news and views from the heart of Fernwoodwww.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca november 2005

Halloween in the Hood

Village Vibe

Ghosts and ghouls were out in fullforce in Fernwood on the night ofOctober 31st. Over 100Fernwoodians of all ages deckedout in an array of costumes wend-ed their way through the streets ofthe neighbourhood only to end upback at the FCC for the bonfire toend all bonfires. Drumming,dancing, and hot chocolate slurp-ing kept the crowd warm andentertained. A long Fernwood tra-dition of the “Parade of LostSouls” seemingly forgotten for acouple of years was alive and wellthis Halloween. One wonderswhether the celebratory feeling ofthe evening can be taken as asign that neighbourhood spirit ison the rise.

The FCC has purchased thehouse from the Belfry on the nightof December 6th - and we want tofill it. Build your neighbourhood byattending the the theatre.

The Syringa Tree is an exhila-rating story of an abiding lovebetween two families, one black,one white, and the two childrenthat are born into their sharedhousehold in the early 1960sSouth Africa. With humour andheart, the story follows their des-tinies through four generations,from early apartheid to the pres-ent-day free South Africa.

Tickets for the December 6th

performance of this widelyacclaimed and award-winningshow will be on a sliding scalefrom $20 to whatever you wish topay. Tax receipts can be issuedfor any amount over $20. Call theBelfry box office at 385-6815 orthe FCC at 381-1552.

There will be a pre-show recep-tion with appetizers and a cashbar. Lots of delicious door prizesup for grabs too. Treat yourselfyour sweetie, your friends, or yourfamily to a night out in Fernwoodand soon you’ll be looking acrossthe sqaure at one mighty fineCornerstone building.

Support the Cornerstone On December 6

Village VibeFernwood Community

Centre SocietyDeclaration of Principles and

Values1. WE are committed to creatinga socially, environmentally,and economically sustainableneighbourhood;2. WE are committed to ensuringneighbourhood control orownership of neighbourhoodinstitutions and assets;3. WE are committed to usingour resources prudently and tobecoming financially self-reliant;4. WE are committed to the cre-ation and support of neighbourhoodemployment; 5. WE are committed to engag-ing the dreams, resources, andtalents of our neighbours and tofostering new links betweenthem;6. WE are committed to takingaction in response to neighbour-hood issues, ideas, and initia-tives;7. WE are committed to govern-ing our organization and servingour neighbourhood democrati-cally with a maximum of open-ness, inclusivity, and kindness;8. WE are committed to develop-ing the skills, capacity, self-worth, and excellence of ourneighbours and ourselves;9. WE are committed to focusingon the future while preservingour neighbourhood's heritageand diversity;10. WE are committed to creat-ing neighbourhood places thatare vibrant, beautiful, healthy,and alive;11. AND, most of all, WE arecommitted to having fun!

To subscribe, contact, submitto or advertise in the Vibe,head to www.fernwoodneigh-bourhood.ca/vibe

2 Village Vibe

Civic Elections 2005

Much has been said about FalunGong (Falun Dafa) and its brutalpersecution by the ChineseCommunist Party over the past sixyears. I often hear people ask“What exactly is Falun Gong?” In afew words I would say it is an awe-some meditation practice – but thatis rather vague! Let me elaborate.

Falun Gong is an ancient form ofqigong that refines the body andmind through special exercises andmeditation. It is also called a culti-vation practice: "cultivation" refersto self-improvement through thestudy of universal principles basedon Truth-Compassion-Tolerance,while "practice" means doing exer-cises and meditation to energizethe body. The book, Zhuan Falun,and the beginner’s text, FalunGong, written by Falun Dafa’sfounder Mr. Li Hongzhi, explain theprinciples in their entirety. FalunGong has spread like wildfire sinceit was introduced to the public in1992. It is now practiced in 78countries and has brought better

health and inner peace to millionsaround the world.

Learning Falun Gong is easy andabsolutely free. You can get startedwith the simple but powerful exer-

cises at FCC, 1240 GladstoneAvenue, on Wednesdays at 5pm inthe gym or at Beacon Hill Park onSaturday-Sunday (10 am) acrossfrom the children's farm. You canalso start by downloading the booksfor free from http://falundafa.org orpick one up at the library.I invite youto join in at our practice sites andexplore this amazing practice ofFalun Gong for yourself.

Ancient Practice for Modern Times

by Tania Wegwitz

by Marie Beaulieu

Affordable housing, sewage treat-ment, and sustainable transporta-tion were some of the key themes ata Victoria municipal All-Candidatesmeeting held at Vic High on October 25.

Co-sponsored by the Vic HighStudents Society and the FernwoodCommunity Association, the eventwas attended by the five mayoraltycandidates, 23 of the 28 candidatesfor council, and about 80 Fernwoodresidents. The fate of the City's proposedrecreation renewal plan and waysto assist people living with poverty

or addictions were some of theother key concerns cited by candi-dates and residents.

All of us here at the Vibe wouldlike to remind our friends and neigh-bours that one of the easiest waysto be a neighbourhood activist is toget out and vote on Nov. 19. A voting virgin? Two pieces of ID onthe day of the vote is all it takes.For information on eligibility, accept-able ID types, candidate lists, oradvance polls, head to www.city.vic-toria.bc.ca and click on "Hot Links"or call 385-5711.

3

Greg White is a Fernwood resi-dent who is making a difference.

Along with business partner,Johnny Thiessen, he is co-ownerof Solarcrest Innovations, acompany dedicated to usingsources of renewable energy.Specifically, Solarcrest works withsolar hot water (solar thermal) sys-tems. These systems convert UVrays to electricity, which then heatswater.

Greg founded Solarcrest in 2003and two years later, business isbooming. His prairie farm back-ground gave him much hands-onexperience in many areas, includ-

ing systems design, which he laterapplied in construction doingplumbing and electrical work.work.

Between his work in construc-tion and founding Solarcrest, Gregworked in the Youth EntrepreneurProgram at Lifecycles. Johnnywas a participant in the programwhose true passion was renew-able energy. The two embarkedon a research journey and realizedthat there were already existingsystems in place; to start theirbusiness in solar hot water theywould not need to manufacturetheir own modular systems. Greg

pointed out that, "In fact, thesesystems have been in use forover forty years, even inCanada." Ironically, (consider-ing the present cost of fuel)these renewable energy sys-tems went out of fashion inCanada due to the low cost ofenergy.

Greg notes that thatCanadians are somewhat unso-phisticated when it comes toenergy use because of our rela-

tively low energy costs.However, he expects those who

heat their hot water by gas toexperience a 50% increase incosts this winter. He explains thatsolar heating systems are thecheapest way to make the biggestreduction on total energy costswith the least capital investment.Most people who inquire aboutSolarcrest's systems are interest-ed in and ultimately sold on thefinancial merit of the system; aside benefit of course is the reduc-tion in emissions and the overallboon to the environment.

Each residential system thatGreg and Johnny install reducesgreenhouse gases by one to twotones per year; that’s one blimpless of greenhouse gases perhousehold. And, what is morethese systems require very littlemaintenance.

The FCC is thrilled to be work-ing with Greg in developing theheating system for theCornerstone. Greg White’s worktoday will benefit us all tomorrowand with the help of people likehim, Fernwood will serve as amodel of what is possible in termsof sustainability, even at the neigh-bourhood level.

The second Saturday morning ofeach month from 10am - 12pm,coffee mugs in hand, rain or shine,raging wind or warm breeze,Fernwood Community CentreSociety volunteers brave theweather to accept the recycling ofFernwoodians - all those thingsthat the blue box just won’t hold.

Fernwood Recycles takes any-thing you can think of, and more -from styrofoam of all shapes andsizes to metallic coffee bags, to

plastic bags, to old toothbrushes(with the bristles cut off), to softand hard plastics, even old rubbergloves!

But this valuable program is indanger due to under utilization byFernwood residents. PacificMobile Depots, the company thatpicks up the recycled goods eachmonth and sends them off to theirfate as new products, does notmake money on recycling theitems but relies on the donations

generated by neighbourhood resi-dents whose goods they pick up tokeep the program going.Donations range from $2 per smallbag to $5 per large bag of recy-clables. So gather ye plasticswhile ye may and come on downthe Community Centre at 1240Gladstone Ave. Remaining 2005recycling days: Remaining 2005recycling days: November 12,December 10.

by Susan Salvati

F e r n w o o d R e c y c l e s - A t R i s k

Faces of Fernwood Sustainability

Johnny Thiessen (left) and GregWhite (right) at a sustainabilityhome show.

by Lisa Helps

Ma k e Yer Neig hb o urhood NicerFernwood N e ighbourhood Revi taliza tion Group .

Join others actively working to make Fernwoodeven more vibrant, beautiful, healthy, and alive.We d, Nov. 2, FCC, 7:30pm, Free! (Every 1st Wed ofmonth)

Total P last ics Rec ycl ing Da y: Sat , N ov. 12, Backof FCC 10am - Noon. (Every 2nd Sat of Month)

Cornerst one Work Pa rti es: Held on selectSaturdays. Lunch provide d, sense ofaccomplishment free. Sign up to be notified ofdates/times atwww.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca/cornerstone orcall 381-1552.

Spr ing Ri dge Comm ons Wor k Part ies : Held onselect Saturdays. Sign up to be notified atwww.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca/commons

S pe ci al E ventsFernwood Sw ap n’ Sh op: Sat , N ov. 5, FCC Gym,

7:30am – 3:00pm (Vendors set up at 7:00am). Freeto browse! Vendors: $5 for space, $10/1 table,$15/2 tables, no re servations required.

Rem em brance Day: Fri , Nov. 11, FCC Closed.Ne ighb ourho od Eme rge ncy Pre paredn ess

P rogram Work shops: B asic Sea rch & Rescue/ Damage Assessment. Fr i, Nov. 18, FairfieldCommunity Centre, 6:30pm – 9 :00pm, Free!I ndividual & Family P repa redne ss , Mon, Nov.21, SJ Willis, 7:00pm – 8:30pm, Fre e!

Munic ipal Elect ion: Sat , Nov. 19. You give up theright to whine later if you give up your right to votenow. Fernwood area voting at George Jay Elem.,Oaklands, Elem., and Central Baptist Church.

K id s & F amil iesPare nt & Tot Pla ygrou p: Ongoing Tuesdays &

Thurs days. FCC Gym, 9:30am - 11:30am, $1 perfamily, snacks provided.

Moth er Goose Circle Time: Songs, rhymes & stories;Select Saturdays (Call 381-1552 to register andfor info) FCC Infant & Toddler Centre, 11:30am -12:30pm, Free! ($2 for songbook)

Commu nity Da y P are nt - Run Family G roup:Bring y our programming ideas and make themhappen! Mon, Nov. 14 & 28, FCC Gym, call 381-1552for times, Free!

Village Vibe news and views from the heart of Fernwood

Fernwood What’s On: November 2005A monthly roundup of neighbourhood shindigs. Head to www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca/events formore listings or to submit your event.

Y outh, Adults & SeniorsDrop- In B aske tb all: Youth (13-17), Snacks

provided. Ongoing Sundays FCC Gym, 7:00pm –9pm, Free!

Drop- in Floorhocke y: Co-ed Adult (18+), allequipment provided. Ongoing Tues days andThurs days, FCC Gym, 6:30pm - 8:00pm, $3.

Drop- in Vo lley ball: Co-ed Adult (18+), allequipment provided. Ongoing Tues days, FCC Gym,8:15pm – 9:45pm, $3.

Drop- in Bas ke tball : Co-ed Adult (18+), allequipment provided. Ongoing Thu rsdays, FCCGym, 8:15pm – 9:45pm, $3.

Hatha Y oga: For beginners and intermediate s. Matsprovided or bring your own. Ongoing We dne sday s,FCC, 7:30am – 8:30am, $24/4 sessions. Pre-registerat 381-1552.

Hol isti c Hea lt h & Hea ling: Qi Gong exercise s andmeditation; Ongoing Mond ays, FCC,10:00–11:30am, Free!

Falun Gong : Peaceful meditation practice. OngoingWe dne sdays, FCC, 5:00pm – 7:00pm, everyonewelcome, Free!

Fernwood Aut um n Glow (55+): Gentle exercise,lunch & activities; Ongoing Fridays , FCC, 11:00am,$5.50 for lunch.

Mu s ic, A rt, Theat re, a nd Enterta inmentCommu nity Rhyt hm C irc le : Join Barry (Bazza)

Hayward for a unique family friendly rhythmexperience. Bring any hand drums or percussioninstruments. Ongoing Tuesdays, FCC, 7:00pm -8:30pm, by donation, proceeds to FCC

“Unle ss” at th e Bel fry Thea tre : A beautiful,heart-wrenching tale based on the Carol Shieldsnovel of the same name. Tickets: 385-6815. Showcontinues to N ov. 20

V ic t oria Bl ue grass Assoc. Jam: OngoingTuesdays Orange Hall, 7:30 – 10:30pm, $2 to play,free to listen. (Last Tuesday of month is openstage/feature night; cost varies).

Live Mus ic at Lo gan’ s: For listings, check outwww.loganspub.com.

“The Syri nga Tre e ” at the Belf ry T heatre: Talefrom South Africa that explores the nature of love,family, and rac ial conflict with humour and heart.(Some strong language) Starts No v. 2 9. Not e :Special benefit perfo rmance for the CornerstoneProject on Dec. 6. Tickets: 385-6815.

Gr een Thu mb sComposti ng Basics Worksho p: Sat, N ov. 5,

Compost Ed. Centre, 11:00am – 1:00pm, Free!