

As many of you were all too aware, the

Cornerstone Café was closed for a few weeks aft er

Fern Fest for a makeover. Th e neighbourhood living

room is back and better than ever. Th e most apparent

change is the seating. No longer will clients be forced

to sit on something that more closely resembled

a cheese grater than anything that would ever be

designed for comfort. We now have cushy, built in

benches which will not only be a treat to linger on but

will also encourage chats with your neighbours. Th ere’s

new paint, fresh fl oors, and new counter tops as well.

Many thanks to all who helped design (Lenore),

build (all the trades folks), and clean (Megan, Sarah

and Howie). But most importantly, thanks to all the

loyal clients who have made the Cornerstone a success

and who have been made to suff er through the pain of

two-and-a-half weeks without coff ee. Your courage is

inspirational.

To enquire about booking the café space for your

evening event e-mail [email protected]

OR for musical events [email protected]

>> by Darrell Harvey

Young cyclists from across Canada ride

into Victoria this month carrying an inspiring message

of sustainability. Members of the Otesha Project

will perform “Reason to Dream” at the Fernwood

Community Centre, August 24th at 7:30 p.m.

Th e traveling theatre troupe is pedaling 1,500 kms

across B.C.’s Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island,

delivering performances along the way. On the road,

the actors live as a mobile sustainable community,

cycling from performance to performance, connecting

with communities en route, and exploring the

challenges of addressing environmental and social

justice issues through their every day actions.

Th e Otesha Project is a youth-run charitable

organization that uses theatre to mobilize young

people to create local and global change through daily

consumer choices. Otesha troupes have performed

to more than 72,000 people and won international

awards for innovative and eff ective youth-engagement

programs. Six performing tours are criss-crossing

Canada in 2008. Check out www.otesha.ca for more

information. See you at the show!

the Fernwood buzz

Otesha Project

Like the work of Fernwood NRG? Go to

CanadaHelps.org and donate

to Fernwood NRG.

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For the love of Fernwood

>> by Anne Cookson

I have lived in Fernwood for eight years and

have seen a vibrant transformation in this community. As

a new resident, I discovered the Fernwood neighbourhood

was a beautiful place to live. I had visions of Fernwood

becoming a thriving successful community and recognized

there was potential for indispensable change. Over the last

three-to-four years, this has become a reality. Th e residents

revolutionized the neighbourhood, they took action

against buildings abandoned by property owners, and they

formed communal businesses. I love to witness Fernwood

becoming a thriving, productive community.

Th ey preserved the buildings’ heritage and utilized

them for business opportunities without compromising

authenticity. Th ey are managed by residents to seek

practical ways in implementing changes that collectively

and individually meet indispensable goals without

following the industrialized corporate system. You will

not fi nd a modernization or renovation of the heritage

buildings into something that doesn’t merge well with

Fernwood’s history. Th ere are no franchise restaurants or

coff ee houses here.

What is distinctive about Fernwood is the

community’s awareness for their environment and

creativity. Th ey established the Cornerstone Café with

other restaurants and two distinguished art galleries.

Fernwood is a friendly ambient neighbourhood because

it encourages a diversity of people within the community.

Th e neighbourhood is enjoying Fernwood’s expanding and

varied community.

Recently while I was participating in the Fernwood

Tuesday market, I noticed an eclectic group of people

enjoying the pleasures of homemade jams, bread, and

fresh strawberries. I observed people sauntering their way

through the village and enjoying the pleasures of choosing

restaurants in a range of casual or fi ne dining. Aft er a meal,

people stroll and appreciate a couple of the art galleries

or the She Said bead store. I feel encouraged that

Fernwood is emerging to becoming a vibrant and

empathetic community, caring for the continued needs

of the neighbourhood. Th is is what strengthens a

community: its commitment to the people. Fernwood is

meeting that goal.

VillageVibe August 2008 | www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca | Page 3

views from the street : How is it, to run a business in Fernwood?

Good. Fantastic. I wouldn’t want to do it in any other

neighbourhood. My kids say to me, “Mom, do you

know everyone now?

Most of the people who come in are from outside of

Fernwood and trek down here. People actually come

from all over the world. It’s defi nitely a destination.

I (Sherri) grew up in Fernwood so it’s nice to be back. Th is

is such a diverse place. We’ve been open for a month and

hope people will come fi nd us here at the Green Goddess.

Tracey, Mom’s Market Sherri & Turiya, Green Goddess Restaurant Danielle, Black Raven Records

>> by Cameron Speedie

For the past three years the North Park

Neighbourhood Association (NPNA) has hosted

a Neighbourhood Festival. Th is event is an open

celebration of neighbourhood diversity and focuses

on the positive elements in the area. Participants

include businesses, organizations, and neighbours in an

informal festival atmosphere.

Th e concept evolved from the idea that we needed

a positive element to counter some of the less-than-

pleasant issues in the area. To that end the location was

chosen with the intent of bringing some community

spirit to some of the challenged areas. Th is concept

was furthered by moving the event to its current venue,

Franklin Green.

Franklin Green had become marginalized over the

years, and an NPNA action plan was put in place in

cooperation with the City to renovate and rejuvenate

the park, claiming it back for the people of the area.

Residents have been very happy with results that include

a children’s play area, pickle ball courts, a bocce ball area

and general improvements.

Now that NPNA and Fernwood have embarked

on the North Park Village concept with Franklin Green

Let’s get growing! >> by amy crook

Start now for a winter full of homegrown vegetables.

Do you ever look in envy at your neighbours’

bountiful salad greens? Do you wish you could feed

your family more organic fresh produce? Do you have

a small space in your yard or on your balcony that gets

good sun? Well hey neighbor, let’s get growing.

We all know eating locally is the right thing to do.

In Victoria we can grow an amazing amount of food all

year around. We’re all busy, but everyone can grow some

of their own food. Come learn about how easy it is to

grow a vegetable garden in the winter.

We’ll start you out with lots of information and

reference material. Th ere will be organic vegetable starts

for sale including brussels sprouts, chards, kales, leeks,

spinach, arugula, oriental greens, cabbages, kohlrabi,

broccoli, corn salad, radicchio and lettuces.

Th is Winter Veggie Workshop will cover:

> What vegetables grow best

> How to solve the biggest problems with winter

gardening

> Planning your winter garden

> When to plant

> Soil building techniques to increase your yield

When Saturday, September 6th, 10am - noon

Where Fernwood Community Centre (1240

Gladstone Avenue)

Cost $20 - includes reference material. Veggie starts

will be for sale.

Th e workshop will be given by Amy Crook, Certifi ed

Master Gardener. Proceeds from this workshop go to

LifeCycles Fruit Tree Project.

For more info and to register please email

[email protected]

Uni 101Free University Course

September 2008Info Session:Fernwood

Community Centre(1240 Gladstone)5pm August 5th

North Park Neighbourhood Festival

being one of the gatekeeper areas, it made perfect sense

to retain the area as our festival venue. As the Village

concept spans both North Park and Fernwood, we would

like to welcome everyone to come out and enjoy the

festival! Please join us for this fun event!

When Saturday August 16, noon until 4pm

Where Th e Newly Rejuvenated Franklin Green

– Cook and Mason Street – behind Wellburns

What Food, fun for all ages, entertainment, instruction

on how to play pickle ball, information, and a chance to

meet some neighbours

Gavin Hollett founded O.A. aft er being deeply

aff ected by Romeo Dallaire’s book Shake Hands with

the Devil. Th e book, which details Dallaire’s time in

Rwanda, describes a scene wherein children in the

midst of the horrors of civil war fi nd solace with a

soccer ball made of twigs.

Although somewhat removed geographically

from its original venue and politically from its initial

circumstances, the common thread here is a sense of

community through the sport of soccer … And let’s not

forget the most important part of all: “It was fun,” says

10-year-old Fatima.

We here at Fernwood NRG got a ‘kick’ out of it

too. Two camp participants were children of NRG

staff ers. And I even joined them in many of the day-

end games. Now who said journalists hide behind the

fence?

For more information on O.A., visit them at http://

oaprojects.org.

Soccer | fr om page 1


Ten years is a long time, but it can pass in a seeming instant when you are

fully engaged in life. In the summer of 1998, the Fernwood Community

Centre Society was a moribund institution, governed by a Board of

Directors who did not live in the neighbourhood and who were taking instructions

from City Hall on how to best run the organization. Its capital assets were $13,113

– mostly superannuated furniture, computers and soft ware. From the outside, the

building was ill-kempt, unfriendly, and uninviting. On the inside, the space was

confi gured in such a way as to hide staff from the public and to discourage anyone

from lingering. Th e most public-facing and high volume program, Victoria Best

Babies, housed four staff and made dozens of daily client contacts in a 150 square

foot offi ce in the basement with no windows and no natural light. A fi nal telling

statistic: the Society’s annual report to the Corporate Registry in 1998 indicated the

Society had zero members. Zero.

Th e Fernwood Revolution is the story of how, in the summer of 1998, a group of

neighbourhood people took back control of one neighbourhood institution, and

then transformed it over fi ve years (1999 to 2004) into an organization capable

of consciously rebuilding the neighbourhood. It is the story of how a group of

neighbourhood people risked everything they had already accomplished – including

the acquisition, renovation and heritage designation of Fernwood House at 1423

Fernwood Road – in order to confront head-on the most pressing challenge facing

the neighbourhood: the deterioration of the heart of the neigbourhood, the village

centre at Fernwood and Gladstone.

Th ere are many possible lenses through which the story of the Fernwood Revolution

could be told, but none is more compelling to me than the lens of neighbourhood.

My fi rst letter to the membership in the 2000 Annual Report as Chair of the

Board of the Fernwood Community Centre Society was entitled “Building

our Community.” My second letter, in 2001, was entitled “Building a Healthy

Neighbourhood.” Leading up to that point and beyond, I became very conscious of

my language, always preferring the word “neighbourhood” when I meant the physical

place of “Fernwood.” A community is not a place it is a group of people. A group of

people living in a particular place has the potential to become a neighbourhood. A

community chooses its members. Neighbours choose each other when they choose

where they want to live, for better or for worse. Leaving a community isn’t easy, but

it doesn’t necessarily mean boxing up your belongings and physically relocating to

another setting. Leaving a neighbourhood to me has always meant leaving a piece of

myself behind.

Th is shift in language and thinking manifested fi rst in changes to the Society’s bylaws

in 1999. Th e Society restricted membership to residents of the geographic area of

Fernwood and removed the right of the City of Victoria to appoint directors to

its board, thereby ensuring the neighbourhood would govern its own Community

Centre. Th e shift culminated in 2005 when the membership voted to rename as the

Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group Society or, simply, Fernwood NRG.

For the fi rst four years aft er the Revolution began, we watched somewhat helplessly

as Fernwood descended from a vital neighbourhood core into “Funky, junkie

Fernwood.” Th e neighbourhood died, for a time, and was reborn. Or perhaps rather,

it was re-birthed.

August 2008 is a great moment in the history of Fernwood. August 2nd marks

three years since Fernwood NRG purchased the Cornerstone building. And, this

month, the mortgage on the neighbourhood-owned building will transfer from

the hands of the former owner to Coastal Community Credit Union. Th ree years

ago, when Fernwood NRG purchased the property, no lending institution would

agree to fi nance the project. Th e building was derelict and dilapidated and hadn’t

been commercially tenanted for two years. It had no income and was close to being

condemned by the City. Only the owner and one neighbourhood resident were

willing to take a risk on the small neighbourhood non-profi t society.

At the time, there were many who predicted that the building would be back in

the former owner’s hands before long. Th ey believed the Society would not be able

to manage and fi nance the project, and that the former owner would foreclose,

repossess the building and leave the neighbourhood with nothing.

feature : Dreamers of the day: Ten years into the Fernwood revolution > > b y L e e H e r r i n

Dean FortinVictoria City Councillor

Working for strong, healthy and sustainable

communities.

[email protected]

Th ose who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the

day to fi nd that all was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are

dangerous, for they may act their dream with open eyes,

and make it possible. –T.E. Lawrence, Seven Pillars of Wisdom

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


History has been unkind to the sceptics. Fernwood NRG has fundraised and renovated

the building with the help of countless hours of neighbourhood volunteer labour. Th e

building is fully tenanted and producing income, which Fernwood NRG is reinvesting in the

neighbourhood, most notably in the recently completed Park Place aff ordable housing building

at 1222 Yukon Street.

When the Society fi rst made the decision to purchase the Cornerstone building, the Board of

Directors and senior staff tested the idea against the Declaration of Principles and Values (see

page two). We found that it checked against every single principle but number seven, which

spoke to governance.

Th e Society took the building project upon itself and found a way to make it work. We walked

with confi dence where most (including government and the banks) feared to tread, and we

didn’t wait for anyone to tell us how to do it or what to do. Ten years into the Fernwood

Revolution, the Fernwood NRG has capital assets of over $3 million, and over $1.5 million

in equity. It has better quality programs than it had ten years ago and employs more than

twice as many people, most of who live in Fernwood. It owns two buildings in the core of the

neighbourhood and runs a vibrant business in the Cornerstone Café. It is more independent and

responsive to needs of the neighbourhood, and less reliant on government grants. It is a shining

example to other neighbourhoods of what a small group of thoughtful, committed people can

do when they decide to change the world.

In the early days, we dreamt that the greatest export of the neighbourhood would be revolution

– that we would eventually be able to articulate a set of principles and values that would enable

us to transform the neighbourhood we had into the neighbourhood we envisioned, and that

we would later communicate and share those principles and values with other neighbourhoods.

Looking back, we have succeeded in everything we set out to accomplish, although there is

much more that can yet be done to further manifest our vision.

And so I say unto you, my brothers and sisters: Turn off your TV. Go for a walk. Talk to

your neighbours. Go to a meeting. Speak out. Take a stand. Volunteer. Be bold. Be fearless.

Attempt something no-one believes can be done. Dare to become dangerous. Open your eyes,

and dream!

Long live Fernwood! Long live the Revolution!

The Society’s Declaration of Principles and Values graces page 2 of every

issue of this newspaper, and was drafted by the Fernwood Community Centre

Society’s (FCCS) Board of Directors in the Spring of 2005 after the collapse of the

merger between the FCCS and the Fernwood Community Association (FCA). At the

time, four directors from the FCA (Lisa Helps, Tania Wegwitz, Dave Kesson, and

Lenore Rankin) who had been part of the transition team working to merge the two

societies resigned from the board of the FCA and joined the board of the FCCS

(Paula Debeck, Jim Starck, Vida Waltz, Margaret Hantiuk, and myself), in a sense

unifying two neighbourhood organizations, although not exactly as we had intended.

Have a look and see how the values and principles compare to the index cards which

I drafted roughly a year earlier in a conversation with Roberta Martell, the FCCS’s

then newly hired Executive Director, and Lenore Rankin, now Fernwood NRG’s

Development Coordinator. The conversation took place with liquid refreshments

one evening in a booth in the empty George & Dragon. Since the three of us were

born in the fi rst 20 days of November, we called our meeting the Secret Order of

the Scorpions, which shortened to SOS – at that time, a cry for help in a drowning

neighbourhood.


>> by Margaret Hantiuk

Weeds are really just plants in the wrong

place. While some people consider a plant a weed, the

next gardener values it, so it is diffi cult to declare which

plants are weeds. I consider plants that are invasive and/

or plants that are unwanted and not useful in my garden

to be weeds. Basically every gardener must decide what

they do and don’t want in their garden. Here are tips for

removing the unwanted without hauling out the big guns

(herbicides and toxic chemical sprays that will destroy the

garden’s ecology).

First, get to know your garden: learn to identify the

plants. I have pulled out plants that I forgot I had put

there (the marker had been removed in fall raking?) and

I have unfortunately removed self-seeding fl owers and

veggies without realizing it. Th ere are various plants in

my yard that self-seed or ‘creep,’ and every year I pull out

some to keep them in check. Beware of plants you receive

as gift s; ensure that they are weed-free and not invasive.

When purchasing new plants check if they are invasive

(“spreads well”) varieties, which should be contained

when planted. Some invasive plants are easy to grow

and lovely, but they must be kept in check, as they can

become nasty thugs in the garden. Topsoil, compost,

manure and mulches should be purchased only where

they can be guaranteed to be weed-free. Th ere are some

weeds that are truly scourges, and it’s best that they are

not introduced at all.

Th e best way to weed is by hand – it is selective,

accurate, and not too disruptive. First, invest in a good

set of gardening gloves to save your hands and get a good

grip. Weeding is easiest when the soil is damp and the

plants are young. When you’re pressed for time, at least

remove the seed heads and fl owers of weeds by giving

them a yank or clip, thereby preventing their spread.

Have a pail handy for your culls.

In some areas and instances it is helpful to use a

hand tool, and there are now many good ergonomically

designed hand tools for weeding. Th ere are short- and

long-handled types that cultivate or hoe the weeds.

Be careful to not be so vigorous that you remove your

precious, desired plants, and be aware that the root zone

of plants should not be disturbed. Most plants have a

delicate root system near the surface with feeder roots

farthest away to catch rain off the canopy of their leaves

above. Th e larger the canopy, the wider the root zone

(trees and shrubs especially), so hand weeding is best in

these areas. Try to stay on top of your weeding, so that

weeds don’t establish themselves.

Th e use of groundcovers (desired plants chosen for

their propensity to spread slowly) will help to prevent

weeds. Every time you turn the soil over, weed seeds

are exposed to light and air and will then germinate, so

gardening with less cultivation is better. Th is is achieved

by applying thick mulches every fall or spring. Mulching

feeds the soil, keeps in moisture, and suppresses weeds

all at once. Th e soil below the mulch will not need to be

cultivated,as worms and soil bacteria will do it for you.

In the end, you’ll have a garden with fewer weeds,

naturally!

gleanings : Weeds: Th e good, the bad and the ugly

>> by Tracy James

Warmer weather is here! That means the

picking season for the LifeCycles Fruit Tree Project is

about to begin and volunteer pickers are needed!

Th e LifeCycles Fruit Tree Project harvests fruit all

over the city every summer. Th is amazing and innovative

project connects people who have surplus produce in

their yards with people who have the willingness and

ability to harvest it and with people and community

groups that do not have access to fresh produce. Tens

of thousands of pounds of fresh cherries, plums, apples,

pears and other fruit (or nuts and vegetables) are then

distributed through community centres and food

banks. Last year, LifeCycles established a special liaison

to create a Fernwood branch of the Fruit Tree Project

that benefi ted individuals and families living in the

neighbourhood.

LifeCycles needs volunteer pickers and team leaders

for shift s weekdays, evenings, and weekends. A pick

usually lasts two hours depending on the amount of

fruit to harvest. A portion of the fruit from every pick

is shared among the volunteers. Th ere is always one

team leader and usually two to four volunteers at every

pick. If you’d like be a team leader, you should be able to

volunteer once a week.

Fruit tree volunteering is a great way to meet

people, get to know the fabulous bounty of fruit trees

in Fernwood and beyond, and really give back to the

community. Last year, volunteers picked 35,000 pounds

of fruit between July and October! In addition to

increasing food security in Victoria, the Project also

partners with local businesses to turn a portion of the

harvest into a line of delicious products the sale of which

help sustain the project year over year.

To volunteer or for more information, visit www.

lifecyclesproject.ca, email fr [email protected],

or call 250.893.7848.

Fruit Tree Project in Fernwood Tom’s sock hop to rock ‘hood’s hot spot

Lawrence de la Haye A.R.C.M. (London)

Accepting students inSeptember on CClarinet, Flute,Saxophone, and Recorder.

Studio in Fernwood2226 Oregon St.250-592-9792

Fernwood Village

Night Market(Fernwood @ Gladstone)

Tuesday Evenings 5:30-8:30

Local Organic Produce, Baked Goods,

Artisans, and Entertainment

The best way to weed is by hand – it is selective, accurate, and not too disruptive.

>> by James Kasper

The rumour is that there is going to be a

sock hop in Fernwood on August 16. And the Canadian

still-building-his-legend icon Tom Glenne is apparently

the man responsible for this dose of nostalgia… I caught

up with him during one of his seasonal month-long lost

weekends in Victoria. I needed to get to the bottom of this

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ard

– continued next page


sock hop rumour and fi nd out once and for all: Who is this

mysterious Tom Glenne character who parades his hard-to-

nail-down (alt-R&B-rock?) band across Canada year aft er

year… and just how many members are there in his band,

“Th e 5.5”?

VV: Tom, why is the August 16 show called a “sock hop”?

TG: Playing in a gym. Got to love playing in a gym, for the

high school dance memories. Hey, I saw nomeansno open

for DOA at this same gym! I wasn’t wearing socks.

VV: What can we expect from the August 16 show?

TG: We’ll set up in the middle of the room and let people

circle us, view the rock from all angles! And DJ Cassette

will sock hop you with ‘Bust a Move,’ ‘Let’s Go Crazy,’ and

‘Tainted Love.’

VV: You’ve been at this cross-country music marathon

for a long time – 15 years or so. What drives you to keep

doing it?

TG: Settled down life doesn’t really appeal to me. I like

going place to place and having my fi ngers in as many pies

as possible. Th en again, Junior Gone Wild had a record

called ‘too dumb to quit.’

VV: Th e Tom Glenne 5.5 is known for its live

performances; why do you think this is?

TG: I grew up going to nomeansno shows in the ‘80s.

Th at’s my standard for what the band should deliver in

terms of excitement. We actually still believe in the power

of rock and roll.

VV: Why is your band called “Th e 5.5”?

TG: We used to let the diff ering number of musicians

in the band from gig to gig determine the number, so

sometimes it was Th e Tom Glenne 4, or whatever.

Th en we had a gig with a new guitarist who was really tall,

so we called it 5.5. Everyone asked about it then, so that’s

what it’s stayed.

VV: Your lyrics have a kind of Dennis Miller-esque

academic obscurity to them at times, which is a bit of a

surprising contrast to the raw and angsty, blue collar sound

of the music. Do you think there is something about your

upbringing or the music you grew up with that might

account for this unique hybrid?

TG: Well, I like lyrics with interesting implications and

music everyone wants to dance to. I want it all, is what I’m

saying. Your heart, your mind, your ass.

VV: What is the highlight of your music career so far?

TG: I sang a newborn into her fi rst sleep.

VV: Both the Toronto version of your band and the

Victoria version will be represented at the August 16

Sock Hop. What is the biggest diff erence between the

two bands?

TG: Victoria band holds the groove while wearing striped

pants; Toronto band throws the groove away and tries to

get it back again in fl ashy shirts. Both will make you hop,

socks or not.

What sock hop featuring Th e Tom Glenne 5.5, with

DJ Cassette.

When Saturday, August 16, 2008. 7pm Doors.

Where Fernwood Community Centre Gym, 1240

Gladstone Ave.

Admission $6 per person.

Info 381-1552 Ext.25 or www.myspace.com/

thetomglenne55 or www.yap.com

>> by Aaron Ellingsen

Fernwood collage/multimedia artist Anne

Hoban has been named co-winner of “Best in Show” at the

prestigious Sooke Fine Arts Show for her collage sculpture

Anatomy is Destiny. “I wasn’t sure whether the piece

would be problematic,” she tells me. “It’s a life-size papier

mache dress on a black hanger. Th e body of the dress is

collaged with black and white anatomical drawings fi tted

together to look like a fl oral pattern, and has a beautiful

scalloped bottom. Some of the pattern is composed of

large vulva fl owers spread across the dress, and the back

of the dress consists in part of black ribbon–laced sections

of vertebrae.”

For several years friends have encouraged Anne to

enter work into the Sooke show. She’s found a number of

reasons to delay. At one time her collages were physically

too large to enter, and even getting works out to Sooke has

oft en been a snag, as Anne doesn’t own a car. Th ere have

also been periods when she wasn’t interested in entering

juried shows.

It might have been a friendly reminder and the off er of

a lift , or of having just the right pieces to submit. Whatever

made it happen this time, Anne is pleased about the result.

“It was a last-minute decision,” she says. “I wasn’t sure how

they would be received, but I thought the work might get

a bit of attention, if only for the fl owers. It worked well.

Now everything seems to have fallen into place for this.

Apparently they liked my piece.”

Part of the dilemma Anne faced in deciding whether

or not to venture out to Sooke was her intention to include

these two pieces in her upcoming solo show at Collective

Works. While she has exhibited a number of individual

pieces at the gallery on Gladstone, the Fernwood Inn and

the Cornerstone Café – where she also curates monthly

showings – her show, running October 24 to November

13, will be her fi rst solo show in Victoria. As at Sooke,

black and white collage will provide the theme for her

Collective Works show.

Over the last decade, Anne has regularly participated

in the Eastside Culture Crawl at Panefi cio Studios in

Vancouver, had a solo 2005 show at the Vancouver East

Cultural Centre, and has shown works internationally

in Plovdiv, Bulgaria; Milan, Italy; and at Sergines and

Paris in France, where her Mater Atomica won the

Prix du Publique at the Salon International du Collage

Contemporain in 2002.

Anne’s work is inward-looking and intensely

psychological in nature. As she says, it’s her voice, but it

took her some time to fi nd it, and it took more time to

identify collage as the medium she is most at home with.

Her work is driven by an aesthetic sensibility that demands

beauty and confl ict – bite – a foundational contrast borne

out of life experience. Her art is autobiographical and

refl exive in nature.

While collage has a strong lineage, Anne’s approach

is self-taught. Many collage artists combine images in a

manner intended to juxtapose the individual components

within a piece, creating a jarring eff ect through contrasting

these discrete images. Anne characterizes her own use of

collage as “more along the lines of painting with paper,

using the colour and texture of the paper as a palette.” She

enlists these fragments in the project of creating a whole

image. If a jarring note is present in her work, it represents

the confl ict as an integral part of the whole piece.

National Geographic and other magazines are the

sources of the materials Anne uses, and she thrives on

“working with what [she’s] given.” Unfortunately, her

choice of palettes also creates complications. “Permanence

is an issue,” she tells me. “Th e colours in magazines are

oft en fugitive,” and as a result her palette is inherently and

unavoidably unstable.

She describes the eff ects of light and time on one of

her sculptures – situated in a friend’s bright, sunlit room

– as antiquing, and says she likes the verdigris eff ect in

that case. Yet she is protective of her light- and humidity-

sensitive body of work. Much of it is fi led away in her living

room, blinds drawn. Her preferred format for distribution

is in limited edition high quality Giclée on watercolour

paper, which should maintain their integrity for decades or

centuries – which is to say we should have the opportunity

to enjoy Anne’s work for generations.

It’s also to say that you should seize upcoming

opportunities to see Anne’s work in its pristine state and

original form. Even gallery showing can prove wearing

on the large coloured works, so it’s unlikely originals will

appear frequently. Anne’s work is on display until August 4

at the Sooke Fine Arts Show (see www.sookefi nearts.com/

art-show.html for details) and will be at Collective Works

in October. (See www.collectiveworks.ca for info.)

faces : Anne Hoban in black and white P

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Her work is driven by an aesthetic sensibility that demands beauty and confl ict

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what’s on in FernwoodArts, Theatre and EntertainmentBelfry Theatre.

ANYTHING THAT MOVES. by Ann-Marie

MacDonald with Alisa Palmer. Music by Allen

Cole. July 29-Aug 16. 1291 Gladstone Ave. For

info contact Belfry Box Offi ce at 250-385-6815

or www.belfry.bc.ca

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.

Isa Severain (solo show). Aug 1 to Aug

22. Opening reception Fri, Aug 1, 7-9pm.

Harumi Ota (solo show) Aug 22 to Sept 11.

Opening reception Fri, Aug 22, 7-9pm. Gallery

hours>11am-6pm Tues-Thurs; 11am-8pm

Fri+Sat; 11am-6pm Sun; closed Mon. 1311

Gladstone Ave. www.collectiveworks.ca

Cornerstone Collective Records.

Cornerstone Collective Records (Fernwood’s

own non-profi t community-driven record label)

welcomes new members Sat, Aug 9. 2:30pm.

Drop-in to “talk shop” with us and launch your

music career! For info call James: 250-381-

1552 ext.25.

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

Sock Hop in the Fernwood Community

Centre Gym.

Featuring the alt-R&B sounds of The Tom

Glenne 5.5, with DJ Cassette. Sat, Aug 16.

Doors 7pm. Tix $6. 1240 Gladstone Ave. All

ages/everyone welcome. Preview at www.yap.

com.

Theatre on Two Wheels.

The Otesha Project presents Reason to

Dream. Fernwood Community Centre. Sun,

Aug 24, 7:30pm. www.otesha.ca.

Victoria Bluegrass Association Jam.

Tuesdays 7:30-10pm. Orange Hall. 1620

Fernwood Rd. $2 to play. FREE to listen. www.

victoriabluegrass.ca

Victoria Folk Music Society.

Sundays. 7:30pm Open Stage. 9pm Feature

Performer. (Aug 3>closed. Aug 10>CHRIS

CHANDLER and PAUL BENOIT. Aug

17>JESSICA FICHOT and band. Aug 24>JANE

EAMON and GORD. Aug 31>VARIETY

FEATURES). Norway House. 1110 Hillside Ave.

$5 feature performer nights/$3 all open stage

night. www.victoriafolkmusic.ca

Kids and Families at the Fernwood Community CentreFamily Community Day.

Family Fun directed and facilitated by the

participants. Snacks, crafts, play equipment

and varied themes. Mondays 9:30-11:30am.

Fernwood Community Centre Gym. 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 SeniorsNew! One-Week Free Youth Soccer

Camp.

Boys and girls ages 8 to 14. Mon, Aug 18 to

Sat, Aug 23. 1-4pm, Basketball Court behind

the Fernwood Community Centre Gym, 1240

Gladstone. To register, call James at 250-381-

1552 Ext.25.

New! Women’s Soccer.

Drop-in. Sundays 5-6:30pm, Fernwood

Community Centre Gym. $3.**

Ear Acupuncture at the Fernwood

Community Centre.

Treatments 15-20 min. Thursdays 2:30-

4:30pm. Fernwood Community Centre MPR.

By donation. Everyone welcome.

Falun Gong.

Peaceful meditation practice. All welcome!

Wednesdays 5-7pm. Fernwood Community

Centre MPR. FREE!!

Family Floor Hockey.

Sundays 3:30-5pm, Fernwood Community

Centre Gym. $5 per family.**

Fernwood Autumn Glow.

55+. Gentle exercise, lunch and activities.

Monthly special guest speaker. Fridays 11am

Fernwood Community Centre MPR. $5.50 for

lunch.

Floor Hockey.

Drop-in Co-ed. Adult (18+). Tuesdays and

Thursdays 7-9:30pm. Saturdays 2:30-5pm.

Fernwood Community Centre Gym. $4, or get

a punchcard: $40/11 sessions.**

Hatha Yoga. (off for summer – will

resume in September)

With certifi ed instructor Elke. Focus on gentle

poses, breathing practice, deep relaxation and

meditation. Tuesdays 3-4:30pm. Fernwood

Community Centre Gym. Suggested donation

$5.

Internet and Computer Access.

Register and get online through the

Community Access Program. Monday to

Friday 9:30am-5pm. Fernwood Community

Centre Community Room. FREE!

Nintendo Wii Fridays.

Drop-in Co-ed. Ages 10-14. Fridays 7-9pm.

Fernwood Community Centre Gym. FREE!!.

Concession open.

Power Flow Yoga with Jenny Hyslop.

This more intense yoga session will leave you

invigorated and rejuvenated! Adults>Fridays

5:30-7pm. $5. Children ages 3-6>Saturdays

1-2pm. ages 7-12>Sundays 2-3pm. $3.

Fernwood Community Centre Gym.

Scrabble Saturdays.

Ages 13-adult. Saturdays 2-5pm. Fernwood

Community Centre. Drop in and meet fellow

Scrabbleheads. FREE!

Tot Soccer.

Ages 3 to 5. Instructor Bobby Kenny. Sundays

11am-noon. Rain or shine. Learn the basics

and have fun. Whether you call it soccer or

football, this game is great for one and all.

Please bring a kickable ball. In the fi eld behind

Fernwood Community Centre. By donation.

**We accept Sports Trader Bucks and

Canadian Tire Money at face value!

Special EventsFernwood’s Outrageous Recycling Day.

Bring your CLEAN plastics, styrofoam packing

and food trays, electronics and foil-lined

coffee bags. Sat, Aug 9. 10am-1pm. Across

from Fernwood Community Centre. By

donation. Fernwood’s Outrageous Recycling

Day seeks volunteers! Come out for an hour

or two and help us make it all happen! For

info or to volunteer contact villagevibe@

fernwoodneighbourhood.ca

Fernwood Business Network.

Everyone welcome. Tues, Aug 5. 10am. (fi rst

Tuesday monthly!) Fernwood Inn. For info

contact Ryan Rutley at [email protected]

Victoria Green Drinks.

An inclusive gathering of the sustainability-

minded for refreshments and conversation.

Tues, Aug 12 at Canoe Brew Pub, Marina

and Restaurant 405 Swift Street. For info see

www.greendrinksvictoria.ca

Fernwood Place Making Troupe.

All Welcome! Bring your ideas for the square

and the neighbourhood. Mon, Aug 18. 7pm.

Cornerstone Café.

Fernwood NRG Food Security Collective

– Monthly Meeting.

All welcome! Tues, Aug 19. 7-9pm. Fernwood

Community Centre MPR. foodsecurity@


Fernwood Village Night Market.

Local organic produce, baked goods, artists,

artisans and entertainment. Bring your family

and friends for a fresh, funky experience.

Every Tuesday until Sept 16, 5:30-8:30pm.

Corner of Fernwood and Gladstone.

Fernwood Community Kitchen.

Cook nutritious, creative meals with your

neighbours! For info contact Tracey at

[email protected]

Fernwood Sharing Gardens.

Have a garden but no time? Time but no

garden? Contact Rainey at 380-5055 or

[email protected].

Published by Fernwood NRG (Fernwood

Neighbourhood Resource Group)

1240 Gladstone Street

Victoria, BC V8T 1G6

T 250.381.1552

F 250.381.1509

[email protected]

www.villagevibe.ca

Editor: Lisa Helps

Assistant Editors: Aaron Ellingsen,

Trish Richards

Contributors:

Elisha Barker

Fairen Berchard

Anne Cookson

Amy Crook

Tracy James

Margaret Hantiuk

Darrell Harvey

Lee Herrin

James Kasper

Shelley McGrath

Joy Roberts

Cameron Speedie

The views expressed in the Village Vibe

do not necessarily refl ect the views of

Fernwood NRG.

villagevibe

Under new ownership!

Have a cold one …

On our hot new patio!

Open daily from 11:30

1302 Gladstone 412-2001

Spring Ridge Commons Workparties!

Come and get your hands dirty in Fernwood’s

only public food garden. Thursdays, 5-7pm.

Please bring tools if you’ve got ‘em.

The Fernwood Commons: A Fernwood

Community Communication Forum.

For info on Fernwood comings and goings

and neighbourhood news and views, check

out The Fernwood Commons on line: http://

thevillagevibe.ning.com/

If you have a workshop or special event

idea for the Fernwood Community Centre

or the Cornerstone Café email james@


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

[email protected]

Vibe_Aug2008 v3

Documents

th e camp

th e youth soccer camp

fernwood community

free youth soccer camp

fernwood nrg

soccer balls

soccer fi elds

th e coaches