villagevibeFebruary 2007 : News and views from the heart of Fernwood

in this issueGung Hei Fat Choi! Celebrate Chinese New Year Page 3

Feature: Childcare... why it might matter to you Page 4

Gardening fi tness tips Page 6

>> by Trish Richards

Do you have a passion for social, environ-

mental, and economic sustainability? Are

you committed to thinking globally and

acting locally? Are you interested in meeting others

similarly impassioned? How about a room packed

with them; chatting over drinks and roving trays of

tasty and wholesome snacks? Yes? Have I got an event

for you! It’s Victoria’s Green Drinks!

On the second Tuesday of every month from

5:00 to 7:00p.m. the Queen Mother Waterside Café

plays gracious host to Green Drinks. Begun last

September by long-time community activist Roger

Colwill, Green Drinks has certainly sparked the

interest of Victoria’s sustainability minded. Roger’s

invitation list currently tops 550 people. “It’s a good

thing that they don’t all show up every time!” he said.

Still, it is standing room only by 5:15pm! And

the excitement in the air is tangible. Standing back

you see a shift ing mass of people, heads bent together,

talking, exclaiming, pontifi cating, laughing. Wading

in, you fi nd warmth and welcome. Th ese are people

who want to share their concerns, dreams, and

aspirations with you. As well as hearing about

what you are up to, people want to connect, fi nd

points of convergence, maybe work together on a

common concern.

Personally, I met a remarkable number of

interesting and enthusiastic people over the course

of two Tuesday evenings. I talked about the Bowker

Creek watershed and day lighting Gorge creek,

green building principles and the Dockside Green

Development, pocket markets and food sustainability,

bringing the vision of sustainability into our schools,

green bucks and the Local Exchange Trading System

(LETS), and climate change and “An Inconvenient

Truth”. Th e conversation ranged widely through

problems, to possible solutions, to steps than can

and are being taken. I arrived curious and left

widely enthusiastic!

As Rogers says, “Take a look around. See any

wallfl owers? No one remains alone for long at Green

Drinks. Close you eyes and listen to the voices rising

and falling. It’s like the sound of a rushing creek!” He

is right. Th ere is a special synergy in this gathering.

Roger was inspired to begin Green Drinks in

Victoria by a challenge from his friend and fellow

activist Guy Dauncey (of Eco News). Green Drinks

is an international phenomenon which began in

London in 1989 and now boasts 178 affi liates

throughout the world. Th e principle is simple:

provide a comfortable venue, invite a number of

diverse people who share sustainability concerns, and

let the magic happen. Roger attributes the success

of Green Drinks to the fact that it attracts a wide

range of people, all of whom want to contribute to

the wellbeing of others and seriously care about what

is happening to our planet. He feels that there is a

real “thirst” for connection with other like-minded

>> Jeremy Bezooyen

In December, Shift Natural Fashion in Fernwood organized a small workshop to teach local

students about independent media (Zines). Th e class took place at the Fernwood Community

Centre’s multipurpose room on December 12th, and there were about a dozen participants.

Th e workshop began with the group sitting in a wide circle where everyone got a chance to introduce

themselves and their familiarity with the subject matter. Th en the group talked a little bit about the

history of Zines, touching on subjects like why people originally started making self-published media,

or what sort of traits an average Zine might have. Th e group discussed the sort of topics that their own

Zines could be about, and how they could use their media to create connections and discussions with

others in the community.

Once everyone knew what Zines were all about, the class shift ed into workshop mode. Everybody

got a chance to work on a Zine of their own. Participants were encouraged before coming to the

workshop to bring potential source materials with them. However for those that didn’t come prepared,

there were also spare magaZines, scissors, and glue around for anybody to work with on the spot. Th e

group was taught how to fold a single sheet of paper into an easy to make layout design that would be

simple to photocopy.

Green drinks take Victoria by storm

Shift holds Zine class– continued on page 7

– continued on page 4

Page 2 | News and views from the heart of Fernwood | February 2007 VillageVibe

How can we think concerns about climate

change and funding cuts to childcare together? Why

should we even bother to try?

Childcare is the only thing that never made

it offi cially into the social welfare state: mother’s

allowances came in aft er world war one, the fi rst old age

pension scheme in the late 1920s, family allowances aft er

the second world war, and national health care in 1968.

Th e state has cared for mothers, families, old people

and the sick, but not for children, not directly anyway.

And what about the environment? If children

have not been an object of government legislation and

policy, neither has the environment. Not until recently

anyway. Since the publication of Rachel Carson’s Silent

Spring in 1962, which many see as the wake up call that

sparked the environmental movement, people have

protested corporate practices and lobbied all levels

of government demanding that they put the planet

before profi ts and so-called budgetary surpluses.

Since the Conservative government came into

power they’ve slashed the Liberal government’s

childcare agreement with the provinces, downloading

responsibility for childcare infrastructure and

subsidy to the provinces. Th e Liberal childcare

agreement runs out in March 2007; in mid January

2007, Natural Resources Minister Gary Lunn and

Environment Minister John Baird unveiled a $230-

million investment in clean-energy technologies.

Do we have to make a choice,

climate change over children?

Th e Canadian government is organized by what

some have called a “silo model.” Th is siloing makes

it impossible – fi scally anyways – to ask and form

policy holistically. Th e question isn’t: what would

it take, what would it cost to have a population of

healthy well-fed well-educated children (turned

adults) who live in a world where they can breathe?

Health care here, education there, the environment

over there, and somewhere in the scratches

of someone’s memory some kind of ministry

that dealt with families, women, children.

Does the fact that the government has to make

a choice about which form of life to spend money

on – the planet or its people – reveal a fundamental

failure in the liberal democratic state to deal with

contemporary challenges? Have the 150 years or

so of liberal democracy in Canada (where at least a

veneer and rhetoric of liberty and equality prevailed)

come to an end? Do we accept a neo-liberal state

form in which ‘the individual’ is offi cially added

to the formula of Canadian federalism alongside

the federal, the provincial, and the municipal?

What tools do people need to

choose to choose diff erently?.

editorial : Bad choice to choose

declaration of principles and valuesWe 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!

>> by Trish Richards

As a follow up to

our January editorial

comments about how

to make Fernwood a

safer neighbourhood,

another option you

might like to consider

is to make your block a

Watched Block!Th e Block Watch program is sponsored by the Victoria

Police Department. Th e idea is simple: keep your

neighbors informed of nefarious comings and goings on

your block and get to know them in the process!

To begin you need two hearty souls, a Block

Watch Captain and Co-captain, to take on the task

of canvassing the block and collecting names and

phone numbers of those who want to participate.

Th ese are mapped out and given to the Block

Watch Coordinator. Victoria’s coordinator is a

delightful woman by the name of Bev Stewart

who devotes her time and energy to guiding the

uninitiated through the Block Watch process.

Next, everyone on the block gathers together

in an initial meeting so that they can be briefed on

how the program works and, most importantly,

can put names to the faces of their neighbors.

You are then off and running! Th e simple

advantage of Block Watch is that it works!

Th e police estimate that Block Watch programs

in Victoria and Esquimalt have reduced break

and enters by some 21% in recent years. And,

some companies off er lower house insurance

rates to Block Watch members. So, by simply

making your block a watched block, you and your

neighbors will have helped to stop crime in the

neighborhood and you will have done it together!

For more information and lots of assistance

get in touch with Bev Stewart, Coordinator of

Block Watch, at 995-7400 or at stewartb@police.

victoria.bc.ca.

follow up : Safety

Fernwood NRG update>> by Roberta Martell

Ahhhh 2007! With another busy year behind

us, we mellowed into the new year … or not! Winter

just kept right on raining and snowing and hailing,

and our fi rst order of business was fi xing the gutters

at the Cornerstone and shovelling the walks. Th anks

to everyone for their help with this. In response to

neighbourhood needs, resident Mark Salter has

suggested Fernwood NRG coordinate local snow

removal for seniors and shut-ins. We are currently

looking into stockpiling shovels and salt for just such

occasions, and will keep you updated on our progress!

At the centre, the new year brings many staffi ng

changes. Long-time Fernwood front-desker Shauna Voss,

aff ectionately referred to as Dr. Voss has left the centre

aft er a decade in various roles. Our new accountant,

Gwyn Th ompson started in December, and has moved

our fi nancial systems forward, including parent billing

and preparing for our yearly fi nancial audit. Anne Russell,

our family liaison worker who started with us as a UVic

practicum student three years ago, is moving on to a

new job and new challenges at the end of January.

Our board and senior staff just held the fi rst of this

year’s annual strategic planning retreats on Saturday

January 13th. We agreed that aft er the tremendous

organizational growth and break neck pace we’ve

maintained over the past three years, (Rec. Renewal,

building the Infant and Toddler Daycare, working on the

merger process, rebranding as Fernwood NRG, buying

and renovating the Cornerstone) that it was important

to pause, refl ect and catch up to where we are! So beyond

maintaining our current programs and services, the fi rst

part of 2007 will be about working on our systems and

organizational infrastructure (yawn ... to some!) so that

we can move forward to best serve the neighbourhood.

To this end we are planning a neighbourhood

forum for late spring and would welcome input from

Society members and Fernwood residents on what

you’d like to see at your Community Centre and what

you’d like to see in your neighbourhood. If you haven’t

yet signed up as a member of the Society, you can learn

more about it online at www.fernwoodneighbourhood.

com or just drop by the centre at 1240 Gladstone,

Monday to Friday 9 to 9 and sign up.

Do we have to make a choice, climate change over children?

>> by Kate Butler

On Monday December 18th, the YouthRoots

Initiative was unveiled at City Hall; in attendance were

service providers, non-profi t organization leaders, members

of the business sector, bureaucrats, and politicians. Most

importantly, there was also a signifi cant number of youth at

the event, both presenting the initiative, as well as listening

to what was being said by members of the community.

YouthRoots, a joint project between the McConnell

Foundation and LifeCycles, is attempting to engage

youth in their surroundings in order to build stronger,

more vibrant communities. Th e idea behind YouthRoots

is that there needs to be a central group or organization

connecting youth, service-providers, government agencies,

and resource groups in the Greater Victoria area. Th ere

are many interesting and useful projects and services in the

community but too oft en, youth do not know how to access

what they really need.

Th e investigative process of this project involved

looking at previous research on Victoria youth, and what

gaps in services, agencies and organizations existed. As

well, a youth team went out into the community and

held facilitations with youth and service-providers. A

community-wide facilitation was held on December 5th at

Fernwood Community Centre. Here, attendees discussed

issues that existed in the lives of youth in Victoria today, and

what possibilities for future projects might look like.

Creating a youth-friendly Victoria

Rob Fleming, MLAVictoria - Hillside

1020 Hillside AvenuePhone: 250 360 2023rob.fleming.mla@leg.bc.ca

Serving Our Community

VillageVibe February 2007 | www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca | Page 3

views from the street : Any advice for us struggling through these last rainy, dark days of winter?

Th is is just winter as usual and although I try to take it

that way, I get down in the same way as everyone does

and tend to stay inside more, watch more movies. It’s best

if I make the eff ort and get dressed for it and get out.

Get out on my bike.

Mostly I just get through it. I appreciate that it’s just

Victoria weather and part of the trade off for living in this

great city. You can always daydream about winning the

lottery and taking off to somewhere hot for the month!

If the weather is at all reasonable, get outside. Go bird

watching. It’s a great time for birds. Th e feeders are full

of them and there are so many varieties about right now

and they are so fascinating to watch. Th e shore birds are

particularly interesting.

Gung Hei Fat Choi!

Jeremy Bezooyen Evelyn Spencer Karen Dennis

>> by Caitlin Croteau

At this time of year, after all the hoopla of

the holiday season is over, it can seem like there’s not

much fun to be had. Don’t be fooled – there’s always

Chinese New Year to look forward to – all 15 days of it!

Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New

Year or Spring Festival, is an ancient celebration marking

the start of the Chinese calendar and honouring the

return of spring.

One popular legend about the roots of the New

Year celebrations centers around Nian, a demon from

the Mountains who had a taste for human fl esh. When

people found out that Nian had sensitive ears and an

aversion to the colour red, they used fi reworks and red

objects to scare him away. Th ese mythical beginnings

have since translated into one of the largest celebrations

in the world.

Every year, usually in February, people of Chinese

descent, or those whose cultures have been heavily

infl uenced by the Chinese, gather together for the New

Year festivities.

In the days leading up to the New Year, homes are

thoroughly cleaned in order to sweep away bad luck and

make room for incoming good luck. Brooms are not

used during the season to avoid accidentally sweeping the

good luck away. On New Year’s Eve, a reunion dinner is

held and people from all over the world return to their

family home. Th e next 15 days include various traditions

and events to foster good fortune and prosperity for

the year. Some common activities include handing out

oranges and red paper packages fi lled with money.

On February 18th 2007, we will be entering

the Year of the Pig. Th e pig is one of the 12 animals

assigned to every year of the cycle of the Chinese

calendar. Each year is assigned not only an animal,

but also one of the fi ve elements and either a Yin

or Yang aspect. So this is in fact the Fire Pig Yin

year! Fire Pig Yin years are considered quite chaotic

and tumultuous, but contain the kind of explosive

energy needed for positive change. (One analysis I

read said to expect the toppling of governments!)

If you want to join in on the celebrations, Bryce Jackson

of Hidden Dragon Tours tells me the easiest way to do

so is to take part in the public Lion Dance. In Victoria,

this usually takes place on the fi rst Sunday preceding the

New Year and runs along Fisgard Street in Chinatown.

Th ough the dance may seem haphazard, it is in fact

highly choreographed to bless all the surrounding

merchants and buildings, and to encourage prosperity in

the new year. If you were born in the year of the Pig (like

me), then there’s an extra way for you to get involved.

Because this is your year, the best way to get the most

luck is to wear red underwear on February 18th!

If you want to learn more about Chinese New Year,

or to fi nd out what Chinese astrological sign you are,

there’s lots of information online. A good starting place

is to google ‘Chinese New Year’, which will give you links

to various other sites. Be careful though when searching

for your sign, particularly if your birthday is in January

or February. Many sites tend not to take into account the

fact that Chinese New Year starts on a diff erent day

each year, and instead base their calculations on our

Gregorian Calendar!

Page 4 | News and views from the heart of Fernwood | February 2007 VillageVibe

>> by Roberta Martell

If I wrote, “Caring for children matters,” it would be a no brainer. A self-

evident statement. Of course caring for children matters! No one would

protest. Th ere would be no outcry. But write “Childcare matters,” and the

issue, to some, proceeds on slipperier footing.

But the fact remains, if you have children, stay at home with them, have them

in family care, licensed care or unlicensed care, or even if you don’t have kids, or

don’t even like kids, or have teens you wish you could put somewhere, just for

the day! …Childcare matters.

Childcare matters. Why? For lots of reasons, many of which are argued so

passionately by early childhood educators that we have become deaf to their

mantra of Success by Six, and age and stage appropriate activities. It seemed

as if their message had fi nally gained a modicum of respect when the previous

federal Liberal government increased Childcare funding in October 2005.

But last year, when the when the new federal Conservative government came

into power, it tore up signed funding agreements with the provinces, eff ectively

slashing daycare funding (… in all provinces except Quebec, where the federal

government honoured the previous agreements and maintained the higher

funding levels.) Th e burden of supporting the increases fell to the provinces,

and here in BC, Minister of State for Childcare Linda Reid announced in early

January that the government won’t be maintaining the same funding levels once

federal support runs out in July. So what does this mean?

For a small non-profi t like Fernwood NRG, where we off er care for 110

children, the impact of the cuts will mean a loss of nearly $3000 per month

or $36,000 a year! Th is is money that we counted on when we implemented

staff benefi ts, gave our early childhood educators a raise, and decided on

our renewed fee structure for parents. It means that we are going to have to

reassess the viability of some of our programs, and decide how to make up

that money – whether through a lower staff complement or shorter hours,

or increased parent fees.

As Infant and Toddler Supervisor Judy Smith explains it: “Our goal is to

provide accessible quality care that is aff ordable to parents. We have been able

to keep fees low with the benefi t of the operating funding. With the reduction,

we would need to make cuts somewhere without compromising the quality

of the program. How to do this is the tough question. Do we cut back on art

supplies and food or reduce our operating hours, or let go of staff ? None of

these options is acceptable in a quality program. Raising parent fees may be

the only option. Th e federal government childcare benefi t of $100 per month

should cover the fee increase, right? Not really, because it is a taxable benefi t

and is considered income in the parents’ pockets. At the end of the day, the

real benefi t may be $50 per month. We need to let our government know that

children are our most valuable resource and child care resources need to be

adequately funded. Our children’s future starts now.”

Th e impacts to our province will be the loss of ECE jobs, not only as daycares

drop staffi ng levels to minimum ratios as set out by licensing regulations, but by

potential closure of daycares which may not survive the cutbacks.

Furthermore, the disinvestment in childcare infrastructure weakens

the industry. Th e downward spiral goes something like this:

Because there is a limit to what parents can pay for daycare, and

a limit to how many kids daycare workers are able to look

aft er, daycare workers don’t earn what they’re worth. Because daycare workers

don’t make much money, there isn’t a huge rush of people lining up at post-

secondary institutions to get their Early Childhood Educator (ECE) or Infant

and Toddler (I&T) certifi cations, 2 and 4 year courses respectively.

For these reasons, the number of educational spaces has decreased, resulting in a

shortage of certifi ed workers, which makes fi nding and keeping certifi ed daycare

workers a heck of a challenge. Th is makes opening and running a licensed

daycare tricky, which is why daycare waitlists are painfully long for parents

looking for care for their children. Th e demand for licensed childcare decreases

as parents fi nd other arrangements for childcare due to the lack of availability,

so the demands are reported as artifi cially low. (Reminiscent of unemployment

levels reading as artifi cially low when folks who have stopped looking for work

are counted out.) Th e industry is diminished in its capacity to meet the needs

of families. Job opportunities and advancement for workers is limited. And the

subsequent draw for new potential daycare workers just isn’t there.

Zines | fr om page 1

Ask about our monthly specials!

Th ere was a lot of positive feedback from participants,

and everyone seemed to enjoy the opportunity to

create their own media. It was inspiring to see how

each individual had a unique interest and purpose for

their production. While most attendees were able to

complete something, those who didn’t fi nish were still

able to take the foundations home to build upon later.

Th e workshop was only two hours long, so there

will defi nitely be room for the students to explore

their Zine creations on their own time. Based on

the success of the trial workshop, Shift plans to

continue promoting other workshops and alternative

education in the new year. Th e store is looking to

work with other groups on projects that put the focus

on healthy sustainability and community. Beyond

just workshops, the store will also promote local

Zine culture by allowing individuals to sell their

creations at our store in Fernwood Square. Th e new

Zine consignment terms and local media rack should

be available by the beginning of February. Stop by

the store to see what’s new and check out some local

independently published media.

might matter to youfeature : Childcare... why it

Write “Childcare matters,” and the issue, to some, proceeds on slipperier footing.

VillageVibe February 2007 | www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca | Page 5

Th e economics of it are this: Without government support, the fi nancial

bottom-line of daycare is that it’s simply not viable. Childcare is no diff erent

than roads or sewers or traffi c lights or public schools, and just as important.

We spend our money on infrastructure that we value, whether it is self-

sustaining or not. But, if you yourself are not raising a young child, aren’t you

just being asked to foot the bill for other people’s kids? Why should any of

this matter to you?

Because as our demographics shift into a more aged population, the GenXers

who came aft er the Boomers, and GenNext behind them just aren’t keeping

up in numbers. So who do you think is going to fi x your Volvo or drive the

bus or serve up coff ee or schedule your appointment at the chiropractor?

Th e very folks who are being forsaken by both levels of government and who

are trying to raise young families. And if you think this doesn’t aff ect you,

think again! A recent Man Power Inc. poll indicated that 66% of employers

in Canada are having trouble fi nding suitable people to fi ll positions. Try

walking into any business and fi nd one that doesn’t have a now hiring

plea in their window. Go to Tim Horton’s and see that they’re not only

giving away uniforms and scholarships, but hell, you can work whenever you

see fi t! How can they make it work “for you?” And while it’s novel to have the

shoe of power on the worker’s foot for a change, this kind of labour shortage

is detrimental to our economy by the very uncertainty it creates. It is a reality

of our world today that many young parents require support to return to the

workforce, and it would behoove us to support all those who choose to!

So, does daycare funding matter? Yes. For reasons over and above the

mountain of social and developmental evidence. Yes, if you want an economy

that thrives. Beyond the obvious importance of developing our next

generation of Canadians, if we want a dependable, reliable work force with

which to maintain our healthy economy and our quality of life, we will need

to provide more genuine support for families.

In response to these cuts please join us Saturday, February 24, 10a.m.

to noon at S.J. Willis Alternative School, 923 Topaz Avenue (childcare

provided) as we work with MLAs from Saanich and Victoria to fi nd

solutions to these issues.

Carole James, MLAVictoria - Beacon Hill

Our Office is Open to Serve YouCommunity Office1084 Fort Street, VictoriaP: (250) 952-4211F: (250) 952-4214carole.james.mla@leg.bc.cawww.opposition.bc.ca

Denise Savoie, MP

A Voice for Victoriain Ottawa

970 Blanshard Street363-3600www.denisesavoie.ca

This kind of labour shortage is detrimental to our economy by the very uncertainty that it creates.

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Page 6 | News and views from the heart of Fernwood | February 2007 VillageVibe

>> Margaret Hantiuk

What could herald the return of the sun

more than the cheery sight of spring bulbs blooming in

the garden? As I write, snow has blanketed my garden

once again ... but the sweet buds of the wee snowdrops are

almost open. Soon to follow will be the crocus, aconite,

and the fragrant hyacinth. Th en come the sunny daff odils

along with a procession of the various magnifi cent tulips.

Our native Camass is a lovely spring bulb as well.

Bulbs are easy to grow if you plant them in the right

spot: most require full sun and excellent drainage to do

well. Th e early ones (snowdrops, crocus and early daff s)

may be planted under deciduous trees, as they are fi nished

by the time the leaves are out. In our climate all but the

most tender survive outdoors all year; the crucial issue is

the drainage.

When planting bulbs, follow the package directions

for how deep to dig the hole. (Generally bulbs should

be planted to a depth of three times their height.) At the

bottom of the hole, throw a handful of sand or gravel to

prevent rot and a handful of bone meal for food. Resist

the temptation to plant your bulbs in a row – they look

much better in a more natural pattern such as a random

cluster. Follow the directions for spacing between the

bulbs so that you won’t have to dig them up to separate

them as oft en. (Th is is required when they no longer

bloom and just grow leaves.) Remember to plant them

where you can view them, from your windows, walks, or

entry. Many bulbs do very well in a nice pot. Daff odils

‘face’ the sun, so plant them where their faces will also

turn to the yard or house – not the fence! I love the spring

Anemones for their woodsy look.

Squirrels love bulbs – especially crocuses. If you

don’t have a dog to chase away squirrels, you may lose

some. Th ey are so reasonably priced and so precious that

I replant a few bunches every now and then. Little bulbs

(snowdrops, crocus, and rockery daff odils and tulips for

example) should be planted along walks, or elevated in

pots, rockeries, troughs or boxes so that all may enjoy their

exquisite blooms up close. All spring bulbs look best in

clusters and they can be left to naturalize or to spread.

Because most bulbs come from alpine terrain, they are

hardy and like to dry out in the summer. Since we don’t

have to lift most bulbs here in the winter, it’s best to plant

them where they will not be watered extensively in the

summer. Some people like to plant them in ceramic pots

that will dry out and can be moved. You can plant them in

sunny spots and have perennials planted over top that also

are drought tolerant and like dry soil. (It’s a good idea to

plant perennials over top that will hide the leaves as they

slowly become yellow, wilt, and die off . Th e leaves must

be left on as they provide nutrients and energy for the

bulb.) It’s also a good idea to mark where the bulbs are so

that you don’t inadvertently dig them up while planting

something new. Compost always helps too.

Most spring bulbs are planted in the late fall. Th ere

are many spring bulbs that are less known but as easy to

grow as those I have mentioned and as rewarding in their

beauty: try Chiondoxia, Scilla, Renunculus and Tritelia.

Th ey are small but gorgeous!

garden gleanings : Turning on the light

What could herald the return of the sun more than the cheery sight of spring bulbs blooming

Baking Historymyspace.com/doforno

To prevent the weekend garden

warrior syndrome, pace yourself the fi rst time

you go out into the garden for the season.

Begin with a maximum of one, to one and

a half hours the fi rst weekend. Th en do a 20

minute session each day during the week and

by the next weekend you will have laid the

ground work for injury-free gardening.

Tips for a good garden workout:

• Rotate tasks oft en

• Change sides; use your weaker side at a

1:3 ratio

• Plant a little at a time

• Use a shovel with a long handle

• Lift safe loads (28lbs for women in general

and 64 lbs for men)

• Bring tools along to save yourself from getting

up and down

• Use the appropriate sized pruner – both

hands on the tool indicates it's too small!

• Wear good boots with hard soles for digging

(protects the feet and knees)

• Water to soft en hard soil, let drain, dig later

• Stretch oft en!

Stretches provided from Garden Fitness video

(available at She Said Gallery). Fernwood

physiotherapist Ron Johnson suggests that

stretching two to three times a gardening

session prevents injuries. Check out April’s

Village Vibe for more gardening stretches!

Gardening Fitness >> by Blanche Black

>> Susan Salvati

Walk along the streets of Fernwood any

morning and you might meet up with Elsa Morrison, a

familiar face in the neighbourhood. She can frequently

be found starting her day at the Cornerstone Cafe. On

Mondays she is oft en accompanied by her two-year-

old grandson, Noah, who sips hot chocolate out of an

espresso cup. But she won’t be sitting for long.

Elsa is a busy woman as proprietor of Babe, a specialty

shop selling “things for wee ones.” Th e shop, which

popped up in an unlikely spot on Chambers Street just

eight months ago, is a big success.

When Noah was born and Elsa looked for certain

basics, she thought there might be a niche in the city for

infant and toddler goods. At that time, what she found in

Victoria were mainly consignment stores and upper end

children’s stores. It turns out that Elsa’s hunch was right.

Th e neighbourhood is alive with babies, it seems, and

people are fi nding the store.

Babe is immediately welcoming, fi lled with warm

pieces of furniture to display its products: cloth diapers

and diaper covers, organic creams, baby slings, bedding,

original artwork, stuff ed toys and more. Elsa tries to buy

as many Canadian products as she can. Th ere is a sofa

where customers can rest awhile. Elsa tells me that she

encourages the parents to come in. “Oft en they have no

family around and they want to talk,” she says.

Elsa has even deeper ties to Fernwood, however. In

1992 she opened Th e Parsonage Cafe with her daughter

Tara. Th e popular cafe was named aft er the parsonage in

which Elsa lived off of Wilkinson Road.

Th e parsonage grew out of a business Elsa had had

for four year producing jams, chutneys and vinegars,

which she supplied to Murchie’s and Butchart Gardens.

It was natural that Elsa should open a cafe given her

training in hotel and restaurant administration in

Scotland. Other experience includes teaching in London

as well as working in Camosun College’s restaurant

program operating out of Dunlop House in the seventies.

“I love food and I love cooking,” Elsa says.

Th ough she did leave Fernwood aft er selling Th e

Parsonage Cafe, Elsa soon returned. “I just knew I always

wanted to live in Fernwood. I always felt there was a

community here.” For a time she lived with a friend

on Queens Street. She describes how fi ve years ago she

“walked the streets for six months looking for a place to

buy,” a little cottage that she has since restored and for

which she has acquired heritage status.

Elsa has found the community she was looking for

in Fernwood. Neighbours come in and off er things to

display in the window of her new store. Th ey come to

shop, but they also come to chat. “Its so lovely to be

here,” Elsa says. “I know I’ve chosen the right place.” With

such a positive attitude it seems that Elsa has what it takes

to get through the trials and tribulations of starting a new

neighbourhood-based business. We wish her luck.

Babe Things for Wee Ones Telephone 361- 4733

2201 Chambers Street, Monday to Saturday, 10 to 5

VillageVibe February 2007 | www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca | Page 7

faces of fernwood : Babes in Fernwood

Wanted 1 bdrm apt. in Fernwood for mature female Ph.D.

student and two indoor cats. Non-smoker and good

neighbour. $700ish/month. Fireplace on dream list

but not a necessity.

WantedVolunteer to help with Saturday Plastic Recycling at

the Fernwood Community Centre. Your time is only

needed for two hours the second Saturday of every

month. Contact Sue at tpepsue@shaw.ca.

Furniture Fundraiser Come on into the Cornerstone Café and see the chair

that Ted built. Ted Hodson has donated one of his

beautiful handmade chairs to our neighbourhood

living room. Can you spot it? In support of the

Cornerstone Café, Ted is offering our neighbourhood

an opportunity to fi ll the Cafe with these creations.

He is graciously offering his chairs at $250.00 each

($100.00 below his usual asking price.) In addition

to the logo, each chair will have a space for an

inscription, dedicating the piece to an individual,

group or business. This is a limited opportunity as

there will be a total of forty chairs. To place an order,

come into the Cornerstone Café today, sign up and

help make your neighbourhood space even cozier.

Is your group looking for a casual place to meet? Consider the Cornerstone Café. We’d be glad to put

a reserved sign in a corner of the café, and turn the

music down low to let your conversation fl ow.

Volunteer Opportunities

Got a few extra hours per week? Consider

volunteering at the Cornerstone Café. Opportunities

include working behind the coffee bar with the

Baristas, helping to prepare our homemade soups

and baked goods, helping out with maintenance and

odd jobs, or to help us stay on top of our recycling

and composting programs. Hours fl exible, training

provided. Come out and meet new folks while

helping to build a strong neighbourhood … from the

grounds up! To get involved, sign up at the café or

leave a message at the centre, 381-1552 local 22 or

e-mail Lenore@fernwoodneighbourhood.ca

Advertise HereYour ad could be here! $5.00 for three lines.

$1/additional line. Send an email to marketplace@

fernwoodneighbourhood.ca. Ads due the 10th

of the month for the following month’s issue.

fernwood marketplace

The neighbourhood is alive with babies, it seems, and people are fi nding the store.

by Terry Wilson

Baseball Spam – brand new game In the baseball hall of fame

Good for kids ‘cause it’s so wholesome Playing keeps them out of Folsom

First you pull it from the can Throw it to the pitcher man

See him rub it on his glove Watch him wind – up from above

Now he throws it at the batter See him swing and watch it splatter

Hard to tell which chunk to watch for With a glove you’re sure to catch more

Biggest chuck will be the “ball” Screw the others – they’re too small

Can you see it – where’d it go? Kids are running to and fro

Little pieces are illegal Even could be from a seagull Helmets help if its an eagle

Big one heads for baseman Johnny Got to catch it – it’s a honey

What went wrong – I do declare Johnny’s legs are in the air

He has slipped on something yucky On the ground there was a gukky Chunk of stuff that sent him spinning Lying from another inning

Hard to fi nd the balls that landed Squashed to fl at that they stay stranded In a fi eld of mud and grass They will put you on your ass Big one through the air is gliding Little Johnny’s still asliding

Other kids are heading for it Spam is good and they adore it

Fastest runner leads the bunch He will get this fl ying lunch

Now the spam is getting closer Try and catch it – little hoser

Got no glove, this funny one He is holding up a bun

He is ready – never fl ustered Bun has even got some mustard

Watch the fence my little bud Too late – Jimmy’s going thud

But the Spam goes fl ying on Now we see it – now it’s gone

Little batter’s got a homer Good for you – you little gomer

Happy Jimmy, little man Knows there’s still another can

local poets : Baseball Spam

people. What better way to quench that thirst than

through Green Drinks!

If you feel the need to connect, share your

passion about sustainability and grab a cool one at

the same time, get yourself on the list by emailing

greendrinksvictoria@yahoo.ca. Plan to head down

to the Queen Mother Waterside Cafe, 407 Swift

Street, on Tuesday, February 13th from 5:00 to 7:00

p.m. If you are underage, never fear, Youth Green

Drinks was successfully launched in January and will

be regularly held prior to the general event from 3:00

to 5:00 p.m. For more info: www.greendrinks.org.

Hope to see you there. Cheers!

Green Drinks | fr om page 1

TUESDAYS!

Beer and Burger – 100% Ground

prime rib burger or nutburger and a

Pint $7.95

1302 Gladstone 412-2001

what’s on in Fernwood

Make Yer Neighbourhood NicerTotal Plastics Recycling Day

Sat, Feb.10, Back of FNRG 10am -

Noon. (2nd Sat of each month) Recycle

plastics of all kinds (Styrofoam packing,

soft plastics and bags, and ALL hard/

rigid plastics) plus old electronics.

By donation to cover transportation.

Block Watch Meeting

Mon. Feb.5, 6:30-9pm, FNRG MPR

Room, 1240 Gladstone Ave.

Composting Basics Workshop

Sat, Feb. 3, 11:00am-1:00pm at the

Victoria Compost Ed Centre, Free!

Gardening Workshops: Planning

your Veggie Garden, Part 1

Spring/Summer Sat, Feb. 3, 2:00pm-

4:00pm; Fruit Tree Grafting Sat, Feb. 24,

2:00pm-4:00pm; both at the Compost

Ed Centre. Discount for members,

$15 non-members.

Special EventsChildcare Forum

Come out and discuss current childcare

issues, including government cuts. Local

politicians in attendance. Sat, Feb. 24,

10:00am-Noon, S.J. Willis Alternative

School, 923 Topaz Avenue. Child care

provided.Free admission.

Green Drinks

A inclusive gathering of the

sustainability-minded for refreshments,

conversation, and inspiration. Queen

Mother Waterside Cafe, 407 Swift St.

Tuesday, Feburary 13. YOUTH event at

3:00 pm, GENERAL event 5 - 7pm.

Victoria: Vibrant City, Vibrant

Neighborhoods - Neighbourhood

Workshop Series 2007

Greenways: “The Walkable, Bikeable

City” How do we create pedestrian

friendly (walking, biking and non-

motorized transport) neighborhoods

connected to each other and our

downtown? Hear from Joe Daly,

Manager of Research, Planning and

Design with the City of Victoria and

other local organizations and project

administrators who are making this

happen. Share your ideas. Mon, Feb.

19, 7:00pm-9:00pm, City Hall Ante

Chambers. Free!

Kids & FamiliesParent & Tot Playgroup

Ongoing Tuesdays & Thursdays. FNRG

Gym, 9:30am - 11:30am, $1 per family,

snacks/crafts/circle time.

Rhythm Circle Time

Drop-in select Tuesdays 3:00 pm to

4:00 pm in the Multi-Purpose Room.

Free! In tandem with Mother Goose

program.

Mother Goose

Pre-register-10 weeks per session.

Tuesdays (Call 381-1552 Ext.22 to

register and for info) FNRG Multi-

Purpose Room, 1:00pm - 2:30pm,

Songs, rhymes & stories-Free! ($2 for

songbook)

Community Day

Parent/Family-directed and facilitated

playgroup! Ongoing Mondays, 9:30am

– 11:30am. FNRG Gym, Free!

Youth, Adults, & SeniorsFree Internet and Computer Access

Complete your one-time registration and

then get online through the Community

Access Program. FNRG Community

Room, 9:15am to 8:30pm, Monday to

Friday. Free!

FREE Yoga! (Vinyasa Flow)

New day & time TBA, call 381-1552,

Ext.22 for info.

Holistic Health & Healing

Healing meditation based on Chinese

Five Elements: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water,

Wood, plus discussion of topics chosen

by group. Ongoing Mondays, FNRG,

10:00–11:30am, Free!

Drop-in Indoor Soccer

Co-ed Adult (18+), Ongoing Mondays,

FNRG Gym, 5:30 – 6:45pm, $3, or get

a punchcard: $30 for 11 sessions.

Drop-in Floorhockey

Co-ed Adult (18+), all equipment

provided. Ongoing Tuesdays and

Thursdays, FNRG Gym, 7:00pm

– 9:30pm, $4, or get a punchcard:

$40/11 sessions. No wooden sticks.

Falun Gong

Peaceful meditation practice. Ongoing

Wednesdays, FNRG, 5:00pm – 7:00pm,

everyone welcome, Free!

Fernwood Autumn Glow (55+)

Gentle exercise, lunch & activities;

Ongoing Fridays, FNRG, 11:00am,

$5.50 for lunch.

Music, Art, Theatre, Entertainment, Special EventsLive Music at The Cornerstone Cafe

Live Music Launch! Friday, January 26,

8pm, 1301 Gladstone Ave., featuring

Fernwood artists: Los Gringos

Locos, Mike Demers, Bill Cino,

James Kasper, and other special

guests. Free! Showcases of local

and touring artists: Ongoing Fridays,

8:00 – 11:00pm.

Bohemian Open Stage

Come Out and Play With Us!

Bring your instrument or just come

out and watch! Ongoing Saturdays,

8:00 – 11:00pm. Free. Info: james@

fernwoodneighbourhood.ca,

www.myspace.com/jubileeopenstage

‘Honour’ at the Belfry Theatre

A “frank, honest play that cannot fail

to move anyone who has ever put

their trust in another human being.”

Continuing to Feb. 11, for tickets call

385-6815 or head to www.belfry.bc.ca.

Victoria Bluegrass Assoc. Jam

Ongoing Tuesdays Orange Hall, 7:30

– 10:30pm, $2 to play, free to listen.

Th F S S M T W Th F S S M T W Th F S S M T W Th F S S M T W

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

Feb 2007

Page 8 | News and views from the heart of Fernwood | February 2007 VillageVibe

Published by Fernwood NRG

(Fernwood Neighbourhood

Resource Group)

1240 Gladstone Street

Victoria, BC V8T 1G6

T 250.381.1552

F 250.381.1509

villagevibe@fernwood

neighbourhood.ca

www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca

Editor: Lisa Helps

Contributors:

Jeremy Bezooyen

Blanche Black

Kate Butler

Caitlin Croteau

Veronique da Silva

Margaret Hantiuk

Roberta Martell

Trish Richards

Susan Salvati

Terry Wilson

villagevibe

For submission guidelines and for more info, go to www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca/events

(Last Tuesday of month is open stage/

feature night; cost varies).

J.K. do Forno happenings

Saturdays & Tuesdays: Shade Tree Review

(roots music): 7 – 9:30pm. Fridays: Fireside

Friends Open Stage, 7 – 9:30pm at J.K. Do

Forno Café in Fernwood Square. $3 Beers

all 3 nights! Free admission! Info: Graham,

386-8446, www.myspace.com/doforno

Live Music at Logan’s

For listings, check out www.loganspub.com

Greater Victoria Public Library

For complete event listings, visit:

www.gvpl.victoria.bc.ca