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villagevibeNovember 2007 : News and views from the heart of Fernwood

>> by Anne Hoban

The preview exhibition of FAST, the

Fernwood Artists’ Studio Tour group,

opened at the at the Fernwood Inn, the

Cornerstone Café and the Little Fernwood Gallery

on Sunday, September 30th. Wine and delicious

hors d’oeuvres were served at a well-attended

reception graciously hosted by the Fernwood Inn.

Th e appreciative crowd was also treated to the music

of Julian Mulhall on the piano.

Th e Fernwood artists whose work is featured

at the Inn include Al Williams (painting),

Deryk Houston (mixed media), Anne Cookson

(photography), Karen Skowron (textile art),

Sean Newton (watercolour/linocut), Robert Ives

(painting), Pete Rockwell (photography), CarollAnn

Smedley (painting), Miriam Mulhall (photography)

and Anne Hoban (mixed media/digital). Miriam

Mulhall and Pete Rockwell also have work in the

FAST exhibit: a studio tour preview

Health care co-op

>> by Trish Richards

Fernwood Community Centre Gym was

abuzz on Friday, October 12th as some

100-plus people gathered to share thoughts

and inspirations on co-operative health care. Th e

Forum was sponsored by the Steering Committee

of the Community Health Care Co-operative

of Victoria, with the intent of involving the

community in the formation of a co-operative

through which to deliver health care services.

Th e evening began with presentations from

members of the Steering Committee. Mark

Sherman, M.D., spoke of co-creating a vision of

integrated health care with the community.

He stressed that the Forum was both about

off ering the Steering Committee’s vision of

co-operative health care and about providing an

opportunity for people to express their thoughts

and concerns. He explicitly welcomed questions

and ideas from the gathering.

Dr. Carol Douglas generously shared her

personal healing experience and challenged the

group to consider who they would want on their

team at a time of health crisis and how a health care

co-operative could facilitate this. Howard Dieno,

D.O. (UK) spoke of his excitement about the

preventative potential of a health care co-operative

and invited people to consider how a co-op could

promote health and wellbeing both for individuals

and for the community as a whole.

Th e following breakout groups were alive

with ideas and debate as participants were asked to

consider a series of questions that compelled serious

thought about health care issues:

in this issueStirring it up in the Square Page 3

Feature: Claiming space and making place Page 4

Neighbourhood living room Page 6

– continued on page 7

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Cornerstone Café. Th e Little Fernwood Gallery hosted the

large-scale collages of Anne Hoban (many thanks to Clive

and Graham for their assistance) until October 4th.

Th e FAST exhibition continues at the Inn and the

Cornerstone until November 11th. Our intention is to

maintain an ongoing exhibit in which the work featured will

change every six weeks or so. If you haven’t done so already,

I would encourage you to take this opportunity to view this

exciting selection of Fernwood art.

FAST is looking for more local artists to sign up for

Fernwood’s fi rst annual open studio tour. Th e tour will be

held next June in conjunction with Fernfest 2008. Th is

two-day event will give people a chance to meet artists in

their studios and to engage with them and their art in a more

‘up-close and personal’ way than is usually the case. It will

provide opportunities to buy, commission, or simply browse

and will, we are certain, be an entertaining, enlightening and

above all fun weekend.

For further information on the artists or the tour please

contact Deryk Houston at [email protected] or

Anne Hoban at [email protected]

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Page 2 | News and views from the heart of Fernwood | November 2007 VillageVibe

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

‘All-ages’ punk shows have been

part of the Fernwood miasma for decades.

Th e events, featuring local bands who

oft en organize the shows themselves,

attract scene kids from throughout the

city to listen to their music and hang out

with their friends in a welcoming venue.

Once they start attending, oft en at as

young as thirteen, they generally make a

habit of it. Th e crowd tends to be full of

familiar faces and the shows are hugely

appreciated by the participants.

On Friday, October 28th, the all-

ages show at the Community Centre

was marred by unprecedented violence

that has left both the scene and the

community reeling. As we go to press,

the situation is under police investigation.

We can, therefore, only state what we

currently know.

As the show was wrapping up around

10:50pm, a group of older, unfamiliar

kids started hassling the crowd as they

left the show. In relatively short order,

one of these newcomers attacked with an

exacto blade. By the time the police and

ambulances arrived fi ve teens required

hospitalization for serious facial injuries.

Our sincere sympathies go out to all

of those teens and to their families. Also,

we would like to thank those scene kids

who acted decisively to contact the police,

the police and paramedics who responded

quickly and eff ectively and Fernwood

NRG staff er, James Kasper, who dealt

so competently with the aft ermath.

Th eir actions ensured that this dreadful

situation didn’t escalate any further.

We are defi nitely aware that it could

have been much worse, even tragic, and

we are thankful that that wasn’t the

case. Fernwood NRG has canceled all

booked shows and is discussing what

measures we can take together with

the show sponsors and the scene kids

themselves to ensure that we can once

again provide safe, secure all ages shows.

We are horrifi ed by this act of

deplorable, random violence. Given

that it resulted from the actions of a

gate-crashing group, we are cognizant

that it could have happened in any

neighbourhood. And, at the same time,

we are appalled that it happened in our

neighbourhood. Fernwood has been

THE venue for safe, youth-driven, all-

ages shows for decades and we want it to

remain as such.

editorial : More measures needed for safety?

>> Maureen Foxgord

Fernwood’s Cornerstone Café was an apt setting

for the October 18th launch of Robin Stevenson’s fi rst book,

Out of Order, given that Stevenson and the book’s central

characters all call Fernwood home. Family, friends, co-

workers, and fellow writers crowded into the cozy art-fi lled

café as Stevenson greeted attendees and signed copies of

her book. Th e author described how the novel grew out of

a short story (based on memories of her own high school

experiences), gradually taking on a richer life as she delved

deeper into its characters, and fell in love with Fernwood

– her young son in tow.

Stevenson’s engaging writing style quickly draws readers

into the world of her book’s characters, particularly its central

character, Sophie Keller. Sophie has just moved the province

and is anxious to leave her ‘loser’ reputation behind. Her plan

to fi t in seems straightforward at fi rst, but as she starts to

make friends and struggles to maintain a cool facade, Sophie’s

life becomes complicated. Her two new friends are strong,

infl uential forces: Zelia is an energetic risk taker, while Max,

a fellow horse lover, is more low-key. As these relationships

evolve, it becomes clear that all three characters are

harbouring secrets, and Sophie comes to realize that her own

lack of authenticity – with friends, family, and herself – is

costing her more than the past she is trying to leave behind.

Th is book has strong and relevant messages for

adolescents, particularly teenaged girls, about the power

and complexity of friendship and family and, as Stevenson

articulates so well, about “how we can both discover

ourselves, and lose ourselves, in our relationships with

others.” It also explores the oft en uneasy issues of sexuality,

eating disorders, peer pressure, and mental illness with a

compassionate, matter-of-fact voice that never lets any one of

these themes become the story. Ultimately, Stevenson

says, Out of Order is about how we learn what it means to be

ourselves; and, by the end of the book, Sophie takes a fi rst

step as she considers the idea that every experience – good

and bad – has a place in our lives. It’s an idea that can be

diffi cult to embrace at any age, but Stevenson respects her

young readers enough to gently extend the challenge.

When asked what she would ideally like to hear back

from her readers, Stevenson said she would love to hear that

readers related to and cared about the characters... “that

readers saw some of their own feelings or struggles refl ected

in the lives and stories of the girls in the book.”

Her readers will have further opportunities to care

about the characters she creates, given that four more Robin

Stevenson books are due out in 2008. With her writing career

now gathering momentum, it seems that Stevenson, like her

character Sophie and the neighbourhood the author has

grown to love, has found a way to both honour the past and

create a new beginning.

Fernwood author writes about the power of friendship

She considers the idea that every experience – good and bad – has a place in our lives

VillageVibe November 2007 | www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca | Page 3

views from the street : What do you think of the art exhibit at Cornerstone and Fernwood Inn?

“I love the idea of art coming together in a public space for

people to see. Although it is not my type of art, it is lively

and it is motivating me to get my own stuff together. I’m

not surprised that there are many artists in Fernwood, as it

does have the reputation of being an artistic hub.”

“It is a great idea! It is a fabulous opportunity for artists

to showcase their work, and be seen by members of the

community.

“I think it’s a great idea – I love it! It adds awareness

and provides a diff erent atmosphere. As a local

business owner for the last 3 years (Little Fern Massage

Studio), I have really seen this corner transformed into

something fabulous. With the transformation came the

feeling of community and of belonging, and the idea

of complementing it with art can only help things

progress even more.”

review : Stirring it up in the Square

Daniel Murphy Gail Dunn, rmt Louis Paulo

>> by Joseph Avi Lambert

I have always wanted Fernwood square to

be more like Kensington Market in Toronto. For that

matter, I have wanted every neighborhood I have lived

in to be more like Kensington Market. I love and miss

what I encounter strolling through Kensington, one of

Canada’s National Historic sites.

Kensington market sits in the heart of downtown

Toronto alongside Chinatown. It is an old neighborhood

that has had many incarnations. In the early part of

the last century, it was a place for Eastern European

immigrants to make their home. It is now host to

immigrants from around the world as well as artists,

activists, bohemians, musicians, anarchists, and more

recently, posh city dwellers who are drawn to the market’s

diverse and close-knit multicultural community.

Fernwood Square has always felt like a Kensington

Market in the making or something like Kensington

combined with the feel of the old part of Quebec City.

And now, aft er all the transformative changes in the heart

of Fernwood, there’s a new restaurant in the square that’s

making me feel like my Kensington dreams are being

realized.

Stir It Up Caribbean cuisine is Fernwood’s newest

food service addition, dishing up Caribbean specialties

such as Jamaican patties, jerk chicken, cocoa bread, and

my personal favorite, roti. Walking through the square,

you can smell the patties before you fi nd the door.

At the time I went to talk with Natalie Tatem,

there were two women hula-hooping in the square. Bob

Marley was playing on the Stir It Up sound system, which

was sitting below a chalkboard sign displaying the day’s

specials. I talked with her between customers. Th e shop

is decorated with an assortment of Afro-Caribbean

paintings, masks and weavings. It is a small space and it is

fi lled with heady aromas.

Tatem is the co-proprietor of the shop with

Me-Kon Hayes. She was born in St. Lucia and raised

in Toronto. She moved her family to Victoria when

local TV station CHUM off ered her and her husband

jobs. Her background is in mass communications and

anthropology. She said that growing up with parents

from St Lucia, four sisters and friends from Jamaica,

Trinidad and Guyana, she had to learn to cook. It was on

a family visit back to Toronto, while eating at the Patty

King at Bathurst station that she had her gastronomic

epiphany. She said, “I had a patty and a dream.”

Tatem and Hayes are also organizers of the local

Afro-Caribbean festival, which is going on its sixth year.

She said they had been looking for a food retail space for

four years. Th ey were looking in downtown Victoria but

didn’t get the same vibe as Fernwood, which they felt was

more pedestrian friendly. One day while dropping her

son off at school, Tatem said, she discovered the ice cream

store in the old Rennie and Taylor building in Fernwood

Square and inquired about the space.

“We’re trying to serve comfort food and we try to

work with love,” said Tatem. “Th e food is for anyone that

wants to be reminded of home.”

Th e food does taste home cooked and wholesome.

Th e patties have a delicious fl avorful dough and there are

whole pieces of chicken inside. Th e food is made right

next door in the kitchen.

I had a roti, and it was fantastic. She gave a friend

and I a very generous portion of fragrant saucy chicken

wrapped in a thin, mildly spiced Caribbean crepe the

size of a dinner plate. She also included a nicely dressed

slaw side as part of the roti deal. She has fi ve dollar lunch

deals, which include a patty, cocoa bread, and a drink.

It’s places like Stir It Up that are driving the positive

transformation of our unique neighborhood core. Now

that Tatem and Hayes have opened their restaurant it’s so

clear. Th ere’s so much we could do, with the Square. So

come on, come on stir it up, little darlin’.

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She said, “I had a patty and a dream.”

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Moms marketA fresh approach to corner store

shopping1358 Gladstone at Stanley

fresh produce, rising star breads, freshjuices, organic coffees, island farms dairy

products, soy and rice milks, organicmilks, yves veggie products, frozen foods,ice-cream treats, coca-cola beverages, the

best penny candies around!


Thanks to all the Fernwoodians who abandoned the last sun-

fi lled Saturdays of our fading summer to attend two important

resident-driven workshops: the Neighbourhood Forum and the

Placemaking Workshop held by Fernwood NRG on September 8th and

22nd, respectively. Each of the events drew between 20 and 40 participants

interested in assessing and brainstorming about Fernwood’s public spaces.

Given the intimate size of the groups, we were able to have in-depth dialogue

about specifi c issues in the neighbourhood, and to begin to explore some

innovative solutions.

Participants at the Neighbourhood Forum on September 8th identifi ed three

key concerns, which they felt the City of Victoria could assist in remediating.

Fernwood NRG and the FCA agreed to send letters to City Hall outlining

our shared concerns including standardizing the 30km speed limit along the

length of Fernwood Road, traffi c calming on Fernwood Road, pedestrian

safety at the Gladstone intersection and the dumping of large household

items in public areas in the neighbourhood. (See side bar).

Th e follow-up Placemaking Workshop on September 22nd got people out

of the Community Centre gym and onto the streets. Th ere we focused on

both the aesthetically appealing and appalling features of Fernwood Square

and the blocks surrounding it. Th e day began with Fernwood resident

and D’Ambrosio architect, Terry Kopek presenting D’Ambrosio’s 2002

neighbourhood facilities audit of Fernwood. Building on this base, urban

planner and Fernwood resident Heike Schmidt led us through an exciting

visioning exercise that took us out into the square and surrounds armed

with pens and questionnaires to assess the core of the neighbourhood. Just

as the rain began to fall, the small clusters of Fernwoodians made their way

back to the Community Centre gym to share our thoughts over cups of

Cornerstone Café coff ee and baked goodies.

Th e exercise provided a whole new way of looking at a place we all thought we

were very familiar with. Seeing Fernwood Square with new eyes gave us fresh

insight into the needs or the potential at the heart of our community and

inspired a plethora of innovative ideas. We are currently working to compile

the results of this exercise as well as gathering additional input from more

Fernwood residents about their interaction with – and hopes for – the heart

of the neighbourhood.

Some comments recorded by workshop participants include:

> Th e square should become a destination; a place to go to, not simply to go

through.

> Let's make the square more people friendly, with comfortable seating,

lighting and greenery.

> How about a recycled bicycle sculpture that is really a bike rack adequate to

the needs in the square?

> Th e Fernwood and Gladstone intersection is a priority. Th ere are serious

pedestrian safety and traffi c calming concerns that must be addressed now.

> Th e Fernwood Gladstone intersection needs to be more integrated into the

square. We should look at innovative street surfacing and sidewalk measures

to achieve that.

> People coming along Fernwood Road should be made aware that they are

entering the centre of our community some blocks before the Gladstone

intersection. Fernwood Road needs a dose of creative transformation.

Th e creative give and take of both forums generated solid groundwork upon

which to begin the process of Fernwood Square revitalization. Fernwood

NRG has convened an ongoing action group to carry on this important

work. Th e Placemaking Troupe's fi rst order of business has been to organize a

screening of Mark Lakeman's, The City Repair Project: Transforming Space

Into Place. Please join us at the Cornerstone Café Wednesday, November 14th at 7:00pm to watch this inspirational story of urban activism in Portland, Oregan and to begin discussing how we might implement more

resident-driven solutions in Fernwood.

We’d also like to hear from other residents in addition to those already

involved. Here are the questions Heike used to spur dialogue about the

four areas that we defi ned as constituting the Centre of Fernwood: Th e

Square, Gladstone east of the square to the end of the Cornerstone building,

Fernwood Road north of the square to the Vic High Field, and Fernwood

Road south of the Square to the end of the brick buildings (See map).

1. What do you like most about this area?

2. What don’t you like about this area? Please explain.

3. What major changes do you feel would have the biggest impact?

4. What low cost changes would you make in the short term?

5. Which local partnerships, funding or local talent can you identify that

could help implement improvements?

6. Other comments?

If you’d like to give input on these questions or are interested in working with

the Placemaking Troupe, please send your feedback or contact information to

[email protected]. Keep your eyes peeled and stay

tuned to the Village Vibe for more opportunities to get involved!

feature : Claiming space

Fernwood NRG’s 1st Annual

Winter Craft Fair&Bake Sale

Saturday December 1st

11am – 3pmAll donations go to

Fernwood’s Parent& Tot Program

>> by Roberta Martell and Trish Richards

Has the fall chill made its way

to your bones?

Want a hot drink to warm you up?

The Cornerstone Café is now open until 6 pm

Warm up and chat with your neighbours.

Every penny of profi t from the Café

goes directly back into neighbourhood

programs and services.


Meet your MP and MLA

Drop by, grab a coffee, and have a chat with Victoria-Hillside MLA Rob Fleming and Denise Savoie, Victoria MP. Denise and Rob want to hear what’s on your mind.

For more info call Denise Savoie’s office at 363-3600 or Rob Fleming’s office at 360-2023.

Cornerstone Café 1301 Gladstone Ave.Saturday, November 10th, 10am to Noon

17 September 2007

Dear Mayor and Council

On Saturday September 8th I participated in a Fernwood Neighbourhood Forum hosted

by Fernwood NRG. Th e purpose of the forum was to bring together Fernwood residents to

discuss and assess the changes that have taken place in Fernwood in the last few years and

to ask, “Where do we go from here?” Incidentally, this forum also provided an opportunity

for members of the board of Fernwood NRG and the FCA to come together in an informal

setting and to move from positions to interests in the service of neighbourhood.

As Chair of the Board of Directors of Fernwood NRG, I feel it is my responsibility to appeal

to you on behalf Fernwoodians and to ask for the City’s assistance with the mandate that has

been given to us by Fernwood residents. Forum participants raised three key concerns that we

feel the City could play a role in remediating:

1. On Fernwood Road between Hillside and Fort, the speed limit fl uctuates between

30km/h and 50km/h, which encourages the use of Fernwood Road as a thoroughfare.

In the interests of pedestrian safety and resident well-being, Fernwood NRG and the

FCA request that the City set the speed limit of the entirety of Fernwood Road at 30km/h.

2. Related to the fi rst issue, residents expressed a more specifi c concern regarding the safety

of pedestrians crossing Fernwood Road at Denman St., Grant St., and Gladstone Ave. Th e

latter intersection is of particular concern. Th e revitalization of Fernwood’s core has resulted

in an increase in pedestrian traffi c at the intersection of Fernwood and Gladstone. On

September 22nd Fernwood NRG is hosting a Placemaking Workshop to address Fernwood

Square and surrounding area. Fernwood NRG and the FCA request that the City consider

resident-driven solutions to the these traffi c challenges and that the City work with the

neighbourhood in creating traffi c calming solutions at the aforementioned intersections.

3. Unlike most other neighbourhoods in the city, Fernwood has of late experienced an increase

in incidents of “freecyling” where old couches, mattresses, and other large items are left

on curbs and in public places around the neighbourhood. Fernwood NRG and the FCA

request that the City work closely with the neighbourhood in developing a plan to remove

these items in a timely manner and to discourage the dumping of such items in Fernwood.

Th ank you for your continued commitment to our neighbourhood.

Sincerely,

Lisa Helps

Chair, Fernwood NRG Board of Directors

and making place

The exercise provided a whole new way of looking at a place we all thought we were very familiar with.


Many of us are familiar with this evergreen

shrub seen in so many Victoria gardens. Th e good news

is they are easy to grow when placed correctly and cared

for properly.

Rhodos (as they are commonly called) come in

many sizes and colours of bloom, though most are in the

white to pink to red range. Azaleas are actually in this

family but are a little diff erent: they generally take more

sun where rhodos prefer light shade, and many azaleas

are deciduous, with very fragrant, smaller and more vivid

fl ower colors including warm yellows, hot oranges and

corals. Azaleas usually grow slower and are smaller.

Besides providing light shade, especially from mid-

day sun, there are two growing conditions that must

be met for rhodos to fl ourish. One is that their natural

habitat (in Asia for the most part) is opposite to our

climate in rain patterns: while we have rainy winters and

dry summers, they have rainy summers and dry winters.

To compensate, we must regularly water our rhodos in

the dry summer months and we must provide excellent

drainage so that they will survive our rainy winters.

Th is leads to the second requirement: well-drained

and acidic soil. If your soil is heavy with clay, it is better

to dress the soil with compost and bark mulch, which is

acidic. Th en plant your rhodos close to the surface with

the soil mix placed lightly over the roots. While they

must be planted well enough to withstand our winds,

they do like their roots near the surface in light soil, as

they grow naturally on mountainsides where there is

little soil and excellent drainage because of the rocky

grades. Never dump huge piles of compost over the

roots; it’s better to put it under while planting and place

bark mulch on the periphery. In addition, let the leaf

litter that drops stay as a light mulch.

Planting is best in fall or early winter. Now is a great

time to plant rhodos! Remember to not plant or dig

right under these shrubs, as you will damage their surface

roots. Also, because of their shallow roots, they can be

easily moved in fall and winter. Although they are hardy,

it is advisable to not plant in a frost hollow and also to

give them some winter wind shelter to minimize leaf

damage.

Th ese shrubs are a backbone for the garden, and can

add a distinctly Asian look. Th ey are spring bloomers,

for the most part, with huge trusses of gorgeous fl owers.

Generally, the larger the leaf, the more shade that is

required. Some rhodos have a lovely, cinnamon brown

felt on the undersides of their leaves. It pays to read the

labels or do your research to determine the ultimate size,

as the size range is huge and they need adequate room to

look good.

Pruning is easy and helps to keep some rhodos from

becoming leggy. It is best to prune young plants to force

more leaf buds. If you have the time, rhodos will look

tidier and be more vigorous if you dead head the spent

fl owers, but do be careful while doing this as you must

not snap off next years’ two little buds beneath each of

the fi nished fl owers.

Th ere are several beautiful public gardens close by

that have rhodo collections: the Abkhazi Garden at

1964 Fairfi eld, the Winter Garden at Glendale Garden

(formerly the Horticultural Center of the Pacifi c) on

Quayle Rd. in Saanich, and Finnerty Gardens at the

south end of UVic campus. Th e last is free and open all

the time. Check the times for the others. Here is a local

website as well: www.victoriarhodo.ca

gleanings : Rhododendrons: burst of colour

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>> by Margaret Hantiuk

Neighbourhoodliving room

Who says trains are for kids? Fernwood resident

Terry Wilson certainly doesn’t think so. One sunny

Sunday in October, Terry set up his meticulously

crafted train set in the Cornerstone Café for all to see

… and play with. Local photographer Pete Rockwell

happened to be on hand and documented this

spontaneous afternoon happening at the Café, which

is fast becoming like the neighbourhood’s living room.

The great thing about the Cornerstone is that you never

know what you’ll encounter there from afternoons of

live music to an ever-changing exhibit of made-in-

Fernwood art to evening readings by local writers.

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>> by Aaron Ellingsen

When I met Earl Lace, he was hard at work

at the Fernwood Inn, where he has been living and taking

care of things since before it re-opened. He worked on

the renovations, enjoys the space, and has no plans to

move on.

Earl tells me that he drove into Victoria 20 years

ago, in early October of 1987, for a friend’s memorial

service. He’d planned to help his buddy Bruce move into

an apartment in Esquimalt, hang out for a few days, then

carry on.

But he says that as he helped Bruce move in, “there

was a guy in the window next door carving – actually he

was adzing. His arm was moving up and down really fast,

and I just couldn’t fi gure out what he was doing. So of

course I had to fi nd out. I went knocking on his door, and

he invited us in.”

It was renowned carver Pat Amos, and the meeting

was formative for Earl. Pat’s place was a creative chaos.

Earl describes the scene:

“When I walked in, I looked over at the kitchen. Th e

place was covered in woodchips. Th ere was wood and

feathers and kids and cats everywhere ... Th ere were three

TVs and fi ve couches, and diff erent shows on each TV.

“I looked over at the kitchen, and there was a wolf head-

dress …When I saw, it I said to myself: ‘Th at’s me. Th at’s

it. Th at’s all I want to do with the rest of my life.’”

Earl says he fell into a pattern of “carving every day

– actually, I wasn’t carving. I was helping a carver. But I

loved it right off the top. About a month and a half into

it I met Pat’s stepfather Tim Paul. Th ey took me on. Th ey

said, ‘Earl, we’ve noticed that you’ve taken on a real liking

for the carving and the culture. If you like, we’ll take you

on for a three-year apprenticeship.’”

Earl found himself at the centre of a local carving

community including Pat, Tim, Gene Brabant, and

others. Th e group worked and played constantly and

furiously.

Earl remembers frenzied activity, constant carving,

people coming and going, partying and moving: “About

three months down the road we got evicted. We probably

lived in 13 places over those 12 months. It was wild.”

“One day Pat said: ‘You’re good enough. You’ve learned

what most people should learn in three years in a year.

Th ere’s the door. It’s time for you to spread your wings.’

“And I did. I did a lot of travelling. I carved every day

– 12, 16, 18 hours a day. All I did was carve, carve, carve.

Five years passed, then ten years….”

Just before he sat down to speak with me, Earl ran

downstairs and grabbed a mostly-complete eagle mask.

Th e carving is fi nished, and the painting well underway:

intense blues, yellows, reds, white, and black.

Th e eagle is a composite: male and female eagles, a

mixed-breed human, Tsonoqua (the wild woman and

baby eater), a salmon, killer whales, fi re snake, and raven

all fi gure in the completed mask. Strong, simple lines and

stylized fi gures belie a designed-in complexity. It is a well-

storied mask.

Earl tells me that his carving has taken him “to a lot

of remote places, meeting artists, getting ideas – a vision.”

All his pieces are his own designs, although they show

the infl uences of the carvers he has known and worked

with: Gene Brabant, Kevin Cranmer, Tony Hunt, Art

Th ompson, and others.

He’s been carving everything from talking sticks

to rattles, masks, and totem poles for two decades. His

work can be found in local galleries, and in museums and

private collections around the world. Current projects

include a Raven mask, talking sticks, a killer whale pod

table, and a frog moon hawkman mask memorial to

Fernwood activist Roger Colwill.

Like his work, Earl is a many-storied man. If you’d

like to see his carvings or inquire about commissions you

can fi nd him at the Fernwood Inn. You probably won’t

fi nd any cats, but look out for the couches, maybe the

odd child, a feather or two and the TVs. You’ll fi nd Earl

in the piles of woodchips.


faces : Carving away at the heart of Fernwood

“What is important in health and healing for you?”

“What do you see as the challenges in our current model

of health programs and services?”

“What are the solutions?”

“What is your vision for a community health

co-operative?”

Lively discussion continued as the larger group

reconvened later in the evening. Topics covered included

everything from the co-operative structure, the logistics

of co-op operation, and the facility location. One person

suggested having a virtual co-op rather than base it in

one facility! An important topic of conversation was

what services could be off ered and their relationship to

existing services.

While the concerns, thoughts, and

recommendations ranged far and wide, the group shared

an obvious enthusiasm for the co-operative model of

health care provision. It was clear that a community

of shared interests was forming and that as people

continued to communicate, the shared vision would

continue to emerge. Th e group agreed to “dream big and

start small” and to go from there.

Th is was one in a series of Community Forums

planned by the Steering Committee. For further

information on coming Forums and the Community

Health Care Co-operative itself, take a look at the

Co-op Blog at http://victoria-health-coop.blogspot.com

or contact the Committee at communityhealthcoop@

gmail.com. Also, stay turned to the Village Vibe for

continuing coverage on this emerging and emergent

community initiative.

Health | fr om page 1

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Strong, simple lines

and stylized fi gures

belie a designed-in

complexity. It is a

well-storied mask.


what’s on in Fernwood

Art, Theatre, and EntertainmentBohemian Open Mic at Cornerstone Café.Saturdays. 8-11pm. Feature performer at 10pm. 1301 Gladstone Ave. Hosted by James Kasper. Everyone welcome! FREE!Live Music at Fernwood Inn.5 nights per week, including open mic Thursdays. 8:30-11:30pm. 1302 Gladstone Ave.Live Music at Logan’s Pub.1821 Cook St. For listings: www.loganspub.comVictoria Bluegrass Association Jam.Tuesdays. 7:30-10:30pm. Orange Hall. 1620 Fernwood Rd. $2 to play. FREE to listen.FAST Exhibition.Art exhibit by members of the Fernwood Artists Studio Tour Group. Continues to Nov 11th Fernwood Inn and the Cornerstone Café. Fernwood at Gladstone. For info contact Anne Hoban [email protected] Theatre.HOCKEY MOM HOCKEY DAD by Michael Melski. Oct 23-Nov 4. Belfry Arts Centre Studio. GLORIOUS by Peter Quilter. Nov 6-Dec 9Season tickets still on sale. For info contact Belfry Box Offi ce at 385-6815 or www.belfry.bc.caTheatre Inconnu.POSSESSIONS by Kevin Land. Oct 17-Nov 3. 1923 Fernwood Rd. For info contact 360-0234 or [email protected] Theatre.Suddenly Dance Theatre presents ROMP! – A FESTIVAL OF INDEPENDENT DANCE Nov 1-4Canadian College of Performing Arts presents CITY OF ANGELS Nov 9-10For info www.metrostudiotheatre.com/events.html#header.Call for Fernwood Artists.Seeking Artists with studios in Fernwood for the 1st annual FERNWOOD ART STUDIO TOUR. (Planning for June 2008). For info contact Deryk Houston [email protected] or Anne Hoban [email protected] for Submissions.Fernwood musicians and poets to be featured on our 3rd Fernwood CD! For info contact [email protected].

Kids & FamiliesCommunity Family Day.Family-directed and facilitated programming. 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.Rhythm Circle Time.Tuesdays 3-4pm. Fernwood Community Centre MPR. Drop in. FREE!Mother Goose.Songs, rhymes and stories. Tuesdays 1-2:30pm, Fernwood Community Centre MPR. 10 weeks per session. To register call 381-1552 ext 22. FREE! ($2 for songbook).Nobody’s Perfect Parenting Course.Sponsored by Fernwood NRG. Thursdays.1:30-3:30pm. 6 sessions. Oct 4 to Nov 8. Cook and Pembroke Health Unit. 1947 Cook St. Childcare provided. To register contact Shelley at 381-1552 ext 132 or [email protected]. FREE!

Youth, Adults & SeniorsIndoor Soccer.Drop-in Co-ed Adult (18+). Mondays 8:45-10:45pm. Fernwood Community Centre Gym. $3.**Floorhockey.Drop-in Co-ed Adult (18+). Tuesdays and Thursdays 7-9:30pm. Saturdays 2-4:30pm. Fernwood Community Centre Gym. $4, or get a punchcard: $40/11 sessions.****We accept Sports Trader Bucks and Canadian Tire Money at face value!Internet and Computer Access.Complete your one-time registration and then get online through the Community Access Program. Monday to Friday 9:30am-5pm. Fernwood Community Centre Community Room. FREE!Falun Gong.Peaceful meditation practice. All welcome! Wednesdays 5-7pm. Fernwood Community Centre MPR. FREE!Fernwood Autumn Glow.55+. Gentle exercise, lunch and activities. Fridays 11am. Fernwood Community Centre MPR. $5.50 for lunch.Ear Acupuncture.Treatments 15-20 min. Nov 7 and 21 (1st and 3rd Wednesdays every month).

2:30-4:30pm. Fernwood Community Centre MPR. By donation.

Special EventsFernwood Pocket Market.Local organic produce and baked goods. Tuesdays 5-8pm. Fernwood Square. Fernwood at Gladstone.THE 100 Mile Diet Lecture Series with Sharon Rempel.Wed, Nov. 7: “Bringing Culture back to Agriculture”Wed, Nov. 14: “Re/Creating ‘Old Wives’ Wisdom for Safe Food and Healthy Families”Royal Roads University. Register by phone at 391-2600 ext 4801, email [email protected] or online www.royalroads.ca/continuing-studies. $15.00 + GST per lecture.Fernwood’s Outrageous Recycling Day.Bring your plastics, styrofoam packing and food trays, electronics and foil-lined coffee bags. But PLEASE make sure it’s clean. Nov 10 (2nd Sat every month). 10am-1pm. Back of Fernwood Community Centre. By donation.Green Drinks.An inclusive gathering of the sustainability minded for refreshments and conversation. Tues, Nov 13. 5-7pm. The Canoe Brewpub, Marina and Restaurant, 450 Swift St.Claiming Space and Making Place.Fernwood NRG hosts screening of Mark Lakeman’s “The City Repair Project: Transforming Space Into Place.” Discussion of resident driven solutions to revitalize Fernwood Square. Wed, Nov 14. 7pm. Cornerstone Café. 1301 Gladstone. FREE!Conference: Water – Ours to Protect.Conservation/governance/watersheds/privatization/sustainable sewage treatment/groundwater and more. Speakers include: Vicky Husband, Rod Dobell, Ian Graeme and Stephen Salter. Sat, Nov 17. 9am-4pm. St. Aidan’s Church 1468 Ryan St. Register by phone at 380-1197, email [email protected] or online www.greatervictoriawaterwatchcoalition.ca. FREE!Fernwood NRG Food Security Collective.All welcome! Tues, Nov 20. 7-9pm. Fernwood Community Centre MPR.Fernwood Sharing Gardens.Have a garden, but no time?

Th F S S M T W Th F S S M T W Th F S S M T W Th F S S M T W Th F

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Nov 2007

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 EllingsenTrish RichardsPhotographer: Veronique da Silva

Contributors:Aaron EllingsenMaureen FoxgordMargaret HantiukAnne HobanJoseph Avi LambertRoberta MartellTrish Richards

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

villagevibe

Have time, but no garden? Contact Rainey at 380-5055 or [email protected] to the Music Business.Presented by Vancouver Island Music Awards. Learn about the ins and outs and dos and don’ts of the music business for independent artists: building a promotional kit, recording your fi rst CD, booking performances, talking to the media, career direction and more. Sun, Nov 25. 4-6pm, Fernwood Community Centre. $20.Fernwood NRG’s 1st Annual Winter Craft Fair and Bake Sale.Sat, Dec 1. 11am-3pm. Fernwood Community Centre Gym. Admission by donation (donations go to Fernwood’s Parent and Tot Program). For info or to book a table contact Shelley at 381-1552 ext 132 or [email protected] Lunches and Fernwood Business Network.Green Lunches and Fernwood Business Network meetings at the Fernwood Inn postponed until further notice.

Under new ownership!

Christmas is Coming!

Book Your Staff or Family

Functions with us in our private

Dining Room. Custom menus and

Entertainment Available.Children Welcome

1302 Gladstone 412-2001

Vibe_Nov2007 v3

Documents

th e fernwood artists

health care issues

health care services

th e tour

fernwood inn

th e forum

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th e little fernwood