villagevibe News and views from the heart of Fernwood January 2010 in this issue To get the Vibe digitally, sign up at fernwoodnrg.ca Neighbourhood Non-Profit Fernwood legal information clinic page 3 Feature Geothermal works in Fernwood page 4 Gleanings Winter gardening page 6 Stacey Curtis With a secret Fernwood locale studio and a hot downtown store at 533 Pandora Ave- nue, Floating Gold Iceberg designs has been hard at work creating artistic innova- tions in clothing and accessories for men, women and children. Since the company’s inception nearly two years ago, its four female co-owners (Laura Imrie; Angelica Reid; Cara Scott; and Jana Stevenson) have experienced exponential success and still maintained their essence, ethics and pas- sion for what they do. Floating Gold Iceberg, a name derived from a song from the 1970s rock group e Band, stemmed from friends meeting at Reid’s large former Fernwood home. Eventually, the company outgrew the house. e young women rented studio space and shifted their focus from stock- ing other stores to opening and filling the shelves of their own store, which opened in May 2009. “Growth is welcome,” says Reid, FGI’s lead designer, “as long as it doesn’t mess with the art work and our business fun- damentals.” Everything FGI adheres to three principles: hand-made; hand-drawn; and produced in house. “We’re happy to grow, as long as every [one of us] is happy growing.” The move from clothing design and production to opening their own boutique widened the creative bubble further. “Jana and I used to sell at the Moss Street Mar- ket,” says Scott. Owning their own store affords the women this same opportunity to hear customer feedback. “e more we can satisfy our customers the more they come back.” While Scott performs hands-on screen printing and spearheads business opera- tions, interacting with the customers allows her to bring that direct feedback into the studio and inject it into the group’s design process. She describes the practice of craft- ing any one single piece as “a layering of contribution.” Each FGI lady has their own favourite article: the feel-like-a-girl-in-your long john skirt; the “designer’s dream” hot-ass vintage wool blend and handmade, lace slip lined kissey kissey skirt; and the wrist warmers Reid designed after purchasing her first road bike and experiencing the dreaded “up-the-sleeve draft.” But top pri- ority is how the clothing feels to custom- ers. With well-cut and detailed designs, the FGI clothing satisfies a wide demo- graphic. “It’s a big deal to accommodate all the phases of a person’s body. To give them something they can wear down the road.” Having achieved the sought-after com- bination of comfort and design, the FGI ladies’ line includes a third element: art. “It’s essential that we’re driven by the cre- ative process; that’s why we came together and that’s how we explore pieces,” says Reid. If [one of us] thinks a skirt needs three sepa- rate prints, then that’s what it’ll get.” Scott adds that “having an illustrator [Stevenson] on hand helps.” After the group created the wear-it-five-ways circle scarf, Scott asked Stevenson to “jot-down” a quick how-to-wear-it illustration to include with the item at point of sale. Ten minutes later: a clothing label with style of its own emerged. is inspired group claims to have met in the usual Victoria way: “two degrees of separation.” Future plans include stay- ing together and collaborating with other artists. Downtown success from Fernwood design studio Neighborhood quartet expands operations In addition to its signature line, FGI’s shop stocks wares from local brands, including Janamade and Dress Me Up. Photo by Johanna Henderson.
Transcript
villagevibeNews and views from the heart of Fernwood
January 2010
in this issueTo get the Vibe digitally, sign up at fernwoodnrg.ca
Neighbourhood Non-Profi t
Fernwood legal information clinic page 3
Feature
Geothermal works in Fernwood page 4
Gleanings
Winter gardeningpage 6
Stacey Curtis
With a secret Fernwood locale studio and a hot downtown store at 533 Pandora Ave-nue, Floating Gold Iceberg designs has been hard at work creating artistic innova-tions in clothing and accessories for men, women and children. Since the company’s inception nearly two years ago, its four female co-owners (Laura Imrie; Angelica Reid; Cara Scott; and Jana Stevenson) have experienced exponential success and still maintained their essence, ethics and pas-sion for what they do.
Floating Gold Iceberg, a name derived from a song from the 1970s rock group Th e Band, stemmed from friends meeting at Reid’s large former Fernwood home. Eventually, the company outgrew the house. Th e young women rented studio space and shifted their focus from stock-ing other stores to opening and fi lling the shelves of their own store, which opened in May 2009.
“Growth is welcome,” says Reid, FGI’s lead designer, “as long as it doesn’t mess with the art work and our business fun-damentals.” Everything FGI adheres to three principles: hand-made; hand-drawn; and produced in house. “We’re happy to
grow, as long as every [one of us] is happy growing.”
The move from clothing design and production to opening their own boutique widened the creative bubble further. “Jana and I used to sell at the Moss Street Mar-ket,” says Scott. Owning their own store aff ords the women this same opportunity to hear customer feedback. “Th e more we can satisfy our customers the more they come back.”
While Scott performs hands-on screen printing and spearheads business opera-tions, interacting with the customers allows her to bring that direct feedback into the studio and inject it into the group’s design process. She describes the practice of craft-ing any one single piece as “a layering of
contribution.” Each FGI lady has their own favourite
article: the feel-like-a-girl-in-your long john skirt; the “designer’s dream” hot-ass vintage wool blend and handmade, lace slip lined kissey kissey skirt; and the wrist warmers Reid designed after purchasing her fi rst road bike and experiencing the dreaded “up-the-sleeve draft.” But top pri-ority is how the clothing feels to custom-ers. With well-cut and detailed designs, the FGI clothing satisfi es a wide demo-graphic. “It’s a big deal to accommodate all the phases of a person’s body. To give them something they can wear down the road.”
Having achieved the sought-after com-bination of comfort and design, the FGI ladies’ line includes a third element: art.
“It’s essential that we’re driven by the cre-ative process; that’s why we came together and that’s how we explore pieces,” says Reid. If [one of us] thinks a skirt needs three sepa-rate prints, then that’s what it’ll get.”
Scott adds that “having an illustrator [Stevenson] on hand helps.” After the group created the wear-it-fi ve-ways circle scarf, Scott asked Stevenson to “jot-down” a quick how-to-wear-it illustration to include with the item at point of sale. Ten minutes later: a clothing label with style of its own emerged.
Th is inspired group claims to have met in the usual Victoria way: “two degrees of separation.” Future plans include stay-ing together and collaborating with other artists.
Downtown success from Fernwood design studioNeighborhood quartet
expands operations
In addition to its signature line, FGI’s shop stocks wares from local brands, including Janamade and Dress Me Up. Photo by Johanna Henderson.
page 2 villagevibe January 2010 News and views from the heart of Fernwood
do not necessarily refl ect the views of Fernwood NRG.
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:
Fernwood is ready Lee Herrin
Now that we’ve shaken off the opening decade of the 21st century, what does the future have in store for us? Will the new year bring the rebound in the economy we’ve been hearing about for so long, or the next leg down of the “great recession”? Will oil and food prices stabilize at cur-rent levels, or will we go through further wrenching price changes such as occurred in 2008? Is the future more of the same, or are we living through “peak everything” as one blogger I read put it?
Th e last decade, for most of North Amer-ica, was a period of tremendous growth. Much of this was fueled by credit and low fuel prices. However, in the middle of the last decade, Fernwood was suff ering greatly (we’re always bucking the trend here). August 2010 will be the fi fth anniversary of Fernwood NRG’s purchase of the Corner-stone Building. In the last fi ve years, we’ve built a strong neighbourhood, and we’ve proven that we can make change happen even when dollars are scarce. We’ve shown that we are both resourceful and resilient.
But there is much work left to do. We can do more to ensure we have real food security—growing fruits and vegetables, and maybe even raising a few chickens in our backyards. We can make ourselves more energy effi cient in or buildings and homes, and maybe even incorporate some clean energy technology (see this month’s fea-ture). We can continue to create a vibrant village core, fi lled with goods and services we all need on a regular basis, so that we can
meet the majority of our needs by walking a few blocks. We can build stronger bonds between neighbours by sharing cars, tools, books, making small loans to each other, teaching each other skills, and celebrating together at neighbourhood festivals. We can do all this, and more. And, in the next decade, we will. Regardless of what the future brings, Fernwood is ready. Email us at [email protected] to share your pre-dictions.
VIRCS goes fruit picking in Fernwood: a win-win-win scenario! Rosalyn Cua
It was a sunny and surprisingly warm autumn morning when a group of fruit tree pickers from the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre (VIRCS) gathered in front of a house on the corner of Pem-broke Street and Fernwood Road. Many local residents are familiar with Lifecycle Society’s Fruit Tree Project, where volun-teers harvest fruit from private yards that would otherwise go to waste and the fruit is then distributed among homeowners, volunteers, food banks and community organizations in Victoria. For newcomers, it is a great opportunity to learn about how to access local food and get involved in the community at the same time.
Part of the Multicultural Environmental Education Program (MEEP), fruit picking is just one way VIRCS is making a com-mitment to increase environmental aware-ness among newcomers, new Canadians, and the multicultural community. Since January 2008 the program has organized workshops on topics such as growing food, healthy homes and bike safety, and has taken groups of newcomers on outings to local parks and farms. “It’s been really rewarding to see the multicultural com-munity engaged in local green initiatives when presented in a way that is accessible to them, and goes hand-in-hand with their settlement needs,” says program coordina-tor Gagan Leekha.
With a couple of ladders and a handful of apple picking tools the crew went to work. In less than an hour the group picked 45 kilograms of snow apples. Fruit picker Go remarked that fruit picking was “a lot of
fun,” and how it reminded him of being on his Grandfather’s farm in northern Japan where he grew up. Another picker, Mari-anna, was content to take a few apples and pears home as a reminder of the experience and noted how our local apples were more delicious than the perfect-looking grocery store apples. It was a win-win-win scenario: homeowners, volunteers and the commu-nity benefi t, all without costing a penny.
Th e Multicultural Environmental Edu-cation Program recently launched their Green is for Everyone action tips resource available in English, Mandarin, Punjabi and Spanish. They are promoting tips that are accessible (easy to do, save money and better for our health). Th ese tips are currently being aired on the radio as mul-tilingual public service announcements on CFUV (101.9 FM) and Village 900
CKMO (900 AM) in Victoria and ethnic radio in Vancouver. Th e tips also include local resources to encourage newcomers to get to know great organizations in the community such as the Fernwood Neigh-bourhood Resource Group. In the tips, MEEP promotes the Good Food Box Pro-gram and the Fruit Tree Project as ways that newcomers can access local food that is fresh and aff ordable. “It’s defi nitely an area that we are just starting to tap into and there’s so much potential for bridging and sharing, says Gagan. “Newcomers have a lot to off er to the community given the right information and connections.” To hear our action tips, visit www.vircs.bc.ca/environment.media.php.
Separating the fertile from the fl ammable in 10 words or less —
Fernwood Dead Wood
www.fernwoodnrg.ca January 2010 villagevibe page 3
buzz:
New community acupuncture model is on pointStarting in January, Fernwood will be host to a new model of acupuncture treatment. Local acupuncturists Christina Chan and Rob Grace will be providing treatment under a community model that will allow them to significantly reduce the cost of treatment while still maintaining a high quality of service. Christina was kind enough to take some time and give the Vil-lage Vibe the inside scoop on the project.
Tell us a bit about you and Rob.I completed my training as a Registered Acupuncturist at the Canadian College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Victoria, BC. I’m currently completing a diploma of Doctor of Chinese Medicine as well as the Cranial Sacral Program at Lan-gara College. I’ve practiced acupuncture in a variety of community settings including at the Vancouver Daytox Centre,Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society and our very own Fernwood Communuty Centre. As I’m originally from a medical background as well as lifeguarding and fi rst aid training, my experience has to lead me to connecting holistic healing with indi-viduals from all walks of life.
Rob Grace is a registered acupunctur-ist and student of the Feldenkrais Teacher Training. Trained at the Academy of Clas-sical Oriental Sciences in Nelson, BC, Rob adheres to the Meridian School of Tradi-tional Chinese Medicinal strategies and sees the Fernwood Acupuncture Program as the ideal model for Canadians to access inexpensive and eff ective health care ser-vices. Rob currently lives in Victoria with his fi ancee and two cats.
What are you offering here in Fernwood? We are offering affordable acupuncture treatments ($20 and under with a $5 one-time paperwork fee for new patients) in a communal group setting. It diff ers from
the one-on-one acupuncture sessions, which typically cost between $60-120. By decreasing the cost per treatment, patients are able to come in for treatments as often as needed so that they get well and stay well. Receiving treatments in a group envi-ronment helps to create a shared and stron-ger healing experience. Patients would be able to bring their friends and family along for treatments making it more of an enjoy-able and relaxing experience.
Our clinics will be taking place in the Multipurpose room on a drop-in basis Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4–8 p.m., with the last appointment at 7:30 p.m. Our opening date will be Wednes-day, January 20 and we will be hosting an information night and FREE drop in clinic on Wednesday, January 13. Hope to see you there!
Please show up wearing comfortable clothing. We will need to roll up sleeves and pant legs, so no skinny jeans, sorry! Feel free to bring any pillows, blankets, books, ear plugs, etc. to make your experi-ence more comfortable. Since the space is shared by others, your patience and fl ex-ibility is most appreciated.
Our rates will be as follows:$20 per drop in session• $140 eight-treatment punch • card, valid for six months from purchase date ($17.50 per treatment)$100 eight-treatment monthly • punch card ($12.50 per treat-ment, non-transferable)
Complimentary tea and mellow tunes are included in your experience.
What are the benefi ts of acupuncture?Acupuncture works quickly, there are no costly procedures to be performed prior to treatments. It is extremely safe with possible mild side eff ects, which may include minor bruising, bleeding or light-headedness. It
does not interfere with medications and has been safely used on children, elderly and pregnant women. Single-use, dispos-able, sterile needles are used. Needles are extremely fi ne and are shallowly inserted into the body.
Positive change is usually seen by the end of the first session. Serious and/or chronic may require several sessions before normal health and function are restored. Generally, a minimum of four treatments are recommended for an acute condition and more if a condition is chronic.
Most people leave a treatment feeling relaxed and calm. Occasionally you may feel tired for a few hours if the treatment has been particularly strong. Its recommended that you rest following a treatment.
Common conditions treated by acu-puncture include:
Musculo-skeletal pain, acute or • chronic injuriesNerve related disorders (neu-• ralgia, post-herpetic pain)Digestive issues, dietary aller-• gies/intolerancesSeasonal allergies, respiratory • conditions (asthma, colds/fl u)Menstrual disorders and meno-• pausal imbalancesStress and anxiety• Chronic fatigue• Psycho-emotional issues• Chemical dependency and • detoxifi cation
Periodic treatments are also eff ective for:Managing chronic disorders• Preventative measures, boosting • immunity/resistanceGeneral well-being (physical, • mental, emotional) and increasing vitality
Why is this model of health service delivery ideal for Fernwood?Fernwood being home to many many
working class, students and young fami-lies, off ering an aff ordable service outside business hours increases its accessibility and allows us to reach a population that generally doesn’t receive enough self-care. It just makes sense that this type of service would be off ered at the heart of the neigh-bourhood. We would like to make it easier and more enjoyable for the Fernwood com-munity to take care of their health and wellbeing. Health should be more of a pri-ority. Healthy people make a healthy com-munity. Th is being said, the invitation of healing is extended to other communities within Victoria and beyond.
What do you love best about our neighbourhood?Th ere is defi nitely a unique and friendly fl avor you pick up when you spend enough time in Fernwood. Having lived two years in the neighbourhood, I am always greeted by its warm welcome. I appreciate the inde-pendence, eco-conscious, eccentricity and community-mindedness you don’t find in any other neighbourhood in Victoria. Th e soul of Fernwood is grassroots and so is the way we would like to practice our acu-puncture; “for the people, by the people.” Having the best yam fries courtesy of the Fernwood Inn doesn’t hurt either.
neighbourhood non-profi t:
Fernwood Legal Information Clinic Steve Parr
Where can you fi nd free legal information in Fernwood? If you’re reading this in the Cornerstone Café, it’s right next door! Stu-dents from the University of Victoria Law school are on hand every Tuesday 6–7 p.m., between January and the end of March, in the Fernwood Community Association’s boardroom. Four students—two seniors and two fi rst-years—are available to listen to your situation, research the issue, and provide information to you by letter within two weeks.
Th e clinic can provide information on a variety of legal matters, including:
Tenancy• Property under $10,000• Contracts• Employment (excluding Unions)• Human Rights•
Consumer Issues and Debt• Small Claims procedures• Family (excluding children or • divorce)Immigration• Business and Corporate• and some Bylaw issues•
Unfortunately, the clinic is unable to provide information on some legal matters, including:
Criminal law• Personal injury• Motor Vehicle (accidents, tickets)• Litigation• Matters involving children• Urgent matters• Anything in which lawyers are • already involved
Th e clinic is a good source of informa-tion on legal matters. While the students
are not lawyers, they can provide you with relevant information to help you navigate your situation. Because the volunteers are students, they are not able to provide legal advocacy or representation of any sort. Th e student research is also overseen by profes-sors. Students will also be able to provide you with referrals to other free or low-cost legal information and advocacy organiza-tions in Victoria.
Th e clinic runs on Tuesdays, 6–7 p.m., from January 5 until March 23. Walk-ins are welcome, however appointments are encouraged. Th e clinic is located at 1923 Fernwood Road, in the boardroom of the Fernwood Community Association build-ing. Th e boardroom is at the back of the building, up the wheelchair ramp.
Th ank you, Yellow House Collective!The Yellow House Collective, a Fern-wood based aff ordable housing project, disbanded this past summer after two years of successful cooperative living.
The YHC members voted to donate their remaining funds to Fernwood NRG to support the development of more aff ordable housing in our community.
The soul of Fernwood is grassroots and so is the way we would like to practice our acupuncture; “for the people, by the people.”
page 4 villagevibe January 2010 News and views from the heart of Fernwood
feature:
With the Cornerstone Building— we are making a diff erence!
Come in from out of the cold.
Join us daily from 11:30
1302 Gladstone 412-2001
W hen Fernwood NRG commit-ted to revitalizing the Cor-nerstone Building almost fi ve
years ago it was with the intent of creating a socially, environmentally and economically sustainable neighborhood centre.
Today we can see many signs of suc-cess and rewards for the hours of volunteer commitment and risks we took on. Th e community has gained aff ordable rental apartments, successful businesses and spaces for art and conversations. But what of the less tangible—every bit as impor-tant—elements that contribute to a sus-tainable neighbourhood? How do we heat and power our community? How we use energy has an unseen but critical impact on our environment—locally and globally?
The heart of the Cornerstone Build-ing energy system is a ground source heat pump (or “geo-exchange”) that draws heat from the earth to warm the building. Some
may remember Dr. David Suzuki’s 2006 talk on Fernwood and urban sustainability to raise funds for an “alternate energy sys-tem” for the Cornerstone Building. We met many financial and technical challenges installing this system, as well as making provision for future installation of solar panels for hot water heating. After three years of operation, we thought it was time to ask ourselves how much of a diff erence is this system making . . . are we really reducing our footprint? Does it work? How much money are we saving?
Local energy management group (Blue-Map Sustainable Solutions) volunteered its services to provide an Energy Assessment of
the Cornerstone Building. Analyzing elec-tricity bills, natural gas bills and the energy management system of the building, they concluded that every year the Corner-stone Building’s alternate energy system has reduced greenhouse gas emissions (and their impact on global warming and climate change) by more than 14 metric tonnes (28,000 kilograms—the equiva-lent of burning more than eleven thousand litres of fuel) saving over $5,000 in a year at 2008 fuel prices.
Th e full Cornerstone Building Energy Assessment report is available on the Fern-wood NRG website. Here are a few high-lights from the report.
Cornerstone Building: Energy Use and GHG Emissions
Reducing energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions results in lower impact on the environment and reduces costs to our community. Accomplishing this is easier than one might think.
Th e Cornerstone Building uses over one million megajoules of energy in a year. Th is provides heating, hot water and electricity for the building’s users.
Energy used to heat and power the Cor-nerstone Building in a year results in over 38 tonnes of GHG emissions. Use of a ground source heat pump to provide most space heating, and a portion of hot water heating, for the building reduces emissions by about 14 tonnes a year.
Th e table below summarizes the results of the Cornerstone Building energy assess-ment.
Energy Conservation
The amount of energy consumed in a building (and potential for energy savings) is related to four factors:
Conversion – the energy used or lost in the conversion of a raw energy source into a useful product or service (for example, from fuel oil to heat in a furnace)
Distribution Loads – associated with energy lost (unproductively) in transfer-ring energy from source (such as a gas or oil boiler) to the point of use (for example,
Colin Rankin
Energy Type and Use
[Note: annual use is estimated using data from summer 2007 through winter 2008-09]
Annual Amount
(megajoules)
Annual Energy Cost
($$)
Annual GHG emissions
(tonnes)
Savings achieved by installing ground source heat pump (geo exchange) vs. 100% natural gas boiler.
GHG Emissions Reduced (tonnes)
Cost Savings
(Estimated $$)
Electrical – Space Heating 74,302 1,280 1.99 14.2 5,300
Natural Gas – Space Heating 81,500 1,340 4.24 - -
Electrical – Other Uses 528,986 9,110 14.1 - -
Natural Gas – Hot Water Heating
346,400 5,700 18.01 - -
Solar (Passive) – Hot Water Heating
Potential to reduce natural gas use – (GHG emissions reduction and cost savings)
TOTAL 1,031,188 17,430 38.34 14.2 5,300
Measuring Energy:Energy—from electrical sources, the sun or fossil fuels—is mea-sured in a common unit called a joule (named after a “famous” English physicist).
One joule is about the energy needed to lift an apple one metre upward, one hundred joules is the amount of energy a person at rest releases in one second, and a megajoule (one million joules) is approximately the kinetic energy of a one-ton vehicle moving at 160 km/h.
Measuring Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions:GHG emissions are the release of gases (primarily carbon dioxide—CO2) into the atmosphere. They are measured in metric tonnes (one tonne is 2,000 kilograms). The amount of GHG released from burning fuel can be calculated from chemical equations—burning one litre of fuel in your car, for example, results in 2.5 kilograms (more than 5 pounds) of GHG emissions.
Cornerstone Building Energy Assessment
Building Description: Cornerstone Building, mixed use (residential/commercial) brick construction, built in 1909, natural gas
boiler and ground source heat pump (geo exchange) space heating, natural gas on-demand and storage tank hot water
heating, utility-provided electrical services.
www.fernwoodnrg.ca January 2010 villagevibe page 5
from a boiler to an apartment space)Functional Loads – the energy needs
(or “demands”) of the occupants or equip-ment in the building (such as heat, light and fresh air)
Building Envelope – everything that separates inside from out—including exte-rior walls, insulation, roofi ng, foundation, fl ooring, windows and doors
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions
Greenhouse gas emissions from buildings are dependent on:
Level of Activity – the timing, nature and amount of use—dependent on the behaviour of building users and settings of controls such as thermostats
Effi ciency of the Energy System – the effi ciency of heat production (fossil fuel boilers, electric baseboards or other com-ponents) and the distribution system
Types of Fuel Used – greenhouse gas emissions from the burning of fossil fuel sources are relative to the emissions from other sources of energy (for example, elec-tricity generated from hydro dams has fewer associated GHG emissions than electricity generated from coal-fi red power plants—you may not know that some of the elec-tricity we use is generated from coal-fi red power plants in Alberta and imported for use in B.C.)
How the Cornerstone Building’s Geo Exchange System Works
A ground source heat pump or “geo exchange” system uses the earth or ground water as a source of heat. Two wells have been drilled below the Cornerstone Build-ing. A geo exchange loop between the
two wells delivers ground water to a heat exchanger where heat is drawn off , trans-ferred to indoor air and distributed through the building.
Th e Cornerstone’s system operates only from October through April. Th e system could also be used during the summer months to cool the building by taking heat from the air and transferring it to the ground through the well system, but a more effi cient method (opening windows) is used instead.
The geo exchange system used in the Cornerstone Building is not “geo thermal” power drawing on hot water or steam from underground sources. It uses the heat in the ground as a source for exchanging heat in a similar manner to air source heat pumps that heat and cool many homes and com-mercial buildings.
Further Opportunities for Savings
Th ere are two areas with signifi cant oppor-tunities for savings—hot water heating and electrical use.
Hot water heating for the Cornerstone Building is largely provided by a natural gas boiler—every year it costs almost $6,000 to fuel and releases about 18 metric tonnes of GHG emissions into the atmosphere. When the building was refurbished, the plumbing for a rooftop solar hot water heating system was installed, but funding ran out before the system was purchased and installed.
Electrical use for appliances, lights and cooling the Cornerstone Building costs over $9,000 a year (at 2007-2008 rates) and results in about 14 metric tonnes of GHG emissions. Th e energy assessment did not include a detailed investigation of
electrical use in the building or develop-ment of a conservation program for resi-dents and businesses in the Cornerstone Building. Opportunities for savings exist in terms of energy use patterns, and new energy effi cient lighting and appliances and building systems.
What Next?
The Cornerstone Building has in many ways re-energized Fernwood. It provides a place to meet and share stories, aff ordable living space and places to work in the core of the neighbourhood. We have shown that we can breathe life into an “old shell” with these new ways of providing heat and energy. Th e Cornerstone Building and the committed people who helped in its resto-ration are visible and viable demonstrations of sustainable community—living, loving, changing and lasting!
Individually, we can change the way we think about and use energy—change our behaviour and invest in energy saving light bulbs, appliances and heating systems. As a
community there is even more opportunity to inspire others, to be diff erent and reduce our energy footprint showing that it can be done.
Transforming our relationship with power and the ways that we use energy opens many possibilities—air source heat exchangers, ground source heating and cooling, solar power and hot water heating, and even heat from our waste and sewage. Think-ing beyond individual buildings, Fernwood could become the fi rst Victoria neighbour-hood with its own energy supply. While the bioenergy power plant at Dockside Green has garnered attention and accolades, it is powering new and expensive condos and cubicles. What about an energy system that provides renewable energy to an existing neighbourhood and returns benefi ts to the community of Fernwood? Why not?
If you have any ideas that you would like to share
constituency office:970 Blanshard StreetVictoria, BC V8W 2H3
telephone: 363-3600e-mail: [email protected] the web: www.denisesavoie.ca
Denise SavoieMember of Parliament for Victoria
Your voice in OttawaYour voice in Ottawa
The fi gure above outlines the elements of the Cornerstone Building’s energy
system. Electricity from BC Hydro, natural gas and a ground source heat
pump provide heat and power to the building. There is a potential to use
solar energy for hot water and power. Power and heat is distributed through
the building through air ducts and cables. Heat and moisture are lost through
the building walls, windows and doors, as well as from waste water. Green-
house gas (GHG) emissions are associated with the amount and type of
energy used. Energy conservation and GHG emissions savings opportuni-
ties can be seen by examining these elements—taking into consideration
the nature of the Cornerstone Building and the ways in which occupants
and visitors use it.
Space Heating 80% from
Geo exchange
Heat Exchanger
Geo Exchange Wells and
Water Loop
Cornerstone Building Energy SystemEstimated annual emissions based on 2007-2009 energy use data
GHG Emissions related
to Electrical = 16.1 tonnes
Natural Gas
Electricity
Gas Boiler
Natural Gas On-demandHot Water Heater
Domestic Hot Water
Lighting, Equipment, Appliances, etc.
Geo Exchange GHG emissions reduction (reduced natural gas use)
= 14.2 tonnes
Potential for Solar Hot Water
Reduction of natural gas use
and related GHG emissions
GHG Emissions related
to Natural Gas = 22.25 tonnes
Meters
Space Heating 20% from
Natural Gas
Electricity
Natural Gas
Geo Exchange
GHG Emissions
Solar Energy
Heat Loss from exhaust, ventilation,
walls, windows and doors
Heat Loss — grey water and
black water
Building Energy Systems
page 6 villagevibe January 2010 News and views from the heart of Fernwood
gleanings:
January gardening
artist’s aside:
Th e creative energy of artists
Margaret Hantiuk
To start the new year (and a new decade) I’d like to off er helpful gardening tips each month using a great book I’ve discovered: the ‘Timber Press Guide to Gardening in the Pacifi c Northwest’, by Carol W. and Norman E. Hall. This book is current (2008) with good gardening insights and advice that is relevant to our locale.
Despite January being our coldest month, it is not harmful to hardy plants unless there are heavy, wet snows that can break branches and boughs. In this case, gently remove as much as you can as soon as you can. Winter gales can dislodge young or new shrubs and shallow rooted conifers in rain soaked soils. Check on these and fi rm them in if ‘wind-rock’ has lifted them. (It is a good idea to stake new trees for their fi rst two years, but do remove it after that, as more damage than good can be done after this time.) Piling fallen leaves around your shrubs and perennials (not the crowns) will help protect them in sub zero weather.
It is wise to not cut back perennials and to not prune in late fall, as stalks protect plants and late pruning encourages new, vulnerable growth. Th at being said, this is the time of year to prune grapes, kiwi and some fruit trees because they are dormant. If you have a peach tree or other fruit trees that are infested with pests, it is also time to carefully spray with lime sulfur/ dormant oil. Otherwise, a good bout of cold is good for killing over wintering pests.
Tender plants require special treat-ment: very tender (zone 9 and above) being brought into a shed, basement or greenhouse, or if borderline (zone 8) they’ll survive with heavy mulching of conifer boughs, straw, burlap or lots of leaves. Plac-ing tender plants in south facing, sheltered spots or moveable pots is the best answer. Protect winter veggies with heavy mulch-ing or remay cloth covers secured with rocks or wood.
Besides checking for any winter dam-age, this is the time to wander about your garden and plan what you will change in
the coming year, as you can see the ‘bones’ or structure so much better. If you have planted some winter winners, you can enjoy them from inside as well if you have placed them wisely. Besides the lovely coni-fers, bamboos and broad-leaved evergreens, here are some hardy and easy winter stars worth growing:
Flowers: Mahonia X media ‘Charity’ (all win-• ter, yellow, attracts hummingbirds)Sarcococca (‘sweet box’, fragrant, • shade tolerant, evergreen small shrubViburnums (various, some such as X • bodnantense ‘Dawn’ are fragrant)Skimmia (small, shade tolerant • evergreen with either red berries or fl owers)Hamamelis X intermedia, Mollis • cultivars (witch hazel) bright late Jan fl owers
Bark: Cornus varieties: C. alba, C. san-• guinea, C. sericea (bright red, yellow
thickets)Acer griseum (paperbark maple, small • tree)Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku’ (coral • bark maple, small tree)Betula utilis var jacquemontii (Hima-• layan birch)
Berries/fruits: Some roses have colorful hips, espe-• cially the rugosa hybrids Holly (there are varieties that are • spineless, with variegated foliage)Cotoneasters (many diff erent, easy • varieties)Pyracanthas (fi re thorn—they do have • spines, for walls, fences)Callicarpa bodinieri var. Giraldii • (‘beautybush’, bright purple berries, small shrub)
Winter perennials: Primulas, Hellebores and winter pan-• sies, Calluna cultivars (heather)
People are often curious about artists and how we think, because, more often than not, artists are viewed as a tiny bit crazy or at least off -the-wall. Some of you might argue that it is not fair for me to general-ize about a group of people, but those of you who have lived with an artist will be nodding their heads vigorously. Keep in mind that I believe in the idea that there is an artist lurking in all of us, I think it is not so much that artists are actually crazy. It might be kinder to describe us as people who think in a counter intuitive way.
Th ey are willing to try something new even if it means failing. Th ey can struggle over a piece of art for days and then toss it all away by introducing an experimental element into the work. Th is is part of the creative process and it is the secret that breaks new ground, allowing something special and unique to be released.
Fernwood is busting at the seams with artists. When one walks into the “She Said” gallery on Gladstone Avenue, it is like fi nd-ing the motherload of creative energy. Th e new owner, Marnie Hueston, describes the gallery as the kind of place she would like
to discover when she is visits an unfamiliar city. It is a wonderful space to explore and all your senses are restored and healed by the scents of essential oils, the colours and the imagery. It is no surprise to learn that it is all women represented in this gallery. Th ere are close to one hundred and fi fty artists jam packed into this labor of love and the hand crafted items range from jewelry, paintings by talented artists such as Linny D.Vine, pottery, sculpture and local authors.
If you ever want to learn more about Fernwood for example, then look for Karen Skowron’s “Fernwood Strolls”. She takes you on a journey around her neighbourhood through her lovely, personal, pocket-sized book. If you ever get the chance to meet her in person, you will feel like you have stepped back in time. It is such a pleasure to know this gentle and beautifully grounded person. I visited her house a while back and as we sipped tea, I asked her to explain the many unusual and old fashioned suitcases stacked on top of each other forming dress-ers. She explained that it allowed her to be independent. If she ever chose to move, she could simply walk out the door with a suitcase under each arm and not be reliant on anybody. Welcome to Fernwood.
Neighbourhood artist Linny D. Vine takes a creative look at the intersection of Fernwood Square,
Fernwood Road and Gladstone Avenue in her painting “In the heart of Fernwood”.
www.fernwoodnrg.ca January 2010 villagevibe page 7
Victoria Folk Music Society Open Stage7:00pm @ Norway House
11Laughter Yoga10:00-11:00am @ Orange Hall
Kundalini Yoga 7:00-8:30pm
LifeRing Secular Recovery
7:30-8:45pm
12Parent & Tot Playgroup
9:30-11:30am
Hatha Yoga 3:30-5:00pm
Legal Information Clinic 6:00-7:00pm at 1923 Fernwood Rd.
Drop-In Co-Ed Hockey 7:00-9:30pm
Victoria Bluegrass Association Jam 7:30-10:00pm @ Orange Hall
13Parent & Babe Playgroup
9:30-11:30am
Community Acupuncture Grand Opening—Free Drop-In!
4:00-8:00pm
Bluegrass Jams 7:30-10:00pm
14Laughter Yoga10:00-11:00am @ Orange Hall
Parent & Tot Playgroup 9:30-11:30am
Drop-In Co-Ed Hockey 7:00-9:30pm
Open Mic 8:30-11:30pm@ the Fernwood Inn.
15Seniors’ Exercise, Lunch and Activities
11:00am
Fernwood Youth Fridays 7:00-9:30pm
Music 7:00-11:00pm
16Work party 3:00pm@ Springridge Commons.
17Sunday Storytime
9:30am
Drop-In Karate 1:00-2:30pm
Drop-In Soccer 5:00-6:30pm
Victoria Folk Music Society Open Stage7:00pm @ Norway House
18Laughter Yoga10:00-11:00am @ Orange Hall
Kundalini Yoga 7:00-8:30pm
LifeRing Secular Recovery
7:30-8:45pm
Fernwood Community Mapping Project7:00pm An update of what we’ve accomplished so far and a look at where we’re going. A Spring Equinox Mapping Day is in the works. We need your input, ideas, and energy. Everyone welcome. Email [email protected] for location.
19Parent & Tot Playgroup
9:30-11:30am
Hatha Yoga 3:30-5:00pm
Legal Information Clinic 6:00-7:00pm at 1923 Fernwood Rd.
Food SecurityCollective Meeting
7:00-9:00pm
Drop-In Co-Ed Hockey 7:00-9:30pm
Victoria Bluegrass Association Jam 7:30-10:00pm @ Orange Hall
20Parent & Babe Playgroup
9:30-11:30am
Community Acupuncture 4:00-8:00pm
Bluegrass Jams 7:30-10:00pm
21Laughter Yoga10:00-11:00am @ Orange Hall
Parent & Tot Playgroup 9:30-11:30am
Community Acupuncture 4:00-8:00pm
Drop-In Co-Ed Hockey 7:00-9:30pm
Open Mic 8:30-11:30pm@ the Fernwood Inn.
22Seniors’ Exercise, Lunch and Activities
11:00am
Fernwood Youth Fridays 7:00-9:30pm
Music 7:00-11:00pm
23Walking Group10:00am start @ Fernwood Square
Work party 3:00pm@ Springridge Commons.
Friends of the Malahat7:00-10:00 pm @ Orange Hall. Join local literary magazine The Malahat Review for author readings, silent auction, music and more. For details, visit malahatreview.ca.
24Sunday Storytime
9:30am
Drop-In Karate 1:00-2:30pm
Drop-In Soccer 5:00-6:30pm
Victoria Folk Music Society Open Stage7:00pm @ Norway House
25Laughter Yoga10:00-11:00am @ Orange Hall
Kundalini Yoga 7:00-8:30pm
LifeRing Secular Recovery
7:30-8:45pm
26Parent & Tot Playgroup
9:30-11:30am
Hatha Yoga 3:30-5:00pm
Legal Information Clinic 6:00-7:00pm at 1923 Fernwood Rd.
Drop-In Co-Ed Hockey 7:00-9:30pm
Victoria Bluegrass Association Jam 7:30-10:00pm @ Orange Hall
27Parent & Babe Playgroup
9:30-11:30am
Community Acupuncture 4:00-8:00pm
Bluegrass Jams 7:30-10:00pm
28Laughter Yoga10:00-11:00am @ Orange Hall
Parent & Tot Playgroup 9:30-11:30am
Community Acupuncture 4:00-8:00pm
Drop-In Co-Ed Hockey 7:00-9:30pm
Open Mic 8:30-11:30pm@ the Fernwood Inn.
29Seniors’ Exercise, Lunch and Activities
11:00am
Fernwood Youth Fridays 7:00-9:30pm
Music 7:00-11:00pm
30Work party 3:00pm@ Springridge Commons.
31Sunday Storytime
9:30am
Drop-In Karate 1:00-2:30pm
Drop-In Soccer 5:00-6:30pm
Victoria Folk Music Society Open Stage7:00pm @ Norway House
1 FebruaryKundalini Yoga
7:00-8:30pm
LifeRing Secular Recovery
7:30-8:45pm
2Parent & Tot Playgroup
9:30-11:30am
Hatha Yoga 3:30-5:00pm
Legal Information Clinic 6:00-7:00pm at 1923 Fernwood Rd.
Drop-In Co-Ed Hockey 7:00-9:30pm
Victoria Bluegrass Association Jam 7:30-10:00pm @ Orange Hall
3Parent & Babe Playgroup
9:30-11:30am
Community Acupuncture 4:00-8:00pm
Bluegrass Jams 7:30-10:00pm
4Parent & Tot Playgroup
9:30-11:30am
Community Acupuncture 4:00-8:00pm
Drop-In Co-Ed Hockey 7:00-9:30pm
Open Mic 8:30-11:30pm@ the Fernwood Inn.
5Seniors’ Exercise, Lunch and Activities
11:00am
Fernwood Youth Fridays 7:00-9:30pm
Music 7:00-11:00pm
6Walking Group10:00am start @ Fernwood Square
Work party 3:00pm@ Springridge Commons.
what’s on in Fernwood: January
Like the work of Fernwood NRG? Go to CanadaHelps.org and make a donation.
Fernwood NRG1240 Gladstone Ave.
Cornerstone Cafe 1301 Gladstone Ave
Belfry Theatre1291 Gladstone Ave.
Fernwood Inn1302 Gladstone Ave.
Orange Hall1620 Fernwood Rd.
Norway House1110 Hillside Ave.
Carmon Currie
Walking is a great way to get out into a neighbourhood and become part of the community. Starting a walking group can help make neighbourhoods better places to live by draw-ing attention to what makes a community walkable, while enabling participants to experience the benefi ts of physical activity at the same time.
Beginning in January 2010, the Fernwood Walking Group will give you an opportunity to get outside and walk with your neighbours. Fernwood and the surrounding neighbour-hoods provide many wonderful routes to choose from.
The walking group will meet in Fernwood Square at 10a.m. on alternate Saturdays beginning January 9 (check calendar for dates). Th e group will walk for one and-a-half to two hours ending back at the Square and then participants
can choose to go for coff ee or lunch or just carry on with their day.
Why walk in groups?Makes walking more enjoyable and motivating• Provides a chance to meet and talk to others• Creates opportunities to walk in new places•
What do you need?A good pair of shoes• Water bottle• Rain coat in the event of showers•
January is a great time to start new things. Let’s create a group for walkers who enjoy the great outdoors and would like to make new friends.
If you would be interested in leading a walk or if you have any ideas for routes, please let me know at [email protected].
