villagevibeNews and views from the heart of Fernwood

June 2014

FernFest on summer solstice19th Annual FernFest

packed with activities

for all ages

in this issueBuzz

Neighbours for Kevin page 2

Feature

FernFest Program page 4 & 5

Mark Your Calendar

Fernwood Paint-off page 7

To get the Vibe digitally, sign up at fernwoodnrg.ca

›› Kathryn Juricic

Attention Victoria, you are invited to join us in the square on Friday night and all day Saturday, June

20 & 21, to celebrate 19 years of FernFest and the summer solstice. Th e weekend is fi lled with an eclectic line-up of musical talent that you might not know but are guaranteed to love. FernFest always showcases the very best of Victoria’s vibrant local music scene. Did we mention the event is free and open to all ages?

FernFest is a unique neighbourhood music and arts festival that began in 1995. For almost 2 decades, with the help of local businesses and many volunteers, this family friendly event has been transforming the neighbourhood into a carnival of wonder and shared celebration.

On Saturday, wake up and catch the Pancake Breakfast cooked up by the great folks of the Fernwood Inn. Explore the treasures of over 40 artisans and vendors, drop in for a capoeira demonstration on the Field of Dreams, play and make art in the Kid’s Zone. Don’t miss the Kidical Mass Bike Parade with Mike and Olena Russell, Fernwood Art Stroll, Fernwood Paint-off , Senior’s High Tea, painting the Bubble Man’s car, silent auction and many more fun fi lled surprises. Fernwood Square will be rocking all day and night with live music conveniently located in front of the beer garden. As per usual, we’ve got delicious Phillips beer and this year we’ve added Lonetree Cider on tap.

We are excited to announce that the FernFest Field of Dreams (the Vic High field) will be back for its second year! The Field is going to be all things fun. In addition to its own mini stage, we’ve got kid’s activities like hair streaking from Studio 1313, tie dye with the Fernwood Community Centre youth drop-in, a cardboard castle, face-painting, and more. Keep an eye out for clowns, magicians,

storytellers, and hula hoopers! Don’t worry parents, we balance this circus extrava-ganza with a by-donation massage tent from ViVi Th erapy.

FernFest always leaves you with a sense of wonder and celebration. Th e goal is to bring people together in the spirit of fun and shared experiences.

Th ank you to all the local businesses, silent auction donors, musicians, art-ists and volunteers who come together every year to make this event possible! There is no better place to be on the longest days of the year. If you want to help out in any way, there are lots of volunteer positions still available. Apply online through fernwoodnrg.ca or send an email to kathryn@ fernwoodnrg. ca. Can’t wait to see you all enjoying what this neighbourhood has to off er! See you in the Square June 20 & 21.

Full details available in our FernFest Program on page 4 and 5.

Fernwood Bites 2014

Fernwood Bites changes the pace on Sunday evening after FernFest into a cozy and exciting food and libation tasting event. Fernwood NRG’s annual fundraiser, Fernwood Bites, has been turning heads since 2008. We invite local food and drink artisans to showcase their delicious and unique taste sensations. Th is year, we are thrilled to be teaming up with local business Cook  Culture as the main event sponsor.

Happening in Fernwood Square on Sunday, June 22, the event features an evening of food and drink sampling, live jazz and a silent auction of items donated by local artists and businesses. As a near zero-waste event, Fernwood Bites celebrates the Fernwood NRG’s value of environmental sustainability. Proceeds will help fund Fernwood’s food security initiatives including the Good Food Box, Fernwood Community Orchard, and Kitchen Garden Pilot Project.

From cheese fondue to crab cakes, macarons, fresh brewed beers and hand crafted wines, Fernwood Bites is a crowd pleaser. Prepare your taste buds for some of the best cuisine Vancouver Island has to off er.

We are grateful to all the food and drink presenters who generously donate their samples to our fundraiser every year. We look forward to enjoying these tasty treats amidst the sounds emanating from the Belfry patio from Kariba Surprise, our resident Fernwood Bites band. Tickets are selling fast so pick them up online and see you soon for an evening to remember.

Fernwood Bites runs from 5:30-8p.m. on June 22 in Fernwood Square. Tickets for this 19+ event are $50 and include all samples. Tickets are available online at fernwoodbites2014.eventbrite.ca. For a full overview of who will be joining us at the 5th Annual Fernwood Bites, see fernwoodnrg.ca.

One and all are invited to party on at FernFest, June 20 & 21, in Fernwood Square. Image: Mila Czemerys

page 2 villagevibe June 2014 News and views from the heart of Fernwood

Block party will raise

money for Fernwood

family who’ve lost father

›› Sarah Rouget

Th e annual Neighbours for Change block party on Gladstone Avenue in front of the Fernwood Inn hosts Fernwood locals and Victoria residents in a fun atmosphere that raises money for Th e Roger Colwill Fund. Th is is a fund set up in 2008 in the name of Fernwood’s infamous ‘Community Liason’, Roger Colwill, father of Mike and Sarah, two of the owners of the Inn. Last year’s event helped to fund the Fernwood NRG’s Kitchen Garden Pilot Project at the Fernwood Community Centre.

Sunday, July 20, 2014 from 2-5 p.m. will

be Fernwood’s sixth annual Neighbours for Change community block party. While all the main attractions will be back—such as the dunk tank, auction, BBQ, marketplace, beer garden, and live band—this year’s cause is particularly important and certainly a lot more personal than ever before.

Th e block party will be an opportunity to celebrate the life of a cherished Fernwood local who lost his life to cancer on May 15. Kevin Oneschuk was a devoted husband and proud father of two amazing kids. He worked full time as the bar manager of the Fernwood Inn for 7 years and was an integral part of the Fernwood community. His warm, infectious smile and friendly nature helped to establish the business that now misses him dearly.

Help us pay tribute to this exceptional man and show our support to his family

by coming out on July 20 and celebrating Kevin. It is our great honor that this year the proceeds from Th e Roger Colwill Fund will be put in trust for Kevin and Meghan’s children, Devon (10) and Finn (7).

Make sure to save a few bucks for one of Devon’s chocolate dipped, frozen bananas and a glass of Finn’s lemonade. Dunk Mike Colwill in the dunk tank with a ticket sold by his very own mother, Barb! Do a do-si-do with your neighbour to the toe tapping tunes of Bucko & Toad, Fernwood’s own country band. Peruse the local market-place. Bid on a cruiser bike, fi shing charter, or piece of art in the silent action and enjoy a cold beer and a burger or veggie burger hot off the grill.

Th is years’ block party is not one to miss! We will see you there! For more info, contact neighboursforchange@gmail.com.

›› Karen Lee Pickett

My partner and I are standing over a waist-high, body-long pile of limbs and branches in our front yard, the product of our pruning our fruit trees. We have missed the city’s branch pick-up, and are trying to fi gure out what to do. Across the street, inside his ever-open garage door, we see our neighbour, Henry. He waves and trots over, seeing the problem immediately. “Let me get my wood chipper.”

Henry is that kind of neighbour. His house and verdant garden are meticulously maintained, and his garage is fi lled with every tool known to humankind, each scrupulously organized into a magic Tardis of hardware. He is endlessly generous in loaning, helping, fi xing, hauling in his pick-up and off ering excellent advice. We moved

to Walnut Street in 2003, and Henry was the fi rst neighbour to make a connection with us. He decorates at Halloween, and enjoys seeing the kids tramping up and down in their costumes; he always puts up lights and a tree at Christmas.

Henry moved into his rented duplex in 1973. He raised his daughter there, and has seen many shifts and changes in the neighbourhood. Last year, his landlord put the property on the market, and recently, it sold. Th e new owner is planning a complete renovation, which has already been started on the other side of the duplex. Last week, he gave Henry his notice. After 41 years, Henry must be out of his home by August 1.

“Renovictions” are not uncommon, and apparently Henry has no legal recourse. He grew up near Hillside and Quadra, went to Vic High, was employed at the Jubilee all his

working life and is spending his retirement tending his overfl owing vegetable garden, which is decorated with bright wooden whirligigs he makes in his workshop, and making many other beautiful wooden objects: clocks, benches, furniture. He has a deep knowledge of the history of Fernwood: its landscape, the ebb and fl ow of its water, its people. He is the living memory of the street, of the neighbourhood. We are grateful for his connection and love of Fern-wood, because that was the beginning of our connection and love for Fernwood.

Henry’s daughter has a lead on a garage apartment in Metchosin which might include room enough to keep some of his tools. When he goes, no matter how many people end up living in what was once his home, there will be a very empty space left behind. He takes with him the heart of Fernwood.

declarationof principles

& values

villagevibePublished by Fernwood

Neighbourhood Resource Group

›› 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!

Editorial Committee

Lee Herrin Matt Takach

Hayley Evans David Segal

Founding Editor Lisa Helps

Contributors

Kathryn Juricic Karen Lee Pickett

Sarah Rouget Shannon K. Auringer

Ruben Anderson Josh Wagler

Kate Wallace Lifecycles

Kimberly Dean Devorah Stone

Laurie Hashizume Garth Martens

Art

Mila Czemerys Sherri Kostian

Kimberly Dean

Alexandra Stephanson

Production Mila Czemerys

Contact us

1310 Gladstone Avenue

Victoria, BC V8R 1S1

T 778.410.2497 F 250.381.1509

vibe@fernwoodnrg.ca

www.villagevibe.ca

To enquire about advertising in the Village

Vibe, please contact ads@fernwoodnrg.ca

The views expressed in the Village Vibe

do not necessarily refl ect the views of

Fernwood NRG.

guest editorial:

Th at kind of neighbour

mark your calendar:

Neighbours for Kevin

Photo: Sherri Kostian

www.fernwoodnrg.ca June 2014 villagevibe page 3

Learn about solar hot

water at the Fernwood

Community Centre,

June 12 at 7p.m.

›› Ruben Anderson

Who wouldn’t love a nice, hot shower—basking in water heated by the sun’s energy? Well, CRD grant money could save you thousands of dollars on the solar hot water system you have dreamed of—all thanks to an expansion of the very successful Solar Colwood program.

Due to signifi cant interest from neigh-bourhood residents, Fernwood NRG has arranged for James Smyth, of Pacifi c Solar Smart, to give an introduction to solar hot water systems at the Community Centre on June 12 at 7:00 p.m.

James is an award-winning instructor at

Camosun College’s solar training program. In addition to being knowledgeable about all kinds of solar thermal and photovoltaic systems, James has designed a solar hot water system optimized for Victoria’s climate.

Victoria gets more sunshine than the global leader in solar energy, Germany, and modern solar collectors are productive even on cloudy days. Th e solar collectors on Fernwood NRG’s Park Place apartments have been pumping out hot water and lowering utility bills since 2008.

Check out James’ website: pacific-solarsmart.com. You can read up on the solar hot water program, and list of FAQs at solar colwood.ca/solar-hot-water.php.

Admission is free, but a suggested donation of up to $5 will be gratefully accepted to help Fernwood NRG keep offering valuable events like this to our neighbourhood. Send any questions to info@fernwoodnrg. ca.

Let’s go solar, Fernwood!

Vic High Leadership

Group donates $2500

to the Victoria Youth

Clinic to support

healthcare services

›› Shannon K. Auringer

Mental health is something that we all think about and struggle with throughout our lives. It aff ects everyone in every phase and every age of their journey. Th is is some-thing that the Vic High Leadership Group recognized and decided to be proactive about. Owen Erikson, Maggie Laver, Lilly Powell, Emma Hornell and Asia Le Mackay championed a three-day mental health awareness event called ‘Your Mind Matters: Let’s Talk about Mental Health’ for 710 students who attend Vic High. This week was made up of workshops, guest speakers, and entertainment such as hands-on Zumba, frisbee games, and a rugby game. Of course, no one can for-get the fantastic spread of free food that was used to draw in the crowds in order to bring this important subject into the spotlight.

When asked about the biggest problem that aff ects today’s youth in regards to their mental health, Owen Erikson replied, “Self-diagnosis is a big problem.” Explaining what inspired the creation of this amazing

event, Maggie Laver said, “These things really aff ect everyone in one way or another and it doesn’t get addressed enough. Th e idea is to erase the stigma and get it talked about and this could also give people the tools to help their peers.”

A Victoria Foundation grant is avail-able for schools to give to a non-profit organization of their choice. Th e Vic High Leadership Group presented a $2500 cheque to the Victoria Youth Clinic, which

is a walk-in clinic located at 533 Yates Street that provides accessible medical care and psychiatric and counselling services for youth. Th is clinic runs on limited staff and volunteer support, and, due to funding, is currently open 16 hours per week: Monday and Th ursdays 3-7 p.m., and Tuesdays and Wednesdays 11-3 p.m. Th e Victoria Youth Clinic provides a safe and confidential place for teens to seek medical related help. If they require a service that the clinic does

not provide, the amazing staff will be sure to refer them to the specialized program that they may need. Sara Gifford works in youth outreach and can be reached at 250-388-3552. Th e clinic’s website can be found at victoriayouthclinic.ca.

While lined up for the amazing wraps and veggies, grade 9 student Brit McDougal was asked what her thoughts were on the whole event. She said that she attended the bipolar workshop and the depression & anxiety workshop, stating that she found them really interesting and informative. She went on to say, “Even if you have a mental health disorder, it’s not a part of you. It’s not even a part of who you are; it’s just something you have.”

It was amazing and inspiring to see the youth of Victoria recognize such an important social issue, and hopefully we will see this initiative make its appearance again next year.

buzz:

Solar hot water explained

buzz:

Vic High making a diff erence in mental health awareness

The Vic High Leadership Group (right to left) Emma Hornell, Owen Erickson. Lilly Powell, Maggie

Laver and Asia Le Mckay (not present) took the initiative to organize an event for Vic High students

to learn about mental health and wellbeing at the beginning of May 2014. Photo: Mila Czemerys

Carole James, MLAVICTORIA–BEACON HILL

Honoured to serve you in our community1084 Fort Street Victoria, BC V8V 3K4250-952-4211Carole.James.MLA@leg.bc.cawww.CaroleJamesMLA.ca

Even if you have

a mental health

disorder, it’s not

a part of you. It’s

not even a part of

who you are; it’s

just something you

have

page 4 villagevibe June 2014 News and views from the heart of Fernwood

1358 GLADSTONE AVE / 250 590 6612 / SOMAVICTORIA.CA

PRIVATE PILATES ACUPUNCTURE

ONLINE BOOKING AVAILABLE!

PHYSIOTHERAPY MASSAGE THERAPY

Time Activity

9:00 a.m. -

10:30 a.m.

Community Pancake Breakfast

10:00 a.m.

- 3:00 p.m.Artisan Market

11:00 a.m.Kidical Mass Bike Parade

11:00 a.m.

- 4:00 p.m.

Field of Dreams(a.k.a. Vic High Field)

11:00 a.m.

& 1:00 p.m.

Heritage Walking Tours

Noon -

10:00 p.m.BBQ & Beer Garden

1:00 p.m. -

2:30 p.m.Seniors’ High Tea

Time Performer

12:00 pm FOX GLOVE

1:00 pmAARON WOOD BAND

2:00 pm MEDANA

3:00 pm SAN FELIX

4:00 pmDOWNTOWN MISCHIEF

5:00 pm MUFARO

6:00 pmTHE LEG-UP PROGRAM

7:00 pmSHOESTRING BOURBON

8:00 pm KIKEYAMBAY

9:00 pmTHE NEW GROOVEMENT

T

1

1

1

2

3

Time Performer Main Stage - Fernwood Square

5:00pmSIMON PATRICK RUSSELL

Russell's style ranges from funky absurd and upbeat to down-paced

contemplative romantic, with rhythm and heart at the root of it all.

6:00 pm DJ COLD BEEFFernFest resident DJ Cold Beef will be throwing down funky old school beats to get

the festival groovin’ from the beginning.

6:45 pmUKULELE WITH PAUL LAVERICK

Paul Laverick and the Larsen Music Ukulele crew are back for the second year

in a row to inspire and awe the crowd with the rhythm of the ukulele.

7:00 pm MEATDRAWFierce carnival music mixed with raging joy that transports into rock music.

These talented musicians mix stomp gospel dirges, power anthems, and car-

chase jazz with intricate musicianship.

8:00 pm BUCAN BUCANA modern spin on traditional Balkan music with spontaneous, theatrical

performances. These eight musicians will liven the stage with their high energy.

9:00 pm HIGH SOCIETYAn unstoppably dramatic rockin’ soul and blues band from Vancouver, eager to

fi ll your eyes and ears with euphoric excitement and inspiration. High Society is

a unique blend of R&B, soul, folk, hip hop, & jazz.

HUNGRY? Enjoy some tasty delights from our BBQ.

We’ll be serving Stage Wine Bar sausages, Field Roast

veggie dogs, and kid’s hot dogs. Open from 5-8p.m.

THIRSTY? Hang out in our refreshments tent with the

best seats in Fernwood to watch the music & drink some

local Phillips beer & Lonetree Cider. Open from 5-10p.m.

www.fernwoodnrg.ca June 2014 villagevibe page 5

Made in FernwoodJoin us at Fernfest on Saturday, June 21 from 11 am to 4 pm

We’d love to show you what we do and how we do it. We’ll have free building tours where you can see all of our nooks and crannies and where we create some of the best contemporary theatre in Canada - all made in Fernwood.

Check in at our table in the square or meet us in the lobby for this and the other family friendly activities we have planned.

Details

We start the day off right with a by-donation pancake breakfast in the Square,

generously prepared and donated by The Fernwood Inn.

Over 40 local vendors will be showcasing their unique items on Gladstone Avenue from

Fernwood Square to the Fernwood Community Centre. A variety of tables bring you

handmade clothing, jewelery, furniture, soaps, baked goods, and more.

Kids! Decorate your bikes (starting at 10 a.m.) and glide through Fernwood in style. Meet

at the Field of Dreams (Vic High Field) and tour through the 'hood escorted by Vic PD.

Family and kid's activities galore & all things fun: tie dye, carnival games, face painting,

art, info tables, massage, and mini stage (see schedule below).

Nick Russell, Keith Thomas, & the Victoria Heritage Foundation will lead you on a

guided tour of the heritage buildings in our neighbourhood. (Meet in Fernwood Square)

Our BBQ brings you gourmet Stage Wine Bar sausages and Field Roast veggie

sausages, plus kid's dogs. Wash that down with an ice cold Phillips beer or

Lonetree Cider in the beer garden. (Located in Fernwood Square)

Join in on some good ol' fashioned fun at the Fernwood Community Centre.

Scones, tea, and good conversation. (55+ years please)

Main Stage - Fernwood Square

This female trio is back for another year at FernFest. Illuminating the gazebo with grace,

these ladies create a fresh sound with haunting yet enchanting harmonies.

Bringing you the best of rhythm, blues, and groove from yesterday and today.

Combining elements of Latin, Cuban, Brazilian, funk and jazz to produce a well greased

dancing machine!

Energy and eccentricity mixed with West Coast folk, San Felix brings a fresh sound that

will leave you happy in the beer garden or dancing in the Square.

Hip-Hop hammer of that drippity-drop-beat-leave-your-seat-hit-the-street-style equalize

relax relax.

Exciting, polyrhythmic marimba band playing music from Zimbabwe that will get you

groovin' with a smile on your face. Happy music.

A creative collaboration exploring the possibilities for fun, dance, and education. This

orchestra of a band will bring the funk, soul, R&B, reggae, latin, and world beats to the

Square all in one show!

Bringing back the 60's and 70's, Shoestring Bourbon plays modern electric blues with

a twist. A strong female lead and wailing slide guitar, the band brings together the best

of the blues.

Kikeyambay’s upbeat blend of West African, Zimbabwean, reggae, hip hop, jazz,

gospel, and soul music always gets people on the dance fl oor! Don't miss this chance

to hear these world renown musicians live.

An eleven-piece funk machine will make you shake everything you got! Seemlessly

blending elements of R&B, soul, and hip-hop to create a funkifi ed feast for the ears.

FernFest is excited to have The New Groovement back to headline our festival!

Time Performer Mini Stage - Field of Dreams

11:00am Storyteller Lise-Lotte Loomer's dazzling and creative stories will

begin the day.

12:00 pm Kid's DanceStephanie Corazza will have a fun warm-up, circle

time, group activities, props, and free dance lessons

for kids!

1:00 pmThe Great Giffoni

All manner and sort of fanciers of the mystical arts

are invited, and the curious, the wary, and the merely

skeptical are dared to be amazed by his magic.

Fantastico!

2:00pm Kid's yoga Lead by Rachel from the Fernwood Yoga Den, this

class is a great wind down to an exciting day.

3:00pm Capoeira For all audiences, Professor Caju and his capoeria

team are a talented group that are bound to impress.

page 6 villagevibe June 2014 News and views from the heart of Fernwood

george jay:

In the midst of Th e Flood

garden gleanings:

Victoria Seed Library

commons corner:

Gooseberry›› Kate Wallace

It has long been a dream to put on a theatrical play at George Jay School—but it hasn’t been an easy task. It’s taken quite a bit of work to connect with families from around the neighbourhood—and around the world—as well as the First Nations families, who make up 30 percent of our school population, given the language and cultural barriers. But with the help of the Belfry Th eatre and with permission from the creator of the Raven Tales books and TV show, we have now created a unique play based on a First Nations story called Th e Flood.

Th e creation of a new play has ignited both school parents and the business community who are excited and eager to share and help. The Flood is a play that speaks to many cultures, as it is a folk tale where the smallest of us—the chil-dren—are not heard at fi rst but with clever thinking actually save the day. Who doesn’t like a story where the hero is the underdog?

With The Flood, we have a story originating from First Nations culture now transformed into a play by a Belfry Th eatre artist, using set pieces borrowed from Pacifi c Opera Victoria, and props found and built by our teachers and parents. Th e costumes will be traditional capes designed and made by hand by parents, under the direction of designer Jennifer Johnson, who is also a parent in our school.

We also have a First Nations choreog-rapher and drummer working with the kids. Th e children in the play have been rehearsing on their lunch breaks twice a week for over a month now. Th ere are 50 kids in the play, some with lines, others singing in the chorus. Children who are not directly involved onstage have the opportunity to help paint props and make costumes, ensuring that everyone has a hand in creating our show.

Please check out our ad in this issue of the Vibe for ticket information and bring your family on Wednesday, June 18. Th e Flood is theatre for everyone!

›› Lifecycles Project Society

Th e Victoria Seed Library off ers free access to seeds and seed saving education. Our goal is to support local food security and stew-ard our region’s biodiversity. Locally-raised seeds are more resilient and better adapted to our soil and microclimate.

LifeCycles and the Greater Victoria Pub-lic Library created the Victoria Seed Library as a way for hobby and beginner gardeners to share seeds and other gardening resources,

and to connect with other seed savers. You must become a member of the

Victoria Seed Library in order to par-ticipate. Membership is free and includes access to seeds, classes and other resources. You do not need to be a member of the Greater Victoria Public Library to become a member of the Seed Library.

Th anks to everyone who joined us for the official launch of the Seed Library on Friday, April 11, 3:30-5:30 pm in the courtyard of the Central branch.

1. Become a Seed Library Member: Attend a Seed Library Member Orienta-tion and sign a membership agreement. Orientation sessions are 1.5 hours long and will be off ered monthly, from March-October, at rotating library branches.

2. Borrow Seeds: Once you become a member, you will get access to a cata-logue detailing the Seed Library’s holdings and you can sign out up to six varieties of seeds. Visit the Seed Library at the Cen-tral branch on June 7 and at the Nellie

McClung branch on June 21. 3. Save Seeds: Seed Library Members

are responsible for maintaining the stock of seeds available through the Library. Life-Cycles and GVPL will off er workshops on how to grow and save seeds.

4. Share Seeds: Collect seeds from your healthiest or tastiest crops and return them to the Seed Library to share with others.

For more information, contact Life-Cycles at 250-383-5800 or diggers@lifecyclesproject. ca.

›› Josh Wagler

June is a busy time in the garden, and two words come to mind: turbulence and fl orescence. Th e soils are still moist with the lingering spring rains, and the heat provokes massive growth this month as we approach the Summer Solstice. The garden off ers a vast abundance at this time, including rosemary, lavender, mugwort, clover (look for the beautiful self-seeding annual crimson clover), mint, nettle, bor-age, malva, fennel, lovage, milk thistle, calendula, rose petals, camas lily, and bay leaves. June also marks the beginning of berry season… Keep an eye out for currants and gooseberries!Plant of the Month: Gooseberry, Ribes hirtellum

Th e gooseberry is an often overlooked berry, yet there are over 100 varieties in North America. Th e leaves of the goose-berry look much like a currant. Th e fruits of both are edible, although there are more species of currant with an unpleasant,

mealy or tannic flavor than there are of gooseberries, which are universally tart and a little sweet. Gooseberries set fl owers and fruit in a line underneath the branches. Currants fl ower and fruit in clusters at the end of branches. Th e berries are great on their own, but make a delicious sauce or syrup, traditionally served with wild goose.

Th ere is lots going on at Spring Ridge Commons this month (at the corner of Gladstone Ave. and Chambers St.). It’s a perfect time to get involved and lend a hand:

On June 7 & 8, join the Spring Spruce Up & Block Party! Th e grass has become out of control and it is time to do some-thing about it. Lunch, music, and good cheer for all those who come give a day of their time. (10a.m. - 4p.m., both days) For more info, call Nick Poeta at 250-661-7689.

On the third Sunday of each month (June 22 & July 19) , there is a work party facilitated by Brent Howard of Garden Roots Landscape from 1:30 - 3:30p.m.

www.fernwoodnrg.ca June 2014 villagevibe page 7

›› Garth Martens

Forget where you were going. The Whitemud, the Yellowhead, air warping from the cranked-down window through the truck, lead you out the tourist district, past tall townhouses, their vinyl yellows, greens, blues, stacked as if to keep you out. Th rough the overpass these give way to the concrete silo, a rail station, canola, wheat. Turn right onto a road that doesn’t quite exist. It aims someplace, but won’t make it through the mud. Scrapers and bulldozers, straining on caterpillar tread, carve hills at either side, mounds of soil stinking and black. Semi-trucks fl ank the route, drivers rushing to relieve their freight. Snagged in branches of black poplar and tamarack fronting the road, bag after bag is blown tight, the plastic wrinkled or stretched, mask-like. Cresting wooded slopes, you approach the site and the sun burns, foiling behind black thundercloud, molten like the light of a welder’s tool. Nylon

camping tents, hundreds along the ditches and clearings, streaked with scum, fl are in the gusts. Men who have sailed every fj ord or hunted every animal for a little pay have come here now with their many languages. Th ey pack tylenol, meat, razors, coffee, news, migrating from trailers to their tents. Women wait for them, backs to the corrugated siding, smoke trailing from their nostrils. Think ahead to the bonfi re at night. Th e sky that fi lls with a monument of fl ies, embered leaves, voices lit with whiskey. It is dark when you reach the excavation and you don’t know if the road starts or ends here. If it’s abutment, chimera, hole.

This is an excerpt from Garth Martens’ debut

book, Prologue for the Age of Consequence,

about the tar sands and industrial projects of

Alberta, and the men who work in them. Garth,

a Fernwood resident, worked on this book in

our very own Cornerstone Cafe for hundreds of

hours. Congratulations Garth!

Where art and life

collide, spirit blooms

›› Devorah Stone

Art and life are colliding in a group show, a community art event, and silent auction for the Pandora Arts Collective Society (PACS) during the annual Fernwood Art Stroll. Watch, support, and participate during our grand opening in the Little Fernwood Gallery at 1923 Fernwood Rd. on June 21

and 22 from 11a.m. to 4p.m.In the Little Fernwood Gallery, fi nd our

group show Where Art and Life Collide–Spirit Blooms. PACS provides a safe and creative space for artistic endeavours, an open studio for everyone regardless of circumstance or ability, every Tuesday and Th ursday from noon to 4p.m.

Beside the gallery, look for the studio

door where you will fi nd the PACS’ fourth annual Fernwood Art Stroll community art event. Are you between 3 and 93? We believe that art is for everyone and every-one can do art. Let your spirit bloom. It is open to everyone and it’s free! Together with you, we have built a large collective mobile, painted banners celebrating Fern-wood architecture, and created paper dolls representing our inner artists.

You will also find the PACS silent auction in the studio, featuring original artworks and merchandise from businesses in the Fernwood neighbourhood. All proceeds support the PACS open studio, a resource for creativity and wellbeing open to all. Join silent auction supporters such Aubergine Specialty Foods, Cornerstone Cafe, Fernwood Inn and many more by bidding on the goods, services, and art.

Th is year, come help us make a thousand spirits bloom.

FernFest is getting even

artsier this year!

›› Kimberly Dean

Templed Mind and Fernwood NRG are presenting an art challenge open to all Fernwood residents: Fernwood Paint-off at FernFest 2014. Show us how Fernwood inspires you creatively!

For the Fernwood Paint-off , participants will receive a 6” by 6” wooden panel to paint or draw on. This event is free to participate in. Please bring your favourite painting or drawing supplies and your sense of discovery.

On Saturday, June 21 between 10a.m. and 12p.m., be among the fi rst 36 people to check-in with us at the Field of Dreams (Vic High fi eld) to receive your wooden panel. Search for creative inspiration within Fernwood’s boundaries (Bay St., Shelbourne St., Pandora Ave., Cook St.). Everyone is invited to take part and explore their creative side. No experience necessary.

Th e paintings will be collected at noon and combined to form a large community mosaic which will be part of a free public exhibition at Templed Mind Studio Gallery on June 27 and 28, from 12p.m. to 4p.m.

To further celebrate our creative com-munity, there will be a closing party for this exhibition on Saturday, June 28. Local musicians, Dia-Nos will perform at 8p.m. at Templed Mind, 2006 Fernwood Rd. Doors at 7:30p.m., $15 cover. Refreshments will be provided.

All artists will be able to keep their piece after the exhibition.

This is your chance to be part of a neighbourhood-wide collaborative exhibition and celebrate local arts in our community!

Fernwood Art Stroll

June 21 and 22

11a.m. to 4p.m.

›› Laurie Hashizume

Several Fernwood artists are putting the fi nishing touches on new works and tidying their studios, preparing to welcome the public into their homes/studios during the annual Fernwood Art Stroll on June 21st and 22nd, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors and residents are invited to explore Fernwood’s artistic community by visiting homes and studios as unique as the artists, learn-ing more about the participants’ creative processes, taking in current and older works, asking questions, and perhaps enjoying a cup of coff ee or tea. Th ere will also be plenty of opportunities to purchase an original piece of art, if desired.

‘Th e Stroll’ has functioned together with FernFest every year since 2008, adding an extra dimension to this annual celebration of our community. This year, 13 artists encompassing a variety of mediums—

including basketry, woodworking, pottery, photography, and, of course, paint and canvas—will welcome the public to their homes and/or studios.

Many of the artists sell their work in shops and gal leries, and/or do commissioned work. But the stroll provides a unique opportunity to mingle with those interested in their work, within the comfort of their own studios. A sampling of fi rst-time participants includes Laurie McAmmond (watercolour paintings which refl ect her west coast roots) and London Hoft (wooden boxes with Japanese paper), both of whom are fairly new residents of Fernwood. Laurie comments that she looks forward to sharing her workspace and garden with visitors, and London is excited about the opportunity to share playful creations and meet more neighbours.

Fernwood Art Stroll 2014 brochures—which include participant information, a map, and list of our sponsors—are available in Fernwood shops and businesses. Alternatively, the brochure can be found online at fernwoodartstroll. ca. We hope to see you there!

literary arts:

Prologue

artists aside:

Pandora Arts Collective

mark your calendar:

Local artists gearing up for art stroll

mark your calendar:

Fernwood Paint-off

On Saturday, June 21st look for Templed Mind’s

table on the Vic High fi eld to pick up your free

wooden panel to create a Fernwood inspired

art piece. Please bring your own art supplies.

Photo: Kimberly Dean

Scene in Fernwood : Moms rule