villagevibeNews and views from the heart of Fernwood

February 2016

Families helped by communityThe Gift of Good Food

is providing over 75

families with a year’s

supply of fruits and

vegetables

in this issueBuzz

Syrian refugee family being sponsored by Fernwood group page 3

Feature

Th e story of “Th e Station” page 4

Music Scene

Jamroom Records now spinnin’ page 7

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

›› Mila Czemerys

The Gift of Good Food fundraiser was an overwhelming success. Together, we raised over $38,000!

Th at is more than three times the amount raised last year. Every dollar raised will provide Good Food Boxes for over 75 families across the Capital Region. In 2016, we will provide 10 tons of fresh veg-gies and fruit to families who need it. Over 260 people donated to this cause including local businesses, offi ces, friends, families, and neighbours.

Fernwood NRG has selected families who access our Family Resource Programs and Best Babies Program. We also teamed up with George Jay Elementary School’s family liaison to select local families with children attending their school. Our eight partner organizations’ family resource workers have selected families who access their programs to receive this gift. Every two weeks, these families will have the peace of mind that they will be receiving fresh, healthy produce for themselves and their children.

Shonna Bell, our Family Programs Coordinator, said “I think this fundraiser is important because families we support don’t always have access to a reliable amount of fresh fruit and veggies.” She shared that the families selected were overwhelmed with relief. Th ey felt pres-sure and stress being alleviated because they knew the box would be there every two weeks. “It’s such a signifi cant impact for them” she said.

Our neighbourhood and neighbour-hoods across the Capital Regional District came together to help those around us who could use a little extra support. Money was

raised through a cake walk, karaoke night, house concert, and pub quiz to name a few.

Alan Pang and The Savoury Café donated all their coff ee and tea sales from an entire day to the cause. Both Phillips Brewing & Malting Co. and Hoyne Brewing Co. donated proceeds from their tasting rooms for all of December. Goo Goo Goggles sold gift cards and donated the proceeds to this fundraiser. The Fernwood Inn sold t-shirts with partial proceeds going to Th e Gift of Good Food. The Fernwood Yoga Den donated the proceeds from their Karma Yoga classes.

One inspiring young girl decided to go door to door to ask her neighbours to donated and support a family. Th anks Team Raven! There were families that decided to forgo Christmas presents this year and donate the money they would

have spent on presents to Th e Gift of Good Food. Another amazing individual hosted a hamper making party and asked guests to bring cash donations for The Gift of Good Food.

Many groups worked together with the goal to raise enough money to support a family for a year including Orca Book Publishers, Intrepid Theatre, The Choir, Island Health, UVic Continuing Studies, AGRI, CILSFM French Radio Station, Thrive Yoga, VCDF, and the Oncology Unit at Royal Jubilee Hospital. Our friends at Aubergine Specialty Foods, Vegas Convenience Store, Soma Active Health, Larsen Music and Fernwood Health & Performance collected donations at their tills.

Local businesses donated funds to support this fundraiser including Th e Vita-

min Shop, Baggins Shoes, Investors Group, Café Brio, Pigeonhole Home Store, Seastar Chemicals Inc., Hillside Dental, Wide Awake Heart, The Local General Store, and Silver Spoon Financial Inc..

Th ere are countless stories of generosity and cooperation but there is not enough space to share them all here. We have so much gratitude for each person who decided to take part in this fundraising eff ort. It is with a full heart, we thank each and every person for your donations.

Email mila@fernwoodnrg.ca if you are interested in being involved with the fundraiser next year. For more information about the Good Food Box, check out thegoodfoodbox.ca.

Special thanks to Kathryn Juricic for all your hard work with this fundraiser—good luck with your next adventures in life!

Through generosity and creative spirit, hundreds of Victorians came together to raise enough money to provide over 75 families with fresh vegetables

and fruits for all of 2016. A special thanks to everyone who donated and participated in this fundraiser. Photo: Mila Czemerys

> $38,000 raised

> Over 75 families supported

> 10 tons of fruit & veggies

> Over 260 donors

page 2 villagevibe February 2016 News and views from the heart of Fernwood

›› Shonna Bell

Th e Fernwood Community Centre would like to let our community know about two new services we are happy to be off ering.

The first valuable service is an opportunity to meet with an Employment Assistance worker. Th is program is off ered in partnership with the Family Youth Partnership program from the Ministry of Social Development. Th is is an opportunity for Income Assistance clients to have a 30 minute face-to-face appointment with an Employment Assistance worker who can provide support in moving from Income Assistance to employment and independence. Th e Employment Assistance worker is able to support those clients in accessing education options and the new Single Parent Employment Initiative.

Th e program supports youth and young

parents between 19 and 24 with services that that include but are not limited to: reviewing housing, physical and emotion wellbeing, education and work history as well as future goals.

If you are currently on Income Assistance and need more information about your circumstances and options then this is the program for you.

Further, we continue to run the free legal clinic. Th is program is available to families accessing our Family Programs and walk-in patrons. Th e creation of this clinic has been motivated by the increasing number of inquiries for support with family matters such as navigating the family court system to fi nalize custody arrangements. This service is focused on family law to support families navigate their individual situations but is not limited to additional personal inquiries.

Th e clinic is off ered once a week with a rotating roster of lawyers who have graciously offered their time to support the Fernwood Community Centre. The appointments have been structured into 30 minute increments giving enough time for the clients to share their situation and have feedback provided to them with the next possible steps.

We feel off ering these programs at the Fernwood Community Centre, being a central location for the City of Victoria, is an invaluable service not only to our centre but our community. We recognize these services as a starting point for families to move forward with their lives and create not only a healthy environment for their children but themselves.

Please contact abby@fernwoodnrg. ca for more information about these programs and to book an appointment.

›› Jesse Howardson

February is Victoria’s unoffi cial Month of the Seed. The coming weeks are packed full of community events that will inspire transformation and provide concrete tools to support you and your neigh-bours in increasing regional seed and food sovereignty.

Vandana Shiva visits Victoria Renowned food sovereignty activist Dr. Vandana Shiva will be speaking in Victoria, co-hosted by Harmony Foundation, LifeCycles, UVic’s Institute for Studies & Innovation in Community-University Engagement, and BC Tour Coordinator Michelle Tsutsumi. One of just two stops in the province, Dr. Shiva will inspire us with a discussion on “Resilient Communities,” focusing on community-led initiatives around the world. For over 30 years,

Vandana Shiva has been a champion for seed sovereignty, highlighting its essential role as the foundation of food systems. She has been a vocal advocate for gender equality in farming, as well as the connection between plant biodiversity and human cultural diver-sity, while also speaking out against aspects of the global industrial food system and its impacts on ecosystems, small-scale farmers, and traditional food systems.

On February 29th, her talk will connect local projects to international networks, illustrating how our actions here are part of a global community of change mak-ers. Join us at the Farquhar Auditorium at UVic and get inspired to take part in fun and local projects that have a global impact. Th e lecture is at 8:00 p.m., book signing to follow—bring your Dr. Shiva books! Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Visit tickets.uvic.ca or call 250-721-8480 to get your tickets. A portion

of the proceeds will go towards local food initiatives. Visit lifecyclesproject.ca for more details.

Want to get involved in seed security locally?• Attend one of the Seedy Saturday events happening in the region—the Victoria Seed Library will be at Victoria Seedy Saturday on February 20th, off ering a hands-on seed-cleaning workshop.• Borrow, save, and share seeds from the new Fernwood NRG Seed Library Node! Th e Victoria Seed Library and Fernwood NRG are partnering to host a satellite seed library in the Fernwood Community Centre—check back in March for the launch of this community seed collection!• Become a Seed Library member and learn how to save your own seeds! Visit gvpl.ca/seedlibrary for upcoming member orientations.

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 Mila Czemerys

Founding Editor Lisa Helps

Contributors

Mila Czemerys Shonna Bell

Jesse Howardson Kathryn Juricic

Erica Gies Lee Herrin

Jillian Player Tania Wegwitz

Ross Currie Luke Domanski

Art

Mila Czemerys Erica Gies

Cowichan Green Community

Jillian Player Tania Wegwitz

Axel

Production Mila Czemerys

Contact us

1310 Gladstone Avenue

Victoria, BC V8R 1S1

T 250.381.1552 x117 F 250.381.1509

mila(at)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:

Services for our community

buzz:

February: A month of seed sovereignty in Victoria

Fernwood Commun i t y

Cen t re Spec ia l Even ts :

Fernwood Community Centre1240 Gladstone Avenue, Victoria, BC

T 250.381.1552 info@fernwoodnrg.ca

February Fox Fair,Sat. February 13, 10:00am - 4:00pm,$2

VintAgeous Vintage FairFri. February 26, 5:00pm - 9:30pm & Sat. February 27, 10:00am - 5:00pm$4

Vinyl Supernova Record Fair, Sat. March 26, 10:00am - 4:00pm,$2

www.fernwoodnrg.ca February 2016 villagevibe page 3

›› Erica Gies

In 2007, I v is i ted Syria and saw awe-inspiring archeological sites with more than 10,000 years of human history. But what really sticks with me is the intense warmth and hospitality of the Syrian people. People ran out of their homes and businesses, thrusting food and drink into my hands, saying, “You are welcome!”

Strolling the streets of Homs on a summer night, I was surprised to find shops open at 1 a.m. to take advantage of the cooler temperatures, and women and children buying food and sweets. In Damascus and Aleppo I met educated, cosmopolitan people who wanted to talk to me about the economic hardships of absorbing 1.5 million Iraqi refugees from the U.S.-led war—but without rancor or blame. 

Now there’s a chance for Fernwoodians to make Syrians feel equally welcome. A neighborhood group that I’m involved with is working together to sponsor a family of refugees fl eeing Syria’s civil war and to help them settle in Fernwood.

Called Fernwood Sponsors Refugees, we are partnered with Fernwood’s own Casa Maria Emergency Housing Society, an NGO funded by monthly dues paid by members of the Mitraniketan Housing Co-op on Balmoral Street. “For over 30 years, Casa Maria has housed more than 200 families in its fully furnished apartments,” said Laura Johnston, president of Casa Maria. “Now it has set aside an apartment for a Syrian refugee family of four, who may stay there for up to three years.”

Another partner, the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria (ICA), is authorized by the Canadian government to facilitate refugees’ immigration to Canada. ICA has long partnered with Casa Maria to home people in need and to help them learn how to navigate life in Canada.

Renee Alfaro’s family once took refugee at Casa Maria. They are now residents of Mitraniketan Housing Co-op, and Renee is a member of our group. She says it can be overwhelming to start over in a new

place after fl eeing trauma. For her, moving straight into Casa Maria was reassuring. “It was a lot less stressful to come here, knowing there was a community that was opening their arms,” she said. Th at’s something to remember as Fernwood prepares to welcome more refugees, said Alfaro: “Th e most important thing is to be present to what they’ve been through and seen.”

With support from the Mitraniketan Housing Co-op, a Central Middle School bake sale, and private donors, Fernwood Sponsors Refugees has raised about $14,000 in cash and in-kind donations toward its goal of $40,000. If you or your business can donate funds or other sup-port or organize a fund-raising event, please contact Fernwood Sponsors Refugees at fernwoodsponsors@ gmail. com and visit us at fernwoodsponsors. wordpress. com. All donations will go towards supporting Syrian refugees and are 100 percent tax deductible.

Small studio, big heart

›› Kathryn Juricic

A small studio behind Fernwood Square has been conjuring inspired connections between women and their communities for the past year. Three women came together to open the Moonrise Creative, a group dedicated to workshops that allow participants to spend time being creative, facilitating connections, and taking risks together.

From organic beginnings, Moonrise Creative has grown into a community built around honouring our voices—especially women’s—in a positive space. Th e response has been supportive, allowing Moonrise to grow into a thriving collective of creatives and innovators.

Many diff erent styles of workshops are off ered, such as: writing, weaving, ceramics, calligraphy, and carving. Th is is the perfect space to try something new. Not all classes are held in their studio in Fernwood; some are held around the city in unique places that suit the workshop.

I sat down with Pamela Lewis, one of the founders, in their peaceful studio. She explained that some of the makers are from cities around North America, while some can be a local maker’s fi rst workshop. It’s a cultivated space to take risks not only as a student, but also as teachers. Lewis noted her favourite part of holding workshops is “giving someone the chance to nurture someone’s art.”

A true collaboration of expertise, founders include Stephanie Papik, Metka Lazar, and Pamela Lewis, whose day jobs span from small business owner, government worker, fi nance, health care, and therapy.

Moonrise also hosts community feasts and maker’s markets. Th is collective does not have boundaries; their direction seeks to promote women in a healing and creative space, whatever that entails.

For learn more about Moonrise Creative or to sign up for a workshop, please visit moonrisecreative. ca.

Keeping Fernwood Community Healthy

Physiotherapy/IMS Naturopathy Acupuncture Chiropractor Pelvic Floor Health Vestibular Rehab Stress Management Workshops Pilates & Yoga* RMT Massage

*Therapeutic one-on-one or small group session available

Ph: 250-381-7473 *referrals not required

www.risehealth.ca *online booking available

1275 Bay Street (at Fernwood Rd) *free parking

RISE TO IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH

buzz:

Group works to bring Syrian refugees to Fernwood

buzz:

Moonrise Creative

Palmyra sits beside a palm oasis in the Syrian desert about 215 kilometers northeast of Damascus.

Since its founding in the 2nd millennium BC by a Semitic culture with its own language, the

Palmyrenes, several cultures have occupied the site, among them Aramaic, Greco-Roman, Arabic,

and Byzantine. Most of the visible ruins today date to the Roman period, beginning in the 1st century

AD. However, ISIS took control of the site in 2015 and has destroyed a number of the site’s buildings.

This photo was taken in July 2007. Photo: Erica Gies

page 4 villagevibe February 2016 News and views from the heart of Fernwood

feature:

Th e story of “Th e Station”Duncan-based

non-profi t restores

rundown hotel as a

community hub

›› Lee Herrin

When most Victorians think of Duncan, they think of the strip of gas stations, fast food

joints and shopping malls just north of the bridge over the Cowichan River. But that’s not really Duncan—just the strip on the highway. Th e actual town of Duncan is a few blocks west and it’s really quite charming if you’ve never been.

Across the tracks from the old train station there are two bright and colourful buildings separated by a small parking lot: one is the privately owned Duncan Garage, a postmodern community centre complete with a café and bakery, an organic market, a used bookstore, a hair salon and a variety of other small tenants; the other is the newly revitalized “Station,” a mixed use building with green retail businesses, a commercial kitchen for rent, non-profi t offi ces, and 20 housing units upstairs.

Th e Garage has been going strong for well over a decade as a vital part of the community, and was the pioneer on the block in terms of revitalizing the area. For most of that time, however, the Phoenix Station Motor Inn next door was a shabby establishment, operating illegally as a rooming house, and home to a rundown pub, a private liquor store, and some empty space formerly used as the motel dining room. At least it was, until it was purchased by the visionary Cowichan Green Community (CGC) Society in 2013, and transformed into “the Station.”

An enterprising non-profi tC ow i c h a n Gre e n C o m m u n i t y

(CGC) unoffi cially began in 2001 as an environmental-based community outreach project established by passionate volunteers to promote energy efficiency, healthy housing and environmental sustainability

in the Cowichan Valley. In 2004, CGC registered as a Society and increasingly began to focus on food security.

In 2009, CGC located downtown Duncan and opened a new Green Store, a large community space, and a bright and beautiful office. At that location, CGC developed a variety of social enterprises including an urban agriculture consulting business, Ceres Edible Landscaping.

The Phoenix becomes the StationBy 2012, the Phoenix was struggling,

and was looking for potential buyers. At that time, another non-profi t organization was negotiating to purchase the building, and approached CGC and asked them to become their anchor tenant on the main floor. The other non-profit wanted to convert the hotel rooms into transitional housing, and put offi ces where the liquor store and pub operated. At the time, it seemed like a great match, so CGC quickly began packing boxes with a move-in date of September.

By October, CGC was settled in, though the pub, liquor store and rooming

house were still in full swing as the details for the sale were being fi nalized. However, negotiations between the non-profit partner and the Phoenix’s owners were not going as planned. Th e deal fell through, leaving CGC alone renting space in a building that seemed destined to remain undesirable.

Other off ers to purchase the building were rumoured, including a company that wanted to rejuvenate a late night cabaret and cancel CGC’s lease. Having just fi nished unpacking, the CGC team was not keen on moving again, and so the question arose…what if?

By December 2012, after a few frantic meetings, CGC’s Board of Directors and their Executive Director, Judy Staff ord, put in their own off er to purchase the Phoenix. Th e deal, with many conditions, was set to close in June 2013. Board members put up their own money for the deposit, but most felt that ultimately the deal was risky and would be unlikely to close.

Ups and downsIn any project, there are ups and downs.

Almost right away, a suitable anchor tenant showed a willingness to sign a long term lease. That just left the top floor. CGC explored an agreement with BC Housing for the apartments upstairs, but they decided not to enter into an agreement. Time was ticking.

I first heard about the CGC project in November of 2013 at the BC Non-Profi t Housing Association conference in Richmond. Judy and her Board Chair, Bev Suderman, were pitching at a “ Dragon’s Den” event where they were looking for help, investment or advice on their project. I approached them following their presentation, and I told them a little about our experience here in Fernwood with the 2005 purchase of the Cornerstone Building. We arranged to meet in December.

We met and shared a few laughs about our respective willingness to take on risk. We also gave them confi dence that it would all work itself out—eventually! Fernwood was living proof.

The deal gets doneThe CGC team eventually met with

Before (Left) The Phoenix Station Motor Inn and After (Right) The Station, home of the Cowichan Green Community Society. Cowichan Green Community purc

sustainable businesses, and 20 apartments. Photos: Cowichan Green Community

www.fernwoodnrg.ca February 2016 villagevibe page 5

“Relentlessly topical – and deeply empathetic”

THE GLOBE AND MAIL

PUBLIC FUNDERS

40TH ANNIVERSARY SPONSORS PRODUCTION SPONSORS

ValleyThe

T I C K E T S O N SA L E N OW250 385 6815 / belfr y.bc.ca 1291 Gladstone at Fernwood

2016February 2 — 28

BYJoan MacLeod

D I R E C T E D BY R OY S U R E T T E

chased the rundown motel and pub in 2013 and completely renovated it, turning it into a community hub for

representatives from VanCity and new negotiations went into high gear. The VanCity Community Foundat ion contributed a $50,000 grant at the last minute that made the numbers work. In June 2013, CGC”H” (a taxable holding company wholly owned by CGC) was the proud owner of a 20 unit hotel with almost 10,000 square foot main fl oor retail space. But after the purchase had fi nalized and renovations had begun, the anchor tenant pulled out. CGC had to scramble.

A deadline for negotiating take-out financing approached, and then passed. CGC negotiated an extension from the credit union in order to complete the renovations and fi nd new tenants, but the pressure was on. Board members who had pledged collateral were getting nervous. Also, as everyone who has done a major renovation knows—the bills keep coming, adding to the pressure.

But with tremendous courage and con-fi dence, CGC prevailed. New commercial tenants were secured—Cycle Therapy Bikes and the Harmony Yoga and Wellness

Centre. Both are aligned CGC’s vision of a more sustainable community, where the Station would play an important role in revitalizing downtown Duncan. The upstairs renovations were completed too, and all 20 suites were fully occupied by October 2014. In a real eff ort to protect the vulnerable, none of the existing tenants were displaced due to the renovations.

Th e fi rst mortgage payment was made January 2015. Th e project took longer, and cost more than anyone thought before they started. But ultimately it all worked out, and the building is breaking even. After the renovations, CGC has a $1.78 million mortgage against a building appraised at $2.13 million. Th ey also have a permanent home: CGC’s offi ces are also located in the building, along with a commercial kitchen that they rent out to small-scale food ventures, and the Garden Pantry store, CGC’s own specialty thrift store and social enterprise. Judy and Bev have told us here at Fernwood NRG that we inspired them, but they’ve inspired us too. Our hats are off to the Cowichan Green Community!

page 6 villagevibe February 2016 News and views from the heart of Fernwood

MARGARET HANTIUKGARDEN SERVICESUSTAINABLE GARDENING

Pruning. Bedwork. Designs. Consults.Senior-friendly

Email: mmhantiuk@shaw.caPhone: 250.595.1684Cell: 250.882.1929

artist’s aside:

Carol Ann Smedleygeorge jay:

Farewell Leslie Lee

Sometimes you just

need to go to France

›› Jillian Player

I was surprised to fi nd Carrol Ann Smedley living across the street from me in the sweet little grey house on Fernwood Road, close to the village centre. She has been living in this tidy house, converted into two suites, for twenty years. When walking up to her second-story apartment, her home feels like a cool, fresh breeze. The large, bright studio at the end of the apartment is where you’ll fi nd her happily painting most days. Now semi-retired, she is devoting her life to making art. Large canvasses, bright with her signature colour palette, line the walls of the studio. Paintings of fl owers, buildings, and mysterious fi gures fi ll the canvasses. Her ongoing interests in travel, architecture, culture, and colour are constant themes that have kept Carrol Ann excited about art for many years.

Carrol Ann has been creative all her life, but began to take painting seriously while living in the United States. She was greatly influenced by the art and culture of the

southwest, and her art still bears the bold sunset hues of the desert sky. Originally, Car-rol Ann’s focus was collage and assemblage, which she still uses in her paintings. Recently, she made a series of assemblage pieces. She created small, iconographic altars that were shown at the Collective Works Gallery, where she was a member.

Carrol Ann is constantly experimenting, taking classes with diff erent artists, and using diff erent implements (rather than brushes) on her canvasses. Her work is unfettered and takes direction from her mood and inspiration. Carrol Ann’s work is expressed in a range from abstract to representational, bold lines to soft blending. Her colour palette is vibrant; reds, oranges, and cerulean blues dominate the canvas. She also creates the most beautiful sketchbooks. Th ey are brimming with collaged pictures, washes of paint, and writing. Each little page is a complete work of art. Carrol Ann shows her art in group and solo shows in Victoria and beyond, and she is long-standing member in the Fernwood Art Stroll. Stop by the grey house on Fernwood Road during the Art Stroll this summer and fi nd out what is hidden inside.

›› Tania Wegwitz

Over the past seven years, ̀ Ecole George Jay Elementary has undergone a tremendous transformation, inside and out. Principal Leslie Lee has been a key part of that change, and the school celebrated her—and all she has helped accomplish—as she stepped into retirement in January.

Lee has been an educator in our region for 37 years, working at the middle school level for most of that time in the Saanich, Sooke, and Victoria School Districts. Lee’s shift to the Principal’s chair at George Jay seven years ago was a big change. “Th e con-cept of leading a school like George Jay, a globally diverse elementary school in an urban area, was new to my own professional experience,” says Lee. “It has been the big-gest challenge of my career, and also the most rewarding.” Lee said that her main goals when she arrived at the school were to ensure quality, equality and fairness in education and to change perceptions about George Jay and its culture. “ Demography should not be destiny,” she says.

In support of those goals, during her tenure, the school underwent a seismic upgrade, constructed three new playgrounds, changed systems to support academics, and increased community involvement to enhance many programs (e.g. hot breakfast and music). Lee also helped the school build an admirable collection of technology tools to support its diverse learners. But it is what Lee calls “the organizational, relational, and

instructional systems” that she worked with her team to put in place that truly laid a foundation for change. Th e fi rst few years focused on developing the elements of safety and belonging, with new approaches to providing supports in the academics lay-ered on more recently.

Over the past four years, the school’s academic per formance has grown exponentially. Th e most recent standardized scores indicate Grade 4 students are performing at 85-100%, meeting or exceeding expectations in reading, writing, and math skills. Lee also credits her staff . “Th ey are drawn to the school and they love what they do. Every year I ask ‘how are we going to do better?’ and they amaze me even further with their creativity and innovation.”

One key staff member has been Vice-Principal Terri Smith, who has been a part of Lee’s team since she fi rst arrived at the school fi ve years ago, and is now stepping into the role of Acting Principal. Technology and Maker Space teacher, Sunny Jun, is now the school’s Acting Vice-Principal. Smith, Jun, and the school’s larger community of staff , students, and families are well set to continue on the path of its motto “learning to care, caring to learn.”

As for Lee, she heads into retirement and new adventures happy with what she has accomplished. “It is always great to feel like you made a difference, but to actually see that you’ve made a diff erence and have people tell you, that has been truly rewarding.”

Carol Ann Smedley in her home-based Fernwood art studio. Photo: Jillian Player

Retiring Ecole George Jay Elementary Principal Leslie Lee (centre) with new Acting Principal Terri

Smith (left) and Acting Vice-Principal Sunny Jun (right). Photo: Tania Wegwitz

www.fernwoodnrg.ca February 2016 villagevibe page 7

Holiday closures on Jaunary 1, February 9 and April 3.

(Reg) Registration Required (DI) Drop In

JANUARY - APRIL 2016FERNWOOD NRG

MONDAYTot & Me Dance, 2-3 yrs (Reg) Jan 18 - Feb 29 11:00am – 11:30amFernwood Family Dinner (DI) Ongoing 5:00pm – 7:00pmLifeRing Alcohol & Drugs Support Group (DI) Ongoing 6:30pm – 8:00pm

TUESDAYFamily Resource Program (DI) Ongoing 9:30am – 11:30amVictoria Boot Camp (Reg) Jan 4 – Feb 26 6:00pm – 7:00pmYouth Drop-in, 13-17yrs (DI) Ongoing 7:00pm – 9:00pmVSSC Dodge Ball (Reg) Ongoing 7:00pm – 10:00pmBi-Polar Babes: 25+ female peer support (DI) Ongoing 7:00pm – 8:30pm

WEDNESDAYBest Babies (Reg) Ongoing 11:30am – 2:30pmGood Food Box Pick-up Bi-weekly 1:00pm – 8:00pm Nuu Chah Nulth Drumming (Closed) Ongoing 7:00pm – 10:00pm

THURSDAYFamily Resource Program (DI) Ongoing 9:30am – 11:30amBest Babies (Reg) Ongoing 11:30am – 2:30pmVictoria Boot Camp (Reg) Jan 4 – Feb 26 6:00pm – 7:00pmKarma Yoga Class (DI) Jan 14 – ongoing 7:00pm – 8:00pmLGBTQ NA (DI) Ongoing 7:00pm – 8:00pmVSSC Dodge Ball (Reg) Ongoing 7:00pm – 10:00pm

FRIDAYAutumn Glow Seniors’ Program, 55+ (DI) Ongoing 12:00pm – 2:30pmMetaphysical Meetup Group (DI) 2nd Friday/month 7:00pm – 9:00pmYouth Drop-in, 9-12 yrs (DI) Ongoing 7:00pm – 9:00pm

SATURDAYMale Caregivers (DI) Ongoing 9:00am – 11:00amCircus School, all ages (Reg/DI) Check for details 3:30pm – 6:30pm

SUNDAYKyudo (Reg) Jan 12 – April 24 10:00am – 12:00pm Second Sunday Squares, Square Dance (DI) 2nd Sunday/month 7:30pm – 9:00pm

SPRING PROGRAMS

Fo r more i n fo rmat ion &

to reg i s te r con tac t :

Fernwood Community Centre1240 Gladstone Avenue, Victoria, BC

T 250.381.1552 info@fernwoodnrg.ca

The Local General Store1440 Haultain Street (Haultain Corners) | 778-265-6225

9:30am – 6:00pm Monday to Saturday

YOUR ONE-STOP SUSTAINABLE SHOPthelocalgeneralstore.ca

ORGANIC PRODUCE, GENERAL GROCERIES & HOUSEHOLD GOODS, LOCALLY-MADE CLOTHING

& FAIR TRADE GIFTS

music scene:

Jamroom Recordsbuzz:

Cook n’ Pan closing its doors after 18 years in Fernwood›› Luke Domanski

To Our Valued Customers,It is with great sadness that we must

announce the closure of the Cook n’ Pan Polish Delicatessen. After 18 years of being part of the Fernwood community, our store has been forced to close its doors.

We wanted to take this opportunity to give thanks for all the support that we have received from our staff , our customers, and our suppliers over the years. We will never forget our loyal customers who we have gotten a chance to know, and who have become a part of our family, allowing for our store to fl ourish and become what it is today. We would also like to thank our wonderful staff for all their dedication and hard work—without them, there would be no Cook n’ Pan. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!

One of our fondest memories of Cook n’ Pan—and something that has always brought us much joy—was when people

came to our store looking for foods that they remembered from their childhood. Some people came in search of their favorite chocolates that their grandmother brought them—others were looking for cabbage rolls and pickles, recounting memories of loved ones and delicious food with a bliss-ful smile. New customers always found something to try, and it was great fun rec-ommending products based on their indi-vidual preferences. It is these moments, moments of genuine human interaction, which we will miss most, and which give us the drive to look positively forward.

We are working on opening another location of the store and hope to be serving our community again soon. Please check our website for further updates, or send us your name and email to cooknpan@gmail. com and we will keep you posted.

Once again, thank you for your support, and we hope to see you again soon.

Warmest Regards,Owners of Cook n’ Pan

Fernwood’s own record

label

›› Ross Currie

Jamroom Records is a Victoria-based label with roots to Salt Spring Island. Th e founder of the label, Owen Hooper, relocated to Fernwood a few years back and formed it as an avenue for releasing music on a label, rather than self-releasing. Th e impetus for the label had its roots in promoting Hooper’s band Brothers, which he’s one half of, alongside his brother Shane.

“Th e coveted 2351 Fernwood Road was where the real manifestation of the current label began,” says Hooper, who’s one half of the Jamroom team, alongside Gordon Hunter. “I’ve always fashioned myself as the production side,” says Hooper. “I handle the audio, and Gordon handles the visual art.” Th e two recently did an internship with Victoria-based Amelia Artists, an artist management firm responsible for Tegan and Sara and The Funk Hunters. “When we were there, we were learning more and more about how to deal with the media, write a good press release, one sheets, and stuff like that,” says Hooper.

Jamroom features all the facets of

promotion that come with running a record label: music videos, album artwork, live footage, and audio uploads to Soundcloud and Bandcamp. It also includes the usual social media suspects: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. “At this point, it’s about brand recognition. Th e more bands we’re willing to volunteer our time for, the more people will hopefully pay attention to the label,” says Hooper, who is largely concerned with promotion over profi ts. “It’s a huge make or break for a band if you can actually get yourself out there.”

The label is open-minded in the music it chooses to release. “There’s not any one genre that we’re trying to repre-sent,” says Hooper. Th e label was respon-sible for the press release of Leisure Suit’s record Easement in the fall of last year, and is prepping itself for a busy spring and summer with full-length releases by Brothers and Lovers Touch in the works, as well as music from Bad Actor and Bridal Party on the way. Jamroom Records appears to be keeping itself busy, making for a welcome addition to Victoria’s fruitful music scene.

Ross Currie is the Editor of FEEDBACK

magazine at CFUV 101.9FM.

Scene in Fernwood : Balusters, Brackets & Gables