villagevibeNews and views from the heart of Fernwood

December 2010

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Buzz

Au Revoir Mary page 3

Feature

Short Fiction Contest page 4

Mark Your Calendar

New Programs at the Centrepage 7

in this issue

›› Kate Naugler

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a giant garbage gyre, a spiraling vortex of a trash heap composed mostly of tiny plastic pieces, amassed to the size of a small conti-nent. Ceaselessly growing, this trash mon-ster floats only six years travel via ocean currents from our shores…

The good news is this repulsive Giant Garbage Gyre has an adversary, a group of radical revolutionary community building liberators named The People of Fernwood.

… Got a cool way to radically recycle? Got a political message to help encourage the radical revolutionary reshaping of our world one neighbourhood at a time? Got a skill you’d like to share with your neigh-bours? (bike building from used parts any-one?) Find yourself up-cycling garbage into beautiful and useful items, like candy bar wrappers turned into shiny wallets? Have some old treasures you no longer need that others could love? Then head down to the centre and trade away!

Mark your calendar to save the date and bring yourself, your family, your friends, your neighbours, and your acquaintances to Fernwood’s new Sunday Swap ‘n Shop. You will encounter treasures, fare, music, finds, and friendly neighbourhood folks. Bring the stuff you would like to offer up for reusing and recycling, and in the name of fighting the Growing Giant Garbage Gyre—Bring it. Sell it. Swap it.

Sunday Swap ’n Shop— Coming in January

Fernwood Square acts as an unofficial goods exchange. Photo: Lenore Rankin.

When: Every Sunday, starting January 16th, 2011Time: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.Where: Fernwood Community Centre gym, 1240 GladstoneCost: Loonie per person, kids free

Fernwood Sunday Swap ’n Shop

If you’d like to reserve a table please email Swapnshop@fernwoodnrg.ca for table rates.

Local growers, we want you there, email us to make arrangements.

Volunteers, entertainers and musicians, we want you too. If you want to have some fun, meet some neighbours and find some treasures email us.

So Fernwood, let’s take action and have some fun while supporting the local economy through community and gathering together in the spirit of abundance. Let’s show we care about our earth, our world, our community, our homes, each other and ourselves, and of course let’s stop the trash mass and let’s do it in style!

For more information visit www.fernwoodnrg.ca

Official Communiqué for the People of Fernwood, and beyond:Calling all traders, urban farmers, artisans, musicians, entertainers, radical recy-clers and connoisseurs of gently used goods…Fernwood NRG is excited to launch the newSunday Swap ’n Shop— Fare, Finds, Fun & Futureat the Fernwood Community Centre, January 2011.

page 2 villagevibe December 2010 News and views from 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 financially

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 Stacey Curtis Matt Takach Joshua Schmidt

Founding Editor Lisa Helps

Contributors

Kate Naugler Robert Adair WilsonLee Herrin Edeana MalcolmStephanii Holmes Deryk HoustonNicola Campbell Margaret HantiukBarbara Greeniaus Casey Van WensemStacey Curtis Joshua Schmidt

Art

Lenore Rankin Amy HallBelfry Theatre Casey Van WensemLeslie Wilson Kate NauglerStephanie Holmes

Production Ellen Rooney

Contact us

1240 Gladstone Street Victoria, BC V8T 1G6T 250.381.1552 F 250.381.1509vibe@fernwoodnrg.cawww.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 reflect the views of Fernwood NRG.

›› Lee Herrin

Once upon a time, long, long ago, I left my home and the sea of my home and went to live in a great city far, far away. The name of that great city is Toronto. I traveled by plane and shipped my belong-ings by bus. Weight and size determined cost, so I shipped only essentials. When I settled into my small apartment I found there were some comforts of home that were lacking. For one thing, though I had brought my cassettes,* I did not have a tape deck on which to play them. And a house is not a home without music.

Thankfully, the apartment was partially furnished. After my first day of unpacking I put the sheets on the bed, fluffed up the comforter and laid down to rest. The mat-tress felt like it had been stuffed with “corn-cobs and broken crockery,” to borrow my favourite phrase from Moby Dick. It was not a good night’s sleep.

The next day, I took the subway down-town to price out mattress covers and tape-players but they were much more expensive

than I thought was fair. Returning home empty-handed, I resigned myself to another quiet, but far from peaceful, evening.

Just as I entered my apartment build-ing I noticed a small common room off the lobby. Aha! The laundry room. But in the corner, there was a big blue bin (like a garbage can, with wheels and a flip top lid). I opened the can to see what was inside. The bin was filled with all manner of used goods, but lo, what was sitting on top but a clean and neatly folded mattress cover; the perfect size to fit one of the beds in the building. What rare and wonderful magic is this, I wondered?

Well, I told all my friends about my good fortune. We pieced it together. The apart-ment was a student ghetto, and this being the change in term, perhaps others were leaving town not wanting to pack anything unnecessary and so left their excess belong-ings in the bin for others to claim.

I assumed I had received my quota of luck for the year, but it was not so. A week later, I decided to check the bin again. Can you believe it held a beat-up old tape deck (you

know, the kind with the integral speakers)? I thought for sure it would eat my tapes,** so I put my worst tape in and it played all the way through. In fact, it lasted two years and only ate one tape the entire time. At that point, I named it the Magic Bin.

Later, I found a beautiful Cowichan sweater (which I still have), outfitted my friend with an entire wardrobe of designer clothes in just his size, and on and on. Shoes, cookware, books, you name it. I started to feel an imbalance in the universe, and started putting some of my own things there, things I no longer wanted or needed. And they too disappeared. The bin giveth and taketh away!

Fernwood’s sidewalk free piles remind me of the Magic Bin. They can be a great resource for folks looking for a bargain, but unfortunately they can also be an unsightly mess. Lately, as this month’s cover photo shows, things have been tilting a little more toward unsightly mess.

At Fernwood NRG, we are hoping to channel some of this radical recycling by re-opening an old Fernwood institution, the Swap ‘n Shop, a magical place where neighbours and friends meet to let go of old belongings and find new treasures. Be sure to come check it out in January. To become a vendor, email swapnshop@fernwoodnrg.ca. I hope to see you there!

Separating the fertile from the flammable in 10 words or less —

Fernwood Dead WoodRadical recycling DumpingVibrant DerelictPreventative ReactiveCreativity StagnationEmpathy Apathy

editorial:

The Magic Bin

buzz:

All that money can buy . . .›› Stephanii Holmes  

Recent psychological studies show that we are happier when we spend money on expe-riences rather than on material objects. It has also been said that we have nothing if we do not have our health. How many times do we find ourselves ill or injured and realize that we have taken our bodies for granted?

Many of us spend time and money on a vehicle to keep in good working order so that we can get from A to B. Imagine how

much more effective we could be from day to day if we cared for ourselves in the same way. Perhaps we need to shift our percep-tions around self-care and personal health. Why not budget for services that make us healthier in mind, body and spirit? For less than the cost of new shoes, you could treat yourself to something that will improve your health and well-being.

Fernwoodians, as you contribute to nur-turing your community, it is also import-ant to nurture yourselves, so come to our

new space downtown, Heart and Hands Health Centre (www.heartandhandscom-munity.ca). We are dedicated to providing affordable and sustainable holistic services. Located at #6-2020 Douglas Street, between Discovery and Pembroke, the centre has a variety of modalities to offer including com-munity acupuncture, shiatsu, massage, reiki, meditation, Feldenkrais® and much more. In the spirit of conscious consumerism this holiday season, consider that investing in your health is money well spent.

:970 Blanshard StreetVictoria, BC V8W 2H3

telephone: 363-3600e-mail: Savoie.d@parl.gc.caon the web: www.denisesavoie.ca

Denise SavoieMember of Parliament for Victoria

Your voice in OttawaYour voice in Ottawa

Committed to Supporting Community Associations

Carole James, MLAVictoria • Beacon Hill

Community Office1084 Fort StreetVictoriaP: (250) 952-4211F: (250) 952-4214carole.james.mla@leg.bc.cawww.opposition.bc.ca

*For those born after 1982, a “cassette” is a very old-fashioned musical recording device. A “cassette” was played in a “tape deck”.

**Kids, there’s really no way to explain what this means...

www.fernwoodnrg.ca December 2010 villagevibe page 3

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buzz:

Au revoir Marybuzz:

Holistic healing thrives in Fernwood›› Barbara Greeniaus

This fall, the Belfry Theatre said farewell to Mary Desprez, our General Manager for the past 23 years. Mary and the Belfry grew up together – when Mary started in 1987, she was just a kid and the Belfry was an awkward adolescent. She managed the Belfry with tough love and was gratified to see it blossom into a professional, highly respected theatre.

Mary’s tribe of Belfry staffers have been unfailingly loyal to her - and with good reason. She tended dozens of Belfry staff through their marriages, births of babies, family joys, break-ups, great accomplish-ments and career changes. Many of the Belfry alumni have gone on to achieve success in other artistic organizations, in writing, or in new ventures. Mary cheered each of them on, with tears in her eyes, as her fledglings left the nest.

Over her tenure, Mary worked hand-in-hand with three very talented artistic directors. Glynis Leyshon was her first partner in theatre – a relationship that was galvanized by a decade of sharing an office that wasn’t big enough to accom-modate even one person. Those early years with Glynis were momentous times in the development of the Belfry. After Glynis went on to become Artistic Director at the Vancouver Playhouse, Roy Surette became Mary’s next partner. Again, they shared an office but this time around it was a little bigger. For ten years Mary and Roy worked shoulder-to-shoulder, bringing the best possible theatre to the Belfry stage. Roy left in 2007, to become Artistic Director at the Centaur Theatre in Montreal and Michael Shamata stepped into the role of Artistic Director for the Belfry. Michael and Mary have made a formidable team and the theatre has gone on to achieve even greater successes.

Mary always saw her role as enabler and protector of the artistic vision for each of her three successive partners. She worked incredibly hard to create an environment

in which each Artistic Director could make his or her dreams become a reality on the stage. She hated having to say “no” to them, but that was the necessary dark side of the job. As General Manager, Mary had to remind the Artistic Director of the hard realities of the budget; the size of the stage; and the number of hours in a day.

Paddy Stewart was Mary’s Board Chair for more than twenty years. Mary’s art-ful management of Paddy was a thing of beauty – she roped her favourite cowboy into several successful capital campaigns that brought the present building from a derelict former youth hostel to the beauti-ful theatre space that we own today. Mary treated the Belfry as a cherished home, where guests were welcomed with genuine warmth and affection. Actors from every part of Canada have special memories of their gigs at the Belfry and many have come back again and again to experience the welcoming, caring environment that Mary and her staff created.

Through her strength, resilience and passion, Mary grew a theatre of which we are very proud. We wish her great success and much happiness in her next adventure. Thank you for everything, Mary.

Barbara GreeniausChair, Belfry Board of Directors

›› Nicola Campbell

In early August 2010, during some of the hottest weather of the summer, a crew of friends came together in Fernwood to transform a vacant building at the corner of Stanley St. & Gladstone Avenue into a beautiful, polished health center. SOMA Active Health was born. Owners Nicola Campbell and Kelly Ayre, both established Registered Massage Therapists in Victo-ria, were inspired to create a space where patrons could find the harmonious blend of a warm, vibrant atmosphere combined with a therapeutic wellness center all in one. It was important to the pair that their clinic be community oriented, have an environmen-tal conscience, and promote healthy living. When stepping into the location this effort can be seen and felt throughout. Practitio-ners at SOMA Active Health find inspira-tion in helping people get involved and take charge of their health and well-being.

Within its walls SOMA Active Health offers Registered Massage Therapy (R.M.T), Registered Acupuncture & Acupressure, Private Pilates classes and Therapeutic Yoga.

Whether used in rehabilitation from injury or as a preventative measure, Regis-tered Massage Therapy is an excellent nat-ural treatment option for muscle and joint pain, postural imbalances, stress manage-ment, and a variety of other conditions. Services are often covered by extended benefit plans. Both Nicola Campbell and Kelly Ayre practice Massage Therapy at SOMA and are excited to introduce two new R.M.T’s, Nancy Mather and Nicole Hoyer, to their team!

The Private Pilates classes at SOMA are designed and taught by Kelly Ayre, a Certi-fied Stott Pilates instructor. Also a Registered Massage Therapist and a Kinesiologist, Kelly integrates her many fields of knowledge into her Pilates practice. Pilates is a mind body exercise that emphasizes strength and flexibility while focussing on engaging and strengthening the abdominal core. Excellent for sculpting and toning the entire body and improving posture, balance and coordina-tion, Kelly’s classes include both mat and reformer based exercise.

Fiona Peters is the Registered Acupunc-turist and Acupressurist at SOMA. Hav-ing worked in the health care field for over 10 years, she combines acupuncture, acu-pressure, diet therapy, herbology and other oriental healing modalities to promote and maintain health. Acupuncture and Acupres-sure can be helpful with chronic and acute pain, digestive disorders, women’s health, addictions, detoxification, facial rejuvenation and stress relief, among others. Fiona has received her 4 year diploma of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine and is also certified in Acupressure and Jin Shin Do.

Linda Cundiff, an Occupational Ther-apist and registered yoga Instructor holds private one on one therapeutic yoga classes at SOMA. The classes blend restorative yoga with strength, balance and breath-work into a gentle and effective practice.

Appointments can be booked online at www.somavictoria.ca which features an interactive calendar, by phone at 250-590-6612, or in person by visiting #3-1358 Gladstone Avenue. Drop in and experience what SOMA Active Health has to offer!

Mary Desprez has left the building after 23 years

with the Belfry. Photo: Belfry Theatre.

page 4 villagevibe December 2010 News and views from the heart of Fernwood

literary arts:Storytelling goes local with short-fiction contest

Join us for brunch on Saturdays and Sundays!

Daily from 11:30 a.m.

1302 Gladstone 412-2001

Late One Night ›› Robert Adair Wilson

Damn the bus schedules in this town, Susan thought as 22 — Westside pulled through the last traffic light on Pandora, its taillights winking out—first one, then the other. “Doesn’t anyone realize some people work late shifts in Fernwood?” she yelled at the disappearing bus.

She shouldered her backpack and sat down, having run two blocks down Cook Street try-ing to catch her last chance at a ride home. It seemed it was taking longer every night to get the video store cleared of hangers-on, those der-elicts with nowhere else to go now that miserable weather and rains had arrived. Once the last was out the door and she locked up, she could finish re-shelving the DVDs and Blu-ray discs, bag the cash receipts for the bank drop box on the cor-ner, set the alarm and catch the good-old 22 for home. It was a crappy job and paid even worse but would have to do until something else came along. Susan always felt a cold twinge in the back of her head when telling people she had landed the job because the last girl, Penny, who was also twenty-two, had disappeared after leaving work late one night, never to be found.

The rain had only worsened and her walk home would soak her. No umbrella, no coat—it had been a beautiful fall day when she started her shift—no money for a cab, no cell phone and no choice, she thought. No harm in it, if she were careful; not like it was a habit. It would only be a few kilome-ters, and she could dash for her building. As the grey minivan rounded the corner she impulsively jumped out into the headlights’ gleam, her right thumb thrust high in the air, the other hand behind her back, fingers crossed, and under her breath, “Please, don’t let it be some weirdo.”

The vehicle moved slowly up the street. It rolled to a stop five metres from where Susan stood, then waited. Susan peered through the rain but could not clearly make out the driver, a middle-aged male, alone, she hoped. She slipped off her pack to carry in her hand—if she had to, she’d drop it and run like hell.

She came up to the passenger window and it whooshed open under the driver’s control. “Hey!” she said, “thanks for stopping. Heck of a night, eh?”

“Yup!” replied the man. He smiled. “Hop in, it’s pouring out there.”

Susan gave the man the quick once-over. Prob-ably mid-fifties, she thought. Nothing out of the ordinary seeming.

“Would you mind turning on the interior lights?”

“Sure, good call.” The inside of the van lit up, revealing only open space from front to back.

“Thanks,” said Susan, opening the door, “Just wanted to be sure, you know; I don’t usually hitch-hike but I’m sure stuck tonight.”

“Not a good idea to hitch-hike. Don’t know who might pick you up. So,” the man peered sideways at her, “why the hitch-hike tonight?”

“Like I said, just too late for the bus, and I’m stuck in the rain, totally busted. Don’t have to go far, if that’s a problem for you. I thought you stopped to offer a lift.”

“You’re not going far, eh?”“Just a few kilometres. If you’re going east,

corner of Bay and Blanshard would be great, if it’s not a problem.”

“No worries. I live out that way, anyhow.”“On your way home from work, then?” Susan

asked, not expecting much of an answer as she slid into the passenger seat.

“No, not me. Haven’t worked for years now,” the man accelerated.

“So, you’re heading home from what, a night out?” Susan sniffed but could smell no alcohol or weed.

“I’m usually out on the roads at this time of night. You just haven’t seen me before. But I’ve seen you waiting for the 22 at the bus stop many times.”

“You’ve seen me before? You’ve been watching me? Hey, now, what’s that about?” Susan’s right hand grasped the door handle as her left hand released her seat belt.

“Don’t do anything foolish; you could dam-age yourself jumping from a moving vehicle, you know. Besides, I can lock your door at the touch of a button. Childproof door locks built in, you know. Just meant I had seen you before when I made my rounds. I wasn’t watching you, in particular. But I’ve watched a lot of young girls like you.”

“Well, you’re starting to creep me out, old man. Like talking about ‘making your rounds’—what’s that about? Some kind of stalking for prey?” and aggressively, she braced her feet against the side of the centre counsel, expecting the worst.

“I assure you, there is no funny business going on. It’s just that it’s amazing to me you girls think nothing of putting yourselves in danger. How were you raised, anyway? Didn’t your parents teach you right or care about your safety?”

“My parents raised me just fine, thank you very much, and, anyway, I’m not a kid anymore. I’m twenty-two years old, got my own apartment and can look after myself pretty well, if you know what I mean.” Susan pulled a small can of bear spray from her pack.

“Sure you can, don’t doubt it for a minute, OK? So how do you like your job, if you don’t mind my asking?” He sounded almost friendly and both hands were on the steering wheel, so Susan took a breath.

“Well, it’s none of your business, you’re right, but the job’s OK, I guess. Long hours, working late nights by myself and almost worthless salary, but it pays the rent.” Again, she thought about how she had scored the job, hoping he wouldn’t ask under the circumstances.

“I hear you, not the kind of job to risk your life and limb over, eh? And here you are, hitching a ride from whoever stops. But you took the posi-tion of another girl who was there before you. Did you know her? Her name was Penny.”

“See, there you go again. What business is that of yours? You’re not my father, you know that? I want you to pull over right now. I’ve had enough. I’ll take my chances walking from here.”

“OK, it’s up to you, but it’s a torrent out there. Hope you don’t catch your death...of cold, I mean.”

Susan grabbed her backpack from the floor between her feet and jumped out the opened door just as the van rolled to a stop. She slammed the door behind her.

The man whooshed the window down as she stepped back onto the sidewalk. “I want you to get home safely,” he smiled.

Susan shuddered, silently turned her back on him and trudged up the street. “Boy, the nut jobs out here, cruising the streets late at night,” she muttered into the rain.

Before pulling away, the driver flipped down his sun visor and watched the vanity mirror light gently illuminate a carefully taped snapshot of his daughter, Penny. ◊

Susan and her

mysterious driver

by Leslie Wilson.

›› Stacey Curtis

A couple of months ago, we put out a call for entries to launch the Vil-lage Vibe’s Literary Arts section with a short fiction contest. I am fortunate to say I thoroughly enjoyed each one of your submissions. As things go, a winner must always be chosen because the fact is there is only so much print space. That said, we’re fortunate to live in this digital age, and while all-things-electronic may currently be the biggest threat we’ve yet seen to the publishing industry it has its ups, too—it means we can publish as much work as we like and interested readers like you can find it. To check out our two honourable mentions, please visit the Fernwood NRG website (www.fernwoodnrg.ca) where you’ll find the very literary “Dis-placed” by Melissa Taylor, a writer who shows innate talent and promise, as well as C. Tremenheere’s quirky and mildly mysterious “Maggie’s Story.”

They say an effective story should hit in three places: the heart, the head and the gut. I’d like to thank our first place winner, Robert Adair Wilson, for achieving this triple blow. He has writ-ten a story I can see, feel and hear in the distinct voice of the young Susan.

Another fact of a story is that it must have a beginning, middle and end—sounds simple, but this is oft abandoned when “complicated writer brain” takes over. Edeana Malcolm’s “On Fernwood Hill” clearly demonstrates this—we watch the growth of young Emma in a snapshot that brings us both “close to the ground” in Fernwood and dem-onstrates a universal aspect to growing up and taking a piece of your home with you. A warm thanks to illustrators Leslie Wilson and Stephanie Holmes, as well.

Finally, since we live in the most out-of-the-box neighbourhood in Victoria, I’m pleased to announce that many of you did not obey the rules: we asked for fiction but you also sent us poetry. So, we are happy to announce that the rules to the Vibe’s Literary Arts section have changed—send in whatever you like for our next deadline of January 7th by 4 p.m. and we’ll put together a sec-tion of great writing. Short stories and non-fiction must still be under 1500 words and a max. of 2 poems per person are allowed: entry fee is still $8. Drop off or mail entries to 1240 Gladstone Avenue with a cheque payable to Fern-wood NRG. Include email and phone number.

www.fernwoodnrg.ca December 2010 villagevibe page 5

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Emma sees things close to the ground, where the grass is green and wet and the worm pokes like a groping finger from the earth. A little black beetle crawls out of the latch and trundles across the neighbour’s gate; a banana slug leaves its sticky trail across the path. The leaves on the bushes shower her when she shakes them. In the morn-ing, she is playing with Wendy in the backyard. They argue about whose father’s feet are bigger. Wendy goes home mad.

In the afternoon, Emma goes to kindergarten. She walks to the corner of her street and turns. She goes past the vacant lot where her big brother once beat off hordes of neighbour boys with a garbage can lid. On Fernwood she passes the butcher shop where their dog Billy sometimes sits outside the door and waits for scraps. She walks down the street to the corner and sees an old man in a yard filled with fallen leaves. He speaks to Emma. She knows he is the grandfather of the boy who lives across the street. His name is Mr. Gower. He asks her if she wants an apple or a pear. She doesn’t know. No one’s ever asked her that before. She imagines what they taste like—the hard crunch of an apple, tart on the tongue, and the soft juicy sweetness of the pear dripping on the chin.

“A pear,” she says.She eats it on the way to school, stomping her

feet on the wooden sidewalk. She kicks dry leaves into the air and her heart lifts up with them.

She walks this way alone because Wendy doesn’t go to school yet, but Wendy wants to go with her. One morning she asks her mother if she can show Wendy the way to school so she will know when it is her turn. She takes Wendy with her all this way and then across the vacant lot and down the hill to where the great yellow brick school George Jay looms over them like a terrifying ogre. She leads Wendy to the back of the school where the new annex looks a little less scary.

“This is where the kindergarten is, and the

teacher’s name is Mrs. Toder.”They play hopscotch on the empty school

ground for a little while until the bell rings and the bigger children come out and scare them away.

On the way home, they stop at the corner where Mr. Gower lives. Emma tells Wendy the story of the pear. Then she makes another choice. She decides to take Wendy to her grandmother’s house. She thinks it isn’t far. They go there every weekend in the family car and it doesn’t take them very long. She tells Wendy it is just that way, half-way up Fernwood Hill.

So instead of turning right toward home, they turn left and go down Fernwood and across a very busy street with a traffic light and then across another busy street. Wendy is afraid but Emma tells her it will be all right. They are almost there now, just a little further up the hill.

Fernwood Hill is as steep as a mountain. They climb and climb and climb. She looks at the

houses one after another, but she does not see her grandmother’s house. When they are almost at the top, she stops, a little worried. Perhaps this isn’t where her grandmother lives after all. And she worries about this thing called time. Her mother keeps it for her. Her mother knows when it is time to eat lunch and when it is time to go to school. The little girl doesn’t know what time it is, but she knows she is hungry. They haven’t even reached the top of Fernwood Hill and Wendy wants to go home and Emma isn’t sure anymore.

She turns around to go back home again, and from this height on the hill she can see far, all the way to the snow-capped mountains, to the edge of the world. And below her feet, as if it has somehow fallen there, she can see her whole world spread out, filled with housetops and treetops and only the tops of things, so that she cannot see down underneath to where her home is.

Emma’s world suddenly comes apart from her.

She wants to be home now, away from this fear. She starts to run and Wendy runs with her. The hill pulls them down so fast they are almost falling. They run so fast it feels like someone is chasing them, so they keep on running all the way home, back up the other side of Fernwood and then down to her house on Stanley Avenue where her mother is at the door, arms crossed, waiting for her.

“Where have you been? Don’t you know what time it is? You’re too late to go to school now.”

“I was lost,” Emma says. It is not true—she knew exactly where she was every step of the way on her journey—but in some way she doesn’t quite understand yet, it feels absolutely true.

Emma is gone now. Many years ago she went off, far away, over the other side of Fernwood Hill. But wherever she went, no matter how far, a little bit of Fernwood stayed with her, like a wet leaf or something gooey stuck on the bottom of a shoe. ◊

On Fernwood Hill ›› Edeana Malcolm

Emma’s scenic view from the top of Fernwood Hill by Stephanie Holmes.

page 6 villagevibe December 2010 News and views from the heart of Fernwood

›› Margaret Hantiuk

Free Mulches: Gardeners, be choosy about mulches on food gardens and avoid mate-rial off the street where pollutants are pres-ent. Gather your pails and shovels, and consider these options• leaf mulch from municipalities (Saan-

ich piles at Mt Doug parking lot usu-ally) or gathered yourself from parks, roadways, public spaces

• animal manure (ensure it’s weed-free and if fresh, compost it for a few months) farm and animal owners are happy to have their manure removed

• coffee grounds from local cafes (organic is best!)

• lawn clippings and leaf mulch from your neighbours that may not be using them.

• seaweed from our beaches—chop and lay it on the beds in winter, or compost

Soil tests: Integrity Sales, Keating X Rd, Saanich (organic soil amendments/ fertilizers)

DIY drip irrigation systems; Westech Ind., Lee valley Tools

Good Gardening Books: Timberpress, Sunset, Whitecap, Firefly, RDigest, Martha S.

Free drop-off of garden waste: Sat-urdays, 7 p.m.–2 p.m., 417 Garbally Rd, (Vic city yard)

Victoria Horticultural Society: www.vichortsociety.org vhsgardenry@gmail.com) meetings: great library, guest speak-ers, plant sale; open garden visits in sum-mer, info, comraderie, sub-groups, fertilizer sale, retail discounts.

Glendale Gardens: www.glendalegar-dens.ca (info@hcp.bc.ca) Saanich. Large teaching gardens, plant sales/shop, garden-ing courses (including ‘Master Gardener’), tea room.

Compost Ed Center: www.compost.bc.ca (info@compost.bc.ca) 1216 North Park, community allotments, courses, free info; books, compost bins, mason bee houses sold

B.C. Fruit Testers Assoc: www.bcfta.caBeekeeping: victoriabeekeepes.ca (bee-

keepers@shaw.ca) Garry Oak Ecosystem Recovery Team:

www.goert.caVictoria Parks and Rec: www.city.vic-

toria.bc.ca/trees (parks@city.victoria.bc.ca)CRD storm water /watering regs:

www.crd.bc.ca/water CRD recycling hotline: 250-360-3030

or: www.crd.bc.ca/waste/hartlandUrban agriculture: (community gar-

dens) www.cityfarmer.orgLifecycles: www.lifecyclesproject.ca shar-

ing backyards and surplus fruit (they pick)Help with bugs and year-round food

gardening email newsletter: www.lindagilkeson.ca

Van Isle Rock and Alpine Garden society: www.virags.ca/

Society for Organic Urban Landcare (SOUL): www.organiclandcare.org

Urban raincatchers’ gazette: www.urbanRaincatchersGazette.ca

More courses: www.royalroads.ca/continuing-studies and www.gaiacollege.cawww.botany.com and www.greatplantpicks.orgwww.insects.org and www.isis.vt.edu for bug idwww.weedalert.com for weed idwww.treesaregood.com for pruning and www.eflora.bc.ca/ www.permaculture.info/ www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org www.nwplants.com/ www.npsbc.org (native plant society of B.C.)www.gardenwiseonnline.ca/ and www.gardenswest.com (online mags)www.invasiveplantcouncil.bc.ca for invasive plant infowww.organicgardentips.com/www.seeds.ca and www.westcoastseeds.com

artist’s aside:

What is art?garden gleanings:

Gardeners’ resources›› Deryk Houston

Fernwood artist, Amy Hall finds spiritual comfort in shaping molten glass into art with her torch using a process called lamp-work. Her Goddess figures are truly gor-geous, being very unique and special. When I hold her work in my hands I feel like I am holding a treasure from ancient times.

For years, Archaeologists have been patiently digging up traces of human his-tory in the form of bones, fabric, pottery, wood and stone. All of these fragments hold their own mystery and intrinsic beauty, but nothing connects us closer to the hearts and minds of those ancient creators more than holding those “art” objects in our hands. There is something interesting about the idea that ancient man or woman would have invested their precious time and resources on objects that didn’t appear to solve or serve a real physical purpose or need. What would inspire them to chip away at a small block of stone and depict a large breasted, full figured woman? The power and the mystery of art lies in the answers to that question.

I am reminded of a story about Ralph Edwards, an early settler in northern Brit-ish Columbia. This ingenious man spent years struggling to clear and build a small homestead from the surrounding deep for-ests on the shores of Lonesome Lake. One day a curious reporter commented to Mr. Edwards that he must have had lots of free time on his hands because there were doz-ens of birdhouses scattered all around the little settlement.  Mr. Edwards replied that there was an important purpose behind all of the work he did and he pointed out that the birdhouses attracted birds, which did a wonderful job of keeping the mosquito population at bay. It solved a very practical purpose in the same way that a stone axe or a sharpened bone or stone served the needs for ancient man.

And so, thousands of years ago, during times of great hardship amidst challenges for basic survival, why would anyone from upper Palaeolithic times feel compelled to spend their energy hammering out the shape of a primitive, large breasted figure in stone?

Surely it must have been created with a very powerful and important message in mind. No one will know for sure what was behind the thought process of those early creators, but we know something from recorded myths and stories found today in many cultures from around the world. People have created and worshipped these types of sculptures time and time again and it is no surprise to discover that goddess

figures have been used in fertility ceremon-ies for generations. The common belief is that if a woman sleeps with one of those female sculptures under the folds of their bedding or placed on an alter for example, it would make them more fertile and prone to pregnancy; a crucial need if humans were to survive as a species, and fascinating that the early mankind brain was obviously very conscious of this power.

This mystical and symbolic gesture is a more abstract idea and requires a less direct thinking process than making something practical like a spear head or a knife… which you know from experience will cut deep. It is what separates us from all other creatures in nature. It is what makes us human. A bird will make a nest but it has no choice about the shape. It is simply fol-lowing its basic instincts, making the same shape generation after generation. But humans go further. Much further.

The goddess shapes and their connec-tion to fertility require a deeper thought process. The idea moves you into the world we call art, where you will find Amy Hall working diligently to shape the large breasts and full buttocks from the folds of soft, melting, glass, in her hot flame.

Amy is a bright young artist that leads a full and busy life.

Her goddesses and lampwork bead jewellery can be seen at the Moss Street market on Saturdays, online at www.etsy.com/shop/ahouston, and represented by “The She Said Gallery” in Fernwood.

Amy has played cello for many years and still likes creating music when she can find the time between her studies, work, husband, dog, two cats, and fish tank that is sometimes invaded by a frustrated and half drowned cat.

Perhaps one day her fertile goddesses will work their special magic on her and bring a surprise “bundle” into her already rich life.

A glass fertility goddess by artist Amy Hall.

Photo: Amy Hall

www.fernwoodnrg.ca December 2010 villagevibe page 7

›› Casey Van Wensem

There is a new program that is going to empower the children of Fernwood through music. This program is fun, cre-ative, safe, and best of all it’s free.

Imagine a space where kids can come together to create music, hear stories and build instruments. Imagine a space where they can invent dances, learn about inter-national cultures and learn about their own community. This is the vision of the Open Mic program, which is being launched in January 2011 at Fernwood Community Centre. This is a place where new musical experiences are used to build life skills and self-esteem. The program is based around weekly group workshops designed for kids aged 7-10 who don’t normally have access to music lessons. The program is funded by Music for Youth Works Society (MFYWS), a Victoria-based non-profit whose mission is to provide mentorship through music to deserving kids.

“The goals are creativity and communi-cation through music,” says Jeremy Bally,

one of the creators of Open Mic. Bally, a student in UVic’s child and youth care program, teamed up with Julia Truswell of MFYWS to develop Open Mic. Truswell ran a similar program in 2009, where she gave free weekly guitar lessons to kids in her community. Now they’re taking the program to Fernwood Community Center where they hope to bring the positive influ-ence of music to a new group of kids.

Kids in the program can expect to play new instruments, write new songs, explore new ideas, build new creations and explore the musicality of their natural surround-ings. The Music Mentors who lead the weekly group sessions aim to use these musical experiences as a way to achieve personal growth. “We’re facilitating a space where [kids] can express themselves through music,” says Bally. This space, he says, will “allow kids to look at what’s going on in their lives and express that in a dif-ferent and positive way, and in a safe and healthy space where there are other kids who are dealing with similar issues.”

A recent article in New Scientist Maga-

zine found that “learning to play an instru-ment brings about dramatic brain changes that not only improve musical skills but can also spill over into other cognitive abili-ties, including speech, language, memory, attention, IQ and even empathy.” Music for Youth Works Society and the Open Mic program believe that this sort of education should be available to all children.

Bally sees Fernwood as a logical starting place for this new program. “It’s more of

a traditional mode of community where people are actually talking to each other on the streets.” He says. “It’s therapeu-tic.” Open Mic, he explains, is a small example of that same type of therapeutic environment.

Parents who are interested in register-ing their children, or anyone who wants to volunteer or find out more informa-tion is invited to visit the group’s website at www.musicforyouthworks.com.

The Cornerstone Cafe isopen until 10 p.m.Monday through Saturday and 8 p.m. on Sunday

Stay up with us.

mark your calendar: New programs at the centre

buzz: Musical mentorship empowers youth

›› Joshua Schmidt

The Fernwood Community Centre is abuzz with activity. With a fresh outlook on programming focusing on inclusive community, family, and adult oriented activities 2011 promises to be full of fun ways to grow and learn for all ages!

Family Literacy, one of the new events set to launch this January, celebrates the 45th anniversary of International Family Literacy Day and the magic of the writ-ten word. For ages, the art of storytelling has been used to pass on cultural values, knowledge, and strengthen family bonds. Today, in an increasingly technology driven world, books represent a physical, tactile way to rekindle the imagination and foster skills such as numeracy, critical thinking, comprehension, the ability to navigate ethical dilemmas, and so much more. So, come and visit the Community Centre on Saturday, January 29th from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. to enjoy popcorn

and drinks, cozy up with your loved ones, and share in a tale or two read by talented locals. Books for all ages and interests will abound, and you can bring in your own gently used books to spread the gift of literature to others.

For the musically inclined, a new hand drumming workshop is set to rock the Fernwood Community Centre to the rhythm of African, Middle-Eastern, and Latin beats! Drawing upon over a decade of experience, Trevor Nugent-Smith cre-ates a fun and easy environment to learn the basics and build upon simple rhythm patterns. All are welcome and no experi-ence is necessary... Trevor even supplies the Djembe drums. Check it out this January 16th, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

We hope you’ll enjoy our new pro-grams, and if you have ideas about events, your own program offerings, or are looking for a space to host your next private func-tion, let us know at info@fernwoodnrg.ca.

See you around the neighbourhood!

For assistance turning life's challenges into truimphs

Zoë Eakle, RPCRegistered Professional Counsellor

Fernwood, B.C.

250 370 0980

www.openskycounselling.com

A future composer learns through mentorship. Photo: Casey Van Wensem

For More Information Contact:Fernwood NRG1240 Gladstone Avenue, Victoria, BC, V8T 1G6(250) 381-1552 info@fernwoodnrg.cawww.fernwoodnrg.ca

Room rental opportunities also available.

SPECIAL EVENTSFamily Literacy: Jan 29th

Hand Drumming Workshops: Jan 16th & Feb 11th

Father Daughter Sweetheart Dance: Feb 18th

VintAgeous Vintage Fair: Feb 25th & 26th

Women’s Wellness: March 5th

MONDAYAwesome Mommies (DI) 11:00 am – 12:30 pmNuu Chah Nulth Drumming (DI) 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm Life Ring (DI) Ongoing 6:45 pm – 8:00 pm

TUESDAYParent and Tots Play Group (DI) Ongoing 9:30 am – 11:30 amBaby Sings (Reg) Jan 4th – Apr 26th 9:30 – 10:00 amTot Sings (Reg) Jan 4th – Apr 26th 10:00 – 10:30 amFamily & Child Music Experience (Reg) Jan 4th – Apr 26th 10:30 – 11:15 amVictoria Boot Camp (Closed Group) Jan 4th – Feb 22nd 5:30 pm – 6:30 pmFloor Hockey (DI) 7:00 pm – 9:45 pm

WEDNESDAYParent and Babe Play Group (DI) Ongoing 9:30 am – 11:30 am Best Babies (Reg) Ongoing 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm Mussels Floor Ball (Closed Group) Jan 5th - Mar 16th 5:30 pm – 6:30 pmHand Drumming (Reg) Jan 19th – Feb 23rd & Mar 2nd – Apr 6th 7:00 – 8:30 pmSoccer (Closed Group) Jan 5th – Apr 13th 7:30 pm – 9:00 pmGood Food Box Pickup, every third Wednesday, 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm

THURSDAYParent and Tot Playgroup (DI) Ongoing 9:30 am – 11:30 amMother Goose (Reg) 9:30 am – 10:30 amBest Babies (Reg) Ongoing 12:00 pm – 3:00 pmVictoria Boot Camp (Closed Group) Jan 6th – Feb 24th 6:00 pm – 7:00 pmLaughter Yoga (DI) Jan 6th – Apr 28th 7:00 pm – 8:00 pmFloor Hockey (DI) 7:30 pm – 10:00 pmBeginners Improv (Reg) Jan 13th – March 17th 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm

FRIDAYAutumn Glow Seniors Group (DI) Ongoing 12:00 pm – 3:30 pmYouth Drop In (DI) Ongoing 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm

SUNDAYSwap & Shop Jan 9th – Apr 24th 8:00 – 2:00 pmPreschool Creative Movement (Reg) Jan 9th – Apr 24th 4:00 – 4:45 pm Ballet Jazz Combo (Reg) Jan 9th – Apr 24th 5:00 – 6:00 pm

(Reg) Registration Required (DI) Drop In

FERNWOOD NRG WINTER PROGR AMSJANUARY – APRIL 2011

MARGARET HANTIUK GARDEN DESIGN

SUSTAINABLE GARDENING

• designs• consulting • handwork • installs

mmhantiuk@shaw.ca www.margarethantiuk.com250.882.1929 / 595.1684

Scene in Fernwood : Garbage or radical recycling?